called the Bald King anâ— Emperour who raigned 33 yeares and to Charles the 2. succeeded 879. 27. Lewis the 2. his sonne called the Stuttering King and Emperour who raigned but a yeare and six moneths   At his death he left his wife with child who being borne was acknowledged for lawfull King and called Charles the Simple his minoritie lasted 22. yeares Many Tutors many confusions These Regents are crowned Kings and acknowledged by that name doe hold the ranke among Kings and so we must diuide these 22. yeares to euery Regent according to his raigne 881. 28. Lewis the 3. and Caroloman bastard of Lewis the stuttering raigne as Regents fiue yeares 889. 29 Charles the 3. a Prince of the bloud called the grosse as Regent he raigned 7. yeares being both King and Emperour he was put from them both 896. 30. Eudes or Odon sonne to Rob. Duke of Aniou as Regent he raigned 10. y. In the confusion of these last Maisters the royall autâ—oriâ—y being greatly weakned many Countries freed themselues from the obedience of the French Monarchie So fell out   THE ECLIPSE OF THE EMPIRE   Both in Germanie Italy The body of the Empire remained in Germanie being afterwards gouerned by an Emperour chosen by the Princes Electors And Italy was dismeÌ„bred into diuers Principalities vnder diuers Potentates In the end after this minority of 22. â—eares 899. 31. Charles the 4. called â—he Simple sonne to Lewis the Stuttering was crowned as lawfull King raigned 25. yeares But Raoul of Boâ—rgongâ—e 923. 32. A Prince of the bloud was called by the League to put downe King Charles called the Simple being imprisoned by them and forced to renounce the Crowne Charles dying with griefe Raoul raigned 13. yeares but in the end was expelled from this vniust vsurpation 936. 33. Lewis the 4 called d'Outremer or beyond the sea sonne to Charles the Simple being called out of England whether his Moâ—her had carried him to preserue him from the League was acknowledged King and raigned twenty and nine yeares 954. 34. Lothaire his sonne suâ—câ—eded him who raigned thirtie and three yeares 986. 35. Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire raigned about two yearâ—s and dying without issue interred with him the race of Charles Martel as his Ancestors had of long time obscured his vertues and that of the valiant Charlemagne vnfortunate in their successors Thus the second race called Carlâ—â—ingiens hauing raigned 230. yeareâ— ended 〈◊〉 Lewis the 5. and gaue place to the third raâ—e which raignes at this day 750. PEPIN the short the 23. King of France and first of the second race PIPIN KING OF FRANCE XXIII THE French thus freed by the Popes dispensation from their oth of obedience assemble their generall Estates and to auoyde confusion in the Realme apparently growen by the negligence of their Kings they conclude to reiect Childeric and to choose Pepin the one vnworthie to raigne by reason of his vices and the other most worthie to be King for his royall vertues And to the end the fundamentall Law of state should not bee directly infringed in this new election they bring Pepin from the race of great Clouis of whome they sayd hee should be acknowledged for the next heire Pepin chosen King by the Parliâ—ment and Childeric reiected seing that vertue his race being duely weighed he approched nerest to him in vertue Pepin himselfe would not assist at this assemblie that the offer of this dignitie being made without his appareÌ„t seeking it might be the more honorable Being called to heare the general conclusion of the Parliament and the common desire of all the French hee presents himselfe being pleasing to all men in more then an ordinary sort little of bodie but shewing in his countenance the greatnes of his spirit amiable by his mild and modest behauiour and admirable for his graue pleasing Maiestie The Assembly lets him vnderstand by Boniface Archbishop of Mayence or Mentz that the French in regard of his vertues and their future hope hâ—d by a free and generall consent chosen him King of France And for execution of the said decree hee was instantly in the presence of them all installed King the royall Crowne was set vpon his head by the said Archbishop and then he was raysed vpon a target and carried about the assembly after the ancient ceremonie of the French And by vertue of the same decree Childeric was chalenged as vnworthy of the Crowne degraded shauen and confined into a Monastery thereto passe the remainder of his daies This notable change happened in the yeare 750. in the Citty of Soissons but with so resolute a consent of all the French nationâ— as there appeared not any one that made shew to dislike thereof A most assured testimony that Goâ— had so determined Soueraigne câ—uâ—es of this chaâ—ge hauing resâ—rued to himselfe the soueraigne authority ouer Kings to place and diâ—â—lace gird vngird raise and cast downe according to his good pleasure alwaies iust alwaies wise To him we must ascribe the principall and soueraigne cause of all changes For God is the gouernour as hee is the Creator It being a necessary consequence that he gouernes that which he hath created and by his prouidence watâ—â—eth especially ouer mankinde for whom he hath made the world If we shall otherwise seeke the neerest causes of this alteration we may iustly say that vice dispossessed Childeric vertue set Pepin in possession of the Crowne loue the reuerence of sâ—biects being the sâ—pport of publike authority hate and contempt the ruine thereof To the end that Princes by so worthy an example may learne to banish vice which making them hatefull contemptible thrusts them from their Thrones and to plant vertue which causing them to be respected and honored makes them to raigne ouer nations Now we begin a new gouernment vnder new Kings and in a new race In the beginning we shall see two great Princes The estate of this second race vnder whom good order shall make an alteration of affaires with an abundance of all blessings both spirituall temporall Iustice wisdom pollicie armes valour large limits of territories abundance of peace the excellent knowledge of learning to raise this estate to the greatest happines that euer it enioyed scarse any other kingdom whatsoeuer let forraine nations say what they please But the happines of these two Kings shall not be hereditary in their posteâ—ity who beginning soone to degenerate shall decline by degrees vntil that vice depriuing them of the Crowne vertue shall giue it to another who shall shew himselfe a more lawfull successor and righter heire to Charlemagne hauing a better part in his vertues This second race shall enioy the kingdom 237. yeares beginning to raigne in the yeare 750. ending in the yeare 987. hauing begun by vertue and ended by vice A goodly lâ—sâ—on for Potentates thâ—t bounty wisdom and valour Inâ—â—â—uction for
of diuision amongst them wherby he should greatly incomber them Hee staies the Ambassadors vpon their speeche That their Princesse would not conclude any thing without the Counsell of the three Estates of the Country wherevnto he replies that they spake without warrant and that he is duly informed her meaning is to gouerne her affaires by priuate persons who desired no peace And vpon their protesting to the contrarie affirming that they were grounded vpon good instructions the King opens Maries letters brought by Hugonnet Himbeâ—court and other Ambassadors at their first Ambassage and they returne with no other dispatch then this letter Behold here a company vnexperienced in affaires returne light with care but fraught with reuenge and diuision they make their report vnto their Ladie assisted with the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Leege and many other great personages They strike on that string which they ment to play vpon That the King had proued them liars in that they mainteyned constantlie that she reâ—erred the gouernment of her affaires to the resolution of the States And foâ— proofe as they mainteined the contrarie not imagining her letter to had beene produced behold the Pensionarie of Gand a brutish man and without respect draws the said letter out of his bosome and confounds this bashefull Princesse before the whole assemblie The Dowager Rauasâ—ein Hugonnet and Himbercourt were likewise present The Duke of Cleues treated the marriage of his eldest sonne with the Infanta hee sees himselfe now frustrate by the aboue named so as he presentlie becomes a mortall enemy to Himbercourt from whome he expected fauour in this sute The Bishop of Leege complained of manie disorders committed by him at Leege wherof he had the gouernment The Earle of Saint Paul sonne to him that was beheaded Great 〈◊〉 against 〈◊〉 and â—â—â—bercoâ—â—â— loued neither Hugonnet nor Himbercourt for they had deliuered his father to the Kings seruants The Gantois according to their humors hated them deadlie for that they were men of merit and had beene good and loiall seruants to their master To be short the night after the letter was deliuered Hugonnet and Himbercourt were tumultuoslye seized on and deliuered to suborned men of their Lawe and â—oâ— that they had caused the Citty of Arras to be yeelded by the Lord of Cordes as they saied or rather vpon certein corruptions in iustice and bribes which they said had bin receiued by them of the Citty of Gand in a sute against a priuate man and vpon many extorsions in their charges They are 〈◊〉 supposed crimes câ—â—â—demned 〈◊〉 beheadâ—â— and other things contrary to the priuileges of Gand against the which said they whosoeuer offends must die these two reuerend and graue personages were with a shadow of Lawe condemned by the Sheriffe of Gand and notwith standing their appeale before the King in his Court of Parlament at Paris supposing that this respect and delay might giue their friends meanes to procure their deliuerie they were vnworthily put to death Oh vniust barbarous anâ— inhumane people That the humble and earnest supplication of thy Princesse being in the Towne house nor her weeping and desolate presence before that mournefull scaffold were not of force to preserue and keepe the liues of these her two faithfull seruants This execution ended they sequestred from this poore Princesse the Dowager and Rauastein Mary ouerruled by the â—antâ—is who had signed the Letter they disposing absolutely of her Poore without doubt hauing not onely lost so many good and great Townes but also sees her selfe now in the tyrannicall possession of the ancient persecutors of her house A great corrosiue to bee commanded by such as should obey Afterward they banished whome they pleased placed and displaced officers after their owne appetites chase away indifferently all such as had best deserued of this house of Bourgongne And to continue their popular furie they deliuered out of prison Adolfe Duke of Gueldreâ— whom Charles had long deteined and making him their head they made a leuie in Gand Bruges and Ypâ—e of about twelue thousand men the which they sent to Tournay The Gantois ouerthrowne and Adolfe Duke of Gueldres slaine and burnt the suburbes and then they retire But the garrison issuing forth put wings to their feete so as Adolf a valiant Pâ—ince of his person turning head to fauour them that fled and to make the retreate was ouer-throwne and slaine with a great number of his people with him The Infanta was nothing greeued for if this stratagem had succeeded for the first fruites of his armes some hold they would haue forced her to marry this Adolfe But we haue wandred long enough in Arthois and Flanders let vs retire a little into Bourgongne and consider how this Duchie became French Iohn of Chaalon Prince of Orange was in great credit there Hee possessed much land both in the Duchie and Countie he was a man of action and much esteemed in the Countrie and pretended some inheritances against the Lords of Chaumergnon his Vncles Charles of Bourgongne had giuen sentence in fauour of his aduersaries The conquest of Bouâ—gongne and as he sayd to his great preiudice so as hee had twise left his seruice Now the question is to winne him againe The King promiseth to inuest him in all those places which hee pretends to belong vnto him by the succession of his grand-father and to giue him good preferments in France So he makes him in shew the head of that armie which the Lord of Craon commanded being Lieutenant generall for the King in Bourgongne whom the King trusted more then the Pâ—ince beeing rashe and light in the change of parties Craon hauing commandement to enter into Bourgongne hee sends the Prince of Orange before to practâ—se the Towne of Dijon Hee wrought so politickly that Dijon and many other places both of the Duchie and Countie did willingly submit themselues to the French command Auxonne and some other places of strength continued still vnder the obedience of Marie of Bourgongne Craon seeing himselfe in possession of all these places desired rather to hold them vnder the Kings authoritie then to deliuer them to the Prince of Orange notwithstanding the Kings promise and instance who desired to gratifie this Prince and yet would not discontent Craon who commanded the forces The Prince hauing to doo with a man that would yeeld nothing without good consideration The reuolt of the Prince of Orange and seeing himselfe frustrate of his pretensions he ioynes with Chasteauguion his brother and Claude of Vaudry a braue Gentleman raiseth some troupes with the which he draweth from the King the most part of the aboue-named places with as great facilitie as if hee had conquered them for him and then followes the Infantaes partie whose age and weaknesse required a great support by some worthy alliance There was some speech of Charles the Daulphin but he was yet but nine yeares old The Duke of Cleues laboured for his
But he knew morâ—ouer that being diuided from his maiesty his Councells could not succeed happily in the ende they treaâ— a new amity league togither and to make the king the better aâ—â—ected he giues a Cardâ—â—â—ls hat The Pope and King are reconciled to eyther of the forenamed Bishops and power vnto the King to dispose of all benefices wiâ—â—in the Duchy of Milan The more the King confirmed himselfe in the Popes alliance the more he loaâ—hed that of Maximilian and of Philip his sonne the passage which hee pretended into Italie with a mighty army to receiue his imperiall Crowne and to cause â—is sonne to bee chosen King of the Romans being greatly suspect vnto the King anâ— tâ—e greatnesse of Philip who by capitulation had sent his Father in-in-law Ferdinand back into Arragon hauing already so apparently estranged the Kings loue from him as he gaue Clâ—ude his daughter in marriage to Francis Earle of Angoulesme the next heyre to this Croâ—ne after the Kings discease without heyres males at the sute suppâ—ication of all the Parliaments of his Realme The which serued for an excuse to Philip. And the more to dâ—uert Maximilians passage into Italy the King sent men to succour the Duke of â—uâ—â—dres a great enimy to Philips prosperity and to molest his Prouinces of the Lovv-â—â—â—nâ—râ—es in his absence As these things passed the Pope burniâ—g with desire The Kinâ— seekes bâ— alâ— meaneâ— to 〈…〉 sonne 〈◊〉 to restore vnto the obedience of the Church all such placeâ— as had beene taken away intreâ—ted the King according to their agreement to ayde him in the recouery of Perouâ—e and Bologne This request was very pleasing vnto the King it was a meanes to tye the Pope whom they had in some â—ealousie in Court to haue beene prâ—uy to some practâ—se which Octauian Fregose had made to dispossesse the King of the Seâ—gneury of Genes Moreouer Bentiuole Lord of Bologne seemed more affâ—cted to Maximilian then to him and Iohn Paul Baillon the vsurper of Perouze was in diâ—grace with the King hauing refused to ioyne with his army when it was vpon the Garillan Notwithstanding the protestation which the Venetians made vnto the Kâ—ng The Popes expâ—oâ—â—s To take armes for the defence of Bologne if the Pope did not first make theÌ„ grant of the rights of Faenze belonging to the Church did somewhat diuert â—im referring the execution to another time Yet the Pope being vehement and pereÌ„â—tory by nature goes out ofâ— Rome with fiue hundred men at armes and giues notice of his comming to the Boloâ—nois commanding them to prepare to receiue him and to logde 500. French Lâ—nces in their country whereof he had yet no assurance Then Baillon fearing his comming goes to meete the pope and deliuers him the forts of Perouze and Perousin In the end by the perswasion of the Cardinal of Amboise the King commanded Charles of Amboise Lord of Chaumont 1506. to assist the Pope in person with fiue hundred Lances and three thousand foote amongst the which were Gâ—ston of Foix the Kings nephew and Duke of Nemours Peter of Foix Lord of Lautrâ—c his cousin the Lord of Palisse and others Bentiuole and his children amazed at this sodaâ—ne aâ—riuall Bentiuol compounds with the Pope anâ— deliuers vp Bologne beseech Chaumont to be a mediator and to procure them some tollerable conditions who dealing with the Pope obteined leaue to depart safelie out of Bologne to remaine in what part he pleased of the Duchie of Milan to sell and carry away all their mouables and to enioy the reuenues they possessed by any iust title without any molestation Thus Bologne returned to the obedience of the Church and the Pope hauing giuen the Duke of Nemours a sword inriched with precious stones amongst the which there was one Diamond of inestimable value eight thousand Ducats to Chaumont and ten thousand for his men he conuerted all his thoughts to annoy the Venetians The death of Philip Archduke of Austria At this time dyed Philip the Archduke of a Feuer within few dayes in the Cittie of Bourges young of yeares strong and healthfull of body leauing an heire the fatall scourge of the French Monarchie who within few yeares sâ—all mount vpon the Theater of our Historie to acte many and diuers tragicall parts And the Duke of Valentinois to finish the last acte of his Tragedie hauing slipt downe with a corde from the forte of Medina de'l Campo and sought for refuge with Iohn of Albret King of Nauarre The Duke of Valentinois slaine brother to his wife was in the end slaine before Viane fighting for his brother in law Too honorable a death for such a tyrant Chaumont was no sooner returned but there sprung vp a new occasion to imploy his â—orces Rebellion at Genes the Genouois taking occasion not of any desire they had to rebell but onely of ciuill discords betwixt the people and the Nobles the which do often transport men beyond their fiâ—st resolutions did sacke the Noblemens houses and did tumultuouslie create a new Magistracy of eight popular men whom to authorise them the more they named Tribunes of the people they sâ—ized by force on Spetie and some other Townes lying vpon the Easterne riuer The Lord of Rauastein being absent flies speedily to Genes with a hundred and fiftie horse and sâ—uen hundred foote The King had sent vnto thâ—m Michel Riccio a Doctor banished from Naples to perswade them to seeke rather the mildnesse of his mercie then to trye the rigour of his forces But a mutinous peopâ—e is like vnto a wilde horse which runnes furiously vntill some downefall stay him â—or in steed of giuing care to his counsell they go to besiege Monaco lying vpon the sea in a commodious place and of great importance for the Câ—ttie of Genes they create Paul de Noue a Dier of Silke Duke of Gâ—â—â—s beate downe the Kings armes and set vp Maximilians they take Castellat a Castell built abâ—ue Genes in the mountaine and â—gainst their faith cut the French mens throates that were in Garrison So the King imputing that to the Genouois as a rebellion which they had done by ciuill discord marched himselfe in person followed by eyght hundred Lances eighteene hundred light horse twelue thousand foote and an armie at sea consisting of eight Gallies The King goes with his armie against the â—ebels at Genes eight Galleons and many Foâ—sts and Brigantins he raiseâ—h the siege at Monaco takes the Bastion which they had built in the top of the mountaine forceth the Genouois to yeeld to his mercy disarmes theiâ— the 29. day of Aprill enters into Genoua â—n câ—mpleat aâ—mour with his sword in his hand vnder a Canopie accompanied with all his companies of men at aâ—mes and Archers of his garde who at the pittifull crye of the people demanding mercy of his Maiestie he grants them pardon paying a hundred thousand Ducats in ready money and two hundred
summe Annebault sent certaine Captaines who surprised the Towne from foure hundred soldiars which kept it in the Emperours name Montcallier sent presently to offer obedience and the Castell of Carignan yeelding did furnish Turin with about three thousand sackes of meale packt vp readie to send to the Campe. Salusses Quieras and many other places of the Marquisate and of Piedmont did homage vnto the victors The King sent to refresh Annebault and his troupes both with horse and foote hee drewe them out of Turin sending two thousand French â—oote vnder the Command of Captaine René and la Godiniere and two thousand others vnder the Cheualier Birague and for gouernour he sent Burie to whome he gaue the company of men at armes which Francis of Salusse being reuolted did command But behold an act as remarkable as it is rare proceeding from a singular affection and what will not a braue Knight do for his mistres Vnexpected succorâ— froâ— Scotland Vpon the first newes of the Emperours descent into Prouence the King of Scotland did arme sixteene thousand men to come and succour the King without his request or priuitie saies the Originall and nothing stayed him from comming in time vpon the generall hope of a battaile but a contrary winde which had put him backe twise The King had assured him selfe of his newe conquests and hauing giuen order to the frontiers of his realme returned into France The King of Scotland came to meete him at la Chapelle betwixt Tarare and Saint Saphorin in Lionois and theâ—e he demanded one of his daughters in marriage The ancient alliance of the realme of France and Scotland was considerable The Father of this King had beene slaine in battaile against the English for the partie of King Lewis the twelfth and should his kind affection bee denied So the marriage betwixt him and Magdaleine of France was concluded in Blois and sollemnized the first day of the yeare following Great prosperities are oftentimes accompanied with some crosses else the vanity of our senses would easily transport vs and we would attribute that to our owne valour which belongs to the great Iudge and moderator of battells behold 〈…〉 fruits in the gouernement of the Lord of Bury at Turin Oftentimes hee is taken that thinkes to take The Emperour had adiudged Monferrat to the Marquis of 〈◊〉 against the Duke of Sauoy and Francis of Salusses who pretended it and those 〈…〉 would not accept of him Bury during these garboiles practiseth Damian 〈◊〉 Captaine in the garrison at Casal for the Emperour Damian promiseth to deliuer him a gate Bury leads thither Christopher Gouast with twelue hundred Italians wherof he was Collonel and some number of horse vnder the Lord of Tais and at the first becomes maister of the towne But the mattocks shouels and other instruments for Pyoners which VVilliam Earle of Biendras should haue prouided with the money hee had receiued to that ende to make a trench sodainly betwixt the Towne and the Castle whilest that Cont Guy should come to succour them with the artillery to batter the Castle were yet to buy Whilest they seeke for others to make trenches the Marquis of Guast had leysure to assemble his forces within Ast and to enter into the Castle by the field-gate and so into the towne Twelue hundred men were not able to withstand the furie of this vnexpected storme Bury taken prisoner He mainteins the shock and enters fight but in the end beeing forced by the enemy he is taken prisoner Tais Guast and all the rest were slaine or taken Biendras Damian and other marchants saue themselues We finde the fault when it is done It is good to obserue it to make vs wise He should haue imparted this enterprise to Cont Guy who should haue drawne his armie neere vnto Ast. The Maâ—quâ—s fearing to loose the one and not to saue the other had conteyned himselfe within his walls Guy Guiffroy Lord of Boutieres was appointed gouernor by the King in Buâ—â—es place The snow yce and slipperines of the winter stayed the courses of the garrisons in Picardy And whilest the season kept them from doing any memorable exploits the King laying open in his Court of Parliament at Paris in the presence of the Peeres of France Pursute against the Emperour in iustice and Princes of the bloud forty 〈…〉 Bishops many officers of the Crowne and other great presonagâ—s of all Estates the lawfull armes of a Lord against his vassall that hath committed a trespasâ— he sent to suÌ„mon the Emperour vpon the fronters by a Herald to come and plead what he should thinke good against the demands of his maiesties Aduocate and Proctor generall concluding that in regard of the rebellions treacheries of the said Emperour against the King his naturall Prince and Souereigne Lord by reason of the Earledomes of Flanders Arthois Charolois and other places holding of the crowne of France they should be adiudged confiscate and vnited to the Crowne And no man appearing for the Emperour the demaund of the Kings Councel was registred according to the forme tenure vsual in those cases For the execution of this sentence the Lords of Annebault Tais Termes Aussun Frenchmen More of Nouate Francis Bernardin of Vimercat Italians George Capâ—ssement and Theode Manes Albanois eyther of them commanding two hundred light horse de Bies Seneshall and Gouernour of Boullen and De Crequi Gouernor of Monstrueil Captaines of fifty men at armes hauing victualed Therouenne in viewe of the Earle of Reux who issued forth of S. Omer with six hundred horse to preuent this Stratagem the King parting from Amiens whereas Charles Duke of Vendosme then died much lamented of the King and Realme a braue Prince and well deseruing of this Crowne for his many notable seruices the king in the end of March sends VVilliam Earle of Furstemberg to field with eight thousand Lansquenets the Lords of Seâ—eâ— and Auchi who were slaine at the first approches at Hedin Heilly S. Seual Picards Bacqueuille la Salle S. Albin Normands Quincy a Champanois Haraâ—court a Lorraine either of them leading a thousand men and many other bandes of Germains and French amounting all to fiue and twenty thousand men wherof Montmorency Lord Steward was Lieutenant generall for his maiesty Hedin of consequence to the King 1537 for the preseruation of his other places in Picardie and being in his power did wonderfully annoy the enemy Heâ—in taken The towne abandoned by the garrâ—son they retyre into the Castell the which was taken without resiâ—tance but the Earle of Reuâ—â— had well furnishâ—d the Castell for the deâ—ence of a place of importance Captaine Samson an old Knight of Namurs a great soldiar commanded there with fifteene hundred men vnder the enseignes of Bouâ—eâ—s and Vaudeuille They make their approches many Captaines perswaded that the thicknes of the wall mayntained wich a great rampâ—r would neuer aâ—mâ—t any breach tâ—ey come to vndermine The
hath knowne in many ages But we shall see in the end most of their tongues â—olde for money and others who making profession to come into the Pulpit to instruct the people shall baâ—ely controull these goodly Orators and by a contrary language suborne the peoples affections subuert their senses and as it were with little â—inkes of golde drawe them after them tyed by the nose tongue and eares The feasts maskes stately marriages sumptuous pastimes and the new impositions to maintaine them lead the first dance of rebellion The Q eene Mother Motiuâ—s of 〈…〉 against the King and those of Guise seeing the King drowned in these delights of Court did willingly entertaine him in that humor that eyther busying himselfe to number his Beads or to tread the measures of a dance they might holde the reynes of gouernment and dispose of affaires without controule But hee knew well the ambition of these men Hee was iealous of his royall authority and in the middest of his delights and pleasures their presence was suspect vnto him Hee was more pleased with the familiaritie of meane men whom hee had aduanced to exceeding greatnesse and 〈◊〉 hee set some mignion in Sentinell to watch if they should attempt any thing 〈◊〉 â—is royaâ—l dignitye Those of Guise are not idle they watch for occasions theâ— receiue such as are malecontents they practise men of their owne humours and dispositions and fitte for theâ—r desseignes and can cunningly promise cure and helpe for those vlcers and sores which the people of France shew them on all sides These first discontents of subiects oppressed with insupportable charges 1581. and the impatiencie of the Clergie who see their enemies to enioy a firme and solide peace which did newly strengthen and close vp that old wound which had lately imbrued all France made them easily to reuiue the league of Peronne and vnder two goodlee pretexts religion and the ease of the people to discouer the desseignes which they had long before conceiued All encounters made the way easie both within and without within their hearts disposed to reuolt without the Spaniards greatnesse who had now inuaded the realme of Portugall and by this vsurpation had a great meanes to disperse his Indian golde in France And the Duke of Aniou made warre for the Estates of Flanders and other vnited Prouinces which had called him to free them from the tyrannie and domination of the Spaniards But these discourses belong to the Spanish Portugall 1582. 1583. and Flemish Histories and may not enter into this volume which inuites vs to an end The last Edict had as the former accorded some Townes vnto the Protestants for hostages and sureties of his word Prolongation of Townes granted to the Protestants during the terme of sixe yeares Now the King summons them to deliuer them seeing the time prefixed was almost expired But the peace had beene so often broken as so short a time could not quench the firebrands of warre nor giue a full execution to the Edict To content them the King grants a prolongation for the reteining of these Townes for some yeares New motiues of rebellion This grant serues the Princes of the League for a new motiue of troubles and disobedience They giue it out generally That the King fauoures heretikes that hee will bring in heresie They consider not that hee could not but by force the euent whereof was doubtfull recouer the sayd places being strong and peopled with numbers of Protestants The King of Nauarre sees a farre off that the heauens are ouercast and foresees that this storme doth threaten his Estate with a horrible tempest The King of Nauarre solicited to ioyne with the league they solicite him to ioyne with this party they make him goodly offers in shew but all was but to lull him a sleepe or to cast vpon him all the causes of the future miseries and to make him more odious and detestable Hee giues the King intelligence thereof and puts him in minde of the aduertisements hee gaue him in the yeare 1576. vpon the treaties of the League in Spaine 1584. and at Rome Hee sees this mine is ready to breake and that it is now time to thinke of his affaires Hee assures himselfe of the amities of England Denmarke and Germanie The Duke of Aniou dyes But sodenly there falles a new accident which breakes vp all the bankes that restrained the ouerflowing of the League The Duke of Aniou whether his ryot in the Lowe Countries or griefe to see his desseignes ouerthrowne or the wicked practises of Salcedo drawne in peeces since by foure horses or some other secret attempt against his life had shortened his dayes hee dyes at Chasteau-Thyerry Whatsoeuer it were such as were imployed to see this man tortured and to discouer the secret intentions of his masters were afterwards vnworthily intreated and ransomed by the chiefe of the League This death aduanced the King of Nauarre one degree The King suffers the Court of Parliament to receiue the Roses in May that were presented vnto him according to the custome of the Princes and Peeres of France in qualitie of the first Prince of the bloud and first Peere of France Most part of the realme cast their eyes vpon him as the Sunne rising This on the one side doth amaze the Authors of the League and on the other side it presseth them to trie their fortunes now whilest the King remaines alone of his line without hope of issue and the King of Nauarre farre off as it were exiled and in shew excluded from euer passing the Loire They assemble the heads of their house at S. Denis and presently make the seeds of their councels to appeare in Picardie The proceedings of the league Champagne Bourgongne They make the townes to abhor the Huguenots yoake which say they the King of Nauar prepares for them They talke not of the King but with contempt they cast forth libels and shamelesse Pasquils they disgrace him in companies as a Sardanapalus and idle Chilperie drâ—â—ke with prodigâ—lities and dissoluâ—â—es and for a third Crowne his deuise shewing that he attended the last in heauen they were ready to shaue his crowne like vnto a Mâ—nke into a Cloister The people being corrupted and drawne from their obedience by the disorders of the Court suffer the poison of audacious mutinies to creepe into their hearts But let vs in few words see the conception the deliuerie and the growing of tâ—is league in Paris which shall cast forth store of branches into all the quarters of the Realme Rocheblond a Cittizen of Paris a turbulent and factious man the first Tribune of this league incouraged by some great men and supported by the chiefe ministers thereof ioynes with Preuost the Curat of S. Seuerin Bucher Curat of S Benoist and Launâ—y a Chanon of Soâ—ssons sometimes a Minister but fled from Sedan for adulterie These foure Archeleaguers hauing banded all their wittes to
first party by a new defection Bernard Aduocate of the Parlement of Dijon The Aduocate Bernard began his oration with a sollemne thaâ—kes for the Kings promise fully to execute the Edict of the vnion hee exhorted all the townes and subiects of the Realme to vnite themselues not onely in Religion but also in good correspondency for the Kings seruice continuation of his dignity and defence of the Estate He discouered all the other infirmities of this politike body the which besides the vlcer of partialities haue strangely corrupted it as Blasphemies adulteries witchcraft Simony outrage in souldiars inuentors of subsidies and newe Edicts executors of extraordinary Commissions Brokers and buyers of Offices who wast the treasure and bring the people to beggery An Inuectiue against so many Edicts registred with this Apostill By commandements many times reiterated seeing that in good and iust Edicts the Soueraigne Princes commaund is not necessary against the treasure ill imployed and the strange oppressions of France Then requiring a conclusion of the Estates he beseeched his Maiesty to open the eyes of his wisedome for the ease of his poore people not to change his godly resolutions and to dismisse the Deputies considering the mutinies that were in their Prouinces to go and make proofe said he of the effects of their good wills But these wills were for the most part subiect vnto those that vnder a goodly shew of war for religion and the publike good studied of nothing but rebellion cruelty treachery trouble and confusion Thus the Estates ended and the King foreseeing the extreme oppression of his subiects in so great a leauy of armes abates the fourth part of their subsidies and sent to all the Prouinces to assure them of his good intent But his subiects were too much affected to mutinies too capable of disobedience too ready to spoyle the wise and the rich The mourning of the Duchesses of Guise Nemours and Montpensier being set at libertie by the King to binde them to bee intercessors to his mutinous people the fuâ—ious cries of Boucher Guarin Cueilli Roze Pelletier Guincâ—sâ—â—e Hamilton Christin Lucain Mauâ—lerâ— Commâ—let Feuâ—rdent and other such Preachers very firebrands of sedition The perswasions of the Prouost of Marcâ—ants of the Sherifâ—es of Paris and other Magistrates of Townes freely released by the King â—ad too wickedly seduced them But the Duke of Mayennes arriuall at Pâ—ris confirmed the inhabitants more in the execution of the foresaid 〈◊〉 of Sorbonne This decree quite contrary to those by the which this College hath so often commendably withstood the vnfit and violent proceedings of the Court of Rome The Court of 〈…〉 Paris imprisoned against the estate of this realme could not take effect whilest that maiesticall and reuerent Parliament the true gardien of this Crowne had eyther force or authoritie So one of the sixteene Bussyle Clerâ— a poore petty fogger lately much honoured being admitted to present himselfe bare headed vpon his knee before this reuerent assemblye followed by some of his acquaintance and companions and a bande of armed raskalls enters the sixeteenth of Ianuary armed with a Cuirasse and a pistoll in his hand into the great chamber with an intent to carry away the fiâ—â—t President de Harlay and the other Presidents and Councellors who persisting in the fiâ—elity of their charge might crosse the madde and fatall desseins of the League The whole bodie ashamed to see themselues dismembred by this insolent and presumptuous attempt followed their head Bussy then leads them away all in triumph two 〈◊〉 two prisoners to the Basâ—ille and Louure Such as were Royalists were kept there tâ—e rest which leaned to this popular furie preserued their houses from the spoile whicâ— this Tribune had pretended and were sent home Some aduertised of this newe Commission saued their persons but not the confiscation of their goods and reueâ—â—â—es That man was happie that found a friend where to hide himselfe or that could get away disguised in his seruants weedes and so march many daies on foote to â—ecouer Tours or some other place of the Kings obedience All diuine and humane Lawes were subuerted respect of equity abolished and the reuerence of publike authority defaced The officers of the Parliament being 〈◊〉 giue the place of the first President to Barnabé Brisson then they make a 〈◊〉 in manner of another for the entertaynment of the vnion The Princes of Lorraine and many gentlemen sweare vnto it the sixteene subscribe it one amongest them prickt himselfe in the arme to signe it with his owne bloud but remayning lame therby he was mockt by his Companions The people made a generall Councell of the vnion consisting of fortie choise men of the three Estats the which was confirmed by the Parliament to dispose of the publike aâ—â—aires A generall Councell of the vnion and to conferre with the Prouinces and townes of the League For the Church Brezè Bishop of Meaux Rozè Bishop of Senlis Villars Bishop of Agen Preuost Curat of Saint Seuerin Boucher Curate of S. Bennet Aubry Curate of S. Andrews Pelletier Curate of S. Iames Pigenat Curat of Saint Nicholas Launoy Chanoine of Scissons and sometime minister at Sedan for the Nobility the Marquis of Canillac the Seigneur of Menneuille Saint Pol Rosne Montberault Hautefort Saussay for the third Estate Massaparault Neuilly Coqueley Midorge Machault Baston Marillac Achanie de Braye Beau-cler Bruyâ—re Lieutenant Ciuill Anroux Fontanon Drouart Crucè Bordeaux Halâ—equin Soly Bellanger Poncher Senault Charpentier 〈◊〉 Lawieâ—s or men oftrafficke The great men enter presently into iealousie of this number whereas the people commanded so as by the Dukes importunity and the aboue named Pâ—incesses they adde vnto them Hennâ—quin Bishop of Rennes the Abbot of Lenoncourt the Presidents â—aniâ— Vetus lâ— Maistre Dormesson Videuille d' Amours a Councellor Villeroy both father and sonne Sermoise Dampierre la Bouâ—dâ—isiâ—re le Fay and many others who to carry it away by plurality of voices called vnto them the President le Sueur Bragelonne Treasorer Roland a sheriâ—fe and others who assisting one another with theiâ— voices ouerthrew many things which those that were deputed for the people were readie to decree for the confirmation of their tirannie Exceeding insolencies The Duke of Mayenne to settle his affaires suffers these base Companions to plaie the pettie Kings Those of the Clergie exceeding the authority of the Church do in their sermons excomunicate the father that knoweth his sonne to be the Kings seruant and reueales him not to the Councell of the vnion the sonne that discouers not his father the wife and the husband that accuse not one an other the kinsemen and friends that discouer not the goods of their kindred and friends beeing absent to be imployed in the warres The Nobility reapes some proffit of the ransomes and spoiles of the Royalists and Politikes The people condemne impryson spoile and ransome of theiâ— absolute powre and sell the goods of any that beares not
allowe thereof This was to recouer some life after a long numâ—es and fainting and to returne to the way of obedience But the Legat of Rome a pensioner of Spaine and the cheeâ—e of the League hoping to draw the affaires to another course calling from all parts the Deputies of Townes confederate to assist at the Estates at Paris they sought all meanes to mortifie these motiues of charitie to their countrie which reuiued in the most modest And the better to aduance their desseins they publish a certaine writing in forme of a Bull commaunding and giuing authoritie to the Cardinall of Plaisance to assist and to confirme the future election of a new King This doth sufficiently discouer that which hitherto they haue concealed and kept secret couering with the pretext of religion their wicked and damnable conspiracie which opened the gate to the ouerthrowe and ruine of all order and humaine societie instituted by God especially of this most famous and flourishing monarchie whereof the fundamentall law consists cheefly in the order of the lawfull succession of our Kings The Court of Parliament being remoued from Paris to Chaalons A sentence against Clement the 8. Bull. by a decree of the eighteenth of Nouember confirming the request of the Kings Proctor generall allowed of his appeale from the grant of the said Bull and authoritie conteined therein the publication and execution thereof and whatsoeuer was therein conteined They decreed that Phillip of the title of Saint Onuphre Cardinal of Plaisance should bee cyted to plead against the sayd appeale They exhorted all men not to suffer themselues to bee infected with the poyson and witchcraft of such rebells and seâ—â—tious persons but to continue in their duties like good and naturall Frenchmen and to retâ—ine still the obedience and loue they owe vnto their King and Countrie not adhering to the practises of such as vnder the colour of religion would inuade and trouble the State and bring in the barbarous Spaniards and other vsurpers They did expresly inhibit and forbid the keeping of the sayd Bull to publish it to aide or fauour the sayd rebells or to transport themselues into any townes or places that might bee assigned for the sayd pretended election vpon paine for the Nobles to be degraded of their Nobility and they and their posterity to be declared infamous and base and for the Clergie to loose the possession of their benefices and to bee punished as all other offenders guilty of treason troublers of the publike peace traitors to their Country without hope to obtaine pardon remission or abolition And all townes not to receiue the sayd rebells and seditious to make the sayd assemblie to lodge entertayne or harbour them Moreouer they decreed that the place where that resolution had beene taken togither with the towne of the sayd assemblie should be quite razed without hope to be reedified for a perpetuall memory of their treachery and treason Commanding all persons to set vpon such as should transport themselues to the sayd towne to assist at this assembly And to the Proctor generall to informe against the Authors and procurers of such monopoles and conspracies made against the Estate This decree was but laughed at by the heads of the League and did nothing daunt their priuate hopes Euery one makes his faction apart Euery one desired to set in his masters chaire and not one would bee a seruant or Companion The Dukes of Guise Mayenne Nemours and Sauoy the Marquis of Pont sought by sundry practises to get the voices of the pretended Estares The instructions found in the cofers of the Baron of Tenissey after his defeate by Vaugrenan who commanded for the King in Saint Iohn de Laune in Bourgongne did sufficiently discouer the high proiects which certaine bad Councellors made this yong Prince to conceiue But aboue all the Duke of Mayenne The Popes â—ulls disanuled supposing that after the death of the Duke of Parma whom he feared as very opposite to his authority this occurrent would giue him meanes to recouer his credit began to play the King within Paris hoping the Estats would prefer him before the yonger or at the least the title of Lieutenant generall to the King of Spaine could not escape him in the Conquest of the realme For the first fruits of his absolute power he forceth the Presidents and Councellors remayning at Paris to receiue Rosne one of his most trusty friends with the title of Marshall of the Crowne gouernor of the Isle of France dignities fit for a Nobleman of a better house quality And to bridle the Parisiens who demaÌ„ded peace he caused on Christmas Eue going vp to the pallace the Citty being in armes the foresayd decree against the Popes Bul to be openly burnt then by a publâ—ke declaration he inuited al the Catholikes of the realme to vnite themselues to forsake the obedience which they shewed to a Prince whose prosession perseuerance made him incapable appointed the conuocation of the Estats on the 17. of Ianuary following at Paris There ioyntly to seeke without passion saâ—ed he or respect of any mans interest the remedies which they should thinke in their coÌ„science to be most profitable for the preseruation of religion and the Estate But what Estates Like vnto those of Troyes where they disinherited Charles the 7. the true and lawfull heire of the Crowne as excomunicate Estates chosen almâ—st of all the scomme of the people of the most matinous and seditious corrupted by money and all pretending some priuate profit in change and innouation A â—arliament compounded of men which eyther enioyed the benefice the office or the house of their neighbour or that had stolne his goods or detayned his reuenues or to conclude that feared by a peace to be toucht for some committed Crimes bankerouts infamous and wicked Estats where there appeeres not one Prince of the bloud no Chancellor no Marshalls of France no Presidents of Soueraine Courts none of the Kings Proctors generall in his Parliaments fewe men of reputation knowne to haue loued the peoples good and their owne honours No men of marke and account without whome they could not assemble nor hold any iust and lawfull Estates Fâ—nally a Parâ—â—â—ment where they see none but passionate strangers gaping after France geeedie of the bloud and welth thereof ambitious and reuenging women corrupt Preestes licentious and full of vaine hopes No Noblemen of worth 1593 but three or foure who alreadie had resolued to abandon that faction all the rest were beggarly louing warre and trouble during the which they eate the good mans bread not able to maintayne their owne traynes in time of peace An Italian Legat and vassall to a strange Prince who in this quality neyther can nor ought to haue any place sent to hinder the liberty of voices and to authorise such as had promised him to do wonders for the affaires of Rome and Spaine A Cardinall of Peluè a Frenchman by
and masters of Reqâ—ests of the Kings house to the number of twelue went to the Pallace and caused the letters of reestablishment of the Court of Parliament to be read and at the instance of Loiâ—el appointed in the absence of the Kings officers they tooke the oth of all the Presidents Counâ—ellors and officers of the said Court before the returne of the Parliament remoued to Tours in the yeare 1589. And so in like sort to other companies the chamber of accounts Court of Aides chamber of the money to whom Councellors were sent to do the like as to the Parliament and to continue their places and dignities with the other officers resident at Tours whome this happie reduction brought within few weekes after to their antient seat of iustiâ—e Paris being freed from the command of strangers A decree against the League and the Duâ—e of Mayenne and reduced vnder the obedience of their natural and lawfull King it was needfull to repaire that which the libertie of warre had changed touching the Lawes and grounds of the Estate and the rights and honours of the Crowne To this end the Court of Parliament lately establishes reuoakes and disanuls by a decree of the 30. of March all other decrees orders or othes giuen or made since he 29. of December 1588. to the preiudice of the Kings authoritie and the lawes of the realme decreeing that as things forced by violence they should remaine suppressed for euer And especially they disanulled all that had beene done against the honour of the deceased King as well during his life as after his decease forbidâ—ing all persons to speake of his memorie but with honour respect commanding to informe oâ— the detestable paricide committed on his person and to proceed extraordinarily against such as should bee found cuâ—pable They reuoked the authoritie giuen to the Duke of Mayenne vnder the title of Lieutenant generall of the Estate and Crowne of France forbidding all men to acknowledge him with that qualitie to yeeld him any obedience fauour comfort ayd vpon paine of high treason They likewise inioyned the Duke of Mayenne vpon the like paines other Princes of the house of Lorraine to acknowledge King Henry the 4. of that name for King of France Nauarre for their king to yeeld him the obedience of faithfull seruants and subiects And to all other Princes Prelates Noblemen gentlemen Townes Commonalties priuate men To 〈◊〉 that pretended faction of the League wherof the Duke of Mayenne had made 〈◊〉 the head and to yeeld vnto the King obedience seruice and fealtie vpon paine to 〈◊〉 said Princes Prelates Noblemen and gentlemen to bee degraded of their 〈◊〉 and gentry and they and their posteritie declared base with confiscation of 〈…〉 goods and the razing of their Townes Castels and places that should infâ—â—â—ge 〈◊〉 Kings ordinances and commaundements They reuoked and dissanulled all tâ—â—t had beene done or decreed by the pretended Deputies of the assemby held at Paris vnder the names of the generall Estates of the Realme as voyd done by priuat perâ—ons chosen and suborned for the most part by the factious of this Realme and partisans to the Spaniard hauing no lawfull power forbidding the said pretended Deputies to take vpon them this qualitie and to assemble any more in the sayd Cittie or else where vpon paine to be punished as troublers of the publike quiet and guiltie of high Treason They inioyned such of the pretended Deputies as were yet resident at Paris to retyre home to their houses to liue there vnder the Kings obedience and to take the oth of fealtie before the Iudges of those places Moreouer they decreed that all processions and sollemnities instituted during the troubles thereof should cease and insteed thereof the two and twentith day of March should bee for euer celebrated and the same day a general procession should be made after the accustomed maner where the said Court should assist in their scarlet roabes as a remembrance to giue God thankes for the happie reduction of this said Cittie to the Kings obedience As the vniuersitie by their treacherous decision had before countenanced and supported the Parisiens insolencies and mutinies The voluntary submission of the vniuersitie so now by their humble and due submission of their owne proper motion they seeke to repaire the crime they had committed Iames of Amboise Doctor in Physicke chief Rector chosen since the reduction of Paris the Deane and the Doctors of Sorbonne the deanes and doctors of other faculties all the members and Officers of the vniuersitie come to the King to yeeld him a testimonie of their loue and finding him in the chapell of Bourbon prostrate before his Maiestie they acknowledge him their true and onely naturall Prince sweare to be obedient and faithfull seruants to him for euer and beseech him as to his other people which submit themselues like good and loyall subiects to extend his fauour vnto them The Kings owne disposition did moue him but the place did inuite him to this pardon He protests before God to be as readie to remit the offences of others as he desired Gods diuine Maiestie to be merciful vnto his So he receiued them and sent them home gratiously Paris gaue example to all the rest of the Realme And the first fruits of this happie reunion began to ripen in the hearts of other Townes and Comonalties So the monethes of Aprill and May were spent to receiâ—e the submâ—ssions of diuers Prouinces and drâ—wing to the Kings obedience many Captaines gentlemen Noblemen and other châ—â—e pillers of the League So as euery birde hauing his fether the Crow in the Fable remayned in the end naked Diuers reductions in Nâ—râ—andie The Lord of Villars submits himselfe to his â—oueraine Lord and yeelding him the townes of Rouan Newhauen Harfleu Montiuillier Ponteau de â—er and Vernueil hee obtaines in exchange the office of Admirall of France In Picardie and hereafter resolues a most obstinat warre against the Spaniard But a sad accident shall â—oone frustrat the desseins he made with his Maiestie Abbeuille hath bin alwaies caâ—led the Cittadell of Picardie lying at the mouth of the sea Maupin the Maior and some inhabitants had resolued to giue a great check vnto the League but the feare of the Duke of Aumales factions restrained them and the seditious impressions of Preachers who throughout the Realme haue beene the greatest motiues of these last mutinies made this their good will fruitles The King being aduertised hereof did hazard Franc one of the Secretaries of his Chamber who was borne at Abbeuille to â—ound and discouer the end of their intentions Hee parts in Aprill and vnder colour to visit his friends he behaues himselfe so discreetly in his negotiation that in lesse then eight dayes they resolued in open assembly to send their deputies to yeeld themselues at his Maiesties feete who in token of so good a seruice ennobled France and his posteritie and augmented
Nobleâ—en of the Court and the meanes to execute it so execrable as all his Friends were silent there were some that saide that for any other crime yea if he had killed a Prince in the Kings Cabinet No man 〈◊〉 â—ue for him they would haue begged his pardon and would haue sacâ—ificed their Children to the Kings Iustice for an expiation of the Offence rather then to loose him But in this acte Friendship was Conspiracy and Intercâ—ssion a Crime His Friends went to S. Maur where the King was they cast themselues at his Maiesties feet to implore his Mercy and to moderate the seueâ—ity of his Iustice more in consideration of his Father then for any respect of the Sonnes seruices which could not equall his fault The King said That it was a matter of such importance for his Estate that he was constrayned to leaue it to the course of Iustice that to hauâ— attempted against him who was his King and his Benefactor was insupportable that he could not remit this Crime but he must ruine himselfe the Queene his Wife his Sonne and his â—state That he knew they were such true hearted Frenchmen that as they desired not the one so they would haue patience for the other They hauing knowne the foulenesse of the fact and the reasons which forced Clemency to yeeld vnto Iustice abandoned the pursute The Countesse of Roussy solicited the Court. The Prisoners Mother was not there The King commanded the Court of Parlament to proceede to Iudgâ—ment without any intermission The Prisoner was a Peere of France A Peere cannot be iudged but by his Peeres the Baronie of Biron beeing made a Duchie and a Paire by the King A Peere cannot be iudged but by the Kiâ—g and his Peeres but the King is neuâ—r present when he is a Party and that the accusation of the Party concernes his Person his Honour or his Estate And although the Order of the Ancient Peeres be more in number then by the first institution for that of the six Secular Peeres fiue are vnited vnto the Crowne and the sixt doth no more obey the King yet the newe created enioy the same Priuileges and Pâ—erogatiues that the ancient did aâ—d the last although he be aboue the number shal not bee iudged but by his Peeres but may assist at the Iudgement of another Peere and haue his voyce as well as the Duke of Burgundy who is the Deane of the Peeres yea the Wiues whose Lands are erected into Paynes or that hold it by successioÌ„ may assist Mathilda Countesse of Arthois Peere of France was caâ—led and deliuered hâ—r opinion with the other Peeres at the iudgement of Robert Earle of Arthois Bâ—t if the Peeres being called do not appeere The Peers come not they may proceed The Peeres of France were called to the araignment of the Duke of Biron they appeered not The Court forbeares not to proceed notwithstanding their absence All the Chambers beeing assembled the Chancellor accompained by Maisses and Pontcâ—rre two Councellors of the State entred into the Parliament two Sargents at armes and some officers of the Chancery going before him Hee was receiued at the entring of the Barre by two ancient Councellors and beeing saluted by the Court hee set him downe in the Presidents place hauing deliuered the Kings intention and his assurance of the integrity and wisdome of the Court vppon an occasion importing the State and vpon a foule crime in a person other waies recoÌ„mended for his seruices he made a signe to Stephen Fleury the Reporter of the Processe to begin This was done for want of the Peeres His Processe reported A request was made in the pâ—isoners name that it would please the Court to allow him Councell to direct him in the formes of their proceeding whereof he was as ignorant as he had let all France know how well hee vnderstood the Art of War De la Gesle the Kings Attorny Generall being heard vpon this request His request reiected and Seruin the Soliciter Gâ—nerall speaking for him he said that although this request seemed to bee grounded vpon some Presidents for that the like had bin granâ—ed vnto the Prince of Condé Yet there was great diuersity and many considerations for the denying of this Their opinions being giuen it was reiected Cicero pleaded for Rabirius and Anthony for Norbanus but there is no Aduocate admitted for Treason They which are accuâ—ed of Crimes muâ—â— plead â—or â—hemselues Counsell depends of the Conscience of him that is accused his defence must come from his owne innocâ—ncy and hee may well free himselfe from blame without the mediation of any man and without the helpe of an Aduocate If he be innocent Truth will confound all the practises of his Accusers If hee bee Guilty there is no excuse nor â—uasion but his guiltinesse will appeare It is not lawfull to defend the Wicked and Good men haue no neede of Defence They spent three sittings to examine the informations which done the conclusions of the Atturny Generall were read and followed There rested nothing but to heare the Prisoner and to call him before the Parliament While they were viewing of the Processe one had set vp a discourse vpon the Pallace Gate to moue the Iudges to pitty and that they should not punish the weakenesse of Adam for the Serpents subtilty The Lord of Montigny came vnto the Bastille about foure of the clocke in the morning the Prisoner who alwayes slept little holding sleepe to bee no life was already vp and at his Deuotion hee would not trouble him in so necessary an action but stayed vntill he had done Entring into his Chamber hee told him the occasion of his comming that the Court was assembled for his Processe that the Lord Chancellor was there and had commanded him to bring him Hee seemed a little troubled although he had beene aduertised that hee should bee sent for Beeing ready hee goes out off the Bastille thinking neuer to returne and that they drewe him out off the cares of Captiuity to leade him vnto the darkenesse of Death and that hee left the prison to loose his Life Hee was conducted iâ— the Marquis of Rhosnies Carosse through the Arcenall to the Riuers side where he entred into a Boate couered with Tapistry in the which the Kings Gardes were The chiefe Approches the Ports the Greue and the Towne house were manned with Suisses Hee entred into the Pallace by the first Presidents Garden and went to rest himselfe in one of the Chambers vntill hee were sent for presenting him a Bâ—eakfâ—st before he entred The houre beeing come the Register went to call him and hee entered into the Golden Câ—amber He enters and is heard in the Gâ—â—deÌ„ chaber The place whereas Strangers haue come to implore Iustice of the King whereas great Kings haue held it an Honour to haue a place where he himselfe had set had bin honoured with the most glorious Titles of Vertue whereas one
For what is a Royaltie but the image of a fathers command the loue honour and obedience which children beare towards their parents bee the effects of the lawe of nature figured in their hearts A father commands ouer many children who although they bee planted in diuers parts as wee see in the peopling of great familyes yet all returne to the chiefe stock or stemme all acknowledge and honour the father all obey him while he liues by a more voluntary obedience for that it is meerely naturall Behold the patterne of a ciuill gouernement To apply it to our subiect it appeares the first man had this naturall authoritie euen as wee see it at this day As mankinde multiplyed into diuers families so this multitude had neede of a greater gouernement Man cannot liue alone society consists in commandement and obedience From this fountaine a royaltie springs 425. Looke what is done in a family the like is in a state by the same force of nature one commands and is obeied There this naturall respect is that bond of lawfull obedience So here in like sort whereas the commandement of one giues lawe to all for that the lawe of nature hath power ouer all it doth authorize this respect in the hearts of subiects by a voluntary obedience to their Kings as to their fathers And as wee neede not to be taught to honour father and mother So who is so vnkind that wil make any question to honour the Prince vnder whom hee is borne It is that which the originall of the first truth doth teach vs Honour father and mother not onely to tie vs to them that gaue vs life but to those that make vs to liue happily in the common societie of mankinde that is to the father in the house and to the King in the state as the father of our fathers Thus a Roialty is the most antient and best forme of gouernment when as the King is Father of his people according to the ordinance of nature as we shal shew else where at better leasure I hope this smal digression shal be excused for the necessity of the subiect A Roialty then is the Image of a fathers authoritie How can a father then whom God hath giuen by the course of nature be chosen by his children A succâ—sâ—iue Roiaâ—tâ—e is the best If to liue well according to nature and by consequence that which proceeds from nature be the best who doubts but a Roialtie the which God hath giuen vs by the law of State the soueraigne law of societie wherein wee are borne is without doubt better then that which depends on the tumultuous factions of people Thus much for reason Now let vs see what Authority saies By authoritie which speaks plainly in the goodliest estate oâ— the world which was the comon weale of Israel wherin God had planted his church as his most pretious iewel Truly the lawful Royaltie of the house of Dauid hath bin hereditarie successiue from father to sonne and from Cousin to the nearest kinsman A paterne whereby to frame a perfect estate farre better then the common weale of Plato who notwithstanding hath respected the bloud Royall in the race of Kings with great prerogatiue moued thereunto by the force of nature to acknowledge the best forme of gouernment in an hereditary succession whereas one is borne to commaund an other to obey I will dilate no more of so rich and ample a subiect hauing onely coated that which is necessarie for the circumstance of my purpose By experience But what shall wee say of Experience the mistres of fooles What is hee but may thereby feele the visible proofs of this truth Doubtles those Countries and States which haue kept this libertie to choose their Kings do often feele to their costs the tumultuous fruites of their elections striuing with much paine to maintaine this priuilege against the lawes of nature postiâ—g from nation to nation with much toyle and small profiâ— searching for that a farre off which they might easily finde at home and for the avoiding of tumults which might growe among equall Competitors they procure vnto themselues infinite troubles the which they might auoide in receiuyng of him willingly whome God should cause to be borne among them with a lawfull authority But some will obiect that which we cannot deny to haue beene practised in two Races That the French had in former times authority to place and displace their Kings as appeares aswell by the Kings Chosen by Parliament In old time at the reception of a new king they vsed to caâ—rie him vppon a target in a publike aâ—â—emblie which were borne vpon targets as also by the famous examples of Pepin and Hughe Capet Wherevnto the answere is true and plaine that this consent was but the seale of the naturall prerogatiue due to the race of our lawfull Kings and their dissallowing a declaration of their base slouthfulnesse vnworthy of that naturall prerogatiue wherewith they were honored in their birth and from the which they did degenerate in liuing ill And as we see in the succession of Kings the neerest allied holds the other by the hand so in these two alterations when as necessitie forced the French to change their King as when the like necessitie constraineth the children to giue their furious father a tutor wee may obserue that they haue alwayes made choise of men neerest to the blood royall preferring vertue before a maske of Authoritie corrupted with vice the publique good before the priuate interest of a vitious man reteyning nothing but the name of his noble race 426. They haue preserued as much as they could their naturall respect to the bloud royall The lawe made the King that is his birth But the law of nature The prerogatiue of a Kâ—ng is nothing impaired by the peoples consâ—nt at his last recâ—ption fâ—lâ—owed by the law of nations and the free consent of the people hath not beene the cause but the very effect of this naturall authoritie So this royall authoritie is limited and ruled by the souereigne law of State which doth so aduance the head aboue all the members of the bodie as they may not be separated For what is a King without subiects but a head without members the King preserues his estate as the head doth the bodie But as the head from whence life proceeds to the bodie liues with the bodie so the King who preserues the estate by his authoritie is preserued in the estate by the consent of his subiects In this inseparable vnion hee doth fortifie his power by theirs and his commaund with their voluntary obedience Plato sayes that Authoritie not subiect to controulment is pernitious to him that commaunds and to them that are commaunded It is a lawfull and profitable restraint for Kings and the necessary counterpoyse of their authoritie This lawe will haue euery member to hold his place in the bodie of a State And by consequence
French lying vpon his countrie in garrison and spoiling it and so to deceiue both the Pope and Pepin but behold a strange accident befalls him Of an ill life an vnhappy end Being a hunting chasing more after his fantasies then the beast his horse casts him downe a rocke and breakes his neck Thus the subtill Lombard thinking to deceiue was deceiued he ended his subtiltie with his life and the warre begun by him without reason by a iust death The Pope recouers his places and Pepin returnes into France taking nothing in Italy but leauing the realme of Lombardie in the same estate he found it without any alteration This Kingdome ended not with Astolpho for Didier Duke of Hetruria his neere kinsman seizeth presently thereon by meanes of his intelligences but Rachise brother to Astolpho who was lately become a Monke leaues his frock to enioy his fathers kingdome yet for that he was the weaker in this iust title the Pope pacified this controuersie in fauour of Didier who remained King of Lombardie vpon condition that the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze should be yeelded to the Church But let vs returne to Pepin his absence with two yeares continuall warres had broken the vsuall custome to call a Parliament and bred many disorders within the realme Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament so as being returned into France he presently called a sollemne Parliament wherein he established lawes according to the inconueniences that were to be redrest as good lawes doe commonly proceed from bad manners In this assembly he gaue audience to the Ambassadors of the Emperour Constantin who demanded a confirmation of the amitie and alliance which the Emperour had with the house of France and receiues the new homage of Tassillon Duke of Bauiere So referring all matters of importance to the iudgement of the Estates honouring them that had honoured him he doubled his subiects deuotion and established good lawes within his realme But knowing the humour of the French impatient of rest he found how difficult it was to reteine them long in peace without some forraine imploiment and necessity presents him two occasions one in Guienne He makes a forreine wit to auoide a ciuill and the other in Saxonie Countries subiect to the Crowne of France but both impatient of the French command The Saxons began first with whom Tasillon Duke of Bauiere who as we said did homage to the King ioines contrary to his oth This warre seemed of some difficultie drawing to it all the other Germaines subiect to this Crowne but Pepin preuented it with such speed as hauing suppressed the Saxons he forced them to a new obedience charging them to bring him yearly three hundred good horses for an homage that they should vndergo the censure of the Estates be enemies to the enemies of the King and realme Hauing thus pacified Saxonie he makes a generall assembly at Wormes to settle the affaires of Austrasia from thence he marcheth with his victorious armie against Ieffroy Duke of Guienne according to the resolution of thâ— Estates being leuied for that occasion We haue said that Eudon father to Ieffroy had greatly disquieted France and left his children heires of his discontent but Martel withdrawne by new difficulties could not finish that which he had begun Ieffroy remaines sole Duke of Guienne by the death of his brother he growes daily more insolent bandies all his subiects of Guienne openly against France and afflicts the Clergie infinitly in their liues and liuings Pepin begins with admonitions and threats but Ieffroy grows more obstinate in contemning his Kings command so as they must come to open force and Ieffroy must pay the interests of his long delayes Pepin enters Guienne with an armie and Ieffroy seeing his resolution sends his deputies to auoide this storme Warre in Guienne beseeching him with all humilitie to pardon what was past promising obedience Pepin hauing comanded him to make restitution to the Clergie returnes into France and dismisseth his armie supposing Guienne to be quiet Ieffroy seeking his owne ruine by his furious rashnes goes to field with such forces as he could leuie among his subiects hauing pasâ—ed Loire he enters Bourgogne in hostile manner hoping to surprise Chaâ—lons The King held a Parliament at Orleaâ—s 764 when this intelligence came vnto him he sends them presently to Neuers assembleth his forces and marcheth against Ieffroy who sodenly repasseth the riuer and with great marches recouers Bourdeaux as the Citie of his greatest safetie being as much confuâ—ed in his defence as he was rash in his attempt Pepin pursues him and in his passage all the Townes of Guienne yeeld without any difficulty as to him whom they acknowledge for their lawfull King Ieffroy forsaken of all men pursued criminally by his Prince is slaine by one of his houshold seruants and is interred like a beast in a marish â—ere to Bourdeaux In detestation of his memory Ieffrâ—y pittifully slaine 〈◊〉 like a beast A foolish life a filthy end the place is called the Tombe of Caiphas vnto this day Thus was the vniust and rash rebellion of Ieffroy punished by his death the warre died in Guienne and the wise valour of Pepin was so much the more commended for that his iust pursute was accompanied with patience and mildnesse But Pepin was mortall the toile of so great warres the care of publike affaires had much broken him so as his old age might be more profitably imployed in the maintenance of Iustice and peace then in warre the burthen whereof he might without danger lay vpon his eldest sonne Charles Pepin resignes the Crowne to Charles a wise a valiant young Prince of whose modestie and obedience he was well assured Thus resoluing to passe the rest of his dayes in quiet but not idlely he retires to Paris but soone after he was surprised with a sicknesse whereof hee dyed and so went to heauen there to find rest which he could enioy on earth it was in the yeare 768. of his raigne the eighteenth By his wife Berthe with the great foote he left two sonnes Charles and Caroloman recommending them to the Estates to giue them portions at their pleasures So great was the assurance of this good Prince in the loue of his subiects whom as he had made the most assured gard of his person state so at his death he left his children to their faithfull discretion Pepins childreÌ„ He had seuen daughters Berthe the wife of Milon Earle of Mans mother to that great Roland Hiltrude wife to René Earle of Genes mother to that renowmed Oliuer Roâ—arde Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix He had the happines to enioy his owne father vntill hee came to the age of man the like good hap continued in his children and for the perfecting of his happinesse hee had a sonne one of the greatest and most excellent Princes that euer ware crowne Thus Pepin the first of that race
sprong the first occasion of the fall of this race a King of small merit A confused and vnhappy raigne hauing performed nothing praise worthy for in that wherein hee desired to winne the reputation of doing well hee did exceeding ill His greatest ambition was to seeme a good Vncle to the onely daughter of his brother Lewis with whome hee had made so strict a League of loue He married her to Boson as I haue sayd but the euents shew that he married her with an iâ—tent to goâ—erne her inheritance at his pleasure Being proclaymed Emperour hee leuies a great and mightie army and goes in person into Italie His pretext was to suppresse the Dukes of Spoletum and Beneuent who â—ought to free themselues from the subiection of the Empire and to become Soueraigâ—es but â—is intent was to seize vpon the strong places of Italie Charles seekes to deceiue hiâ— Neece and so â—y conseqâ—eâ—ce of that which belonged to his Neece Hermingrade But Bosâ—n her husband discouering her Vncles intent preuented him ioyning with the sayd Dukes and prouiding for the Citties of Italie with all expedition 879. as his wiues inheritance and then hee aduertised Charles entring into the Countrie that it was needlesse for him to passe any farther and to put Italie to vnnecessarie charges seeing that he himselfe could gard it sufficiently the foresaid Dukes did submit themselues to reason But being easie to iudge that Charles hauing an armie in field Charles diuerted from the warre of Italy and a resolute desseine would not retyre without constraint Boson makes factions in France in the heart of his Estate to diuert him An easie matter both for their discontents against him and the miserie of that age nourished in the libertie of vnciuill warres This occasion drew Charles from this vniust desseine for at the first brute of rebellion he turnes head towards France but there chanced more to him then he expected for he not onely left his Neeces patrimonie but his owne life in Italie with a notable instruction Not to loose this life for the desire of an other mans goods Thus died Charles the bald at Mantoua the yeare 879. leauing the Realme to his sonne Lewis Where he dies the which hee sought to augment with an others right LEVVIS the second called the stuttering 27. King and Emperour LVDOWICK .2 KING OF FRANCE XXVII HE raigned onely two yeares and succeeded his father likewise in the Empire but not without opposition for the Princes of Italie sought to be Soueraines and the Germaines bearing impatiently the confusions passed desired to restore the beauty of the Imperial dignity greatly decayed in Italie by such as possessed the â—aâ—ds of the Empire They spared not the Pope himselfe who by little and little vsurped the Imperiall rights in Italie These complaints being made to Lewis the Emperour Iohn the 3. Pope of Rome came into France to redresse that which conceâ—ned the Sea of Rome He was courteously receiued by the King 880. staied in France a whole yeare and there held a Councell at Troyes in Champagne The raigne of Lewis was very short The Pope was scarcegâ—ne but hee was lodged in the bed of death He had no lawfull children but two bastards Lewis and Caroloman both men growne whereof the one was already married to the daughter of Boson King of Arles His wife was with child In the doubtfulnesse of the fâ—â—ite which should be borne he must prouide a Regent to gouerne the realme if it were a sonne And although Lewis loued his two bastards deere'y yet would he not haue them Regents but made choise of Eudes or Odon Duke that is to say gouernour of Anger 's the sonne of Robert of the race of Widichind of Saxony of whom we haue before made mention to bee Regent of the Realme and experience taught Lewis leaues his wife with childe that his iudgement was good Thus Lewis dyed hauing left nothing memorable but a sonne wherein I obserue three notable things The efficacie of the Lawe of State preseruing the right of the lawfull heire not yet borne The minoritie of a King subiect to many confusions and miseries and the liberty of great men in the weakenesse of a young Prince who fiâ—he boldly in a troubled streame In this raigne happened the Eclipse of the Empire The first check giuen to this second race was by a League which dying in shew made the King to dye in effect and in the end carryed away the Crowne burying both the King and all his race in one tombe This History is very obsâ—ure by reason of the Regents which are numbred among the Kings during the minoritie of the lawfull heire and therefore good directions are needfull in so confused a laborinth of diuers raignes Behold therefore the simple and plaine truth Lewis the Stuttering being dead the Parliament assembled to resolue for the gouernment of the realme vntill that God should send the Queene a happy deliuery The estates honour the Queenes wombe and if it were a sonne appoint who should be Gouernour to the King and Regent of the Realme vntill he came to the age of gouernment There was no Prince that made any question to the Infants title that was to bee borne or that sought to take the adâ—antage of the time to aduance himselfe vnder colour of neerenesse of bloud but it was concluded by common consent they should carefully preserue the Qâ—eenes wombe vntill her deliuery The Kings will was plaine for he called Eudes as we haue said to be Gouernour to his child vnborne and Regent of the realme Regents crowned as Kings but Lewis and Caroloman bastards of France had so laboured for voyces as they preuailed against this Testamentary decree and were chosen Regents by the Estates who for confirmation of this authoritie decreed they should be crowned yet with a profitable exception for the pupils interest the lawfull heire of the Crowne A dangerous proceeding A dangerous course making seruants taste the sweetnesse of Soueraigne command which made the way to a horrible confusion and multiplying the authoritie of many masters did greatly preiudice the lawfull heire the which may not without extreame danger be imparted but to one onely The Queene was happily deliuered of a sonne the which was saluted King and was called Charles of whom wee shall speake hereafter The day of his birth was the 12. of December Charles borne after his â—athers death in the yeare 881. But we must now passe 22. yeares full of troubles before our pupill comes to age so as to marche safely in so obscure a laborinth wee must distinctly note the diuers parcels of this interreigne 882. The Minoritie of Charles called the Simple the which continued 22. yeares vnder 4. Regents whom they call Kings LEwis and Caroloman Brothers the bastards of Lewis the Stuttering chosen by the States raigned two yeares or there abouts to whom they adde Lewis the idle the sonne of
France lawfull sonnes of Kings Charles was sonne to Lewis the 4. brother to Lothaire Vncle to Lewis the 5. the last King But it chanced otherwise for Hugh Capet sonne to Hugues the great Maior of the Pallais Earle of Paris and also Prince of the French carried it from Charles being aduanced to the Crowne by the free election of the French assembled in Parliament according to the ancient and inuiolable customes of France By whose decree Hugh Capet was elected King and Charles Duke of Lorraine reiected from the Crowne This election being confirmed by the blessing of God who hath mainteyned the possession thus made lawfull by the consent of the French nation in the successiue posterity of Capet who happily preserued the French Monarchie vnto this day The date of this change vnto the third Race against the sundry violences of strangers This change happened in the yeare 987. in the moneth of Iuly But as this action was one of the worthiest that euer chanced in this realme beeing an estate vnder which our Ancestors haue liued and we do liue at this day which gouernment hath continued 619. yeares Yet all this is handled by our ordinary writers with such obscure breuity as if Hugh Capet had fallen out of the clouds or beene sodenly bred in one night like vnto a mushrome 987. The wise reader which seekes the truth must giue me leaue to dilate my stile to shewe him by degrees the breeding continuance and establishing of this newe royaltie in the house of France transplanted into the house of Capet as I could collect it by the curious search of the Originalls and as the traces of truth could direct me in so crooked a Laborinth vnknowne to the greatest part of our French nation What I haue heere described is faithfully drawne out off diuers authors which liued in those times I haue onely fitted my report to be the more intelligible and will simplie represent what passed in this change not giuing my iudgement but leauing it free to the vnpassionate reader We haue sayd in the second race that Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire dying without heires males had buried the royalty with him for Charles Duke of Lorraine whome the Lawe of state preferred to this dignity had by his actions made himselfe vnworthy of this great honour He had recourse to the Emperour Otho and had taken the oth of fealty The reason why Charles was reiected to be inuested in the Duchie of Lorraine So by this homage he had renounced all the interest he could pretend to the Crowne of France Moreouer hee had aggrauated this error by an irreconciliable hatred for being Duke of Lorraine he had shewed himselfe a passionate enemy to the French in maynteining the Germaine saction against them who had not long before with-drawne themselues from the obedience of our Monarchie It is also likely that many priuate men were mooued with the interest of this generall quarrell by reason of the situation of Lorraine the ordinary passage from France into Germany Prouinces of comerce togither These priuate iniuries bred in the end a generall discontent the which was increased by such as had a priuate interest in the wrongs they pretended to haue receiued The feeling of these bad practises acted so lately by Charles against France both in generall and particular did incense the French against him But the example and cries of them of Lorraine added to their experience confirmed their resolution to stoppe his entrance to the Crowne for Charles beeing a rash and a wicked man bearing a Kings minde vnder a Dukes title did infinitly oppresse his subiects of Lorraine for the supplying of his prodigall expences hauing as little iudgement and temperance to intreate them of Lorraine mildely as hee had reason to gouerne himselfe The president of these newe subiects whome he enâ—â—â—ed but sufferance preuailed much with the French in this newe accident 〈◊〉 â—â—at could they with reason conclude of his vsage against them who should be his natuâ—all and necessary subiects being yet terrefied with the memory of that which 〈…〉 â—â—â—red vnder Lothaire his brother This waâ— the preparatiue of Charles his 〈…〉 wrought by himselfe to depriue him of that authority wherevnto God had 〈…〉 These were the causes which made the French resolue to withstand Charles 〈…〉 with all their force in his pretension to the Crowne of France But howe then Charles beeing reâ—â—cted the realme had neede of a King vnable to subsist without one no more then a body can without a head Thus the end of the one is the beginning of the other and necessity gaue the people this first adâ—â—ce to change tâ—rust forward with the only consideration of their quiet and proâ—lit But the Nobility growne great by the disorders of troubles past had yet more interest in this change for the preseruation of their goods and honours They could not liue all equall 〈…〉 command the 〈◊〉 of an â—state This equall commande is a plague to the French they had deuoured 〈◊〉 an other without a great commaunder respected of them all for so many Prouinces so many petty Kings which had neuer yeelded one to an other without a Controuler In this estate they could haue no recourse but to Hugh Capet being accompanied with all the commendable qualities that might make a man worthy of a great commaund Hugh Capet 〈…〉 wot 〈…〉 Crowne with authority power vnderstanding courage wisdome equitie mildnesse dexterity valout and credit both within and without the realme We haue before spoken of his father Hugues the great the sonne of Robert Duke of Anger 's who was the head of the League against Charles the Simple shewing that he not onely maintained himselfe after the death of his father Robert but also built his desseignes vpon the same foundation vnder the raignes of Lewis the 4. and Lothaire Princes hard to bee circumuented They feared him more then they loued him yet hee vsed their authorities to his owne good and did so wisely preuent the practises of these two malitious and reuengefull Princes as hee mainteined his authority firmely by the meanes of his great commands Being Duke of the French The wise proceeding of Hugues the great his father he had the command of armes As Mayor of the Pallace hee held the helme of the affaires of State and being Earle of Paris hee had the chiefe credit with the people who had their greatest trade in the Capitall Cittie of the realme This was the fruite which the respect of these offices brought him being well gouerned by his wise dexterity And although these Kings loued him not yet the alliance hee had with them as brother in lawe but especially vertue countenanced by so great credit were the cause they not onely made shew to loue him as their allie but also to respect him as one of the chiefest pillers of the State But to these offices and dignities hee added the friendship of the chiefe Noblemen
Christians affaires in Asia declined still The Pope perswaded the Kings of France and England with many reasons The Christians â—stâ—â—â— in Asiâ— very miserable and the zeale of the common interest of Christendome made them resolue They became good friends with an intent to make a voyage together to the Holy Land to the incredible content of all their subâ—ects But whilest they prepare for this voyage let vs passe into Asia to visit the afflicted Christians After the fruitlesse returne of the Emperor Conrad and of Lewis King of France things went from bad to worse hauing caused the Christian forces to loose their reputation with the Turkes being growne proud with this vaine shew of Armes Baldwin dyes after the fruitlesse attempts of these great Princes Amaulry his Brother succeeds him who toyled himselfe in Egipt against Sultan Sarracon and Saladin his successor Hee was releeued by the comming of Fredericke Barbarousse who failed not to performe what he had promised to Pope Alexander But the Christians found small comfort in his comming The forces of the Empire which were great being dispersed by the death of the Emperour Amaulry likewise dyes who leaues one Sonne named Baldwin both yong and a Lepar so as hauing voluntarily resigned the charge finding himselfe vnfit he did inuest his Nephew Baldwin the sonne of William Long-sword Marquis of Monâ—errat and of Sibell his Sister and considering the weaknesse of his age he appoints Raimond Earle of Tripoli for his Tutor 1121. Hence sprung a horrible dissention among the Christians for Sibille by whom the right came to Baldwin her sonne after the death of Marquis William was married to Guy of Lusignan who was seized of the yong Infant Hee is now his Tutor by force the child dyes and Guy of a Tutor becomes a King The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warres not without great suspition of treacherie against the Infant and in the end they fall to warre Euery one doth strengthen himselfe for this goodly realme and they are incensed with greater fury then when they ioyntly made warre against the Infidels Guy seekes for succour of Saladin Sultan of Egipt who embraceth this occasion and runnes with a great Armie to besiege Tiberiades The Christians assemble and are defeated in a set battaile The Crosse is taken by Saladin and carried in triumph Then was Tripoly deliuered into his hands The Infidels make their profit by their dissentions and the Earle Raymond found dead in his bedd when as hee should haue raigned to teach all men how to trust Infidels Saladin passeth on he beeseegeth takes and sacks Ierusalem and in this amazement Ptolomais Azot Baruth and Ascalon yeeld vnto him These victorious conquests of Saladin were accompanied with great mildnesse to the people whome he had subdued that by this wise course the Miscreant might incounter the Christians disorders by a notable example of vertue Moreouer there happened another tragicall confusion Alexis a young man of fifteene yeares The Emperor of Greecâ— murthered by his Tutor sonne to Emanuell the Emperour issued from that Alexis of whom wee haue spoken in the beginning of this Easterne warre was cruelly slaine by his Tutor Andronicus and he himselfe afterward by Isaac and the people of Constantinople who had called him to the Empire Such was the sick estate of the East when as our Kings were solicited to go and visit it in the yeare 1190. Philip calles a Parliament at Paris to settle his estate they disswade him from the voyage but zeale transported him and made him fight with impossibilities So great efficacie this resolution had to go to this warre which seemed to be the gaine of their soules health as the Historie saith King Philip Ricâ—aâ—d King of England made a voâ—age to the East great charges were imposed vpon such as went not the voyage to pay the tenth of all their reuenues both spirituall and temporall called for this occasion the Saladins Tenths Richard King of England came with manie Dukes Marquises Earles Barons great Lords and an infinite number of young Gentlemen The Kings sweare a brotherly and inuiolable League The great 〈…〉 among Kings breeds contempt and hatred but the continuall and priuate entercourse by the way bred a familiaritie and this familiarity engendred a contempt and contempt hatred as the course of the History will shew A notable lesson for Kings and Princes to teach them how farre they should conuerse familiarlie Hauing crossed the Seas with some difficulties in the end they come into Syria The losse of the Crosse made them to besiege Acon the which they take very valiantlie after great losse of their men but the Crosse would not bee found As the Originall saieth The plague fell among their troupes euery one talkes of returning Philip speakes 〈…〉 indisposition Richard made some difficultie least that Philip in his â—bâ—ence should attempt some thing in his territories of France Philip hauing assured him by othe returnes and passing by Rome comes safe into France Hauing left the greatest part of his forces in the East vnder the command of Odo Duke of Bourgongne Richard remaining alone was better obeyed of the Armie and atchiued great and memorable exploits against Saladin being already amazed by the taking of Acon Richard King of Englandhis exploits in Asia 〈…〉 Gaza and Iaffa hauing repeopled them with Christian Colonies and vainquished Saladin in battaâ—le From thence he resolued to besiege Ierusalem but as hee was kept from this enterprise by reason of the Winter so was hee forced to leaue Asia vppon this occasion and returne into England During his voyage and Philips there had passed some vnkinde speeches by reason of Alix Sister to Philip and the wife of Richard who in great disdaine said That he had neuer toucht her that she should neuer come neere him blaming her as if shee had beene prodigall of her honour by a monstrous Incest with his Father Notwithstanding all shewes at their parting yet this did sticke in Philippes stomake 1061. who at his returne found his Sister Alix at Saint Germaine in Laie whether she was retired expecting his returne who failed not to seeke all means of reuenge Richard had left his brother Iohn in England to gouerne the State in his absence Philippe solicitts him and promiseth him all his meanes with his Sister Alix being vnworthely reiected for a gage of his loue Philippe stâ—rs vp Iohn against his brother Richard King of â—ngland But Elenor the mother of these Princes kept Iohn in awe from ioyning openly with Philip against his absent brother yet could she not restraine Iohn from giuing his word to Phillip who failes not to seaze couertly seing his faith plighted and the reuerence of the cause which held Richard from his house would not suffer him to worke openly So he takes Gisors by intelligence and all the other Townes of Vexin which were in controuersie These newes gaue Richard iust cause to resolue vpon
and publicke Violence Charitable Liberall and Iudicious to giue with Discretion To conclude the Patterne of a great King by whome our Kings should take example to learne how to gouerne the Helme of an estate in the tempests and stormes of manie toyles and confusions and by the managing and successe of his raigne to gather this goodly Poâ—sie or rather to take this pasport for the confirmation and greatnesse of Kings That a vertuous King is in the ende happie howsoeuer hee bee compassed in with difficulties But before wee enter into a new raigne order requires that wee obserue the estate of the Church and Empire Fredericks humilitie to the Pope Estate of thâ— Empire had somewhat calmed the violence of these factions and his voyage to the Holye Land to performe his full obedience seemed to bring a perfect peace to Christendome when as behold a newe cause of troubles Frederick going for Asia had with the consent of the Princes of the Empire The Pope opposeth agaiâ—â—â— the Emperour confirmed his eldest Sonne Henry Emperour but hee being dead and his Sonne Henrie to succede him Pope Innocent opposed an other Emperour which was this Otho of whome wee haue spoken The Emperour muâ—theâ—red by 〈◊〉 who succedâ—â— him and did excomunicate Henry in hatred of his Father Frederick Otho ambitious of commande caused Henry to bee murthered in his Chamber But it chanced that hauing committed this fact hee went to receiue that disgrace in France 1223. which was his death and Frederick the second succeeded him â—oâ—as he liued when as our Augustus left the Crowne to his Sonne Lewis Of Italy In the meane time the Guelphes maintained the Popes factions withall vehemencie and the Gibelins that of the Emperour The Cittie 's swelled with these humors which distracted their mindes into sundrie factions whereof grew those cruell contentions euen in their owne bowels The heads of Guelphs and Gibelius the which haue continued long with irreconciliable hatred At Rome the Vrsins and Sabelles against the Colonnois Frangepans Cesarins and others At Florence the Medicis Ricci Bondelons Amidees Cerchis against the Strossi Saluiati Passi Albicci and Donati At Genoa the Flisques Grimaldi Fregoses against the Spinoles Adornes Dories and so at Bolonia Milan Ferrara Mantoua Luques and other Citties which by these dissentions haue lost their liberties and are fallen into the hands of diuerse Princes Venice was wise in thâ—se deuisions preseruing her libertie against both factions whilest the rest dismembred and ruined one another The Popes had still an eye vpon France to confirme their authoritie there as they had done in Sicilia and England The Popes soueraigne authoritie ouer Christendom not ceasing vppon euery light occasion to censure it or to threaâ—en it with their censures But our Kings by the wise Councell of their Parliament at Paris restrained them not suffring them to vsurpe any thing ouer their royall prerogatiue and the libertie of the French Church But howsoeuer the Imperiall State being made subiect to the Pope the way was easie to draw all the Kings and Princes of Christendome to obedience and to aduance their throne aboue the rest Their great reuenues and the shew of their stately and sumptuous traine kept the people in obedience but the deuoute respect of religion the strictest bond to tye soules was the fundamentall support of this soueraigne authoritie the which not being limited within the bounds of mortall life without doubt struck an vnauoidable terror into mens consciences ouer which it had power So as the Pope gaue lawe to all men and whosoeuer obeyed not what they commanded he was excommunicated by this spirituall authoritie of the Keyes which they say doe open and shut Paradice binde and loose sinnes This beleefe setled in the mindes of Christians bred a great deuotion and respect in them and did minister daily new meanes to encrease it At that time sprung vp many orders of religious Friars and Monkes and out of S. Bernards Schoole very famous in those times from this streame grew two branches One was called The poore in Lions the other the humble of Italy which liued of Almes and conuersed with other men expounding the Scriptures and reprouing the abuses of the Church with the like zeale and libertie as we see at this day in the writings of S. Bernard This free and plaine reprehension displeased the Pope who suppressed these two orders with his censures and confining the desciples of S. Bernard to Cisteaux he confirmed 4. new orders of religions The Franciscans instituted by Francis an Italian the Iacobins by Dominick a Spaniard Orders of religious men Carmelites by Albert Patriarke of Ierusalem the Augustins by Innocent the third The Vniuersities of France Germanie and Italy were carefully entertained by meanes of the great reuenues of the Church to settle and augment the Popes authoritie the which was mightily encreased by the diligence and dexteritie of such as instructed the youth easie to receiue such impressions as were giuen them especially their teachers hauing great power ouer their soules Such was the estate both of the Empire and of the Church when as Lewis the 8. entred the royall throne after the decease of his father Philip Augustus Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis the 43. King of France LEWES .8 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIII LEWIS was thirty yeares old when he beganne to raigne 1223. in the yeare .1223 was crowned with his wife Blanch beeing then the mother of many children His raigne â—eâ—th Hee died in the yeare 1226. hauing raigned but three yeares neither noted for his vices nor coÌ„mended for his vertues only famous in that He was Sonne to an excellent father father to an excellent Sonne bearing his name not beeing famous inough of himselfe His father imployed him confidently but with small successe The manners of Lâ—wâ—â— the eight He desquieted England but reaped no benifit That which is most remarkable in his raigne Languedoc one of the goodliest and ritchest Prouinces of the French monarchy began to returne to the Crowne froÌ„ the which it was dismembred by Hugh Capet and left as â—n inheritaÌ„ce to the Earles the means was by the ruine of CouÌ„t Raimond chiefe of the Albigeois The Albigeois take their name of a diocese in Languedoc Languedock returnes to the Crowne whereof the head is Alby the 22. Bishoprike of this large Prouince but this name was common to the whole party for that a priuate impression deuided from the common beleefe of Christians which hath caused them to be held for heretikes tooke its beginning with this people of high Languedock and so was dispersed into other Prouinces In this difference of religion we may obserue diuers humors iudgements and censures Diuers opinions touching the Albigâ—ois In so great an vncertâ—nty I will report plainly what is written by the most approoued Authors not giuing any Iudgement the which belongs to the reader neither wil I
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
them to his wise and irreuocable decree the which neuer failes to execute things in their due season Philip had the like desire to fight although his counsel were otherwise affected The like aduertisements were giuen from all parts and reason it selfe did wish him not to expose his new Crowne to the hazard of a generall and doubtfull battaile So the armies stand some daies at the gaze In the end Edward to draw him to fight besieged Tournay Some skirmishes were made in the which the English were beaten The place is victualled by Philip but the English army stands firme in the same quarter watching a fit oportunity for their desseine All Europe stood gazing at this great and dangerous spectacle The friends of both parts were greatly perplexed with so doubtfull an euent the which brought the estate of two realmes into question But God who reserued the victory and scourge to an other season dispersed this storme being in shew ready to fal by this occasion Iane of Valois sister to Philip widowe to William Duke of Hainault and mother to Marguerite the wife of Edward a Princesse of excellent vertues hauing since her widowhood willingly giuen ouer al affaires of State had professed her selfe a Nun at Fontenelles to attend her deuotion and fasting 1337. She resolues to imploy all her credit as a Sister and Mother in lawe with Philip and Edward to keepe them from so dangerous abattaile She runnes to the one and to the other Iaâ—e of Valois labor to stay them froÌ„ shedding of bloud but finds them both so resolute in their desseins as shee is often reiected Yet is she nothing daunted In the end she incounters their violent passions with such patience and dexteritie as she obtaynes a day and place for a parle although Ieames of Arteuille a dangerous flie in a State tickled Edwards eares to crosse so comendable a resolution An example of a woman worthy of eternall praise euen in this iron age whereas women haue beene miserable instruments of ciuil dissentions Nota. and hellish fier brands to consume France with the fier of conâ—usion and miserie The great armies of France and England 〈◊〉 without fighting Edward takes on him the tittle of King of France A parle being concluded deputies were chosen on either side to treat and by them a truce was made Tournay is deliuered and the armies dismissed and so the storme prâ—uented for this time the which threatned both realmes All good men reioyced none but Ieames of Arteuille his faction were greeued So as not able to auoide it yet to feed Edwards humour he aduiseth him to take vpoÌ„ him the name of King of France by the which both he and his complices should auoide the infamie of rebellion and the punishement of high Treason as hauing done nothing but by the comaundement of their soueraigne The date of this title of France was in the yeare .1337 The which England holds to this day and our Kings the realme in effect Edward left his wife at Gaâ—d to keepe the flemings at his deuotion being a wise and a vigâ—â—ant Princesse he himselfe returned into England extremely greeued for being vnable to satisfie his Germains for want of money who expected a great bootie by this warre from the which they scarce returned with their pay The Germaineâ— leaue Edward and ioyne with Phiâ—â—â—â—pe There spâ—ong vp a newe combustion from this discontent the fier being onely smothered in the embers but not quenched Philip makes his profit of the Germains discontent and by the meanes of Iane the wife of Lewis of Bauiere Emperour being his neâ—câ— he wins them to leaue Edwards part and to imbrace that of France Edward in like sort striues to haue his reuenge on Philip. But to what ende serues all this but to disquiet their estates the which they ought to maintaine in peace Thus the passions of Princes are bad councellers for the good of their subiects This was the occasion of this newe breach betwixt the two Kings Arthur Duke of Briâ—taine sonne to that Iohn 2. Duke of Brittâ—ine who as we haue saied had beene slaine at Lions at the coronation of Pope Clement 5. had two wiues A newe quarâ—el for the Duchie of Bâ—ittaâ—ie and by either of them children of the first named Bâ—atrix vicontesâ—e of Limosin he had two sons Iohn and â—uy of his second wife Yoland countesse of Montfort 〈◊〉 he had Iohn of Montfort who contended for the duchie of Brittaine Iohn 3. the sonne of Arthur dying without issue hee made his niece Iane the daughâ—er of his brother Guy who died before him his heire in the succession of the sayd duchie In regard of this prerogatiue giuen to Iane Charles of Blois nephewe to King Philip married her vpon condition That those children which should be borne of this marriage should bee lawfull heires to the duchie of Brittaine whereof Charles was inuesied after the consummation of the marriage all homages done vnto him and hee was puâ—◠〈◊〉 reall and full possession of â—he said Countrie in the life of Iohn After whose decease behold Iohn of Montfort halfe brother to Iane as we haue saâ—eâ—â— pretending to the said duchie surpriseth Nantes then Rennes Vâ—nnes Brest the Castel of Aulroy with many other places hauing receiued the homages of the Brittons he comes to Paris to do his soueraigne homage to the King for the saâ—d duchie and to be 〈◊〉 therein Charles of Blois opposeth in the right of his wife and hereupon they are both â—ent by the King to the Court of Parlement of Paris to do them iustice Adiudged to 〈◊〉 of Bâ—â—iâ— against 〈◊〉 of Montfort The Court with the Kings authority sitting in his seat of Iustice and in the presence of many Princes decrees that Charles of Blois in the name of Iane his wife the lawfull hâ—â—â—â— of the duchie of Bâ—ittanie as succeeding the second son of the first bed should be receiued by the King to fealty and homage for the Countrie of Brittaine and Iohn of Montfort the third son of Arthur of the second bed should be acknowledged in his degree to enioy his right when it should fall vnto him Iohn of Montfort disdaining this order 1341. resolues to win that by force which he could not recouer by reason and in this humor he goes into England crauing aide from Edward who receiues him very gratiously but from thence he returnes into Brittaine Philip aduertised of these practises pursueth Iohn of Montfort with such successe as hauing taken him prisoner with the Castell of Nantes whether hee was retired he confined him to the Louure While these difficulties fall out in Brittain Troubles at Naples there growes a newe trouble by a strange accident at Naples in the familie of our Princes of France of whome we haue spoken Wee haue saied that Charles the Lame had manie sonnes Charles Robert Lewis and Philip Robert after this losse of Sicilie had for his
King Iohn who had already granted his pardon vpon good assurance Iohn grants his request yet could he not command his heart to leaue this malitious iealousie the which made him to seeke new occasions daylie to crosse his father in Lawes actions He then offers his seruice to the King of England who failes not to imbrace this occasion hauing the heart and hand of a Prince of the bloud whose power was great in the State Vpon this assurance he sends Edward his eldest sonne Prince of Wales into Guienne with a goodly armie a yong man of an exceeding hope And giues him for councell Iohn Shandos Robert Knowles Fraâ—cis Hali and Iohn of Arondel great men in their times and which shal be famous in those actions which shall follow New warre by the King of Nanâ—s practises He attended the end of truce the which being expired he enters Guienne and passeth into Langnedoc to Thâ—louse Narbonne ouer al he spoiles sacks kils and finds no resistance and returnes wiâ—hout difficulty to Bourdeaux being loaden with spoiles At the same instant another cloud of English men breakes out of Calis and spoiles the Country of Picardy but Ioâ—n by these skirmishes foresees the tempest of a greater warre measuring the forces of England by the will of King Edward his assured and tryed enemie He therefore seekes a remedie by an ordinarie course he calls a generall Parliament to take Councell and comfort from them in these newe occurrents Charlâ—s of Nauaâ—re assists but with an intent to crosse the Kings procedings by indirect practiâ—es and to withdrawe the subiects affections from assisting the King with their meanes in this necessitie Open force of the 〈◊〉 against the King but it was in vaine for in regard of Iohns promise to better the coyne they granted him a reasonable aide to raise and intertaine a great armie This faithful resolution of the French did for that time suppresse the violence of the English but not the furious malice of the Nauarrois for hauing labored in vaine to disswade the people from their promised succours and hauing raised by these practises seditions in diuers parts of the realme he lands at Cheâ—ebourg with two thousanâ— men robs and spoiles the countâ—y and takes â—he Castel of Coâ—ches in Normandie from the King An intollerable presumption of a subiect against his Prince after the muâ—ther of a Constable But Iohn disâ—embles this assiont and by the mediation of his sonne Charles Daulphin of Viennois he remâ—ts this second fault and receiues the King of Nauarre his son in Law againe into fauour but in effect he doth it to frustrate his purposes and to punish such as had assisted him Iohn did then giue the Duchie of Normandie to the Daulphin for his portion so as hee must take posâ—ession thereof An apparent cause to drawe him thether but in effect Iohns intention was to drawe the Nauarrois into a place of easie surprise to make him and 〈◊〉 adherents to giue an accompt of their wicked actions and to preuent them hereafter The new Duke of Normandie arriues at Roan whether all the good Townes of the Countrie runne to do him homage The King of Nauarre who held Eureux and many great Lordships in the Country with one of the greatest dignities in the realme comes to do him honouâ— well acompanied but better receiued by Charles his brother in law The King aduertised that the Nauarrois was at Roan with his sonne goes speedilie from Paris accompanied with his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans Lewis his second sonne Duke of Aniou the Earle of Tancaruille and Arnoul of Endreghan Marshall of France and ranne to Roan with this great traine 1352. Arriuing about dinner time he presently goes to his sonnes lodging where he findes him at table accompanied with the King of Nauarre and the most of them which had assisted him at the Constables murther where without any more deliberation or delay he causeth them all to be apprehended And then not pausing longer he made choise of fower out of this number the two Brethren of Harcourt the Lord of Maubue and Colinet Doublet chieâ—e actors in the foresaied murther and without any other forme of proceeding as a matter long before determyned he causeth their heads to be cut off Charles of Nauarre taken pâ—isoner by the King Fower of his complices beheaded setting theÌ„ vpon stakes and drawing their carcases to the gibet The next day he made choise of prâ—soners and sends the Nauarrois with Friquet and Bontabu his domesticke and most trustie seruanâ—s to Arras vnder sauegards and presently dismisseth all the rest to their houses enioyning them expresly vnto fidelitie and loyaltie to his seruice bynding them by a new oath This vnexpected execution amazed the whole Countrie like to a cracke of thunder but it roused vp the Nauarrois faction especially Philip of Nauarre brother to Charles and Geoffroy of Haâ—court Vncle to the two Bretheren beheaded Occasion of newe warre the which opened the gates to a strange confusion which shal cast Iohn into miserable captiuitie and drawe the Nauarrois out of prison with a flaming torch in his hand to fier the whole realme Behold Philip and the house of Haâ—court presently in England crying out against murther They intâ—â—ate Edward to stretch â—orth his hand to bee reuenged of so notable an iniustice and disloyaltie They offer him their hearts persons goods Townes and hauens to land in Nâ—rmandie without any difficultie and there to make warre comodiously against so trecherous and cruell a Prince Edward a wise and vigilant Prince who had his eyes open to all occasions that might annoy his enemy imbraceth this offer hee asâ—embâ—es his troupes to send them speedâ—ly into No mandie And to do nothing by halues hee imploies all hee can to leuie a great army the which he sends into Guienne to make worke for Iohn in diuers places and not to suffer this first heat of the discontended french to coole hee then without anie delay sends the Duke of Glocester into Normandie with .4000 choise men who lands easily Warre in Normandy and ioynes with Philip of Nauarre and so they ouerrune and spoile the Champion Countrie The terror of these newe forces spâ—eads presently ouer all The Towns of Lizieux Orbes B cheloin and Ponteau on the sea yeeld presently And not staying to beseege any great Citties he goes to Bretueil and Tuillieres and from thence to Vernueil in Perche the which he takes easilie giuing it out in all places that it was to reuenge the wrong done to the King of Nauarre and his seruants a dutie of humanitie which Kings ought not to refuse one to another in their greatest necessity King Iohn hasteth thither with his armie and recouers Bretueil and Tuillieres and had easily repossessed all the rest if a new occasion had not drawen him else where and the secret decree of God to his owne ruine Edward Prince of Wales the eldest sonne of Edward King of
spirit as he seemed capabâ—e to gouerne this great barke in the most horrible stormes of confusioÌ„ which happened in this Realme during his fathers imprisonment Iohn continued fiue yeares a prisoner for he was taken in the yeare 1356 in September and was deliuered in the yeare 1361. in the moneth of May. But let vs describe in order the disorders which chanced in his captiuity As soone as the Daulphin so called vntill he be regent came to Paris he imploies al his wits to procure his Fathers liberty and to maintayne the Kings free authority in the Realme the which was as much restrayned as the Kings person But in this good and coÌ„mendable resolution he found strange difficulties He presently calls a generall assemblie of the Estates at Paris in October following an expedieÌ„t remedy for the greatest affaires of this monarchy profitably practised in the most vrgent causes of our Kings There Charles laieth before them not onely the miserie wherevnto the King his father was brought but also the whole realme in his person he intreats them to giue him councell and assistance in this so great an extremitie The cause spake of it selfe his person was an excellent Orator Moreouer he failed in no point of his dutie for his mournfull countenance expressed his sorrow naturallie and he could well vrge the necessitie of the proofe with so wise modest an eloquence as it would haue moued and dissolued euen the hardest Rockes of the Pyrenean mountaines But the answer which was then made him A 〈◊〉 ill 〈…〉 dangerous 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 and the long continuance of crosses gâ—uen him in so commendable an action shew well what an ill councelled people is and how dangerous it is to let slip the reines of restraint to so furious a beast which growes then most outragious when there is greatest need of mildnesse and modestie Without doubt there had beene many disorders in the former raignes and in this new controuersie for the Crowne Philip had made great breaches But is it now time to complaine of the sick when he lyes at the point of death and to represent vnto him his forepassed errors iâ—â—â—eed of applying fit remedies for his griefe So doe the people being wittie and 〈◊〉 complaine of the errors of their superiours and are more ready to increase the diâ—easâ— by remedies worse then the disease it selfe rather then to cure it The peoples inâ—olencie during K. 〈◊〉 imprisonmeÌ„t as shall appeare by the popular actions during the raigne of King Iohn who from complaints haue exceeded to audacious seditions and in the end to cruell and tragicke massacres not onely to tread vnder-foote but to ouerthrow the lawfull authoritie of this Monarchie The Parliament consisted of all the best citties of the realme but as Paris is the chiefe so hauing among the rest the first degree and greatest meanes it was also the chiefe in credit So as when order is well obserued it brings the greatest benefit to this estate but when as disorder raignes the greatest confusion comes from thence Paris the chiefe 〈◊〉 of France â—yther for good or euill The Church holds the first ranke in Parliament and then the Prouost of Marchants in the cittie of Paris whereas the Vniuersitie had then great credit All parts shall play vpon this Theater eyther for good or euill by strange accidents But let vs returne to our Daulphin After that he had made his proposition the Estates being assembled in one body resolued That to auoide confusion there should be fiftie chosen out of all the Prouinces to determine of things necessary according to the instructions remembrances declared to them Thâ—se fiftie deputies assemble in the Gray-friars where by a common consent they resolue what to say vnto the Daulphin who being intreated to come vnto their assemblie and set to heare some notable offer of assistance conformable to the necessitie of the time Robert le Câ—câ— Bishop of Laon spake thus vnto him in the behalfe of the companie The Deputies of the Parliament make vnreasonable demands vâ—to the Daulphin That the assembly beseeched him to sweaâ—e to keepe secret what should be deliuered vnto him by the â—states This young Prince being nothing amazed in this perplexitie answers them presently with a resolution That he should greatly forget the degree he held in the State in receiuing a law from his fathers subiects And therefore he did command them by the naturall authoritie he had ouer them to speake freely what their hearts conceiued Then the Bishop in all their names made knowne vnto him the ill gouerment of the treasure demanding râ—â—â—â—mation thereof with a commission to call the receiuers to an accoumpt that all such as had managed the kings money should be displaced that hereafter both the treasure and the affaires of State should be gouerned by 4. Prelats 12. Bouâ—gesses aâ—oâ—gst the which the cittie of Paris should haue the first degree credit and that without this councell the Daulphin should attempt nothing And for the conclusion of all their demands they require him most instantly to set the King of Nauarre at libertie And vpoÌ„ this condition they promise the Daulphin aide succour for his fathers deliuery The Daulphin noting plainely both the intention of this ill aduised people and that it was now out of season to take exception at the violence of these popular furies demands respite to giue them an answer the next day passeth in this sort without answer to the deputies who intreate him to resolue He makes his excuse vpon the importancie of the affaires and demands a new day to consider thereof And as they pressed him dayly to make his answer so he still prolonged the time by many subtill delaies grounded vpon sundry excuses of purpose to disperse them and to dissolue their councels the which he sees was practised by his enemies 1357. And hauing caused the deputies to attend many daâ—es this plot so hotlie pursued grew colde and tired with tediousnesse they returne home to their houses without any other frute then great sâ—ewes leauing the King languishing in prison and the realme in pittifull disorder But they parted not without leauing the chiefe leuaine of their intended mischiefe at Paris and too many hands to worke in this masse of confusion to the great preiudice of France An ill aduised people hath this humor To complaine still of the present estate and to seeke the future with hope of better The Parisiens who had seized vpon authoritie more caâ—efull for the deliuerie of the King of Nauarre then of their lawfull king summon the Daulphin to set the Nauarrois at liberty according to the decree of the Estates and taking his delaies for a deniall they practise with Iohn of Piqueny gouernour of the countrie of Aâ—thoâ—â— to whom K. Iohn going to the vnfortunate battaile of Poitiers had giuen it in keeping to deliuer him out of the Castell of Alleux in Cambressis where he had remained
nineteene moneths a prisoner This young Prince inuironed with all these difficulties had yet one which exceeded the rest The King of Nâ—â—aâ—â—e set at liberty comes to Paâ—â—â— The Bishop of Laon the chiefe of his councel betraied him bâ—ing a priuate and passionate partaker of the Nauarrois Charles King of Nauarre is deliuered meaning to come to Paris and therefore he demands a safeâ—conduct from the Daulphin who grants it will he or no that is he puts a sword into the hands of his most malicious and â—urious enemie and lodgeth him in his owne house These were bitter pilles but he must digest them euen the Daulphin and all good men that did assist him But many of them lothe to allow of these confusions by their free conâ—ents retire themselues to their houses The Nauarrois hauing his pasport from the Daulphin not onely as a gage of the publike faithfulnesse but as a sentence against king Iohn being prisoner goes to Paris with a stateâ—â—â— traine where they all prepare for his entertainment The Bishop of Laon and the Prouost of Marchants with a great troupe of his Partisans meet him who went to lodge in the Abby of S. Germaine He lets the people vnderstand that he desires to speake publikly vnto them A scaffold is built the people throng in great troupes bringing both hearts and eares The Nauarrois a subtill and an eloquent man represents vnto them the wrong of his imprisonment and his interest to the Crowne he desires iustice might be done him according to his deâ—â—â—t and qualitie but aboue all he spares not to touch that string which should aduance him to the royaltie The people applaud him and giue charge to the Pâ—ouost of Marchants to make the Daulphin acquainted therewith The Bishop of Laon a traâ—tor to his maiestie the which he perfoâ—mes with a brauado The Bishop of Laon a treacheâ—ous seruant to his Maisteâ— answeâ—s for him being silent in this necessitie That the Daulphin should shew grace and fauour to the King of Nauarre as one good brother ought to another He makes the Daulphin so humble as he preuents the Nauarrois who kept his lodging but to preach to this seditious multitude and doth vâ—sit him first whom he doth scaâ—se meete at the doore with a colde welcome He requires audience of his demands They are read in councell which consisted for the most part of men corrupted Wheâ—e it was decreed That all which the King of Nauarre and his complices had done against the King and his realme should be forgotten as neuer done The 〈◊〉 yeelds to the 〈◊〉 his goods seized and in the Kings hands should be restored both to him and his with their honours which had beene beheaded by the commandement of King â—hon their bones should be gathered together and honourablie interred all acts of condemnation dâ—sâ—nulled and an actâ— of their iustiâ—â—cation autentically drawne to free them and theirs hereafter from all 〈◊〉 The demand of the King of Nauarres pretended title was remitted to another time But the Nauarrois brings in the king of England of whom the Daulphin demaÌ„ded a truâ—e the which he grants vpon condition New causes of warre That he might succour the King of Nauar Iohn of Montfort duke of Brittaine in their pretensions Thus the seeds of warre were sowen during the confused calamitie of this poore realme by the meanes of Charles of Nauarre At the same instant Edward makes rigorous demands of his prisoner Iohn on whom for all his good couÌ„tenance he meant to make a benefit by his captiuity He required homage of him for the realme of France as holding it of the realme of England and vpon this condition he would set him at libertie K. Iohn being of a couragious spirit though a prisoneâ— in his person answers him freely That he must not speake to him of that which he neither ought nor would do to alienate a right inalienable That he was resolued at what price soeuer The generous answer of King Iohn to Edwards demands to leaue it to his children as hee had receiued it from his Ancestors That affliction might well ingage his person but not the inuiolable right of the Crowne where he had the honour to be borne ouer the 〈…〉 prison nor death had any power especially in him who should alwaies hold his life well imployed sacrifiâ—ing it for the immortall preseruation of France This generous magnanimitie of King Iohn gaue as great occasion to pittie his calamity as the strange conditions of the English being victor ministred matter of griefe and 〈◊〉 to all true hearted Frenchmen but all this could neitheâ— temper the malice of the Nauarrois not the furious impudencie of this inchanted people Hâ—â—evpâ—n the Daulphin intreats the Parisiens to take pittie of his poore father who not able to auâ—id the ineuitable crosses of fortune common to all degrees The Parâ—sienâ— in 〈◊〉 to their King could well shewe 〈◊〉 in greatest afflictions But these brutish mindes will not be mooued by any 〈…〉 reasons so as after this poore Prince had vsed all the submissions necessity could 〈◊〉 to win the people in the end after the losse of his paines he sought to the other Citâ—â—◠〈◊〉 France Hauing left Lewis Duke of Aniou his brother at Paris to supply his place 〈◊〉 maintaine some shewe of authority The Daulphin â—olieâ—s the other Citties for the Kings liberty the effect wherof crept hourely into the Nauarrois power he went from Cittie to Cittie crauing aide of the French for the deliuerie of his father and the restoring of his Estate The hâ—story doth much honor the Prouince of Languedoc to haue made greate showes of 〈◊〉 to their King being prisoner for it obserues That the three Estatâ— of the Country assembled in one body at Tholouse vnder the authority of the Earle of Armagnac their gouernor did freely grant a great aide to the King for the performance whereof The loue and duty of them of Languedoâ— to their Kingâ— and of Champagne they would not only imploy their reuenewes but their most precious mouables yea their wiues iewells And to testifie their generall heauines they abandoned all sumptuous apparell and bankets especially all dances maskes plaies and other pleasures during the captiuity of their King Champagne followed this commendable example But examples did no more mooue the Parisâ—â—ns hearts then reason had done who answere the Daulphin â—oughly when hee intreats them most humbly that hee should call an other Parliament where they would aduise what was to be done Their intent was to take all authority from the Daulphin and to vâ—uâ—pe it themselues to dispose of the tresor of honors and dignities of peace and war and of the life and death of the Kings subiects at their pleasures Horrible â—â—solenciâ—s of the Parisiens against their Prince To this end they made this young Prince coÌ„temptible odious assembling together both without his priuity against his will in
Churches and publike places in priuate houses in great and smal troups without any feare or respect of the royall dignity The Daulphin more a prisoner then his father durst not repine against these disorders which increased hourely like to a violent streame which falles from a high mountaine through the force of much rayne This furious multitude puffed vp dayly by the practises of the Nauarrois who imployed both heart and hand to ruine the Daulphin falles in the 〈…〉 threats to blowes The Apostum is ripe it must needs breake An exchaÌ„ger named Peâ—eâ— Maâ—â— pickt a quarrel with the Daulphins treasorer killes him in Saint Maries street Hauing slaine him hee flies into Saint Iames of the Butcherie and no man pursues him The Daulphin seeing his authority too much blemished in suffering himselfe to be 〈◊〉 braued he caused the murtherer to be drawne out of the Church and to be executed his hand to be cut off in the place where the murther was committed and from thence to be drawne to the gibet and hanged And to the end the people should not mutine he went accompanied with a gard of soldiars led by Robert of Clermont Marshal of France The same day arriued the Ambassadors of King Iohn being prisoner to sollicit his deâ—â—â— after many voiages made for the space of two yeares King Iohn sends to the Parisiens for his deliuery but in vaine that is to say two ages for a 〈◊〉 prisoner to whome delay is a double languishing But they were too true witnesses 〈◊〉 of the frutlesse tears of this poore Prince and of the barbarous cruelties of these Caâ—â—â—â—â—es They beheld the Bishop of Paris in the Daulphins sight and in the vewe of all the world to take this murtherers carcase from the gibet and to carry it to the Church from whence he was drawne and there to be honourably interred But this was not all Iohn of Piqueny comes to the Daulphin from the Nauarrois to summon him to hold his promise concerning the demands which were granted him in councell And as the Chancellor replied that they had beene performed He answered the Daulphin being present and the two Queenes The insolency of Iohn of Piqueny in the Daulphins presence That whosoeuer would maintaine the contrary had lyed And to heape one mischiefe vpon another the Prouost of Marchants with some of the Vniuersitie come vnto the Daulphin who by a Iacobiâ— Orator called Simon of Langres for it is not at this day alone that Monkes haue beene medlers in State require him to performe the promises made to the King of Nauarre or else the people would rise against him if he refused so apparant and reasonable a dutie A Parliament was likewise called for the Kings deliueâ—y wherevnto the blood of France which cannot degenerate caused the citties to be inclined so as things seemed in the end to promisse some redâ—esse The Parisiens comes in armes to the Daulphins lodging Being assembled at the Augustins the Prouost of Paris gathered together three thousand men of the basest artisans and comes armed to the house of S. Pol where the Daulphin was lodged hauing seazed vpon the gate and stopt all the passages he ascends to the Princes chamber being followed by his armed men The Daulphin was therewith much amazed Feare not saies the Prouost for any thing you shall see for what shall be done hath beene decreed and it must be so The watchword being giuen Horrible murthers comâ—utted in the Daulphins presence behold Iohn of Constans and Robert of Cleremont Marshalls of France two trustie seruants to the Daulphin are slaine before his eyes and so neere vnto him as the bloud rebounded vpon his face Ha cryes this poore Prince what is this will you attempt against the bloud of France No my Lord sayes the Prouost vnto him feare nothing it is not against your person we pretend they be your disloyall seruants we seeke who haue soâ— d aduised you Then he tooke the Daulphins hood and put his vpon the Daulphins head being halfe red and halfe skie-coloured the cittie liuerie and he did weare the Daulphins all that day being of a browne blacke imbrodered with gold in token of his Dictatorship The insolency of the Prouost of the Marchants This done their bodies are drawne to the Marble table and from thence cast into the Pallace yard for a spectacle to this furious people which flock thether from all parts with shouting and clapping of hands He presently sends to the Daulphin cloth both red and skie couloured to make him a hood and assembles the people at the Towne-house at the Creâ—â— where he makes them to approue this massacre and afterwards both the Daulphin and the Estates to do the like which were then assembled for very contrary effects The Parisiens solicite the Citties to rebell And to confirme and iustifie his vnbridled impudencie he writes letters in the name of the Citty of Paris to all the good townes of the realme exhorting them â—o ioyne with the chiefe cittie and to take their liuerie as the Daulphin had done the better to reforme the disorders of the realme As these confusions encreased dayly and hourely William of Mountigu Bishop of Terouenne Chancellor of France The officers of the crowne flâ—e out of the realme with many other officers of the Crowne flie from Paris and for the most part retire into â—ermanie as a shelter to auoyde these stormes expecting a better season The Chancellor had left the great Seale with King Iohn being prisoner so as then they vsed none but the small Seale of the Chastelet as well in the decrees of Parliament as in all other publike acts The Parisiens likewise erect a Councell of State composed of Sâ—â—uen Coeq Bishop of Laon the Cocke of this confusion of Renauld of Corby the first President Stephen Marcell Prouost of Marchants who in the end shal receiue the reward of his wickednesse Iohn Roussac Iohn Lisle with many of the Vniuersitie who had not the least voyce in the new commonweale Affliction is good for somthing as the Parisiens whom their furious ringleaders had fed with an imagination of the soueraigne gouernment of the State The Citties refuse to ioine 〈◊〉 the Parisieâ—â— to dispose of all things at their pleasures had assured themselues of a willing obedience from all the Citties of the Realme to whom as we haue sayd they had written to ioyne with them in a common league So were they greatly amazed that for answer to their imperious letters They receiued a generall denyall from all parts oâ— the realme the Citties refusing to harken to any priuate League 1358. and detesting the excerable example of so audacious a rebellion standing more carefully vpon their gard for feare of a surprise by the Nauarrois whome they confidently beleeued to be the cause of the Parisiens â—rensie and confusions The Daulphin being thus vnworthily intreated by the Parisiens The Daulphin leaues Paris retiers
then our own experience Open warrâ— Thus harme growes both froÌ„ the enimy which assailes the friend that desends so as we may truely say that in ciuil wars the cure is often times more hurtful then the disease The Nauarrois finding himselfe too weake alone calls in the English to the sack of France without a head and almost without a soule Edward aduertised from the Nauarrois by sundry messengers of the Estate of Frante Regents happy successe condemned himselfe as hauing failed his owne good fortune taking the King of Nauarrs complaint in no better part who saied Edward repents an opportunity neglected that he had not bin assisted as the cause required applying all his wit to the ruine of his Country holding it againe to take from his owne bloud so blind are passionate Councells He â—uâ—on Edward sends new forces to the Nauarrois who fortefied with these succors and with his goodly promises begins the war more fiercely then beforce He takes the Castel of Melun with halfe the Citty by the meanes of Queene Blancke whilest that the Kings soldiars fight for the rest he burnes the Abbie of Lis al other places alongest the forest of 〈◊〉 and Gastenois Then crossing the Isle of France to anoy the Parisiens and to strike a terror by his forces he taks S. Germaine in Laie Creil vpon Oise Poissy and many other places with great booties many prisoners runing daily to the gâ—ts of Paris The exploits of the Nauarrois Hauing stayed some daies at Mont he goes to meete with the succors from England taking Castres vnder Montlhery as they passe the which he spoiles sacks and burnes led by Captal de 〈◊〉 in Medoc a Country in Bourdelois a great and a mighty Lord who resignes them to his brother Philip of Nauarre With these forces he takes Clermont in Beauuoisin On the other side Rebert Knowles a valiant English Captaine with a troupe of theeues rather then souldiers runs vp the riuer of Loire into the country of Auxerre spoyling sacking burning and carrying away both men and beasts into his forts bringing the country to a miserable desolation This was rather a robbing then a warre as commonly ciuill warres be the which with more reasoÌ„ they may call vnciuill The desolate estate of France The cattel taken houses burnt men being dead or beggered the land remained desolate vntilled and vnsowne So as there fell so great a famine as halfe the people died for hunger lamentable troups of poore families wandred vp and downe creeping into townes like desperate folkes to beg bread of them which had it not The Parisiens seeing that this alteration did nothing repaire their estates grew mad as the common sort values no friendship but for their profit The Parisiens mutiny againe they abated much of the loue and respect which in the beginning of their reduction they did beare vnto the Regent who was not onely troubled to incounter armed men in field but also with mens humors growne bitter by affliction especially in Paris a sea subiect to the ebbing and flowing of mens sundry humors and affections The Nauarrois who was still watchfull to imbrace all occasions to annoy the Regent seekes meanes to nourish the seedes of his ancient credit with the Parisiens by some of his faction The Nauarrois makes new practises in Paris giuing them to vnderstand by diuers writings spred abroad that he lamented to see France vndermined with this desolation whereof the Regent was the original cause He sounded forth the vaine name of liberty and reformation of State vexing the Regent more by his practises theÌ„ by open force although he were supported by the succours of England The Regent was thus perplexed with many difficulties finding himselfe as it were besieged not only within the walls but also within the humours of this great citty being ignorant howe to counterbalance force with mildnesse in the perplexity of so many miseries and the diuersity of such contrary humors wherein he sees himselfe ingaged Amidst all these difficulties the wisedome and courage of this Prince is very considerable for he seemed to the people of a resolute countenance and in the managing of affaires he had alwaies a care to their reliefe so as they could not but loue him for his amiable sweet behauiour yet for the maintenance of his authority being come within the citty he caused some notable executions to be done The Daulphin executes some within Paris of certaine desperate seditious men and committed others to prison This was done with the peoples liking incensed against the Nauarrois but seeing themselues to fallout of one mischiefe into another the Parisiens began to returne to their old waywardnesse The Regent hauing worke for both hands incounters his enemie in field by force and in the Citty by eloquence He pacifies the Parisiens being discontented causing the people to assemble at the Creue sitting vpon that crosse which we see at this day his tongue preuailed more then his souldiers armes wherof we obserue no great successe but his eloquence was so happy as the people regarded it as an Oracle giuing him the title of wise hauing ioyned a wise carriage to his admirable eloquence as appeares in those goodly discourses Three yeares passed thus during the imprisonment of our King Iohn whom it is now time to visit in England Edward had caused Iohn to be conducted from London to the Castle of Windsore with his sonne Philip. Conditions for the Kings deliuery not granted There he propounded vnto him new conditions of peace not so rigorous as the former but yet so hard as beeing deliuered to the Regent and by him to the Estates then assembled at Paris all the Kings good subiects though very desirous to redeeme him did not allowe thereof for that they did import the honour of the King and realme too much making too preiudiciall a breach in the soueraignty The extremityes were notable in the Kings languishing being a prisoner and the present war The resolution of the Parliament but least they should suffer al to run to ruine in so great a suspence of affaires the Estates resolue to comfort the King by aduice to attend an other time for his liberty and to labour by all meanes to maintaine the warres The Prouinces did their best endeauours to furnish money for this necessity and euen Paris promised to maintaine 600. Lances 400. Archers and a thousand Corselets that is 1000. foote armed with Brigandines a kind of armour then much vsed Preparation to defend the Realme The Nobilitye notwithstanding their priuileges offered to contribute towards the charges and restored the orders for martial affaires in a manner forgotten through the indulgency of our kings 1359. The clergie shewed a notable zeale and all those officers which had managed the publike treasor made a great extraordinary summe of mony by meanes whereof they were discharged froÌ„ further accoÌ„pts and the realme
King Iohn hauing long expected the time of his deliuerie parts from England with a strong garde and is conducted to Calis attending the money 〈◊〉 the first pawne of his libertie The Regent his sonne labours earnestly the 〈◊〉 of Paris did contribute willingly a hundred thousand Royals and after their example all other citties paied their portions Of such power is our head cittie both to 〈◊〉 good and euill so by this ende they made amends for all former errors The money is brought to S. Omer whether the Regent comes to see the deliuerie Edward returnes to Calis he is wonderfull kinde to Iohn The two Kings sweare a mutuâ—ll league of friendship and they sweare a league of friendship and comprehended Charles King of 〈◊〉 being absent in this peace his brother Philip vndertaking for him to the end that all quarrels might be troden vnder foote and all men liue in peace vnitie and concord So Iohn being set at libertie after a languishing imprisonment foure yeares take his 〈◊〉 of Edward with all the shewes of loue that might be betwixt brethren and 〈◊〉 friends Being parted f om Calis he findes his sonne Charles comming to meete him with a great and stately traine I cannot well expresse the ioy of this first encounter this good King imbracing his sonne as his redeemer with ioy mixt with teares and full of fatherly affection with the content of his sweete recouered libertie seeing himselfe in his 〈◊〉 armes who had giuen him so many testimonies of his faithfull loue in his necessitie 〈◊〉 in the middest of his subiects with his first authoritie depending no more vpon anothers will King Iohn receiued by his sonne with great ioy And contrariwise what ioy was it for this wise sonne to enjoy his father so precious a gage of the authoritie order and obedience of a State and a great discharge for him of this painfull burthen Thus discoursing of what had bin done during his imprisonment and of what was to be done they arriue at Heâ—in whether not onely the whole countrie repaires 〈…〉 the Deputies of Paris and of all the prouinces of the Realme to congratulate their good Kings deliuerie where he disposeth of the gouernment of his house The King of Nauarre meetes him at Compiegne hauing fiâ—st sent back his hostages to shew that he relyed onely on his word put himselfe into his power Thus passeth the world after a storme comes a calme 1361. King Iohn made his entrie into Paris with this goodly traine being receiued with an incredible ioy of all his subiects The Kings reception into Paris The Parisiens going to kisse his hands offer him their hearts with a goodly cubberd of Plate worth a thousand markes for homage of their fidelitie and obedience The Parliament had surceased aboue a whole yeare Iohn for the first fruits of his recouered authoritie would honour the opening of the court with his presence being set in the seat of Iustice in the midst of all his officers to the incredible content of all men who beheld the cheerefull countenance of this Prince like the Sunne beames after a troubled skie Such was the returne of King Iohn into his realme after his imprisonment as the catastrophe of a Comedie in the which after mourning they reioyce This happened in the beginning of the yeare 1361. Some moneths were spent in these publike ioyes but they must seeke to get againe his hostages in the effecting whereof they found many difficulties for neither the priuate Lords whose homage he had bound to the King of England nor the countries whose Soueraignties he had yeelded by this accord would obey They argue with the King in councell and demand an acte shewing Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace that the King cannot dispose of the soueraigntie of his realme nor alienate the reuenues of the crowne Iohn on the other side fearing least Edward should reproche this vnto him as a practise betwixt him and his subiects made them sundry commandements to obey He went to Auignon to visit Pope Innocent who dyed at this time and Vrban the sixt succeeded in his place both Limosins To hansell Iohns recouered libertie and to ease his minde afflicted with long imprisonment Vrban exhorts him to vndertake the voyage of the holy land as generall of the action Iohn promiseth the Pope to goe with an armie Iohn not remembring the examples of Kings his Predecessors Lewis the 7. 9. nor apprehending the present burthen of his great affaires nor the danger of so mighty and watchfull an enemie who had so long and with so great paine kept him prisoner accepts the charge and makes a solemne promisse and to hasten the execution thereof he returnes into England Some saye the loue of the Countesse of Salisbury whose husband had the garde of the King being a prisoner was the principall motiue of his returne The which I cannot beleeue vpon the report of the English being vnlikely that his age his aflictions his great affaires and the voyage wherevnto he prepared should suffer this Prince to follow so vnseasonable a vanitie But whatsoeuer moued him therevnto he dyed there leauing his life in England where he had so long languished as a presage of his death Thus Iohn died in England in the yeare 1364. the 8. of Aprill Iohn dies in England His dispositioÌ„ leauing Charles his eldest sonne heire to the Crowne of France A good man he was but an vnfortunate Prince wise in ordinarie things but ill aduised in great affaires iust to all men but not warie how or whom he trusted in matters of consequence temperate in priuate but too violent in publick To conclude a good Prince but not considerate more fit to obey then to command Truely these heroicke vertues are the proper Iewels of Crownes and wisdome is a companion to the most excellent vertues especially in Princes who are aduanced vpon the Theater of manslife to gouerne the rest We haue noted that Bourgogne had beene giuen to Robert the grand-child of Hugh Capet for his portion A little before the deceasse of King Iohn Bourgogne annexed vnto the Crowne it was vnited to the Crowne of France by the death of Duke Philip a young man of the age of fifteene yeare sonne to that Iohn which dyed in the battaile of Poitiers He was betrothed to the heire of Flanders but both the Duchie and the Daughter were for another Philip the sonne of Iohn to whom the father gaue this new succession in recompence of the faithfull seruice he had done him the day of his taking and had continued it in prison CHARLES the 5. called the Wise the 52. King of France CHARLES THE V. KINGE OF FRANCE .52 THis Charles during the life of his father Iohn had giuen so many testimonies of his sufficiencie to gouerne well 1364. that he was held for King before he tooke the crowne Charles his raigne the which he receiued at Rheine
shortest errors being best it were better to retire in time then to make an absolute shipwracke of the Kings person and the honour and good of the Realme too much dismembred by former afflictions The enterprise broken off This checke from heauen which God had sent Winter and the feare of worse made the Regents aduice to be allowed both by the King and his councell who changed opinion for their voyage to England So this great interprise was disappointed being very preiudiciall to the poore people who endured the warre that their enemy should haue felt by an vnseasonable and excessiue charge I haue coated this action in the yeare 1381. vnder the Regency of the Duke of Aniou I know some attribute it to the Duke of Berry but I haue followed the first opinion vpon the relation of true Authors and as it shall appeare by the progresse of this report most likely This action was the cause of seditions at Paris and Rouen bred without doubt by the discontent of this bad gouernement for this great shewe so incensed the people beeing weary and greiued to haue borne so great a burthen for so vaine an enterprise as they rise at Paris Rouen Amiens Pottiers Lions and many other Citties by this new occasion which presently succeeded the first folly The Regent was blamed by the people to haue beene too slacke in his oppositioÌ„ against this preparation for England Sedition at Paris and the chiefe in Court hated him for beeing so hastie for that he was the onely staie thereof Thus ill thought of by both he was maligned of all handes It chanced the realme of Naples was offered vnto him by Queene Ioane and Pope Clement the 7. This was his whole desire but he must conquere it by dint of sword The title only was offered him Naples offered to the Regent both by her that might giue it as being heire and by him that might confirme the donation as being Pope All the Kings councell being weary of the Regents coÌ„mand wished to see him gone but they must flie to the people for money the which was hard to get as experience did witnesse Presently as they heare talke at Paris of a newe imposition although they sweetned these bitter pilles with the goodly name of subsidies all the world begins to crie out and from Paris this bâ—uâ—te flies through the whole Realme The people runâ—e tumultuously to the Greue they desire the Prouost of Marchants to bring them to the Regent thâ— which he delayes from day to day by excuses but in the end he cannot retaine them A great multitude runs to the Regents lodging they giue him to vnderstand by their Prouost into what extremity they were brought and vrge the late superfluous expences To what ende then say they serues a new warre to conquere a new kingdome in the aire with the ruine of the widow and the Orpheline This was not decreed noâ— practised by the good and wise King Charles wherevnto he had bound his sonne who should not suffer the memory of his fathers ashes to be taxed with this dishonour The Chancellour Dormans speakes at the Regents request he layes before their eyes the necessity of this voiage wherby both the King and realme might reape profit honour promising the King should prouide for the reliefe of the people This was gently put off to make them loose this humour in diuiding them but the people continue more obstinate they require a plaine resolute answer to their demaund so as the next day they come in troupe before the Kings lodging where the whole Councell was assembled with the Regent The King giues audience to the prouost of Merchants in the peoples name who deliuers the same complaints Then Iohn de Marais an aduocate in Parliament an eloquent and popular man prepared carefully for the purpose makes a goodly and artificiall oration to diuert the people from this bitternesse laying before them their duties the necessity of the Kings affaires and the good which should redounde by the enterprise of this forraine warre He omitted nothing of the office of a good Orator but he preuayled not for the people going from thence without respect of the King or his Councell runne presently to the Iewes Lombards and such other Marchants houses as had beene accustomed to gather all publike exactions they breake vp their shopps and counting houses they take away what was good and ill intreate all such as they meete of that profession yet they kill no man in this first tumult The Regent winking at this insolencie and fearing least it should encrease by moouing the people alreadie in choller thinks it best to referre the matter to an other time vntill the fume of this bitter discontent were blowen ouer aduâ—rtisments comming from all parts of the realme that the Citties grewe into the like humour But all this disswads him not from his enterprise he imployes all such as he thinks fit to winne the people Iohn of Marais Peter de la Riuiere Iames Andelle and such like Tribuns who seemed to be in credit with the people in shewing themselues affected to the common good And to loose no time he prepars his armie being resolute to leuie this imposition byforce whatsoeuer it cost The farmors of this leuie haue charge to beegin it A Colâ—ector at the Hales requiring a denier from a poore gardiner for a basket of herbes she crying out a great troupe flocke about this Collector and teare him in peeces But this is not all in this tumult all runne to gither on heaps Porters Pedlers The Parisiâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 Cartâ—rs Butcheâ—s Tauerners and such like the scumme of the baser sort they goe in troupes to the Towne house they breake open the doores and take such armes as they finde By the Constables command they had made beetles or axes to arme their men withall they take them and so vse them as this sedition was afterwards called by the name of Maillotins Being thus armed they goe to the Farmers Lodgings beat downe the doores breake open cofers cubberds and coumpting houses they drawe forth their books and papers they teare and buâ—ne them they take away money and mouables and in the ende they kill and massaker all the farmers they can finde searching all corners of their houses They crie that one had saued himselfe in Saint Iames Church at the Butchery they runne theâ—her and murther him holding the image of the blessed virgin in his armes The cruelâ—â—nsolency of thâ— Parisiâ—ns Some saue themselues in Saint Germains Abbay where they are presently beseeged But whilest that some labour after this seege the rest runne to the prisons of the Chastelet and Fourl'Euesque where they release the prisoners and arme them They bethinke themselues of a head there was a very sufficient man in prison named Hugh Aubriot who in former times had beene Prouost of the Marchants and had with honour executed great charges both in the Treasorie and State but
Vncles Lords Physitians all sigh all lifte vp their eyes to heauen Tears fall from the Duke of Orleance eyes he beats his brest and crosseth his armes he approcheth neere to his poore brother and hee recules from him All are amazed all confounded O my Country what trouble shall this poore head giue vnto thy body But may I lawfully sigh with my Countrimen who sighed then foretelling the miseries thaâ— should befall them by this phrensie as if my selfe had beene in this disorder a witnesse of so great an afflictâ—on both to this poore Prince and to his Estate A generall Censure of this accident The History doth very fitly set downe the diuers Censures that were giuen of this accident both at Rome and Auignon famous places being then the seats of Popes and also in England and in France The poore subiects as men whoÌ„ it concerned spake sobeâ—ly with great griefe some blaming the Duke of Brittain and Peter of Craon others the Coâ—stable of Clisson and Mignons of his chamber who had induced the King into this action but all in generall lamented bitterly this great desaster England was amazed at this report and sorry for it especially the Duke of Lancaster who had conferred with out Charles very pâ—iuatly in the treaty of peace which they had at Amiens He wepâ— commending this good wise Pâ—ince being desiâ—ous of the good of all Christendome Rome and Auignon being then banded one against the oâ—heâ— by reason of the Schisme of Antipopes reioyced at this calamity befallen vnto our poore King â—roisard toâ— 4. Chap. 5. Vrbain as his professed enemy triomphed in his mâ—sery whereinto he â—ayed he was fallen by a iust iudgement of God hauing supported Clement his competitor against him Clement reioyced for that he was not fully confirmed in his authority by him the King hauing busyed himselfe with his subiects quarrells whereas his greaâ—â—st charge was to restore the dignity of the holy Sea to her ancient beauty This the Historie obserueth of the Censures of these Antipopes But the diuine Oracle saies O how happie is he that iudgeth wisely of the afflicted representing an admirable example in the perâ—on of Iob to gouâ—rne themselues discreetly in their Censuâ—es Iob hath the testimony of a very good man and yet he had great afflictions hauing lost goods children howse and helth tormented by his wife and not only abandoned but also persecuted by all his friends in that which was more deâ—re vnto him then his goods and life his credit wherof they seeke to depriue him accusing him that he had liued wickedly like an hipocrite hauing but the shew of a good man and not the integâ—ity of a good life whereof he made profession Such is the vaine iudgment of this world which holdes aduersity for a vice and prospeâ—ity for a vertue measuring things according to their passions and not with â—eason but the tâ—â—th doth teache vs an other lesson O Lord howe great are thy workes thy thoughts are verie deepe the ignorant man doth not know them nor the foole doth not vndersâ—and â—hem Thâ—t we might know the chastisements of God to be alwayes iust although the câ—uses be vnknowen vnto vs. We cannot denie but there werâ— errors in Charles but yet we must confesse in acknowledging things as they be that he was one of the least vicious Kings of France and if we shal examine the zele he had to the gouernment oâ— his Estate he must hold an honorâ—ble ranke among the most vertuous Princes that haue at any time deseâ—ued well of this monarchy Many neerer causes of his infirmitie may be truly and soberly obserued The second causes oâ—â—he Kinâ—s phrensie the disposition of his body his manner of life the â—urcharge of affaires the weaknes of his bâ—aine the abounding of choller greefe and waywardnâ—s the want of rest and foode the importunitie of his voiage the terror of this voice the noise of armes â—o waighe downe the ballance euer charged with so heauie a burâ—hen But why from man do we not ascend to God Truly God doth hold gouerne this rod and as Charles was the head of this great Estate by his wise decree so he not only punished the person of Charles but the whole body of this â—ealme that both great and small might learne by this pittifull spectacle to humble â—hem selues vndâ—r the mightie hand of God who hath created the spirit of man to woâ—ke according to his good and wise will and disposeth absâ—lutely of men their affaires as he pleaseth and that this saying may be the seale of a â—â—ue and sober humilitâ—e I haue held my peâ—ce O Lord for thou hast doone it drawen from this Maxime God dotâ— all wel what so euer he doth O Kings â—his famous example belongs to you in so famous a Kâ—ng O Subiects you must learne by the head oâ— Châ—rles of what pâ—ice his head is whome God hath gâ—uen you for king â—hat you may praie vnto him with all your hearts to make him fit for the gouernment oâ— the whole bodie without the which it cannot subsist But I wil returne to our Charles Paâ—don curteous reader thâ—s dâ—gression for the sâ—arch oâ— the vse oâ— so famous an Accident This new and stâ—ange accident made them presently to dismisse the troupes hauing other worke in hand then to make warre in Brittaine The armie dissolued All the Court is wholy affected to the Kings hâ—alth He is preseÌ„tly caried backe to Mans his sicknes â—ncâ—easeth he must be transported to a better aire The Physitians aduise it shold be to Creilâ— pon Oise one of the royall houses in the Countrie of Beauuaisin betwixt Beauuais and Senlis a pleasant and hâ—lsome seat vpon the riuer He is conducted thether with great care but his frantike feuer conâ—inues still They seeke to conceale it least the fame thereof should be dishonorable but truth speaks generally Iames Harsely an excellent Physicion of Laon is sent for and preformes his duty happely as shal appeere by the euent Caâ—â— of the Kings person Nothing wanted that mans wit could deuise to helpe and cure the infirmitie of so great a King Let vs lâ—aue Charles in the Physicions hands and returne to the Crowne as sicke as the head hauing as great need of a good and spede remedie A Paâ—lement is â—resently called they assemble at Paris with all speed All France mournes for the affliction of their King whom they loued deerely for his myldnes and the siâ—gular hope they conceyued of his reigne whereby Charles purchased the name of Welâ— beloued 1394 The Estats assemble to resolue what was necessary for the gouernment of the realme in this accident They determyne first what might bee fittest for the forme of gouernement hoping verily of the Kings speedy recouery beeing loath to seeke a remedy that might any way preiudice his authority It was therefore set downe for a lawe That they should abstaine from the name of Regent vnfit
in this sodaine accident An order for the gouerment of the Realme the King being aliue of years And they concluded That during the Kings infâ—rmitie and without any preiudice to his authoritie the soueraigne gouernment of the Crowne of Frâ—nce should be giuen to the Princes of his bloud But this point being decided there was an other of no lesse difficultie To what Prince The order of the fundamentall Lawe called Lewis of Orleans the Kings Brother as first Prince of the bloud but neyther his age nor the present necessity could allowe therof The States yeelding vnto reason Contention for the gouerment decree That being apparantly necessary to prouide for the State by reason of the kings weaknesse being verie sâ—cke it were not conuenient to lay so heauie a burthen vppon so weaâ—e shoulders as the Kings brother a young Prince but that the Dukes of Berry and Bourgoâ—gne his vncles next to his brother should haue the gouernment of the realme vntill the Kings recouery Iohn Duke of Berry was elder then Philip but hauing pourchased an iâ—l fame in Languedoc The disposition oâ— Pâ—ilip Duke of Bourgongâ—e to be couetous and violent hee was nothing pleasing so as the French were better affected to Philip the hardy Duke of Bourgongnâ— a cunning cold temperat mild patient and popular Prince but ambitious factious reuengefull and malitious Being therefore pleasing to the States the chiefe charge was imposed on him the title was common to both brethren but the effect of the authoritie was proper to him aloane The Estates adde to their decree especially in his fauour that the Duchesse of Bourgongne should haue the first place next to Queene Isabell our sicke Kings wife and by consequence they giue her accesse to her chamber and the goâ—ernment of the Children at all euents This was Marguerite the heire of Flanders a woman of a manly courage Women rule in the State raised for her great possessions and wholly bred to ambition This newe presidence displeased Valentine the Duchesse of Orleans who yeelded nothing vnto her in greatnesse of courage We stand now vpon good termes that must be gouerned by three women a Germain an Italian and a Flemings all which had absolute authority ouer their husbands whose distaffes did cut like swordes wherof they will giue vs presently a sufficient proofe Philip Duke of Bourgongne Aduanced to the gouernment of the Realme by a decree of the States BEhold the Kings Vncles now at the helme to the great discontent of the Duke of Orleans and of Iames of Bourbon his Vnclâ— by the mother side The winde changeth and the sailes turne Two facâ—â—onâ— in Court the Court is transformed There are two factions but that of Berry and Bourgongne is the stronger The Dukes of Orleans Bourbon make the other but there is no equality The authority of the whole gouernment and of the treasor is in their hands to whome the States had decreed it Such force hath this sollemne consent of the â—rench in matters of State Such as had bin of Charles his most secret Councell were out of fauour An alteraâ—ioâ— in Court and the fauoâ—â—rs diâ—graâ—ced the Constable Begue de Villaines Montagu la Riuiere and Mercier they are all in bad estate for their ouerthrow is plotted by what meanes soeuer The Dukes authority must begin with them yet there was no loue betwiâ—xt the two brethren for who can bâ—leeue that ambition and couetousnesse are fit to winne friendships bâ—t onely to ruine their common enemies and to suppresse their authority Such as were in their rowle had their turâ—es but diuersly The Duke of Bourgongne standing vpon his gard restrayned his imperious wife who at his first aduancement to this great commande would haue turned all topsie tuâ—uy but he seekes all meanes to prâ—uâ—nt his enemies being resolued to begin with the Constable as with the strongest The mignona of King 〈◊〉 aâ—e ill intreâ—ted and this he concluded with hâ—s brother of Berry Montagu cunningly smels out this practisâ— and withall the best hee could carry away saues himselfe at Auignon attending some better oportunity but he shall returne too soone to loose his head on a scaffold The Constable Clâ—sson at his fiâ—st speech with the Duke of Bourgongne is so checkt and thretned by him as â—wallowing this pil quieâ—ly he steales out of Paris retiers to his house at Montlhery from whence with extreame danger he saues himselfe in Brittain The Consâ—â—ble Clisson flâ—â—s from Paâ—is hauing the Duke for hâ—s capitall enemie But hee had his son in Lawe there the Duke of Aniou the Earle of Ponthiâ—ure and so many friends within the Country as in the ende the equity of his cause shall draw the Duke of Brittain to reason being his most dangerous enemy After notice that the Constable was fled Begue de Villaines a gentleman of Beausse who had married the Contesse of Rebelde in Castille la Riuiere and Meâ—cier were coopt vp but all escaped by sundry meanes only Montâ—gu in the end shall loose the mould of his doubleâ— although he seemed to haue better prouided for his safety â—hen all the rest That we may hold for an vndoublted Maxime in all the resolutions which mans reason can set downe in greatest dangers That what God keeps is well kept Yet not rashâ—ly to omit the lawful meanes of our preseruation neyther to rely ouer much vpon our owne wisdomes no more then to a rotten planke in passing of a great riuer The Duke of Bourgongne had nothing lesse in his heaâ—t nor more in his mouth then the sacred name of Iustice. Hauing the Court of Parliament of Paris at his deuotion he bâ—gins to plant his artillery against the Constable by this authority The Kings Aduocate hauing framed a complaint against him Comissions are sent into Brittain to summon him who not finding him The Coâ—stable condemned being absent they proceede against him by exceptions al formalities being obserued they condemne him by a decree of the Court of Parliament in the presence of the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne as guiltie of high treason hauing attempted against the Kings person by poyson and against the state by theâ—te and treason That as guilty of these crimes he was degraded of the office of Constable condemned in a hundred marks of siluer to the King and banished the Realme A â—trange alteration â—he which the Hâ—story represents in these versâ—s Inconstant Fortune neuer staies her motions turning are alwaies The highest mounted on the wheele is strangely cast behinde the heele But truth coâ—rects the vanity of this popular opinion God is Iudge he raiseth one and casts downe another Aduancement comes not from the eâ—st nor from the west but Goddoth raise vp and pull downe by his wise prouidence for God that hath made the world should not he gouerne the woâ—ld the eye sees not the Sunne through a thick cloude and yet it is in heauen notwithstanding the weakenes of our
men which chanced in the beginning of the yeare 1394 shal burne farther and kindle a greater fire betwixt the vncle and the Nephewe foâ— the space often yeares vntill the death of Philip Duke of Bourgongne leauing this hatred hereditary to his posterity There is no meanes which the Bourguignon doth not attempt to wrong his Nephewe of Orleans Certaine Augustin Fryars vndertake to cure the King by incisions in his head wheâ—by he was in great danger of his life These counterfets were brought forth publikely in their habits and beheaded but the scarres of these wounds will remaine in Lewis his â—ace who recommended them vnto the King The women are dealers in these actions The Duchesse of Bourgongne perswades Queene Isabel that Lewis his meaning was to kill the King her husband his children These impressions are confirmed by the graue and sweet discouâ—ses of the duke her husband who by degrees setled a hatred in the Queenes minde agaiâ—st her brother in-law Thus this faction is much fortified by the authority of Queene Isabel and by her with her husbands name whom she makes to speake what she pleaseth sometimes as her will directed him but not alwaâ—â—â— Yet this weake braine is the checker of all these courâ—ly pollicâ—es by the meanes oâ— women who are continually about his bedde or his chaire to distemper his braine with variety of newes springing from their wretched passions and this poore Prince is sometimes won sometimes lost and alwaies tormented wâ—th these imporâ—unâ— discoâ—râ—es Vâ—lenâ—ine to the Duke of Orleans an Iâ—aâ—â—an and daughter to Iohn Galeaz one of the cunningest and most subtill witts of her time which subtilty some held she increased by coniuring would not yeeld to the brauadoes of these two Princesses against whom she opposed her selfe not only by her husbands degree but also by a politike courage bred in her selfe visiting the sicke king with such ciuill entertainment as her greatest enemies could not finde any honest colour to deny her the dore So as the King did not onely willingly see her but did call for her and in his greatest fits did know her onely among all the rest refusing to take any thing but from the hands of his good Sister of Orleans The more the Kings loue kindled a iealousie in these two Princesses her enemies the more it raysed vp the mind of Valentine and by hir meanes of her husband who remeÌ„bring too hatefully the degree whereunto he was borne and the wrong done him in reiecting him yet hauing neither dexterity nor meanes to win many seruants he gaue the Duke of Bourgongne all aduantages being graue cold pleasing and modest so as by his wise teÌ„per he disolued the heate of the Duke of Orleans immoderate vehemencie who tyring himself with the shew of his greatnesse makes it known by effects that all the authority was in the Duke of Bourgongne for whosoeuer had neede of any publike helpe he must pasâ—e through his hands what busines soeuer chanced either within or without the realme the true rendez-uous was at his lodging Thus the Vncle made his Nephew towalke horses as they say although he chafed and stamped beyond all measure These diuisions troubled the whole court making them to neglect the affaires of state and what can we obserue more famous in so disordered an estate Al businesses are done in the Kings name yet without the King vnlesse the parties would haue him to countenance some great passion I do purposely omit all that which passed in this raigne touching the schisme of the Church and the house of Aniou in the realmes of Naples and Arragon not to breake off the course of my intent meaning to represent in due place all that concernes this forrain history Richard King of England sends his Ambassadors to Charles to congratulate his recouery offring him a generall peace and demanding his daughter in marriage The Kings relapse delayed the conclusion for a time Richard king of England marrieth with Isabell of France but soone after by the care of the Duke of Bourgongne who had a great interest in this alliance by reasoÌ„ of his country of Flanders it was concluded in the yeare 1395. Charles had some intermissions by meanes whereof he could ride Richard repayres to Calais and Charles to Ardres whether Richard came to ratifie the peace concluded betwixt their Ambassadors and to receiue his new spouse The Kings encountred one another with loue and kindnesse making shewes of great good will but it was a short ioy for either of them For as it seemed that the quiet of these two realmes had beene setled by this generall peace sealed by this marriage and seasoned with so many reciprocall shewes of cordial affection betwixt these two great Kings behold a great combustion in England which intangles both these Kings in this common calamity Richard being of himselfe effeminate carelesse voluptuous and idle grew more delicate by this profound rest built vpon the alliance of his enimy who alone might haue quickned him He is alwayes with his yong wife imbracing her dallying with her and attiâ—ing her with such contempt of his authority abassing himselfe too much to his subiects so as he grew contemptible vnto his enimies who presâ—med to attempt against his person The ordinary warres of England against France had caused many necessary impositions without any grudging of the subiects but when as necessity ceased by this generall peace the people require to bee relieued William More makes an oration vnto the king in the name of all the English in generall Richard hauing no meanes in these infinite exactions to supply the charges of his idle voluptuous life contemned his subiects request and in the ende pressed vpon the same matter by the Duke of Glocester the Earle of Arondel in the name of them all he puts them vniustly to death The English madde with rage for the death of their deputies flie to such remedies as despaire giues to necessitie From this general discontent sprong a strange Tragedie against Richard for the English seeing themselues thus despised by their King they cast their eyes vpon Henry of Lancaster his cousine and hauing called a Parliament they put Richard into prison and crowne Henry of Lancaster in his place Richard King of England put from the Crowne Richard being forced in open assembly to resigne the Crowne and to condemne himselfe to perpetuall prison as hauing abused his royall authoritie and his subiects But this tâ—agicke change concernes the Histoâ—ie of England This may bâ—ieflie suffice for ours in the conference of our estate with theirs Charles did greatly grieue at this deiection of Richard his sonne in lawe from whom he expected great loue and quiet for his subiects But who seeth not the vanitie of this world both in great and small to feare a shower euen when the Sunne is hottest Hee sends for Isabell his daughter of twelue yeares old whom Richard had not yet toucht being content to behold her
happily for the Duke of Bourgongne Henry the 4. King of England calles home the troupes he had sent to his succour The English troupes leaue the Bourguignon vnder the Earle of Arondells commande intreating the Duke to hold him excused if he did vse his owne at his neede Hee had no meaning to fauour the stronger paâ—ty but to succoâ— the weaker as experience did soone teach This sodaine altâ—ration did somewhat stay the Bourguignons desseine to attempt Orleans but making warre aduisedly he attends his enemies proceeding and taking an honest leaue to retyre by reason of the winter he comes to Paris where not to loose any time he continues the Kings thundring Edicts and executes many of his prisoners to flesh the people To bloud he addes Ecclâ—siasticall excomunications against the Armagnacs whilest the Orleanois â—ake cold by making warre in Charolois and sending for succors into England seeking for releefe in the same place where their enemy had found a scourge to whippe them Certaine letters carried by a monke from the Duke of Orleans to the King of Englâ—nd were intercepted and brought to Paris being examined in full assembly of the vnâ—uersitiâ— and from thence imparted to the people with the Bourguignons commentaries They made the Orleans faction so much the more odâ—ous as if the Dukes of Orleâ—ns Berry and Bourbon combined togither had sought to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin and to dismember the realme in giuing part of it to the English and to deuide the rest among themselues Strange newes without any subiect which vanish at their breeding but yet they serue to purpose according to the desseine of their Architect The King and Daulphin being possessed by Iohn of Bourgongne haue no thought but to ruine the Orlean party and pufte vp with this first successe hoping to finish the rest they imploy all their meanes to leuie a great army the which through the Bourguignons care was held to be a hundred thousand men A notable number after so many miseries and â—n so great a confusion The Cittie of Bourges was of great importance for the vniting of the Prouinces on that side Loire where the Associate Princes had their greatest supplies of men The Bourguignons greatest malice was against the Duke of Berry who not onely had forsaken him but â—or his degree and age vnderstood much iâ— his enemies affaâ—res They resolue therefore to beseege it to make the way more easie for conquest of â—he rest In the beginning of the Spring the King and Daulphin go from Paris to theâ—r army which assembled in â—asâ—inois being entred into Berry the lesser Townes yeeld without question Dun le Roy Fontenay and Sancerre Bourges being summoned makes answere That neyther the King nor Daulphin did make this warre but the Duke of Bourgongne The King Dâ—ulpâ—iâ— beseege Bourges by the Bourguâ—gnons â—eane who holding their persones and willes captiue would depriue the Princes of France of their right hauing imbrued his murthering hands in the bloud of the fiâ—st Prince of the Câ—owne seeking to vsurpe the State There were verye many good soldiars within the Cittie which were supplied with all that might be wished for in a long seege They intreated the enemye in korne that hee would approch neere the Cittie and leaue their gates open in a brauery Many fortunate sallies are made by them crying in field God saue the King They take many prisoners The waters abroad are poisoned and many die before they discouer the cause All â—â—ngs out with military raylings of Armagnacs and Bourguignons but the greatest defeat is in spoyling oâ— the Country â—erry made desolate All â—he prouision being carried into the Citâ—y what a spoile shold an army of a hundred thousand men with their followers make and to increase the miserie all the houses of the champion Country were eyther sackt or burnt The English being victors in France neuer committed greater spoiles then these French armiâ—s As the Duke of â—erry the Lord of that Country was much greeued to see these spoyles so the Daulphin â—he heiâ—e apparent of the Crowne was discontented with his father in Lawes ambâ—tion growing odious vnto him His bloud which could not degenerate mooued him to compassion and the bloud vniustly shed troubled his coâ—scieâ—ce Foâ— to what ende should they ruine a whole â—ealme to maâ—ntaine so execrable a murther The Daâ—lphin disconâ—enâ—ed with his father in Law the Duâ—e of Bouâ—gonâ—â—â— If zeale to reforme the State saieth hee bâ—e the Bourguignons intent is thâ—s the way His father being sicke could not apprehend these things by reason of his infirmitie what râ—proch then were it for him being his â—ldest sonne to â—uffer himselfe to be bâ—flâ—d by his father in Lawe like vnto an infant These apprehensions mooued this yoâ—g Prince who nothing dissembling his conceptions told his â—ather openly that he was not pleased with these confusions that they must finde out some meane to pacifie them It chanced one day as they aduertised the King that in a sally made by them of the Towne they had slaine some one of his seruants the Daulphâ—n câ—ied out in the presâ—nce of the Bourguignon Shall we neuer haue an ende oâ— these misâ—ries I am resolued to make them câ—â—sse The Bourguignon hauing before discouâ—red some coldnesse in this young Prince found his mind now to be wholly changed He therefore replyed mildely That it should be well done so as they of Orleans would acâ—nowledge their error How saith the Daulphin shall they acknowledge thâ—ir fauâ—t if wee do not knowe them for our bloud And then they resolued to make a peace The Duke of Berry had layed the foundaâ—ion by Lignâ—c great master of Rhodes who fayled not to imbrace this occasion seeing the Daulphin so well affected The Eaâ—le of Sauoie had sent his Ambassadors to exhort both parties After a monethes seege they begin to treate of â—he meanes to pacifie these troubles The Bouâ—guignon mâ—kâ—s hast to bee the first in all things and parlees with the Duke of Berry betwiâ—t two barres One accuseth the other excuseth but in the ende a peace is concluded by deputiâ—s The Priâ—ces at an enteruewe imbrace one an other with all shewes of cordial louâ— such as their bloud makes shewe of after long bitternesse The Bourguignou onelâ— is tâ—oubled doubâ—ing this peace to them would be a warâ—e to him for that hee had no peace in his owne Conscience The King enâ—ers into Bourges where â—he peace is signed and for that reason it was called the Peace of Bourges the 25. of Iuly in the yeare .1412 â—he peace of 〈◊〉 A Parliament is called at Auxerâ—e to coâ—firme it by sollemne oath The Princes are receiued inâ—o fauour with the King and Daulphin alâ— Edicts made against thâ—m were disâ—nulled and of no force They and theiâ—s restored â—o their degrees and dignities All things to bee forgotten Tâ—e names of Armagnac and Bourguignon as in famous marks of ciuill dissention
forbidden vpon paâ—ne of death and the English come to the succor of the associat Princes to bee satisâ—â—ed out of the Kings tâ—easor Without the Cittie of Auxerre neeâ—e to the Abbie of Saint Mâ—riâ—â— a stately scaffold was made where the King sitting in his seat of Iustice enuironed with his Princes the officers of his Crowne and the chiefe deputies of the Parliament the peace was proclaymed with as great ioy as the warre had beene tedious and mournfull To confirme this peace with Iohn of Bourgongne Philip Earle of Vertus married his daughter but all this could not reconcile him to the house of Orleans The Daulphin reioyced much at this peace and made all shewes of loue to his Cousins lately reconciled being greeued to haue bin so long dissentioÌ„ betweene them desirous â—o repaire what was past aboue all to maintaine an inviolable peace wâ—thin the Realme The good sicke King present at all yeelding his consent and authority somtimes inclyned to good sometimes to ill Queene Isabel held with the strongest but all these good motions were crossed by the Bourguignon so as all the confusions of this raigne are not yet ended Iohn of Bourgongne seeing himselfe crost by Lewis the Daulphin and the house of Orleans restored to grace stirres vp newe troubles from the yeare 1412. Vnto 17. when as the Daulphin died but the troubles ceassed not FRance began to hope for better by the meanes of Lewis the eldest Sonne to King Charles hauing a desire to make a peace against the Bourguignons will But this was not all they expected of the Daulphins first resolution yet the weakenesse of the sicke King The Boâ—â—guignons 〈◊〉 in Court and the inconstancie of his yong Lieuâ—enant gaue the subtill braine of Iohn of Bourgongne too great an aduantage to suffer the French to enioy the fruiâ—s of peace so much desired who neuer yeelded to baâ—e threats but grewe more resolute And notwithstanding this alteration of the Daulphin his sonne in lawe yet he left not the Court being alwayes neere the King keeping the Councel in breaâ—h who were for the most part all on his side and although they worshiped the Sunne rising yet seeing the spirit â—f this yong Prince to be weake and inconstant and the Bourguignons fiâ— me resolutâ—on they stood vpon their gard doing nothing that might openly offend eyther the one or the other but vnder hand they sought to please the most polâ—â—â—ke and redoubted maister who else mâ—ght proue a most cruell and dangerours enemie Thus were affaires handled in the Kings councell And as not only the Court but the whole world is an ebbing and flowing of diuers humors the which doe change according to occasions and the scaffold whereon dissembling trechery and treason play their parts diuersly so at that time the Bourguignon a principall artisan of these goodly shewes found an ample subiect wherein to imploie his filthy trade But although he seemed to haue gained all whatsoeuer he desired that should come to passe and to haue attayned the full of his desires yet all his enterprises came to nothing and in the end he paied with the price of his bloud the great debt of his horrible wickednesse But this acte shall haue manie Scenes In the first our History shall set downe the new gouerment of Lewis the Daulphin The estate of the Court vnder Lewis the Daulphin This yong Prince was not capable of so great a charge hauing an idle braine being carelesse and voluptuous giuen to his owne will obstinate taking no aduice from any but of himselfe or from yong men of his owne humour loth to yeeld to any that vnderstood more then himselfe and especially to his vncles whose graue haires he disdained neither could he loue his father in lawe being resolued to gouerne the realme alone The Queene seeing her Sonnes humour inclyned to loue the house of Orleans made shew to fauour them but in effect she was indifferent being wholy giuen to flatter which her husband and to gouerne him according to the time The Bourguignon dissembling his sonne in Lawes wayward humours was alwayes neer the King giuing him such goodly reasons as the good Prince could not gainsaie him The subiect of his sutes was pleasing to the Parisiens whose good liking he entertained carefully but alwayes with an intent to bee reuenged of his enemies vnder this goodly name of the common wealth as the soueraigne ende of all his desseins but in effect he held still one of the cheefest places not yeelding in any thing to gouerne them which seemed to rule and to keepe backe such as might crosse his authoritie By the peace of Bourges the Constable of Albret should bee restored to his dignitie and Arnold of Corbie to his Chancellourship They delaie them from daye to day but in the ende they are restored with much difficultie The meanest haue many delaies more troublesome then a flat repulse being more willing to leaue al then to make these frutlesse poursuites Arnold of Corbie being honorably restored to his place resigned it into the Kings hands to auoide the danger of so confused a time more wisely then Henry of Marle that suceded him being slaine at the massacre at Paris with the Constable of Armagnae But the Bourguignons flew a higher pitche then to preiudice the house of Orleans in their goods and honors or to crosse their affaires and their followers The Bourguignons resolution He found no better expedient then to do as he had doone with Lewis their father for a dead Lion doth no harme To this ende he assembles some of his most trustye followers at Paris to finde meanes to murther the Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon But Peter of Essars one of his most violent partisans discouered this practise for the which hee soone after smarted By the treatie of Bourges the Englishe which came to the Duke of Orleans succour must be satisfied They presse for paiement one part being discharged to the Duke of Orleans great hindrance he was forced to leaue his brother Iohn Earle of Angoulesme in in hostage for the rest Being carried into England he was in the end redeemed after much trouble and many dâ—laies In this article the Bourguignon made shew of his good husbandrie solliciting the English vnder hand on the one side for to presse Charles his principall debtor and on the other side he cried out against the disorder of the Kings treasor so â—ll gouerned as there was not sufficient to furnish the ordinarie expences of his house pretending all these great summes to be wasted either by the Tresorers in gifts or in superflous expences This complaint was very plausible but it was a pitfall to catch his enemies to muâ—ine this discontented people by reason of their great oppression 1413. being easie to be mooued at the name of the common weaâ—e He soone obtayned from the King a generall conuocation of the chiefe Citties to reforme the abuses of the Realme and
especially of the treasure for the releefe of the poore people To make this partie good the Citty of Paris must make the first point The Bourguiâ—non raiseth sedition at Paris but the vniuersity which stood as a newter dealing with nothing but their bookes should make the proposition and first instance The cause was vehemently set downe by a Doctor chosen for the purpose and auoched by the Cittie and deputies of the Prouinces Such as were subiect to accompts were much terrified and the greatest number fled Such as were taken lost their heads at the Halles or Greue to the peoples great content who highlie commend the Duke of Bourgongne as the onely Prince which loued the good of the realme The Daulphin growes â—ealous at the sound of the praises as preiudicall to his honouâ— vowing neuer to suffer the Bourguignon to attempt any thing against his authoritie The Daulphin takâ—s vpon him the name of Regent Such as were interessed fedde the yong Princes humor Who by the meanes of Lewis of Bauiere his Vncle by the mother side perswade him to take the name of Regent for a marke of his greatnesse He takes this title and giues notice to the Duke of Bourgongne that it is nowe high time he were knowne in his degree The Bourgongnon protesting that hee hath no other obiect but the good of the Realme makes no shewe to deale in these affaires leauing the gouernment thereof to whome it appertayned yet vnder hand he caused the Parisiens to arme and least the better sort should be called into question he imployes the basest beeing led by one Caboch a butcher followed by a multitude of rascalles who being armed come in troupe to the Regents lodging and require of him by rowle the chiefe enemies of the Bourguignons house who they sayed had gouerned the treasure or had beene enriched by excessiue gifts A strange sedition in Paris Amongst the which was Peter of Essars who without any long proces lost his head receyuing a iust reward for his great wickednesse by his hands who had then caused him to commit them But this was not one dayes furie the next day the people assemble in great multitudes and taking white cappes for their badge they come to Saint Pol where the King lodged and demaund audience hauing seized on all the passages to his lodging after a terrible manner A Carmelit Frier was speaker for the people accompanied with the Deputies of this multitude as his ruffians Being entred into the Kings chamber after many tedious speeches he demands reformation of the State The Parisiens insolenâ— bâ—hauiâ—r protesting they would not be fed with words they vrged the King to punish such whose names they had conteyned in a liste being guiltie of capitall crimes The Duke of Bourgongne makes a good shewe and answers That the King would consider thereof This Frier replies impudently that they would not depart before they had such as they demanded Their rage was such as the King and Princes tooke white cappes the marke of the seditious They demand the chiefe seruants of the King Queene and Daulphin not onelie men but also women which had beene in any credit and aboue all Lewis of Bauiere the Queenes brother There was not any one but stood amazed at these audacious impudencies The Queene comes weeping shee intreats the King the Monke and the deputies of the people They answere it is their charge and they cannot alter it The people crie fâ—om the base Court with a violent noyse that if they deliuer not these prysoners â—hey will force the lodging So as after all these intreaties Lewis the Queenes brother with the rest specified in the rowle both men and women yeeld vnto the mercie of these madde and furious men and are by them led into diuers prysons The Bourguignon the secret practises of all these insolencies This night passed not without many murthers many were strangled and many cast into the riuer without any other formes of iustice but the Bourguignons secret commandement who with his cold and graue countenance made shewe to haue no interest in the action 1414 The Citty was neuer in so lamentable an estate by this shameâ—full contempt of Law order of the King Princes Magistrates There is no taâ—ke but of bloud killing hanging and drowning of poore prisoners The horror of this confusion toucht the hearts of the most passionate The vniuersity which had b in the mouth of these captious complaints repaires to Henry of Marâ—e the first president to Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins the Kings aduocate protesting that they were not guilty of these infamous disorders And hauing taken aduice they resolue to go to the King The vniuersity dislikes of these disorders as well to purge themselues of the suspition of these abhominable confusions as to intreat him to giue eare to a good peace They giue him meanes to winne the heads of this popular faction and set vp an Ensigne with the Kings armes crie in all parts of the Cittie Peace peace good people an inuention which preuailed much in this action Ill councell is most hurtfull to him that giues it the Bourguignons practises light on his owne head The people pacified The people seeing themselues disauowed by the vniuersity who then had great credit for their esteeme of wisdom and knowledge hauing the King and his parliament opposite being abandoned by their Tribunes they hide themselues in â—ourgongne and he himselfe feeling the storme to approch retires to Compiegne attâ—â—ding the euent The Orlean faction repaires to Paris with speede and were receiued ioyfully by the people as the Anchor of their hope All the world exclaimes of the Bourguignon as the onely motiue of the troubles of France The King incensed against the Bourgongâ—ion and the people forsake him and vnworthy to hold so honorable a â—ancke among the Princes of the bloud The Queene feedes this dislike for the interest of her brother imprisonned and the King thunders forth his edicts against the Bourguignon the which are seuerely executed vpon such as are apprehended Scaffolds riueâ—s and streetes witnesse the reuenge of the murthers committed by the Bourguignons vppon the Orleanois All Officers preferred by the Bourguignon are displaced and all such as had supported him are ill intreated Valeran Earle of S. Pol is put from the dignity of CoÌ„stable Guichard Daulphin of Auuergne from that of great Maister Charles of Rambures from beeing maister of the crossebowes The Bouâ—guignon faction disgraced and banished the which is at this day as the colonell of the infantery Three hundred men and women of the Bourguignon faction are banished by a decree of the Court of Parliament Iohn Duke of Brittain leaues the Bourguignon comes to court against him To conclude all bandie against the Bourguignon yet he is nothing amazed but continues constant against all stormes He craues ayde of his citties in Flanders in this necessity being thus
and to multiply the afflictions the Bouâ—guignon is in field and besiegeth S. 〈◊〉 The Kâ—ngâ— armie is not d smâ—ssed but dispersed into dâ—uers parts according to tâ—e nâ—cessitâ—e of his affaires The Daulphin hauing need of the gâ—eatest part for Rouen seâ—d the lesser to the besieged bâ—t the succours being â—eake and slâ—cke S. Florentine yâ—eâ—d to the Dâ—ke of Bouâ—gongne This hard beginning might haue beene preâ—udiciaâ— to â—is aâ—â—aires at Rouen but they succeed better for the chiefe of the cittie mette â—itâ— the Daulâ—hin and excuse themselues of this tumult imputing it to the people ouer-charged they beâ—eech him to pardon this fault and to receiue their voluntarie obedience Thus he is honourablie receiued into the Câ—ttie already pacified â—nd settle aâ—l things â—ith mâ—ldnesse But there are other newes of harder digestion for the Bourguignon marcheth to Paris â—ith a great power and the English takes port in Normandie with a thousand â—aile Tâ—ere were reasons on eâ—ther side to ballance these great difficulties The Dauâ—pâ—iâ— incoâ—ntâ—ed by three great enemies and to trouble tâ—e Dâ—uâ—phiâ— for whether shall he go fiâ—st if he march to Paris the English will conâ—â—â—â— without resistâ—nce If he make head against the English then Paris is lost being wholy inclined to the Bourguignons practises who sees not but the losse of the capitall 〈…〉 would be his ruine and the ouerthrow of all his desseâ—gnes The Boâ—â—guigâ—on The English But 〈◊〉 did not foresee a gâ—eater difficultie at hand by his mother more waâ—gâ—tie and daâ—â—erous then all the rest yet must he auoide all these three stormes not without greâ—t danger That the prouidence of God His motheâ— the preseruer of this Monarcâ—ie might 〈◊〉 it selfe more admâ—rable restoring this estate being in shew vtterly lost For Charles â—ho in so sharpe an incounter reaped so worthy a victory owes tâ—e homage vnto God who gaue him meanes both to fight well and to vanquish happily The Daulpâ—in stâ—â—dâ—ng doubtfull betwixt these two great extreames resolues to go to Paris to deâ—eâ—d the Cittie against the Bourguignons practises and to assure the Kings person whom he knew would speake whatsoeuer he pleased being in his power Henry of Maâ—le Chancellor of France remained at Paris with the King being wholy at the Daulphâ—ns deuotion The people stirre not being kept in awe by the Parliament and Vniuersitie who were then well vnited But experience will soone discouer the inconstancie of humane attempts when they seeme most assured and the vanitie of a multitude being the actors of great mens proiects The Bourguignon at one instant doth publish his protestation and displaies his colours causing his troupes to marche He makes a declaration conteining the causes for the which he takes armes The BourguignoÌ„ makes â— declaration That is To reforme the state extreamly desolate by the ill gouerâ—ment of such as abusing the Kings infirmity managed the affaires of the realme at their pleasure and without pittie of the poore people oppressed them with extraordinarie charges against all right and reason He protested to haue no other intent but to restore the realme to her former libertie But he shall change his coppie imposing new exactions to the preiudice of the people and shall grow offended with such as shall oppose themselues so as it seemes all this was but a maske to abuse the people vnder the goodly shew of ease and libertie But as at the first all seemes goodly so these glorious beginnings wonne him great credit with the French nation Thus his armie begins to marche through Picardie towards Paris All Citties open their gates where he doth presently proclaime an exemption of all Subsidâ—es and other charges except of Salt as the gentlest imposition seeing that all men without distinction payed their part But aboâ—e all he was very carefull that his armie should liue orderly and modestly without any oppression to the poore people being his ordinarie discourse as one greatly grieued for their afflictions and being very desirous of their quiet aâ—d content These examples proclaimed his vertues and wonne him the peoples hearts Other Citties in Picardie follow this example Beauuais yeelds willingly vnto him and shout out for ioy at his entrie he goes presently to Senlis kept by Robert Deusné for the Armagnacs The Cittizens desirous to imitate the rest seize vpon their gouernour open their gates wiâ—lingly call in the Bourguignon and receiue him with all ioy From thence he marcheth speedily to Beaumont the which hauing indured some Canon shotte being subiect to the house of Bourbon yeelds vpon an easie composition Ponthoise and Melun obey without any dispute The Bourguignon with an armie before Paris So by degrees he come before Paris and to shew his armie to the Parisiens he lodgeth at Mont-rouge but to approach neerer he incampes lower in a place called The withered Tree vnto this day by reason there stood a great dryed Tree A presage what should after befall his greene and flourishing desseignes Being there he writes his letters to the King and Cittie of Pariâ— full of cunning admonitions beseeching the one and exhorting the other to hearken seriously to a good reformation of the State the true and soueraigne eâ—d of his armeâ— In the meane time hee looseth not an houre Iohn of Luxembourg during this his necessarie aboad at Paris goes with a part of the armie to trie the voluntarâ—e Citties and euery day made new conquests Chartres Estampes Gaillardon Montlehery Auncau and Rochefort obey and after some dayes of rest to annoy Paris he besiegeth Corbeil a place of importance for the victualing thereof But whilest he pressed Corbeil with exceeding hast behold he sodenly abandons it against the opinion of all men The Daulphin and the Constable of Armagnac supposed that seeing that he had lost his labour at Paris hee would seeke to possesse himselfe of places of eâ—â—â—er conquest according to his course begun But the effect will shew that his râ—siâ—g was to an other intent which bred a horrible combustion throughout the whole realme for Isabell Queene of France discontented with her sonne Charles intreâ—tes the Dâ—ke of Bourgongne to free her from captiuitie The Bourguignon goes to Queene Isâ—â—â—ll at Tours She was then at Tours with some gard by the Kings commandement for the which she blamed her sonne and the Constable who then had the gouernment of the Court They kept not so strict a garde oâ—â—he Queâ—ne but she hâ—d lâ—beâ—tie to walke both wiâ—hin and without the Citty â—uen to the Abbâ—e of Maâ—mâ—ustiâ—r where she had her speciall 〈◊〉 This was a mâ—anes to giue intelligence vnto the Bourguignon and to slip into hiâ— hands as we shall sâ—ewe Reason requiâ—es the history should set downe the motiue of so vnnatural a discontent but she is silent and reports onely a very light occasion Tâ—â— King disâ—â—kâ—â— oâ—â—hâ— Queene That the King comming from visiting of the Queene who held her state at â—ois-de-Viâ—câ—nnes and returning to Paâ—is
put them all to death to teach the Bourguignon that they had no lesse authority and power ouer him then ouer the King and the Daulphin his sonne They kill the Bourguignons seruants This occasion thrusts the people into greater fury who being thus armed choose a head called Cappeluche Bourrell to finish their executions vppon some such as might receiue these impositions and publike charges They march through the cittie and enter into many houses to robbe and spoile vnder colour of apprehending of such as had assisted at these innouations The rich men feared for their own particulars but the Bourguignon more theÌ„ all knowing himself to be the Author of this disorder hauing thrust the people into armes for what successe should this disordred liberty haue but to fall vpon the Authors thereof Hauing therefore won some of the chiefe Commanders they choose out a troupe of the most wilfull mutinous to be fred off them vnder colour of sending them to the warre against the Daulphinois which had surprised the Castle of Montlehery and began to inuade euen to the gates of Paris Yet they reteyned Cappeluche Bourrell vnder colour of some speciall seruice But the Bourguignon beeing growne the stronger with the chiefe of the Citty he causeth Bourrel to bee taken and hanged with some number of his associates This multitude being aâ— Montlehery disconteÌ„ted with the Bourguignon leaues the siege and returnes to be reuenged but the gates were shut and the waâ—les well garded so as all passed without any more adoe But the Bourguignon was much perplexed beeing troubled in minde to haue put a sword into a mad-mans hand beeing afraid of an vnsure gard and a foretelling thâ—t his Empire should not continue long So the repulse hee receiued from the English the coldnesse of the Nobilitye of his party and the peoples change were the motiues which made him wishe for the Daulphins friendship who now preuented him although hee had often refused it That which mooued Charles thereunto was necessity and the hope of a greater dessâ—ine finding no better meanes to stoppe the current of the English victory and the Bourguignons treachery then to ioyne with him attending some better occasion The successe fauoured this councell of his sollowers He sends Tanneguy of Chastel to the Duke of Bourgongne to make the first proposition and after him the Lady of Giâ—â— in whome the Bourguignon had great confidence to appoint a day and place for a parle and to seeke the meanes of a good peace They meete at Pouilly the strong nere vnto Melun in the open field with their gardes The Bourguignon talked to the Daulphin on his knee and held his stirrup although Charles refused this submission Proofes to shewe with what nâ—cessity hee sought his friendship A peace betwixt Charles the Daulphin and Iohn of Bourgongne as a man that is beaten with all windes and out of breath So they conclude an inuiolate peace and to bandye themselues against the common enemy of France promises are made on eyther side with all demonstrations and protestations of a firme and inuiolable friendship The articles of their accord and contract are set downe at large in the Originall of our Historie This peace betwixt Charles the Daulphin and Iohn Duke of Bourgongne was made neere to Pouilly the strong vppon Ponchiel a league from Melun in the yeare 1419. All France â—eioyced as after a long and sharpe winter when the sun appeareth in a pleasant spring The King and all the Parliaments ratified this accord which euery man held for the gage of firme friendship betwixt these Princes and their loue for a firme piller of the Realmes quiet But the prouidence of the protector of this French monarchie had otherwise decreed These reconciliations could not serue for sufficient cautions against his iustice worthily incensed against the Bourguignon being guilty of horrible crimes and the wilfull abuse of his patience The Daulphins proceeding against the Bourguignon not commendable The couâ—se which Charles held to be rid of his enemy is not coÌ„mendable but in one and the selfe same worke we must wisely distinguish of that which is of God that which is of man to approue the good which is alwayes iustified in Gods ordinance and to blame the ill alwaies to be blamed in man that we may stoppe our mouths and open our eyes and not to reply against the iust iudgements of God but vewe the strange and extraordinary punishment of the Bourguignons strange and extraordinary crimes who during the weakenes of our poore King hath so much troubled the Realme We haue said and the course of the history will shewe it very plainely that the Daulphin Charles suffered himselfe to be gouerned by his seruants By their aduice hee had made this accord with the Bourguignon wherein they had eyther of them seuerall respects although eythers intent was to make his profit with the others losâ—es in circumuenting of his companion But he that made his accompt to deceiue hauing not yet changed his minde although the present necessity made him to change his countenance was deceiued and which is more he which built his greatest desseins vppon murther is murthered being the onely expedient the Daulphins seruants could deuise to free him from these troubles in dispatching the Bourguignon once for all The resolution was very great but to perswade this prince therevnto was of greater difficulty A yong man iust wiâ—e moderate of a very milde disposition so as they had much adoe to perswade him to so bold and violent a remedy Why my Lord say they can you beleeue that the Duke of Bourgongne is any thing amended although he stoâ—â—â— now to necessity can he bend his heart to reason Haue you forgotten what he did to your â—â—ceased vncle the Duke of Orleans when as he held the same degree that you doe nowe Reasons to induce the Daulphin to kill the 〈…〉 did hee not kill him and maintained it as well done braued the King in Paris armed himselfe against him and forced him to iustifie this execrable murther He masked himselfe with a shewe of good meaning to make his accord with your poore Cousins of Orleans but was it not with an intent to ruine them with the more facility seeking to diuide them from your deceased 〈◊〉 the Duke of Berry incensing the King and your eldest brother against them making Edicts against them as guilty of high treâ—son and pursuing them with cruell force when as your brother discâ—uering his wickednesâ—e had forsâ—ken him and that he yeelding to neceâ—ssitâ— as he 〈◊〉 now concluded a peace did he not arme himselfe by a new deuise to ruine your bloud opposing both Paris and the States of the realme vnder the name of the common weale to put to 〈◊〉 the best seruants of the King your father incensing the people â—gainst them beeing the 〈◊〉 executioners of his execrable rage And when as he found thesâ— popular furieâ— not tâ— sâ—cceed
to be reuenged vpon Charles the Daulphin and Charles to defend himselfe The exploites of the Daulphin and of Philip of Boâ—rgâ—ogue after this murther Philip was then in Flanders The Parisiens passionate partisans of the Bourguignon who had seene the Duke of Orleans murthered without mouing and they themselues had massacred the chiefe Officers of the Crowne and had shed the bloud of many good men for his pleasure and passion hauing repayed the bloud so treacherously slaine by him in the same coyne they nowe growe into a greater mutinie then if the King himselfe had beene slaine They send their deputies to Philip and promise not onely to bee faithfull but to assist him with all their meanes to reuenge the murther committed on the person of his father And at the same instant Montagu being escaped from the Turn-picke writes to all the Citties vnder the Bourguignons obedience of this accident the which he could report as an eye witnesse Charles on the other side writes to all the good Citties of the realme yeelding a reason of this murther and imputing the fault to the Bourguignons bad dealing who would haue slaine him at a parle exhorting the people not to mourne for the iust execution of a man borne for the ruine of France who had willingly thrust himselfe into this mischiefe offring all his meanes to settle the realme in peace according to the authoritie whereunto God had called him But in talking hee seekes countries Stephen of Vignoles called la Hire and Poton of Xaintrailles winne Crespy in Laonois and Caradoz of Quesne with Charles of Flauye take Roye places very important to trouble the Citties of Picardie where the Bourguignon was chiefely obeyed The strong Caâ—tell of Muin opposite to Crespye and Roye is surprised by the industry of his seruants keepes all Vermandois and Laonois in alarume This beginning caused Philip to seeke al speedie meanes to crosse Charles his proceedings being resolute to continue what he had begunne yet the Parisiens feared pressing Philip againe not to abandon the seruants of his house the which made him more prompt in the execution Philip being assured of his Flemings obtaines a suspension of armes from Henry the 5. King of England and a day and place appointed to treat a general peace betwixt the two realmes Then marching with his army through Picardie hee recouers Crespy Roye and Muin to the great content of his partisans and so he arriues at Troyes in Champagne the appointed place for this treatie Isabel Queene of France a cruell Medea and and vnnaturall mother continued her tragike choller against her Son who hauing defaced the common feeling of nature did soone forget the honor she had receiued to be married into the house of France Being thus wedded to the Bourguignons passions Queene Isabel hates the Daulphin hir sonne deadly she tormented her poore husbands spirâ—ts being exceeding weake perswading him that his best course was to disinherit this wicked son to declare his daughter heire and in marrying her to the greatest King vpon the earth to giue her likewise the realme after his decease to her issue as descended from the bloud of France Philip comming to the King found newe worke for presently Henry the 5. King of England concludes a peace with King Charles the 6. weddes Katherine his daughter and doth obtayne by letters pattents That establiâ—â—ing a firme and free peace in both the Realmes of France and England in regard 〈…〉 marriage of Catherine of France he is declared Regent of the realme during the life of King Charles to whom the title of King remaynes and to â—sabel his wife the title of Queene during their lâ—â—es But presently after the Kings decease The lawfull heire reiected and Henry the 5. declared heire of France the Crowne realme of France with al their rights and dignities should remayne vnto him whome King Charles the 6. calles by his letters patents his most deere and welbeloued sonne and to his heires in chiefe They cause this poore sicke King to sweare vpon the holy Bible to promise this for him and his withall exemptions and necessary clauses in so great and important a businesse This goodly act the finite of the furious passions of ciuill warre was made aâ— Troye the 21. of may in the yeare 1420. This done the French and English forces ioyning and marching vnder the same colours acknowledge one Comander and for their first exploit they win Monstreau-faut-Yonâ—e where they take vp and bury Iohn of Bourgongne againe and so marching on as against Rebells they take Melun Meaux and Morst and beseege Compiegne But least matters should growe cold Henry of England whome they call Regent returnes to Troye and with a goodly traine conducts the King Queene and his newe wife Catherine to Paris being better followed and serued then the King himselfe The Parisiens folly did wonderfully imbâ—ace the comming of this newe royaltie promising vnto themselues a newe heauen but this humor lasted not long hauing tried the power of forraine Princes and the commande of their Kings by very contrary effects The Regent held a Councell presently in great state in the Pallace of Saint Pol Henryes proceeding in his new royaltie of France being the Kings lodging Two throanes were erected for the two Kings and a seate vnderneath for Philip of Bourgongne The Kings councell being fewe in number is supplied by the Court of Parliament and the vniuersity Philip demandes Iustice of the muâ—ther committed on the person of Iohn of Bourgongne his father His Aduocate Rolâ—in made this instance The Kings Aduocate and the vniuersitie assisted him in the 〈◊〉 King Charles promiseth Iustice against his Sonne the Daulphin and to dâ—al good â—ffâ—ces for King Henry his newe Sonne This was the first act of the newe Regencie against the onely Sonne of his house And moreouer they decreed that heereafter all the treasure should be gouerned by the Regents authoritie and commande Henry resolues presently to call a Parliament for the necessity of his returne into England whether he ment to conduct his new Spouse The Bourguignon craues iustice against the Daulphin A Parliament was held according to this decree but all were amazed at this sodaine alteration euen the very report of my Historie hath some fealing thereof for what canst thou see herein gentle reader but frosen ice in the remembrance of these confusions renewed by the fealing of our owne Thus the Regent caused Charles Duke of Touraine and Daulphin of Viennois to be called to the marble table All sollemnities obserued and he not appearing by a decree of the Councell and of the Court of Parliament he was banished the realme The Daulphin banished the realme by a decree and he appeales and iudged vnworthy to succeede in any of the Seigneuries as well present as to come The Daulphin appeales from this sentence To God and his sword who in the ende doing him iustice shall blesse his sword and
him to finde some meanes to compounde with the English and not to lanquish longer in the ordinarie losses of a lingering and preiudiciall warre The Duchesse of Bourgongne for her husbands priuate interest layes the first stone treating for the deliuery of Lewis Duke of Orleans as wee haue sayed This first act was seconded by the request which the Prouinces of the realme made vnto the King Charles calleâ— a Parliament at Orleans to treat of a generall peace the which ministred occasion vnto Charles to call a generall Parliament at Orleans whether not onely all the Citties sent their deputies according to the custome but all the Noblemen which came not in person sent their Agents for the subiect was to treat of a generall peace if it might not be effected to set some order for the men of warre for the ease of the poore people who could endure no more The King was there in person accompanied with these Noblemen the Earles of Marche Bourbon Vendosme and Richemont Constable and the Archbishop of Rheims beeing Chancellor of France The Agents of the Duke of Orleans of the Duke of Bourgongne and of the Earle of Armaignac assisted with the deputies of Paris Languedoc Daulphiné Guienne and other Prouinces subiect to the French The Chancellor a wise and an eloquent man did set downe at large the miseries of war and the inestimable good of peace but what better commentarie then the feeling of forepassed miseries and the visible demonstration of our present calamities It was decreed that in regard of a general peace they should make al necessarie 〈◊〉 with speede As for the ordring of men of war they should presently take some course to auoide confusion hereafter The Lord Chancellor the first President were chosent to negotiate this treaty with the English through the meanes and fauour of the Duke of Bourgongne as hauing layed the foundation presently a decree was made for the gouernment of soldiars both of horse foote and to discharge the army of hangers on the which did but incomber to the great oppressioÌ„ of the poore people This was the institution of the frank-archers The first day of May was appointed by the common consent of both Kings to meete at Saint Omer but the King of England was aduised by the Duke of Yorke his vncle who had succeeded the Duke of Bedford in his authority although the name of Regent was not giuen him since the Kings coronation that he should stand vpon termes as hauing no neede of peace but only mooued with compassion of the poore people and therfore he failed in the assignation But there fel out an vnexpected occasion to Charles which not only brake of the course of this businesse all others but had wel neere plounged France into greater miserie then before The King was gone to Anger 's where he had intelligence of the taking of Saint Susanne for his seruice one of the most important places of the Countrie of Maine and of his losse at the seege of Auranches which was ill attempted succeeded ill when as stranger newes made him loose the pleasure of this gaine forget the bitternes of his losse He was growne woÌ„derful wayward suspitious inclining visibly into too extremities being too familiar with some of his domestical seruants too seuere to his Princes chiefe officers either he shold not haue maried his eldest son Lewis Daulphin of Vieâ—â—ois so soone or else he shold not haue vsed him like a child But Charles lookt on him with sower countenance as if he had bin vnder the rod. All this was done of purpose practised by his secret councellors to keepe great men from attempting against him vnder the name of this yong Prince to the preiudice of his royall authority but what he feared chanced The Earle of Marche a prince of the bloud had the charge of the young Daulphin a Prince whom Charles trusted being both wise and temperate The Princes of the bloud discontented Lewis of Bourbon Duke of Alençon Godfather to Lewis was not so familiar with Charles as hee was accustomed The Duke of Bourbon was not altogether in so bad tearmes yet was he not so great in the Kings fauour as he desired greeuing that such base men should haue countenance These two Princes must lead the dance if their desseine had succeeded many wold haue ioyned but now they would be lookers on only At this time the Princes had men fit to execute their desseine the Lords of Chaumont Boueiquaut Prye with many aduenturers theeues and such like Tremouille hauing some notice of this plot Make a league to aduance the Daulphin offers himselfe vnto them and is intertained a matter as wisely performed by them as rashly done of him The proiect of these discontented Princes was to settle the Daulphin that hereafter all things might be done by his authoritie being ruled by the aduice of the Princes of the bloud and so in effect they would haue King Charles gouerned by his sonne For the execution hereof they first seize vpon the Daulphin The Daulphiâ— carried away by the princes with his owne liking who was an assistant himselfe to be freed from the Earle of March his gouernour He was lodged in the Castle of Loches in Touraine gouerned with great respect who seeing him of age married and of a liuely disposition gaue him great liberty hee might go abroad at his pleasure where he found the bastard of Bourbon Anthony of Chabanes with other Captaines aduenturers who conducted him honorably into Bourbonois The same day the Duke of Alenson seized vpon Niort and by his commandement Iohn de la Roche tooke S. Maxent The Duke of Bourbon hauing the Daulphin in his power a Prince full of youthfull courage he caused him to write to the nobility of Auuergne The Princes desseâ—â—e and to the Duke of Bourgongne praying them to ayde him in his desseins which was to haue more liberty to gouerne matters of state hereafter for the better satisfiyng of men of honour whom he did see to his great griefe kept back by certain flatterers which possessed the King his father to the great preiudice of the whole Realme These newes being brought to Charles he presently sends to the Duke of Bourbon to returne him his sonne and to the Duke of Alenson to deliuer his townes of Niort S. Maxent to theÌ„ both to come yeeld an accompt of these inouations who finding by their answers that they excused theÌ„selues and sought delayes he resolues to come to the effects and to suppresse this mischiefe in the breeding He was well serued at this time The Duke of Bourgongne lets the Daulphin vnderstand The Duke of Bourgongne answers the Daulphins letter that all his meanes are at his commandement so as it be not against his father but he aduised him to go vnto him not to aggrauate one error with an other being most certain that the shortest
excuses of his long delay and to crosse the Duke of Bourgongne hee giues his Cousin of Orleans towards the payement of his ransome a hundred and fiftie thousand frankes a very great some in those dayes the which was not giuen for nothing in so great a necessity of the Kings affaires Lewis of Luxembourg and the widowe of Iohn of Luxembourg partisans to the Bourguignon do homage to Charles and yeeld the Towne of Marle vnto him these be fruits no doubt of the victorie at Pontoise In the meane time the Princes assemble at Neuers the Dukes of Bourgongne Bourbon and Alençon with the Earle of Vendosme The Duke of Brittain sent his Ambassador not able to come himselfe for that he was not yet in the Kings good fauour There were for the most part priuate discontents The Princes admonitions to the King and their demands tending to euery mans priuate interest As not to be maintayned in their degrees to be called to Councelles respected in their aduises honored in their charges payed their pensions and eased in their lands But the zeale of the publike good shadowed all with a shewe of Iustice peace order and releefe of the people That it was fit the King should proceede more speedily in the treaty of peace with the English the which had beene too coldly followed That he should supplie his Parliaments with good and sufficient men and thereby prouide for the offices and not for the persons that by their faithfull diligence suites might be shortned and speedie â—ustice administred without delay or respect of eyther of the parties That he should prouide for the ease of the subiect ouercharged rule the soldiars preuent robberies ransomings and extortions the which were daylie committed vnder too apparent an excuse that the soldiar was not payed That he should giue honors without respect of forepassed diuisions and declare alâ— his subiects capable of Offices and dignities indifferently not remembring what was past That he should haue a competent number of graue men in his great Councell worthy of that charge not to coÌ„mit the gouernment of the affaires of the Realme to two or three as had beene done in former times These are the chiefe points of their demands drawen word by word out of the Originall Charles was nothing pleased with these Assemblies made both in his absence and without his priuitie whereby many inconueniences must ensue all being done without his authority But being taught by his owne experience he digested this kinde of affront quietly being loath to alter any thing at such a season when as he had no neede of newe enemies and hauing eyther excused what had beene done or contented euery priuate person he proceeded to the principall which was the establishment of the affaires of the Realme The disorders of men of warre were insupportable the which must be reformed but that which troubled the King was the seege of Tartas remarkable by this circumstance Tartas is a Towne in Gasconie belonging to the house of Albret This Towne was beseeged by Captall de Buch a great Nobleman of that Countrie and of the English faction It was concluded for the extreame necessitie of the Country that there should be a surceasse of armes and lâ—bertie of free trafficke in that Prouince vntill midsomer following vpon condition that if the King did not succour the Towne by that day it should yeeld to the English or else the French should remayne in free possession without any controuersie And for assurance of this treaty the eldest sonne of the Lord of Albret should remayne in hostage The matter was of great waight being not onely a question of the losse of a place of great importance but of the Kings reputation who leauing his subiects was in danger to be abandoned by them so to loose all Gascoâ—â—e where the English had gotten many paâ—tisans Charles prouiding carefully for his affaires giues two blowes with one stone wherewith he strooke both the theeues and the English He armed with exceeding speede hauing drawen togither foure thousand horse eâ—ght thousand archers and eight thousand other foote An infinit numbeâ— of great personages and voluntarie Noblemen posted to this iourney as to a solemne assignation whereon depended the quiet and honour of France The Daulphin did accompany him in this voiage Charles of Aniou Earâ—e of Maine the Constable of Richmont the Earles of Marche Eu Castres Foix Lomaigne the eldest son of the Lord of Aâ—maignac the Lords of Albert Gaure Cominge Estrac Tartas Tancaruille and Montgascon the eldest son to the Earle of Boulongne Auuergne Philip of Culant Admiâ—aâ— of France with an infinit number of gallant Nobility Thus Charles parting from Parâ—â— comes first to Saumur whither Iohn Duke of Brittaine sent his Ambassadors to offer him homage and men Shame to haue so often lest him in al his extremities would not suffer him to see the King although the Constable were a good mediator for him He restored to the King the forts of â—ssars Palluau which annoyed al the CouÌ„try of Poâ—â—tou and Charles gaue them in gard to the Constable from thence he passed into Poiâ—tou and prouids that Marueil and Saint Hermine should no more trouble the people he then comes into Xaintonge which had beene much tormented by the Lord of Pons who humbled himselfe vnto the King promising to liue in peace Taillebourg was taken by force and the theeues punished Bretueil was taken and razed Thus Charles spent this yeare against theeues who had surprised some Townes The next yeare was haâ—pilie imployed against the English our open enemies making a great breach in Gasâ—â—nie and there abouts where the English had gotten deepest footing by the ancient and lawfull possession of his Ancestors In the ende by this breach the whole Prouince remained his but the prouidence of God imparts his blessings by degrees 1442. Hauing thus pacified Poitou and Xaintonge he comes to Limoges and so to Tholouse which was the Rendez-uous of all his troupes Being arriued hee giues notice to them of Tartâ—s that they should continue firme and that they should be releeued by the prefixed day but as he labors on the one side to settle his affaires so the English on the other side seeke to ouerthrowe them Behold Talbot comes out of England into Normandie with two thousand men and the Duke of Yorke hauing leuied men in the Countrie it selfe and places of their obedience goes to field with foure thousand men With these forces he thinks to take all that Charles held in that Prouince where he had left the Earle of Dunois and the Vidame of Chartres for the gard of those places but this enterprise had small successe Talbot beseegeth Couches and at the same instant the Earle of Dunois Galardon a place holding for the English to cause a diuersion Talbot hauing taken Couches the Earle leaues Galardon hauing no reason to hazard his small troupe against so great forces and putts them into garrison
making a defensiue warre attending the successe of Tartas Talbot fearing least Galardon should be surprised by the French doth raze it and this was all Let vs now returne to Tholouse to conduct Charles from thence to Tartas Taâ—taâ— releeued by King Chaâ—les for there lies the waight of his affaires Assignation is giuen it must be held To conclude the King comes at the appointed time with a goodly and mighty army the condition is performed he demands his hostages and the effect of accord So young Albret is deliuered Tartas continues vnder his obedience the day honorably kept and all the Prouince in quiet Tartas thus victoriously assured Charles resolues both to husband the occasion with his forces and to proceed farther Saint Seuer was held by Thomas Rameston with a hundred men at armes and fouerteene hundred Cros bowes and fortified what might be in those dayes Charles takes it by force slewe the greatest part oâ— the English and takes the Commander prisoner Acqs hauing endured a seege of sixe weekes is yeelded by composition The Earle of Foix was with the King and imployed both his person men and meanes to do him seruice but the impatiency of the French thrust them vpon his Country where they committed many insolencies The Bearnois discontented with the French assembles his forces and chargeth them as enemies but they had their reuenge for they fell vpon this ill armed multitude and slue seuen hundred to the great griefe of Charles fearing that this escape might alter his affaires but the Earles discretion couered this excesse and Charles continued his course Agâ—n held for him from thence he summons Toneins Marmande Port Saint Marie which yâ—eâ—d him obedience Reole being obstinate was beseeged and assayled with dâ—fficultiâ— but in the ende it was taken The shaâ—pe winter hindâ—ing the course of Garonne for the vitteling of the army made the seege both long and difficult and gaue the English meanes to recouer Saint â—â—uer and Acqs not very well garded but the Earle of Foix winnes Saint Seuer againe The deaâ—h of Potâ—oâ— and la Hire and the Earle of Lomaigne Acqs. A great number of the Nobility of the Country forced to make a good shew during the English force submit themselues to the King as the Lords of Puiols Rauson Roquetaillade and Pelegrue Thus Charles hauing made the Lord of Coitiuy Seneshall of Guienne gouernor of that conquered Countrie he makes his returne into France Being at Montauban he lost those two great Captaines so famous in his raigne Pothon and la Hire more rich in vertue honor then in substance yet Pothon was maister of the Kings horse and his sonne was Marshall La Hire left for his chiefe welth the immortall memorie of his loyaltie and valour the which hee happily imployed in the greatest necessitie of this Crowne Names in truth most worthy to be consecrated to the perpetuall memorie of posterity for a president to such as manage armes and make so great profession of honour with what title were these most hâ—nored for their vertues or for their Castells A happie exchange to change perishing gold which oftentimes makes him hatefull that loues it with the pleasing smell of immortall praise An vnreprouable ambition amidest the reproches of this golden age which loueth gold more then honour So Montauban was a tombe for their bodies and the whole world the Epitaphe of their praises At that instant and in the same place Charles ended the controuersie for the Earldome of Cominge Ioane daughter to the Earle of Cominge and Boulogne married at the first to Iohn Duke of Berry soone to King Iohn was after his decease married to Mathew Earle of Castel-bon of the house of Foix. She had one daughter by this Mathew but for that there was no good agreement betwixt them she makes a will to bridle her husband that by vertue of the authority of a father he should not enioy her lyuing instituting King Charles the 7. her heire in case her daughter died without lawfull heires In disdaine of this testament Mathew much yonger then she and who had not taken her but for her Crownes kept her prisoner an aged woman of foure score yeares The Daughter of Ioane of Cominge beeing dead the Earldome belonged vnto the King as lawfull heire by the donation of Ioane the lawful heire So Charles was bound by a double bonde to defend the gray haires of this old woman against the insolencie of her cruell husband who finding himselfe supported by the fauour of the Earle of Foix and Armagnac his Cousin hauing alreadie seized vpon some Townes of Cominge and playing the pettie King during the confusion of times and the neighbourhood of the English thought all things to be lawfull The King adiournes them both to appeere at Tholouse The Parliament of Tholouse erected wheras then he established a Parliament for all the Countries of Languedoc Foix Cominge Gaure Quercy Armaignac Estrac Lomaigne Mcgnaoc Bigorre and Rouergue Mathew deliuerd Ioane his wife into the Kings hands and it was decreed by the Court of Parliament the which they noate to be the first of this sollemne assemblie that Ioane should liue in free libertie out of Mathews power and should enioye the moity of the reuenues of Cominge and the rest should go into the Kings cofers The Earle of Foix and Armaignac yeelded vp the Townes of Cominges which he had vsurped and was adiourned vnto Paris to yeeld an account of many rebellions whereof he was accused especially for that he set in his titles â—ernard by the grace of God Earle c. A marke fit for soueraintie the which appertaines not to Seigneuries subiect to this Crowne Thus Charles remembers Lawes in the heat of warre but it requires an other Comissioner to execute this decree by force of armes after the death of Ioane who being conducted to Poictiers liued not long in this libertie Charles bâ—ing returned to Poitiers about the moneth of Maâ—ch resolues to imploy his sonne Lewis both to fashion him to affaires and to drawe him from suâ—h as would seduce him He giues him the gouernment of those Countries which lies betwixt the riueâ—s of Suze and Seine For the well imploying of this newe authority there were two goodly occasions presented one vpon an other Deepe was reduced to the Kings obedience this was a great annoyance to Rouen for the freeâ—ng whereof the Duke of Yorke doth beseege it raising forts to keepe them from all releefe This seege had continued nine monethes very tedious to the beseeged The Dâ—ulpâ—ins happie exploicts when as behold the Daulphin accompanied with the Earles of Dunois and Saint Pol and the Lord of Gaucourt assailes these forts and forceth them killes three hundred English and many Normaines either by the sword or water and so frees Deepe This occasion was followed by an other which chanced in a manner at the same instant Ioane Countesse of Cominge dies at Poitiers soone after she had tasted the aire of
who would neuer giue the least suspitition of couardise he therefore answers that he would take his part of the sport The day being come euery one repayres to his colours the signe is giuen by a field peece and two shot of a serpentine to the ende the vantgard lodged on the otherside should charge at the same instant The trompetts and drums sound the ensigns approch all march resolutely But when they thought to ioyne they found no resistance Their chiefe commanders were dead the most apparent being slipt out of the Towne some one way some an other the coÌ„mon people were gone to diner thinking that Sondaie would be a day of rest So the whole army consisting of about fortie thousand men enter at both ends finde the cloth layed they kil at the first incouÌ„ter two hundred meÌ„ The Towne taken and ruined women children and religious indifferently they rauish women maids and nunnes spoile the Cittie and holy places the Duke saues the great church of S. Lambert with great difficulty the people fly ouer the Meuze and so saue themselues in the forest of Ardennes and other places there abouts where to increase their misery some gentlemen who till then had held their party strip them kill a number and take the best prisoners and by this treachery piteous stratagem make their peace with the Duke Many died of hungar cold and sleepe the historie makes mention of a gentleman that had the palsie in one legge and a page that had two fingars on one hand falne off The misery of the Liegeoâ—s The wine was frosen in the pipes and for three dayes was cut out with hatchets And for the last act of this tragedie the Duke doth place foure thousand men about the quarters of the Câ—ttie to beate downe the bridge vpon the Meuze to defend the houses of the Clergie about the great Church to preserue the other Churches from ruine whilest that others set fire on the Towne ouerthrowe the walles and fill vp the ditches Wrath and victory do neuer forget any kinde of reuenge And if we shall beleeue some writers there perished aboue fifty thousand soules in this warre The Dukes cruell reuenge vpon the Lâ—egeois most cruell beyond all bounds of humanity Learne O yee nations to containe your selues in the obedience of your Soueraignes and not to imbarke your selues rashlie in Princes quarrells who retire themselues easily out of the mire where they leaue you ingaged Liege is a president vnto you wherein you may obserue the iust iudgement of God vpon a cruel rebellious people enemy to all soueraigntie both spiritual and temporall of long time subiect to daylie rebellions vntill their generall ruine As wee haue brought our Lewis to Liege so let vs returne him into France Charles exceeding proud with the happie successe of his desseins suffers himselfe to be sought vnto by mediators from the King for his departure and afterwards hee himselfe mooues him as desiryng to go cause their accord to be proclaymed inregistred in his Court of Parliament at Paris which else were of no moment and the next yeare to meete in Bourgongne and to feast one an other mutually for a monethes space Charles hauing drawen a promise form the King to confirme all he had sworne at Peronne yeelds but not without grudging and hauing accompained him halfe a league he causeth him to be conducted to the frontiers by the Lord of Cordes and Murs great Bayliffe of Hainault Lewis pretends a colour to get leaue to depart without trouble A pitious spectacle to see a Soueraigne reduced to that extremity as to humble himselfe before his vassall but wee must haue patience for seauen yeares and then shall wee see a strange alteration of fortune and yet seauen yeares after an other Catastrophe no lesse tragicall in this house of Bourgongne and the vniting of the sayd Duchie to the Crowne of France After the Kings departure Charles enters the Country of Franchemont hee killes spoiles burnes and makes all desolate then glutted with reuenge hee retires into Brabant Lewis taking his leaue of the Duke demanded of him captiously In case his brother who was in Brittaine would not accept the portion hee had giuen him howe hee would aduise him to gouerne himselfe and the Duke answered that if hee were content it should please him whatsoeuer they did Lewis his policy This speech was cunningly construed by the King for hauing inrouled the sayd vnion in the Court of Parliament and proclaimed it throughout all the streets of Paris hee offers Charles Guienne for Brie and Champaigne his brothers neighbour-hoode with the Bourguignon beeing suspected vnto him Charles refuseth it fearing to displease the Duke of Bourgongne who by Ambassages and admonition exhorts him not to change for if happilie the King should annoye him he might daylie haue succors out of Bourgongne Charles was in all things gouerned by an other namely by Odet de Rye Lord of Leseut and afterwards Earle of Cominges 1469. Lewis subornes him and by means wins Charles to accept of Guienne as more plentifull and rich with mutuall assurances to liue like bretheren and good friends For confirmation whereof they meet at Charrou and feast together then they depart Lewis into Touraine and Charles into Guienne The Duke of Bourgongne greeued with this exchange imploies the Cardinall Balue a turbulent and pernicious member in a State a dissembler and taking pleasure as they say comonlie to put his finger betwixt the barke and the tree A bad disposition of a Cardinall whome Niâ— Gâ—l calls a deuill incarnate An vnkinde man The trust which Lewis reposed in this man caused to procure him a Cardinalls hat to that end the King had sent an Ambassage to Paul the 2. and sends Fumee also one of his most trustie seruants to perswade the Pope to desiste from the refusal he had made therof being aduertised of many things that did disswade him at whose vrgent perswasion a Cardinalls hat was granted him yet behold he writes to the Duke of Guienn in fauour of the Bourguignon That this change tended but to deceiue diuiding him by this meanes from his friends and confederats and by other messengers he aduertiseth the Bourguigâ—on That the peace concluded betwixt the two bretheren was a baite to surprise him the which the King deferred only vntil his brother had visited his newe Duchie and set an order in his house Let him therfore arme begin first Cardinal Balue comitted to prison These letters are surprised with other instructioÌ„s so as the Cardinal is arrested and carried prisoner to Montbason where he shal contynue eleuen yeares Lewis hauing thus plastred this peace with the Bourguignon comprehended the Britton therein gaue the Duchie of Guienne to his brother Charles for his portion He had now no more so mighty enemies against whom he should imploy his forces yet would he not dismisse his troups for there
day of their iourney they had certaine aduice by a messenger which the Lord of Craon sent to the King Abbeuille made the way to the rest The Admirall and Argenton had sent a man before to treat with the souldiers Townes in Picardie yeeld to the king who atteÌ„ding the coÌ„ming of these noble meÌ„ there came forth to the number of foure hundred Lances Being come forth the people open the gates to the Lord of Torâ—y they spare the King those crownes pensioÌ„s which the Admirall by vertue of his warrant had promised the Captaines This was one of the Townes which Charles the 7. had deliuered by the treatie of Arras the which should for want of heires males returne to the Crowne Dourlans followes They summon Arras the King pretending this Towne to be his by confiscation for not performance of duties and in case of refusall they threaten force The Lords of the Rauastein and Cordes make answere to Maister Iohn of Vacquerie afterwardes chief President of the Parlement at Paris that the CouÌ„tie of Arthois appertayned to Mary of Bourgongne and came to her directly from Marguerite Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Neuers and Rhetel married to Phillippe the first Duke of Bourgongne son to King Iohn yoÌ„ger brother to King Charles the 5. Beseeching him to mainteine the truce made with Duke Charles deceased So they returne without doing any thing but onely wonne some men that soone after serued the King well who resoluing to reduce such places by force as should disobey his commaund goes into Picardie In this voyage he causeth his Court of Parlement at Paris to come to Noyon with the masters of requests and some Princes of the bloud to resolue vppon the processe of Iames of Armagnae Duke of Nemours and Earle of Marche prisoner in the Bastille at Paris and taken in the yeare 75. at Caâ—lâ—t by Peter of Bourbon Earle of Beauieu at what time the Dukes wife died partly for griefe and partly by childbirth She was daughter to Charles of Aniou Eaâ—le of Maine By which Court being found guiltie of high Treason he was condemned by a sentence pronouÌ„ced by master Iohn Boulenger the chief president to loose his head vpon a scaffold at the Hales at Paris on munday the 3. of August The Duke of Nemours beheaded and was by the like grace buried at the gray friars as the Constable had been He was one of the chiefe of the warre for the common weale whome the King laboured to bring to his end all hee could Lewis is exceeding glad to haue surmounted his most malicious aduersaries the Duke of Guienne his brother the Earle of Armagnae the Constable the Duke of Nemours All the house of Aniou was dead René King of Sicile Iohn and Nicholas Dukes of Calabria and their Cousin the Earle of Maine afterwards Earle of Prouence whose successions he had gotten But the more the house of Bourgongne exceeded all the rest in greatnes and power hauing with the helpe of the English continually shaken the estate of this realme for the space of thirty two yeares vnder Charles the 7. and their subiects being alwaies readie to trouble this Crowne by warres so much the more pleasing was the death of their last Duke vnto him knowing well that being now freed of his greatest incomber he should hereafter finde greater ease Yeâ— he erred in his proceedings not taking so good a course as he had forecast in the life of Charles of Bourgongne Lewis his error after the death of Charles in case he should die for allying him selfe by the marriage of the Daulphin his sonne with the heire of Bourgongne or at the least with some of his Princes for that there was a difference of age betwixt them hee had easily drawen vnto him the subiects of these large and rich Seigniories and had preserued them from many troubles the which haue afflicted both them and vs by the same meanes and freeing them from war he had greatly fortyfied his realme recouering with small toyle that which he pretended to be his The which he might easily effect for the Bourguignons were very humble without support without forces notable to make aboue fifteene hundred horse foote which were preserued at this generall ouerthrow But these are humane discourses wherein he had done better then thus resolutly to haue sought the ouerthrow of that house and by the ruine thereof to purchase to himselfe friends in Germanie or elsewhere as he pretended but without effect Presently vppon his arriuall Han and Bohain yeelded Saint Quentin takes it selâ—e and calls in the Lord of Mouy Maister William Bische borne at Mâ—lins in Niuernois a man of base qualitie but inriched and raysed to great authoritie by Duke Charles Gouernor of Peronne yeelds the place and the Lord of Cordes inclines to the french party They fayled of their enterprise at Gand but yt succeded at Tournay The King had sent Maister Oliuer le Dain his SurgioÌ„ borne in a village neere vnto Gand not onely to carry letters of credit to Marie of Bourgongne who then was in the possessioÌ„ of the Gantois that suffered no man to speake vnto her but in the presence of witnesses perswading her to yeeld vnto the kings protection seeing that both by father mother she was issued from the bloud of France being well assured that hee should hardly obtaine her whilest that hee prouided her a husband fitt for her qualitie as also to worke some alteration in the Cittie discontented with the Priuileges which Philip Charles had taken from them the rigorous exactions they had made Oliuer hauing staied some daies at Gand is called to the Town-house to deliuer his charge The Surgions 〈◊〉 He deliuers his letter to the Infanta assisted by the Duke of Cleues the Bishop of Liege and other great personages She reads it and they call him to deliuer his message He answeres that hee hath no charge but to speake to her in priuate They reply It was not the custome especially to a young gentlewoman that was to marrie He insists that he will deliuer no thing but to her selfe They threaten him with force Hee is amazed and going from the Counsell considering the qualitie of the person they doe him some disgraces and if hee had not speedily escaped hee had been in danger to haue had the riuer for his graue Doublesse it is a great hazard when matters of importance are managed by men of meane estate and the people thinke themselues contemned if they bee treated withall by men of base qualitie This barber knewe something for to preuent this inconuenience he termed himselfe Earle of Meulan others write of Melun whereof he was Captaine But Lewis reposed great trust in two men of the same sort Being gone from Gand hee retyâ—es to Tournay the which lies vpon the frontiers of Hainault and Flanders a strong and a goodly Towne but free and at that time a neuter seated fitly to
yeelds the Towne The King for his reward gaue him a chaine of twenty linkes and euery linke worth twenty Crownes in gold and a good peâ—sion for his mainteynance The taking of Hedin brought the King to Therouenne and Montreuil the which easily yeelded to his obedience Theronâ—nne Montreuil Bouâ—loâ—gâ—e beeing summoned refuseth but beeing battered it yeeldes the fift or the sixt day The Towne belonged to Bertrand de la Tour Earle of Auuergne the King finding it commodious for the State of his Realme compounded Lâ—â—is purchaseth the couÌ„â—â— of Boulogne and doth homage for 〈◊〉 giuing him a sâ—fficient recompence and as newe Lord of the Towne he did homage without sword or spurs bare headed on his knee before the virgin Mary offâ—ing as a duty to the sâ—ydimâ—ge a heart of massie gold weighing two thousand Crownes vpon condition that he and his successors Kings after him should hold the County of Boullen of the sayd virgin do homage vnto her image in the Church dedicated to her name paying at euery change of a vassal a heart of pure gold of the same weight While the King remaines at Boullen those of Arras seeing themselues enuironed on all sides Dissimulation of the Aâ—tesians write to their friends of Lisle and Douay to succour them with some numbers of men and moreouer they send to the Duchesse of Bourgongne to furnish them with some succors meaning to put themselues into her hands The Deputies beeing two or three and twenty in number make shewe to go to the King to treate with him and vnder this colour they obtaine a pasport of the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France Bâ—t being discouered vpon the way to Flanders they were taken brought to Hedin deliuered to the Prouost of Marshalls condemned and eighteene of them beheaded the rest were saued by the Kings arriuall The Deputies of Aâ—ras taken and many of them executed Amongest them that were executed there was one Oudard of Bussy borne at Paris and married at Arras The King had in former time offred him the place of a Counsellor of the Court of Parliament at Paris then voide and since he gaue him the office of maister of the accounts at Arras Hee caused his head to bee vnburied and set vpon a pole in the market place with a red hoode furred with meniuer like to the Counsellors of the Parliament A worthy punishment for so malitious an ingratitude There were some fewe horsemeÌ„ at Douay of the remainders of Nancy they arme three hundred good bad and some fewe foote and march at noone day in the sight of Arras The Lords of Lude and Fou with the company of the Marshall of Lâ—heaâ— aduertised of their approch go to meete with them they fight with them kill and take in a manner all of them The King at his arriuall caused foure score of these prisoners to be executed to terrifie those fewe men of warre that remayned in the Country Some of them enter the Towne The succors of Arras defeated but they were not able to stand out against so great forces So as after a hard battery they yeeld by composition That they should remaine vnder the Kinges obedience as their Soueraigne for want of heires male rights and duties being â—ot performed That the subsidies and tributs should be leuied by the Kings officers and deliuered by them to Mary the heire of Bourgongne vntill she had doone homage and taken her oath of fealtie to the King her Soueraigne Lord. Arras yeelded During which time the Inhabitants should reuiue no garrison from the King This was the 4 of May. These things thus concluded the King sent the Cardinall of Bourbon the Chancellor of Oriole de Cordes gouernor of the Towne and Guiot Pot Bayliffe of Vermandâ—is to take the oath of fealtie of the Inhabitants But after this oath holily and religiously receiued by the Deputies who tooke their repast in the Monastery of Saint Vast behold an insolent troupe of desperate people comes crying kill kill yet they were but terrified A mutiny at Arras and the Deputies in danger and saued themselues presently in the Citty This terror togither with the greedinesse of the Commanders was the cause the composition was but ill obserued for in the presence of Lude and Cerisay many good Ciâ—tizens and other rich meâ— were spoiled and slaine and the Citty set at threescore thousand Crownes fiâ—e of the King the which they say was afterwards restored And to keepe these mutines in awe the King transported most of the Inhabitants of Arras and planted it with a new Colony of French commanding it should be called Ville Francoise At the same time the King aduertised that the Flemings were in troupe and lodged at Blanc-fosse he sent to charge them but they dislodge at the brute thereof yet not so spedily but they leaue about two thousand men slaine at the first charge and the like number in the chase being pursued eight Leagues within the County of Flanders The French in their returne razed Mont-Cassell Fiennes and some other places The Gantois whome the seuere punishment of the Liegeois had kept in awe nowe breake They make a ward of their Duchesse force her to restore their ancient priuileges Insolency of the Ganâ—ois which Philip and Charles had taken from them and sodenly they resolue a deadly reuenge vpon such by whome they say they had beene controuled They lay hold vpon those whom they called their twenty six Lawiers whom Charles had established in the gouernement of the Citty and puts them all or the most part to death They haue saie they cut off ones head without any authority for their power ended with the death of Charles Their barbarous crueltie And moreouer they slew many good men within the Cittie that were wise and faithfull friends to Charles in his life But they proceed yet farther The happy course of Lewis his Conquests doth much amaze them wherevpon they assemble some foâ—me of a Parlement by aduice whereof they make a motion of peace to the King by an Ambassage giuing him to vnderstand that the Infanta of Bourgongne is determined to gouerne her selfe hereafter by the aduice and Counsell of the three Estates of her Countries they request the King to desist from making of warre and to appoint a daie when they may quietly pacifie all controuersies There was nothing at that time able to withstand the violence of the Kings army The lowe Countries were left naked of soldiars those which suruiued being inconstant had forsaken the Inâ—antâ—es seruice He was well acquainted with the inconstancie of this people not able to digest any man of iudgement that had bin in any authority with their deceased Prince Hee knew that their inclination was to loue the declyning of their Lord â—ed by Lewis his policie so as it were not with the preiudice of their Countrie And therefore he forecasts if he might to sow some seeds
in the Kings name of the which Lewis Duke Orleans should be president Lewis discontented with this deuice seeks to hold his ranke hee pretends that being the chief Prince of the bloud the Regencie belonged vnto him assists at the Counsell in Parliament and in the assemblies in Towne and notwithstanding the last wiâ—l of King Lewis and the decree of the Estates yet will hee by force haue the name and effect of Regent But our Kings who may not to preiudice the elder or for want of issue their neerest kinsman being a male and legitimate dispose of their Crowne haue they not then power to comit the gard of their children being yet pupils the Regencie of the Realme to whome they please Moreouer was it reasonable that hee which was not yet fiue and twentie yeeres old who liued vnder his mothers wing who by right had yet need of a gouernor should bee declared capable for the gouernment of this Realme So want of yeares depriued his grandfather of the same dignitie during the phrenesie of Charles the 6. This discontent is nourished by a newe accident Lewis playing one day at Tenis where the Ladies were present there fell a blowe in controuersie the which Anne iudged for the aduerse part Lewis otherwise mooued casts out some word The Duke of Orleans discontented leaues the Court. The Duke of Loâ—â—aines pretension importing a lye Anne discontented herewith causeth it to bee decreed in Counsell that the Duke should bee committed prisoner hee is aduertised thereof by Iohn Louen or Louuaine a gentleman of his house and so retires to the Duke of Alançon The Duke of Lorraine was come to demand the Duchie of Barre the which Lewis the eleuenth had possessed and the Earldome of Prouence which hee pretended to be his as sonne to the daughter of René King of Sicile Duke of Aniou and Earle of Prouence and by consequence the neerest kinsman to Charles Duke of Aniou who by transaction and testament had made Lewis the eleuenth his heâ—re who was but nephewe to René and sonne to Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine his brother Bâ—rre was restored and the Loâ—raine had a hundred men at armes entertained with thirtie sixe thousand fâ—anks for foure yeares during the wâ—iâ—h tâ—ey should looke into the title of the said Earldome During this terme some well acquainted with the Estate of Prouence produce certaine testaments of Charles the first of that name brother to Saint Lewis and Earle of Prouence by his wife and of other Kiâ—gs of Sicile which had beene of the house of France by the which the house of Lorraine was not onely excluded from the succession of Prouence not lyable to the daughâ—er while there remained a sonne of the race but that also the Realme of Sicile and all other Seigneâ—ries possessed by the house of Aniou belonged to the King That King Râ—né hauing regard to the said testaments A League made by the Duke of Orleans had at his death preferred his nephew Charles before the â—aid Duke of Lorraine sonne to his daughter The Duke oâ— Orleans greeued to bee thus excluded from his pretensions and that Anne alone gouerned the King her Brother he practiseth the Dukes of Bourâ—on Alançon and Brittaine the cheefe support and refuge of the discontented French the Earle of Angoulesme â—ohn Vicount of Narbonne Francis Earle of Longueuille and maâ—y others Alain Lord of Albret hoping by the meanes of Lewis whome he found to haue great credit with the Duke of Brittaine to manie with Anne A foolish warre the eldest daughter of the said Duke hauing not duly examined the heart of Lewis enters easily into this faction Thus all things threaten a horrible and pernitious war but more in shew then effect Lewis with his allies assembles some troupes and thinking to put them into Orleance the Inhabitants giue him to vnderstand by the Lord of Ioyeuze deputed there on his behalfe that hee might wel enter with his houshold but not with his souâ—dâ—rs Boâ—sgencie was then his retiring place 1485. Anne the twelue Counsellors cause him to be besieged by Francis Earle of Vendosme Lewis his brother Earle of Roche-sur-Yon René Duke of Lorâ—aine whom the sayd Ladie had wholy woon vnto her knowing him to be resolute vehement of faction 〈◊〉 Peter of Rohan Lord of Gâ—é Marshall of France In the end this warre was pacified by this agrement That the Duke oâ— Orleans should come to Court An accord and inioy the place that belonged vnto him but Francis Earle of Dunois the Dukes right hand a busie-bodie the first author of the trouble should retire himselfe into the Countie of Ast belonging to the said Duke or to what other place he pleased without the realme Must Lewis then bring his confederats in disgrace with the king now abandon them Behold the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Angoulesme leading .300 Lances To the preiudice of his Confederatâ— 8. thousand foote and about eighteene hundred gentlemen of Auuergne Bourbanois Forest Beauieulois and Angoulesmois Alain 8 or 9. thousand fighting men If Lewis had attended them in some place of strength how dangerously had he shaken the new Estate of Charles not well setled during his minoritie But hee had too good a mind to teare out his owne bowels in their persons whom the law in time should submit vnto him and dismember the Crowne which he should weare in his turne Anne disperâ—â— this storme causeth the Earle of Beauieu her husband to incounter their troupes force the Duke of Orleans to march in person against those that came to his seruice They were all Frenchmen as they were lightly armed so were they as lightly disarmed the Marshal of Gié and the Chamberlane of Grauille shall easiâ—y reconcile them Alain being stopt in his passage of Garonne at S. Basille by the Earles of Vendosme Roche-sur-Yon was admtted to the same accord vpon charge to furnish the King a huÌ„dred men at armes for his seruice the which he deliuered vnder the command of S. Cyr and Forcais They are all dispersed the King at Amboise Lewis at Orleans Alain in Bazadois and all the rest to their houses the Vicont of Foix and Peter his brother being Cardinal at Nantes vnder colour to visit their sister wife to the Duke of Brittaine They find their brother in law much incensed against his Nobilitie they resolue to defend theÌ„selues But as both armies were ready to ioyne Troubles in Brittaine an accord is made by some medâ—ators That considering the Dâ—kes age weakenes of iudgemeÌ„t the State should be gâ—uerned by the aduice of his neerest kinsmen and friends Landais is reiected They are reconciled to the ruine of Landays and stormes he drawes letters pattents in the Dukes name declares al those of the Dukes army that had entered into capitulation with the enimies troupes guilty of high treason forfeiting all their goods as traitors he carries
Yet will â—e deale surely He chargeth the Earles of Dunois and Cominges with offers and submissions to the King The King refers them to Verger to consider thereof a house belonging to the Marshall of Gyé Behold there growes great pretensions The King pretends the propertie of Brittanie by reason of the grant made by Boussac Pretendants for Brittanie The Vicoâ—t of Rohan did not renounce his interest Hee descended of Marie of Brittanie sister to Marguerite the Dukes first wife the onely heire of Francis the first and Marie preceeded the Duke that then was in degree of bloud But the pittie was she was a woman As for the pretended rights and grants of Boussac they answered That the matter had beene fully decided by the treatie made at the Abbie of Victorie and many others To the Vicount of Rohan That it was ended by the contract of marriage testaments and ordinances of Dukes their Predecessors and decrees of Parliaments But the King hauing two strings to his bow like a Conquerour grew wilfull and his sister Beauâ—eu more then he If one fayled the other was readie bent Charles demaunds the wardship of the Dukes daughters It was of purpose that obtaining this wardship he might marâ—ie Anne at his pleasure being twelue yeares old and hir Sister seuen This might not be the Nobilitie would neuer haue endured it Moreouer Charles discouers that forraine Princes repined thereat and were readie to imbrace this quarrell They must therefore agree vppon Iudges and a certaine place Yet leauing nothing of his conquests of Brittanie and being seized of some Townes won by their swords letthe Iudges determine what they will we will doe what we please In the end they draw articles The King accepts them sends them to the Duke at Coyron vpon Loire wher the Duke remained He signes theÌ„ some willingly the rest by force enioying this happines in the end of his daies to haue changed this wretched war into a publike rest So a peace is concluded and sworne on either part the twentith one of August A peace betwixt the King and the Duke of Bâ—â—ttanie The King promiseth to call home all his men at armes and the Duke to dismisse all strangers he promiseth to giue the King for hostages the Lord of Montaflant Rainfort and the sonne of the Lord Steward of Brittanie and within a certaine time to assemble the Estates of the Countrie and to make them confirme this treatie But Francis the second of that name Duke of Brittanie oppressed with greefe The Duke dies melancholie and age and sore brused with a fall falles sicke and dies the ninth of September leauing the Marshall of Rieux gardien of his daughters the Earle of Cominges for an assistant and Francis of Laual Ladie of Chasteaubriant for gouernesse Presently after the Dukes decease The Kings newe and strange demaunds the King sends Ambassadors to Anne the new Duchesse who giues her to vnderstand that the Kings intention was to mainteine the treatie made betwixt his Maiestie and the Duke deceased but to make it more firme it was expedient for her to yeeld in three points to the King The first That seeing they were allyed vnto the King reason would that hee should haue the gâ—rd oâ— wardshippe and during their minoritie the disposing of their landes and Seigneures The second That Comissioners appointed should decide their controuersie touching the principalitie of Brittanie by the first day of Ianuarie next ensuing and in the meane time neither the one nor the other should carrie the name nor the authoritie of of a Duchesse nor receaue the oath of fealâ—ie The third â—â—at all strangers should void the Countrie as was conteyned in their couenant Anne makes answere that shee desires to satisfie the treatie betwixt the King and her deceased Father without any other conditions Annes answere And for confirmation of her wordes shee calls a Parliament the 29. of December following as the Duke was 〈◊〉 to haue them ratifie the conuentions of peace In the meane time there were robberies taking of ransoms massacres thefts desolation of the Counâ—rie sale of Townes 1489. euen as in open warres The Vicount of Rohan labored to winne the Townes by sweet wordes and amiable letters hee shewes vnto them the miseries of this warre far from any end by the decease of their Duke that at his request the King had retyred his armie attending if the Nobilitie and commons New troubles by the Vicount of Rohan would put themselues into the hands of the said Rohan vnder whose commaund his Maiestie ment they should remaine otherwise he was ready to reduce the obstinate to reason by force Rennes Guingamp and others to whom he had particularly writteÌ„ answere That neither they nor the rest can or ought acknowledge any other commander then the Duchesse to whom during her fathers life and since his decease they were bound by oath Moreouer they were aduertised that the King was resolued to enterteine a peace with their Princesse in the same maÌ„ner as had bin accorded They beseech him to rest satisfied with this answere vntill they be informed of the Duchesse intention of the Counsels and the Marshal of Rieux and in the meane time to haue the good of the Country and the peace in recomendation This answer puts the Vicount into choller The Brittons ouercome and the Earle of Quintin his brother thrusts him on being desirous to be reuenged for the often taking and spoyling of his Towne Hee goes to field with his troupe and neere vnto Pontrieu hee incounters some men gathered together with an intent to go to succour the Duchesse he doth charge them defeats them and kills a part of them being abandoned by some gentlemen that conducted them then he takes sackes Pontrieu and Chasteaulin vpon Trieuf and so makes his way to Guincamp He summons Chero Gouiâ—quet Captaines to yeeld the Towne They answere that they will not obey him so long as there shal be a Duke or Duchesse in Brittanie Vpon this refusall he sends a Captain called S. Pierre Seneshal of Tholouse la Forest to belegar it who being repulsed out of the suburbes of Treguer takes them of Montbareil and Pontauquen spoile and burne them and Rohan being arriued hee takes the suburbes of S. Croix then he lodgeth in Montbareil from whence he discouereth the whole Towne so plainly as hee might shoote point blancke into the market place he burnes a part of the suburbes lodgeth his artillerie he plants another batterie in the Iacobins garden to batter the curtin of the wall betwixt the ports of Reâ—es and Fontanie and hee makes a breach but not sufficient yet he giues an assault and is repulsed The next day he changeth his batterie and plants it at the vpper end of the fiâ—â—ers garden he playes a whole day beats downe a part of the wall betwixt the Ports of Montbareil and Treguer he offers a second assault but it was as
cut off by the notable treachery of his vncle Plaisance receiued him as willingly as Pauia and thither newes was brought of the death of the Duke of Milan The death of Iohn Galeas leauing a sonne and a daughter Lodowike posting thither with promise to returne vsurped the Duchie absolutely with the title Thus all Lombardy marched at the bruite of this French army some for loue and some for feare They held our men to be religious loyall and full of bountie but couetousnesse robberies and other insolencies of souldiers made them soone to alter their conceits the horror of the artillery whose thunder was yet strange vnto them amazed them The Florentine a cunning dissembler had sent twise vnto the King before he parted from France at the first came the Bishop of Rhegin and Peter Soderini of whom they onely demanded passage and a hundred men at armes mainteined at the second time Peter Caponi and others who made answer that by the commandement of King Lewis the xâ— they had renownced the alliance of Iohn of Aniou if he were associate with Charles of France in the warre of the common weale to enter into league with Ferdinando of Arragon and therefore they could not rashely leaue it But in either of these troupes there was still some enimy to Peter of Medicis who gaue the King intelligence of the peoples desire lifting vp their hands for the recouery of their liberty oppressed by Pâ—ters gouernement enâ—ied euen by his neerest kinsmen and the best families as the Coponi Soderini Nerli and others Great practises against Peter of Medicis And for a second baite Laurence and Iohn de Medicis cousins to Peter came secretly to the King at his departure from Plaisance vowing great loue in generall to the house of France and much hatred to their kinsman against whom Charles was greatly incensed for the excuse he made to his Ambassador which was sent from Ast That the chiefe Cittizens were in their houses in the country and could not so speedily returne him an answer but they should shortly let him vnderstand their resolution by speciall Ambassadors In the meane time they arme ioyntly with the Pope The King must not leaue Tuscan and the Estate of the Church behinde him as his enimies The armye passeth the Appennin at Pontreme vpon Magre the which diuides Liguria which is the Country of Genes from Tuscan and is vpon the marches of the Florentines countrye of purpose to force them to plant the Standard of France vpon their walles or else to take the weakest places to winter in The second exployte of the Kings armie was at Fiuizane a towne taken by force sackt and all mercenary soldiars with many inhabitants slaine A hard stratagem for men 1493. who as we haue said made warre rather in pompe and brauery then with blowes Serezâ—ne was sufficient to withstand yea to ruine a great power Serezanelle was more strong a fort built vpon the hill aboue the towne but the Florentines diuisions had hindred all necessary prouision but men And indeed they were loath to make warre against the house of France of whom they had of old time depended the rather for that they were forbiddeÌ„ to trafficke their men banished out of all France by the especiall aduise of Caponi The armie could not continue there the countrie is straight and barren compassed in by the sea and mountaines no victuall but what was brought from farre and great store of snow But the way must be laide open to Pisa and if they had neglected the first place that resisted The Florentines offer the King free entrie into theiâ— Citty what village but would haue held out Paul Vrsin led some horse with three hundred foote meaning to put them into Serezane who are incountred beateÌ„ in a maÌ„ner all slaine or takeÌ„ prisoners by some troupes of the foreward going to forrage beyond Magre This terror made the Florentines to protest publikely That they would no longer incurre the Kings displeasure nor the Duke of Milans Whereupon they send fifteene or sixteene Cittizens and offer the King free entrie into their Citty whose onely desseine was to expell Peter of Medicis Peter practised for his part by the meanes of Laurence Spinoli his factor in the barke at Lion the Earle of Bresse Myolans the Kings Chamberlaine Gouernor of Daulphiné They procure him a safe conduct and at the first treaty he graunts the King all his demands That the forts of Serezane Serenazelle and Pietresaincte the Keyes of the Florentine dominion of that side those of Pisa and the port of Liuorne Peter de Medicis graunts the King his demands should bee put into the Kings hand who should be bound to redeliuer them after the conquest of Naples That the King should receiue the Florentines into his alliance and protection vppon the loane of two hundred thousand ducats and the assurance of these promises should be concluded in Florence A facility which discouered a wonderfull feare and trouble of minde for the King would haue beene well satisfied with more easie conditions Lodowick was present at this Capitulation who to reape some benefit of Charles his conquests obtaines from his maiesty for thirty thousand ducats a transport for him and his heires of the possession of Genes which the King some yeares before had graunted to Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan yet discontented that Charles would not giue him Pietresaincte and Serezane in gard which places he demaunded as forceably taken away by the Florentines from the Geneuois Lodowik Sfoâ—ce discontented with the King and had serued him as a meanes to lay hold of Pisa he returned to Milan and did neuer after see the King leauing notwithstanding Galeas of S. Seuerin and the Earle of Belzoiozo nere his maiestie Thus by the consignation of these strong places the ports of Romagna are opened vnto the King he enters Luques beeing very honourablie receiued by the Cittizens crying God saue the King of Fronce Augustus From Luques he goes to Pisa Galeas of S. Seâ—erin following the instructions giuen him by Lodowike Sforce who did not foresee that the like accident would be the cause of his ruine called the chiefe Cittizens Pisa reuolâ—â— against the Florentinâ—s and aduiseth them that rebelling against the Florentines they should craue liberty from the King hoping by this meanes that he should one day draw Pisa vnder the Duke of Milans command To whoÌ„ they were subiect before the Florentines held it this was in the same yeare the Venetians conquered Padoâ—a Through this aduice the people troupe together men women and children they flocke the next day about the King going to masse crying with open throat Liberté Liberté beseeching him with hands lift vp and teares in their eyes to free them from the Florentines oppression by whoÌ„ say they they were most tyrannously intreated Rabo a Councellor of the Parliament of Daulphiné and Maister of requests said vnto the King that their
maâ—â—resse King Charles dyed such as they could finde out by chance And before his eyes were shut vp with this last sleepe euery one forgets the course which this declining sunne had runne to follow the hope of the Easterne starre which came to lighten this realme Thus Charles the eight liued and thus he dyed an humble Prince liberall religious courteous His disposition familiar and of easie accesse of a good and tractable disposition small of statute but of an inuincible courage louing Iustice and his people capable of counsell commended for his great attempts hauing in his youth purchased so much glory and giuen so great hope both within and without Christendome that if God had granted him a longer life without doubt he had equalled the same of the most excellent and rarest Princes In him failed the direct line of the Kings of France descended from Philip of Valois and the crowne fell to the collaterall line of the which the neerest and most capable of the succession was Lewis Duke of Orleans and Valois LEWIS the twelfth the 57. King of France LEWES THE .12 KING OF FRANCE .57 · NOWE behold our France hauing 1498. vnder Charles the eight happily breathed after the troubles and confusions which had so long afflicted the state during the raignes of his Predecessors takes her rest vnder the protection of a Prince excellent in bounty of nature in sweetenesse of manners in temperance and moderation of minde and affection finally in the happines and felicity of his raigne Who hauing extended his Empire beyond the lymits of Gaule subdued vnder his obedâ—eâ—â—e two of the noblest and mightiest Citties of the world Milan with Lombardie and Genes with her two riuers East and West togither with the Ilands of Corseque 〈◊〉 reconquered and diuided the Realme of Naples with the Castillian but in the end lost it by his treachery and disloyalty vanquished the Venetians in that memorable 〈◊〉 the 15. of May 1509. suppressed the Popes insolency defeated the Venetians Againe before Bresse made a peace with the Spaniard and Venetian consequently allied â—â—â—selfe with the King of England He shall haue this honor and content to see â—is â—ubiects in so great prosperity that by the conference of things passed before his 〈◊〉 the Realme was neuer so mighty in armes and men The happines of his raigne neuer so plentifull in all 〈◊〉 of commodities neuer so fortified with such strong places and which imports 〈◊〉 neuer so blessed in concord neuer so voide of diuisions neuer so able to 〈◊〉 a great charge and to produce noble attempts A Godly King chast vpright courteous good to his seruants gratious to his eneâ—â—es mercifull to all men a friend to Iustice and sincerity an enemy to flatery libeâ—rall but without oppression of any loyall respected in all parts of the world who in regard of learning shall open a way which his thrice worthy successor should bring to a most happy perfection But to crowne him with titles of honour hee was called The father of his people A King commanding a nation most willing to obey A people multiplying by millions in Nobilitie Marchants tradesmen and the common sort A people replenishing the Townes before halfe desert To conclude a people testiâ—yâ—â—â— the excellencie and greatnesse of their Soueraigne For the greatnesse of a King sayeth Salomon is in the multitude of people but when his subiects decrease it is the fall of his Soueraigntie But let vs see by the relation of the Historie the course of this admirable prosperitie and first of all his rights of Succession as well to this Crowne and that of Naples being King of France as also to the estate of Milan by reason of Valentine his grand mother King Charles the 5. had two sonnes The eldest Charles the 6. his successor who was father to Charles the 7. of whom was borne Lewis the xi father to Charles the 8. who dyed without children The genealogie of Lewis the 12. The yongest Lewis Duke of Orleans who married Valentine daughter to Iohn Galeas Earle of Vertus first Duke of Milan by whom he had three sonnes Charles his successor Duke of Orleans Iohn Earle of Angoulesme Philip Earle of Vertus The said Charles freed from his long imprisonment in England had by Mary of Cleues his wife our Lewis the 12. heire for want of heires male in the direct line of this realme and of the dependencies thereof and so was annointed at Rhâ—ims the 27. of May 149â— assisted at this sollemnitie by Iohn Duke of Alanson seruing as a Peere in the place of the Duke of Bourgongne Peter Duke of Bourbon for the Duke of Normandie Anthonie Duke of â—orraine for the Duke of Guienne Philip Earle of Ranasâ—ein in place of the Earle of Flanders Gilbert of Cleues for the Earle of Champagne Gaston of â—oix for the Earle of â—holouse and for the Peeres of the Clergie the Bishops that were then resident Afâ—â—â—wards he receiued the royall Crowne in the Abby of Saint Denis in France the first of Iuly following and the day following made his triumphant entâ—ie into Paris We iudge of the inward beautie of a Pallace by the entrie thereof Who would not then by these happy first fruites of this raigne conceiue a constant hope of a heauenly blessing Lewis after he had worthily performed the funeralls of his Predecessor hee first purchased the loue of the Noblemen of his Court mainteining euery man in his dignitie and state and the Magistrates in their offices He applyed his minde to order and to cut off the tediousnesse of suites freed his subiects of the third part of the Subsidies which oppressed them yea euen the rights which they are accustomed to pay to their new King for the charges of his funerall that is deceased and for his coronation and for a second benefit to the countrie he put the men at armes into their garrisons reducing them to the ancient discipline of warre which the disordered liberty of troubles past had much corrupted This done by the aiding of his best States men he made many goodly lawes vpon the abusâ—ue charges in the pursute of Iustice neither did he euer publish an Edict before it was confirmed by the iudgement of Soueraigne courts His decrees conteined some limitâ—tion of the pâ—iuileges granted in old time to Vniuersities the which they abused to the oppâ—â—ssâ—on of the people The Vniuersitie of Paris opposeth against the publication thereof and were ready to make a sedition many publishing infamous libels both against the King and against the Chancellor of Rochefort The Schollers troupe together and â—esolue to abandon both study and the exercise of learning Iohn Caue being Recâ—or The Vniuersitie at Paris 〈◊〉 forbids the Regents to read any more and the Preachers to preach vntill the Vniuersitie had recouered her ancient priuileges The King aduertised of these mutinies drawes many men at armes into Paris and sitting in Parliament confirmes the
the King and such as were held by Inheritance appertayned vnto her as the next heire and daughter to a sister of the sayd Peter married with the Duke of Sauoye The sute depended in the Court of Parliament at Paris Charles eyther distrusting the equity of his cause or fearing least the Regents authority should preuaile against his right so by consequence dispossesse him choosing rather to abandon his Country then to liue in want he practiseth with the Emperour by the meanes of Adrian of Croy Earle of Reux and to make the articles of his transaction the more strong hee obtaynes a promise from the Emperour to marry Eleonor his sister widow to Emanuel King of Portugall The King being past the Alpes the Constable should inuade Bourgongne with twelue thousand Germains which should bee secretly leuied by the Emperour and King of England who at the same instant should inuade Picardie whilest the Spaniards recouered Fontarabâ—e as they did Of their Conquests he onely reserued Prouence pretending to call himselfe King of Prouence as belonging vnto him sayd he by the house of Anâ—ou yeelding all the rest to the English A practise sufficient to shake France before the King being absent with his forces should returne in any time to succour it But they reckoned without their host and the gardian of this Crowne did preuent them for Argouges and Marignon gentlemen of Normandie and house-hold seruants to the Duke had aduertised the King of his pretended retreat to the Emperour but they were ignorant of the agreement made betwixt them To diuert him from this resolution the King passing by Molins did visit the Duke in his chamber who made a shewe to be sick and that cunningly I vnderstand sayd the King of some practises which the Emperour makes to withdrawe the loue you vndoubtedly beare vnto the Crowne as issued and neere allyed to the house of France I do not beleeue that you haue giuen eare to any such perswasions mooued with any dislike of mee or of my realme Some feare of distrust to loose your offices hath perchance made a breach in the loue you haue alwayes made shewe of Let not this conceyt trouble you I promise you in case you should loose your sute against my selfe and my mother to restore you to the possession of all your goods Prepare therefore to followe mee after your recouerie in the voiage of Italie The Duke being very wise dissembled his intent cunningly confessing vnto the King that in truth the Earle of Reux had sought him for the Emperour but he would giue no eare vnto him that his intention was to haue aduertised his Maiestie at the first view being loth to commit it to any mans report that the Physitians gaue him hope to be soone able to go in a litter and that he would not faile to come to Lions to receiue his Maiesties commandements But considering that he had to deale with too strong a partie and that hardly he should enioy his goods which were alreadie sequestred by a decree of the Court he retired to Chantelles in the beginning of September a house of his owne where he had the most sumptuous moueables that any Prince could haue From thence he sent the Bishop of Autun of the house of Hurauts to the King with instructions signed with his hand promising To serue his Maiestie well and loyally in all places whensoeuer it should please him during his life and without any breach vpon restitution of the possessions of Peter of Bourbon The King finding this manner of proceeding hard and insolent sent the Bastard of Sauoy Lord Steward of France and the Marshall of Chabannes with foure hundred men at armes the Captaines of his gardes and the Prouost of his house to besiege the Duke in Chantelles And vnderstanding that many Lansequenets did troupe together vpon the frontier of Bourgogne he caused the Bishop of Autun the Chancellor of Bourbonois the Lord of Cars Saint Vallier Bussy brother to Palisse Emard de Prie la Vauguion and many others to be taken prisoners who for the loue of him were content to abandon their country families and goods notwithstanding they found grace with the King But the Duke despairing of his estate resolued to hazard all and to begin a furious Tragedie in the which we shall see our Francis act the part of an vnfortunate prisoner of the warres and Charles reserued for a bloudie and tragicke end The Duke of Bourbon flies disguised He disguiseth himselfe and taking the Lord of Pomperant for his onely companion whose seruant he seemed to be After many turnings being often feared as appeares in the Originals the wayes being layed and the passages stopt or full of troupes marching into Italy he recouers the French Court and so by Ferrete crossing through Germanie he came into Italy and according to the choise which the Emperour gaue him eyther to passe into Spaine or to remaine in Italie with his armie in the end hee continued at Genes to see the end of these two great armies The Marshall and Lord Steward seized vpon Chantelles with the moueables of Carâ—at and generally of all the lands of the house of Bourbon for the King In the meane time the Marshall of Montmorency had made such speed as his twelue thousand Suisses were ioyned with the Admirall attending the Kings comming at Turin But his presence was necessarie in France there were strange practises against him He therefore sends part of his forces to the Admirall and commands him to execute the enterprise of Milan as they two had concluded Hee had eighteene hundred Launces twelue thousand French ten thousand Suisses Six thousand Lansquenets and three thousand Italians a sufficient armie for a great attempt but want of iudgement to imbrace occasions and negligence of his businesse made the Admirall loose the opportunitie to recouer Milan at the first and to bee vnfortunate in this voyage Prosper Colonne considering the Venetians league with the Emperour and the treachâ—â—â—e of the Duke of Bourbon could not beleeue that the King should continue constant in his resolution to inuade the Duchie of Milan that yeare This perswasiâ—n had made him carelesse to make necessarie prouision for this warre But now noâ—â—â—thstanding his infirmitie he imployes all his meanes and forces to keepe the French from passing the riuer of Tesin neglecting to repaire the Bastions and Rampars of the Suburbes of Milan being for the most part ruined and spoiled But the French finding the waters lowe some passed at a Foard others in Boates about sâ—me foure myles from the imperiall Campe making a Bridge for the Artillerye Colonne knowing that an incounter of the French is verye dangerous in their fiâ—st heate retired into Milan and finding the Cittizens and Souldiars wonderfully amazed seeing no meanes to keepe the Cittie in the estate it was he abandons it to prouide for the defense of Laude Without doubt the captious propositions of an enemie must be duly examined and moreouer an
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâ—ers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ— of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâ—ie of these muâ—mes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booâ—y they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with â—oure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌ„try without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câ—ttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ„ vp this poore dismeÌ„berd carcase lying filâ—â—ly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâ—lieu to fetch the â—odie of Mâ—neins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌ„t of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompâ—t many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌ„mons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ— daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâ—s the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâ—é Duke of Ferrare of Renâ—è of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ„ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌ„tly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâ—ne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great â—ournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâ—e at iarre with the CoÌ„mons The people required restitutioÌ„ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâ—g King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌ„sequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâ—ke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward 〈◊〉 for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâ—eâ—s Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câ—mmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâ—on and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâ—h of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of â—â—ez Marshall of â—rance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâ—sideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 â—he heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâ—e since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withi◠〈◊〉 huÌ„dred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâ—thes after sent â— pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon 〈…〉 within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in 〈◊〉 protest that 〈◊〉 â—â—ue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofâ—â—ag to 〈…〉 the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith 〈◊〉 were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with 〈…〉 subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violen◠〈◊〉 became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whome◠〈◊〉 dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ„ to â—is 〈◊〉 Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâ—e its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
and Townes drunke so much Christian bloud and slaine so many millions of men of all qualities reteining nothing but the territories of Boullen and Calais Thus the winde doth sodenly drinke vp all the toile all the trauels all the swear of many ages And the Lord saith vnto man Thou foole this night will take thy soule from thee and who shall haue the things which thou hast prepared And All men are vaine doubtlesse man labours for a shadow he troubleâ—h himselfe for nothing But must the quenching of forraine confusions kindle new fires in the middestand foure corners of the realme without doubt there needed no violent but spirituall remedies to redresse those diuisions which grew daily for a religious cause Henry was of a milde and temperate spirit but hee gaue eare too lightly to such as could not effect their desseines but by troubles The prisons were full of such as they called Lutherans Persecutions for religion and euen then many noble faâ—ilies were toucht with that cause Moreouer many officers of the Parliament wâ—shed a milder proceeding against those prisoners This diuersitie caused an assemblâ—e which they called Mercuriale to heare the opinion of Presidents Councellors vpon this controuersie the which the King was required to countenance with his presence Councellors of the Parliament impâ—â—â—oned Anne du Bourg vsed a great libertie of speech some others did second his opinion This freedome transported the King into the choller hee commands the Constâ—ble to put them in prison and vowes to see them burnt within few dayes if they persist But oh Prince The yeares of thy accoumpt are come and thou entrâ—st into a pathe from the which thou shalt no more returne The Constable deliuers them to the Court Montgomery Captaine of his Maiesties gardes who leads â—ourg to the Bastille and the rest to diuerse â—ther priâ—ons Let vs not iudge hereby but admire howsoeuer the iudgements of God in that we shall see these three personageâ— euery one in his ranke dye an extraordinarie and tragicall death The marriages of the Kings Daughters and Sister were sollemnized with all the pleasures and sports that might be deuised The Court exceeded in sâ—mptuous feasts playes maskes dances and bonfires ordinarie acclamations in such ceremonies testâ—fied the peoples publicke ioy by reason of the peace but this pleasant Comedie was conuerted by a sad catastrophe into a pittifull and mournfull Tragedie The King would the tenth of Iune 〈…〉 the â—â—â—â—â—engers at the Tilt in Saint Anthonies streete being seconded by the Duke of Guise and Ferrare and to runne his last course in fauour of the Queene his wife he sent a Lance to the Earle of Montgomery The Earle excuseth himselfe to runne against his Maiestie the day before hee could not hit any one and it may bee now he feared a second shame But hauing a second charge from the King to enter the Lists he runnes and breakes his Launce vpon the Kings cuirasse and with a splinter thereof his Beauer being somewhat open strikes him so deepe â—nto the eye 〈◊〉 the tenâ—h of Iuly his soule left his body The death of King Henry in his house of Tournelles tâ—e 42. yeare of his age He had by Katherine of Medicis his wife fiue Sonnes and fiue Daughters His children Francis his successor of the age oâ— sixteene or seuenteene yeares Lewis Duke of Orleans who liued few moneths Charles Maximiâ—lian Edward Alexander afterwards named Henrâ—e the 3. and Hercules afterwards named Francis Elisabeth married to Philip King of Spaine Claude to Charles Duke of Lorraine Marguerite to Henry of Bourbon then King of Nauarre Iane and Victoire tâ—ins who dyed soone after their birth Hee was a religious Prince goodly of a milde disposition peaceable affable His disposition not greatly subiect to passions generous loâ—ing his seruants and men of merit but voluptuous and not able to discover in due tiâ—e the ambition and couetousnesse of such as possessing him made â—ale of lawes iustice offices and spiâ—ituall liuings emptied the subiects purses and nourished the warres which we haue before obserued namely since the breach of the truce finding such sweetenesse profit and honour in the managing of the Treasure and commanding of the Kings Armies in the voyage of Italie and especially in this last Lieutenancie generall in Picardie as hereafter wee shall see a young Prince raigne like a shadow and they being seized of the gouernment both of his person and of his realme shall dispossesse the chiefe officers of the Crowne keepe backe the Princes of the bloud the true and lawfull gouernours of the State the King being in his minoritie and to plot the meanes to raise their race to the royall throne 1559 FRANCIS the second the 60. King of France FRANCES THE .2 KING OF FRANCE 60. THis raigne is short but very memorable We behold a Theater whereon is acted a horrible tragedie a King yong of yeares and of iudgement gouerned by his mother and his wiues vnckles a a new forme of Court The Princes of the bloud haue no more credit and seeme to neglect both the publike and priuat interest The Courtiers stand at a gaze and for the most part stowpe to the stronger The Clergie shield themselues vnder those that kindle these fires in France The Nobilitie wearied with former toyles do yet wipe off the dâ—st and sweat from their armes The people diuided for matter of religion and oppressed with burthen of former warres desires to breath The Constâ—ble holds his place yet is he not so surely seated but they will displace him There are two factions in Court the Constable holdeth the one those of Guise the other The first was firme and sincere the last cunning Two factions in Couâ—t and plyable The Queene mother ioynes with the last The King of Nauarre might crosse them and therefore to be the better informed of his desseins she entertaines seruants and pensioners about him The Princes of the bloud the Constable the Marshals the Admirall and many other Noblemen prepared for the funerals of the deceased King when as the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine leading the King Alterations in Court his brethren and the Qâ—eenes to the Louâ—re begin a strange alteration a true patterne of the inconstancie of this world The Duchesse of Valentinois had quietly gouerned the deceased King and by her practices had caused Francis Oliuer a man of a singular reputation and Chancellor of France to bee dismissed At the first entrie shee is spoyled of her precious Iewels which testified the Kings loue vnto her to adorne the Queene that raignedâ— and by her disgrace leaues the place to Catherine to rule hereafter without Companion They take the seale from Cardinall Bertrand a â—eruant to the said Duchesse and to haue a Chancellor at their deuotion they restore Oliuer They giue the Cardinall of Lorraine the gouernment of the Treasure and of the affaires of State and to the Duke of
Guise his brother the command in warre This was properly to giue the Constable to vnderstand that without warrant hee should take his leaue the which hee did after that hee had conducted his good maister to the graue And to play their parts absolutely without controule they send the Prince of Conde into Flanders vnder colour to confirme the peace and him of Roche-sur-yon to carry the order of France to the King of Spaine then at his returne they depute him with the Cardinall of Bourbon to conduct Elizabeth to Philip her husband In the meane time the Guisians call the Cardinall of Tournon from Rome a man fitte for their humors They displace part of the ancient officers of the Kings house and place new at their deuotion they furnish Prouinces and fronter Townes with gouernours of their owne choise they obtaine a declaration from the King sitting in parliament whereby he made it knowne that touching all affaires which concerned the estate of his Crowne and house his pleasure was they should hereafter repaire to his two Vncles To conclude they do and vndoe place and displace in Parliament and priuie Councell like to a King of absolute power And the Queene mother challengeth the gâ—ft of money growing of the confirmation of offices and priuileges of Townes and commonalties the which by right cannot be exacted but when the realme falls into a collaterall line Now are they setled in this vsurped gouernment they haue officers at their pleasure But there is yet a moate in their eye Those of the religion who then were called reformed let vs hereafter call them Protestants for their common cause with the Protestants of Germanie multiplied infinitely Some Princes and many Noblemen did countenance them and were ready to take their protection To weaken them nay rather to ruine them quite the Kings letters pattents are granted the 14. of Iuly with a Commission to certaine Iudges for the triall of Anne du Bourg and foure of his companions prisoners It was to be feared their proceeding against these fiue Counsellors would preiudice the whole party They beseech the Queene by their letters who had made shew to incline to their doctrine when as she was barren to vse her aâ—thoritie in the restraint of these rigorous pursutes She passeth her word to the Prince of Condé and Admirall so as they will liue secretly and without any scandale Herevpon Anthonie King of Nauarre greatly prest by some Princes and Noblemen the Constable at the death of Henry had perswaded him to seize first on the gouernment arriues in Court being at S. Germaine in Laye Anthony King of Nauarre comes to Court and is disgraced hauing at Poitiers giuen good hope to some Ministers of the Protestant Churches to make open profession of their religion But what entertainment do they giue to this first Prince of the bloud of France his harbingers finde no lodging for him within the Castle It shall cost me my life and ten thousand more with me said the Duke of Guise to his harbinger before they take from me the place and lodging which the King hath giuen me neere vnto his person No man goes to meete him those of Guise looke that he should go to salute them and which is worse the next day he haâ—h no place in Councell After some dayes the King sayes vnto him that his Vncles hauing the charge of affaires hee desired them that would haue his fauour to obey them in all things So hauing obtained confirmation of his offices and pensions he approued by his silence the vsurpation of the house of Guise who lead the King to Rheims where he was triumphantly annointed the eighteene of September by the Cardinall of Lorraine Archbishop of that place Soone after the Coronation The Princeâ— and chiefâ— officers of the Crowne disgraced the Queene mother gets a resignation from the Constable of the office of Lord Steward in fauour of the Duke of Guise in recompence made his sonne Marshall of France The Admirall foreseeing that they would dispossesse him of the gouernement of Picardie hee first gaue the King to vnderstand that it belonged to the Prince of Condé for that his predecessors had long enioyed it 〈◊〉 resignation was willinglie accepted but not the condition It was better to pâ—â—chase a good seruant and partisan which was the Marshall of Brissac Thus the Prâ—â—ces and chiefe officers of the Crowne were disgraced but those that were 〈…〉 among the people were not mute They had a good share in the priuate discontent of these great personages foreseeing the disorders that might ensue and require a Parliament as the Soâ—etâ—â—â— cure for such diseases whereby the Queene Mother might be excluded from the Regencie and those of Guise put from the Kings person To please the King theâ— perswade him that they sought to bridle him and to make him a ward that hee should hold them enemies to his authority and guiltie of high â—â—eason that talke of a Parliament The King of Spaine crosseth them and by letters written to the King his brother in Lawe the which were read in Councell in the presence of the King of Nauarre he declares himselfe saieth hee for the good affection he did beare Tutor and Protector of him his Realme and his affaires against those that would change the gouernment of the estate as if the King were not capable of the gouernment Pleasant people which reiect so much the word of lawfull Tutâ—lage and yet they vsurpe it against the Lawes and orders of the Realme holding it onely by tyranie This other affront sent the King of Nauarre home into Bearne whence he came All this did but increase the hatred of great and small against the Guisians Many treaties are published written and printed and all tend to proue That it belonges to the Estates to prouide gouernours for Kings in their minorities that these two bretheren are incapable of the gouernment being both strangers the one a priest the other presuming to say in the life of the decreased King that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from Charlemagne from whome Hugh Capet had vsurped it A proposition which they haue presumed to publish in these latter times but so often confuted as it needes no further discours The King began to growe and euen nowe hee complayned that they kept him from hearing of his subiects complaints but he was so sickely as there was no hope of long life To get â—â—re footing in the gouernment of Estate they resolue to purchase many seruants in the Courts of Paliament to winne the affections of Courtiers and men of warre and by a burning zeale to the rooting out of Protestants to purchase the loue of the Clergie and people Anne du Bourg executed They publish sundrie Edicts against them they promise great recompences to them that discouer their assemblies many Townes fill their prisons they imploy aire fire and water to ruine them and yet it seemes that the more
storme which threatned them flie to Nerac to the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé they present themselues and their meanes shewing them the wrongs done by them of Guise to the King and the Realme and beseech them to vndertake the deliuery of his maiestie and maintenance of the estate These two Princes had alreadie resolued to vse all their meanes to chase the tâ—o Lorrains from the gouernment of France This request confirmed them and euen then they sought out all Noblemen and gentlemen which by their armes and meanes might aduance this worke The Constable with the Vidame of Chartres and a great number of others promise to maintaine their iust quarrell against all men except the King the Queenes and his bretheren Their letters fall into the hands of them of Guise the Prince his Agent is imprisoned and the Vidame of Chartres shut into the Basâ—ill and shall not bee fâ—eed vntill the day before the Kings death and himselfe shall die within fewe dayes after An Assembly of Princes Noblemen Thus all things tend to an open warre The Queene Mother desired to see these two parties fight but not with the ruine of either side for the fall of any one of them had set her beside the sadle She therefore caused to bee propounded in Councell by the aduice of the Chancellor and Admirall whome as yet she did willingly heare That it was expedient to assemble all the Princes Noblemen of the Realme and men of authority to aduise of the meanes to pacifie the troubles growne principallie by reason of the persecutions for religion Those of Guise approue this desseine this was in shewe a pitfall to take the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé Moreouer they hoped to sâ—borne so many witnesses as all things should second their desires and so for that time should dissolue the conuocation of the Estats So the King sends forth his letters into all parts intreating them all to bee at Fontainebleau the twentieth fiue of August especially the King of Nauarre and to bring his brother and those Noblemen that were then with him The Guisiâ—ns also by their letters giue many good hopes and promises But we haue sayd they had in the beginning lodged spies in the King of Nauarres house By their meanes they woâ—ke so as the King of Nauarre stirres not and le ts slippe an oportunitie that he had to settâ—e a lawfull gouernment within the realme The Constable better resolued thinking the Princes would assist arriues with eight hundred horse and by this troupe makes the Lorrains to shewe him a good countenance At the opening of the assemblie the Admirall presents a petition to the King for the Protestants who required to haue Temples graunted them and free exercise of religion throughout the whole Realme There-vpon Charles of Marillac Archbishop of Vienne shewed with such libertie of speech the necessitie to assemble a nationall Councell to remedie these controuersies growne for religion and a Parliament to order the gouernment of France as hee suruiued but fewe dayes after his oration The Amirall toucht the cause of religion and state more vehemently taxing by inuectiue such as giuing the King gards vpon gards entertayned him in distrust of his subiects and his subiects in hatred of their owne King As they had made shewe to like of this assemblie so they seemed to allowe of a Parliament They appoint it first at Meaux and afterward at Orleans the x. of December and the Sinode for the Clergie at Paris the twentieth of Ianuary folowing to determine of what should bee expedient to bee treated of in a generall councell whereof they gaue them hope But as they had vnderhand withdrawne the Princes from comming to this Assemblie so must they make them vnwilling to bee present at the Parliament To this intent those of Guise in the Kings name command the companies of ordinary souldiars to be readie the 20. of September they lodge them in such sort as those whome they suspected had them in front in flanke and behinde them and spies likewise to discouer them and they giue charge to the commanders to cutte all them in peeces that they should finde marching to ioyne with the Princes If their forces were not sufficient to diuert the Prince of Condé whom they knew to bee more busie and to endure lesse they doe also procure Letters from the King to the King of Nauarre whereby hee doth charge the Prince to haue attempted against the estate of France and to haue sought to seize vpon some of the good Townes of the realme Hee desires him therefore to send him his brother with a good and sure garde if not hee himselfe will fetch him well accompanied The answer of Anthonie and Lewis incountring the Lorraines with their owne armes holding them guiltie of the same crimes wherewith they charged them made them to change their note They send a second commandement Policie to abuse the Princes whereby the King giues his word to the Princes to come in safetie hee promiseth to heare all mens admonitions and iustifications willingly to receiue them according to their estates and dignities not to disturbe any Prince in his religion whereof hee now made open profession and that they should returne when they pleased free from iniurie and outrage And to draw them on the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince not well able to discouer the deceites of the enemies of his house is expresly sent vnto them They marche and are no sooner come to Limoges but seuen or eight hundred Gentlemen well appointed do visit them The Deputies of Prouinces offer them six thousand foot Gascons and Poiteuins foure thousand horse and foote out of Languedoc as many or more out of Normandie and the other Prouinces promise to rise on all sides to fortifie them at this assemblie of States so as it will please the King of Nauarre to declare himselfe Protector of the King and Realme against them of Guise But the Cardinall of Armagnac Escars â—arnac and some other Councellors of the same mould bad seruants to their maister propounded so many dangers so many inconueniences vpon their comming to Court with force and why should they not resist their enemies force as hee sent back all his companie and countermanded such as came promising notwithstanding to imploy himselfe couragiously in the Parliament for the good of all France Heâ—evpon they giue the King to vnderstand that the Lutherans of Orleans practised something to subuert his estate as they had of late attempted at Lions The King câ—mes to Oâ—leans To assure themselues of the Towne and to punish some which were noted in the booke of death whose confiscation was good the Guisiens first send Sipiere Lieutenant to the Prince of Roche-sur-yon gouernour of Orleans to disarme the people and to fill the houses suspected with men of war they call together the nobilitie men at armes of France then they conduct the King thether to make his entry with the
Queene the 17. of October The Princes gouerned by their innocencie arriue the eeue of All Saints and passe from the Portereau to the Kings lodging vpon the Estappe The Princes arâ—â—ue betwixt two rankes of armed men The Cardinall of Bourbon and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon receiue them Not a Courtier nor a Bourgeios meetes them and for their first affront when as they sought to enter on horse-back according to the vsuall custome they were answered with a Brauado The great gates do not open The King attended them at the first hauing done their duties to his Maiestie and no man aduanced to bid them welcome I am said he to the Prince of Condé aduertised from diuers places that you haue made many enterprises against me and the estate of my realme and therefore I haue sent for you to know the truth â—rom your owne mouth Lewis iustifies himselfe so plainly and doth charge his enemies so directly as the King himselfe could not impute these accusations bâ—t to the wilfulnesse of his Vncles agâ—inst his owne bloud But he was possessed by them and suffered himselfe to be easiâ—â—e abused So hee commands Chauigny The Prince of Conde impriâ—oned Captaine of his gards sent by them of Guise to seize vpon the Prince Chauigny shuts him vp in a house hard by beâ—ore the which they make a fort of Brick fâ—â—nked with Canoniers and furnished with field peeces to defend the approches The Lady of Roye his mother in law was likewise carried from Anici a house of hers in Picardie prisoner to S. Germaine in Laye by Renouarâ— and Carrouges Ierosâ—â—e Groslot Bayliffe of Orleans vnder colour that his father had beene Chancellor to the deceased King of Nauarre and hee an affectionate seruant to the Princes accused also to be the Protector of the Lutherans in Orleans was likewise imprisoned two dayes after the Princes arriuall La Haye Councellor in the Court of Parliament at Paris who did solicite the Princes affaires was also in trouble Amaury Bouchart maister of Requests vnto the King and Chancellor to the Nauarrois was sent prisoner to Melun which others brought from Lions to haue proofes against the Prince whose triall they did hasten with all speed But they meant no harme to Bouchart he had already retired himselfe and blabbed by his Letters to the Cardinall of Lorraine to the preiudice of his maister Neither the informations taken at Lions by the Marshall S. André noâ— the prisoners at Melun were sufficient to make the Prince a spectacle vpon a scaffold They send for the president of Thou Commissioners to aâ—aigne the Prince Bartholmewe Faye and Iames Viole Councellors of the Parliament at Paris to examine the Prince vpon the point of high Treason and if this peece of batterie were not of force then to touch him vpon the point of religion and to condemne him for heresie The Prince propounds diuers causes of recusation and appeales from them to the King The priuie Councell reiects his appeale and decrees That vpon paine of high treason the Prince should answer before these Commissioners He answers purgeth himselfe cleerly of all crime and aduowes his religion freelie The Prince condemned By this confession iudgement was giuen against him he condemned to dye a day appointed the x. of December to countenance the beginning of the Parliament They onely note the Earle of Saâ—cerre the Chancellor and the Councellor Morâ—ier which did not pollute their soules with the approbation of this vniust sentence This sentence should in the end cause the ruine of all that were accused or suspected as well for matter of State as religion And for the execution of this desseine the forces of the realme diuided into foure marched already into diuers Prouinces vnder the command of the Duke of Aumale and the Marshals of S. André of Brissac and of Termes And with the same furie the King of Nauarre should bee confined into the Castle oâ— Loches the Constable and his children to the great Tower at Bourges the Admirall and some principalls into one at Orleans the which was afterwards called the Admirale neere to that of S. Aignan But behold there are two more violent and more brutish councellors Brissac and S. André they hold opinion that to auoide trouble in giuing the King of Nauarre any gardes they should put him to death they imploy both poison and sword but neither succeeds God had otherwise decreed reseruing these princes for a more honourable death But howsoeuer let vs confesse that the Lord hath strange meanes to punish the ambition of great men we shall scarce see any one of those which acte these furious parts vpon the theator of this Historie end his dayes by an ordinarie and naturall death The x. day of December approched and the Deputies for the Estates ariue by degrees They presently forbid them in the Kings name vpon paine of death not to moue any thing concerning religion his Maiestie hauing referred this controuersie to the Councell which the Pope being then Pius the 4. successor to Theatin lately deceased appointed to begin at Trent at Easter following Those of Languedeâ— amongst the rest came furnished with ample instructions both for the State and religion but they found meanes to stop their mouthes seizing both on their persons and instructions The ix day of the moneth they giue commandement to the King of Nauarre to be ready to go to horse-back their meaning was to carry him to Loches whilest they should present the prince his Brother vpon a mournefull Scaffold to the people of Orleans But O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue declared the worke which thou hast done in their time A miraculous deliuerie and in the old time before them Behold the King is taken during Euen-song with a great fainting continued with a paine in his head at the left eare accompanied with a Feuer The Guisâ—ens notwithstanding send forth many Commissions to leuie men and command the Marshaâ—l of Tâ—rmes to ioyne with the Spaniard who tooke the way of Bayonne to spoile the Country of Berne and then to assaile all those whome he should finde to haue fauored the King of Nauarre and the enterprise of Amboise It may be they would haue sold their liues deerely Seauen or eight hundred gentlemen go speedily to horse followed with fiue or six thousand foote resolute when the Marshall should passe Limoges to â—emme him in betwixt two riuers He hath some intelligence thereof and râ—tires to Poitiers This desseine being made frustrate the Kings sicknesse encreasing those of Guise meane to proceed with violence and to murther the King of Nauarre God raysed vp the Cardinall of Tournon who thinking to do a greater act preuents it Hee aduiseth to attend the Constables comming with his Children and Nephewes to the end sayd he that killing one we saue not the rest who afterwards may do more harme then the Princes The dispaire of the Kings helth made them of
be called Lieutenant generall to his Maiestie in all his countries and territories But this was but a gouernment in paper these strong partialities of two parties shall brieflie one assaile another making great wounds within this realme from whence wee haue seene the bloud runne euen to these latter dayes This treatie did preiudice them of Guise and in the end peace must needs send them from Court to liue at home like priuate men They had in their conceits the argument of a new Tragedie the which we shall shortly see plaied vpon this Theater The Protestants multiplied and the King of Nauarre supported them openly The Prince of Condé who pursued the sentence of his iustification in the Parliament and the Admirall had preaching in their chambers This string is strained too high They publish generally that these preachings will be the ouerthrow of the ancient religion within this realme and particularly among the Duke of Guises partisans That vnder colour of rendring accounts and of extraordinary gifts they would displace them hauing managed the most important affaires of the realme for the space of fortie yeares The Constable holding for a maxime That the change of religion brings an alteration in the state begins to applaude them the Duke of Montpensier and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon Princes of the bloud of Bourbon vpon this nice point of new religion ioyne willingly with them The people conforme themselues commonly after the patterne of great men Gâ—eat personages looke awrye one on another so do the people one beares the name of Huguenot impatâ—enâ—ly an other cannot indure that of papist in truth turbulent and factions names From hence sprong diuerse mutinâ—es 〈◊〉 Beauuais Amiens Ponâ—oise and elsewhere where the weaker was forced to yeeâ—d to the stronger These new broyles caused an Edict to be made at Fontainebleau where the Câ—â—urt remayned attending the renewing of the estates intermitted prohibiting these maâ—â—a reproches of Papist and Huguenot to serch no man in his house nor to retaine any one in prison for his religon From thence the King made his voiage to â—eims and was sollemnly crowned by the Cardinall of Lorraine The Kings coronation The Parliament at Faris not able to digest this last Edict shewes vnto the King That diuersitie of religion was incompatible in an estate reiects this pretended libertie of conscience and beseeched â—â—s Maiestie to force his subiects to make open profession of the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vppon such paines as should bee aduised on in Councell Now blowes a contrarie wind the which assembles in the Parliament at Paris all the Princes Noblemen and others of the priuie Councell with all the Chambers to the end they might freely Edicts of Iuly and withall puritie of conscience deliberate aduise and conclude vpon a matter so much importing the good and quiet of the Realme This assemblie brought forth the Edict which they called of Iuly an edict confirming the decrees of former Kings commaunding his subiects vpon paine of death to liue hereafter in peace without iniuries without reproches for any respect of religion â—â—nd beleefe But see the firebrand of ciuill warres which now we handle All religion faith or doctrine other then that of the Church of Rome was banished the realme asâ—emblies of Protestants forbidden and they condemned to seeke their abode elâ—ewhere Somewhat to temper this bitternes they lymit their exile by the determination of a generall Councell or next assembly of the Prelats of the Realme at Poisâ—y And at the same instant the sentence of the Prince of Condés innocencie was pronounced in Paâ—liament by the President Baillet in their scarlet gownes the dores open and all the chambers assembled the King of Nauarre being present with the Duke of MoÌ„â—pensâ—er the Prince of Roche-sur-yon the Dukes of Guise Neuers and Montmorency the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Guise Chastillon and other noblemen his remedie reserued against whome it should appertaine as the reputation and qualitie of his person and dignitie should require The King calling the Princes and Noblemeâ— to S. Germain in Laye hee caused the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Guise to embrace each other promising to continue good friends The Parliament remitted to Pontoise hauing produced no other effect but a new approbation of the Regencie for the Queene mother in whose fauour the Admiraâ—l laboured to the Estates relying vpon the great assurances she had giuen him to procure much good for them of his partie And the King of Nauarre by reasonâ— of the refusals which the Deputies made to passe this article declared vnto them by mouth that he had renounced his right and some meanes to open the cofers of the Clergie for the payment of the Kings debts they began to proceed to the conference of Poissy For the Catholiks came the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Armagnac Guisâ—e Chastillen and Tournon Conference of Poisâ—y assisted by a great number of Prelats and Doctors of Diuinitie and Canon Law The Pope doubting least they should make some conclusions preiudiciall to his authoritie sent the Cardinall of Ferrara his Legat into France to oppose himselfe against any alteration in religion and to haue the cause referred to the Councell of Trente the which he had published Theodore Beze Peter Martir a Florentin Augustin Marlorat Francis of Saint Paul Raimond Iohn Virel and other to the number of twelue ministers and two and twentie Deputies of the Protestant Churches offer a petition vnto the King at his first entrie beseeching him that the Prelats might examine the confession of their faith whereof they had had conference since the moneth of Iune to impugne it if they thought good at their first assembly and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches A PetitioÌ„ presented by the Protestants by the mouthes of their Deputies That the King should be president in this conference with his Councell and that the Clergie for that they are parties should not take vppon them the authoritie of Iudges That all controuersies 1561. might be determined by the word oâ— God That two Secretaries chosen on either side might examine the disputations that were daylie written and that they should not bee receiued but signed by either partie Before they entred into open conference the Cardinall of Lorraine would â—eate pâ—iuatly with Beza before the Queene Mother and hauing heard him especially vpon the Lords supper I am greatly contented sayd he with that I vnderstand and hope assureâ—ly that the issue of this Conference will bee happy proceeding with mildnesse and reason It began the 9. of September The King did breefely touch the causes of this assemblie causing his Chancellor to deliuer them more at large The Cardinall of Tournon in the behalfe of the Prelats demands the Chancellors proposition in Writing A 〈…〉 the Pr testants and leysure to consider thereof the which is refused Theodore with his companions brought in by the Duke of Guise appointed to that
the beginning Both Generals taken the other in the end of the battaile so as the field was left by both parties but after the retreat it was vewed and taken againe by the Duke of Guise and the next day as it were recouered by the Admirall who presented himselfe in battaile So the Prince had the aduantage ouer the dead the honour to haue made his retreate with order but the Duke had the aduantage of the victorie for that he lodged vpon the place of battaile spoyled the dead and wonne the Princes artillerie who a strange matter considering their hatred supped and lay all night with the Duke of Guise Doubtles it was a curtesie in the one and a resolution in the other By the taking of the two Commanders the Duke of Guise was declared the Kings Lieutenant Generall in the armie and the Admirall tooke the command for the Protestants Either had sundrie desseins The Duke to recouer the places held from the King the Admirall to preserue Orleans with more facilitie by the conquest of some places about it and then to finish his voyage into Normandie whether the treasor of England called him So hauing taken Selles in Berry Saint Aignan Montrichard and Suâ—â—â— vpon Loire he deliuered the gard of Orleans to his brother d' Andelot with foureteene enseigns of French and Lansquenets foure of the inhabitants of the Towne and a great number of the Nobility vnder the conduct of Duras 1562. 1563. Bouchauanes Bussy S. Cyre Auaret other voluntaries and tooke the way to Normandie thinking by this meanes to diuide the enemies forces who had Orleans for the cheefe obiect of their armes The fift day of February he camps before it and the next day hee wins the Portereau with the slaughter of foure hundred good French souldiars being abandoned by the Lansquenets who cowardly left the place they had in charge The 18. of the moneth hee was readie to giue an assault The seege of Orleans by the Duke of Guise and making his reckoning to winne the Towne he writes to the Queene mother that within 24. houres he would send her newes of the taking thereof and would make the day very memorable sparing neither sexe nor age that after he had shroued there he would extinguish the remembrance of the Towne But man knoweth not his destinie nor what shall happen vnto him The same day as he returned towards night vpon a little moyle from the Campe to the Castle of Coruâ—y his ordinary lodging Iohn Poltray Seigneur of Mercy a gentleman of Angoulmois mounted vpon a Spanish horse by his owne proper and priuate motion shoots him into the shouldar with a pistoll charged with three bullets and saues himselfe by flight but hauing wandred all night The Duke of Guise slaine he was taken the next day soone after hee was pincht with hot irons and so drawne in peeces with horses at Paris The Duke of Guise died the 24. of the said moneth and was interred at Paris with pompe like vnto a King Henry his sonne being yong of age was preferred to the place of great Chamberlaine and Lord Steward of France The Admirall in the meane time runnes ouer Normandie without opposition and followed with foure thousand horse he coopt vp them into their forts who had had free scoape since the taking of Roüen The Marquis of Elbeuf namely and Renouâ—rt a new Knight of the order molested by the Protestants of Caen tooke some and â—lue others The money artillerie powder with fiue companies of English and two of French which he newly receiued câ—me very fitly to reduce the Towne and the strong Castle thereof to his deuotion Mouy conquered him Honesfleu and the Lord of Colombiâ—râ—s Bâ—yeux and by this prize he so amazed the garrison of Saint Lo as they left the place The Admirall sent Montgomery thither who was receiued into Auranches without contradiction Vire being taken by assault endured the ordinary rigour of the war The Earle went on with his forces euen as the pacquet of peace arriued the which called the Admirall to Orleans So the 14. of March he marcheth thitherward the 18. he entreth into Berâ—ay by force and causeth some Preests to be hanged being found in armes and perswading the people to 〈…〉 paltâ—ie dog-hole Two daies after the Vicâ—nt of Dreux takes Aigle and put 〈…〉 sword that he finds armed Falaâ—se â—ompounds Argenton redeemes it selfe fo◠〈…〉 francks Mortagne a great vilage in Perche seduced by some 〈…〉 makes resistance They force it and the most mutinous pay for their 〈◊〉 with the price of their liues The mâ—â—ks of S. Calais had receiued garrison and 〈…〉 of the houshould seruants of the Lâ—â—d of Coigneâ— but now he takes a 〈…〉 and Ceruoy surprizing the Castle of Mezieres neere vnto Dreux makes 〈…〉 foreuer after vnable to beare armes So the Admirall re-enters into 〈…〉 and twentith day of March. At the beginning of the seege of Orleans the 〈…〉 the priuie Councel and certaine deputies of the Court of 〈…〉 â—ome to Chartres to arraigne said they the Prince of Condé The Duke of Guise had by this meanes giuen two strokes with one stone for the losse of the Prince of Condes head had strâ—ke of the Constables But Damuille hauing the honour to haue taken the Prince in battaile had likewise the honour to preserue his life by the dispersing of this assemblie Now that the Queene mother stands no more in feaâ—â— the Duke of Guises authoritie shee reuiues the treatie of peace begun before his death For the effecting whereof shee holds an assemblie in the Isle of Oxen where the Prince and the Constable assist being prisoners yet The Constable protests at the beginning that hee will not suffer any peace made with the conditions of the Edict of Ianuary The Prince craues leaue to conferre with his Councell in Orleans His Councell giues him to vnderstand that neither the Queene nor he can derogate from the Edict so solemnly made confirmed and sworne at the instance of the Estates and so notable an assembly of the Parliaments of the realme But the Prince was grieued to see himselfe garded by a companie of horse and three enseignes of foote and many Gentlemen had not of long time seene their families Moreouer they gaue the Prince to vnderstand A peace concluded at Orleans that the Articles of the Edict of Ianuary were not altered but onely to content the Catholikes that armes being laide aside they should by little and little obtaine free libertie So the articles of peace drawne in forme of an Edict were concluded the xii of March and all confirmed in the Kings Councell at Amboise the xix following verified in Parliament the xxvii and the same day proclaimed throughout the Towne by the sound of Trumpet The executions qualified with the name of Iustice the robberies generall priuate massacres committed in the persons of the Protestants at Paris Senlis Amiens Abbeuille Meaux Chaalons Troyes Bar vpoÌ„
armes and by a generall proclamation both within the Cittie and abroad commaunds them to arme and to fall vpon the Huguenots with warrant from the Pope the King and the Court of Parliament Then they kill they fill the prisons they massacre many When they find no holes to hold them the riuer is heaped vp with carcasses they cast them aliue out of the windowes and if they labout to recouer the banks they beat them downe with stones and staues The Protestants shut vp in the Towne house hauing no other helpe but to despaire of health resolue to sell their liues deerely They had Canon and with the thunder thereof doe amaze their enemies they make many sallies with great effusion of bloud on either side They treat an accord with them They demaund an assurance for their liues and goods with the obseruation of the Edict It is reiected and so this vnciuill fatall combat continues many dayes In the end the 16. of May they graunt them To retyre in safetie leauing their armes and harnes in the Towne house They goe forth towards night But oh confusion it is the best expedient to disarme an enemie with dispensation of conscience with whom they will keepe no faith At their going forth they imprisoÌ„ such as they can lay hand on the rest scape by the gate which they held some recouer Montauban or other places of their partie others are subiect to the mercie of the pesants and souldiars lying in the fields So as aboue three thousand fiue hundred persons saith the Originall lost their liues in this mutinie The Catholiks are now absolute maisters of the Cittie they beate downe the Protestants Temple and foure dayes togither they kill imprison and spoyle These broâ—es and popular tumults haue often times confounded the authors themselues and the spoile of rich houses is a very dangerous and attractiue bayte The Parliament knowes it well and begins now to feare least the insolencie of such to whome they had giuen libertie should fall vpon themselues They therefore leuie a summe of money to content the companies and to voyde the Towne of them So Montluc and Terrides march against Montauban Fourquenaux against Bezieres Mirepoix the yonger against Limoux The Court hauing the gouernment without controul displace two twentie Councellors that were least partiall and most suspect with some cheefe menâ— condemne prisoners and from the end of May vnto February following they execute by diuers manners foure hundred persons This massacre of Toulouse that of Gaillac in Albigeois against eight score persons Montauban and the approch of Burie and Monluc had so amazed the Inhabitants of Montauban as they abandon the Towne but the taking of Agen and the troubled estate of Bourdeaux as we haue heard called away both of them for this time In the meane time Arpaion and Marchastell putting two thousand men into Montauban had put courage into them when as newes comes that Monluc Terrides comes to beseege them with a thousand horse and fiue thousand foote the which made the Captaines take a new resolution to go to Orleans The people are amazed feare driues many out in confusion the drum sounds they issue forth tumultuously forsake the Towne and abandon the gates But which was the better expedient either to die in defence of their houses and families or to fall into the hands of the enemie from whom they might expect no mercy The most part being surprised in the fields were forced to yeeld their throats to their swords that pursued them others brought to Toulouse ended their liues vpon sundry gibets the Captaines and some few others recouered the Towne The 24. of May Monlucs armie arriues but being content with some skirmishes Three seeges of Montauban and to haue wasted the corne hee retyred to make a greater leape Hee returnes in September following with nine companies of men at armes a great number of voluntary gentlemen 25. enseigns of foot foure companies of Argoletiers and three of Spaniards which made twelue hundred men and thirteene peeces of artillerie The partie was stronger on either side then at the first for Duras and Marchastel were entred vnder hope to leade both the companies and Canon to Orleans So as Monluc hauing lost some six hundred men in diuers skirmishes and refused to fight with Duras who offered him battaile he retyred the second time Then Duras and Marchastâ—l leading away the troupes vnfurnished the Towne of two great Canons and two field peeces the which were afterwards lost in the battaile of Ver. Monluc aduertised of the estate of Montauban by Fontgraue one of the Captaines of the Towne hastens thither offers the scalado and giues the alarum in three parts Two hundred recouer the first courtyne being followed by the two enseigns of Bazourdan Laboria borne in the Towne and Captaine there beats them backe and with the slaughter of two hundred of their men forceth them to leaue their attempt to winne it by force The 13. of October they batter it with nine peeces of artillerie and continuing vntill the two and twentith of the moneth hee beates downe a peece of the wall Bazourdan will needs discouer the breach but being shott in aboue the left pappe he could not returne with any newes The next day they giue a furious assault the more couragiously the assailants presse them the more resolutely the assailed defend themselues men women and children euery one in his place Often times they obteine that vnder the foxes skin which the Lions cannot effect Labâ—â—ia might doe much to draw the Inhabitants to composition Terrides promiseth him the gouernment of the Towne vnder the Kings authoritie and three companies entertayned Hee accepts this offer But his new proceeding brings him presently into suspect so as hauing no more credit and the Cittizens resolute not to giue eare to any capitulation with men who hauing say they no faith cannot keepe it with any men Laboria followed by his sergeant retyres himselfe to Terrides campe from that time vnto the 15. of Aprill the day of the publication of the peace the seege passed in assaults sallies and skirmishes wherein the besegers lost aboue two thousand men with a great number of Captaines and worthie gentlemen without any profit Carcassonne Castelnaudarry Reuel and Limeux were partakers of these disorders The Protestants of Carcassonne had their exercise in the suburbs The 16. of March 1562. the Catholiks hauing taken vew of foure or fiue thousand men giue an â—larum to the Protestants assembled in the suburbs Carâ—â—ssonne and others they made them to leaue the place at the sound of their Canon drums and trumpets they pursue them kill hurt hang and ransome them Castelnau darry was subiect to the like fortune about fiftie persons were murthered with the like furie and popular tumult Those of Reuel hearing of the confusion at Toulouse saued themselues at Castres and els where leauing their famiâ—lies and goods to the mercie of theeues and robbers Some
one abandons the treâ—câ—es The second â—eege euery man flies and stayes not vntill they haue recouered the marches of Sauoy Crusol had recouered Serignon and Auranges in base Daulphiné la Coche surprised the Tower of Lemps in the beginning of the yeare 1563. whilest those of Grenoble victualed their place and prepared to indure a second seege About the end of February there comes against them eight thousand men foote and horse two great Cannons and three field peeces la Coche had to make head against them besides the Cittizens six hundred good souldiars nine braue Captaines and some voluntarie gentlemen who hauing repulsed the assaylants at the first assault preserued with the points of their swords both the sacke of their Cittie and the bloud of their Cittizens Prouence was betwixt the fatâ—er and the sonne Let vs passe into Prouence The Earle of Tande was Gouernour and of his two sons Sommeriue issued of the first ventre was Lieutenant for the King in his fathers absence Cipierre being then very yong borne of the second wife and the Lord of Corâ—eâ— of the house of Salusses sonne in Law to the said Earle were as many others did vant in those dayes mastiues which did defend the Protestants troupe Sommeriue a violent man and too bloudie did sodenly incense all Prouence against them and being aâ—med with force he made his gouernment famous by a horrible and generall execution of men dismembred hanged burned fled cut in peeces being aliue drawne through the streets cast downe headlong stabbed starued and such like miseries The Earle his father abhorring this generall desolation and not able by his authoritie to diuert his sonne from this wicked proceedings gathers togither what force hee can giues the command of the horse to Cipierre and of the foote to Cardet who by their armes kept all the Townes beyond the riuer of Durance except Pertuis vnder their command On the other side Sommeriue after the executions of Auranges before described Firâ—â— seege of 〈◊〉 hauing taken vewe of fiftie enseigns of foote and some Cornets of horse flâ—es fiercely to the seege of Cisteron being full of many Protestant families that were retyred thither and manned with eleuen companies vnder the Lord of Beauieu nephew to the Earle of Tande and three hundred men commanded by Furmeier The eleuenth of Iuly Sommeriue giues three assaults continued from three of the clocke in the after noone vntill night Most of the month was spent in skirmishes The prisoners on either side finding no mercy nor grace of the souldiars In the end Sommeriue fearing some new checke by the hands of Adrest who had lately wonne the battaile of Vourdas he went and intrenched himselfe three Leagues from Cisteron Cardet approcheth but he cannot by any deuice draw his brother in law out of his trenches So the Earle of Tande distâ—â—st for victuals rayseth his Campe puts some of his troupes into Cisteron and sends the rest to Adrets Sommeriue doubles his courage and force and the 27. of August followed by a hundred and two enseigns of foote The second seege and many horse beseegeth Cisteron anew on three parts and vpon an intelligence that was giuen him that Mombrun approched to succour the beseeged as we haue before specified Suze marcheth against him chargeth Mombrun Mombrun defeaâ—â—d kils about a hundred and fiftie of his men puts the other in route and wins two peeces of Canon which hee had lately lost This victorie was to Sommeriue a foâ—etelling of a good successe The 14. of September he ouerthrowes a hundred and fortie paces of the wall he planted two small peeces to batter the friars Three and thirtie enseignes of foot supported by a troupe of horse go to the assault and continue it with a wonderfull furie vntill seuen of the clock at night that pouder failing them on either side they fall to stones swords and handie blowes the greater number preuailing the beseeged abandon the breach retyring themselues with great losse and des Adrets returned into Daulphiné Senas Mouuans other Captaines seeing themselues vnfurnished of munition without hope of succours charged with a multitude of men not trayned vppe in warlike affaires togither with the enemies obstinate resolution they preferre the safetie of their liues and persons before the place and in the night recouer the straights the deseâ—ts of the mountaine and so come safe to Grenoble from thence they were conducted to Lions and there liued vntill the Edict of pacification Sommeriue at the breake of day sends some troupes after them but the difficultie of the waies and feare to loose their part of the spoyle stayed the pursute So the victors enter into this abandoned Towne and put to the sword about foure hundred women and children without distinction of age or religion Sommeriue is now master of Prouence leauing in all places pittiful signes of a bloudy victorie whereof the originall notes as principall instruments Carcez Mentin Flassans thrust forward especially by Bagarris Chesne S. Marguerite and others of the most seditious of the Court of Parliament of Aix who with all impunitie gaue libertie to all thefts spoyles and murthers so as after the Edict of pacification the Kings priuie Councell gaue commission to the President Morsan and some Councellors of the Court of Parliament at Paris to suppresse such disorders who by an examplarie punishment of many caused the following warres to bee managed with farre more moderation But the qualitie of some and the credit of others saued many heads which were prepared to vomit vp in open vew the bloud which their hands had too prodigally spilt As for the Duchie of Bourgogne Bourgongne Dyion Tauannes Lieutenant for the King in the Duke of Aumals absence loued siluer better then the bloud of the Protestâ—nts and the Parliament of Dyion hauing by vertue of letters obteyned the first of March 1562. forbidden the exercise of their religion Tauannes disarmes them puts the cheefe in prison forceth some to depart with threats others he expels violently The Maior and Sâ—erifs proceed farther they thrust forth wiues maids and children commaunding the pesants by proclamation the 7. of Iuly to set vpon the rebels not to receiue lodge nor feed them that are expelled the Townes a rigour which humanitie neuer vsed to the most barbarous they condemne them as guiltie of high treason that had carried armes or assisted them with ayd or counsel and they giue libertie to kill them all with impunitie that should hereafter assemble in any other places but in their ordinarie Churches This libertie bred many thefts and spoyles at Aussonne Autun and Beaune yet the people are commended to haue conteyned themselues within the bounds of modestie Chalon vpon Saone Mascon and Belleuille seized on by the Protestants serued them for a time as a Sanctuary and refuge Mombrun commanded at Chalâ—n with fiue hundred hargubusiers but being sodainly belegard by Tauannes and finding not the Towne furnished or defensable by
men with all impunity would in few yeeres giue cause of new confusions So by this peace the Germaine was sent home Elizabeth Queene of England held Newhauen whereof the Prince had put her in possession as a pawne and securitie for the money wherewith she had assisted his partie To make a breach betwixt her and the Protestants the English must be chased away by them that had called them in Newhauen recouered The King goes thither in person they likewise vrge the Prince to go with most of his partie and cause them to make the point The place is strong both by nature and art but the fresh water being cut off and the plague hauing wasted about three thousand men the Earle of Warwike entred into Capitulation the 28. of Iuly and the next day yeelded the place to the King One of the cheefe motiues that induced the Prince to yeeld so easily to these conditions of peace was the Lieutenant Generall which he expected by the King of Nauarres death and the Queene mothers goodly promises But to confirme her Regencie she puts the Prince from all his hopes She causeth the King to be declared of full age being yet but fourteene yeares old carries his Maiestie to the Parliament at Rouan makes him protest That he will not hereafter endure the disobedience that hath beene vsed against him since the beginning of these troubles that his pleasure was to haue the Edict of pacification duly obserued threatning such as should oppose or make any Leagues And afterwards by an admonition made in writing by the Parliament of Paris touching the Edict of his maioritie confirming that of pacification the Queene mother causeth her sonne to name her ouerseer and President of his affaires and for an answere to the Court according to the instâ—uctions of his mother I do not meane said hee you should deale in any other thing but with the administration of good and speedie Iustice to my subiects Vnderstand hereafter that you are not confirmed in your offices by me to be my tutors nor Protectors of my realme nor Gouernours of my Cittie of Paris as hitherto you haue perswaded your selues The King being returned to Paris the Duke of Guises widow his children and kinsfolk came solemnly and demanded iustice of the murther committed on the person of the deceased taxing the Admirall as the cheefe author thereof But it was not yet time to suffer these two houses to incouâ—ter That of Guise might receiue as much or more losse then the other and Catherine pretended to make her profit of the first To auoyd this brunt she causeth the King to command them to surcease this quarrel appoints theÌ„ another time to aduise thereon In the meane time she honours them with the cheefe charges and giues them all accesse and countenance neere his person The rest of the yeare was spent in the confirmation of many Edicts touching the Eccâ—esiasticall and ciuill causes and then was the Iurisdiction of Iudges and Consuls among the marchants erected and the notaries of consignations established As these things passed in France the Prelats assembled at the Councell of Trent prouided for the support and maintenance of the Catholike religion 1564. namely in this estate The Cardinall of Lorraine a man greatly practised in the affaires of the realme A generall Councel at Trent â—â—th all he can to root out the Protestants To that end they find this expedient That the Kings of France and Spaine should make a strict League and hee of Spaine sâ—â—uld giue the French such forces as were requisite for the execution thereof The holy League and in tâ—e meane time they should seeke all meanes to abolish the Edict which alowed the exerciâ—e of the pretended reformed religion that this treatie made for the preseruation of the Catholike 1564. Apostolike and Romish religion should bee called The holy League The Cardinall promiseth to imploy all his indeuours and meaâ—es to this â—â—fect and assures the assemblie of the willingnesse and good affection of the Queene mother and the Lords of the Councell The cheefe of this League were the Pope the Kings of France and Spaine the Princes of Italie the Common weale of Veâ—ice and the Duke of Sauoy Of the Emperour and the house of Austria they speakâ— diuersly So from the beginning of February they labour to produce some effects Theâ—r Ambassadors come to Fontainbleau demanded the obseruation of the decâ—â—es of the Councel throughout al France wherof the reading should be the fiue 〈◊〉 of March at Nancy in the presence of the Ambassadors of all Cathâ—liâ—e Princeâ— asâ—eÌ„bled to make a general League against those estates that were falâ—e from the obedience of the Romish Church They require also that in fauour of the Clergie the King should cause the alienation of Ecclesiasticall goods to cease as against the law of Gâ—d and preiudiciall to his Maiestie and the Realme That the Edict of pacification should be disanulled and heretikes rooted out namely such as had beene partakers of the Duke of Guises murther Behold new firebrands to cast this monarchie into the flames of a second ciuill warre But the fires of the first did yet smoake And things not being so soone prepared to enter into new homebred combustions the King answeres That he hath graunted the Edict to free the Realme from strangers and that hee hopes henceforth to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Church In the meane time such as were worst affected to the publike peace attempted many things contrarie to the Edict The Comissioners sent for the obseruation tâ—ereof The Edict of peace ill obserued had small credit in many places The Estates of some prouinces sayd plainely that they could no more endure two religions then two Sunnes the execution thereof had small or no effect in places where it was proclaymed the Magistrates delayed to appoint the Protestants places for their exercises and by their â—lacknes caused many to seeke their dwelling elsewhere to liue in quiet and safetie The complaints and discontents which â—ounded in the Kings eares from all parts gaue Catherine vnder colour to lead the King in progresse through the Prouinces of his Realme and by his presence to end many controuersies which euen then seemed to threaten him with some eminent confusion a goodly pretext of conference with the King of Spaine Charles begins his voyage by Champagne and through Bourgongne comes at Lions The voiage of Baâ—oâ—ne forbidding the Protestants the exercise of their religion following the Court yea euen in the Townes that were assigned them for their assemblies whilst his Maiestie should bee resident there The Protestants were here in great numbers and might well fortifie themselues againe at need To take from them all meanes they build a Câ—ttadell and the King stiâ—s not before it be in defence By the example hereof many other Townes receiued the like restraint whilest on the other side they diâ—manteled
and the Clergie Henry himselfe desiâ—ed rather to beare the title of Duke of Aniou in France then the King of Poland neyther was hee greatly pleased to make so long and so crosse a pilgrimage His most confiâ—ent seruants would willingly haue discontented the Polonois in their answer eyther to haue sent them away ill satisfied or to winne time vntill the spring But there was no remedie Charles could no more conteine himselfe amidest the complaints which came from so many parts of his realme but sometimes giues out threats against them which had abused him making him beleeue that after the execution of the 24. of August last past he should raigne free from confusions Strangers reproche him openly with the irreparable wrongs he had done to himselfe and to his subiects accuse him that in steed of a father he had beene a butcher and a hangman of his people or at the least taxed his honor with this title by the induction of the principal authors of this horrible disorder The delayes of his Brother displeased him Henry by his affability wonne the peoples hearâ—s The affection which Charles noted of long time in the mother to his aduancement as her best sonne the credit which the house of Guise had in him or at the least seemed to haue the hope which the Clergy grounded vpon his authority they had already recompenced these agreeable seruices which hee had done them with a present of three hundred thousand Crownes and had much augmented it if Rochâ—lle had bin taken made him to be suspected and fearefull to the King his Brother who euen then would willingly haue found the means to chastise such as vnder the shadow of his name had opened the way to so great iniustice such inraged furies But during these garboiles and confusions of affaires he found not any one of his Councellors of State that did teach him to dissemble and to conteine himselfe vntill that oportunity should giue him meanes of reuenge So his complaints and threats were carefully obserued and bitterly digested by such as it concerned The Queene Mother not able any longer to differ the departure of her sonne Henry King Charles falls dangâ—rously sick Go saith she my sonne you shall not continue long there And as Charles goes before vnto the fronter pressing hiâ— brother to follow him he is sodenly staied by a great sicknesse at Vitry in Champagne giuing occasion to his most confident seruants to thinke that aboue two attended the issue of his infirmity and to speake disgracefully of the Queene Mother the new King and their trustiest seruants whereof some retired from Câ—urt went to shrowd themselues in Brittany seeing that the vigour of the Kings youth had expelled the venom of his disease by his head neck and visage The King of Poland building vpon his mothers promises departed in the end of October being assured of the loue shee bare him aboue the other two She feared the humors and threats of Charles and Francis Duke of Alanson did not greatly affect the house oâ— Guise neither had he approued the massacre New practises in Court The malcontents who with a lesse odious name called themselues Politikes finde credit with him thinke him fit to reduce the affaires to a better course make him to repiâ—e at the small account is held of him they let him vnderstand how smal a proportion was allotted him for his maintenance the distrust they haue of his faith the opposition of the Q Mother to keepe him from the Lieutenancy of the Realme who gaue the King to vnderstand that by meanes of his malcontents hee might stirre vp some factious mutinie hauing the forces at his commaund the search was made of him and the meanes which were offered vnto him to restore the Realme Catherine was well acquainted with these practises but she cunningly makes her profit of them all during the Kings sicknes to auoid the danger when she pleased and to ruine one by an other at need as hereafter we shall see they will doe their best During these alterations those of Languedoc fortified themselues To keepe them at a sâ—ay vnder hope of some content they appoint a generall Parliament at Compiegne the Prouinces prepare their remembrances some Deputies were on the way with instructions and Commissions to speake boldly namely against the Authors and Councellors of murthers The Queene mother and her followers fearing the touch obâ—eine a reuocation of the States and labouring at the first to pacifie these deputies by promises and wordes in the end they change their countenances they vse threates and do so terrifie them as they returne home onely with a vaine hope to receiue satisfaction shortly to their demaunds and permission especially to them of Languedoc to assemble againe for the drawing of new articles concerning the preseruation of themselues and their associats the which they did afterwards at Millaud in Rouergue and those of Rochelle entred into association with them forced vnto it by the practises and deuises of Puigaillard Landereau the Baron of la Garde and others attending to surprise them but ended with the yeare and the liues of some that vndertooke it being publikely executed The fourth troubles begun with the massacres Beginning of the â—ourth troubles had some respite by the peace of Rochell but now this last conspiracie discouered and the practises to surprise them of Languedoc the secret leuies of men to assaile them sodainly giues an enterance to the 〈◊〉 The Protestants alleage for the ground of their arming the infinite outrages which haue beene done them within few monethes and send aduertisements and admonitions to the Princes Nobilitie the Parliaments and the Estates The Malcontents and such as were most inward with the Duke of Alanson foreseeing the shortnes of the Kings life yet not daring to complaine of it but in shaking of the shoulders and holding downe the head sollicit him to gett the Lieutenancie generall to represent the Kings person or if they will imploy him against them of Languedoc that he should seeke to saue the Realme from the violence of such as by the death of Charles and the absence of Henry would seeke to seize thereon Hee makes request vnto the King being at Saint Germain in Laye and the King doth acquaint the Queene mother and the Marshall of Montmorency with the Dukes desire To deny the Duke his request saith the Marshall were to do him wrong and to call his sufficiencie into question seeing the same place had beene giuen to the Duke of Aniou without demaunding it But the Queene mother and those of Guise desired it rather for the Duke of Lorraine whome soone after shee expresly called to Court and in the meane time seemes to beleeue that they bee practises of the Marshals of Montmorency and Cosse at the perswasions of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé to the end the Kings furie might bring to ruine both the one and the other She therefore takes
commentâ—ries in steede of pacifying all things past as he might easily haue done and haue giuen vs peace they cause him to resolue vnto warre making him beleeue that entring into Daulphiné all would yeeld vnto him where as the least dog-hoole made head against him the best of his conquests could neyther recompence the bloud of his men nor the treasure he should spend in this warre The Queene mother the Dukes of Guise and Neuers the Marshall of Retz the Chancellor Birague and some other newe bread Frenchmen disposed of the affaires at their pleasure in the secret Councells of the Cabinet Bad Councelâ—loâ—â— The King did willingly giue them authority and what might bee expected of men who gladlie would people France with newe Colonies of Italians Lorrains and Piedmontoâ—s carying onely to Court Ladies from the which he had beene sequestred almost a yeare with this nation which is lesse lasciuious then ours These pernitious Councellors cause him to protest by sundrie proclamations of his loue to the good of his subiects and to abolish what was past Ill Councell so as they lay aside arâ—es deliuer him all his Townes and liue quietly in their houses without any search constraint or molestation for matter of conscience A policy practised by them to entertaine the fire of ciuill diuisions to rule in this confusion and to fortifie a third partie which in the end we shall see will oppresse the King and bring the Realme to a very miserable estate The Protestants stood then the more vpon their gards they are full of iealousie distrust doubt and feare All those pattents made no mention of libertie for their religion neither of a Parliament for the politike gouernment nor of a nationall Councell for matteâ—s of conscience And what was it to graunt vnto the Rochelâ—oâ—s libertie of conscience and to forbid the exercise of their religion for a certaine season but to keepe their partie at a gase whilest by their great preparations which were made in all parts they should bee able to put a mightie armie to field to râ—ine them without hope of rysing So they arme on all sides espeally in Poictou The Baron of Frontenay afterwards Lord of Rohan in Brittanye beeing followed by threescore gentlemen and sixe hundred good soldiars puts himselfe into Lusignan which the Duke Montpenâ—â—er threatned and according to the leysure hee gaue him hee prouided for the fortifications and all things necesâ—arie to maintayne a memorable seege which might by the meanes of some succours consume an armâ—e before the Castell Seege of Lusignan About the beginning of October the Duke incampes before it and with a batterie of about two thousand three hundred Cannon shot thinkes to drawe the beseeged to a composâ—tion Their importuneâ— them but they answer they will attend a generall peace for all them of their religion He salutes them with twelue hundred and fiftie Cannon shot more makes a breach giues an assault vpon them and is repulsed and beaten back with great losse Fiue daies after the beseeged sallie forth and to reuenge the bloud of seauen yong gentlemen sixeteene soldiars and twentie that were hurt at this first assault they cloye fiue Cannons fire their powder kill nine Captaines and many soldiars bring away many Enseigns and returne laden with spoiles armes and prisoners This disgrace dispersed a part of his campe and made him to spend all the moneth of Nouember without any attempt against the beseeged In December the Duke fortified with twelue hundred Reistres and sixe hundred French foote presseth Lusignan againe and the more to hinder them he batters downe a mill which did furnish them with meale So their hand-mills not able to suffice they began to want bread To ease them of some superfluous mouthes they craue a pasport for some gentlewomen and other persons vnfit for the warre to returne to their houses or some other places of safetie But the hatred this Prince did beare to the Protestants had more force in him than the ordinary curtesie which FrenchmeÌ„ beare vnto Ladies He supposed the wiues Children should be an vrgent sting to draw their husbands and Fathers to yeeld speedely Nowe their horses serued them for foode the soldiars almost starued tooke away the bread violently as they carried it from the Ouen they brake into many houses in the night to seeke for victualls they had no wood but mouables and the ruines of houses ill clothed ill shod ill lodged no cleane linnen toyled with continual trauell to defend themselues both aboue and vnder ground to frustrate the mines which the Duke caused to bee made two of the which in their ruines buried many of the assaylants and gaue the beseeged courage to continue firme in their resolution The 23. of the moneth they begin to thunder with eighteene Cannons and foure Culuerins and the next day they continue the same furie with fiue and twentie peeces After diner they come to the assault the showers of musket shot comming from sundrie flankes makes the enemie retire and to leaue the breach full of dead bodies The greatest force was against the rauelin of la Vacherie which being woone by the assaylants makes them retire to the Castell that had it in gard At the first port of the Castell euery man did shewe his resolution all fight in the midest of the thunder fire and smoake and fiue houres togither dispute it with a doubtfull and bloudie fight In the end both the one and the other being tired with so furious an assault take breath the beseeged remayning masters both of the Towne and Castell being reduced to foure score cuirasses and foure hundred and fiftie harguebuziers resolute to liue and die both in the defence of the place and of their quarrell hoping that la Noue would finde meanes to send them some releefe Lasignan yeelded Not courage but force fayled them So as Frontenay the 25. of Ianuary accepted the articles of composition which the Duke offred vnto him by the Collonel Sarrieu Himselfe and his gentlemen to depart with their armes horses and baggage the Captaines and other Commanders euery one with a curtall if they had any their armes and baggage the soldiars with their harguebuzes their matches out and their Enseignes wrapt vp the gentlewemen and all others that would depart safely to be conducted to their houses or else to Rochelle Thus it was concluded This seege caused aboue twelue hundred men to be slaine a great number to bee maimed and ruined a mighty armie They endured ten thousand Cannon shot with many assaults and lost 25. gentlemen and about two hundred soldiars And the Duke for a memory of his losses caused the Castel of Lusignan to be razed being in former times one of the goodliest fortresses in Europe Such conquests were of more difficultie in Daulphiné the Protestants had mo places and mo Captaines at their deuotion Pousin Liuron Priuas and others did greatly hinder thetrafficke of Marseilles and Lions and
should be freed from all charges of warre and such as were no Gentlemen should bee eased of Subsidies for sixe yeares Hee disanulled all iudgements giuen since the decease of Henry the second in hatred of religion and lately against the Politickes Hee freed the Admirall and all others murthered from infamie restoring their children to all theâ—r goods Hee restored La Molle Coconnas and others executed or condemned for contempt to their honours Hee aduowed the taking of Armes by the Duke of Alenson and his associates as taken for his seruice giuing him the Towne of La Charité for two yeares Hee appointed a Parliament at Blois in Nouember following Hee cleered the Marshalls of Montmorency and Cossé of all accusations held them for innocents restored them to their former libertye and acknowledged them for faithfull seruants to the King and officers of the Crowne The Edict conteyned many other articles depending vpon the former and was allowed by the Parliament of Paris the 14. of May. So the Queene Mother granted much to many to giue nothing to any but to the Duke her sonne who alone gotte more then all the rest together Also Duke Casimir had no sooner turned his backe from France but they began to finde this peace to bee counterfet beeing made onely to disarme them and to diuide the Commanders The Prince of Condè did first feele the breach of these promises They denie him his gouernement of Picardie some seize vpon Peronne Breache of the peace and put in practise a strange peece of worke Diuerse enterprises vpon the Princes person make him to leaue the Duke of Alanson and to retyre into Guyenne to the King of Nauarre whom those of Rochell receiued into their Towne with much honour and great triumphing the eyght and twentith of Iune All such of his traine as they suspected were excluded Vpon deniall of Peronne the King granted to the Prince the Towne of Saint Iean d' Angely but the inhabitants had a watchword and a mutuall othe after the example of a priuate league made by three score Gentlemen of Poitou Preparatiues of new troubles who would haue no exercise but of the Catholike religion to maintaine one another and not to giue accesse to any one of what religion soeuer to the ende their quiet might no wayes at all bee disturbed or molested The Prince seeing himselfe to haue this repulse hee caused some Captaines to enter secretly and then assured himselfe of the place It was then found very weake for the assurance of his person against so many enemies that sought his death Hee therefore discouers a certaine practise against him but fatall to the Author alone In the ende of October hee takes Brouage a strong place neere vnto Rochelle The Catholickes murmure against him and accuse him as a disturber and breaker of the peace Contrarywise hee demanded Iustice against them that had seized on Peronne as troublers of the publicke quiet and guiltâ—e of treason The Protestants likewise complaine vnto the King That in diuers places they are disquieted in the exercise of their religion granted by the Edict That many Preachers mooue the people to sedition That the Chambers of both religions are not erected That Iustice is denyed them That both great and smaâ—l bandie against them And they produce ample and certaine proofes of these complaints and griefes 1567. Then those of the house of Guise studied to discouer those terrible proiects wâ—ich they had long hatched The cloake of religion was a plausible and fauourable pretexâ— to aduance the desseines of their pretensions Thâ— prâ—ct ses of the house of Guise They had of many yeares especially vnder Francis the 2. disputed of their beginning and of the rights which falâ—lie they pretended to haue vnto this Crowne Charles and Henry were become odious tâ—e first by his violences the last by his dissolutions Francis Duke of Aniou for hereafteâ— he shall carry that title had lately troubled France and was taken for a tuâ—bulent Prince a title vnpleasing to the people The diuision for matters of conscience seemed sufficient to keepe back the chiefe Princes of the bloud the rest were weake both of age and power Those of Guise in the meane time had neither forgotten liberalitie curtesie nor shew of zeale in piety to winne the Catholikes hearts The Queene Mother vsed them for a purpose that by the mutuall ruine of the one and the other she might maintaine her authoritie But their fauours within the realme were not auaileable The Protestants crossed them infinitely At Rome and in Sâ—aine they must seeke a forraine support They finde it fitly at Rome and in Spaine The Pope gouernes Catholikes consciences and great men do still finde in religion a well coloured pretext to trouble the State The King of Spaine feared least the peace of this realme should breed him warres The Prince of Auranges and manie Townes of the Lowe Countries cast themselues already into the Kings protectâ—on against the Spanish tyrannie They sollicite the Dâ—ke of Aniou instantâ—y and propound conditions vnto him which make him to open both eares and mouth and already many Gentlemen and Captaines armed for this quarrell So both the Consistorie at â—ome and the King of Spaine might well countenance these desseignes grouâ—ded especially vpon the defence of the Catholike religion the one for the zeale hee carries to the rooting out of heresie the other for the profit he reapes by our common diuisions And therefore those of Guise send their Agents to Rome with instructions and sheâ— That by the negligence of Kings issued from the house of Valois descending from the line of Hugh Capet in the which there appeared none but were dull or heretikes the Catholike religion decayed in this realme whilest that the race of Charlemaigne honoured with the blessing of the Romaine seate the which subsists not but by that race from the which they will make the world beleeue that they are descended in the direct masculine and lawfull line remaines despised although it be ready to serue the Church faithfully and that there liue at this day Princes of that race commendable for their vertues ready to spend their bloud and meanes to augment the dignitie of the Church and for the destruction of hereticks And therefore they beseech the Consistory to approue and fauour their desseignes Their chiefe desseignes were to ouerthrow the succession brought in by Hugh Capet Their desseignes in the full assembly of the Estates and to make the naming of a successor subiect vnto the sayd Estates to cause the Princes of the bloud that should oppose against the decrees of the Estates to be declared incapable to succeed vnto the Crowne And the residue of what qualities soeuer Noblemen Gentlemen and others degraded of their dignities the money growing of their confiscations to bee imployed for the warre and their bodyes to bee executed A reward to bee appointed for them that should roote out such as could not be
apprehended To make the Estates protest to liue and dye in the faith set downe by the Councel of Trent to cause it to be signed in the open Parliament To reuoke and disanull all publike Edicts in fauour of the Protestants and their associates and to pursue them to the death that should hinder the extirpation of heresies To cause the King to reuoke the promises made vnto the Protestants and to prescribe a certaine time vnto their associates in the which they should present themselues before the Ecclesiasticall Iudges to be absolued and then to be sent vnto the King to purchase pardon of the crimes committed against his Maiestie To cause the King to name a Lieutenant generall a Prince capable of experience and fit to encounter the rebellion of Princes that should seeke to hinder the effect of the precedent articles and who neuer had had part societie nor communication with heretikes 1476 to whome both hee and his Ancestors had euer beene professed enemies And to require his Maiestie to honour the Duke of Guise with that charge being indued with all the perfections requisite in a great Captaine and woâ—thie of that Commission To cause Iudges to bee appointed to examine the crime committed by the Duke of Alensoâ— declaring himselfe cheefe of the Heretikes authorising the exercise of herâ—sie and forcing his Lord and brother to augment his portion To cause the sayd Dâ—ke to come to Court with the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé and by ordinary and extraordinary forces to seize vpon the said Duke King Prince and all other that had accompanied them and followed them in their enterprises To cause such Captaines as the parrishes should giue to the Duke of Guise to put all Protestants their adherents and complices to the sword both in the Countrie and in walled Townes To subdue by force or intelligence the reuolted Prouinces to be masters of the field to blocke vp the Townes that were opposite and to put all to fiâ—e and sword that would make head against them And after this goodly and infallible victorie hauing wonne the loue of the Clergie Nobilitie and people to take exemplary punishment of the Duke of Aniou and his complices then by the Popes consent and permission to put the King and Queene into a monasterie as Pepin his Ancestor did in former time to Childeric and for an acknowledgement and in fauour of the Romaine Sea to abolishe the liberties and priuileges of the French Church These highâ— and great proiects were harkened vnto receiued and fauoured in the Court of Rome from that time those of Guise did not cease to dreame of the meanes to aduance the effects But this was to reckon without their host They haue compassed some of their conclusions but the end proued quite contrary to their meanings wherein wee admire a most singular prouidence of the King of Kings whereby hee hath vnto this day mâ—raculously balanced and in the end by his singular grace setled the estate of this Realme The articles of this association were fiâ—st drawen at Peronne in Picardie but disgâ—ised with goodly shewes The first League at Pâ—â—ronne to blind them that would examine them more exactly which were to maintaine the Law of God â—o restore the holy seruice thereof To preserue the King and his Successors in the Estate dignitie seruice and obedience due vnto him by his subiects To restore vnto the Estates of the Realme their rights preheminences and ancient liberties And for the execution of these articles a certaine forme of oath was propounded inflicting paines of eternall damnation to the associats that for any pretext whatsoeuer should withdrawe themselues from this League and a bond for such as should bee enrolled to imploy their goods persons and liues to punish by all meanes to ruine the enemies and perturbeâ—s thereof and to punish them that should faile or make any delaies by the authoritie of the head as he should thinke good This done there were nothing but posts carrying the first newes of these dessâ—ines They cast many libels throughout the streets in many good Townes they murmure that they arâ— too much supported by the Edict they practise some to serue as firebrands to kindle a new warre and vnder this plausible and commendable title of the name of the Church and diuine seruice the people a fit matter to nourish ciuill diuisions giues eare to such as seeke to thrust them into mutinie The King was daily aduertised of new complots Hee found that this match did kindle a fiâ—e of perpetuall combustions within his Realme On the other side hee hated the Protestâ—nts and would ruine them by degrees but not by such instruments as wrought without his authoritie His mother likewise hated them to the death and greatly deâ—ired the ruine of the heads being well content that these confusions should still diuide the French so as holding the staffe in her hand shee might terrifie her children and maintaine her authoritie make warre and giue peace whensoeuer shee pleased 1576. Thus she causeth the Duke of Alenson to come to the Court and the King to eâ—tertaine his subects of both religions The Duke of Aâ—erâ—â—n reconciled to the King in hope of better concord by meanes of 〈◊〉 reconciliation and to cut off all new factions he deferred the generall assembly of the Estates vnto the fifteenth of December following He presumed likewise that all hâ—s subiects abhorring the ruine of Townes the desolation of Countries and the spoyle of Strangers would gladly prefere the entertaynment of a peace sollemnly sworne before the continuance of warre and by this meanes hee should preuent all tuâ—bulent persons and bridle the Protestants whome he ment to consume otherwise then by open warre whereby neither his predecessor nor he himselfe had gotten any honorable triumphes The day appointed for the Estates comes the King himselfe begins it Hee â—aments the calamities of his realme The beginning of the Parliament whereof the tender age in the â—hich â—is brotheâ— and himselfe were in the beginning of these ciuill warres may well iust fiâ— them that they were not the authors and motiues Hee protests to haue no desseine nor desire but for the safetie and quiet of his people whose miseries hee would redeeme â—ith the price of his life Hee coniures the assembly to assist him in his hoâ—y res lution To deuise some meanes to redeeme the lands of the Crowne engaged for aboue a hundred millions of gold to vnite themselues firmely togither to roote out all â—eeâ—s of partialiâ—ies to reforme abuses establish Iustice and to restore the Realme to the ancient dignitie Birague the Chancellor adds the rest but the two maine poâ—â—ts of 〈◊〉 speech were to â—ustâ—fie the Queene mothers gouernment and to demand moâ—ey â—eter d' Espinac Arch-bishop of Lion and the Baron of Senecey are speakers the 〈…〉 the Clergie the other for the Nobilâ—tie and both conclude a publike exercise of one onely religion in
France Peter Versoris Aduocate in the Couâ—t of Parliament at Parâ—s Orator for the third estate The third Estate more in difâ—ereâ—t and moderatâ— iâ—sists especially for the vnion of al the kings subâ—â—ctâ— in one religion but by mild meane and without warre he beseecheth the King to maintaâ—ne his people in peace to reconcile his Princes and exactly to examine the bad gouernment of his treasor The King seemed to incline onely to alter some articles in tâ—e last Ed ct of pacification and not to abolish it quite but he was needie and feared that wheâ—ewith they threatned him That no man would assist him but vpon condition to make â—aâ—re against the Huguenots Thus the perswasions and promises of the Clergie Nobilitie preuailed more then those that preferred pâ—acable proceedings before violent making him resolue to armes warre concluded to roote out all other exercise of religion but the Catâ—â—like to banish all ministers deacons and ouerseers of the pretended reformed religion and yet to take all his other â—ubiects of the said religion into his protection attending that by better instructions they might be reclaymed to the bosome of the Church But the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde the Marshall of Montmorencie d' Anâ—â—lle and other Noblemen Protestation against the the Parliament both of the one and the other religion had well foreseene these conclusions and refusing to assist at this pretended Parliament conclude a Nâ—llity of all that should be decreed to preiudice the Edict of pacifiâ—ation protesting that they were resolued to maintaine themselues in the rights liberties and freedomes which the last Edict had granted them That the troublers of the publike quiet and the 〈◊〉 enemies of France should find them in a iust defence and they should answere before God and men for all the miseries that should ensue thereby For answere it was ordeined that men should be sent to winne some to the Catholike Church and all to the obedience of the Kings new Edict tending to maintaine the Romaine religion to roote out all other exercise to defend the King and to preserue his people The King thought by this opposition to stay this new faction which fortified it selfe daily It was a great indiscretion to countenance an association and League The King of 〈…〉 â—o the â—â—tates which vnder the ashes of the last warre being yet hot couered the coales of a generall flame The King of Nauarre beseecheth the Estates by the Duke of Montpeâ—sier who was sent vnto him not to infringe the Edict of peace and to suffer them of the religion to inioy that which had beene so sollemnly granted He offers to â—â—bmit himselfe if they shew him how he erres but he intreats them 1â—â—7 that in a matter of â—o great importance they will giue him time to thinke seriously thereon and to attend the opinion of an assembly of those of his religion and of the Catholicks associats which shortly shall be made at Montâ—uban The Prince of Condé answers more sharply That he doth not acknowledge them that are assembled at Blois for the Estates of the Realme but a conuenticle of â—ersons corrupted by the sworne enemies of the Crowne who haue sollicited the abolition of the Edict to the ruine and subuersion of the realme That if they had beene lawfully called he would haue assisted for the sincere affection he beares to the Kings seruice and the quiet of his country That hee will neuer giue his consent to the counsels of the Authors of so many confusions which hee foresees wherevnto hee hath alwayes knowne the Kings disposition to be repugnant and a friend to vnion being the sure and principall meanes to preserue his Crowne That hee hath alwayes honoured the Clergie and Nobilitie and will maintaine them with all his power but he pittâ—es the people whom these pretended Estates of Bloâ—s seeke to ruine The chiefe of the Politicks protest The dâ—clâ—raâ—ion oâ— the Politikes That they doe not cleaue to any other religion then that of their Fathers but as touching a generall peace they cannot allow of this resolution To take from the Protestants the publike exercise which had beene so solemnly granted them The Duke of Montpensier being returned perswaded to haue the Edict confirmed The third estate presented a new petition vnto the King beseeching him to vnite all his subiects in one religion but without violence Doubtlesse a King may well destroy euery priuate man but not all mankinde in generall One succeeds another and the children whose age and innocency doth naturally free from the rigour and violence of armes doe inherite the humours passions and quarrels of their fathers The Protestants ioyntly beseech the King The Protesta t s supplication not to suffer this assembly which they cannot allow for a generall Parliament to consult vpon the point of religion due vnto a free Councell The Estates sayd the King should neyther be free nor generall if I should make this prohibition And as they may demand what they pleâ—se so may you doe the like and I promise you in the word of a King and of an honest man that whatsoeuer I ordaine shall bee for the contentment of all my subiects and the quiet and peace of my realme In the meane time they consult how to leuâ—e mâ—ney for the warre The King giues notice to his Gouernours and publisheth by â—is Letters Pattents That hee is resolued to grant the Estates their requests touching the exercise of one onely religion And Villequier is sent to the Princes of the Empire to diuert some from their affection to the Prince of Condé and his adherents and to obteine from others a leuie of Reistres The sixâ— ciuill warre Thus the warre begins in Guyenne The King of Nauarre attempts vpon Marmande a Towne of his gouernment but without effect The Duke of Mayenne comes for the King and whilest hee is the strongest in field hee batters takes and sackes Thone-Charante Marans and other places thereabouts During the Parliament By the Duke of Aniou and the Deputies of the Lowe Countries came to demand succours of the King and the Duke of Aniou for Protector of their liberties and priuileges against the tyranous gouernment of the Spaniards He is now declared the Kings Lieutenant general They deliuer him a mighty army with the which contrary to the othe taken by him in the obseruation of the accord and promise past with the Prince of Condé and the Duke Cassimir hee besiegeth and takes La Charité by composition and Yssoire in Auuergne by force where the bloud of the inhabitants shed without pitty by the Duke of Aniou confirmed the Protestants in the bad opinion they had conceiued off him Rochelle crossed the practises of the contrary party of Mayenne whose happy exploits caused the Duke of Mayenne to send forth a Nauie to Sea vnder the command of Lansâ—c which presenting it selfe Before the Isle of Ré retyred seeing the Ilanders resolued
the Prince on this side the riuer of Loire amongst many â—â—myes of enemies hauing no bridge at his deuotion without boates to repasse or any hope of succour Then that cheerfull hope which had brought that little armie turnes into conâ—â—sion and disorder for the Duke of Mayenne had passed the Loire at Orleans with â—â—â—teene hundred horse Reistres and French to cutt off the Princes way if hee reâ—assed the water The Duke of Espernon and the Marshall Biron kept Beausse towards â—â—â—â—eualle to meete with him La Chastre had drawne vp the mylls and boats and kept the passages of Loire The Duke of Ioyeuse marched at his backe Entragues Gouernour of Orleans came to crosse him and all the Commons did rise On the other side the Princes troupes were tyred He failes of two or three passages vpon 〈◊〉 riuer whereof hee made account betwixt Blois and Amboise The amazement increaseth and his number decreaseth such as had friends in Beausse Dunois Perche Veâ—â—osmois or Maine steale aâ—ay The Lord of Rohan aduising hiâ— not to thrust himselfe into an apparent ruine had turned head towards Brittaine Al the foresaid enemies forces would within few dayes charge him Being neere to Vendâ—sme hee leaues the cheefe charge of the retreat to Clermont and Saint Gelas ordereth the companies prouides for his househould seruants The Prince of Conde in rout and at eleuen of the clocke at night he parts accompanied with the Lords of Tremouille Auentigni and few others Finally after infinâ—â—e toyle and dangers past he recouered the Isle of Greneze lying in the English seas and so London being receiued by the Queene with all the honour and fauour hee could desire and then by her commandement accompanied with a good number of the Nobiâ—itie and men of warre in shipps well appointed he repassed the seas obtaining a sufficient conquest to haue saued himselfe and a rich spoyâ—e to haue returned with his head to â—ochell rather then to the Greue or the Hales at Paris Saint Gelais Bois-Dâ—lie Aubigni la Tifardiere and some others are commended to haue wiâ—ely preserued these broken troupes nâ—ere to the forest of Marchenoir diuided into small companies of twelue and fifteene whereof notwithstanding the Townes of Orleans Blois Amboise Tours and others thereabouts were straightly garded maâ—y repassed the Loire Saint Gelais and others taking the high way to Paris crossed many companies dispersed in Beausse and hauing wandred long in the forest oâ— Orleans in the end they passed the riuer neere to â—yen and at last recouered Rochelle where the Prince the cheefe of the armie and the most part of the troupes were already in safetie The lightnings of Sixtus 1586. and the second Edâ—ct of October had wonderfully mooued the King of Nauarre An other complaint of the King of Nauarâ—e Now he complaines to the Câ—ergie to the Nobilitie to the tâ—ird estate and to the Parliament of Paris of the breach of the last Edict of peace and that they had caused the question of succession to a King yet liuing to bee decided at Rome that they would make a Prince of the bloud of France subiect to the Pope that they suffer the Consistory to giue that which belongs not vnto it and that the Pope disposeth of realmes and principalitieâ— at his pleasure Then hee sheweth the miseries which these vnciuill warres will breed he exhorts them not to serue as instruments to the Leaguers to ruine the King and his Realme And finally seeing they are so ill adâ—uiâ—â—d he protests as before That both he and his will vse all lawfull meanes to resist the violence of their enemies and casts all the miseries that shall ensue vppon the authors thereof Strangers deale earnestly in the cause The Princes of Germanie make intercession to the King Intercesâ—â—on of â—orraine 〈◊〉 at the King of Nauars instance that hee would be perswaded at the humble petitions of his neigâ—bours and that opening his eyes at the teares and his eares at the complaints of his subiects he would maintaine his owne good quiet honour and â—aith his Crowne and reputation and preserue a body wounded vnto death But those of Guise kept him in awe He speakes not but by the mouth of the League I make and change said he vnto the Ambassadors my ordinances as necessitie doth require for the good quiet of my subiects and leaue the care to all Soueraine Princes to gouerne their people as they shall thinke fiâ— I haue the feare of God liuely grauen in my heart neither will I do any thing against the honour of my conscience and the fatherly â—are I haue of my people This â—â—eaâ—ed the League they are now on horsebacke The Duke of Mayenne marcheth with about two thousand horse The Duâ—e of 〈◊〉 armâ—e French and Reistres twelue regiments of foote and sixe thousand Suisses He must bring the Princes of the bloud prisoners to Paris in triumph their Captaines chained and couer the fields of Xaintonge Poictou and Guyenne with their slaughtered souldiars returne victorious and bring to the King the conquest of all the places that made resistance But what exploits what triumphes The wrath of God ruines his men in those Countries He beseegeth batters and takes some silly places which are scarce noted in the French map as Montignae Beaulieu Gaignac Castels and saint Bazille vppon Garonne Montsegur Castillon Fuynormaâ—d in Perigueux 1586 and the most part by composition but badly obserued leauing behind him Figeac Cadaillac Caior the houses of the Vicount of Gourdon Montfort Bergerac and Saint Foy places of importance all held by the Protestants The difficultie of passages the ouerflowing of riuers the vehement cold the continuall raine want of money munition victuals and supplies of men withdraw him from this warre to go winter at Bourdeaux there in the middest of his loues to make some enterprises vpon the Castels to the preiudice of the Marshall of Matignan So the most of his Soldiars deteined long without either honour or profit disband of themselues and the Duke brings from this voyage a more famous spoile the heire of Caumont being but twelue yeares old to giue her to one of his sonnes Hee had before time done better in Daulphiné where keeping his faith inuiolable hee had happily preserued his reputation and credit Indeed hee then liued onely vnder the Kings lawes and obedience and now hee spends much time labour and money to effect little in Guyenne In the meane time the Prince of Condé renued the warre assisted notably by the Earle of Laual and Saint Gelais who commanded about foure hundred and fiftye men and by the new conquests of Dompierre a Castell neere vnto Saint Iean belonging to the Marshall of Rez where the booty repayred the losses late suffred by the souldiars of Royen a strong place neere vnto Brouage of Soubize Mornac in Alleuâ—rt Mondeuis and others defaced the greefe of the former crosses In the midest of these prosperities hee tooke to his
of the League Sedan and all that Principalitie â—erued as a retreat for the neighbour â—rotestants and as a Port for strangers to enter into France These are the Pretexts â—herewith he couers his desseins but hee had another principall motiue from Seâ—an the King had intelligence of all that was practised in Champagne and Lorraine in tâ—e â—â—aâ—e 1585. When hee sees himselfe master of Douzy Rocroy and Raucourt Duke of Bouillon chieâ—e oâ— the Germaine armie hee passeth the Meuze enters into the soueraintie of Sedan afflicts the countriemen with all the cruâ—â—ties that warre could imagine whilest that famine presseth them within the Towne To diuert this storme which threatned Sedan the Duke of Bouillon causeth Schelandre Gâ—â—ernour of Iamets to sett vpon Verdun a Towne on the side of Champagne which had tumuâ—teously runne into the League The Duke of Guise runs to succour it and by 〈◊〉 abâ—ence giues the Duke of Bouillon meanes to succour Sedan Thereuppon the Queene mother at the request of the Dâ—ke of Montpensier vnckle by the mothers side to the Lords of Sedan procures a truce for fifteene dayes betwixt the two Dukes 〈◊〉 the which the enterprise vppon the Castâ—e of Iametz for the Duke of Guise 〈◊〉 fatall for the vndertakers disposed their wills to a second truce of a moâ—eth This fell out happely for the Germaine armie whereof hee was named Lieunant generall vnder the Duke Iohn Casimir who substituted in his place the Baron de Onaw the minoritie of the Elector Palatin nephew and pupill to the said Duke hindring him from marching in person prepared to make their musters in the plaine of Strashourg So the Dâ—ke of Bouillon goeth into Alsâ—tia with foure hundred horse and eight hundred harguebusiers to make them aduance and the Duke of Guise comes to the King to Meaux to receiue said hee his maiesties commaundements in â—o great and so important a cause but in effect to complaine That sinâ—e the reuocation of the Edict of peace The Duke of Guise complaines of the King hee had followed the warre against heretiks with so small fauour as the King had suffered them in their howses to inioy their goods and estates peaceably That in steed of selling and imploying them to their ruine hee caused the reuenues of the Cardinall of Pelleué to be seized on a man borne in France but Espanâ—olised at Rome for that in open consistorie hee had vertuously maâ—â—taiâ—ed the iust motiues of the taking of armes by the Catholike Princes against tâ— Huguenots That tâ—is warre had more aduanced the Mignons then ruined the Heretikes and that the money raysed by the subuention of the Clergie serued to entertayne the said Mignions That neither the Kings Councell the Parliament of Paris the inferiour Iudges nor the Prouost of Paris had sworne this last Edict That the Townes which had demaunded the extirpation of heresie and the reuocation of the last Edict â—f peace were treated like enemies That hee had caused the Cittadells of Lions and Mascon to bee beaten downe surprised that of Valence disgraced Brissac Crusâ—lles Gessâ—â— Entrâ—gues and others and peruerted the assignations which he had giuen him to be repaied the money the which hee had disbursed in this last leuie of men of warre But the King knew well how to counter-ballance these complaints of the League with their owne breach of the articles of Nemours Hee had well obserued The King complaines of the Duke that their insolent passions aspired to some greater desseins then the articles made 〈…〉 Those of Guise had demaunded Townes of assurance against the Proteâ—tants in those Prouinces where they were not at all to bee feared The Duke of â—umaâ—e had newly surprised Dourlans and Pontdormy but hee had failed of Boulâ—â—n through the fidelitie of Saint Marâ—a They had lodged in their Cittadell of Vitri le Fraâ—scâ—is an Italian at their deuotion and toke an oth of many Gouernours to hold their places for the Dâ—ke of Guise Bâ—t the Kings meaning was to liue and reigne yea though he did buie a good peace to the contentment of both parties But the contrary desseines of the King 〈…〉 and the Duke of Guise could not bee reconciled and hee had no meanes to 〈…〉 betwixt both but must leane to the one or the other side nor oppresse the one â—â—tâ—out raysing of the other To conclude not daring to shew himselfe a King hee 〈◊〉 all the cheefe of the League The King desires peace to become counterfeit Kings Hee exhort 〈◊〉 Duke of Guise not to expose the Estate in prey to procure the contentment 〈…〉 King the libertie of the Clergie the dignitie of the Nobilitie and the peoples â—aâ—e by other meanes then that which destroyes the honour of the Soueraigne 〈◊〉 the Churches sacks the gentlemans bloud and driues the people into despaâ—â—e and inuites him vnto peace by promises of aduancement for his house and partie But a warlike mind will haue nothing but warre The Duke could neither endure the seaâ—â—â— nor the cure thereof Thus peace is banished The Duke seeks all meanes to assault the Huguenots The Duke will haue war and beseecheth the King to stoppe the armie of strangers whicâ— were euen now vpon the fronter that they might not returne into Germanie with a victorie ouer France and a triumph ouer the Catholike Church Still must this venerable pretext of religion serue to colour the wicked passions of men He procures many commissions Warre concluded especially for his brother the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphine for the Duke of Ioyeuze in Poitou and for himselfe against the Protestants armie If the King had not shewed the like care on his part the people would haue sayd that as long rest doth dull the courage of a horse so since the Duke of Ioyeuzes â—arriage the pleasures and delights of Court and the solitarines of Vincennes had much deâ—aied his accustomed generositie He therefore diuides his forces into three armies The first at Chaumont in Bassigni consisting of fiue and twentie companâ—es of men at armes The Kings forcâ—s twelue enseignes of foot in the regimeÌ„t of â—sâ—luseaux sixe of Ioannes sixe of Gie with many other blankes signed for other commissions at the will of the Duke of Guise who increased this armie with foure hundred Lances and two thousand Italian foot sent by the Duke of Parma the Duke of Lorraine suffering himselfe as the eldest of the house to be caâ—â—ied away with the vaine hopes that were giuen him of a good poâ—tion in the pretended succession of Charlemagne held also goodly and great forces vpon the fronter at the Duke of Guises deuotion The Duke of Montpensâ—r commanded the second at Saint Florentin neere vnto Troyes The King with his presence honoured the third at Gyen stretâ—â—ing along the riuer of Loire to keepe the King of Nauarre from ioyning with his stâ—angers on this side the riuer The Duke of Ioyeâ—ze presuming of an assured victory lead an other army
writes vnto them Our great could not execute his desseine the King hâ—uing saued himselfe within Chartres I wish you to retire to your houses as quietly as you may â—aking no shew to haue seene any thing And in the ende I am so amazed as I knowe not what to doo I beleeue him Kings haue long hands they catch a farre off and their blowes are dangerous So hereafter the King shal free himselfe from the leaguers party but he shall be little the better The Duke is no lesse troubled in minde seeing the Sunne of the royall Maiesty eclipsed hee seemes grieued rebukes the people causeth outrages to ceasse deliuers the French companies their armes and puts them out off the Citty but at Saint Anthonies gate quite contrary to the waye which their Maister tooke In such mutinies no minde bee it neuer so resolute continues stâ—ll constant in one Estate The Duke of Guise sees now that the greatest of the Clergy approue not these newe insolencies their callings haue more grace vnder the beauty of a King then in the confusion of a Democraâ—ie The French Nobility at the least of ten parts nine cannot fit themselues to the humors of the Princes of the League their proper and eâ—â—entiall forme iâ— to oppose themselues against the subuersion of this Estate The Gentlemen hold their honours dâ—gnities charges fees and iurisdictions by homage of the King and foresee that a royalty cannot be suppressed but the Nob lity must likewise perish there is the like reason but without proportion of the obedience and taxe due vnto a King as of a rent due vnto the Lord of a Mannor hee that hath withdrawne himselfe from the first will likewise free himselfe from the last Hee sees that the learned men of honour abhor tâ—is disgrace lately done vnto the King The Court of Parlament resolues to abandon Paris All France is offended with the Kings departure and without the Kings person the Tragedy of Chilperic cannot well bee played nor the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid perfectly effected It is therefore better to play the dutifull seruant and making vnto the King some shew of respect seruice and obâ—dience to labour to returne into Grace and at the fiâ—st opportunity to effect their purpose The Duke seekes â—o returnâ— into â—auour So the Duke of Guise not able to support himselfe in these high attempts falls flat downe Hee protests of his innocencie to the King and of his endeauours to checke the peoples fury hee offers to prostrate himselfe at the Kings feete to iustifie his honour the which hee saies is strangely wounded by his enemies that are about his Maiesty But on the other side the glosse doth ill agree with the text hee chooseth a Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes at his pleasure receiues the Arcenall the Bastille and other places of strength deposeth many quarter maisters and Captaines takes an oath from such as he installs seizeth vpon the Kings treasure as he had done at Chaalons Reimes Soissons and through all the towns of his obedience And if this mischiefe continues said he I protest to preserue both the Religion and the Catholikes Then by other letters written to Bassompierre a Lorraine The King leuies forces and so do we He is at Chartres and we at Paris Espernon is chased out off Normandie the kings seruants are imprisoned in many great townes the lesser send to submit themselues to Paris and vs. Whilest the Duke prepares a salue for the so are which he had made and the Parisiens perswade their associates to mainteine themselues ioyntly against the King of Nauarres with whom they said the King had made himselfe a partisan to the preiudice of religion and the Catholike Church his Maiestie exhorts his Lieutenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces to retaine the Nobility and people within those limits of duety and respect which tie them to their Soueraigne and the chiefe citties not to frame their affections after the modell of Paris But he speaks no more like a King his stile is the stile of a man that flies that feares that intreats And to repaire this disorder he imployes the Queene Mother The Queene Mother imployed â—or a peace But how could this turbulent spirit cure the infirmities of the Estate being irreconciliable in her hatred to the princes of the bloud and transported in her affection to the children of her daughter the Duchesse of Lorraine She aduiseth the King to passe ouer quietly the insolencies of the league but there is no likelihood she should more regard the profit of her sonne then the aduancement of the Marquis of Pont her grandchild She brings to this newe common weale for the royalty seemed now to be changed into a Democratie complaints and teares against the brauings and force of a couragious Prince and a furious multitude And promising effects of greater zeale to Religion more respect in the distribution of offices and more moderation in the exaction of subsidies she presumed to giue contentment to those who made shew to imploy themselues for a generall â—eformation and to reduce the most violent to their obedience But this serues but to breed a second treaty like to that of Nemours Paris without the King is a body without forme the most iudicious find it and lament his departure The late orders of religious men haue great credit with him They send the Capuchins in procession vnto Chartres to mitigate the heat of his choller and then the chiefe of the Citty went to excuse the motiues which had forced the people to defend themselues and to beseech him to returne to Paris where hee should be â—eceiued with as great ioy as his subiects were grieued to vnderstand of his departure and should finde better seruants then those which had councelled him to ruine and then to leaue them and to graunt them seuen principall points of their petition The extirpation of heresie by the forces of his maiesty and the holy vnion Seuen demâ—nds of thâ— leâ—gue The banishment of the Duke of Espernon and of his brother la Valette Warre in Guyenne by the King in person and by the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphiné Abolition of the tumults of Paris Confirmation of officers chosen for the managing of ciuill causes since the Barricadoes A restoring of the goodly and auncient ordinances of the Realme And an abolition of parties gifts and abuses brought in by Espernon and â—a Valette The Qâ—eene mother presents these Deputies and the King vrged by the league to graunt their request le ts the Cardâ—nall of Bourbon and the other Princes vnderstand The Kings answer That the peace and warre the battells wherin he hath so willingly exposed his person and the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Reistres haue alwaies beene sufficient testâ—monies of his zeale to the mainteynance of the onely Catholike religion withi◠〈◊〉 realme to the extirpation of heresie and false doctrine but iealousyes and distrust had preuented him from reaping the fruits
of the aduantage which he had ouer the said heretikes That for a present reformation of affaires and to preuent the feare the Catholikes had to fall vnder the commaund of heretikes he would call a Parlement of the three Estates of France and resolues presently to reuoke many impositions which oppresse the people As for the priuate complaints against the Duke of Espernon and his brother I will saith he alwaies make it knowne in all occasions that I am a iust Prince and will preferre the common profit of my Realme before any other consideration The duke of Espernons iustification But the two brethren Espernon and la Valette say To what ende should they make an enterprise at Paris to take the Duke of Espernon who was then in Normandie and why made they â—arricadoes euen to the gates of the Louure armed the people and seized vpon all the chiefe places of the Citty to chase la Vallete from Valence and other parts of Daulphiné where he remained And if the confusions of former ages haue kept other Kings from acknowledging our fathers seruices and he hath rewarded his merits in his children what bee those iealous and malicious heads that enuy our fauours with his maiestie What censure what rigour what lawe may keepe a King of France from aduancing to authority some fauourites who reuiue in them the vertues of their ancestors Moreouer the League makes mention in what places our fauour hath beene imploied the treaties of the Duke of Espernon in Guienne his being acquainted with Cleruauts negotiation for the Huguenots of Metz the enterprises hee hath made vppon Cambray his late fauour to the Reistres in their returne his secret conference with Chastillon the consultations of that tumult which hath lately happened in Paris the taking of Vallence Tallard Guilestre and other places from the Catholikes of Daulphiné and his practises to stay the yeelding of Aussone But we say would to God we had in like sort taken Chaalon Dijon Montrueil Cambray and all that are subiect vnto his Maiesty within the heart of France They tearme vs fauourers of Heretikes And yet we haue in sixe moneths taken from them by the sword all their conquests in Prouence the King since the death of Henry the bastard and Grandâ—Prior of France had giuen this gouernement to the Duke of Espernon which former Gouernours could not do in twenty years The taking of Sorgues in Daulphiné by vs two during the frozen time of winter and the ouerthrow of the Hugâ—enots Suisses by la Valette but especially the last disvnion of the Suisses from the Reistres which made the way for the Duke of Guise to defeat them at Auneau and the discontent wherein the Duke of Espernon left the King of Nauarre at his departure out off Guienne are not these sufficient testimonies that their accusations are as friuolous and malicious as the sale of offices wherewith foâ—ke chaâ—ge them for iustification whereof the Duke of Espernon offers to present his head at his Maiesties feete if it be proued that he had euer any such thought in his soule Contrariwise who hath during the reignes of Henry the second and Francis the second managed the treasure without controll but the house of Guise whereof the latter â—ollow the steppes of their Predecessors Who haue forced the King to exact vpon his subiects but the warre which they haue kindled and drawne his Maiesty into what house did euer from so small a beginning grow to so fearefull a greatnesse To conclude no man shal blame vs for being Pensionars to the King of Spaine to haue hindred our King from the recouery of the Seigneuries of the Lowe Countries nor to haue stollen away the reuenues of his generall receipts Wee will no wayes hinder this goodly reformation we are not in Court nor in the Kings presence Let vs see the first fruits of this so commendable a gouernement Haue you left Paris haue you yelded it to the King your Lord and naturall Prince Nothing lesse you haue reuolted Câ—rbeil Melun and Pontoise you haue with false perswasions withdrawne the best Citties of the realme But we will in protesting to bee ready to deliuer iâ—to his maiesties hands with our liues and honor all the offices â—harges gouernements and places which it hath pleased him to commit vnto vs inuite our accusers to doe the like And if they will pretend in quality of persons let them vnderstand that whatsoeuer eyther party holds it appertaines vnto the King neyther can they keepe it but at his pleasure Thus the two brethren iustified themselues whilest the Court of Parlement makes knowne vnto the King by their Deputies their griefe for this insolencie which had forced him to abandon Paris They appeale vnto his clemencie and bounty Deputies of the Parliament with the King They present for an humble excuse of his officers the weaknesse and feare which had forced them yeeld to so violent a reuolt beseching him to returne into his Citty and to giue rest and content to his Maiestie order to his affaires grace to their purple robes and authority to their offices and by his presence to disperse the mutinies which diuisions had bred For answer The Kings answer I doubt not said the King but you would willingly haue reformed this disorder if it had beene in your power neither of your persisting in the same affection and fidelity which you haue testified to my forefathers I am not the first that hath beene toucht with such afflictions neither will I leaue to be a good father to such as shall be good children I will alwayes intreat the Parisiens with the quality of a father as children that haue strayed from their duty not as seruants that haue conspired against their maister Continue in your offices and receiue from the Queene my mother the commandements and intentions of my will This answer was soft and colde but after dinner he addes a sharper part and calling back the Deputies I know saith he wherefore garrisons are set either to ruine a Towne or for distrust of the inhabitants But what cause had the Parisiens to presume that I would destroy a Towne wherevnto I haue brought so many commodities by my presence as ten or twelue townes would thinke themselues greatly benefited thereby and what distrust could I haue of a people whom I loued of a people in whom I trusted Haue they lost a loafe or any thing whatsoeuer by meanes of these pretended garrisons I sought the preseruation of my good Cittie of Paris and the safety of my subiects meaning by a strict search to put out a great number of strangers whom I knew to be secretly crept in They haue offended me yet am I not irreconciliable neither haue I any humour to ruine them But I will haue them confesse their faults and know that I am their King and maister If not I will make the markes of their offence remaine for euer I will reuoke my Court of Parliament my
Chamber of accoumpts Aides and other Courts of Iustice. I will take from them the Vniuersitie their honours freedomes and Priuileges I will omitte no meanes to bee reuenged Not that I am reuengefull or accustomed to vse seueritie but I will haue them know that I haue as much resolution and courage as any my Predecessors I am no Vsurper but a lawfull King by succession and of a race that hath alwayes commanded mildly Let them not take religion any more for a pretext There liues not a more Catholike Prince nor that desires more the extirpation of heresies then my selfe I would willingly loose an arme that the last Hereticke were painted in this Chamber Returne to your charges and bee of good cheere I will bee for you and let them vnderstand what I haue sayde vnto you Now the most desperate Leaguers found that the absence of the Court made their fare but simple made their shops without Chapmen and their trafficke colde the shame to be without a King made the most audacious mutines to hang downe their heads the violence of rebellion quailed many found the dealing of Paris too audacious And now Paris studied to returne to the Kings obedience when as the Duke of Guise fearing the losse of many of his friends and seruants resolues to make his peace He now speakes of nothing but the Kings seruice The Duke seekes to make his peace the obedience of his Maiestie the preseruation of the Estate the reformation of disorders and the subiects ease and by the intercession of the Queene Mother seekes his fauour which he had lost The Queene Mother teâ—tifies the King Those of his Councell who for the most paâ—â—are seruants to the League keepes him in this humour and propounds vnto him a generall 〈◊〉 of his subiects with the intelligence and fauour the League had within Chartres the which causeth him for his greater safety to go to Roan Finally they crie out against the Huguenoâ—s My Liege say they will you loose the name of most Christian in winking at these heresies which vndermine the truth will you alone among threescore and one Kings your Predecessors suffer so detestable a medly of truth and falshood This Councell carries him away against them in whome hee should most trust who lamenting the decay of his authoritie and the weakning of his forces see that his intentions inclined to his owne ruine Hee seemes to bee in choller with the King of Nauarres partie to haue the League on his side but hee telleth no man that hee pretends to vse his forces against themselues and drawes certaine articles of the reunion of Iuly Edict of re-union whereby hee frames his Edict not so much against the King of Nauarres religion as to exclude him in fauour of the League from that which none but God could take from him But whilest they finish these accords he sodenly surpriseth the Isles of Charon and of Marans The King by this Edict admits no religion but the Catholike hee promiseth neuer to make a peace nor truce with the heretikes nor any Edict in their fauour Hee will haue all his subiects to ioyne with him that by their common forces they might root out the said heretikes Hee binds his subiects to sweare neuer to yeeld obedience after him to any Prince that shall bee an heretike or a fauorer of heresie degrades from all publike charges either in peace or warre those of the pretended reformed religion promiseth all fauour to the Catholikes so as they shew themselues obedient and faithfull and depart from all vnions practises intelligences associations and Leagues contrary to the vnion which hee made by this Edict hee declares them guiltie of treason that shall refuse to signe this new vnion or shall afterwards depart from it and finally hee abolished all that was done and past but signing this forced Edict hee wept Two things trouble the League The Leaguers are now wonderfully pufte vp with hope yet this reuerence of the royall maiestie is so naturally grauen in the hearts of men as the onely remembrance of the twelfth of May makes their hearts to tremble They feare the Scorpions tayle that the King by his great facilitie should determine against them some mourneful Catastrophe in the last act of the Tragedie The defeat of the Spanish armie at sea And thereuppon two things amaze them sodenly newes comes that the fearefull and huge Spanish armie wherein were a hundred and thirtie great shippes and twentie thousand fighting men vnder the commaund of the Duke of Medina Sidonia had by fortune of sea after their departure from the Grongne in Gallicia lost three gallies of Portugall many were scattered and many brused and made vnprofitable for the voyage and were afterwards so encountred by the Admirall and Drake the viceadmirall thwart of Portland vppon the English coast as they forced them to turne head and to retire in disorder towards the Towne of Calais hoping there to ioyne with the Prince of Parma with the losse of one gallion which carried some part of their treasor and also the instructions for the order which the Generall should follow hauing conquered England A bad beginning for so braue and proud an ostentation where they promised themselues an absolute victorie But the progresse and end was yet more fatall The English fleete presseth them so neere as they force them to leaue the Rendezuous in confusion their generall Galleasse pestered with other shippes was cast by the current vppon the sands neere to the Port of Calais and remayned with the artillerie in the Gouernours power The rest were scattered by the English artillerie The Spanish armie lost twelue shippes and aboue fiue thousand men who had no other sepulchres but the vast Ocean and the bellies of sea monsters Finally taking their course to the North bending towardes Scotland and Ireland those seas were no lesse fatall to the Spaniards for seuenteene of their great ships were sunke and many others cast vppon the sands and rockes and the rest of this armie was so miserably shaken as of a hundred and thirtie shippes hardly thirtie recouered Spaine The excuses of the Duke of Medina Where the Duke of Medina had no other excuse vnto his master but the ignorance and treacherie of his marryners with the small experience they had of those Northerne seas the want of succors from the Prince of Parma the tempests ship-wrackes finally ill fortune but not one word of the iudgements of God vpon this giantlike attempt to bring all England slaues to the mountaines of Grenade or to the mines of Peru. The second terror for the Leaguers is that the King will not returnâ— to Paris Thâ— King refuseth to go to Paris howsoeuer they importune him I will prepare my selfe saieth hee for the warre against the heretikes and for the Parliament which I intend to call and to giue all Princes that are vnited contentment and satisfaction They doubt the barricadoes haue left much splene
in the Kings heart and to preuent all contrarie euents they thinke it not yet time to satisfie the oath which they had made to renounce all intelligences Leagues which they had made both within and without the realme They take newe Councells and resolutions at Paris Newe resolutions of the League to maintine this authority and credit gotten with so many crosses and disgraces vnto the King and so to presse him and to subiect his will vnto theirs as he shall not see speake nor mooue but by the eyes tongue and sinews of the League to haue the Deputies of the Parliament house of their faction with instructions drawne out of the articles of Peronne Nancy Nemours and Ginuille To vrge the King against the Huguenots and to sollicit him to ease the people by the discharge of taxes thereby to make him odious if he refuseth these first fruits of their vnion To make them strong at the Parliament and to that ende to send for all the Nobility of their owne faction and their adherents to assist with their armes To hold good correspondencie with the Duke of Parma and to aduertise the King of Spaine that this accord made with the King tended onely to effect their common desseins To retaine Pfiffer Colonell of the Suisses and Balâ—gny gouernour of Cambray with the priuate conuentions passed betwixt them To preuent least the Duke of Neuâ—rs whome the King resolued to send into Picardie to suppresse the violences of the League should winne away their most trusty friends To binde the Cittie of Paris vnto the Lord of Villars gouernour of Newe-hauen for the summe of thirtie thousand Crownes yearely to haue him fauorable to their partie These newe Councells bred newe teares The King cannot conteine from subscribing of these newe articles but his misfortune forceth him to hazard his Estate to preserue his person Hee knowes well that these are but imaginations that his Edict of reunion wil be obserued by none but by himselfe or so farre as it toucheth the subuersion of his Crowne And yet too much bountie or too great an apprehension makes him scrupulous to preuent it The Protestants offer to trie this greate quarrell at their owne perilles so as hee will remaine a neuter and suffer them to oppose against the mutinies of the League Hee reiects this aduice For there is lesse danger sayeth he to remayne with those which persisâ— in the vnitie of our religion then with them which are diuided and beecome heads of newe opinions So whether it were of a good meaning or of purpose hee returnes to Chartres He sees imbraceth and maketh much of the Duke of Guise and there all his fauours and bounties are liberally bestowed on the chiefe pillers of the League Hee giues the Duke of Guise the generall commaunde ouer all the mâ—n at armes of the Realme This was not the name and title but in effect the office and charge of Constable He makes the Cardinall of Goise Legate of Auignon the which hee promiseth to obtaine for him of his holinesse To the Duke of Mayenne a goodly army for the warre of Daulphine To the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lions as his father had enioyed it and hee determined to giue the seale to Peter of Espinac Arch-bishoppe of Lion to winne him vnto him by this great bounty promising to procure him a Cardinalls hat of Pope Sixtus by the meanes of the Cardinal of Gondy whoÌ„ he had sent to Rome Without doubt he had receiued more honor by being Chancellor of France then in being Chancellor of the vnion The Chancellor Hurault Earle of Chyuerny and the Lord of Belieure and Villeroye had then leaue to attend the Kings pleasure at their houses He declares the Cardinall of Bourbon the first Prince of the bloud deciding by a doubtfull speech that great question of prerogatiue betwixt the Vncle and the Nephew whereon there hath beene so much written and so much disputed peruerting the ancient order of succession and making the Cardinall to serue the passions of the League They present vnto the King being but sixe and thirty yeares of age a successor who had euen then passed the Climacterical yeare of threescore and three Was it not the Leagues meaning vnder the Cardinall of Bourbons image to raise vp a stranger and violently to aduance his tirany to vsurpe the royaltie To conclude the King continues renues and amplifies his fauours to all such as haue any credit with the League he doth nothing without them hee opens the very secrets of his heart vnto them and for their sakes causeth euery one of their partisans to tast some portion of his bounty and makes shewe to beleeue whatsoeuer they say vnto him His Councell blind his eyes so as hee cannot discerne what is the dutie of a good King they disguise the truth from him and studie onely to satisfie their ambition and couetousnesse The Kings Councellors dismissed the Court. So as to please them euen in this he himselfe pulls out those eyes whereby he did see most cleere giues them leaue to retire to their houses there to shrowd them selues from these confusions of state The Duke of Espernon was out of Court but hee had authority from the King to command in the Prouinces of Aniou Troubles against the Duke of Espernay in Angoulâ—sme Touraine Poictou Angoulmois and Xaintonge Being at Loches hee is aduertised that the League practised with some inhabitants to deliuer them Angoulesme Hee posts thether and the people receiue him with great honour as the Kings Lieutenant He publisheth the Edict of reunion his words and deeds testifie nothing but a courage resolued to preserue the Catholike religion But behold sodenly a strange Catastrophe Some Leaguers had perswaded the people that he ment to drawe the Huguenots troupes into the Castell and so subdue the Towne The Maior beeing the head of the conspiracie enters into the Castell on Saint Laurence day vnder colour to present vnto the Duke certaine postes that were come from Court he mounts vp to his Chamber at his entry he dischargeth two pistolls and seekes to force the house The Duke was then in his Cabinet attending the houre of masse wheâ—e hee red the history of Pierce Gaueston in old time deerely fauored by Edward the second King of England prefered before all others in Court inriched with the Kings treasure and the peoples wealth but after banished the reaâ—me and in the end beheaded at the sute of the Parliament This slanderous libell beeing printed at Paris not so much against the Dukes honour as the Kings compared the Duke with Gaueston and concluded that vnder Henry the third hee should ende his daies by the like tragedie Vpon the first tumult the Dukes gentlemen flie to armes and repulse this armed multitude the Maior beeing hurt with the shot of a pistoll through a doore died within seauen houres after The alarume â—lâ—es into the towne The people arme storme and make barricadoes But
the Dâ—ke kept the Castell the Citadell was at his deuotion might by either of them drawe innecessary succors to vngage him The Seigneur of Tagens the Dukes Cousin aduanced with succors Bordes Captaine of the Citadell beeing prisoner among the conspirators loued the liberty of his place more then his owne life Mere Messeliere Macquerole and Bouchaux summoning the beseeged found nothing in them but a constant resolution to die rather then to yeeld and the people were willing to capitulate when as Tagens by his arriuall pacified the sedition armes were laied aside and the prisoners of both parts deliuered The Duke of Guise hauing made his peace with the King and disapointed his most faithfull Councellors yet one thorne troubled his foote The Huguenoâ—s Estate Hee therefore ceaseth not vntill hee sees them assayled in Poitoâ— and Daulphiné and whilest the Duke of Neuers prepared his armie for Poictou hee sends the regiment of Saint Paul to the Dâ—ke of Mercoeur to annoye the Protestants and not to suffer them to reape any commoditie in the Countâ—ie The Duke of Mercoeur goes into base Poictou beseegeth Montagu repaired by Colombâ—ers whome they of Nantes had hourely at their gates But at the first bruit that the King of Nauarre was come out of Rochelle to succour Montague hee retires straight to Nantes and left the regiment of Gersey to make the retreat Gersey defeated the which â—as ouertaken beaten and defeated two leagues from the suburbs of Nantes On the other side the Duke of Mayenne marched towards Daulphiné but hee planted the limits of his voiage in Lions Now are two mightie armies in field the one vnder the Kings authoritie the other all of Leaguers But this is not enough The King by a solemne oth in the Cathedrall Church at Rouan had sworne the execution of the Edâ—ct of vnion he hath sent it vnto the Bishops and commaunds them to presse the Huguenots in their diocesses to make profession of their faith and to abiure their errors in open Parliaments royall iurisdictions and comonalties This Edict then must bee confirmed as a fundamentall law of State and the King prest to assemble the three Estates of the Realme as hee had promised by tâ—e articles of the peace Henry grants a conuocation the first day of September at Blois Conuocation of the Estates there in the presence of the notablest persons of euery Prouince Seneshalâ—y and Baylewike to propound freely the complaints and greefes of euery man but not medling with any practises or fauouring the priuate passions of any But amidest these Commissions from the King the League wanted no policie to send secretly to them that were most affectionate to the aduancement of their desseins and to the most passionate Leaguers of the Realme articles and remembrances which they should put into their instructions and labour to bee chosen of the Parliament So as in a manner all the Deputies carried the badge of the League and their instructions were conformable to those which had beene sent vnto them The King comes first to Blois hee giues order for the place and for the Deputies lodgings The Duke of Guise followes but it was a great indiscretion for the Duke to goe to Blois seing the King would not come to Paris The Deputies come one after another but the King finding not the number sufficient to begin so sollemne an act he defers it vntill October In the meane time the King studies by the credit which his authoritie giues him oâ—er the three estates of his Realme to bring the Duke of Guise into open vewe and to receiue punishment for all his offences past And the Duke assâ—â—es himselfe that the most part of the Deputies would countenance his cause and would serue him as instruments to controll the Kings power So euery one labours to aduance his desseine and to deceiue one another but hee which shall bee deceiued will verifie that there is danger in delayes The sixteenth of October all the Deputies were readie for the Clergie a hundred thirtie and foure Deputies amongst others foure Arche-Bishops one and twentie Bishops and two Generalls of Orders for the Nobilitie a hundred and fourescore gentlemen for the third estate a hundred fourescore and eleuen Deputies all lawyers or marchants The seuenteenth day being the fiâ—st sitting of the best wits of all France rauished euery man with hope to heare rare propositions The Kinâ—â— speech and resolutions of great affaires for the reformation of the State The Kings oration being full of liuely affection true magnanimitie and pertinent reasons deliuered with an admirable eloquence and grace without any stay will testifie for euer that he exceeded all the Princes of his age in speaking well and that hee could grauely pertineâ—â—â—y and very sodenly make answere to the most important occasions that were offered Montelon keeper of the seale continued his proposition commended the zeale and integritie of his maiesties intentions promised the Estates Mantelon keâ—per of the seale that vnder his happie coÌ„maund they should reape in this conuocation the same effects which had bin tried in diuers raigâ—es hee exhorteth the Clergie to restore the beautie and dignitie of the Church The Nobilitie to frame themselues after the mould of pietie bountie Iustice and other vertues of the French nation so much honoured in all histories The people to reuerence Iustice and to obserue good orders to flie wrangling sutes sweariâ—â— blâ—â—phemies play lust vsurie vniust getting corrupt trading and other vices which be 〈◊〉 seeds of troubles and seditions and the ruine of flourishing Estates He layes open the Kings great debts his charge and care to roote out heresies his religion pietie and deuotion ending his speech with a commendation vnder the Kings obedience of the vnion and concord necessarie for the maintenance of religion The Clergie Renauld of Beaulne Arche-Bishop of Bourges Patriarke and Primat of Aquitania thanked the King for his loue to his subiects and God to haue installed on the throne of this Crowne a King endued from his youth with the spirit of wisedome to gouerne his people who had cast the lightning of the high God euen vpon the face of the enemies of his diuine Maiestâ—e hauing by diuers and dangerous voyages through diuers nations gotten the knowledge of affaires who by his onely wisedome and vertue had lately dispersed a great and mightie armie of strangers and giuen vs hope that vnder so good and great a King wee shall see heresie suppressed peace confirmed the seruice of God established Churches and Temples restored Iustice and peace embraced charitie abound among men by vnitie of religion begin here on earth to raigne with Christ the Idea and patterne of that heauenly kingdome whereunto wee aspire The Baron of Senesei testified the Nobilities affection to the Kings seruice confessing that to him alone belongs to worke those good effects The Nobilitie for the establishment of the honour of God the Catholike religion things profitable for
the Estate and necessarie for his people offering in the name of them of his order the zeale faith and dutie which the gentlemen of France haue alwayes borne vnto their Kings their armes meanes liues persons to maintaine the obedience honour feare respect whereunto the lawes both of God and man tie the subiects to their Soueraigne Michell Martâ—au Prouost of the marchants at Paris President for the third estate first thanked God The third Estaâ—e who had cast his eyes of pittie vpon this realme in the extremitie of their afflictions then the King to haue yeelded to the humble petitions of his subiects heard their greefes and complaints and shewed a great desire to restore his people to their former Estate religion to her former dignitie to rule and settle all orders in their ancient forme being disordered by ths iniurie of times protesting that in so doing their most humble and faithfull seruice should not faile vnto the last breath And so the first sitting ended In the second the twesday following the King at the instance of the Arche-bishop of Ambrun The oâ—h of the vnion renued the Earle of Brissac and the Aduocate Bernard speakers for the three Estates to content the importunitie of the League did againe sweare the oth of the vnion lately made at Rouan and making his Edict of Iâ—ly last a fundamentall lawe of the Realme to bind him them and all their posteritie yet not derogating from the liberties and priuileges of the Nobilitie he caused it to be publikely read by Ruze Seignieur of Beaulieu his chief Secretarie of State And to make the memorie of so solleÌ„ne an othe more autentike to posteritie he commaunded the said Secretarie to make an act that all the orders of the realme had sworne in the bodie of the state all with one voyce the Clergie laying their hands vppon their brests and the rest lifting them vp to heauen An oth performed with great ioy and generall reuâ—uing of that happie acclamation of God saue the King so many yeares forgotten among the French nation and followed with a singular testimonie of the Kings clemencie remitting the Parisiens offence for the common good of the Catholikes of France and the ease of his people whose miseries made him treade vnder foote his iust displeasure Hold saith hee to the Prouost of marchants of Paris this word assured as from the mouth of your King and take heed that Paris fall not into a relaps which will bee fatall and not recouerable Bâ—t there was a brute spred ouer all France that vnder colour of this assembly they practâ—sed an exemplary reuenge against the chiefe of the Estates Aduertisements came from all parts this feare went from Chamber to chamber the most apprehensiue desired to be satified The Arch-Bishoppe of Ambrun makes report vnto the King I knâ—we saied the King the liberties and prerogatiue of the Parliament they ought to 〈◊〉 in my word It is a sinne to growe in iealousie of your King â— and thâ—se reports come not but from such as haue no loue to their King but seeke to make him odious to his people There 〈◊〉 neuer any cause growe from me to disturbe this assembly In the end the familiarity 〈◊〉 shewes of loue from the King to the Duke and Cardinall of Guise and for their saâ—es to the chiefe of the League made them lay aside all sâ—sâ—ition of a bloudie â—ct whereof they were adueâ—tised from all parts And without doubt if the League had not stirred vp the coales of forepassed indignities the fiâ—e of â—is wrath had not perchance deuowred them This blast past ouer there are other attempts no lesse dangerous The League sets them on woâ—ke that beares their badge to hit the marke whereat they aymed To put the King in disgrace and to install the Dâ—ke of Guise in his thorne for the King oâ— Nauarre is nowe by this new fundamentall lawe excluded from the royall succession But what meane they to do The Collosse they seeke to build shall bee their 〈◊〉 the fire they kindle shall burne them the knife they forge shal be sherâ—ed in their owne bowells and finally shall leaue of this League a shamefull and reprochefull memory To hit this pretended marke Practises to make the king odious they must make the Kings actions oâ—ious to all the world reproch to him his vnreasonable prodigality his dissembling the oppression of his people the erecting of newe offices thereby to bandie against him the most apparent families of the third Estate wronged in the suppression of them or else neglecting to redresse it they should declare him an enemie to the people and a tirant ouer his realme and so the people should presently resolue to confine him into a monastery They still lay before him the wonderfull coldnesse of the greatest part of the Catholikes to his loue and obedience seeing themselues forced to liue amongest them that had burnt their Churches profaned their altars massacred the Preestes spoiled their goods They beseech him to defend the Church and to prefer the iniuries done to religion before the violences coÌ„mitted against the state They propound vnto him the excessiue impositions and subsidies which had already withdrawne most part of his subiects and the filthy auarice of strangers who by continual inuentions did cruelly impouerish France They represeÌ„â— vnto him the abuses of the gouernment the bestowing of benefices to all men indifferently either married or souldiars the lechery dissolutnes and ignorance of Prelats the sale of Offices and places of iudgement They exhort him not to deale in spirituall causes or at the least to proceede holily as it belongs to holie things To degrade a great number as well of Prelates as of ciuill maâ—â—strates in soueraigne Courts and inferior Iurisdictions and to punish with death those ministers which by corruption haue crept into the Church Iustice and gouernment else hee cannot preserue the Estate In the ende they presse him to reforme the excesse and disorders of his Court the which are odious to so many Noble spirits fraught with holinesse magnanimity and courage to so many great and rich mindes as be among the Nobility which beeing imployed would in fewe moneths repaire the ruines of this Estate Sâ—ch as find themselues interessed in the cutting off the superfluous number of offices and in the buying of their places disswade the King from this resolution but to maâ—â—taine them in the honours which they enioye vnder the countenance of his Maiesty The third Estate exhibit their complaints of the excesse of taxes and subsidies wherwith they are oppressed of the customes forraine impositions rents vpon salt entries â—oans gâ—ifts increase decrease of the prises of money with many other exactions and surcharges whereof the King receiued not any benefit but what was dipt in the bloâ—d of his poore people The Nobility complaines of seruices done without recompence indiscreet distributioÌ„ of the Kings liberality The Clergy exclaime that money which hath
bin drawn from theÌ„ had nothing aduaÌ„ced the cause of religion FroÌ„ coÌ„plaints of the languishing people grew the suppression of officers of the new creation and an intent to ease their subsidies Bâ—t oh politike 〈…〉 King yeelding to haue them reduced to the yeare 1576. sees himselfe deâ—riâ—ed 〈…〉 meanes to leuy his armies and to entertayne the greatnesse of his Mâ—iestie◠〈…〉 he refuseth it an occasion is giuen to mutine the Estates to chase away such as are neere his person and to giue him a gouernour The Duke of Guise on the one side disswades the King to subiect his authoâ—ity so much but on the otherside he prickes them forward to be vehement in their pursuites In the end the King passeth this graunt of reduction but he hopes to make it knowne vnto the Estates that with so smal meanes he cannot mayntaine his royall dignity nor the warre against the heretiks which they had so sollemnly sworne They deuâ—se of meanes to make vp the stocke and demande an account of such as had gouerned the treasor and abused the Kings bounty Effects of the Duâ—e oâ— Neuers army But whilest they turne ouer their papers at the Parliament let vs see the progresse of the two armies which we had left in field That of the Duke of Neuers consisted of French Suisses and Italians with many voluntary gentlemen Sagonne was Marâ—hall of the light horse la Chastre Marshall of the field Chastaigneray Lauerdin and many others coÌ„manded the troupes Mauleon was the first obiect of their armes It is a rashenesse to be obstinate in the defence of a place which is not to be held but it is a tâ—eachery to ill intreate them whome we haue receiued to composition So this fiâ—st victorie was bathed with their blouds who trusting in the force oâ— their courageâ— â—egâ—â—cted the weakenesse of their walls Montagâ— was defended some daies by Coâ—ombiers who at the first saluting the Duke with a furious skirmishe putts him to some losse But the Cannon hauing both shaken their walles and their constancies â—â—ey entred into capitulation the which was honourablie graunted the last day of Nouember La Ganache situated vpon the marches of Brittaine and Poictou annoyed both the one and the other Prouince The Duke of 〈◊〉 stâ—â— at â—ion suspect to Mandeloâ— Let vs leaue the armie there to see howe the Dâ—ke of Mayenne spends his time at Lion The desseins too lightly grounded vpon a peoples mutiny are alwaies ruinous The Duke of Mayenne knowes it well and moreouer there is nothing but blowes to be gotten in Daulphiné He desires rather to attend the issue of the Parliaments in a pleasing and delightfull aboade but this stay is a great scourge to Mandelot He feares to bee dispossest of his gouernment It is giuen to the Duke of Nemours and therefore he wonderfully suspects the Duke of Mayennes presence Finally hee grewe so iealous as seized with apprehension with the choâ—iâ—e a feuer the goutte and the flixe he carried the foure and twentith of Nouember this testimony into the other world by the mouth of father Edmond Anger a Iesuite in his funerall sermon That he had neuer signed the League that he died firme in his religion and the Kings seruice Whilest the King labored at the Parliament to cut off all difficulties which prolongued the warre and the Duke of Mayenne beeing at Lion suffered the heate of of his passage into Daulphiné to growe colde Charles Duke of Saâ—oye foreseeing the dissipation of this Estate hee thought that as a sonne and husband of two daughters issued froÌ„ the bloud of France he should be the first which shold set his hand to the diuision The marquisate of Salusses is in the midest of his territories he thinkes that for such a prise he may well breake friendship and alliance with the King his neere kinsman who of meere curtesie had newely deliuered vnto him Sauignan and Pignerol The 〈…〉 by the Duke of 〈◊〉 With this desseine seeing the Kings thoughts otherwise ingaged then beyond the Alpes he makes a leuy of men threatens Geneua makes a shewe to beseege Montferrat causeth the Marquis of Saint Sorlin to go to horse and on all Saints night surpriseth the Towne of Carmagnole and then the Cittadell beeing vnfuâ—nished oâ— victualls which Saint Siluie successor to la Coste had drawne forth with hope saied hee to refresh them so as in lesse then three weekes he possessed all the Marquisate leauing a reprochefull suspition against the Captaines of the Cittadell to haue treacherously exchanged the double Canons of that ancient arcenall of the warres of France beyond the Alpes with the double pistolets of Spaine This conquest made the Duke proud and already in conceite he had deuoured both Prouence and Daulphiné For a colour he writes both to the Pope and King That the generall respect of the Church had made him seize vpon these places least Les Diguieres should make it a retreat and refuge for Huguenots and the priuate interest of his Estates which hee desires to maintaine in the puritie of the ancient religion vnder the obedience of the holy Sea and by his Ambassadour hee disguiseth this wrong with the goodlyest colours that may be Hee makes a shew not to hold these places but vnder the Kings authoritie but in time hee vsurpes all actes of Soueraignty hee displaceth his Maiesties officers beates downe the armes of France sets vp the crosse of Saâ—oy and in a brauery hee causeth peeces of siluer to be coyned with a centaure treading a Crowne ouerwhelmed vnder his foote and carrying this deuise Oportuné The Kings desâ—eâ—gne vpon this surprise The King iustly moued with this vsurpation applies this branche to the body of the conspiracies of the League he resolues now to pacifie the ciuill warres to attend after forraine and euen then hee determines to giue the Protestants a peace and to vse their assistance against such as make a benefit of the discords of the realme Such as respected truly the glorie of the French gaue him to vnderstand that hee must appease both Huguenot and Liguer and seeke reuenge of this new indignitie and hunt the Wolfe which breakes into the fold whilest the Shepheards are at variance Shall a petty Prince take from a King of France the pawne which remaines to recouer Naples and Milan foure hundred peeces of Canon which might beate the proudest Fortes of the Spaniards to pâ—â—der that ancient fee of Daulphiné comprehended in the gifts which Prince Hubert made to the Crowne of France whereof our Kings haue so often receiued homage and fealty of the Marquises and haue often seized thereon for forfeiture and treâ—chery All the Kings seruants all the Courts of Parliament all the assemblie of Estates iudge that these be the effects of the League Duke of Guises dissembling and that this inuasion is not without the â—â—telligence of the Duke of Guise euen those which fauour his part cannot digest it But to auoyde
this common hatred which was ready to fall vpon him hee beseecheth hâ—s Maiestie onely to assure his people and make them to taste the frutes of contentâ—ment which he had promised in the othe of the holy vnion that hee would quench tâ—e fiâ—e which the Huguenotâ— did nourish in this realme and giue him this commission agaiâ—st the Stranger he will be the first that shall passe the Alpes to make the Sauoyâ—â—â— cast vp his gorge But could they hope for any remedy from him who by his continuall practises wiâ—h strangers had giuen life and motion to the mischiefe So the King considering that neyther his Edict of revnion nor the othe to depart from all asâ—ociations â—roduced the effects were promised and that the League consenting to the pernitious desseignes of the Stranger had made the way for the breach of the sayd vnion hee thinkes himselfe no more bound to the othe of this vnion and euen then 〈◊〉 to bee reuenged of all the offences past In the meane time he dissembles his discontent As these newes troubled the assemblie at Blois Assembly and petition of the Protestants the King of Nauarre seeing the practises of the League had excluded him whereas hee should hold the first place 〈◊〉 another in the Towne house at Rochelle and by their aduise hee sent in the 〈◊〉 of the French exiled for religion a common petition to the Estates beseeching the King To restore them the liberty of the first Edict which they call of Ianuarâ—e To appoint a Nationall Councell where controuersies of religion may be mildâ—â—e dâ—sputed and holily resolued To grant them restitution and free enioying of their goods To suffer their petition to bee inrowled and the contents thereof granted by his clemencie to the end that nothing may bee done to their preiudice Nothing lesse This petition was directly against the principall intentions of the Estates affected to aduance the League And therefore not satiâ—fied with tâ—e 〈◊〉 which the King had made vnto them by the Edict of Vnion they wâ—est from tâ—e 〈◊〉 owne mouth a more particular declaration touching the perpetuall insufficiâ—nâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the King of Nauarre and other Princes of the bloud his Cousins adherents say 〈◊〉 and fautors of heâ—etiks to the succession of this Crowne The conclusion of this Parliament should haue beene for the good quiet of the CoÌ„mon-weale And doubtlesse some smal number whose wills were not tied to the passions of the Leaguers wished that remedy which had bin practised in former times against most pernitious heresies which was a free and lawfull Councell vniuerâ—alâ— oâ— nationall but the greater part ouer-ruled both the King and the Estates The League to ruine the state will oueâ—throwe the pillers which be the Princes of the bloud· and if the branches of Valois and Bourbon that is to say if all the race of Saint Lewis be not degrâ—ded they cannot passe ouer the Crowne to the family of Lorraine The K â—g by his Edict promiseth to dispose of the succession but he and the Qâ—eene his wiâ—e are yet in the vigor of their age they hope that God will blesse them with heires masâ—es Hee takes no pleasure they should harpe vpon this string it is a blemish to his authority and disrobes him before he is readie to sleepe when as a Prince hath named his â—uccessor his testament is made Yet he is content to satiâ—fie the violent appetits of the League He suâ—fers them to dispute of the succession and in the assemblie of all his subiects to exclâ—de the â—awefull succesâ—or hee is content they should propund that which most part of the deputies had alreadie resolued The Clergie had the 4. of Nouember condemned the Kâ—ng of Nauarre for an heretike the chiefe of them relapse excomunicate depâ—iâ—ed of the gouernment of Guienne and of all his dignities vnworthy of all successions Crownes and realmes The Arch-bishop of Ambrum the Bishop of Bazas the Abbot of Citeaux and other Clergie men impart it to the deputies of the Nobility and third Estate all consent to the first conclusion and appoint twelue of euery chamber to acquaint the King with their resolutions But the King of Nauarre had often giuen them to vnderstand that he was borne during the permission of both religions instructed and bred vp in one from the which he cannoâ—â—n conscience depart without better instruction neither hope nor dispaire of a Crowne can drawe hâ—m to so violent and rash a change he should thereby incurre the blame of inconstancie infidelity and hipocrisie He is and alwaies will be readâ—e to receiue instruction from a free and lawfull Councell These submâ—ssions are full of Iustâ—ce and consideration he defends nothing obstinatâ—ly it is the honour and zeale of his conscience that binds him There is no reason then saied the King to condemne him wâ—thout hearing Let vs consider with iudgemeÌ„t foresight whether it be expedient to summon him againe to sweare the Edict of vnion and to declare himseâ—fe a Catholike The Parliament is not of this aduice The Cardinall of Bourbon his Vncle say the deputies hath once obtayned absolution for him the Queene Mother hath labored to winne him The King hath sent Doctors to reclaime him he is bred vp from his Cradle in this â—ewe opinion condemned by the Councell of Trent and maâ—y others The Consistory hath receiued him into grace he is fallen into the error which he had abâ—â—red he is therefore an â—eretike hee is relapse and vnworthie of obedience vnworthie of respect and vnwoâ—thy to be praied for The holy sea of Rome hath declared him a Schismatike excommunicate incapable of the succession of the Crowne the Estates theâ—efore must ratâ—fie this sentence To conclude an Heretike cannot raigne in France it is an incompatible thing with the Coronation and oath which he ought to take hurtfull to the honour of God and preiudiciall to the good of this Realme Soft and faire nature and the Common consent of nations will that the accused should bee heard God himselfe who hath no neede to bee satisfied by humane witnesses and is not bound to any iurisdiction would not condemne our 〈…〉 before he called him into iudgement examined him checked him and 〈◊〉 his excuses Heare then the King of Nauarre he may say vnto you that the Pope by 〈◊〉 hath noted him of hersie hee knoweth not yet any other trueth then 〈◊〉 â—herein the Qâ—eene of Nauarre his mother hath bred him If he hath at any time yeelded vnto the force and violence of the time hee had not then his will free and as soone as oportunity gaue him meanes to reâ—â—râ— from Court into his Countiye o◠〈◊〉 he framed his beliefe to the modell of that which had beene prescribed him bâ—t protesting alwayes to the Estates and Parlements of France that he hath no greater dâ—sire in his soule then to see the seruice of Gâ—d vnited vnder one religion by the 〈◊〉 of a free and lawfull assemblie of the vniuersall Church or a
but la Noue whome the King had especially commaunded to assist the Duke of Longuâ—uille with Councell in matters of warre did so wisely make choise of the houre and oportunitie to charge as the Duke of Aumale Balagni Gouernour of Cambray Of the Duke of Aumale and Balagni at Senliâ— and the rest puting in practise the vse of their long spurre rowels lately inuented as a mournfull prediction to the League saued their persons by the swiftnes of their horses and left the field died with the bloud of fifteene hundred slaine vppon the place in the â—light and poursuit verifying the saying He that flies betimes may fight againe Chamois Menneuille and diuers others could not runne fast inough The artillerie baggage and many prisoners remained at the victors discretion who by the Kings commaundement went to receiue the army of strangers which were come to the fronters The Kings meaning was to subdue Paris The greatest of the Hidraes heads being cut off did weaken the whole bodie and gaue hope to his Maiestie by that meanes to find what hee had lost the loue and obedience of his subiects To this end hee sends the Duke of Espernon to take from the Parisâ—ens the commodities aboue the riuer and assembles his forces to compasse them in beneath Thus the warre growes hot The Nobilitie goes to horse on all sides to reuenge the wrong done vnto the King but the more his troups increased the more bitter his subiects grew against him No prosperitie is so gâ—eat but it hath some crosses As the King attends the forces which the Prince of Dômbes now Duke of Montpensier brings him from Tours Losses for the King newes comes that the Earle of Soissons whome he had sent to commaund in Brittanie had beene defeated at Chasteaugiron three Leagues from Rennes and led prisoner with the Earle of Auaugour and many other Lords to Nantes That the Duke of Mayenne had taken Alenson That the Lord of Albigni a yonger brother to the house of Gordes and a partisan of the League had chased the Colonnel Alphonso out of Grenoble and seized on the Towne The taking of these Earles caused the King to send the Prince Dombes thither who more happily reduced many places to his Maiesties obedience The happie successe of the Kings affaires made men to iudge Towneâ— taken that the League would soone bee ruined the Kings armie increasing hourely Three hundred horse of la Chastre who presently after the Tragedie of Blois had made shew to iustifie himselfe vnto the King for the strict familiaritie hee had with the Duke of Guise were defeated by the Duke of Montâ—ason and the Marquis of Nesâ—e his Lieutenant and fiftie of his companie slaine the taking of Iargeau Pluuiers Ianuille and Estampes terrified the Parisiens They call backe the Duke of Mayenne and he finding the Duke of Longueuille farre off goes into Brie assures some places and takes Montreau-faut-yonne by composition from the Duke of Espernon but the Kings approch carried him sodenly to Paris where suffering his troupes to liue at discretion in the suburbs hee caused an ill impression to grow in some which could not well digest this confusion in the State An armie of about twentie thousand men gathered to gither by the Duke of Longueuille ioyning with the Suisses Lansquenets of Sansy Pontoise returned to the Kings obedience soone after the Kings arriuall all the Kings forces ioyned in one bodie being about fortie thousand men lodged about Paris and the taking of Saint Cloud made the Parisâ—â—ns readie to yeeld when as a deuilish monke an excrement of hell a Iacobin by profession Iames Clement of the age of two or three and twentie yeares Paris beseeged vowes said hee to kill the Tirant and to deliuer the holy Cittie beseeged by Sennacherib Thus resolued hee imparts his damnable proiect to Doctor Bourgoing Prior of his Couent to father Commolet and other Iesuits and to the heads of the League to the chiefe of the sixteene and to the fortie of Paris All encorrage him to this 〈◊〉 desseine they promise him Abbaies and Bishoprikes and if he chance to be made a Martir no lesse then a place in heauen aboue the Apostles They caused the Pâ—eachers to perswade the people to patience seauen or eight dayes for before the â—nde of the weeke they should see a notable accident which should set all the people at liberty The Preachers of Orleans Rouan and Amiens clatter out the like at the same time and in the same termes The first of August the Monke goes out of Paris and marcheth toward Saint Cloud vpon his departure they take aboue two hundred of the chiefe Cittizens and others prysoners whome they knewe to haue goods friends and credit with the Kings partie as a precaution to redeeme that cursed murtherer in case he were taken before or after the deed Being arriued at Gondyes house where the King lodged he goes to la Guesle the Kings Proctor generall in his Court of Parliament at Paris and saies that he had brought some matter of importance which might not be imparted to other but to his Maiesty and had letters of credit from the first President The King who for the reuerence he bare vnto Church men gaue free accesse vnto such as vnder the habit of religion made shew to bee deuoted vnto the seruice of God commands hee should bee brought into his Chamber willing the Lord of Bellegarde and the saied Proctor generall to retire who were then alone nere the King hoping both by the quality of the person whome he did counterfeit whose long imprisonment in the Bastille had giuen sufficient testimony of his faith and integrity to his Maiestie and the simple demonstration of the Wolfe disguised into a Lambe to learne some secret matter of importance and receiues this counterfet letter from him The King did no sooner begin to reade it but this wretch seeing himselfe alone growes resolute and drawing a Knife out of his sleeue made of purpose thrusts his Maiestie into the botome of the bellie and there leaues the knife in the wound The King drawes it forth and with some striuing of the Monke strikes him aboue the eye Many ranne in at this noyse and in the heate of choller killing this monster of men preuented the true discouery of this enterprise and the authors thereof worthie to be noted with a perpetuall blot of disloyaltie and treason The Physitians held the wound curable and the same day the King did write of this attempt The death of Henry the â— being murthered and of his hope of recouery to the gouernors oâ— Prouinces to forraine Princes and to his friends and confederates But fealing that the King of Kings had otherwise determined of his life hee did first comfort himselfe in foreseeing that the last houre of his crosses should be the first of his felicities then lamenting his good and faithfull seruants who suruiuing should finde no respect with those whose mindes
Chastillon did not forget to inuite his friends to reuenge the bloud so vnworthily spilt at those bloudie Parisien mattins but by the effusion of his owne bloud who now suffers for others At this new and sudden terror of the Parisiens the Duke of Mayenne posts to the Cittie with the greatest part of the armie His Maiestie to see if he would 〈◊〉 forth presents himselfe the second and third day following in the suburbes and without the suburbes in view of the Cittie and then afterwards towards Linas vnder Montlehery but all was in vaine Thus being content to haue taught the Parisiens that hee wanted no meanes to punish them but desired rather to reduce them to obedience by mildnesse the King went and tooke the Towne and Castell of Estampes where Clermont of Lodesue with about three score Gentlemen or more had shutte vp himselfe vpon the Duke of Mayennes worde to vngage him with all the rest of his armie Here the Queene Dowager sent a petition to his Maiestie beseeching him to do iustice of that cruell and execrable murther committed on the person of the deceased King her husband The King sent this petition to the Court of Parliament remoued to Tours to the end that his Maiesties Proctor generall requiring it they should frame indiâ—ements against such as were held culpable protesting neyther to spare care nor force to take that iust reuenge which reason and his dutie required Doubtlesse the horror of this sacrilege had so wonderfully moued some of the officers of the Court as if they had beene beleeued the order of the Iacobins had by decâ—â—e beene rooted out of France their couent at Paris pulled downe and a piâ—â—er set vp as a perpetuall monument and the hangmen of France should haue beene afterwards attired like Iacobins The Queene Dowager hath long pursued the rooting out of them But the memory of Ancestors is venerable and their Sepulchres religious Seuenteene Princes and Princesses of the house of Bourbon buried in the monasterie of the Iacobins at Paris haue chiefely preserued and kept the order and their couents The Kings new conqueâ—ts The King seeing that by no meanes hee could drawe forth his enemies hee sends backe the Duke of Longueuille and La Nouë to refresh themselues with their forces in Picardy Giury into Briâ— and passing farther into Beausse takes â—anuille by composition then from Chasteaudun he sends to inuest Vendosme his ancient patrimonie Maille Benehard commanded about foure hundred men of garrison and eight hundred Townesmen armed against their Soueraigne and lawfull Lord. The Artillerie had no sooner made a hoale oâ— foure paces wide but the Souldiars impatient flies to the assault takes the Castle and so enters the Towne pel mel with the garrison so as his Maiestie seeing himselfe in lesse then halfe an houre in possession both of Towne and Castle gaue the inhabitants their liues but the Souldiars the spoile The treacherous part of Benchard to the great Councell as wee haue sayd with the treachery of a vassall and subiect and the seditious preachings of Iessé the Friar were the cause that these two principall motiues of rebellion suffered for the people the one beheaded vpon the pauement and the other hanged Lauerdin Montoire Montrichard and Chasteau du Loir became wise by the example of Vendosme and opened their gates to the Marshall of Biron who entred into the Towne with all his companie very peaceably The King seeing himselfe neere vnto Tours goes thether the people receiue him the 21. of the moneth with an admirable shew of ioy he giuing the same day audience to the Ambassador of Venice who in the name of the Seigneuâ—y congratulates his Maiesties happy comming to the crowne with offer of seruice and loue to the King and crowne of France Beaulse Dunois and Vendosme being subdued the Kings army marcheth into Maine the Earle of Brissac vndertooke to succour Mans which the King threatned to that intent he aduanceth with two regiments some horse to la â—ertâ— Bernard but terrified with the noyse of the Canon he returnes and contenting himselfe with a pillage of forty horse some baggage of his Maiesties Reistres which he met by chance he proclaimes his victories at Paris Bois-Daulphin commanded in Mans accompanied with a hundred Gentlemen and twenâ—y Enseignes on foote who in shewe would die with their armes in their hands rather then suffer the King to enter But must they cause the people to spend a hundred and fifty thousand Crownes to fortifie the Towne and suburbes burne so many houses without the towne to yeeld it at the third vole of the cannon Learne oh yee people that great men play with you as with a tenise bâ—ll and be not wedded to any other party but that of your Souereigne and lawfull Prince You run rashly into a bad action they fortifie you at your owne charge and you are the meanes to vndermine your selues The taking hereof caused the Castles of Beaumont and Touteuoyes to yeeld with the Townes of Sablé Louaâ— Chasteaugonthier Mayenne Alanson â—alaise and many others in the Prouinces of Touraine Aniou Mayne Perche and Normandy So as in lesse then two moneths his maiestie marched with his army furnished with maâ—y cannons and a great number of Strangers English Suisses and Germains aboue eight score leagues hauing atchieued many memorable seeges taken foureteene or fifeteene good townes assured manye Prouinces and in all places as hee passed Hee came he saw and ouercame Thus our Conquerour made the round of a third part of his Realme not finding any let to stay the course of his prosperities An vniust treacherous decree when as the Court of Parlement at Rouan no lesse violent and presumptuous then that of Thoulouse pronounceth them guilty of treason both against God and man the Estate and crowne of France that had opposed themselues against the holy vnion and all Royallists and their succesâ—â—â—â— depriued of all prerogatiues of Nobility their offices to be voide and not to be recouered them as vnworthy to possesse any offices benefices or dignities and all their goods â—orfeyted These armes were too weake to terrifie his maiesties serâ—ants this decree did little aduance the League And the Duke of Mayenne seeing the King farre off partly through shame partly through despayre and importuned by the Parisiens was constrained to pacifie their exclamations by some great exploit But the taking of Bois de Vincennes and Pontoise ended all his Conquests So many newe triumphs did wonderfully amaze the Leaguers the people grewe weary with the burthen of imposts the spoyle of souldiers and a thousand calamities that did oppresse them To mainteyne them in the gulfe of this confusion the mutinoâ—s and corrupt tongues of the Preachers charmed the blind with an impression of many intelligences both within and without the Realme by the hope of a 〈◊〉 and gâ—eâ—t succour from Spaine by the publication of many libells which 〈…〉 vsed as firebrandes to feede this
and some others were lightly hurt In this battaile they obserue three chiefe things The first the Kings firme resolution to giue battaile with an assured confidence that the sinceriity of his intent and the equity of his cause should bee fauored with the assistance of heauen The second that at the very instant of the fight it seemed that the earth did bring forth armed men for his seruice for on the eue and the day of battaile there came aboue sixe hundred horses vnto him vnexpected The third that of two thousand French Gentlemen only twelue hundred did fight twelue hundred put to rout an army of foure thousand horse fresh well mounted well armed and twelue thousand foote Without doubt the Eternall God of armes doth neuer forget the right of Princes Conquests after the victory against their rebellious subiects and a braue resolution with a wiâ—e commaunde giues a happie ende to battailes This victory purchased Vernon and Mante vnto the King two principall bridges vpon the riuer of Seixe And the heauens seemed to poure more blessings vpon our Henry and to make his way easie to an absolute Royaltie An other 〈…〉 of the League for the Earle of Rendan chiefe of the League in Auuergne was the same daie of the battaile of Yury shamefully chased from the seege of Iosstre slaine in battaille his troupes cut in peeces and his artillery taken by the Lords of Curton Rostignat and Chasseron As they had abused the Mantois with a vaine assurance of his death whome they durst not looke vpon nor incounter so with the like practises they must delude the Parisâ—â—ns The Duke of Mayenne his sister of Montpensier and the other heads of the League deceiued of hopes published by printed bookes That at the first assault at Dreux the Bearnois had lost aboue fiue hundred men that their wounds had made a greater number vnfit for their armes That the Marshall of Biron was wounded vnto death That in an other encounter neere vnto Poisâ—y the Vnion had gotten a great victory That in the battaile of Yury the combate had beene long and the losse almost equall That if the Bearnois bee not dead hee is little better But such as glad to haue saâ—ed themselues came to Paris marred all in verifying the Contrary making the people to hang downe their heads and to wish for peace by a still and mournefull muttering The fire brands of hell in their pulpits made the losse farre lesse then it was giuing them an assured hoped of speedie and newe succors from Spaine for the restoring of their Estate and the destruction of the Maheustres so they then called such as did fight vnder the Kings Enseigns To that ende the Duke of Mayenne went into Flanders to the Duke of Parma that is to say hee went to ruine his honour and reputation for being a master at home among his owne countryemen hee went to make himselfe a seruant and slaue to an ambitious proud man who hath often made him attend at his gate and lacquay after him before hee could receiue an answere of any matter of small importance to the great griefe an disdaine of the French Gentlemen that did accompanie him Doubtlesse it was necessary the Duke should trie the insolency of strangers the better to know the courtesie of the French and submit his armes and person to the King his soueragine and lawfull Lord the means whereby hereafter hee shall abolish the memory of things past Aduersity makes the wilfull more obstinate The Court of Parliament at Rouen for execution of the former decree puts to death the seauenth of Aprill some prisoners the Kings seruants and three daies after they declare all those persons guilty of high treason to God and man that followed the King of Nauarre so speake the decree and would not yeeld to King Charles the tenth of that name 1590 ioyne with the Vnion and carrie armes vnder the â—uke of Mayenne â—â—â—lest these threaten by their decree and the Duke goes to beg releefe the King being at Manta laboured to reduce the Parisiens to reason by mildnes But these trumpeâ—â— of sedition imputing this delay to want of courage perswaded the people that shortly their sworne enemie should haue worke inough and that at length he should beemined that a little patience would giue them a great victorie that they must not yeeldâ— any article whatsoeuer making impudent allusions to the name of his familie who is now seated in the throne of this monarchie These insolent exclamations brought the King about Paris Paris is accustomed to liue from hand to mouth Seege of Paris the benefit of the Hales the Place Maubert and other market places is the cause that the most part of housholds doe not knowe what prouision meanes And the cheefe of the League had so setled this former beleefe in the Citizens minds as of a hundred fourescore and nineteene had neglected to prouide for things necessarie to endure the toyle of a seege So as the taking of Mante Poissy Pont-charenton Corbeil Melun Montreau vpon Seine and Logny vpon Marne brought Parts in few moneths to extreame necessitie Compiegne Creil and Beaumont stopt the 〈◊〉 of Oise Erronious decision of Sorbonne But the ordinarie cries of the Preachers the practises of the cheefe and the Ladies of the League and the erronious decision of the facultie of Sorbonne giuen the seuenth of May in the thâ—rd generall congregation held to that end in the great hall of the sayd College prohibiting all Catholikes according to the law of God sayd they to receiue for King an heretike or fauorer of heretikes relaps excommunicate although he do afterwards obteine by an outward iudgement absolution of his crimes and Censures if there remaine any doubt of dissembling treacherie or suâ—uersion of the Catholike religion Condemning all them for heretikes forsakers of religion and peâ—â—icious to the church that should suffer any such to come to the crowne Al these made the multitude more obstinate against the extreamest miseries which the rigour of a long and painful â—eege may cause Besides this decision they had yet stronger restraints to bridle mens tongues actions that fauoured the flowre de Liz in their hearts The sixteene set spies to obserue the speeches and countenances of such as they suspect that is to say of such as wish for peace and haue not lost the remembrance of the true Princes of France And if any one chance to say It were good to â—reate of a peace He is a politike hee is a Roialist that is to say an heretike and enemie to the Church They spoyle imprison yea put to death such as doe not applaud this horrible tyrannie 〈◊〉 of the Paâ—â—siâ—ns The Duke of Nemours in the Duke his brothers absence commaunded at Paris and for his cheefe Councellors he had the Popes Legat the Ambassador of Spaine the Archbishop of Lion the Bishops of Paris Rennes Plaisance Senlis and others â—anigarole Bishop of
Chastillon comming from raysing of the seege of Aubigny which la Chastre chiefe of the League in Berry had beseeged promiseth the King that if hee will make him his Lieutenant on this side the â—iner hee will deliuer it into his power within eight daies His Maiesty giues him this Commaunde Hee makes a bridge of woode the point whereof reached vnto the breach that they might come couered to handâ—e stroakes with the enemie This newe engin amazeth them and drawes them to composition the which they obtayned on good-friday vpon condition to yeeld within eight daies if they were not releeued The Duke of Mayenne would not loose the certaine to runne after the vncertaine Hee held Chasteau-Thierry so straightly begirt as the Vicont Pinard was forced to capitulate with him before the King could come to his succour So the King lost Chasteau-Thierry and in exchange tooke Chartres a goodly and strong place There came forth about sixe hundred men with their armes horse and baggage and the 19. of Aprill the King made a triumphant entry in armes appointed a garrison â—estored Sourdis to his gouernment reduced Aulneau and Dourdan to his obedience and then went to refresh himselfe at Senlis Let vs nowe see soâ—â— other sinister accidents Charsteau Thierry lost A defeat in Prouence which in time shall helpe to ruine the League A thousand horse and eighteene hundred Harguebuziers Prouensals Sauoyards and Spaniards seeke to subdue that Prouince for the Duke of Sauoy la Vallette inuites le-Diguteres to do the King herein a notable seruice he goes and both ioyntly charge these troupes of strangers and bastard French they kill foure hundred masters and fifteene hundred 〈◊〉 take many prisoners and carrie away fifteene Enseigns winne many horses and much baggage and loose but one Gentleman and some twenty souldiars This done Les Diguieres returnes into Daulphinè Being gone the League recouers new forces in Prouence by the fauour and credit of the Countesse of Sault but shee had neyther force nor vigour able to countenance the factions of Spaine and Sauoye The Duke of Sauoye lately returned from Spaine growes iealous of 〈◊〉 intelligences preiudicall to his Estate and sets gards both ouer her and the Lord 〈◊〉 her son She is cunning counterfeits herselfe siâ—ke conceales her discontent In Poito◠〈◊〉 in the end finds means to escape with her sonne disguised to Marseilles In Poitou the gouernor of Loches hauing taken the Castell of la Guierche the Viconte of the sayd place presseth his friends inâ—eats the Duke of Mercoeur assembles all hee can to recouer his house The Baron of Roche-Posé ioyned with some other Commanders of the Country for his Maiesties seruice comes and chargeth the Vicont kills aboue three hundred gentlemen his best footemen aboue seauen hundred naturall Spaniards that were come out of Brittaine to succor the Viconte The Vicont after he had maintayned a little fight flies to a riuer by where thinking to passe in the ferry-boate the presse grew presently so great as boate and passingers â—unke La Guierche with many other gentlemen slaine or drowned did almost equall the number of the Nobility which died at Coutras Then the Princes and Noblemen Catholiks following the King did sollicit his Maiesty to turne to the Catholike religion and had by the Duke of Luxembourg sought to appease the bitternes of the Court of Rome against the estate of this realme The Dukes returne with small hope the petitions made vnto the King to prouide for his dutifull subiects of both religions to preuent the new attempts of Gregory the 14. and his adherents to the preiudice of this Crowne were the cause of two Edicts made at Mante in the beginning of Iuly the one confirmed the Edicts of pacification made by the deceased King vpon the troubles of the realme and disanulled all that passed in Iuly 1585. 1588. in fauour of the League Tâ—e other shewed the Kings intent to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion in France with the ancient rights priuileges of the French-church The Court of Parliament at Paris resident at Tours Chaalons in Champagne hauing verified these Edicts did presently disanul al the Bulls of Cardinall Caietans Legation The Popes Bull disanulled and other Bulls come from Rome the first of March proceedings excomunications and fulminations made by Marcellin Landriano terming himselfe the Popes Nuncio as abusiue scandulous seditious full of impostures made against the holy decrees Canonicall Constitutions approued Councells and against the rights and liberties of the French Church They decree that if any had beene excomunicate by vertue of the sayd proceedings they should be absolued the said Bulls and all proceedings by vertue thereof burnt in the market place by the hang-man Landriano the pretended Nuntio come priuily into the realme without the kings leaue or liking should bee aprehended and put into the Kings pryson and so to proceed extraordinarylie against him And in case he could not be taken he should be summoned at three short daies according to the accustomed manner and ten thousand frankes giuen in reward to him that should deliuer him to the Magistrate Prohibitions beeing made to all men to receiue retayne conceale or lodge the sayd pretended Nuntio vpon paine of death And to all Clergie men not to receiue publish or cause to be published any sentences or proceedings comming from him vpon paâ—ne to bee pâ—nished as Traytors They declared the Cardinalls beeing at Rome the Archbishops Bishoppes and other Clergy men which had signed and ratified the sayd Bull of excomunication and approued the most barbarous abhominable and detestable Parricide trayterously committed on the person of tâ—e sayd deceased King most Christian and most Catholike depriued of such spirituall liuings as they held within the realme causing the Kings Proctor generall to seize thereon and to put them into his Maiesties hand forbidding all persons eyther to carry or send gold to Rome and to prouide for the disposition of benefices vntill the King should otherwise decree That of Tours added this clause to their decree they declared Gregory calling himselfe Pope the foureteenth of that name an enemie to peace to the vnion of the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church to the King and to his Estate adhering to the conspiracy of Spaine and a fauorer of rebells culpable of the most cruell most inhumane and most detestable Parricide committed on the person of Henry the 3. of famous memory most Christian and most Catholike The Parliament of the League did afterwards condemne and cause those decrees to 〈◊〉 burnt at Paris which were made against the Bulls and ministers of the 〈…〉 So one pulled downe what an other built vppe During this contrarieâ—y of Parliaments there falls out a crosse to diuide the intentions of the Spanyard and Lorraine without the realme and of the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours at Paris Euery one by diuers practises affected this Crowne and euery one tryed all his wittes to set
the French with too great confidence and contempt of the enemie the Duke of Ioyeuze sets vppon them with all speed in the night kills foure hundred hurts a great number of them and but for the wisedome and aduise of Themines had slaine all the rest and gotten two Cannons of Montauban This done the Duke of Espernon retyres into Prouence 1592. His brother La Valette died in February are the Estate of Prouence required the Dukes presence being Gouernour The mines surprised and deâ—eated Ioyeuze layes hold of this occasion and the tenth of September returnes and campes before Villemur Reiners commits the place to the Baron of Mauzac to Chambert and la Chaize 〈◊〉 and valiant Commaunders in warre and goes himselfe to gather togither some â—â—â—cors at Montauban The seigneur of Desme is happily there with some forces without any stay puts himselfe into Villemur Ioyeuze made his battery of eight Cannâ—â—â— and two Culuerins when as Themines accompanied with sixe score maisters and tâ—o hundred harguebusiers marcheth couragiously to succour them causeth his horsemen to light and sends their horses safely backe to Montauban and so with great deâ—teritie thrusts himselfe into Villemur And in good time for the next day the twentith of September Ioyeuze gaue a sharpe assault but it was valiantly defended with great losse to the enemie At the same instant Themines giues an alarum with foure Trumpets which he had brought with him chargeth Ioyeuze fiercely and defeats a regiment newly come from Tholouse with a supplie of powder bullets pikes and iron forkes Hereupon the Marshall of Montmorencie Gouernour of Languedoe supplies the beseeged with some troupes led by Lecques and Chambault who aduertised of new forces come to Ioyeuze attend some dayes for Missillac Gouernour of Auuergne to ioyne with him Ioyeuze meanes to preuent them before they ioyne with the Auergnac to set vpon them Hee chargeth them at Bellegard and finds the beginning succesfull and pleasing but the end foule and mourneful for he left the field and returned with great losse Notwithstanding hee meanes to amaze the beseeged and by the Councell of Onoux and Momberault politike Captaines he makes many fires in his Campe as signe of victorie and ioy but Themines Leâ—ques and Chambault did but laugh at this policie Missillac arriues at Montauban with a hundred masters and a good number of harguebusiers Ioyeuze hauing his troupes then dispersed some before Villemur others in field against the Kings seruants all the Commaunders resolue to fight with him Missillac leads the foreward Chambault the battaile Lecques the reereward and the 19. of October they resolutely set vppon the Dukes first trench by the regiment of Clouzel and Montoison garded by two hundred souldiars and presently succourd by foure hundred others they force them and chase them to their second trench after an houre and a halfs fight vnder their Commaunder The rest of the Kings armie comes violently vpon them Themines issueth out of Villemur and chargeth them behind He leaues the place and retires farther off to Condommes where his campe and artillerie remayned His men seeing themselues poursued take this retreat for a slight they grow amazed all disband all flie in disorder feare makes them to loose their iudgement and the most part casting themselues into the riuer of Tar the bridge of boats which Ioyeâ—ze had made being vncapable of so great a presse desired rather to trie the fortune of the water then of the victors sword They cut the bridge which was in a manner the death of all them that had trusted in this violent Element Ioyeuze disapointed of the vse of the bridge leaps amongs the rest into Tar being full of them that fled and the Tar swalowing vp his bodie as the rest leaues his soule to seeke the place of his destiny The victors passe the foard and charge them that did swim in the water poursue them that flie The Duke of Ioyeuze drowned cut all in peeces they incounter and of so great a number bring but fortie three prisoners The death of about three thousand men ruined the League in Languedoc and Quercy Three Cannons two Culuerins two and twentie enseignes and all the baggage were the spoyles of this so memorable a day And to make it the more memorable the victors lost but tenne men whereof foure being not well knowne did by mistaking run lâ—â—e fortune with the vanquished Thus Villemur hauing endured aboue two thousand Cannon shot was fully deliuered with the losse of seuenteene souldiars onely The Dukes bodie was drawne out of the water and buried in Villemur and the Kings army consisting of fiue hundred masters and two thousand and fiue hundred shot besides those which remained in the place beseeged retyred hauing purchased great honour to their garrisons Thus the Leagues affaires began to languish the impatienciâ— and lightnesse of people who promise vnto themselues much and suffer little did queÌ„ch this great heat which was lately seene in good Townes the whole partie runs headlong to their ruine They did no more take for payment the assurance which was giuen them to prouide shortly for this common disorder and by an assemly of the Estates proceed to the Election of a King The League dâ—clines who should raise the pillers of their Estate and restore the good order and harmonie that should bee betwixt them The zeale of the new Pope Clement the eight moued them very little The forces and pistolets of Spaine grow hatefull vnto them The actions of the Duke of Mayenne are detested they abhorre the tyrannies which other pettie Kings would practise in their Prouinces and did well foresee that the ambition of great men would soone thrust the people into the gulfe of vtter ruine finally â—ueâ—y one begins to lifâ— vp his head and to desire peace They speake of it in the open Parliament of the League The cheefe of the Cittie ioyne with them that are most desirous of quiet and in the end procure an assemblie of the Cittie of Paris in the midest of Nouember They speake very plainly to end these troubles and to send to treat with the King to that end and purpose besides by the death of the Cardinall of Bourbon lately deceased the preferring and aduancing of the vncle before the nephew which they pretended was no more of force The Duke of Mayenne seing himselfe readie to be disapointed goes to the Towne-house intreats the assemblie to referre the decision of that point to the Estates and to forbeare to deale therein Otherwise said he I shall haue reason to thinke that the authors thereof are ill affected to our partie and will deale with them as with the enemies of our religion Notwithstanding all his threats it was decreed that attending a conuocation of the Estates they should send â—â—to the King to obteine a free trafficke betwixt them and the Townes of this Realme The Duke not able to impugne this conclusion seemes to
nation but pleading the cause of the King of Spaine and the rights of Lorraine The Duke of Feria and Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine had their Agents and aduocates by whome they gaue them to vnderstand that the King of Spaines intention was only to haue a King chosen that might pacifie the troubles of the realme deliuer them from their enemies defend them against all assaylants and restore the Crowne to her first beauty And representing the voluntary bounty of the Catholike King and the great effects of the succors giuen by him vnto France wherein hee had imployed aboue sixe millions of gold he would inferre that now but he was capable of this election or else in regard of him the Infant Donna Isabella to whome the sayd Ambassador durst mayntaine that by the Lawes of nature of God and of the realme it did belong The desseinâ— of Spaine Doubtlesse from the insolent proceedings and proud desseins of strangers the soueraigne author and gardien of Estates caused the preseruation of this monarchie to growe They commended this Ambassage and receiued it with honour But the pretensions of this Infanta were reiected at the first as a proposition contrary to the fundamentall lawes of the realme His Agents seeing themselues frustrate of this first demand they frame a second vpon the election of the Arch-duke Ernest Cross by somâ— men of honour fiâ—st brotâ—er to the Emperour to whome the King of Spaine promised to giue his daughter to wife when as the assemblie had declared her Qâ—eene of France But what should become of so many Competitors growne vp in France So this proposiâ—ion finding no man willing to entertaine it remayned frutelesse Nowe some thinking to giue the last mate to the Kings good fortune 〈◊〉 a third expedient Thaâ— if they giue this Crowne vnto the Noble Infanta and to him of the Princes of France comprehending the house of Lorraine whome the King of Spaine should choose they would cause this election to bee seconded with an army of eight thousand foote and two thousand horse and within fewe monethes to be fortified with the like numbers which soone should redâ—ce â—rance wholy and peaceably to these newe Kings that they would giue a hundred thousand Crownes monethly so long as the warre should last to entertayne ten thousand foote three thousand horse within the realme Was not this to â—eed mens mindes with fancies dreames and imaginations But no man giues his voice to this last proposition Doubtlesse there was no proportion to recompence the succors sent by Philip to the reuolted townes with the Crowne of France Contrariwise many hauing their mindes merely French knew wel that this proposition was to make matters irreconciliable and to bring an immortal warre into France and therefore with a feruent zeale and great affection they opposed themâ—elues against the reception thereof hoping the eternall prouidence who had so often raysed France from most greeuous falls of warre and from greater infirmities would now preuent these latter dangers otherwise then by the subuersion of the lawes which were made to support it The declaration which his Maiesty opposed to that of the Duke of Mayenne The Kings declaration against the Leaguâ—râ— did much preuaile to fortifie those good mindes in their commendable resolution and prepared their hearts generally to conceiue a great hope of a speedy peace For the King discouering the practises of his rebellious subiects namely of their heads the Dukes treachery presuming to assemble the Estates of the realme which may not be called but by royall authority and for matter of religion hee protesteth that besides the Couocation of a Councell if there may be round any better or more speedie meanes to come to the instruction which they â—retend to giue him 1553. to diuert him from the exercise of his religion to that of the Catholike and Romish he will willingly embrace it with all his heart giuing leaue to the Princes Officers of the Crowne and other Noblemen that did assist him to â—end their Deputies to the Pope to deale in this instruction and to be pleased therewith and blaming the Leaguars who had hindred the effects hee layed a good foundation of the obedience which his subiects prepared for him Declaring moreouer this pretended assemblie at Paris to be attempted against the Lawes against the good and quiet of the realme and all that should be treated or concluded therein abusiue and of no force Terming the Duke and his adherents in that case guiltie of high treason shewing that he could maintaine his authoritie against all vsurpers But offering pardon to all Townes Comonalties and persons seduced by the cheefe of the League and exhorting them to remember themselues hee made his subiects begin to tast that great and admirable clemencie whereby he hath won the hearts and brought the affections of the French to a perfect and most voluntarie obedience To this declaration of his Maiestie the Princes and Noblemen Catholikes that were about him added an other which they sent to these pretended Estates and required that some should be deputed on either part to resolue of the fittest expedients to pacifie these troubles for the preseruation of the Catholike religion and the Estate The Duke of Mayenne and his partie accept of this conference so as it may be done by Catholikes only The conference at Surene and it began the 29. of April at Surene neere Paris Whilest the good Cardinall of Bourbon liued he was an instrument for the League now he is dead religion is their onely pretext And the more the King giues them hope of his conuersion to the Romish Church the more violent they are to draw the people from this beleefe Crost by the court of Rome The Legat seekes to crosse it and by a publike exhortation full of iniuries against his Maiestie hee labours to perswade the French that the King long since dismembred from the bodie of the Church was most iustly pronounced incapable of the Crowne Then opposing himselfe against the decrees of the Parliaments of Tours and â—â—â—alons made against the monitories of Landriano he extols his masters praises condemnes the Parliament which had condemned his Bulls magnifies the Estates of the League who reiected an obstinate heretike and relaps with a resolution neuer to yeeld vnto him for said hee such is the Popes will and pleasure But why a relaps and obstinate considering the due submission which our Henry makes to yeeld to better instruction The Pope himselfe will harken soone vnto him and all the Consistorie will blesse his resolution Both the Duke and Legat preuaile little in their deuises Those which held the first place in this assembly had no other care but to preserue this Monarchie found this expedient The answere of the â—stâ—tes to the 〈◊〉 oâ— Spa ne That to frustrat the former propositions they should say to the Duke of Feria and other ministers of Spaine that it would bee now out of
from the Archduke Ernest Lieutenant generall for the King of Spaine in the Low Countries who soone after perswaded the subiects of the sayd Countries to arme and to inuade France The better to knowe Picardie and to iudge of what should be necessary against the attemptes of this newe enemy the King makes a voyage to the fronter and then returnes to Paris to celebrate the solemnity of the knights of the order of the holy Ghost and to receiue the Ambassadors of Venise Vincent Gradenico and Iohn Delphino being sent to congratulate the happy successe of his affayres and Peter Duodo to succeed Iohn Mocenigo At his arriuall hee receiues three good aduertisements That the Marshall d' Aumont had taken from the Spaniard one of the places he had fortified in Brittaine That the Spaniards thinking to enter into Montrueil hauing giuen fiftie thousand Crownes to the gouernour had beene repulsed with the losse of fiue or sixe hundred men And that the Marshall of Bouillon had ioyned with the army of Cont Maurice in despight of Cont Charles But oh monstrous attempt the onely remembrance should make our haire to stare and our hearts to tremble The 27. of December the King being booted in one of the Chambers of the Louure The Kingâ— hurt in the â—â—ce hauing aboute him his Cousins the Prince of Conty the Cont Soissons and the Earle of S Paul and a great number of the chiefe Noble men of his Court bending downe to receiue the Lords of Ragny and Montigny who kist his knee a yongman called Iohn Chastel of â—he age of eighteene or nineteene yeares the sonne of a wollen draper in Paris a Nouice of the Iesuits 5594 encouraged by their instructions thrust on by a diuelish furie creeps into the chamber with the presse surprising his Maiestie as he was stooping to take vp these gentlemen in steed of thrusting him into the bellie with a knife as he had determined he strooke him on the vper lippe and brake a tooth This wretch was taken and confessed it without torture The King vnderstanding that he was a disciple of that schoole Must the Iâ—suits then said hee be iudged by my mouth Thus God meaning by this cursed and detestable atttempt to countenance the pursute of the vniuersitie of Paris against that sect Iohn Chastel hauing declared the circumstances of his wicked intent was found guiltie of treason against God and man in the higest degree and by false and damnable instructions holding that it was lawfull to murther Kings A decree against the murtherer and that the King now raigning was not in the Church vntill he were allowed by the Pope was by a decree of the Court condemned to do penance before the great dore of our Ladies Church naked in his shirt vpon his knees holding a burning torch of two pound weight to haue his armes and legges pinched at the Greue with burning pincers and his right hand holding the knife wherewith hee sought to commit this parricide to bee cut off his bodie to bee torne in peeces by foure horses burnt to ashes and cast into the wind and all his goods forfeit to the King The said Couâ—t decreed by the same sentence That the Preests schollers and all others terming themselues of that societie as corrupters of youth troublers of publike quiet and enemies to the Kings state should depart within three dayes after the publication of this decree out of Paris and other places where they had colledges and within fifteene out of the Realme vppon paine after the said time to bee punished as guiltie of high treason all their mouable and immouable goods to bee forfaited to bee imployed in godly vses forbidding all the Kings subiects to send any Schollers to the Colledge of the said societie without the Realme there to be instructed or taught vnder like paines as before The Decree was executed the nine and twentith of the said moneth Peter Chastel the father and Iohn Gueret schoolemaster to this murtherer were banished the first for a certaine time out off Paris and fined at two thousand Crownes the last for euer out off the Realme vppon paine of death The fathers house standing before the pallace razed and a piller erected conteyning for a perpetuall monument the causes of that ruine Amongst the writings of one named Iohn Guignard of Chartres were found certaine outragious and scandalous libells against his Maiestie made since the generall pardon granted by him at the reduction of Paris for the which hee was executed the seuenth of Ianuary following Experience hath often taught Warre proclaymed against the Spaniard that armes produce greater effects abroad in the enemies Countrie then at home and that the goodliest triumphe is sought farthest off Our vnciuill confusions were forged cheefly in Spaine and the Iesuits had beene the cheeâ—est workemen One Francis Iacob a scholler of the Iesuits of Bourges had lately vanted to kill the King but that hee held him for dead and that an other had done the deed And this horrible attempt of late vppon the sacred face of his Maiestie wherein hee was miraculously preserued doth witnes that they were the cheefe firebrands So the King grounding the necessitie of his armes vppon these considerations after hee had rooted out this sect of Schooles which they held within the Iurisdiction of the Parliament of Paris hee published a declaration for the making of warre against the King of Spaine Without doubt the reasoâ—s were verie apparent and manifest and the beginning more fauourable then the end The Marshall of Bouillon begins this new warre he enters the Duchie of Luxemâ—ourg with an armie of a thousand horse and foure thousand foote and at the first putâ—â—o rout eleuen Cornets of horse of Cont Charles neere to Wirton kills two hundred and fiftie vppon the place makes the rest to leaue armes horse and baggage and to saue themâ—â—lues in the next forrest 1595. Philip likewise for his part proâ—â—â—iâ—es 〈◊〉 against our Henry The Duke of Lorraine on the other side hauing taken a truce 〈◊〉 his Maiestie Some Lorrains serue the King the Baron of Aussonuille with the Seignieurs of Tremblecourt and 〈◊〉 George who before made warre vnder him now take the white scarfe they enter the County of Bourgongne with a thousand horse and fiâ—e thousand foote and at the first they seize vpon Vezou de Ionuille and other places Behold the fire which threatens two Prouinces but the Spaniard suffers them not to be consumed as men presumed that being busie to quench it he would leaue Picardie in quiet Hee commands the Archduke Erneste that with the hazard of the Lowe Countries he should transport all his forces into Picardie and moreouer causeth the Constable of Castille gouernour of Milan to passe the Alpes with a great armie of Spaniards and Neapolitanes who recouered the places and forced the Lorraines to disperse themselues The Artesiens and Hannuyers foreseeing the desolation which the continuance of this warre would
But hee will teach vs that the surest stroakes come from the head and if the olde Duke of Guise could by a gallant stratageme recouer a towne from the English most important for the Estate of this Crowne he in like sort by the like exploite will make himselfe the terror of all Picardie 1596 Hee departs from Bruxells and giues it out that hee will succor la Fere. For his first fruites he findes meanes to giue them some releefe of men and munition in March. Calais and Aâ—dres taken by the Spaniaâ—d Then in Aprill he causeth his army being very strong to turne head towards Calais beseegeth batters and takes both towne and Castell by assault against all the resistance of the beseeged and puts many French gentlemen to the sword being sent to supply the Castell The Senâ—shall of Montlimart commanding the French and Aluarez Osorio the Spaniards in la Fere hauing for the space of fiue monethes endured all the toyles of warre and seene the riuer within the towne to rise two or three foote by the labour of men La Fâ—re lost had the 22. of the sayd moneth by a good composition some-what recompenced this so notable a losse if the Cardinall had planted here the lymits of his victories But contynuing the prosperity of his armies whilest the Kings are weary and demand rest after so great toyle hee goes in the beginning of Maye and campes before Ardres a very strong towne and notwithstanding their great defence became Master thereof the 23. of the moneth and resolues to people these townes of his newe Conquest with straâ—ge Colonies and prepares to adde vnto them that of Hulst in Flanders In the meane time the two armies spend the rest of the Sommer in light roads one into an others Country Warre in Arthois In the beginning of September the Marshall of Biron enters Arthois takes the Casteâ—l of Imbercourt encounters with fiue Cornets of horse of the Marquis of Varambon followed by fiue or sixe hundred horse of combate chargeth them hee kills all that seeke to withstand the violence of his armes puts the rest in route takes the Marqâ—is prisoner afterwards had fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome filled the whole Country with feare then inuading the County of Saint Paul he tooke and spoyled the towne and some other places The Cardinall busied at the seege of Hulst hearing that the Marquis was taken hee sent the Duke of Arscot to commande in his place As hee enters into Arâ—as the French assaile it on the other side spoile the Country about it and laden with bootie the Marshall retires safely to the fronters oâ— Picardie Being discharged hee returnes to Bapaume spoiles Hebuterne Benuiller Courcelles and other places defeates such as would make resistance and carries away more spoile then at the first And seeing the Duke of Arscot incamped neere to Arras vnder the fauour of the Cannon intrenched carefully and loath to hazard any thing knowing that he was to deale with one of the happiest and most valiant warriors of Europe they fire all and reuenge as oportunitie would suffer them the Spaniards outrage in places lately taken they make a roade towards Bethune and Therouenne bring away many prisoners furnish their places with Cattell at the enemies cost and without any resistance go and campe in the plaine of Azincourt The Duke supplied with eight hundred â—oote ioyned to the regiment of Colonel Bourlote parts from Arras the 5. of October and goes and incampes at Saint Paul The Marshall leaues him there returnes into Arthois runnes vnto Douay spoiles all then returning into Picardie hee gaue the Duke of Arscot meanes to recouer the Castell of Himbercourt who content with this conquest dismisseth his army and disposed of his companies into garrisons Then by the meanes of the Duke of Bouillon the alliance was confirmed and sworne betwixt the King the Qâ—eene of England and the vnited Prouinces of the Lowe Countries For matters past there is no remedie and the Polititians hold that there is no Lawe more vnprofitable then that which tends to reforme what is past The King therefore to settle his affaires and to prouide for the future resolute not to suffer theâ—e newe Colonies of Dourlans Capelle Castelet Cambray Calais and Ardres and with the newe yeare to renue a deadly warre against the Spaniard which might not bee attempted without a mighty army An Assâ—mbly aâ— Rouâ—n in â—orme of a Parliament nor the army leuied without treasure the which he could not recoueâ— without the helpe of his subiects hee assembled in manner of a Parliament the greatest and most discreet of the three orders of his realme at Rouan the fourth of Nouember where the Inhabitants of their owne voluntariâ— free will 5596 spent foure hundred thousand Crownes to make his Maiestie an honorable reception where he receiued the gaâ—ter a badge of the order of England by the hands of the Earle of Shrewsburie His Maiestâ—e desired to deserue these two glorious titles of Deliuerer â—estorer of of his estate At his coming to the Crowne hee had found France not onely in a manner ruined but almost all lost for the French but by the grace of the Almightie by the prayers by the good counsell of his loyall Subiects who make no profession of armes by the sword of his Princes and of his braue and generous Nobilitie by his paines and labour he had preserued it from losse Let vs saue it now from ruine said our King speaking to the assembâ—ie Participate my deere subiects with mee in this second glorie as you haue done in the first I haue not called you as my Predecessors did to make you approue my will I haue caused you to assemble to haue your Counsells to beleeue them and to follow them finally to put my selfe into your hands A desire which seldome commaunds Kings that haue white haires and are Conquerors But the vehement loue I beare vnto my Subiects and the exeding desire I haue to adde these two goodly titles to that of King makes mee to find all easâ—y and honorable The sharpnes of winter had layd armes aside and the excessiue raine caused many inundations whereof amongst others followed that of the millers bridge at Paris which sinking on Saint Thomas night was the losse of three hundred persons slaine in the ruines of the building and drowned in the riuer Whilest they examine the resolutions taken in this honorable assemblie and that the King prepares for a mightie armie to chase the Spaniard out off Picardie behold the capitall Cittie of this Prouince strong of seat and well fortified where his Maiestie pretended to make his Arcenall and storehouse for the warre against the Sranger in Arthois and other Prouinces of the Low Countries was surprised in the day time the people being at sermon without force without defence by the practise of some factioâ—s and the carelesse basenesse of the Inhabitants who standing vpon their ancient
then to leaue that willingly which they could not hold by force That the King had expresly forbidden him not to consent to any Treaty nor to the choyse of any place for an Assembly before he had assurance of this restitution That hee held it a wrong done vnto the dignitye of so great a Prince to the honour of his commaundements to the equity of his cause and to his good fortune once to hearken vnto the difficulties they made to yeelde him vp that which was his owne That whosoeuer should treat with this preiudice deserued to be punished as the authors of Treaties that were dishonourable to their Maisters The Generall of the Fryars who could get no other resolutions at his hands returned twise into Flanders to let them vnderstand that among all the reasons of the Treaty that of Restitution was inuincible and that it was in vayne to demaund a Peace of the French if they did not restore all That this Restitution was the soule of the Treaty without the which it was a fantastike body without any naturall proportion and substance That in the ende desiring too much they should haue nothing and thinking to hold all they would loose all The Archduke doth aduertise the King of Spaine that there was no meanes to enter into the Temple of Peace but by opening of the gates of Calais Ardres Dourlans and other places taken in Warre vnto the King of France God inspired the heart of the King of Spaine against the opinion of his Councell of State to yeeld vp all his pretensions for the good of a Peace rather then to leaue the world in this perpetuall Discord and Confusion He did consult with his Councell of conscience vpon the necessity of this Restitution They answered him that he could not liue with a quiet soule nor die in the integrity of his Religion if he did not restore those places The King of Spaine followed this aduice aduertâ—sing the Archduke that he would not for that which he had gotten from an other loose the meanes to leaue a Peace to his owne Estates Vpon this resolution the Generall of the Fryars returnes into France The King of Spain reâ—olueâ— to yeâ—ld all the places and passeth his word vnto the Lâ—gate Sillery for the Restitution so as after an infinite toyle of two moneths these three made all things ready for a Treaty Sillery returnes to the King leading with him the Generall of the Fryars as wel to let him vnderstand from the Kings owne mouth what he had sayd vnto him by his commaundement as also to haue the Generall tell the King what hee had promised and propounded on the Archdukes behalfe The Legate remayned at S. Quintin aâ— Gardien of the words and intentions of two Princes Being assured of eythers faith they agree vpon a place for the assembly of the Deputies and to conclude the Treaty â—he Towne of Veruins being vnder the Kings obedience and neere vnto the â—â—oâ—ters of Arthâ—is was found the most commodious Veruins chosâ—n for the conference and was presently furnished with all things necessary to receiue the Ambassadors The King Deputed Pompone de Belieure Knight Lord of Grignon the chiefe and most auncient of his Priuy Councell and Nicholas Brulart Knight Lord of Sillery Councellour of State to his Maiesty and President in his Court of Parliment For the King of Spaine and the Archduke there came Iohn Richardot Knight President of the Kings Priuye Councell and of his Councell of State Iohn Baptista Taxis Knight Commaunder de los Santos of the Military order of S. Iames and Councellor of State and of the Councel of Waâ— Lewis Verrichen Knight AudieÌ„cer chiefe Secretary Treasorer of the Charters of the Councell of State The Cardinall Medicis Legate of the holy Sea assisted by the Bishop of Mantoua was as it were an Vmper of all difficulties in this good and holy reconciliation The Kings Deputies arriued first and those of the King of Spaine presently after where hauing saluted one another with hearts full of ioy and incredible content they promised to treat Roundly Sincerely Mildely communicating their Commissions one vnto an other and reforming those errors which they found The Precedence yeelded to the French that they might begin to treat more safely and freely After much question and many protestations made by the Deputies of the King of Spaine for the Precedence in the ende they yeelded vnto the French Kings to take what place they pleased after the Legate and the Popes Nuncio At their first sitting the Legate exhorts them to shewe the fidelity and integritie iâ— this action which their Maisters desired The Legate exhorâ—â— the Depuâ—ies whereof he assured himselfe by their experâ—ences as of those which had happily managed the greatest affayres of Europe more then any other men wishing them to consider that hauing the honour to Councell two of the greatest Princes of the world who submitted their wills vnto their Councells as the most diuine thing among men when it is purged from ambitious passions violent thoughts and preiudicate opinions they should omit nothing that might regard the contentment of their good intentions and not to doubt but that God who hath an especial care of Kings and Kingdomes would infuse the light of his sâ—irit into their most seceet thoughts and threaten them with the sincerity of his Iustice if they did not apply all their indeauours to his glory and the good of the Christian common weale Then they entred into Treaty with a mildnesse fit for men of that quality and the merit of the matter It was managed with such secrecie as nothing was knowne before that all was concluded The chiefe poynt of difficulty was for the restitution of Places Many reasons were propounded on eyther side but the Kings Deputies had great aduantages the force of reason the prosperity of affayres in the recouery of Amiens and aboue all the fauour of the time and occasion The King of Spaine would not dye but in Peace he desired his Sonne might raigne in Peace and that his deerely beloued Daughter might be married in Peace The Aâ—chduke languished with a desire to be married and fearing least the promise which he had not taking effect during the life of the King of Spaine the conditions would be made worse he pressed Richardot and Taxes not to proceed in this negotiation after the Spanish manner but to remember that they must not prolong their consultations nor protract an action the praise whereof depended vpon the conclusion So after they had balanced all matters in the treaty to reduce them to a iust proportion of reason all controuersies betwixt the two Kings were reconciled and ended During the Treaty of Veruins the Emperour Rodulphus the 2. as well for himselfe as for some Princes of the Empire An Agent sent from the Emperour to the Stâ—tes of the vnited Prouinces at the instant request of the King of Spaine sent Charles
the common licentious conuersing with the people for the auoiding of scandales which do often followe That all reuersions of Benefices may be taken away as well for that it is against the Cannon Lawe and the holy Constitutions of Councells as also for that it is a cause to shorten the liues of the Incumbents That the Contracts before time passed betwixt their Maiesties and the Clergy may be confirmed without breach or supposition for the Subsidy granted vnto his Maiesty by the Clergie That it would also please his Maiesty to prouide them conuenient remedies vpon the complaints which they had presented vnto him Wherevnto the King made a very short but a pithy answer the effect was this I confesse that what you haue saied is true The King â— answer to the Clergy but I am not the author of these Innouations these mischiefes were brought in before my comming During the Warres I haue runne to the greatest fire to quench it I will nowe do what is needfull in time of Peace I know that Religion and Iustice be the foundations and pillers of this Estate the which is maintained by Pietie and Iustice. But if they were not I would plant them by little and little as I do all things with the helpe of God I will settle the Church in as good Estate as it was a hundred yeares since as well for the discharge of my conscience as for your content but Paris was not al built in one daie Let the people bee as much perswaded by your good examples to do well as they haue beene heretofore disswaded You haue exhorted me of my duty I do admonish you of yours let vs all do good Go you one way and I will go an other if wee meete we shall soone haue done My Predecessors haue giuen you Words but I with my graie Iâ—cket will giue you Deeds I am all gray without but I am all of Gold within I will write vnto my Councell to see your complaints and will prouide for you as fauorably as I may During these admonitions of the Clergy The Iesuitâ— seeke to be restorâ—d the Cardinall of Florence mooued the King for the restitution of the Iesuites The 7. Article of the treaty of Peace at Veruins did suffer the Subiects and seruants of either side as well Clergy men as Laye to returne enioy their Offices Benefices Reuenues obtayning permission letters patents vnder the broad seale from the Prince Many thought that the Iesuits should be comprehended in this Article and that if by this Peace the Spaniards were held Allies and as it were Cousin germains to the French those whom the Kings Aduocate had the yeare before in open Parliament termed Emissaires to the King of Spâ—ine shold returne to their Colleges from whence they had bin expelled by a sentence giuen in December in the yeare 1594. But the light ofPeace shines not vpon them The neâ—e world which it doth produce hauing cast the cenders of Warre Rancor and Reuenge into the Aire allowes them no retreat within the Iurisdiction of Paris The decrees which had banished them are grauen in Marble the Water of Praâ—ers Fauours and Teares although it perceth Stoanes preuailes nothing At the same time was concluded the marriage of Madame Catherine Princeâ—se of France and of Nauâ—rre The Kings only Sister 〈◊〉 to the Prince of Lorraine the Kings onely Sister with the Marquis of Pont Duke of Baâ— and Prince of Lorraine after many Iourneyes made by the sayd Prince vnto the most Christian Kingâ— in which accord there were great difficulties as well by reason of the diuersity of Religion the sayd Princesse refusing to leaue the reformed wherein sâ—ee had beene bred as also for that she could not be perswaded to go out off France Sâ—e had beene formerly sought by many great Princes to whom shee would not consent for the one or the other of these two causes and somtimes for both togither Francâ—s Monsiâ—ur Duke of Alenson desired her in the yeare 1582. but the difficulty was then greater for matters of Religion And before that King Henry the 3. comming out of Poland did affect her and it is thought that if he had seene her at Lion at his returne he would haue married â—er but Katherine de Medicis the Queene Mother described her to be a Dwarfe and crooked the which was most false for she was of a meane stature and of a good countenance It is true she had one legge somewhat shorter then an other which is a marke of the house of Albret for so had Alain Lord of Albret Father to King Iohn great Grand-father to the sayd Princesse Katherine The Qâ—â—ene Mother did this good turne for her God-daughter seeking to disgrace the King of Nauarre â—hom she haâ—ed from his youth vpon an imagination beeing told by an Italian Sooth-saier that he should succeed her Children Then the Duke of Lorraine who since was her Father in Lawe sought her The Prince of Condy loued her The King of Spaine sent to see her in the yeaâ—e 1580. promising great aduancement to the King of Nauarre This fayling the Duke of Sauoy sent twise in the yeare 83. promising no waie to impeach her Religion His Agent being refused he went into Spaine about his marriage with the Infanta Catherina Michelle In the yeare 86. the King of Scotland sent Master Meluin a Scotishman and others The Prince of Anhault being come to the succour of tâ—e Kâ—ng her Brother at his first comming to the Crowne of France demaunded her himselfe in person but through the necessity of the Warres which were dispersed throughout all France he returned as hee came with some discontent During these Warres two Princes of the bloud affected her the Earle of Soissons and the Duke of Montpensiâ—r but the neerenesse of bloud the diuersity of Religion and the indisposition of affaireâ— hindred the effect of their desires So as in the end he enioyed her to whom God had appointed her The ceremonies obâ—erued at this marriage wee will shew in the following yeare In Italie there grewe newe â—â—irres by reason of the death of Alphonso d' Esté Duke of Ferrara who was the last of that Noble house of Esté The Duchie of Ferrare is a masculine â—ee for so the Lawes call it belonging to the Holy Sea This fee had in former times beene graunted to the family of Esté by the Holy Sea in regard of seruices done by them vnto the Church Tâ—â—ubles for the Duâ—hy of Feâ—rara vpon condition that the Males onely should hold the sayd Dâ—chie and for want thereof it should returne againe vnto the Church to dispose thereof as it pleased Alphonso then being deceased without lawfull heires Males the Church demaâ—nds her right and for this effect there were great stirres on either side Duke Alphonso had in his life time labored all hee could to settle Caesar de Esté his last Brothers Sonne in the right of this dignity and the succession
in the mildnesse of his gouernment and that the common feeling of so many miseries which they had suffered and which had continued together should perswade them to grow familiar and friendly together and to haue no more occasion to remember things past then his Maiestie had meaning to remember his owne wrongs Warre is not dead in an Estâ—te whereas Consciences are diuâ—ded it doth but sleepe a small matter awakens it there is nothing more apprehensiue or that doth pierce more violently into the perswasion of Men to bandâ—e them one against another then Religion Euery man thinkes his owne the better and so iudgeth of it more by his owne Zeale and Passion then through Knowledge and Reason The King during the Warre had runne to those things which did most presse him and to the dangers that did most import he had deferred to reconcile this diuision being grieued in his Soule that the impietie of the Warre would not suffer him to make shew of the fruites of his Pietie They of the Reformed Religion made many and great complaints that the Kings Edicts were not obserued nor kept that they were not prouided of all things necessarie for the exercise of their Religion the Liberty of their Consciences Complaints oâ— them of the Religion and the safetie of their Persons and Fortunes They sayd moreouer that they desired not that the order of gouernment of State should bee changed to their profit or of any forraine Prince nor to haue the State torne in peeces to please the Ambition of some fewe Men but onely to enioy their Consciences with Peace and their liues in safetie That so many iust requests being granted vnto them by the Edicts of Kings Predecessors to his Maiestie demanded and defended by himselfe with so great Zeale Vertue had not been hearkened vnto vnder his raigne when as they should best hope and vnder whom and had it not been for the affection which they had vnto his Greatnesse and the foundation which they laied on his good will towards them they might lawfully and profitably haue practised the wayes which they were forced to hold vnder Kings his Predecessors But they could not despaire any thing of him whom God by the Protection of his Church had brought vnto the succession of the Crowne nor obtaine lesse then Libertie and Liâ—e hauing spent their blouds so freelie for him They complained that Preaching was banished from his Maiesties Court to banish them consequently from his house where they could noâ— serue him without seruing of God No good man might remaine there but hee was dayly in danger of murthering or to bee hurt without hope of comfort or assurance of grace That they practise dayly to exclude them of the Religion from all Charges and Offices in the State 1599. Iustice Treasurâ—â—nd Pollicie which they did neuer greatly affect Exclusion froÌ„ publike charges shamefull No man is held a Cittâ—zâ—Ì„ if he be not partaker of the honors of the Cittie as his Maiestie can best witnesse They beseech him to iudge if it be reasonabâ—e they should doe wrong vnto their Children to depriue them by their dulnesse to be held in future ages for Iewes within the Realme in steed of the honorable ranke which their progenitors had left them and which their seruice done vnto his Maiesty should haue purchased them That it was more tollerable to liue vnder the truce of the deceased King who was an enemie to their profession yet he did grant vnto them the exercise of their Religion both in his armie and in his Court allowed the Ministery at his owne charge and gaue them a Towne of retreate in euery Bayliwike With these and such like complaints the King was daily importuned the end of all these assemblies was to obtaine an Edict from the King so cleere and plaine concerning all their necessities as they should not be constrained to sue for any other as they did not cease vntill the King had signed it the last yeare being at Nantes after that hee had reduced that Prouince vnto his obedience conteining a Declaration of the Edicts of Pacification of the troubles growne in France for matter of Religion the which was not established in the Court of Parliament at Paris The last Edict for religion at Nantes in April 1598. vntill the 25. of February this yeare 99 by reason of many oppositions and difficulties that were made At Saint Germaine in Laye Berthier one of the Agents for the Clergie made many petitions vnto his Maiestie and did greatly importune the Lords of the Councell to consider of it In like sort the Bishop of Mâ—dena who was then the Popes Nuncio in France dealt in it beseeching the King so to deale for his Subiects that were gone astray as the honour of God might â—emaine whole and the Church receiue no preiudice In so doing his Holinesse would endure all things for the peace of Franâ—e Berthier demanded that his Maiestie would not suffer the Ministers of the Reformed Religion to haue any other libertie on this side the Riuer of Loire but to liue quietly and not to bee sought after That the Catholike religion should bee generally restored in all places and Churchmen doe their offices without any danger And thirdly that the Clergie men should be wholy freed from the vexations which they had suffred vntill that day in Townes and Places held by them of the Religion where they had taken away their Pensions and Reuenues and in some Prouinces had forced them His Maiestie granted the second and third Article and as for the first the King not being able to make any such prohibition without some trouble it was let alone There was also great conteâ—tion in particular betwixt the said Berthier and some of the Reformed Religion touching the Assembly of their Synods the which they would haue free without demanding leaue from his Maiestie maintaining that they might go freely into forraine Countries Contestation touchinâ— their 〈◊〉 with Strangâ—rs and assist at their Synodes and other Actes and in like sort receiue Strangers into theirs the which the Marshall Bouillon had managed with some who perhaps had not foreseene the danger but Berthier contested it so vehemently against the Marshall in the Kings presence as his reasons being heard and the importance of the thing considered that it was a meanes to continue their Leagues and Intelligences with Strangers to bee ready to take Armes at their pleasures the which could not bee but with the ruine of the State The King hauing heard by their Contestations finding of what importance it was hee presently caused that Article touching forraine Synodes to bee razed forbâ—dding them expreslie to go to any Assemblies without his permission vpon paine to be declared Traitors The Rector for the Vniuersitie of Paris was also a sutor vnto his Maiestiâ—s Councell that none of the Reformed Religion nor their Schoole-maisters and Tutors might bee admitted into any Colledges of the Vniuersitie but to bee excluded
from all priuileges Wherevpon there was great debate especially for the facultie of Physicke But it was answered that they should not bee admitted to teache and as for Humanitie and professions of Faculties they should bee admitted as the rest And although the difficulties were great and the conditions in some cases more beneficiall then in the first treaties of Peace yet the common quiet of all France beaten and almost ouerthrowne with the tragicke violence of Schismes and Diuisions hath made all to be held Necessary that was Iust and Iust whaâ—soeuer was Profitable Although it were to be wished that there were but one exercise of Râ—ligion for that in this Vnitie consists all Truth But seeing the restauration of the Church is the worke of God as well as the building of it wee must bee content with that which may bee and leaue the triumph and conquests of Soules to his eternall VVisedom who alone makes and frames the heart as he pleaseth Our consâ—ieâ—ces sâ—ould be free and giues the signe vnto so many Soules that are gone astray to make them enter into saluation being impossible for man to impose any necessitie to things which God hath left in Libertie as the Conscience the which should be as free in Estates as in our Thoughts The Church hath alwayes detested Heresies but they neuer imployed the rigour of their iudgements but against the Arche Heretikes and but when they had shewed themselues obstinate in their errors their punishments were more Shamefull then Cruell more Medicinall then Mortall desiring rather to see their faces blush for shame theâ— redde with bloud Neuer Prince well aduised did put his Subiects to death to force beleefe destroyed his Prouinces by warre to instrâ—ct their Consciences by the sword knowing well that Religion is an acte of Vnion of Concord and of Instruction and VVarre is nothing but Sedition and Destruction And those which in this world haue troubled both Heauen and Earth to force their Subiects Consciences vnto one Religion haue in the end beene constrained and forced to suffer them to liue free and in rest reiecting and refusing the aduise of those bad Physitians who applyed nothing but Antimonie and letting of bloud to all Diseases By these reasons the King in whose person God hath done so many Miracles and powred forth a Sea of blessings seeing that the continuance of the VVarre had produced no other fruites but the ruine of Iustice and Pietie Pieâ—ate Iustiâ—ia Pâ—incipes diâ—fâ—unt which be the two vertues which doe canonize Princes the two Pillars vpon whose firmenesse great Clouis was assured of the continuance of this Estate hee doth now confirme the Edict of Pacification of the troubles for matters of Religion and willes that which hee may leasâ— hee should incurre the note of such as seeke to correct things that are incorrigible and shew that the sore is greater then the remedy that some things haue taken such deepe roote as they cannot bee pulled vp Time Trueth and Reason haue prooued that this Edict was most Iust most Necessarie and most Profitable Yet the Court of Parliament could not allowe of this â—raternitie and Communication of Offices saying That they should not bee transported with the ambition of Honours The Court of Parliament opposeth against the Edict but content themselues with the tranquillitie oâ— Conscience that it is not conuenient in one estate to haue great Offices executed by men of diuers Religions being a thing vniust to haue the New intreated as well as the Ancient They found a great difference betwixt this Edict and the Precedent and refused to establish it The King sent for the chiefe of them and spake vnto them in this manner You see mee in my Cabinet where I come to speake vnto you The Kingâ— speech to the Court of Parliament not attired in any Royall ornaments nor with Cloake or Rapier as my Predecessors nor as a Prince that comes from receiuing of Ambassadors but apparrelled like a Father of a Familie in his Dublet and Hose to speake familiarly to his Children That which I haue to say vnto you is to desire you to establish the Edict which I haue granted to them of the Religion That which I haue done is for the good of the Peace I haue made it without I desire to settle it within my Realme You ought to obey mee if there were no consideration but my qualitie and the bonde whereby all my Subiects are tyed vnto mee and you especially of my Court of Parliament I haue restored some to their houses from whence they were expelled and others to their credit which was lost If obedience was due to my Predecessors there is as much or more deuotion due vnto me who haue setled the State God hath made choise of mee to put mee in possession of the Realme which is mine owne both by succession and acquisition The Iudges of my Parliament should not sitte in their seates but for mee I will not bragge but I dare boldly say that I haue no example to imitate but of my selfe I know there haue beene factions in the Parliament that they haue stirred vp seditious Preachers But I will take good order for such people and will not attend your pleasures In former times they haue punished them with great seueritie that haue preached lesse seditiously then they doe now It is the course they tooke to make the Barricadoes and by degrees to murther the deceased King I will cutte vp all these Factions by the rootes and will shorten all them that shall nourish them I haue leaped ouer Towne Walles I will easily passe ouer Barricadoes They should not obiect vnto mee the Catholicke Religion nor the respect of the Holy Sea I know the dutie which I owe the one as the Most Christian King and the Honour of the name which I carry and the other as the first Sonne of the Church Those which thinke themselues to bee in good termes with the Pope are deceiued I am more then they When I shall vndertake it I will make you all to be declared Heretikes for disobeying of me The Maiestie of Kings is alwayes wronged by the contempt of their decrees but the offence is alwayes greater when it comes from them that should see them to bee obserued Those which deny the execution of my Edicts desire Warre I will Proclaime it to morrow against them of the Religion A Prince giues no reason of his Edict but I will not make it my selfe I will send them I haue made the Edict I will haue it obserued my will should serue for reason the which is neuer demanded of the Prince in an obedient State Their wills should bee put in execution and not interpreted And yet I say vnto you that Necessitie and Profit hath drawne me vnto it I haue done it by the aduice of all my Councell who haue found it good and necessarie for the estate of my affaires and the good of my seruice to
settle concord and to disperse all the miseries which Discord doth bring forth Some haue complained that I would make leuies of Suisses or of other troopes If I did they must thinke it were to some good end by reason of all my actions past Witnesse that which I haue done for the recouerie of Amiens where I haue imployed the money of the Edicts which you would not haue passed Necessâ—â—ie the first reason and essentiall cause of the â—dict if I had not come my selfe vnto the Parliament Necessitie hath foâ—ced mee to make this Edict by the same Necessitie I haue heretofore plaied the Souldiar They haue talked at their pleasures and I haue not seemed to regarde it I am now a King and speake as a King I will bee obeyed There is not any one of you that findes mee not good when hee hath need of me And there is not any one but hath need once in the yeare and yet you are bad to mee that am so good If other Parliaments for that they haue impugned my will haue beene the cause that they of the Religion haue demanded New things I would not haue you the cause of other innouations by your refusall In the yeare 1594. and 95. when I sent vnto you a Declaration vpon the Edict for the prouision of Offices I did then promise that I would not aduance any one of the Religion to Offices in the Court of Parliament Since time hath altered the affaires wee must accomodate our selues therevnto and yet I will bee well assured of such as I shall aduance to those Charges that they shall gouerne themselues as they ought Talke not so much of the Catholike Religion To all these great cryers Catholickes and Ecclesiastickes 400. pound Staâ—lâ—ng let mee giue to one a thousand Crownes a yeare in Benefices to another foure thousand Liueries of Rent they will not speake a word more I haue the same opinion of all others that shall speake against the Edict There are some which hate the sinne for feare of punishment but the good hate it for the loue of Vertue For Gods sake let mee know that you hate sinne for the loue of Vertue or else I will chastice them that hate it for feare of paine and afterwards they will thanke mee as the Sonne doth his Father The Preachers deliuer words in their Sermons more to nourish then to destroy sedition yet no one of you sayeth any thing these faults which concerne â—ee are not regarded But I will foresee that this Thunder shall bring no Storme and that their predictions shall proue vaine I will not vse their remedies which being out of season will but increase the euill Consider that the Edict whereof I speake is the deceased Kings Edict it is also mine for it was made with mee and I do now confirme it I will say no more but aduise you to imitate the example of the obedience of the Duke of Maine Being perswaded to enter into some factions against my will hee answered that hee was too much bound vnto mee and so were all my subiects amongst the which hee would bee alwayes one that should expose his life to please mee for that I had restored France in despight of them that sought to ruine it And if hee that was the head of the League hath spoken in this manner how much more ought you whome I haue restored to the place from whence the League had expelled you yeeld vnto my request that which you would not do for threats You shall haue none of mee do that which I commaund you or rather what I intreat you you shall not do it onely for mee but for your selues and for the good of the peace This speech was pleasing vnto the Parliament the difficulties which were found in the establishment of the Edict were held tollerable by reason of the Kings will and the necessitie of his affaires Yet they continued fortie dayes after before they would resolue of it The Duchesse of Barr the Kings sister would not depart out of Paris before it was established Shee had shewed her selfe burning in zeale and affection in that matter as in all other affaires of that nature and it was not without reason that after the Kings entrie into Paris when as the Deputies of the Churches of Poitou beseeched his Maiestie for some thing depending vppon the execution of his Edicts hee sayd vnto them Adresse your selues vnto my Sister The Kingâ— Sister pursues the establishment of the Edict your Estate is now fallen vnto the Distaffe The articles of the Edict you may reade at large in the Originals The Edict was sent by the care and diligence of the Kings Atturney general vnto al the Baylewikes depending vppon Paris And yet his Maiestie had deputed in euerie Prouince certaine Commissioners for the execution thereof The exercise of the Catholike Religion was restored in Rochelle and in aboue a hundred walled Townes and a thousand Parishes and Monasteries where the sayd exercise had beene interdicted aboue fifteene yeares and in Bearn for the space of one and thirtie yeares Whilest this Edict of pacification was established in France Cardinall Andrew for and in the name of the Archduchesse the Infanta made one against the Hollanders forbidding all her subiects to trafficke with them The tenor of which Proclamation was this That since the beginning of the Ciuill warres vnto this day The Infanâ—taes Proclamaâ—iongainst the States of the vnited Prouinces many offers had beene made by her and her Councell to them of Holland and their Associats which were most reasonable to reduce them to the dutie of their obedience whereas they had rashly shaken off the yoake and refused to vnite themselues to the other Belgicke Prouinces which did acknowledge and obey her but seeing they could not preuaile by that meanes they were forced to come to armes in the which notwithstanding the King her deceased father had vsed all clemencie and mildnes hoping they would acknowledge their error and craue pardon for their reuolt receiue the grace which hath beene often offered them That for this cause he had granted them their nauigations fishing and free traâ—ficke with his obedient subiects fearing that through this occasion the neighbours shouâ—d draw the profit of all negotiations to some other parts the which the Hollanders know well that the sayd neighbours haue laboured to do with all their power But they were so far from being reclaymed by these benefits as contrariwise they grew more insoleÌ„t and are growne obstinate resoluing in their Councels to resist the Peace and to continue the War the which proceeds not from the people who of their owne dispositions loue peace and desire to liue modestly in obedience but from some new men who taking vppon them the authoritie to commaund abuse the poore people in this sort regarding onely their owne priuat profit and not the publike good whereuppon all conditions haue beene reiected by them refusing to heare any Mediators for
Marchants forbidding to lay any new imposition vpon the marchandise remembring well that as the auarice of the Duke of Alua in the imposition of the tenth penny vpon all marchandise had made all the Prouinces reuolt so it was reasonable to augment their liberties Isabelle of Valois Mother to Isabelle of Austria called The Queene of Peace for the Prince which seekes to inrich his subiects cannot be poore wheÌ„ they are rich They did hope that the Infanta Daughter to a Princesse whom Europe called The Queene of Peace should be the Doue to bring the Oliue branch in signe that these great Deluges of bloud should cease but she declared presently that she could not yeeld vnto a Peace liberty of Conscience In all other things they do acknowledge her a Generous Princesse full of Pietie and Clemencie Let vs leaue their Highnesses in their Councels at warre and returne into France to see how the King doth husband the Peace He imployes all his thoughts for the profit of his subiects to restore them to those commodities whereof war had depriued them And therfore considering that a great multitude of his people remained vnprofitable for that they were not imploied in trades and occupations most necessary for traffick for that the works which should be made within the realme by FrenchmeÌ„ The enâ—â—ie of Silkes forbidden in France were brought and sold by Strangers namely Silkes and Cloth of Gold and Siluer he did therefore forbid by an Edict the entrie into his Realme of all Stuffes made of Silke Gold or Siluer pure or mixt vpon paine of confiscation to the end the French might be imploied in the making of all those marchandises which were forbidden to be brought in As the Marchants of Tours did solicit these Prohibitions so they of Lions made great sute to hinder it They alleaged that prohibiting the entry of Marchandise made by hand they must of necessity be made in France the which being well planted would yeeld sufficient coÌ„modity to nourish 500000. Frenchmen the Gold Siluer which goes out of the realme in specie in great abundance should continue there stil. Those of Lions did shew They of Lions hinder the purâ—ute of theÌ„ of Tours that this prohibitioÌ„ made the King to loose halfe his custome at Lions that it would ruine the Faires this ruine would draw after it the ruine of the Citty the which had bin built for the comerce and traffick of all Europe and was neuer seenâ— more flourishing then since the strangers frequented it by meanes wherof it did for a time so abound with money as our Kings haue found great succours in the necessity of their affaires and somtimes were indebted 6. or 7. Millions of Gold as well to the Inhabitants as to Marchant strangers That the whole State was interessed into her preseruation being one of the Bulwarkes of the weakest part lying open to enterprises of his enemies That many Strangers being ready since the Peace to come and make their Banke at Lions were held back vpoÌ„ the brute of the prohibition of strange wares if the Citty should continue disinhabited of Marchants of that quality it would be dangerous to leaue it in the hands of poore Artisans who are insolent in time of peace impatient in troubles and alwayes desirous of Innouations hauing nothing more vnpleasing vnto them then the present Notwithstanding all these reasons the King would haue the Edict passe the Duchesse of Beaufort was greatly affâ—ctâ—d to it The deceased King would haue done it and it was found reasonable by his Councel but in the end time let them know that it was no time to vse such prohibitioâ—â— The King in â—auour of the Queenâ— reuoked the forbidding of the entry of Silkes that before they hinder the entry of forraine stuffes made of Silke they must haue wherewithall to mâ—ke it within the Realme And therfore this Edict was reuoked at the Qâ—eenes entrie into Lions This yeare there was a notable Imposture which ministred matter of diâ—course to the Kings Councell to Preachers in their Pulpits and to the Court of Parliament 〈…〉 possest with a Diuell A yong maide of Romorantin named Martha Brossier hauing curiously read ouer the discourse of the Diuel of Laon she was so transported with the imagination of that which she read as imitating the motions of her folly she seemed to haue the Fits Passions of one that were possessed with the Diuell although nothing be so hard to counterfeit as the Diuell Iames Brossier her Father a man of himselfe busie and â—actiâ—â—s â—â—sirous of new things hauing obserued in his Daughter furious motions with such a stupidity and feare as it did moue commiseration and amazement in the most resolâ—â—e feare in the weaker hee seemed to beleeue that which hee would haue the people beleeue who came running to see this new Diuell publishing euery whâ—re that his Daughter was possest with an euill Spirit He presented her to the â—heologâ—â—l of Orleans who beleeued some thing seeing that his desseigâ—e grew into credit 〈…〉 the most famous places of all the Diocesse for deuotion 〈…〉 to be a Counteâ—fet to all the people beâ—eeuâ—d ceâ—taâ—nly that she was possest the which must be verified by the Iudgement of the 〈…〉 the Bishop of Angiers a graue and a wise man discouered her to be a 〈◊〉 and sent her away threatning to punish her if she returned into his Dâ—ocesse The 〈◊〉 of Orleans did also finde out her imposture forbidding the Clergie of the Diocesse to Exorcise her vpon paine of Suspension After that she had run 15. moneths vp and downe the Country being growne perfect in her counterfeit tricks Deuiâ—ish motions her Father thinking she knew enough that it was now time to present her vpoÌ„ the great Theater of France he conducts her to Paris and leads her to all the Churcheâ— to gather almes The people crie out presently to haue the Diuell coniured 〈…〉 an impiety to suffer one of Gods Creatures to bee so tyrannically 〈…〉 Diuell The Bishop assembles the learnedst Diuines and Pâ—isitioâ—s of the 〈…〉 Paris to haue their aduise about the coniuring of this 〈…〉 lie that it was but counterfeit A Capuchin griâ—ued to see the 〈…〉 said with some passion If any one beleeue not if he will 〈…〉 carry him away Marâ—scot fearing not be carried away by this kind of 〈…〉 that he would abide the hazard setting his knee vpoÌ„ Marthâ—s 〈…〉 he coÌ„manded her to be quiet whervpoÌ„ she stâ—rred not saying that her 〈…〉 The Court of Parliament seeing that all the people did run after Martha 〈…〉 that superstition which goes before is alwaies the beginner of impiety 〈…〉 their opinions and affections and cause some dangerous sedition 〈…〉 that Martha should be deliuered into the hands of the Lieutenant 〈…〉 Clergie said that those that were possest did not belong vnto the temporall in 〈…〉 and that the
Church had power to Iudge thereof Yet she is committed to 〈◊〉 They haue recourse vnto the King who commands that the Parliament be obeyed So as by a Decree of the great Chamber and the Tournelle the Lieutenant of the shorâ— Roabe was inioyned to conduct Martha with her Sisters Iames Brossier her 〈◊〉 Romorantin forbidding her to depart out of the Towne without leaue from the Iâ—dge of the place And so the Diuell was condemned by a sentence An other Diuell possest the soule of a miserable wretch 〈…〉 King â—iscouered who made an execrable attempt against the Kings person A Capuchin of Milan called father Honorio gaue intelligence thereof and the party that was described in his letter was found apprehended at Paris The King did thanke this good religious man by expresse Letters and did witnesse by his Ambassador resident at Rome that he would preserue the remeÌ„brance of so good a turne to make it knowne vnto all his Order that he had bound him vnto him The Kings desire to settle his affaires God would not call a Prince so necessary for the Earth so soone into Heauen before he had setled his people in that rest which their long paines calamities had deserued It was the Kings onely care to settle euery thing in his order with the aduise of the Princes of his house and the Lords of his Councell They sound that the subiects could not fully enioy the benefit of the Peace nor be eased of their charges so long as the Crowne was indebted Râ—nts fees of Officers Pensions gâ—rrisons and men at armes cost the King yeerly almost sixe millions of Gold and that that which should serue to maintaine his Royall Estate was not sufficient to pay the Rents Pensions which amounted to two Millions of Gold the fees of Officers came to 18000. Crownes many other charges which were not discharged for lesse This extreame necessitie made them to seeke out mary Rights and Duties belonging vnto the Crowne the which had beene morgaged and aliened during the last troubles which suffered all that could not be amended This was most apparent in Languedos whether the King sent De Maisse one of his Councell of State and Refuge a Councellor of the Court of Parliament at Paris And although it be a hard thing to draw a multitude compounded of Mutinies Factions vnto reason yet through their perswasions the Countrie did grant vnto the King the sum of two hundred thousand Crownes to be paied in foure yeares with an increase of the Gabelle or Custome vpoÌ„ Salt vnto two Crownes which came to fifty thousand Crownes a yeare at the least more then the King receiued So as the assured succours from that part encreased the Kings treasure 150. thousand Crownes yearely But it increased much more by the continuance of the imposition of a Soulz vpon the Liure the onely remedy to supply the Kings affaires A Liure is 2. shillings the ground whereof is necessity which makes that seeme iust which is profitable to the Common-weale The Commissioners appointed to establish this Leuie of a Solz vpon the pound French Disabilitie â—auseth complaints against impositions were not receiued without opposition nor executed without murmuring vsuall in such inouations There was no towne which fouÌ„d not it selfe ouer-burthened to shew that they were not able to beare any more This body was growne so weake with this long disease as euery little thing how light soeuer did seeme to oppresse it But they complained not alone of this Imposition other Subsidies were the cause of more ordinary greeuances grouÌ„ded vpon more reason Traffick is one of the Elements of a Realme when that ceaseth the subiect feeles it presently nothing hath so much hurâ— it as the augmentation of Customes and Imposts nothing hath made it so contemptible as the couetousnesse of such as had the charge to gather it The Marchants of Lionâ— complainâ— of a new custome and no man hath more felt the discomoditie of it then the Marchants of Lions who complained chiefely for that they had erected a new Custome house in the Towne of Vienne which staied all marchandise that came out of the Leuant These complaints were so common and so often reiterated to the Gouernor of Lions as he thought it good to send some one when as the 12. Townes in Daulphiné should assemble theâ—e Estates to intreat them to take away this Custome which made the Marchants to keepe from Lions least they should come neere vnto these 〈◊〉 The â—eputy made an excellent speech vnto the States of the Prouince assembled at Grenoble as you may read at large in the Original This discourse full of reason truth had not the power to make them of Daulphiné redresse the complaints of Lions but only to beseech his Maiestie to moderate the cause His affaires would not suffer him to giue that ease which Iustice and his Maiesties clemencie desired Whilest that the Comissioners trauell throughout the Prouinces about the executioÌ„ of the Kings Edicts as well for the good of the Peace as to supply the necessity of his Exchequer Complaint of the King of Spaine he passeth the greatest heat of SuÌ„mer at Blois There the Ki. of Spaine gaue him to vnderstand by his Ambassador that hee had great reason to complaine of the French especially of the Lord La Noue who against the conditions of the Treatie of Veruins were gone to serue Count Maurice the States of the Low Countries if the publick â—aith did not maintaine these reciprocall bonds the Peace would be more iniurious then war being impossible to auoide the deceits of hostility of him who shewâ— himselfe a friend is an enemy in effect The King hauing protested that his intention was to haue the contents of the treaty truly obserued he coÌ„manded La Noue all his subiects to returne home within six weekes vpon paine of losse of life forbidding all others to go thether vpon the like penaltie The Archdukes â—end to the King The Archdukes sent the Prince of Orange to visit the King and to giue him intelligence of their arriuall into the Lowe Countries and Andrew the Cardinall hauing resigned vp his charge takes his way through France to see the King About this time the yeare granted for the Arbitrement of the Marquisate of Salusses was expired with the prolongation of three moneths yet would not the King attempt any thing but commanded his seruants onely to stand vpon their gardes whilest that he approched neerer to the Duke of Sauoy to know what he would say The brute notwithstanding of an armie which the King of Spaine had caused to imbarke in Portugall staied his voyage vntill he might see what way it would take An armie defeated at Dunkerâ—e But this great Armie which had no reputation but a farre off and was not knowne by reason of the distance proued in the end but fiue Vessels the which were
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of
what is past we must haue our eyes open to distinguish the causes from the pretexts and discouer the euill which is hidden vnder a shew of good holding alwaies for an infallible Maxime 〈◊〉 there is no â—â—st occasion to arme against his Prince nor to trouble the quiet of his Countrie We haue beene so abused as we haue taken the Maske for the Face Sâ—lanâ—â—â— For Inocencie and Falshod for Truth and vnder these false impressions we haue 〈…〉 assured Peace for a doubtfull We haue beleeued those Emperiks of State who desirous to continue our languishing and to prolong our diseases haue from that Principle of Truth that Ciuill warre ruines both Estate and religion drawne this proposition Warre ruines both State and Religion That France cannot liue in peace with two Religions The which hath dost the liues of those that haue maintayned it and the ruine of others that haue beleeued it Being then reconciled for that which is past and well aduised hereafter hauing escaped shipwrake against our owne hope let vs remaine in the port of this concord where the King doth guide vs after so many stormes and tempests wee shall be there assured The Sea doth no harme to Shippes that haue good Anchors Obedience is the Anchor which doth assure our Shippe Obedience the eye and heart of an Estate against the furie of winde and waues It is that which giues life and motion to all the members of the body and there is not a more certaine signe of the life of an Estate then Obedience It is the eye of the body which liues last and dyes first it should bee the heart which liues first and dyes last This yeare the Princesse Antoinette Daughter to the Duke of Lorraine was conducted by the Earle of Vaudemont her brother to the Duke of Iâ—illiers who had married her shee was attended with a goodly traine and came to Collen where she was honourably receiued by the Senate and after some dayes she went downe the Riuer to Duisseldorp The Nuptiall ioy was great and stately The Duke of Iuillâ—ers marries the daughter of the Duke of Lorraine although it were somewhat disturbed by the insolencie of the armies aswell of the States as of the Admirall The marriage of Sibille Sister to the Duke of Iuilliers and of the Marquis of Bourgondie brother to Andrew of Austria the Cardinall caused a peace in the Countrie of Cleues and all the Spanish pretentions went to smoake When as after the death of the Duchesse of Beaufort they saw the King falling into a new shipwrack from the which hee was lately escaped and that loue mourning yet for his first Venus lead him to another you might heare the sighes of the most modest the murmuring of the most turbulent and generally presages of some approching storme This was the onely spotte of Oyle which did pierce through the glorious actions of this Prince who superiour to all other in Courage and Valour and alwayes equall to himselfe made himselâ—e subiect to this Pâ—ssion Trueth will not suffer me to suppresse that which cannot be bid It is good to conceale that which is doubtfull in his actions that hath no other Iudge but God· but to keepe secret that which is knowne and seene of all men is a basenesse It imports to know things truly which not being written shall passe to posteritie according to their passions which shall begin and continue the tradition Ancient Historieâ— as full of simple Trueth as voide of Affectation haue not concealed the loues of Princes whose vertues they haue written Of all the foâ—lies of mâ—n there is none more excusable nor of the which fewer do excuâ—e themselues then of Loue. All fight vnder this banner If then it was necessarie for the King to loue he could not loue any thing more worthy of his loue But when as Death did see that the Louer grew blind in the thing he loued and that this blindnâ—sse had brought France into confused darknesse he separated them Vpon this consideration the Court of Parliament finding that there is nothing that doth more preserue France from falling into forepassed miseries or more assure the present and continues their prosperities hereafter then the Kings issue The Court of Parliament perswades the King to maâ—â—y therefore they beseeched his Maiestie to marry and to giue to himselfe a Sonne and a Successor to his Realme there being no armie more powerfull either by Sea or Land to assure an Empire then many Children La Guesle the Kings Atturney general made the speech He represented vnto his Maiestie how much he was bound vnto God He discouered the publick diseases of his estate shewed the remedies and in the end he let him see that the enioying of all the felicities which peace purchased by his victorious armes could promise him was weakly grounded France was not assured to see it durable the which depended on the lawfull birth of a Daulphin That although by the lawe of State a sacred and immutable Law M. de la Guesles speech vnto the King and an originary and fundamentall Law of the Crowne the succession belongs to the neerest Kinsman yet France is too full of those turbulent spirits which in the calme of Peace watch carefully for occasions of warre which in the middest of rest breath after troubles and freed from the perill of armes hold still like madde man their Hearts and tâ—eir Courages armed to mooue new contentions an other day against the Lawe and order of the Realme whereof the King himselfe had made such tryall of their bad intentions as without the vertue of Heauen infused into him his Right had beene vanquished by Force That although his Maiestie by his wisedome accompanied with a singular boâ—nâ—iâ— and charitable affection to the quiet of his Subiects hath declared his successor to the Crowne yet France hath alwayes obserued that when the Crowne did leape from one branche of a Familie vnto an other and that the Sonne did not succeed the Father it was disquieted with new factions and the fields bathed with the bloud of her Cittizens and the fire of Ciuill warre so kindled as two ages was scarse able to quench 〈◊〉 That to take away these iust feares and apprehensions of these publike calamitâ—es the succession must not change the branch for where there is no change there is no stirre and the Children succeeding in the Fathers Realme it seemes that he that raigned is rather growne yong againe then changed The King of Fâ—ance neuer dâ—es there is nothing new the Crowne continues in the same houâ—e the Fathers face is noted in that of his Sonne That the shining of the SuÌ„ne is pleasing as a calme Sea or the Earth couered with his greene tapistrie But there is nothing so goodly nor so delightfull to the Eye as the sight of Children newly borne in a family that wanted this aduantage That to attaine vnto this happines they must begin by the dissolution of the
is in Hungary in the midest of many discomodities which he holds pleasing for Gods cause but before he goes he giues them occasion to talke of him in the Court of Parliament He had a cause pleaded there and his Aduocate gaue him the quality of a Prince Seruin the Kings Aduocate holding it a base preuarication to be silent at that which ought to be spoken for the Kings seruice and the Lawe of State did shew that that quality did not belong to any but to Princes of the bloud The Duchesse of Mercure who was then in presence sayd that they could not take from her Husband a quality that was due vnto him by the right of his birth and that the King held him so The Duke Mercure holding that which the Kings Aduocate had sayd in discharge of his duty for a brauado and a contempt went the same day vnto his house and gaue him iniurious words The King being aduertised thereof held it a bold act The Court esteemed the iniury done vnto them desired the more to repaire it for that the honor of the Kings seruice was wronged and that it had bin done in sight of the ParliameÌ„t of the Capital Citty of the Realme in his house that was wronged the which should be to euery man an inuiolable Sanctuary The Court decreed that he should be personally adiorned and had proceeded further if the Kings commandement had not stayd them It was a great vertue in the President Lizet when he decreed that the quality of Prince which the Cardinall of Lorraine tooke should be raized out of his Aduocates pleadings The Cardinall complayned vnto the King but the President Lizet answered with sutch Courage and Constancy before the King beeing in Councell that the Cardinall was no Prince nor equall to Princes if you will sayeth he vse it shew vs the place of your Principality A free speech which purchased the old man much reputatioÌ„ In the yeâ—re 1598. yet within two yeares after he made him resigne his place vnder an other pretext There was no Nobleman in France that vsed the benefit of the Peace more worthily theÌ„ the Duke Mercure for disdayning the idlenesse of the Court and the ease of his house hee imployed himselfe to succor the Christians against the greatest enemy of their Religion He leads with him the Count of Chaligny his brother with some gentlemen at his owne charge resoluing to imploy his Goods as well as his Life in this holy warre hauing vowed to serue Christendome two yeares at his owne charge Hee shewed himselfe a great Captaine as well to defend as to assaile hauing kept the enemy with an army of a hundred and fifty thousand men from beseeging of Strigonia this was in his first voiage before whose returne the Emperour desired to see him What pâ—st in Hungary and intreated him to take his way by Prague After the raysing of the seege of Buda or Belgrade the Christian army was dismissed sent to Garâ—isons Buda receiued a new Bascha The Knights of Comorre at the beginning had defeated part of the troupes which were come to coÌ„duct accoÌ„pany the Bascha they spoiled a Ship being laden with spoile they returned to their coÌ„panions The Turke sent fiue Shippes to Buda and changed aâ— the Estate and one of the Baschas which had beene there during the seege who had bene of opinion to yeeld the place was punished It was thought the Bascha of Agria would haue giuen some notable attempt hauing made great preparation for Warre in diuers places and prouided three hundred barrells of poulder Those of Sigeth on the other side hauing made Souldiars Coates of the Germaine fashion thought to surprize the Christians but they fayled being discouered The Tartares The Tartares demand a peace which adhere vnto the Turke by his commandement spoyled the Country vpon the riuer of Hipolis and fell vpon Peste Zolnâ—ek and Hattouan Townes subiect vnto the Turke who being tired with their courses and exhausted of money by the great warres hee had against the Persian hee resolued to demaund a Peace of the Emperour The Tartares came to make this demand at Vienna in the beginning of February who being adressed vnto the Arch-duke Mathias they had no answer The Tartares reuenge for being contemned The Tartares defeated by Palfi but returned as they came by reason of the spoile their men made this request was not reported vnto the Emperour nor vnto the Court at Prague In the meane time the Tartare made a furious reuenge hauing surprised the Citty of Tolice and put all to fire and sword they slue all within it that were of mans age and had done worse if the Lord of Palfi had not made head against them and slaine some among others three Captaines who choose rather to bee slaine then to yeeld except one Vallet who demanded his life and was saued They of Ratzen with all their men retired vnto the Mountaines to auoide the fury of the Tartares but they of Crabatzen resisted them brauely and tooke one of their Captaines Those of Vaxence vnto Buda defeated a great number being gone to freeboote neere to Palaner Meugrade and Zetschen but the rest of the Tartares hauing notice thereof burnt aboue thirty villages neere vnto Calon which had like to haue beene taken and Laomare also if it had not beene well manned but they durst not sally forth for that the enemy was aboue 12. thousand The Fort of Canisia was also burnt at that time whereas the soldiars and the Inhabitants lost all their baggage mouables About that time the garrison of Strigonia defeated a Conuoy tooke a great Booty Orsipetre the Gouernors Lieutenant got much welth and honor among other things he had a Gowne of cloath of Tissue of Gold and Siluer which was sent to the Bascha and knowing that the Fort of Wailes was fallen hee enters it and defeats the garrison with the Aga which is the Gouernor and deliuered them of Bischir The Heiducks which are horsemen led away 800. Sheepe which did greatly releeue Strigonia In the meane time there happened a great alteration in Transiluania the Vauoide Sigismond who had before accepted a recompence of the Emperour to deliuer Transiluania into his hands hauing gonne from his word What past in Transiluania hee prest the Emperour by the Bishop of Alba-Iulia and by Stephen Paschay his Chancellor to restore him Transiluania againe And without attending any answer he goes thether in post takes it againe and makes his Cousine Andrew Battâ—ry the Cardinall to sweare fealty vnto him the which he did also cause George Balte to approue being then at Cassouia in heigh Hungary Generall of the Emperours army who was therein surprized for hee gaue him to vnderstand that it was for the good of Christendome and in the meane time Cardinal Andrew treated with the Turke by safe conduct The Emperour sent Doctor Petzen thether but coÌ„ming to Thorne the Principall Towne
the Pardons and a Wiâ—e tâ—e Pope hauing giueÌ„ him his Neece 〈…〉 daughter of Iohn Francis Aldobrandin who was not yet twelue yeares old 〈◊〉 wherefore the Ceremonie of the marriage was deferred for three or foure moneths This opening of the Iubile was one of the foure great actions which made his Papacye happie and memorable The first was the Kings Conuersion The second the peace betwixt the two greatest Chrâ—â—tian Monarks The third was the reduction of the Duchie of Ferrara without warre He is held a great Prince and a very Father of Concord euen by them that are enemies to his Papacie This yeare there died maâ—y Cardinals Andrew Battory died violently as I haue sayd Cardinall Roderic who was come out of Poland to Rome to gaâ—ne the Iubile died of a feuer The Cardinall Aâ—ragon followed him at the same time Cardinall Andrew of Austria Cardâ—nall Priuly 〈◊〉 of Venice and Cardinall Caietan did see the beginning and not the 〈◊〉 â—f the holy yeare The 〈…〉 In the beginning of the yeare the Dâ—uke of Sauoy sent tâ—â— King 〈◊〉 gâ—eat 〈◊〉 and two 〈…〉 the rarest peeces of the Cabinet of â—eatrix of Portugal his Grandmother and of Lady Catherine the Infanta of Spaine his wife tâ—e which could not be valued nâ—â—ther for the matter nor for the workemanshipâ— and the King returned vnto the Duke a Iewell of Diamonds in the midest whereof there was one Diamond Transparent which discouered his Maiesties portrait the which â—e â—steeâ—ed so much as hauing lost it once in dancing he gaue fiue hundred Crowneâ— to hâ—m that â—ounâ— it The Duke was not to be imitated in his Bountie and when aâ— theâ— thought that he had giuen all â—e inuited the King and the Court to a dancing where â—e shewed himselfe so râ—ch in 〈◊〉 as they were esteemed to bee worth aboue sixe hundred thousand Crownes He gaue presents to all the cheefe in Court who accepted them with the Kings permission The Duke â—â—â—on refuseth the Duke of 〈◊〉 present Onely the Duke Biron refused the horses that he sent vnto him but the King had nothing the better opinion of their intelligences nor the Duke lesse assurance of his affection by this refusall for it was cheefly for his sake that the Duke of Sauoy had made his voiage to draw him wholy from the Kings seruise It was that great occasion which hee carried secret in his brest and would not reueale vnto his Councell The cheef 〈◊〉 of the Dukes voâ—â—ge into 〈◊〉 when they disswaded his going into France the Marquisate of Saluces waâ— the pretext of his voyage but the finishing of this great Conspiracie was the true cause It was a goodly foyle well set out but couered with a false stone La Fin was imployed as a Truchman of the wills of the Conspirators and Confederates The first time that he had any speech with the Duke of Sauoy was the nâ—ght after the feasts of Christmas when he was brought into the Dukes chamber in Nemours house by Seignor Iacob without the priuitie of any other The Duke of Nemours comming to giue the Duke the good night was intreated not to enter for that the Duke would take his rest They would not haue him acqâ—aâ—â—ted with any tâ—ing fearing leâ—st hee should aduertise the King haâ—ing obserued what hee sayd 〈◊〉 first day of the Dukes arriualâ— that nothing sâ—ould draw him fâ—om the 〈◊〉 â—erâ—icâ— The Duke of 〈…〉 Kinâ—s seruice and that excepted he would do any thing for his Highnes There was not any nâ—ght but la Fin spent a good part of it to acquaint him with the State of the Faction Thoâ—â— that were of this intelligence met at the most remote Churches to acquaint one another with that which past Nothing was sayd in the Kings Councel but the Dâ—ke of Sauoy was presently aduertised thereof by tâ—em that were at his deuotion But hee had not yet spoken with the Duke Biron of their desseine but by a third person it was necessarie they should ioyne to knit the knot of their vniâ—n They had both sought the occasion but there was still some obstacle or some spie that hindred them They incountred a fit oportunitie at Coâ—flâ—ins being all alone the King hauing commaunded the Duke Biron to entertaine the Duke of Sauoy vntill his returne they lost no time in plying it but in three or â—oure words of trust and assured intellâ—gence referring the rest to the mediation of la Fin. Their discours was broken off by the comming of the Count Soissons and the Duke Montpensier The Dukes proceeding therâ—in was very cunning and Iudâ—cious for often â—â—mes he would begin a discourse of the valour courage of the Duke Biron The Duke of Sauoyes policy to â—ound the Kings opinion who did not alwayes giue him the glory of those goodly executionâ— whereof hee vanted The Duke did still aduertise the Duke Biron of any thing the King had sayd of him that might any way alter him which made him to breake fortâ— in the bitterest words hee could against all respect of the Kings seruice being very sensible of any thing that was spoken against the reputation of his valour in regard whereof hee esteemed nothing and when hee entred into the Historie of his life hee would speake contemptibly of all the world not sparing the King himselfe 〈…〉 in othâ—r◠〈◊〉 whose valour and experience in militarie actions hath obscured others and forced them to confesse that hee hath not beene aduanced to the Royall Throne by the benifit of Fortune but by the vertue of his vertue The Duke Biron committed great errors against the rules of such as haue a desiâ—e to raise and aduance their fortunes No man must euer enter into comparison â—f valour and sufficiencie with his Prince hee may not dispute of his aduice contradict his opinion nor affect to seeme more aduised more iudicious nor more capable Many haue beene cast away vpon this Shelfe The Duke Biron was of this humor The excesse of his courage made him to disalow with disdaine all that was not done or inuented by himselfe Hee sayd sometimes vnto the King These words were spoken and heard at the seege of Amiens that he would not haue them write in the Historie of France that other then hee had done such and such a thing The second day of the yeare the King went to Saint Germaine in Laie leading the Duke with him to shew him his buildings his Grottes or Caues and his Chases and withall hee shewed him his other houses and all the goodliest places about Paris In the meane time hee dissembled his discontent with so great wisedome as hee seemed alwayes one at the Table at Hunting at Play and at Dancing the King though hee refused what hee demaunded yet did he still shew him new sights to recompence the fayned repentance of his voyage The King leads the Duke to the Court of Parliament After that hee had seene all that was
rare about Paris the King would shew him his Court of Parliament for al that he had seene was nothing in respect of the admirable greatnes of that reuerent Court whereof in former times many Emperours Kings and Princes comming to Paris had more admited the Iustice that was administred there 1600. then any thing else that they had seene The King aduertised the chiefe President Achilles de Harley that he would go see and heere them They prepared the lodging of the Golden Chamber whereas the King and Duke might see and not be seene There was a most tragicall cause pleaded whereof the first President made choyse The subiect was of one Iohn Prost a Practitioner of the Law who had beene murthered at Paris and the authors could not bee discouered His Mother accused a Baker where he was lodged vpon some apparant presumptions of certaine money which she had sent vnto him Wherevpon the Baker was condemned to bee rackt with all extremity after the which hee was inlarged for a time putting in Caution for his appearance againe in Court It happened afterwards that three Gascons were taken for robbing of a house and condemned the next day to bee hanged At their execution the last of the three sayd that the Baker was innocent for that which he had bin accused of for the murther of Iohn Prost and that it was he with his companion la Sale that had slaine him thinking that he had money and that after they had slaine him they did cast him into the priuy whereas he was yet The which was found true Wherevpon the Baker being declared innocent he presents his petition vnto the Court and demands reparation of honor with his Charges Domage and Interest against the Mother The Mother defends her selfe and saith that her accusations were not calumnious Maister Anne Robert pleaded for the Baker and for theMother Maister Anthony Arnaulâ— and for the Kings interest Maister Seruin his Maiesties Aduocate Generall Anne Robert Aduocate in the Court pleading for the Baker being Plaintife-said thus MAY IT PLEASE YEE THe ancient Poets taking pleasure to discourse of many Combats happened at the battell of Troy report that Telephus the sonne of Hercules receiued in an incounter a sore wound with a Lance by Achilles who seeing his paine to encrease dayly fled to Apolloes Oracle for Councell who answered That nothing could giue him ease or cure but the same Lance wherewith hee had beeene wounded A Lance called Pelias of Mount Pelion in the toppe whereof Chiron gathered it to present to Achilles so as in Telephus accident the Remedy the Cure came from the same Lance which gaue the wound and did the harme The Plaintife with some like consideration hath reason to say that hauing beene by the authority of a sentence miserably tormented A wound giuen by sentence cannot bee be cured but by sentence and exposed to the rigour of the rack and tortuâ—e by the wilfull slander and importune rashnes of a Woman he hath recourse vnto the same Lance of Achilles which did wound him seeing that hee doth now appeale vnto the Authority Iustice of the same Court which hath heretofore giuen the first sentence of condemnation against him hoping that by the examplary punishment of the rashnes and slander of this Woman Alluding to the name of the Iudge which was Achilles D' Hâ—rlâ—y the soueraigne Iustice of this ParliameÌ„t guided by the conduct of an Achilles which doth preside hold the chiefe place shall giue cure to his wounds and bring consolation to his griefes The estate of the cause that is now in question and to be iudged is not whether the Plaintife were falsely and slanderously accused or no for the accident of two murtherers hath auerred and discouered the slander without any doubt But the question is if this Defendresse after so false and calumnious an accusation shall passe vnpunished and whether her pretended excuses shal be receiued and countenanced by Iustice. For one of the chiefe points which she pleads for her excuse is that the Criminall Processe hauing past through the hands of the most famous Iudges of Europe if they haue bin deceiued saith this woman if by presumptions and probable coniectures they haue found cause to condemne this Man vnto the rack if so many worthy Iudges haue bin surprised will you not excuse the simplicity of a Woman and the extreme sorrow of an afflicted Mother for the death of her son hauing had no hatred nor malice in this accusation It is a great abuse to measure the actions of Iudges with the actions of Parties the pursute and proceeding of parties is meerely voluntary no man is forced to plead or accuse the Plaintife should be well aduised before he begin not to drawe any man into the danger of a capitall condemnation if he be not first assured that hee who he calls into question hath done the deed and is author of the crime but the charge of a Iudge is tied to a necessary duty bound to certaine Maximes and subiect to rules established by the Lawes to condemne necessarily vppon presumptions and proofes and vpon the testimony of witnesses examined at the instance of the party Antiquity doth teach vs that Tiresias that great Southsaâ—er foretold things to come by the flying of Birds not that he did see the birds for he was blinde but say the Poets he had alwaies his daughter Manto nere vnto him who told him in what maner the Bâ—rds did fly thereby he diuined Iustice may rightly be compared to this excellent blinde man the comparison cannot seeme bad seeing that the Egiptians thought good to paynt their Iudges with their eyes blindfold Iustice doth iudge of thaâ— which appears For Iudges cannot rightly see nor knowe what doth passe Iustice decrees nothing but according to the reporte and testimony of parties witnesses If any inconuenience happen in the condemnation the mischiefe is to be imputed to the parties and not to the Iudges or Iustice. They report that the Greekes hauing put Palamedes to death his Father Nauplius to be reuenged obserued the time when as the Greekes after the sack of Troy returned by sea in a great tempest Nauplius beeing vpon a Rock in full sea held a burning Torch in his hand as if that place had beene a safe port for the descent of Ships the Greekes abused with this light ran against the Rock and suffered â—hipwracke In this misfortune if there were cause to complayne it was against the malicious inuention of Nauplius but as for the Pilots and such as gouerned the Shipps they were not to be blamed in following the direction of a Lanthorne in a darke night beeing vsually set at safe Ports So in accidents like vnto this in question all the harme all the coÌ„plaints and all the wrong is to be imputed to the accused which kindles the fire of slander and from whom proceeds the practises and subornation of witnesses and the
what reason were there to take for payment an auaylable satisfaction the indiscretion of the Defendresse and the excuse of Ignorance an ordinary companion to Slander and to pardon so notable a fault vnder pretext of an afflicted Mothers greefe for the death of her sonne and hereafter when any Murther is committed shall it bee lawfull for a â—ather a Brother or a neere Kinsman with all Impunitie vnder a pretext of Iustice to aâ—cuse whome he pleaseth and to bring him in question of his life or of some cruel torments and in the end to be quitt excusing himselfe vpon his Greefe or Ignorance The rules of Iustice and Law doe not allow it Titus Liuius sayd excellently that the Law was Inexorable Deafe without Pittie and without Passion The Lawe inâ—xorable Why doth that worthie Author say that the Law is deafe but for that it doth neuer giue eare vnto the vaine discourse of Pittie and Commiseration The propertie of Iustice is to bee strict and seuere The Surgion that is pittifull and doth not laâ—ch deepe makes the wound incurable An Indulgent ouer-milde Father makes the Child incorigible So a mercifull Iudge doth norish and increase vice and betrayes the Lawes and Maiestie of Iustice. This cause doth therefore import the Publike for examples sake for although the Plaintiâ—e hath no other quality but of a simple Bourges and handy-crafts man yet to obtaine reason in Iustice and to hope for reparation of the wrong which hath beene done him he thinkes himselfe great inough seeing he hath the happinesse to liue vnder the peacefull gouernment of the best King in the world who hauing heaped all happinesse vpon France mainteynes equally in his protection and vnder the safegard of his Maiesty the life and health of all his subiects Poore and Rich Great and Small The Ancients held that Themis which is the Goddesse of Iustice was the daughter of the Sunne and as the Sunne may be seene in a Glasse by them which cannot behold his beames So the Maiesty of our great King the true and comfortable Sun of this monarchy the eye and heart of France would giue authority to this famous Parlament as the true seate of his greatnesse to the ende that therein as in a Looking-glasse we might admire the Beauty Light and Beames of his Iustice. An Historian sayth that the Emperour Augustus had firy eyes Igâ—eos oculos inferring thereby that he had such glistering eyes and such a piercing sight as it was impossible or very hard to looke stedfastly on him And we in like sort must content our selues that it is lawfull for vs to admire the beauty of this soueraigne Court and to beleeue that our weake sight is not strong inough to inioy fully the presence of our great Prince sitting in his seat of Iustice nor to indure the glistering beames of the Maiesty of our great French Augustus whom God hauing led through so many dangers as it were by the hand to the height of all greatnesse and hauing endued him with the Valour of Caesar the Fortune of Alexander the Bounty of Traian we can wish no more vnto him but the happines the many yeares and the continuall prosperity of Augustus to the end that all we his subiects may liue happy and content vnder the raigne of so great a King and the assured Iustice of this famous Parlament So the Plaintife hauing recourse to this soueraigne Iustice as to the last Port of health beseecheth the Court to allow of his Request and that he may be absolued of the slanderous accusation layde against him that the inrolement of his imprisonment may bee razed and hee discharged of all condemnations which heretofore haue beene giuen and moreouer that the Defendresse may be condemned to a pecuniary reparation such as it shall please the Court to decree and to all Charges Domages and Interest 1600. ANTHONIE Arnaud for the Defendres sayd MAY IT PLEASE YEE Afflictions speake of themselues YOV shal vnderstand in this cause how true it is That ordynarie afflictions speake with iudgement and that extreme calamities do quench or confound the spirit The Pâ—â—â—â—tife hath represented his greefes vnto you in an elloquent discourse full of Arte tâ—e force of eloquence And contrariwise of our part you shall heare nothing but the Sobbs and Sightes of a Mother transported with greefe and reduced to all sorts of dispaire I would to God the torments whereof you speake and all the cruelties that may be imagined had beene executed vpon me poore Mother who haue one foote already in the graue And that the death of my Sonne and the Kinde of death more miserable then the death it selfe had not ministred the mournfull subiect of this miserable cause so as on what side soeuer you turne there is nothing to be seene but Teares Desolalation But there is this great difference that the greefe of the aduerse party if there yet remaines any may be mollefied in time by a thousand remedies which excellent wits haue inuented during many ages to ease the discomodities of the body But contrarywise the extreame affliction which findes no words of force to represent it for the losse of a Sonne of an onely Sonne the onely support and comfort of the trembling age of an olde Mother hath neuer found consolation in all the most excellent discourses in the world beeing the onely phisicke of the minde The Greefe is so violent as it exceeds all Remedy and bleeds a fresh euery day The older it growes the more greuous it is It doth hourely master the resistance which it found in the beginning and doth contin ually vanquish the forces of the Body wih them of the Minde It is a strange thing that my poore Sonne hauing beene thus cruelly massacred you who see him returne no more into your house insteed of aduertising me thereof went into his Chamber to take his money you transported it out of your owne house and hid it in your Brother in Lawes And which is worse being examined by the Iustice you denied it constantly and often vntill that your Sonne to young to conceale the truth discouered the place where you had layed it All this is iustified by the Processe the which remaines in the hands of the Kings Councell So as it was not in you that these Murtherers were not vnpunished but the peercing eye of Diuine Iustice which neuer sleepes for a robbery committed two months after hath brought them to the execution It appeeres by the informations that the very day of the Murther these two Murtherers went into your lodging and brake open my Sonnes coâ—er if you had fled vnto Iustice they might haue beene instantly apprehended Aâ—as peraduenture my poore Childe was not then fully dead Howe many are left for dead which are not so Howe many haue beene taken out of the Cofin yea out of the Graue which haue suruiued their Funeralls fiftie yeares At the least you cannot denie but you were the cause
it neyther can any Aduocate or Orator how excellent soeuer vnlesse he be possessed with a diuine spirit represent the passions of a Mother witnesse the Prophet when he deliuers what God had sayd Can the Mother forget her childe but she must haue pitty of the fruit of her wombe and if she should forget it I will not forsake him saith the Lord. It is God our common father God who is charity it selfe for so he is called by one of his Apostles God of whom the Greeke Poet Aratus honoured by the allegation of S. Paul sayd That we are his ofspring God of whome the same Apostle doth teach vs That he is father of Heauen and Earth It is hee by whom all Mothers haue their affection to their children It is he by whom the Defendresse a miserable Mother was incouraged to seeke pursue reuenge for the bloud of her child Behold persons of diuers qualities in our cause who pretende their innocencies by different reasons The Baker and his wife demand reparation being ignorant of the Murther of Prost and the Mother of Prost murthered seekes to bee freed from the imputation of slander But there is yet an incounter in this controuersie which regards the authority of things iudged wherein the publike hath an interest To deliuer what is fit v pon euery one of these qualities it seemes expedient to obserue what hath past in the accusation and proceeding the first iudgement in the decree the execution and what followed since That which appeares by the Processe iudged is that the deceassed Iohn Prost sonne to the Accuser hauing beene lodged for a time in the Bakers house About the beginning of February 1599 Katherine Cordier the Wife of the Baker sent for a Lock-smith by her husbands Sonne and caused him to open the Chamber of Prost being absent the which she hath confessed after much disguising of the boies name whom since she knew to be her sonne in lawe After this ouerture there was another made in the view of two vnknowne men who brought the Keys which the sayd Prost had giuen them the which is a second charge for these two men entred into the Chamber in the presence of the Hostesse and tooke what they pleased of that which Prost had left and yet afterwards there was a third opening made by the Locksmith which was brought by the Sonne of the Baker by his wiues commandement this beeing thus adâ—owed and iustified by the sonne The Chamber being opened the fourth time by a Commissary of the Chastelet there was some money found belonging to Prost but not all for that the Baker and his Wife had taken and promised some to their Maide if she said nothing Moreouer Prosts apparell being in his Cofer and among the rest a Dublet the Hostesse being examâ—ned sayd that Prost had none other In the end the Processe hauing bin made perfect by intergatories confrontations One of the cheefe allegations made by the Husband and the Wife for their iustification was that the Accuser although a Mother did not loue Prost her Sonne whereof he had often comcomplayned By a sentence giuen by the Prouost of Paris it was decreed that the Baker his Wife and Seruant should be put to the Rack They appeale There followed a second decree in regard of the Baker as for his Wife and seruant it was ordained they should haue the Rack presented vnto them the which was done And after the deniall of the Baker his Wife and Mayde there followed an other sentence allowing the receptioÌ„ of the ordinary Processe and yet restrayned that in case no greater proofs being found on the ordinary Rack The accused should preuaile yet the should haue no Charges Domage nor Interest adiudged vnto them In Iune following Gâ—d hauing suffered that 2 theeues wherof the one called Iohn Bazana had murthered this Prost were apprehended by the Iustice and by the testimony of Bazana the act was confessed So as the Baker his Wife pretend theÌ„selues freed by this testimony demand an honourable reparation with some recompence from the Motherof him that was murthered saying that the accusation being false she ought to be iudged a slaÌ„derer wherein it seemes that Innocency presents it selfe at the feete of Iustice and cries out for them as Dauid in the 7. Psalme intituled Siggaion that is to say The ignorance of Dauid the which is his defence against the slanders of Semei where he exclaymed in denying and forswering the Impostures of his aduersary and in saying that he knewe not what it was he spake these words If I haue committed such a fact if there be iniquity in my hands that I may fall before mine enemies Prouerb 30. Excellent words and deliuered in the kind of an oth In like case a poore Host plaintife complaines and may say with Agur the Sonne of â—ake Truly I am more brutish then any man whatsoeuer I haue no vnderstanding neither haue I learned any wisdome nor ateyned to the knowledge of holy things The wit of man will maintaine the infirmity thereof but who will support a greeued minde The Accuser at the first seemed iust in her cause but the Accused come to purge themselues and haue found out the truth The Words of slanderers saieth the wise King are ambushes of bloud but the mouth of Truth shall deliuer them You see an Host and Hostesse accused of Inhospitality of Infidelity and of the Murther of their Guest a crime so far from the manners and hearts of the French as if Euripides saied among the Grecians That it was not for the Achaeans to murther their guests We may say with the Plaintifs with as much or more reason That it is not vsuall among the French to murther their guests for among Ciuill people our Caeltike nation hath beene most renouned for Hospitality a vertue proper to the French and celebrated by many Stangers yea by Parthenius a Greâ—ke Author in his booke of the Affections of Loue where he saieth in the History of Eurippus that at what time the Gaules made roads into Ionia the Celtes receiued their guests willingly and intreated them courteously The which is confirmed by Saluianus a Preest of Marseilles in his booke of the prouidence of God where among the vertues of our Nation hee termes them Francos hospitales It was therfore a great crime vnfit for the Plaintifs A crime for Barbarians Pagans and Infidells worthy of extraordinary punishment and so much the more punishable for that it had beene committed in Paris the chiefe Citty of the Realme the seat of our Kings the Place of soueraigne Iustice whereas the most Holy and Reuerent Senate of the world is resident The Court of Peeres and the great Parliament of our great King The Husband accused in this Parliament and not onely accused but iudged and tormented in Body and Minde comes this day in Iudgement as a man reuiued againe by his innocency he brings his wife with him and saieth against the
them to Alba regalis promising the Turkes to deliuer them Shuartzbourg or if he would not trust them they would shew them the meanes to take him in Zolnock whether hee should come to bring their money Scuartzbourg had intelligence thereof yet some of the Traitors inuited him by their letters to come promising to open him the gates being come the kept him and sought to surprise him so as hee was forced to send Captaine Scharpffenstein with the Cannon to force them the 22. of Iune The Traitors receiued carts loden with prouision from the Turkes and deliuered them Christian prisoners which they carried a way to Vesprin and Alba regalis with great treacherie crueltie euery one deliuering vp his Host. In the meane time Michael Marot aduertised Schuartzbourg to come himselfe to beseege Pappa for that the Traitors were at diuision among themselues killing one another Schuartzbourg goes takes one of these trecherous Captaines at a sallie causing him to bee flead aliue and his head to be set on the end of a Pike to stirke terror into the rest They also take a Bastion from them by force by the which they might let in Turkish â—uccors who did all they could to succour them the which they could not effect by reason of the great floâ—ds and the resistance of the Christians The Traitors being famâ—shed and in great want of all things grew desperate desiring rather to die then to yeeld and be executed Among others they make one sallie in the night the last of Iuly and charge Marsbourgs quarter where finding the souldiars dronke they defeated many and put the whole Campe in armes Schuartzbourg a braue and valiant Captaine going to giue order for this tumult was slaine with a shot to the great greef of all the Câ—ristianâ— Schuartzbourg slâ—iâ—e before Pappa Notwithstanding his death the seege was continued the Traitors defended themselues desperately making a sallie the next day carrying many prisoners 〈◊〉 tâ—e Towne with some Captaines and slue three hundred And being perswaded to yeeld they answered that when all their victualls were spent they would eate their prisoners yea and Michael Marot the Gouernor The Emperour giue the charge of this army to Melchior Reder who had brauely defended Vaâ—adin The Traitors seeing they could hould no longer fore-cast how they might 〈◊〉 and the 9. of August they dryed vp a poole which did enuiron Pappa of one side and for that the bottome did sinke they did cast Hardles Strawe and other baggage into it Reder aduertised hereof sends Nadaste the Count Thurin and Colonitz to sâ—rprâ—ze them The Traitors flying had alreadie gotten vnto a wood at the end of the Poole where they ouertooke them and refusing to yeeld some of them were cut in peeces And among others la Motte their Captaine with a hundred more were slaine Their Mediator with the Turkes was taken with many of the chiefe of the Treason In the meane time Marot the Gouernor whom the Traitors had put in prison being freed from his bonds gets forth with others and comes to the Campe. Reder by this meanes enters into Pappa and deliuers the other prisoners At this entry many of the Traytors were slaine some were reserued for execution and were sent to other Garrisons to serue for an example Some were Impaled others broken vpon the Wheele and scorched with a small fire and basted with Lard Diuers punishmâ—nts of Trayâ—ors some had their Bowells pulled out off their Bellies and burnt before their faces and their thighes shoulders and other parts of their Bodies scorched some had their Hearts pulled out aliue others had their throats filled with Sulpher and Pouder and so set on fire some were buried aliue vp to thechinne and ther heads broken with Bullets euery one by order of Martiall Lawe to make them apprehend by the seuerity of their deaths the foulenes of their treason Which diuersity of seuere punishments seeming to tend to cruelty was very necessary to make all Christians abhorre treason The Lords of Sillery and Alincourt by the Popes aduice and the Kings commandement went from Rome to Florence A Treatie of the Kings marriage to treat a marriage betwixt the King and the Noble Princesse Mary of Medieis the which had beene propounded before This demaund was so pleasing vnto the great Duke as he made no difficlulty Her Portion was six hundred thousand Crowns comprehending that which the Great Duke had lent the King of the which he paid himselfe with Iewells and other precious moueables The Contract was past in the Pallace of Pitty the 25. day of Aprill in the presence of Charles Anthony Putei Archbishop of Pisa and Virginiâ— Duke of Bracciano All Florence shewed great ioy thereat and the Princesse was presently declared Queene of France She dyned publikely vnder a cloth of Estate the great Duke sitting farre beneath her The Duke of Bracciano gaue her Water and Sillery the Kings Ambassador the Towell The rest of the day was spent in all kind of sports Soone after Monsieur Alincourt went to carry these good newes vnto the King with the Queenes picture which the great Duchesse sent him The King sent Frontenaâ— The Queenes Picture sent to the King to serue the Qâ—eene as her cheefe Steward who presented vnto her his Maiesties first Letter and withall he sent his Portrait to the great Duke The King resolued to effect the promises of Marriage as soone as the Duke of Sauoy had performed his touching the Restitution or the Exchange of the Marquisate of Salusses and to go to Auignon to receiue the Queene but the Duke was much perplexed what hee should doe After the Duke of Sauoyes departure the King went to passe the Lent at Fontainbleau where there was A Conference at Fontainbleau a great Conference betwixt the Bishop of Eureux and Philip de Mornay Lord of Plessis Marly Gouernour of Saumur Intendent of the house and Crowne of Nauarre in the presence of the King Princes and Officers of his Crowne Councellors of State Prelats and other Noblemen of marke It was touching a booke which Monsier du Plessis had published of the Institution of the Lords Supper and against the Masse wherein the Bishop did taxe him to haue falsified many Authorities Whervpon du Plessis presented a Petition vnto the King that his Maiesty would be pleased to appoint Commisioners to examine euery passage of Scripture cited in his booke The King yeelded to this Conference that the trueth might be made cleare against the darknesse of sâ—ander referring the care thereof to his Chancellor The Commissionars appointed for the Catholiks were Augustin Thuanus President of the Court Parliament at Paris Pithou Aduocate in the Court and Fieure Schoolemaister to the Prince of Condé in whose absence came Martin the Kings Phisition And for the other the President of Calignon Chancellor of Nauarre in whose place entred de Fresnes Gauaye President of the Chamber of Languedoe and Casaubon his Maiesties Reader
Marriage were made The 4. of October the Cardinall entred into Florence with great pompe riding â—nder a Canopy and the Duke on his left hand and â—o was conducted to the Dukes pallace After Supper in the presence of the Great Duke of Tuscany the Dâ—kes of Mantoa and Bracciano the Princes Iohn and Anthony of Medicis and the Lord of Belle-garde the Kings Ambassâ—dor Hâ—s spâ—ech vnto the Queen He deliuered vnto the Queene the contentment which the Pope had of this Marriage with a sweet kinde of Grauity and Modesty a discourse fâ—ll of pleasing words he conceiued great hopes of great good to come by the meanes of this happy coniunction not only for the houses of the Kings of France the Dukes of Tuscany but also for all Christendome and not onely for Christian Kingdoms but for all the World So as the Queene moued with ioy great hope thanked his Holines for this Salutation said That God hauing so decreed it shee assâ—red her selfe The Quâ—enâ—â— answâ—â— to â—he Cardinall that the blessing of the Holy Father would bring the grace of God with it whereof she would indeuour to make her selfe worthy capable recommending her selfe most humblie to the praiers of his Holines and of the Church Which words weâ—e deliuered after so Maiesticall a manner as if this Princesse had vsed alwayes to command absolutely and so that day was spent The 5. of October the Marriage was celebrated after a Royall manner The Queene parts â—roÌ„ Florence to go into France the Legat sayde Mâ—sse the which being ended the Great Duke had a Son Christned the Seigneury of Vâ—nice giuing it the name The Queene parted from Florence the 16. of October and came to Liuorne the 17. where she Imbaâ—ked in the Great Dukes generall Galâ—ey being assisted by fiue of the Popes Gallies fiue of Malta and sixe more of the said Dukeâ— The King hauing intelligence of her imbarking prouided for her reception of Marseiles and gaue the charge of his Will to the Duke of Guise Princes and Noblâ—men sent to 〈◊〉 the Queene his Maiesties Lieutenant Generall in Prouence he also sent his Constable Chancellor with the Dukes of Nâ—mours Guise and Ventador to receiue her The Cardinalls of Ioyeuze Gondy Guiry and Sourdy with many Bishops and Noblemen of the Councell The Nauigation was dangerous in many places yet with a resolute and cheerefull countenance she seemed to scorne the Tempests of the Sea The 3. of Nouember she tooke Port at Marseilles being accompanied by the great Duchesâ—e of Florence She arriues 〈◊〉 Maâ—sâ—illeâ— the Duchesse of Mantoa her Sister D. Anthony her Brother and the Duke of Bracciano The Qâ—eene â—eauing her Gally entred vpon a Theater made of two great Boâ—tes whervnto ioyned a Bridge which went vnto her Pallaâ—e The Constable receiued heâ— the Chancellor deliuered the Kings pleasure 4 Consuls of Marseilles presented her the Keies of the Citty a Canopie of cloth of siluer vnder which she was conducted to the Pallace One of the most remarkable actions during her aboad there was the protestation of obedience which was made vnto her by the Court Parliament of Prouence in the great Hall of the Pallace Monsieur de Vair making a most eloquent Oration as you may read at large in the Originall The 17. of NoueÌ„ber the Queâ—ne came to Aix froÌ„ whence she parted the next day with aboue 2000. horse to make her entry the 19. into Auignon where she was receiued with greater Pompe Magnificence then in any other place Parting from Auignon the Queene past to Valence Rousillon Vienne câ—me on the Satterday to Guillotiere The Queenâ—â—nters into Lions The next day being the 3. of DeceÌ„ber being met by the Gouernor all the Nobility of the Town country she entred in to Lions in great State so was coÌ„ducted to her lodging where she had newes fâ—oÌ„ the King by Roquelaure who preseÌ„ted vnto her in his Maiesties name the great royal Coller of inestimable value which did beautify her other OrnameÌ„ts She staied 8. daies at Lions before she could see the King demaÌ„ding euer when he wold come in this expectatioÌ„ the houres seemed years vnto her The King after the capitulatioÌ„ of S. Katherins Fort tooke post came the 9. of DeceÌ„ber to Lions The ChaÌ„cellor aduertised her that he should come that day Being at supper a Gentleman came to tell her that the King was within a quarter of a league of the Citty and that within lesse then 〈◊〉 she should see him The ioy of this good newes had taken away her appetite to any meate The King was already entred diâ—guised and was gotten into the presse among certain Gentlemen where hee might see and not bee seene After supper 〈◊〉 retyred into her Chamber The Kings fast sight of the Queene and the King entred presently after the Queene cast her selfe at his Maiesties feete and hee tooke her vp and imbraced her where after many kinde imbracings of mutuall loue and respect the King went to supper During the which the King sent the Queene word by the Duchesse of Nâ—mâ—urs that he was come without a Bed hoping that she would afford him part of â—ers which should be common vnto them from that time To whom the Queene answered That she was come to please and obey his Maiesties will as his most humble seruant This being deliuered vntâ— the King he vnclothed himselfe entred into the Queenes ChaÌ„ber whom he 〈◊〉 in bed The Cardinals entry into Lions and then the Ladies retired The Cardinal Aldobrandizo the Popes Legare being at Chambery the King sent to inuite him to his Marriage to come to Lions with the Duke of Sauoyes Deputies where they should Treat more commodiously then at Chambery He made his entry the 16. of the month where he was receiued with honâ—uâ—s fit for so great a dignity the Prince Conty and the Duke Montpensier conducted him going vnder a Canopy carried by the Burgesses of the Towne the streets were hanâ—ed the Inhabitants were in Armes the Clergy went singing before him and in this sort he was conducted to S. Iohns Church And although the Marriage were perfect the King hauing ratefied it by Procuration and by words of the present which the said Legate had receiued so as there needed no other solemnity yet would he make his Subiects partakers of this publike ioy appointing the Ceremony the Sunday foâ—lowing the which was Celebrated before the Great Alter of S. Iohns Church whereas the Nuptiall blessing was giuen by the Legate to the married couple After the which a Largesse of peeces of Gold and Siluer marked with a speciall deuice were cast vnto the people All which performed they went to the Royall Feast in the Archbishops Great Hall The Turke this yeare sent twelue thousand Ianissaries from Constantinople to â—uda to annoy the Christians with the neighbour Garrisons 〈◊〉 yeeldâ—d to the Tuâ—ke so
and to ruine all the world with his delights At this time there sprong vp Religious men in France who said they were true Obseruers of the Order of S. Francis The order of 〈◊〉 and that the Franciscans and Capuchins did not maintaine it so exactly but they needed Reformation The King gaue them a Couent at Beauâ—ort by the example of this piety many other places desired it They would lodge at Balmette neere vnto Anger 's the which had beene Founded by Rene King of Sicilia The FranciscaÌ„s who could not indure to be dispossessed by these Recollets beseeged them offered to force their Gates and to scale their Walles The Beseeged defended not themselues with Words and Excorcismes but with Stones and in such Choller as if the People had not come the Scandall had not ended without Murther The Prouinciall seeing that the Recollets would not receiue him Trouble in the â—ouent of Balmâ—â—te and that the Bishop would not suffer him to vse force appealed as from an abuse of their Establishment The Recollâ—ts shew vnto the Court that they are the true Children and Disciples of S. Francis liuing according to the Rule and Discipline that was obserued in Italy from whence the good Precepts of the Reformation of Regulers were drawne that if those of the Famely of Obseruance and of Capuchins were tollerated honoured in France they should be of no worse Condition This cause was the Argument of a famous pleading in the Court Parliament in the which Seruin the Kings Aduocate said That a Reformation was necessary not only in the Order of the Franciscans or Grey-Friars A great pâ—eadâ—â—g â—n the Court of Parlament but also in all others but they must be careful not to transforme by Nouelties in steed of Reforming by Censures alleadging many reasons against the bringing in of nâ—we Orders Whereupon the Court pronounced that there was abuse and restored the Ancient Religious to the Couent of Balmette forbidding all religious Men of the Order of Grey-Fryars to go out off the Realme without license from the King or their Superiors Iealous and distrustfull heads gaue it out that the Peace was in weake estate when as after the iniury done vnto Rochepott in Spaine The King gâ—es to Calais and the forbiding of Trafficke they see the King gonne sodainely to Calais and that from thence hee had sent the Duke Biron into England The Archdukes tooke a sodaine Alarum and to that end sent the Count Soâ—a vnto the King to deliuer vnto him the state of the Seege to Ostend The Count Sora sent vnto the King and to beseech him not to suffer that their enemies should thinke that these approches should be to their aduantage and that their rebellion should be fauoured by an example so hatefull to all Princes The King sent the Duke of l' Esguillon to visit them The Duke of l' Eâ—guillon sent to the Archdukes and to assure them that his intention was not to trouble the Peace but onely to visit his Fronter and to prouide for the fortifications They did not generally beleeue this for although he made this Voyage in Post many thought that he would imbrace this occasion of the seege of Ostend and all the Court followed him as to some great Exploite And for that he would not haue the world in suspence of his desseignes he gaue the Gouernors of his Prouinces to vnderstand that the cause of his going to Calais was but to visit his frontier and to prouide for that which should bee necessary to assure it not from present dangers but from those that might happen He declared also that he had no other desseigne then the preseruation of Peace withall his neighbours to enjoy that which God had giuen him But there were other practises which could not be dispersed but by the Kings presence The Queene of England sent Sir Thomas Edmonds to visit the King and the King returned her the like by the Duke of Biron Hee went accompanied with a hundred and fifty Gentlemen The Count of Avuergne was there as vnknowne The Duke of Biron sent into England but his qâ—aâ—ity discouered him There was nothing omitted that might be for the reception of an Ambassador somewhat more Being at London many Noblemen receiued him and accompanied him to Basing where he rested a day or two before he did see the Queene who made him knowe that shee was honoured by her Subiects aboue other Princes A Prince should loose no occasion to let Strangers see the greatnesse of his Estate to giue them cause to admire him and to maintaine his Subiects in the dutie which they owe him The Queene of England who hath made good proofe that Wonten may raigne as well and as happely as Men obserues this bâ—â—tâ—r then any Prince of her age making all them that followed the Duke of Biron in this Legation to giue the like Iudgement The Queene beeing set in State all the French Gentlemen entred first His entry to the Queene but when as shee discouered the Duke of Biron whome shee knew by the description they had made of his Face and stature shee spake with a loud voyce Ha Monsieur de Biron how haue you taken the paynes to come and see a poore old Woman who hath nothing more liuing in her then the affection shee beares vnto the King and her perfect iudgement to knowe his good Seruants and to esteeme Knights of your sort As she spake this the Duke made a low reuerence the Queene rose from her Chaire to imbrace him to whoÌ„ he deliuered the charge he had from the King and withall his Maiesties Letters the which she read She thanked the King for his remembrance of her but she said she could not conceale The Queenes speech that as there was nothing vnto a heart like vnto hers full of affection and desire more pleasing then to see and heare what it desired so could she not but feele an extreme torment to see her selfe depriued of the sight and presence of the obiect which shee had most desired whose actions she esteemed not onely immortall but diuine being ignorant whether she should more enuy his Fortune then loue his Vertue and admire his Merits so much the one the other did exceede the greatest maruailes in the world That she could not say that a courage which feared nothing but the falling of the Pillers of Heauen should feare the Sea or not trust vnto it for a passage of seuen or eight houres blaming them rather which had not instructed him as well to contemne the Waues of the Sea as the desseignes of his enemies vppon the Land From these speeches shee fell into some bitternesse of Complaints which shee deliuered with a little vehementie saying That after she had succored this Prince with her Forces Purse and Meanes and if she could haue done it with her owne bloud and had as much desired the happy successe of his affayres as himselfe
Canisia The seege of Canisia raysed in the ende was forced to leaue it with shame and disorder loosing his Artillery and Baggage and abandoning the sicke wounded He lost his reputation there for the good had successe of enterprises are euer imputed to the General although it were true that the diuision among the Commanders of the Christians Army the great want of victuals the â—ury of the Plague gaue this aduantage vnto the enemy The Duke of Biron came to Fontainbleau whereas the King Queene and Daulphin remayned The Duke of Biron returnes out of England to Court he gaue an account of his Ambassage into England deliuered the Queens Letter vnto his Maiesty He continued in Court vntill the ende of the yeare and presented vnto him the three Estates of Bresse Beaugey Veromey and Gex whom the King receiued as gratiously The King coÌ„firmes the Priuileges of Bresse as if they had bin Frenchmen by birth and affection he confirmed their Priuileges and made them â—eele the fruits of this change He erected a Presidiall Court at Bourg depending vpon the Parlament at Dijon notwithstanding any opposition made by that of Grenoble preteÌ„ding that the Countries exchanged should hold the place of the Marquisate of Saluces be incorporate vnto Daulphine He releeued the CouÌ„tries exchanged in their Impositions Taxes and with such moderation as the most miserable promised vnto theÌ„â—elues happines vnder his sweet subiectioÌ„ Among other speeches which the King vsed vnto the Deputies these were noted It is reasonable said he seeing you speak French naturally His speech to the Deputies that you should be subiect to a King of France I am well pleased that the Spanish tongue shall remaine to the Spaniard the Germaine tongue to the Germaine but all the French must belong to me The Daâ—â—phin made his first entry into Paris the 30. day after his birth the Port was beautified with Armes The Daulphins first entry into Paâ—is the 2â— Octob. 1601. The pompe was of a Cradle in a Litter wheras the Lady of Moâ—glas sat with the Nurce The Prouost of Marchants Sheriffes went out off the Citty to meete him The Gouernesse made answer to the Oration His first lodging was at Zamets house Two dayes after he was carried back to S. Germain in Lay to the end the people might see him passing through the Citty the Nurce held him at her Breast The King had determined to conduct the Queene to â—loys but the desire he had to instruct the Duchesse of Bar his Sister in his Religion A Conference to instruct the Kings Sister stayd them all at Paris whether he had sent for the most learned Prelats Diuines to satisfie her in the presence of such Ministers as she had brought with her But they coÌ„iured her not to yeeld vnto this chaÌ„ge nor to dismember her selfe from the body and society of the children of God to bow her knees vnto Idolatry She continued so constant in her beleefe as she made a protestation that if her Religion were preiâ—â—icial to the Estates of the Duke of Lorraine she was ready to returne into Bearn beseeching the King to suffer her to end her life as she had begun it So as the CoÌ„ferences vpon this subiect remained vnprofitable were of no more effect then that which was made at Ratisbonne at the same time for the â—ame cause The King hauing setled as happy a Peace in France as could be desired he sought to redresse the disorders which could not be cured during the violence of the War The King did two things to reforme the disorders of the Treasure in the one he cut off a great number of Officers belonging to the Treasure in the other he caused a great and seuere search to be made of their abuses Many of the Treasury â—ischarged The more Officers the King hath for the managing of his Treasure the lesse profit comes vnto his Coffers for that a great part is spent in their entertainement So as it was resolued at the Estates held at Roan to suppresse the Offices of the Treasurers of the Generalities of France by death without hope of reuiuing As for the abuses of Treasorers their couetousnes was so great and their abuses so countenanced as no man liued happely but they Such as robbe the Poore die in prisons and are hanged but they that steale from the King and the publicke are at their ease When as Rhosny was called to bee Superintendant of the Treasor they were out of hope to do their busines as they had wont By his aduice the King commanded a strict search to bee made of their abuses in the Treasure A Chamber royall eâ—ected and to that ende he erected a Chamber or Court which hee would haue called Royale consisting of Iudges chosen out of his Soueraigne Courts And for that they had giuen the King to vnderstand The transport of gold and siluer â—orâ—â—dden that nothing did so much impouerish his Realme as the transport of gold siluer the which was vsuall by the suffrance of Officers he therefore reuiued the ancient Lawes for the transporting of gold and siluer or bullion out of the Realme adding paine of death therevnto and losse of all their goods that should do to the contrary the third whereof should go vnto the Informer He commanded all Gouernors to haue a care of the obseruation of these prohibitions and not to grant any pasports to the contrary vpoÌ„ paine to be declared partakers oâ— these transports and for their Secretaries that should countersigne them confiscation of their goods and perpetuall banishment The wearing oâ— gold and siluer forbidden But the forbidding of the transportation of gold and siluer is not the onely meanes to make a Realme abound therewith if the vse of it within bee not well ordred And therefore the King did forbid the superfluous vse of gold and siluer in Lace or otherwise vpon garments This Edict did greatly trouble the Ladies in Court yet it was obâ—erued for that it was generall and expected none the King himselfe did frowne of a Prince of his house who had not yet thought of this reformation The King continuing the same care to settle all things in good Estate seeing that forraine Coynes went at a higher rate in his Realme then where they were coyned he commanded that the vse of forraine coynes should bee forbidden after a certaine time giuen to the people to put it away reâ—â—oring gold to his iust value This commandement was iust but it was a great ruine to the peopole for the Strangers seeing that their Coynes were not currant among vs discontinued the trafficke and liued without that without the which wee thought they could not liue Those which were wont to come to Lions went to Geneua where the Duckates were raised as much as we had abated them The King by all these Edicts had nothing releeued the necessities of the
much grieued for his death his funeralls weâ—e made in Lorraine and at our Ladyes Church in Paris the whole Court of Parliament did assist and Francis de Sala elect Bishop of Geneua made the Funerall Sermon A Complaint of the third Estate of Daulphine During the publike sports in Court the Kings Councell laboured to end the sute betwixt the Commons or third Estate and the two first Orders of Daulphine The Commons complayning that all the Charges and publike oppressions and all that might be burthensome was layd vpon them without any hope from the other Estates of the Prouince although they made not the sixt part being reasonable that all the charges being common they should bee supported equally by all the Prouince by her first condition beeing declared free from all such charges and with this freedome was giuen at the first to France Euery order pleaded for his owne liberties by the Deputies the which the King hauing heard he set downe a generall order touching the Taxes of Daulphiné as you may â—eade at large in Pierre Mathewe The King hauing pasâ—ed the feast of Easter at Fontainbleau prepared to goe to Blois to Tours and to Poitiers and farther if the good of his presence so required Many beleeued that his intent was to go an other way which agreed well with their humours who breathed nothing but warre The great leuies which were made in Italie the Warlike humor of the Count of Fuentes· the great stirring of the Duke of Sauoye who could not liue in Peace the discontent of the Spaniards for the preiudiciall â—onditions of the Treaty of Veruins and many other considerations gaue some shew of the common opinion of Warre The King also had some intelligence that the Sea Army prepared in the Realme of Naples had an enterprise vpon Prouence although the Spaniards gaue it out that it was for Algier but the cleer-sighted knewe well that without some treason among the French the Spaniards affaires were not in so good Estate as to attempt any thing against France The King was aduertised that the Duke of Biron was strayed from his dutie The Duke of Birons câ—nspiracy discouered and assured moreouer that this disposition of his did not growe in an instant that he had not entred into these bad resolutions sodenly if hee had not had conference with strangers Hee could not beleeue that a spirit so Vigilant so Actiue and so Valiant could suffer it selfe to be transported with such violent furies and it seemed a dreame vnto him that a man which had gotten so much Honour to whome his Father had left so much and who had receiued daylie what hee would from the King should resolue to that which was contrarie to his Honor and the greatnesse of his courage This good opinion made the King not to beleeue the aduice which was giuen him of his badde intentions making no shew thereof but that he would giue him the Gouernment of Guienne and two hunred thousand Crownes recompence with the Castells of Trompette and Blaye to drawe him from the Frontier which was more comodious for conference with them who were resolued to withdrawe him from France or to ruine him They had sought him after the taking of Lan The Duke of Biron refused the Gouâ—rnment of Guienne when as they descouered that hee was come to Paris in choller for that the King had refused him some thing wherewith hee gratâ—fied the Duchesse of Beaufort then they offred him two hundred thousand Crownes yearely entertaynment and to bee Generall of all the Kings of Spaines orces in France As they had found him an Achilles in battayle so they found him an Vlisses to their words stopping his eares at their Inchantments saying that choller should neuer drawe him from his dutie that although his Nature were fire and boyling in the feeling and apprehension of a wrong He refused entertainment from the Spaniards yet his heart would neuer suffer this fire to consume the Faith and Loyaltie which hee ought vnto his Prince Hee retayned nothing of the offer which they made him but onelie the remembrance of the esteeme which they made of his valour and euen then hee suffred himselfe to bee carried away with those motions which doe often transport the minde to insolency and contempt of all things when they see themselues assured of ease howesoeuer the chance fall and that they shall neuer bee vnder the seruitude of necessity He was some-times herd-say that hee would not die He sayd hee would die a Soâ—â—eraigne before he had seene his head set vpon a quarter of a Crowne that hee would rather goe to a Scaffold to loose his head then to an Hospitall to begge his bread that hee would die young or haue meanes to doe his friends good Eyther Caesar or nothing Either a free life or a glorious death but hee had neither of them His desseignes made him to vtter words of a Soueraigne and so absolute as the wise did impute it to extreame arrogancie the which hath alwaies ruined them that entertaine it It is a great happinesse for an Estate to haue great Captaines but there is nothing so hard to entertaine for when as they thinke that they haue bound their Country vnto them although all they doe bee lesse then their duties they are easily discontented and like to Pausanias and Themistocles speeke new allyances and friendship from enemies if they bee not rewarded to their owne wills and to the heigth of their Ambition The Duke of Biron had done great seruice to the King and Realme He was honored with the first charges oâ— the realme so were his recompences so great as no Nobleman of his quality in France but might enuie him For beeing not yet forty yeares olde hee had enioyed the chiefest dignities of the Realme At foureteene yeares hee was Colonell of the Suisses in Flanders Soone after Mashall of the Campe and then Marshall generall Hee was receiued Admirall of France in the Parliament at Tours and Marshall of France in that of Paris Hee acknowledged none but the King at the seege of Amiens and was his Maiesties Lieutenant Generall although there were Princes of the bloud To encrease his greatnesse hee was declared a Peere of France and his Barony erected into a Duchie And yet not content with all this hee sayd hee would not die but hee would straine higher That hee will goe no more to recouer the Townes of Picardie vnlesse the King set vppâ— his Image in brasse before the Lovure vsing still in his brauerie some very dangerous speeches and with such affection as hee was not pleased with them that did not applaude them When hee sawe after the seege of Amiens that Brittaine was reduced and the Warre ended He desires contâ—nuâ—nce of the Warre hee thought that hauing no more vse of his valour hee should haue no more credit that hee should haue no more meanes to play the petty King and to doe all that without
storme The cause grewe from a decree of the Court giuen against Solyciters and by the Kings authority and expresse commandement who before hee parted from Paris to passe the Easter at Fontainbleau sent for the cheefe of the Court of Parliament and of all the other Courtes to recommend their charges vnto them From whose owne mouth they vnderstoode howe much hee desired that all the Iustice might bee administred with lesse charge and lesse losse of time The Spices is 〈◊〉 vnto Iudges vpon euery 〈◊〉 that is iudged dâ—â—iniâ—iuely in France That there was no Iustice for them that had no money so excessiue were the Iudges Spices and the Soliciters fees The Court of Parliament desiring that according to the Kings minde intention and last comâ—â—unde the excesse whereof they complayned against the Soliciters might bee reduced to a meane and iust temper assembled to redresse those disorders The opinions beeing heard and numbred against Aduocates the first President sheweing that a reformation was as necessary in Iudges as in Soliciters The 〈◊〉 deâ—â—â—â— against 〈◊〉 In the ende 2 decree was made by the which it was ordeyned and apointed that euer Soliciter should set downe vnder his hande in the ende of his writtings what hee had taken for his owne fees to the ende that in case of excesse it might bee moderated when as the Court should proceede to iudgement of the processe Moreouer they should giue a certificate what they had taken for the pleading of causes to be set downe in the taxe of charges all vpon paine of extorsion The Law was not made against the good but onely to restraine the auarice of others who preferre the oportunitie of taking before all reprehension All notwithstanding did oppose themselues against the execution of this Law saying that they would rather leaue their places then subiect themselues to the rigour of the Decree and do so great a wrong to the Dignity and Liberty of their profession The Court made an other Law whereby it was decreed that such as would not pleade should deliuer their names vnto the Register A second decree against Soliciters after the which they were forbidden to practise as Soliciters vppon paine of falshood This second decree was pronounced in open Assembly in the house of the Kings Attornie generall The next day there went out of the Chambers of Consultation by two and two to the number of three hundred and seuen they past through the Pallace hall went to the Register to giue vp their hoods and to declare that they obeyed the second decree seeing they could not obey the first From that time the Pallace was without pleading the Soliciters being busied to defend themselues setting downe al the reasoÌ„s they could for their iustification yet could they not mooue the Court to reuoake or change the Decree they were forced to haue recourse vnto the King who to reconcile this diuision which happened vpon a day which reuiued the memorie of a greater trouble hee sent his letters to the Parliament in tearmes conformable to his Iustice and the wisedome of his Councell By the which it was lawfull for Soliciters to exercise their functions as they had done before the sayd Decree inioyning them notwithstanding to obserue the ordinance made at Blois in that behalfe in the 161. Article The parties which had sutes did languish in expectation of this declaration As they complayned of the corruption so they suffered the inconueniencie of the remedie The Court which had made many iust and seuere Lawes against Combats An â—idict against Combats confirmed the Edict which the King made at Blois Before his Maiesties departure from Fontainbleau hee had commanded the Constable Chancellor Marshalls of France and the cheefe of his Councell to deuise some meanes to suppresse the libertie of Combats being so iniurious and preiudiciall to his estate By their aduise an Edict was made by the which they that call or are called or which assist or seconds him that calls or is called are declared guiltie of high Treason and to bee punished according to the rigour of the Lawes Commanding the Constable Marshals of France Gouernours and Lieutenants generall of Prouinces to preuent Combats and to forbid them vpon paine of death to iudge absolutly as they shall thinke good of all that concernes the reparation of wronges and to force them that are condemned to satisfie by imprisonment The King effected his busines happely in Poâ—tou The King his voyage into Poâ—â—ou in three weâ—kes hee found so great an obedience and affection in them to please him as hee remained very well satisfied His Maiestie left so many testimonies in all places of his bounty as all had cause to prayse him and to blame their practises which sought to trouble the peace The Duke of Biron did not thinke the King should haue found so great obedience and loue among his subiects of that Prouince He had sent some of his seruants to Court to learne how the market went and to shew the discontent he had foâ— the iealousie which was conceiued of his Faith and Dutie The King sends for the Duke of Biron The King who was well informed of his intelligences with the Count of Fuentes reâ—olued to see him and to keepe him from his enemies Hee sent Descures vnto him with charge to say that hauing intelligence of the great Leuies of souldiars made in Italie he had resolued to maintaine the body of an army vpon the froÌ„ter to giue the charge vnto him and to that end he had coÌ„manded DeVic his Ambassador in Suisse to demand a speedy leuy of 6000. men to cause theÌ„ to march wher he should haue directioÌ„s that therein hee followed the Councell of the Constable his gossip whose aduice he sent him in writing and desired to haue his by mouth conâ—uring him to come with speede He stirres not for al that excusing himselfe sometimes vpon the holding of the Estates sometimes that the enemy being so neere it were an act vnworthy of his reputation to turne his backe abandon the Frontier The King sent the PresideÌ„t â—anin a man powerfull in perswasion The President 〈◊〉 sent vnto him who comming to Dijon gaue the Duke to vnderstand howe much the King desired to see him and how necessary this sight was and among many discourses applyed fitly to his humour hee let him knowe the Kings strength and the length of his Arme. This was not able to mooue him He considered that the Duke of Biron must bee perswaded to this voyage by him that was all of his Councell â—home he assured that as he should haue all the Honour of this perswasion Diuers aduises 〈◊〉 to the Duke of Biâ—on so he could expeâ—t nothing but disgrace and ruine of a contrary councell His friends notwithstanding did conâ—ure him not to come one of his best friends sent him word by his Brother that his Gouernment was disposed of and that for his last hope he
to aduance Death and to haue no other consolation but in the oneâ—y desire of an impossible thing He spent the first dayes of his Imprisonment without eating or sleeping These violent motions of Chollor and the heat of his bloud put him into a Feauer and Griefe carried fuming passions vnto his Braine which increased his sicknesse in the which as in all other diseasses the feare of Death the payne of his Body and the alteration of his Life did much augment the greefe of his Prison Hee was â—â—mewhat afâ—rayd least vnder colour of remedy they should giue him Poyson to cure all his griefes and therefore hee would haue them take a taste of euery thing although there were no other assurance of his life but what his owne Coâ—science could giue vnto him His Captiuity depriued him not of the liberty of speaking The fire of his Courage was not smothered vnder the Ashes of this affliction What saide hee and what saide he not Cholâ—er thrust forth a steeme of Words in the which theâ—e was not a droppe of Reason Sometimes hee saide That if they dâ—sired to put him to death His wâ—rds in Prison they should dispatch him that they should not bragge they had made hâ—m to feare death that they should speedily drinke themselues drunke with the bloud which remained of thirty and â—iue Woundes which hee had receiued for the seruice of France They feared that Solitarinesse Fasting Melancholy and change oâ— the place would trouble his Braine and thrust him inâ—o some furious passion To pacifie the discontent of his first imprisonment they perswaded him to submit himselfe to the mercy of God and gaue him hope of the Kings pardon The Archbishop of Bourges went to see him he disswaded him from many bad Maximes of Conscience and satisfied him of many poynts which hee held against the purity and integrity of a iust Confession He desired to speake with Villerâ—y and Sillery who went to see him by the Kings commandment In the beginning of his imprisonment he taâ—ked of notâ—ing but of Iustice but knowing his fault he had no hope but in the Kings Mercy Some one published an admonition at Paris beseeching the King to change the punishment of death into perpetual Imprisonment his Imprisonment into Banishment and his Banishment into an honourable seruitude to make War against the Turke That if by his offences he did not merit to serue the State which hee sought to ruine yet he might serue the Generall Estate of Christendome This Councell was dangerous for who could assure the King that â—e would make War in Hungary and what caution could be sufficient for France Heâ— had beene more dangerous without it then with in A bâ—rning firebrand casts more flame and smoake without a Câ—imney then with in it Hee added moreouer that he should forbid him the carrying of Armes and tie him from the War but if he should haue made his house his Prison who should haue kâ—pt him iâ— he â—ad desseignes oâ— reuenge in Prison what would he haue done at Liberty Many which respect no more the Lawes of Honour then of Iustice would haue repayred vnto him to bring in inâ—uâ—table mischiefs â—here was an intent to saue him The Iron worke was forged in Bresse The refusall of fiue hundred Câ—ownes for the Petardier hindred the execution As soone as he was a Priâ—oner euery one saâ—de he was a dead Man and seeing himselfe so carefully garded hee sayde â—hat they did not put Birds of his sort into a Cage to suffer them to escape Hee made that Iudgement of himselfe which the Admirall did of the Earles of Egmont and Horne when he heard they were Prisones when they once come to accuse and imprison a Mâ—n of courage and faction it is more dangerous to absolue him then to condemne him Letters to the Court of Parliament to mâ—ke his Proceâ—â—e The Kâ—ng sent his Letters to the Parliament to proceed in the Criminall and extraordinary Processe of the Duke of Biron according to the formes which are to bee obserued in Crimes of so great importance against persons of his quality all other afâ—ayres set aside The Commissioners appointed for the King were Achilles de Harlay first President in the Court of Parliament at Paris Nicholas Potier second Presiâ—ent and Councellor of State to his Maiesty CoÌ„missioners â—ppoinâ—ed Stephen Fleury and Phillibert of Thuâ—in Councellors of the Parliament good Iudges but not to bee moued in Crimes of State Informatioâ—s were taken at the Basâ—ille The Prisoner made some Ceremonies to answer but beeing entred into discourse hee gaue the CoÌ„missioners matter ynough to worke on confessing in a mâ—nner all From his answers alone they might haue framed his Condemnation saying ynough to make him loose as many Liues as hee had Yeares Hee had so ill gouerned his Iudgement in his Prosperity as it did him no seruice during his Imprisonment yeelding sometimes vnto Griefe sometimes vnto Chollor and alwayes to Indiscretion speaking as much to Râ—ine himselfe as to Diâ—charge him Hee was Confronted with the Witnesses Face to Face but when aâ— hee did see la Fin hee fell into an extreame shaking The first President asked the Prisoner If hee would except any thing against La Fin He answered That he held him for a Gentleman of Honour his Friend and his Kinsman But when hee had heard his Deposition hee cried out against him as the most execrable Man in the World appealing to all the Powers of Heauen and Earth to iustifie his Innocency La Fin grieued that he should hold him for a Slanderer a name common to all wicked Men sayd vnto him That he was sorry they were in a place where the one was allowed to speake all and the other was forced to heare all Hee maintained all he had saide against him and spake more playnely of his Conspiracy He is amazed to â—â—ee â—â—nazé whom he held to be dead then in his Deposition The Prisoner said That if Renaze were there he would auerre the contrary He was brought before him wherat he was much amazed to see him whom he held to be dead and who was out of his remembrance as in an other World Hee then beleeued that the Duke of Sauoy had set him at Liberty to ruine him he felt hâ—s Conscience toucht when as all things conspired to his Condemnation An admirable iudgement of Gods secret Iustâ—ce in this escape of Renaze Mens intentions produce contrary effects Hee was detayned prisoner at Quiers in Piedmont to the end he should not discouer this practise he escapes from his Gard and comes to fortefie his Maisters Deposition who else had beene but one witnesse He had many Friends but not to iustifie his Innocency as Plato sayth That many â—riends is a signe of Wisedome and want of them shewes the contrary There were none that durst preâ—ume to sue for his Liberty or Pardon The Kâ—ng had made this attempt so Detestable and Odious to all the Princes and
Alexander to put Philotas to death being giuen to vnderstand that if he pardoned him he would maâ—e him able to attempt newe treasons against him when as it should not bee in his power to pardon him A pardon doth not change the bad intent of a mighty malefactor This Philotas knewe well that they which had exhausted all mercy and drawne it drie hauing no more hope did runne head-long into dispaire That there are benefits which are odious for that hee blusheth to confesse the cause and to acknowledge himselfe debttor for his life to anâ— one Alexander had enemies enough abroad he had no neede of any at home and assurâ—ng his Estate of these hee needed not to feare the rest Kings like vnto Physitions must knowe the diseases of their States the accidents that â—â—e past the present and the future and imploye Iustice as a drogue the which is not good for them that bee sicke and may pâ—ofit others before the disease hath actually seized on them There remaines one only consideration that the Duke of Biron may do great seruice and that it is not impossible but he may returne to the way of his first innocency Therâ— is lesse harme not to beleeue it then to beleeue it Wee must not vpon an vncerteâ—â—tie that is to come neglect the râ—medy of a present mischiefe There is more trouble to absolue him and more daâ—ger to set â—im at liberty then to put him to death Heer 's not likely to doe any more good we can expect nothing but reuenge from his courrage There is no more any Fuâ—ius Camillus who changed his exile into a bonde vnto his Country that had banished him Serpents seeme dead in winter the cold keepes them from hurting but when as the Sunne recouers his forces they spend their venom The prisoners bad intents might sleepe for a time but it shold be to awake againe and neuer to leaue the State at rest Qui 〈…〉 profit exempâ—â— He that can neuer profit by his vertue nor his loyalty must profit by his example These were the reasons of the Court vpon the which by a generall consent a sentence of death was concluded against the Duke of Biron There were fewe in condemning him but sayd that it was fit to araigne la Fin and giue warrant to apprehend him and that it was impossible hee should be cleane from the slâ—â—ne which he had handeled that if the affaires of Spaine which is like vnto the Temple of Hecatompedon the which goes forward in words and not in workes had bin answerable to the vehemency of their affection hee had sayd nothing The King was aduertised â—hereof who assured la Fin by his letters that he would neuer endure that so great a seruâ—ce done vnto the Crowne should be his ruine It was reason for if the Ancients did appoint Honours for Beastes that had done any seruice to the Common-weale they should bee no lesse thankefull vnto a Gentleman that had saued his Country Whosoeuer discouers a Conspiracy against the sacred and inuâ—olable perâ—on of the Prince ought to bee rewarded by the publicke So was Vindicius by the Romains Princes loue them for a while that haue done some great villamies for their seruice They that reueale conâ—piracies are to be rewarded the which is soone turned into deadly hatred lothing to looke on them for that their presence doth reproch them with the wronging of their conscience But this happenns not to him who without any instigation of the Prince but mooued onely with his duty doth reueale a CoÌ„spiracy chosing rather to faile in the office of a Friend then in duty of a faithfull Subiect The Chancellor concluding their opinions pronounced the sentence of death The Chancellor pronounceâ—h the sentence of death and by graue reasons and great examples reconciled some fewe opinions for the apprehending of la Fin. Saying that the enterprise of the prisoner condemned was not in his head alone that there were others who hauing a desire to say some-thing would retire themselues when they should see la Fin so intreaâ—ed who in the common opinion had deserued reward And although that Mars would not haue the day which is giuen vnto him to bee the last to one that had deserued the name of a second Mars yet the shadow of death did enuiron him on Twesday about Noone seeing a great multitude of Parisians about Saint Anthonies gate he then beleeued that he should be a spectacle vnto them The Lord of Vitry's Lieutenant freed him from this imagination The Duke of Biron deâ—iers to see Mâ—nsiâ—ure de Rhosny making him beleeue that it was to see certaine Gentlemen fight Herevpon and of that which the heart doth alwaies Diuine in the like accidents seeing more signes of death then of life hee framed in his imagination infallible consequences of his death sending the Seigneur of Baranton to intreate the Marquis of Rhosny to come vnto him or if he could not to be an intercessor vnto the King for his pardon He answered that he was extremely greeued that hee durst not do the first and had not meanes to effect the second I hat the King was sorry that at his comming to Fontainbleau hee was obdurat and would not deliuer the truth which tooke from him the meanes to saue his life and for his friends to sue for him This multitude did not runne to the gate without some occasion they knewe that the sentence of death was giuen the day before Certaine officers of the Court and the Executioner were seene enter in the Bastille the Scaffold which should bee set vp at the Greue was made but they were ill informed for the King hauing commanded the Chancellor to send him the sentence after he had giuen it in the Parliament that he might let him vnderstand his pleasure touching the execution Sillery who had carried it to S. Germaine returned with letters by the which for the auoyding the ignominy of his death at the suâ—e of his friends and for other coÌ„siderations his Maiesty was pleased to change the place of the execution and to appointe that in the Bastille which should haue bin done at the Greue The King would haue him executed in the Bastille These letters being verefied on Wedensday morning the last of Iuly the Chancellor accompained with the first President of the Court of Parliament de Sillery and three Masters of Requests followed by some Officers of the Chancery The Châ—ncellor comes to the Bastilâ—e De Voyson register for Crymâ—nall causes 6. vshers came to the Bastille about 9. of the clock in the morning to let him heare the sentence of the Court. At his entring hee coÌ„manded them to make the Prisoner dine and not to aduertise him of his comming remayning in a little Chamber nere the entry on the left hand about an houre and halfe where he resolued who shold be sent for to assist at this execution of whoâ—e names he made
a list He that appreheÌ„ds death hath no desire to eate yet hee set him downe rose againe presently and according to his vsuall maner went vnto a window which looked into the Court of the Basâ—ille where hearing the cries and lamentations of a woman hee thought they were for him had this sad content to see they wept for him before his death Soone after the Chancellor goes towards him who crossing through the Court the Duke of Biron espied him cryed out that he was dead You come sayd he to pronounce my sentence I am condemned vniustly tell my kins-folkes that I die an innocent The Chancellor went on without any motion coÌ„manding that they should bring him into the Chappel The prisoner seeing him come a farre of cried out The Duke of Biâ—ons words to the Chancellor Oh my Lord Chancellor is there no pardon is there no mercy The Chancellor saluted him and puâ—ts on his hat The Duke of Biron continued bare and hauing abandoned all the powers of his Soule to greefe and passion hee tooke the aduantage to speake first and to speake all that a tounge ouer greeued might vtter reproching the Chancellor that hee had not had so great a desire to saue him as to condemne him After condemnation all discours is vaine Hee added thervnto certaine words the recording whereof is prohibited and the report punnishable But Princes regard not the rayling of subiects against their Maiesty the which returnes alwaies froÌ„ whence it came The Duke of Biron knowing not whom he should challenge most for his misfortune turned towards the Chancellor and shaking him by the arme sayd You haue iudged me God will absolue me Men condemned may speak any thing hee will lay open their Iniquities which haue shut their eyes because they would not see mine innocency you my Lord shall answere for this iniustice before him whether I do sommon you within a yeare and a day I go before by the iudgement of men but those that are the cause of my death shall come after by the iudgement of God All which was deliuered with such violence as hee cryed out and stormed both against the King and his Parliament They beare with all which proceeds from choller in a condemned man of his humor and quality But this excesse to adiorne a Chancellor to Heauen being 70. yeares old was held vnworthy the great courage of a Captaine blaspheming and brauing death and yet ignorant how they pleade in an other world He was not the first in the like extremities that haue adiourned their Iudges before the Throne of God Iohn Hus sayd in dying That those which had condemned him should answer a hundred yeares after before God and him and the Bohemians who preserued the Asshes of his bones and maintained his Doctrine coyned money with this adiournement But the Duke of Birons assignation was vaine for the Chancellor appeered not but hath bin more healthful since then before He found no means to enter into discours amidest the confusioÌ„ of so many words which were like vnto a violent streame Yet he interrupted him to tell him that he had need of Gods helpe that he should recommend himselfe vnto him He presently answered that hee had thought vpon God and implored his aide to giue him patience against their iniustice but neither he nor his Iudges had thought of it in condeÌ„ning him Passion transports the rounge Passion sayd the Chancellor makes you to speake many things without any colour and against your owne Iudgement There is not any man hath better knowne your merits then my selfe and I would to God your offences had bin as much vnknowne as they haue bin dissembled The knowledge thereofwas so great and so perfect as your Iudges haue bin more troubled howe to moderate your paine then to haue you punnished they haue more labored to iustefie you then to condemne you Whilest the Chancellor was speaking the Duke of Biron turned towards Roissy Master of Requests asked him if he had also bin one of his Iudges Roissy answered My Lord I pray God to comfort you My father loued you so intirely replied the Duke of â—iroÌ„ that although you were one of them that had coÌ„demned me I would forgiue you And so returning to his discourse he addresâ— himselfe vnto the Chancellor who was saying some-thing vnto Voisin I see well sayd he what it is I am not the most wicked but I am the most vnfortunate Those which haue done worse then I would haue done are â—auored The Kings clemency is dead for me Hee doth not immitate the examples of Caesar nor Augustus or of those great Princes who not only pardoned them that would haue done ill but euen them that did ill who were euer sparing of their bloud yea of that which was least esteemed wherin can the King shew himself greater theÌ„ in pardoning Clemency is a Kingly vertue Euery one may giue death Clemency a royall vertue but it belongs onely to Soueraigns to giue life And cruell that he is doth he not knowe well that he hath pardoned me I had a bad desseigne he granted me grace I demand it againe you may easily aduertise him a â—â—st wil soone returne The Queene of England told me that if the Earle of Essâ—x would haue humbled himselfe and sued for grace shee would haue pardoned him Hee grewe obstinate and would neuer implore her mercy taking from her all meanes to shew the effects She like a generous Princesse desiryng to pardon him euen as she would that God should pardon her He was guilty I am innocent he sued for no pardon for his offence I craue it in mine Inoceney Is it possible the King should thinke no more of the seruices I haue done him doth hee not remember the conspiracy at Mantes and the danger hee had runne if I had had intelligence with the Conspirators who found nothing that did hinder the effects of their desseigne then my loyaltie nor a more ready meanes to attayne vnto it then in causing me to be slaine The Duâ—â— oâ— Birons repâ—ochâ—s There is no veine in my bodie which hath not bled for his seruice He shewes that he neuer loued me any longer then he thought himselfe to haue neede of me Hâ—th he forgotten the â—eege of Amiens where they haue seene me so often couered with fire and bullets and to be in so many dangers eyther to giue oâ— to receiue death Hee now quentcheth the torch in my bloud after that he hath vsed it My Father exposed himselfe to a thousand dangers and purchased death to â—et the Crowne vpon his head I haue receiued fiue and thirty wounds vpon my body to preserue it for him and for my reward hee takes my Head from my Shoulders Let him beware least the Iâ—stice of God fall vpon him He shall finde what profit my death will bring him it will nothing assure his affaires but impaire the reputation of his Iustice. Hee
It was red in these termes The Procesâ—e beeing extraordinarily made and examined by the Court and Chambers assembled by the Presidents and Councellors that were deputed by letters pattents of the 18. and 19. of Iune at the request of the Kings Attorney generall against Charles Gontault of Biron knight of both orders Duke of Biron Peere Marshal of France Gouernor of Bourgongne prisoner in the Bastille accused of treason interrogations confessioÌ„s denialls confronting of witnesses letters aduises instructioÌ„s giuen to the enemy confessed by him and all which the Attorney general hath produced A sentence was giuen the 22. of this moneth by the which it was decreed in the absence of the Peeres of France being called they shold proceed to IudgemeÌ„t the conclâ—sions of the Kings Attorney generall beeing giuen and the prisoner beeing heard by the Court vpon the Crimes wherewith he was charged al considered it was sayd That the sayd Court had declared and did declare the sayd Duke of Biron guilty of heigh treason for his conspirecies against the Kings person The crimes for the which the Duke of Biâ—on was condemned enterprises against his Estate Treacheries and Treaties with his enemies beeing Marshall of the Kings army For reparation of which crimes they depriued him of all his Estates Honors and dignities condemned him to loose his head vpon a Scaffold at the Greue declaring all his goods mouable immouable wheresoeuer to be confiscate vnto the King the Seigneury of Biron to loose the name title of Duchy and Peere for euer with all other goods held immediatly of the King to bee vnited vnto the Crowne of France decreed in the Court of Parliament the last day of Iuly 1602. and signed by Belliuere Chancellor of France and Fleury Councellor in the Court and Reporter of the processe He fals into choâ—lâ—r â—tter the reading of his sentence Hee grewe into choller thrice in the reading of the sentence when they sayd that he had attempted against the Kings person hee protested with great Imprecations that it was false That he had neuer made any CoÌ„spiracy that he had his head troubled with some enterprises of State for that he would not liue idlely in Peace but giue some imployment to men of war But it was aboue two and twenty monethes since hee had any thought of it desiring that Voisin might raze that out of the sentence When hee heard that hee should bee executed at the Greue he sayd he would not goe thether but would rather bee drawne with â—oure horses and that it was not in all their powers to leade him Vâ—isâ—n sayd that they had prouided for it and that the King had done him the grace to change the place of his execution hauing appointed it at the Bastille What grace answered the Prisoner The third point of his sentence was that hee was troubled for the reunion of the Duchie of Biron to the Crowne the which hee sayd could not bee forfeited to the preiudice of the substitution of his Brethren and that the King should be satisfied with his life The Diuines after the pronouncing of the sentence spake more boldly vnto him of death and to free himselfe of all worldly cares as he had done of his goods After sentencâ— pâ—onounced they vse to â—ind their hands and that he should haue no other thoughts but of his Soules helth Hee then grewe into choller swearing that they should suffer him in Peace and that it concerned him only to thinke of his Soule with the which they had nothing to do It is the order in Cryminall executions to deliuer the party condemned into the hands of the Executioner as soone as his Iudgement is read They would haue done so with him but Voisin went to speake vnto the Chancellor to know if they should not distinguish him from other prisoners The Chancellor was in doubt whether they should binde him or not Hee asked Sillery what he thought who vnderstanding by Voisin that the party condemned was well pacefied sayd it was to bee feared that in seeking to binde his hands they would cause him to breake the bonds of patience and enter into newe fâ—ries for that they which are in that distresse are distempered for small matters Yet the Chancellor would haue the aduice of the first President who was in an other Chamber for that he had dined before he came vnto the Bastille Hee sayd that it was dangerous to suffer his hands free and therefore they must binde him Euery one was of Silleries opinion who considered not so much what should be done as what might bee done for the Party condemned would neuer haue suffred himselfe to haue beene led bound to the place of executioÌ„ but in Fury Dispaire The Executioner who sayd since that a young hangman and not experienced would haue died for feare had beene in danger to endure that which hee would make him to suffer In this liberty his spirit was alwayes free in his thoughts for the last disposition of affaires The Diuines intreated him to consider that he was no more what he had beene that within an houre or two he should Be no more that he must leaue this life to liue for euer that his Soule must go before the fearefull Throne of the liuyng God to be rewarded with a more happy and perfect life then that which hee had past in this world or condemned to infinite paines in coÌ„parison wherof that which he should suffer was but a light pricking in respect of the burning flames of the diuine Iustice. He then entred into the examinatioÌ„ of his Conscience in the which he remained aboue an houre He confesseth himselfe This action required an Humble Penitent and a Contrite heart and yet hee seemed much more carefull of worldly things and of the affaires of his house then of his Soules health and as it were a yong apprentise in the first prayers of his Relligion praying vnto God not as a deuout Christian but as a Soldiar not as a relligious Man but as a Captaine not as Moyses or Elias but like to Iosua who on horse-backe and with his sword his hand prayed and commanded the Sonne to stand still His confession beeing made he walked vp and downe the Chappell still casting out some exclamation for his Innocency and some execration against la Fin asking iâ— it should not bee lawfull for his brethren to cause him to be burnt Hereupon Voisin comes who tells him that the Chancellor and the firâ—â— President were very glad of the constant and generous resolution hee had to die and that they would come presently to see him He resolueâ— to die He answered that he had beene long resolued and that it was not the paine of death but the manner that did amaze him Whilest he attended them there were many notes brought him touching his affaires whereunto he answered without trouble or passion Hee recommended the payment of some debtes which he
long Hayre by the which hee was hanged King Lewis then did alwayes say That Pride carried Ruine behinde him A Heart which knowes from whence the good comes which it inioyeth is alwayes an enemy to Pride So there is but a moment betwixt Glory and Ruine Great Trees are long in growing but are rooted â—p in an instant And it is true if the Duke of Biron had had a Brayne he had not lost his Head and had not brought it into the handes of his Princes Iustice whom hee had so much offended The Marshall Bâ—â—ons Virtues This Marshall had goodly parts communicable to fewe his Valour was admirable and happy in all his incounters of an inuincible Courage infatigable and neuer tired with any toyle continuing ordinâ—rily fifteeene dayes together on Horse-backe He was not inclined to Volâ—ptuousnesâ—e nor much to the loue of Women sober ynough the which began to quench that furious humour as Intemperancy greatnesse increased or that Rest did moderate his boyling passions He was extremely Vaine-glorious His Vanity Glory yea sometimes he would refuse his meate and content himselfe with little to feede his Fantasie with Glory and Vanity He was of a meane stature Blacke reasonable grosse hollow eyd and rough in speech and conuersation He was aduenturous in War Ambitious beyond all measure The excesse of his Ambition made him to braue it without iudgement He became so presumptuous as he thought that the King nor France could not subsist without him He was become ill-tounged speaking ill of all the Princes threatning the Parliaments and the Officers of Iust ce some with death and to dispossesse others of their places He was aduanced from the meanest to the highest degrees of Honours of a simple Souldiar hee became a Captaine then a Colonell afterwards Admirall and Marshall and in the ende Lieutenant of the Kings Armies and in his Heart he aspired to be Duke of Burgundy Son in Lawe to the Duke of Sauoy A comparison betwixt Silla and the Duke of Biron and Nephew to the King of Spaine If Sylla were Resolute Cruell and Bloudy he yeelded nothing to all men together If he were Valiant this man exceeded him by ten degrees and all the Romaine Princes together Their Actions and their ends were almost alike but that Sylla died after he had vanquished this before he could vanquish and in the middest of his Course did feele the Vengeance of Gods wrath His Credit and how hee was esteemed Howsoeuer he had wonne the Souldiars hearts to whom hee gaue all liberty he purchased credit with them that had neuer seene him for they that had seene and felt him wished him at the Indâ—es and made Strangers admire his valour the Constable of Castille in the Franche-County the Archduke at Amiens and the Marquis of Waranbon in Artois whom he made to pay forty thousand Crownes for his ransome with many Spaniards which he caused to be hanged sodainly for that they had called him Baron Moreouer the Kings exceeding fauours the prayses wherewith he did publikely honour him his admirable fortune his coÌ„ming to the restoring of the last ruines of the State like to an other Camillus to deliuer the Capitoll had made him not onely famous throughout all Europe fearefull to all the neighbours but necessary for France Behold a man that was happy full of content which held Fortune captiue withall her treasures he coÌ„manded the felicities of this world he had Glory Honour Riches those gifts which Fortune imparts to her darlings He was raised to the top of Fortunes wheele but he fell for he that gouerns the Helme and all her motions could no longer endure his insolency and vanity Sequitur superbos vltor a tergo Deus The causes of his ruine are infinite Shame followeâ— Pride the contempt of piety is the chieâ—e this ground taken away all vices abound and as the seruant said to King Atraeus O Prince follow the infallible way of Piety your Scepter shal be durable for wheras Faith Holines hath no place there is no happines the reason is for that without God we hold all things indifferent the Law folly Iustice frensie and Faith a fantasie we hold the words of vertue vice to be idle wheras the feare trust in God limits our passions insatiable desires so as gouerning our actions by a iust proportion we cannot erre â—e was oftentimes seen to iest at the Masse to laugh at theÌ„ of the Reformed Religion with whoÌ„ he had bin bred vp from his infancy â—or at the age of eight yeares the Lady of Brisambourg his Fathers sister being of the reformed Religion did so affect him for his actiue disposition as she demanded him of his Mother the which she granted froÌ„ that time she made him her onely heire Vntill the age of 16. yeares he was called Charles of Gontault for then he had an elder brother which died since at the Duke of Alançons voyage into Flanders bred vp at Brisambourg nere vnto S. Iean d' Angely where he was nothing giuen to his booke but wholy inclined to Armes for which consideration his Father the Marshall Biron a Martiall Man then a Catholike â—ooke him froÌ„ his Aunt led him for a while with him through the Countries of Xaintonge Aulins Angoulmois where he caused him to be instructed in the Catholike Religion but vpon false principles which he did learne of some Courtiars he did often mocke at all Religion The second cause of his ruine was the alteration of his Fortune After the death of his elder Brother his father caused him to be called Baron of Biron brought him to Court where at the first he had a quarrell with the Lord of Carency son to the Earle of la Vauguion the which was ended by a Combat of three against three Biron Loignac Ienissac of the one side slue Carency Estissac and la Bastie their quarrell grew for the heyer of Caumont which either of theÌ„ affected in mariage yet neither of theÌ„ had her The Duke of EspernoÌ„ got his pardoÌ„ the which was coÌ„firmed through the credit which his father had theÌ„ in Court Some say that being thus in troble he went disguised like a Carrier of Letters He went to a Mathematicien to know his Fortune vnto one la Brosse a great MathematiciaÌ„ whoÌ„ they â—eid to be skilful in casting of Natiuities to whom he shewed his Natiuity drawn by some other And disseÌ„bling it to be his he said it was a Gentlemans whom he serued that he desired to know what end that man should haue La Brosse hauing rectified this figure said vnto him That he was of a good house no elder then you are said he to the Baron asking him if it were his the Baron answered him I wil not tell you But tel me said he what his Life his meanes end shal be This good old man who was then in a little Garret which serued
is seemed that the Duke of Sauoy feared least his Countrie should bee force Pagaine by the Kings army and that hee should not haue so good a composition as the first and therefore he prouided for all his places in Sauoy but this hatched another great deslein whereof we wil speake in the end of this yeare The King was much troubled to search into the depth of the Duke of Birons conspiracie La Fin was not acquainted with the last resolutions the partie condemned would neuer discouer his Complices All this practise was well knowne to the Baron of Lux The Baâ—on â—f 〈◊〉 câ—mes to the King who came vnto the King vppon the assurance of his Maiesties word to goe and come freely yet hee was aduised not to approch neere vnto the Court of Parliament who would not intreat him more mildly then they had done the Duke of Biron seeing hee had beene imbarked with him in the same vessell and to consider that Princes promise any thing to discouer a Treason but they neuer trust the Traitors and if happely they fauour them for a time the hatred which followes after is more violent and irreconciliable That they vse men as a Countriman doth his Bees when they haue drawne out the Hony and Waxe they chase them away with Fire and Smoake The King was so well satisfied with that which the Baron of Lux had sayd vnto him hauing talked long with him as entring into his Carosse hee tould the Count Sâ—issons and the Cardinall of Ioyeuze that hee would not for two hundred thousand Crownes but haue spoken with the Baron of Lux. His pardon past in the Parliament at Paris and hee was receiued in that of Dijon with the same honours hee had before and his charge of Lieutenant in the gouernment of Bourgongne and of the Countrie of Bresse His wisedome did conduct him in a stormie Sea to a safe Port and made him to auoyd some dangers whereas any other would haue lost both Card and Compasse The greatest indiscretion which the Duke of Biron had committed next to the giuing eare to the promises and perswasions of Stangers was that hee had written his intentions and had imparted them to another It is a Maxime in maters of Conspiracie not to commit any thing to writing but all must goe by mouth They could not haue condemned the Duke of Biron but by his owne Letters And of all those of whome hee spake in his Letters there was noe thing found of theirs in writing Letters serue indifferently for an assurance of the faith that is giuen and for a proofe of infidelitie Hee would die with that content that none of his friends should bee toucht but himselfe Hebert his Secretarie indured the Racke and his patience did iustifie him Hâ—bert the Duke of Bironâ— Secretary put to the â—acke and Fontanelles bâ—â—kâ—n vpon the wheele but the Kings words were a more violent torture vnto him drawing the truth from him the which hee would nâ—t confesse vnto the Court The Baron of Fontauelles who was found to haue had intelligence with the Duke of Biron was broken vpon the wheele by the decree of a great Councell Mom-barraut Gouernor of Rennes was committed to prison Sâ—ch as had knowne him during the last troubles full of resolution and affection for the reducing of Brittaine to the Kings obedience lamenteâ— his misfortune The Earle of Avuergne continued two monthes in the Bastille after tâ—e execution of the Duke of Biron The King set him at liberty and receiued him into fauour after three or foure daies that he had purged himselfe and discharged his Conscience to the Chancellor the Marquis of Rhosny and to Sillery Hee grewe presently familiar with the King as if hee had neuer bin sequestred from his presence wherein appeered his Maiesties good nature and his generous spirit which doth neuer remember any Iniuries The Duke of â—ouillon refuseth to come to the King But the Duke of Bouillon considering what had beene done in the Bastille vpon the person of so great a Captaine would not trust to this great mildnesse althought he had as great proofe thereof as any other The King sent for him and he desired to iusâ—ifie himselfe in the Chamber at Castres The King let him vnderstand that the pretext which hee tooke to flie vnto the Chamber at Castres for Iustice was without ground for he was not called into question and when he should do it it could not bee therefore that hee depended not of that Iurisdiction neyther could they take knowledge thereof without Commission from his Maiesty He attended not to vnderstand his pleasure more particularly by the President Caumartin whome hee resolued to send vnto him but tooke the way to Geneua and so to Heidelberg The Subiect may neuer capitulate with his Prince but if necessity doth require it it must not be betwixt two Barres like to the Constable of S. Paul but as farre off as he can The Duke of Bouillon beeing in his Viconté of Turenne when as the King sent for him His letter to the king he answered him with this letter Sir hauing vnderstood by that of your Maiesties owne hand of the 18. of this moneth that I had beene accused by those which had beene examined in Councell vpon the Conspiracies of the Duke of Biron and that you commanded me to repaire presently to Court to iustifie my selfe I sent away him presently that came with answere to your Maiesty that I would followe instantly the which I had done if I had not receiued certaine Intelligence who were my accusers The which made mee to change this resolution and humbly to beseech your Maiesty to consider that the Treacheries and Disloyalties against your Person and State are so fully prooued against my Accusers as it disables them to accuse mee and much lesse to condemne mee They haue not nor cannot haue but lying tongues in their accusations the which hauing fayled them in the execution of their intention being preuented by your Maiesties happines and wisdome they imploy them to make you suspect the second Officer of your Crowne and your house-hold seruant who hath neuer sought any glory in this world but what proceeds from your Maiesties grace fauor who hath so long serued you It is to bee presumed that hauing an intent to hurt mee they haue incensed your displeasure against mee by the most horrible crimes they could inuent They would make mee the Instrument of that which they haue promised to the enemies of your Estate to preiudice you And seeing they cannot now suborne any others they will accuse them who in the like affaires haue made proofe of their Innocencies by so many circumstances as it is not to bee beleeued they would haue any thought to the contrary They do ill acknowledge your mercy to continue still culpable chaÌ„ging only their offence Seeing that since they are become false witnesses I wil say vnto you my Leege as the Psalmist sayd
all the Creatures both of Land and Sea We acknowledge you for our Prince and soueraigne Lord vnder the King your Father and the Queene your Mother and wee doe now offer vnto your Heighnes our Liues our Persons and our Fortunes for homage of our most humble faithful subiection These Goodly words were accompanied with a Ritch present It was a Cupberd of Plate richly wrought and beautefied with sondry figures of Daulphins A Present giuen vnto the Daulphin being valued at twelue thousand Crownes All that attended vpon the Prince had Presents of some value or else Medailles made for that purpose The Sonnes present serued for the Mother The King was the better pleased with this Deputation for that it was in the first yeare of his Sonnes Infancie and it is certaine that of al the proofs of Duty AffectioÌ„ which the Subiects can yeeld vnto their Soueraigne those are most commendable which are done without desseine As Daulphiné doth acknowledge this Prince for their Soueraigne Lord vnder the King The Gâ—uernment of Bouâ—gongne giuen to the Daulphin soe Bourgongne and the Countries of Bresse Baugey Valromey and Gez which are annexed vnto it had him for their Gouernour But during his Infancie and vntill hee were capable to vndergoe the functions of that Charge the power of Lieutenancie was giuen to Roger of Bellegarde first Gentleman of the Chamber and Maister of the Kings Horse who tooke his oath in the Kings hands His Pattent was read in the Parliament of Dijon the Cittie receiued him with all sorts of honours and went to fetch him at the Carthusians where he made his abode attending the preparation for his reception The Kings desires being seconded with so many prosperities it pleased him of his owne bountie to take pittie of the Ruines and Calamities of his Subiects in reuoaking the Imposition of the Sublz vpon the Lyure or two shillings which they called the Pancarte Reuocation of the Pancarte Hee would not that this great releefe should surprize his peoples hearts declaring his pleasure some monethes before it was put in practise to the end that things being first expected before they were enioyed might be the more acceptable The King raised his coynes of Gold and Siluer the Crowne to sixe shillings and sixe pence the quarter of the Crowne to sixeteene Soulz and the Franck to one and twentie and foure Deniers that the coynes of siluer might bee valued after the rate of threescore and foure Soulz to the Crowne And as that which is held good and profitable at one time is not so at an other the counting by Crownes found in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred seuentie and seuen profitable and now verie preiudiciall was forbidden and that of the Lyure brought into practise in Contracts Obligations and Acts of Iustice as it was before since King Philip the faire Francis the first and Henric his Sonne There sprong vp a new ioy for all France The Heauens which in former times did raine gold at Rhodes for the birth of Minerua doth now power forth a great shower of Ioye for the birth of the Kings first lawefull daughter The Queene was happely brought in bedde on the two and twentye day of Nouember in the morning and thankes were giuen vnto God according to the vsuall Custome The rest of this discourse is reserued for accidents which are neuer found so perfect nor so happie but they haue still some contrariety miseries are like vnto bad plants which grow of themselues the good must haue much paine labour to make them growe There is great occasion to complaine in all places The famine is so great in Liâ—onia and Borussia as heretofore in Bâ—hemia and Polonia they did runne vnto the places of execution to take them downe that were executed and to bury them in their lyuing bowells although they were Censured as vnworthy to bee buried among the dead The Riuer of Saonne was ouerflowed in that sort as the Townes that were seated vpon the bankes were in great danger of this Inundation The Bridge at Lions was so shaken as if it had not beene fortefied by the waight that was layd vpon it the two Townes had beene diuided by the riuer There was no worthy act in Hungary Alâ—a Regâ—lis yeelded to the Tuâ—ke but the remembrance thereof was fatall and shamefull for the Christians They had the yeare before taken Alba Regalis by the valour and vertue of the Duke of Mercure they are nowe shamefully expelled As the French had the first glory at the taking of it so nowe by dispaire and furie going to serue the â—urke they had the pointe of the assault All that were with in it were put to the sword They with in the Castell sayd that the cowardise and small resistance of them within the Towne was the cause of the losse of it desiring to haue the like declaration from the Generall of the Turkes to saue the Honour of their Capitulation The Generall sent them word that seeing they had beene resolued not to yeeld the place vnlesse the Souldiars had forced them therevnto It was reason they should remaine so as hee caused the Souldiars to depart presently and kept the Captaines prisoners They found all the Artillery there which they had left and twelue newe Cannons A great booty â—t â—akâ—ng of Alâ—a Râ—gâ—lis foure hundred thousand weight of Powder a great number of Bullets two hundred Tunne of Meale foure score of Biscuit fiue hundred of Salt and tenne thousand Florins in ready Money to pay the Souldiars The Great Turke was so troubled for the losse of this Towne and so much transported for the recouery thereof as hee promised the Great Visier his Aunt in Marriage if hee could take it After the which he sought to take Pesâ—a but in vaine The Imperiall Army about the ende of September attempted Buda and carryed it in recompence of the losse of Alba Regalis It was thought at Rome that the taking of the Towne would cause the Castle â—o yeeld and that there was no other place of strength but Belgrade not onely in all Hungary but euen vnto Constantinople For this good newes which was but halfe true the Pope went in Procession with all his Colledge of Cardinalls from the Church of Minerua vnto that of de l' Anima The seege of Buda not succeeding according to his desire the Christians hauing beene repulsed at a great Assault which they gaue about the ende of October and the Dâ—ke of Neuers sore hurt with shot in the Shoulder hee fell lame of the Gout and other accidents for a whole moneth the which kept the Court of Rome in great suspence The season of the yeare forced our men to leaue Buda and to retire to Strigonia They left a good garrison in Pesâ—a a Towne which is seperated from Buda by the Riuer of Danowe They are so neere Neighbours as it is impossible they should continue long enemies The extreame cold in the
he could desire Sobole presented him the keyes at the gate protesting of his affection and complaying of those which sayd he would reâ—use him the entry the souldiars stood with their pikes vp and their Harguebuses and muskeâ—s vpon their shoulders and the Halbards behinde them The Dâ—ke of Espernon returned to Court to vnderstand the Kings pleasure touching these troubles The Duke of 〈◊〉 goes 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Hee made a second voiage to Metz. Their murmuring against Sobole was turned into publike complaints and their complaints into Barricadoes betwixt the Cittadell and the Towne the Inhabitants were transported with so strange a passion as they submitted themselues to any thing so as they might not be commanded by the two Bretheren This commotion had not lasted long if it had not beene suppoâ—ted The presence of the Duke of Espernon gaue them courage who else would haue beene much amazed The King first sent Boissize and then Varane both which serued his Maiesty according to his intentions and disposed Sobole to do whatsoeuer hee should commande him declaring notwithstanding that he would not deliuer the place but to himselfe This was the occasion of the Kings voyage who went thether in a very unseasonable time Vpon the brute of his going many Princes of Germany sent to take vp their lodgings at Metz who notwithstanding hearing that the King would make but small aboade and the time being troublesome came not out of their Stoues so as there came not any but the Duke of Deux Ponts the Landgraue of Hesse the Prince of Brandebourg The King finding the hatred betwixt Sobole and the Inhabitants to bee irreconciliable was aduised to giue the charge of the Cittadell to Arquien Lieutenant of the Coronells Company of the Regiment of his Maiesties gards and the Lieutenancy of the gouernement of the Towne and of the Country of Messin to Montigny his Brother to hold them as Lieutenants of his Maiesty in the absence of the Duke of Espernon The King would not enter into Metz before that Sobole was out of the Cittadell Sobâ—le deliuers vp the Cittadell Some thought hee would not haue beene â—o obedient but he shewed hee had no desseigne beyond his dutie This was a disgrace vnto him He blamed his â—ortune and Fortune accused his bad carriage The way hee tooke to maintaâ—ne himselfe ouerthrewe hâ—m Men must hold great Commands lâ—ke simpâ—e Commissions and not as Inheritances They must desire them without Passion and receiue them without Insolency The King past the feast of Easter at Metz. Where he herd the Iesuits requests for their restablishment They could not finde a better oportunity to speake vnto the King then that which Varenne controller generall of the Postes of France gaue them Fourâ— Iesuits come to Metz â—o theâ—â— reâ—tabâ—ishment giuing them Intelligence that the King would come to Metz and their spend the Easter Herevpon foure Iesuits of Pont a Mouzon were deputed to go and do their dutieâ— vnto his Maiesty and to renue the request â—or their returne vnto those places from the which they had beene expelled They came to Metz on the Wedensday before Easter day and the next day in the after-noone they had audience in the Kings Caâ—inet where as the Duke of Espernon Villeroy Geure and Varennes were present The King receiued them gratiously and would not suffer them to kneele but commanded them to stand vp and although he takes no delight in long speeches knowing that they come prepared with goodly words Yet he herd father Ignace Armand with patience and attention who made a long and eloquent Oration as you may reade a larâ—e in the Originalls The King answered them very gâ—atiously I wish no harme to the Iesuits and all the ill that I wish to any lyuing Creature let it happen vnto my selfe My Court of Parliament hath done some thing against you but not without good consideration Hee receiued that in writing which they had deliuered by mouth deliuered iâ—to Villeroy and hauing considered thereof he declared vnto them expresly howe desirous he was and what care he would take for their returne If your busines sayd he were not in the Popes hands The Iâ—â—uits second 〈◊〉 I would dispatch you presently but you know it is not expedient to do any thing without him I wil haue you You are profitable for the publike and for my Estate He added moreouer that being at Paris hee would thinke seriously of their affaires They demanded if his Maiesty would not be pleased that the three Prouincialls of their Company in France accompanied by three others should attend there at his returne and receiue his Commandements There needes not so many sayd the King it shal be sufficient that you and father Cotton come The King made this voiage partly to pacefie some troâ—ble growne betwixâ— the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Prince of Brandebourg for the Bishoprike of Strausbourg and this was the cause of their quarrell A Controuersie betwixt the Cardinâ—â— of Loâ—â—aâ—ne and the Prince of Braâ—â—ebourg for the Bishoprike of Strausbourg The Bishoprike of Strausbourg beeing voide by the decease of their Bishop who was a Catholike the Cardinall of Lorraine obtayned the grant thereof from his Holinesse But for that they of Strausbourg since the stirres in Germany had held the confession oâ— Ausbourg the deceased Bishop had retired himselfe out of the Citty and liued at a house of his in the Country in his Relligion yet notwithstanding he receiued his temporall reuenues â—rom them of Strausbourg On the other side the Marquis of Brandebourg Elector of the Empire had obtained an Election from them of Strausbourg for one of his Sonnes who being named to the Bishoprike and receiued by them of Strausbourg he will in-ioye the Bishops rights wâ—thout any other ceremony Thâ— Cardinall on the other side hauing obâ—erued the accustomed Order therein demanded the Bishops rights of them of Strausâ—ourg such as his Predecessor inioyed who died a Catholike and according to the Article of the Interim set downe by the Confession of Ausbourg Herevpon they of Strausbourg made some difficulty the rather for that being neighbours vnto the Duke of Lorrains terretories they haue often many controueâ—sies to decide as it doth coÌ„monly fall out betwâ—xt Neighbours They had also giuen their consent to the nomination of the Prince of Brandebourg for Superintendent or Administrator that is to say Bishop after their manner for these and other priuate reasons they refused the Cardinalls demande The Prince of Brandebourg gets possession and prepares to withstand the Cardinal all things tending vnto Armes Many and great Leuies of men were made on eyther side Those of Strausbourg were also in Alarme seeking to preuent al disorders if it were possible yet fauoring the Prince of Brandebourg more then the Cardinall of Lorraine The Emperour had written vnto them both declaring that his Intention was that neither of them should haue wrong The King was intreated to interpose
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
head of the Albigeois in the raigne of Philip Augustus fol. 165. The Popes Legat slaine by the Albigeois ibid. An Aâ—my against the Albigeois a great slaughter of them by Symâ—n oâ— Monfort ibiâ— Count Raymond and his confederats defâ—ated by Symâ—â— of Monfort 〈◊〉 167 The Councell of Latran The Eaâ—ldome of Tholouse giuen to Symon of Montfort ibid Symoâ— hated by his subiects of Languedock is slaine before Tholouse Count Raymond is receiued againe into Languedock ibid Warre in Guienne against the English fol. 168. Lewis compounds for Languedock with the Sonnes of Simon of Monfort ibid. Count Raymond submits himselfe to the Pope Desolation of the Albigeois ibid. Lewis dies ibid. Lewis the ninth called Saint Lewis the 44. King of France QVeene Blanche Regent of the King and Realme fol. 169. Afection in France for the Regencie ibid. Languedock annexed to the Crowne by marriage fol. 170. Blanch preuents the discontented princes ibid. Lewis in danger to be surprized by his rebels ibid. Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France fol. 171 Lewis his disposition the patterne of an excellent prince fol. 172 A happy peace in the raigne of Lewis the rest of of the Albigeois fol. 173 Estate of the Empire and of the Church ibid. The Pope seekes to driue the Emperour out of Italie ibid. The Emperour goes with an armie against the Pope and his confederats ibid. The Pope drawes the French to his succour fol. 174 The Popes pollicie to supplant the Emperours ibid. Fredericks happie successe in Asia ibid. The Popes hatred against the Emperour irrecoÌ„ciliable ibid. The Emperour enters Italie with a great armie fol. 175 Gregorie turnes enemie to Fredericke beeing chosen Pope ibid. The Emperour Fredericke excommunicated and degraded the Germaines choose another Emperour ibid. The death of Fredericke fol. 176 Conrades sonne poysoned by Manfroy his bastard brother hee vsurpes Sicilia and Naples ibid. Lewis refuseth Sicilia and Naples offered him by the Pope ibid. Charles Earle of Prouence defeates and kills Manfroy in Sicilia ibid. The Empire without an Emperour by their ciuil confusions fol. 177 Charles of Aniou vicar of the Empire and king of Naples and Sicilia ibid. Conradin seekes to recouer his realme and is defeated ibid. He is cruelly beheaded by Charles with many others ibid. Lewis resolues to goe into Asia the confused estate of the Empire there ibid. The Empire of the Greekes translated to the French ibid. Three Emperours at one instant in the East 178 Lewis goes with an army into the East ibid. The Tartars refuse the Christian religion by reason of their ill life fol. 179 Lewis takes Damiette ibid. He besieged Caire indiscreetly The plague falls into his campe ibid. Lewis is distressed taken by the Sultan of Egypt and paies his ransome ibid. The French generally lament for their King fol. 180 Lewis makes good lawes ibid. Blanch his mother dies ibid. The English rebell against their King ibid. Lewis reconciles the English to their King ibid. Diuision in Flaunders pacified by Lewis ibid. Lewis goes into Barbarie fol. 181 Makes a league with England ibid. In danger at Sea ibid. His army infected with the plague ibid. Lewis beeing sicke giues his sonne instruction 182 His death vertues raigne children and posteritie ibid. The house of Orleans called to the Crowne ibid. Philip 3. called the Hardy the 45. king of France QVeene Isabel dies fol. 183 Richard sonne to Henry king of England slain traiterously ibid. Great contention for the election of a new Pope fol. 184 Lewis eldest sonne to Philip poysoned And the Countie of Tolouse annexed to the crowne ibid. The French expelled Constantinople by the Greekes fol. 185 Philips disposition and why called Hardie ibid. Charles king of Sicilia a turbulent Prince ibid. Peter of Arragon leuies an armie to inuade Sicilia fol. 186 Sicilian Euensong where all the French are slain ibid. Peter of Arragon Charles beeing expulst enters Sicilia and is crowned king fol. 187 The Pope supports Charles against Peter fol. 188 Philip succours his vnckle Charles and the Sicilianâ— seeke to make peace with Charles but Peter politickly auoides all danger ibid. A combate appointed betwixt two kings ibid. Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia fol. 189 Charles the sonne called the Lame taken prisoner and Charles the fathers death ibid. Philip makes warre against Peter of Arragon is defeated and dies ibid. Philip set vpon vnawares in danger with his death and children fol. 190 Philip the 4. called the Faire the 46. King of France PHilips disposition and issue vnhappy in the mariage of his sonnes fol. 191 The Parliament of Paris erected the Palace and the colledge of Nauarre built fol. 192 Cause of warre in Flaunders and Guienne ibid. Occasions to renew the war with the English ib. A league betwixt Edward of England Guy of FlaÌ„ders the Emperour the Duke of Bar against Philip. fol. 193 Philip seizeth vpon the Earle of Flanders daughter ibid. The English affaires succeeded ill ibid. A great assembly of Princes against Philip. fol. 194 Pope Boniface enemy to Philip. ibid. The Pope makes a decree against Philip and hee prepares to defend himselfe fol. 195 Philip hauing admonished the Earle of Flanders of his dutie inuades his countrey and defeats the Flemmings seizeth vpon all Flanders the Earle beeing forsaken by his confederates ibid. Guy put into prison and Flanders annexed to the crowne of France fol. 196 The people of Flanders oppressed reuolt and ioyne with the Nobilitie and kill the French ibid. Battaile of Courteay famous for the great defeate of the French fol. 197. A notable affront done by Pope Boniface to Philip. ibid. Arrogancy of the Popes Nuntio fol. 198. Philip subdues and makes peace with the Flemmings ibid. Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter died fol. 199. Isabell the daughter of Philip married to Edward king of England ibid. Adolph the Emperor deposed and the Pope practiseth against Philip ibid. Pope Boniface his death and disposition fol. 201 The Colledge of Cardinals apply themselues wholy to please Philip. ibid. Pope Clement the 5. crowned at Lyons and remooues his seate to Auignon ibid. Philips death and the fruites of the Easterne voyages fol. 202 The Christians loose all in the East fol. 203. The estate of Sicilia ibid. Lewis the 10. callâ—d Hutin the 47. king of France THe maners of Lewis Hutin his wiues f. 204 Enquerand of Maâ—â—gny vniustly put to death ib. Ione the daughter of Lewis Hutin pretends the realme fol. 205 The Parliament made ordinary ibid. Philip the 5. called the long the 48. king of France COntrouersie for the crown of France fol. 206 Philips coronation childreÌ„ disposition ibid. Rebels calling themselues Shepards fol. 207. Flanders pacified ibid. Charles the 4. called the faire 49. King of France CHarles crowned without opposition fol. 208 His disposition and issue ibid. Isabel complaines of her husband Edward king of England fol. 209 The second parcell of the third race of the Capets containing 13. kings
in the second royall branch called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third The names of the 13. kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip. Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewis the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Frances the 1. Henry the 2. Frances the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. and last of this royall branch Philip of Valois the 50. king of France fol. 1 His controuersie with Edward the king of England ibid. Preferred to the Crowne and installed king ibid. Setles his affaires in France fâ—l 2. Suppresseth the Flemmings ibid. A notable sute of the Parliament against the Clergie ibid. Takes homage of Edward king of England for Guienne ibid. King Edwards oth to Philip. ibid. He resolues to go to the holy land fol. 3 The Pope discontented with Philip. ibid. Edward king of England makes warre with Philip ibid. Robert of Artois the firebrand of warre fâ—l 3 He flies into England fol. 4 Warre in Guienne and Scotland ibid. Iames of Artevill ring-leader to the seditious Flemmings ibid. Edwards practises in Flanders and Germanie ibid. Battell of Scluse in fauour of the English fol. 5 The English and French Army retire without fighting Edward takes on him the title of King of France fol. 6 Ione Queene of Naples kils her husband and the kingdome is taken by Lewis King of Hungary fol. 7 Arteuil slaine by the Flemmings fâ—l 8 The French defeated at Blanquetaque ibid. The battell of Crery with many particuler accidents that happened in it fol. 10.11 King Edward besieges and takes Calice fol 12.13 Dolphin incorporate to the crowne fol. 14 Monpelier purchased to the crowne ibid. Queene Ione of France dies ibid. Philips death and disposition fol. 15 Estate of the Empire and Church ibid. Iohn the 1. and 51. king of France COnsiderable obseruations in his raigne fol. 16 His children and most remarkable personages in his raigne fol. 17 Charles of Nauars humors and discontents ibid. Charles of Spaine Constable of Fâ—ance slaine in his bed by the king of Nauarre ibid. Nauars practises and force against the king fol. 18 Nauarre taken prisoner by the king and foure of his complices beheaded fol. 19 Warre in Normandie and Guienne betweene Iohn and the Prince of Wales sonne to Edward the 3. fol. 19. and 20 The battell of Poytiers where the French were ouerthrowne by the English and king Iohn taken Prisoner with the number slaine and taken fol. 21. and 22 Assembly of the Estates for Iohns deliuery with the insolencies of the people during his imprisonment fol. 23 The Kâ—ng of Nauarr set at libertie comes to Paris and the Dolphin yeelds to him fol. 24 Iohns generous answere to King Edward fo 25 The Parisians comes into the Dolphins lodging solicite the Cities to rebell but they refused them fol. 26 The Dolphin leaues Paris fol. 27 The Nauarrois seekes to ruine him ibid. A Parliament Compiegne and the Dolphin declared Regent fo 28. Two French armies one against another fol. 29. The Parisians mutiny with the English that had serued them who beate them backe in sight of the Nauarrois fol. â—0 The Regent is receiued into Paris with the Nauarrois attemps against him fol. 31 Edward repents an opportunitie neglected ibid. The desolate estate of France fol. 32 The Dolphin executes the Parisians and pacifies the rest ibid. Conditions for the Kings deliuery and preparation to defend the Realme ibid. Edward enters France with an Armie besiegeth Paris but in vaine fol. 33 Edward amazed with a thunder concludes a peace with Iohn at Bretigny ibid. The two Kings swear a mutuall league of friendship fol. 34 King Iohn brought to Calis and after receiued by his sonne with great ioy ibid. Iohn receiued into Paris fol. 35 Difficulties in the performance of the conditions of peace ibid. Iohns death in England the 8. of April 1â—64 with his disposition ibid. Charles the 5. called the wise the 52. king of France HIs raigne and manners with the augmentation of his brethrens portions fol. 36 His Marriage and children fol. 37 Warre in Brytany where the French are defeated by the English ibid. He reconciles the pretendants for Britany fol. 38 Wars receiued in Britany Flanders and between France and England ibid. The Emperor seekes to reconcile them fol. 39 Charles proclaimes war against the King of England ibid. The successe of the French army in Guienne with the exploits of the Prince of Wales called the Blacke Prince ibid. Peter king of Castile murthers his own wife fol. 40 Charles sends an army against him as a muâ—therer and a Tirant ibid. The king of England restores Peter and defeats the French ibid. Peter forsaken by the English taken prisoner and beheaded fol. 41 The English second passage through France vnder the Duke of Clarence ibid. Troubles in Flanders pacified by Philip. fol. 42 Sedition at Monpelier punished by the Duke of Berry with the sentence against them but moderated fol. 43 Charles his death disposition with some obseruations worthy to be obserued by Princes f. 44 The state of the Empire and Church with the originall of the Canto in Swisserland fol. 45 Diuision at Rome for the election of a new Pope And an Antipope chosen fol. 46 Charles the sixt 53. King of France NEcessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne fol. 47 The minoritie of K. Charles the sixt Strange euents in the beginning of his Raigne fol. 48. Lâ—wis of Aniow Regent and Oliuer Clisson Constable fol. 49 Controuersie betweene his vncles at his coronation for precedence ibid. Tumults in France ibid. And in Flanders between the Earle and the Gantois fol. 50.51 King Charles succours the Earle of â—landers against the aduice of the Regent and his counsell fol. 52 He ouerthrowes the Flemmings and kils threescore thousand of them fol. 53 The Gantois appeased and a peace in Flanders fol. 54. Charles marrieth Isabell of Bauiere and concludes a peace in Brittany ibid. He sends men and munition into Scotland and resolues to make warre vpon England which the Regent dislikes of fol. 55 Preparation in France and England for war fol. 56 The Regent opposeth against this warre â—ol 57 The enterprise broken oâ— and Naples offered to the Regent fol. 58 The seditious and cruell insolencies of the Parisians but they faint and â—ue to the King for pardon fol. 59 Lewis of Aniow crowned King of Naples fol 60 A schisme in the Church fol. 61 Queene Ioan 〈◊〉 Naples taken and smoothered and Lewis Duke of Aniow and adopted King of Naples dies ibid. The English enter Picardie and Charles makes a truce with them fol. 62 The King hauing consulted what course to take with the mutinous Parisians enters the city with an army executes many they cry for mercie and he pardons them fol. 63.64.65 Charles out of his vncles gouernement who grew discontented fol. 66 HE giues the Dutchy of Orleans to his brother Lewis and visits
Emperor fol. 475. King Francis challengeth the Emperor to the Combat fol. 476. Henry the eight King of England defies the Emperor and puts away his Wife ibid. The seege of Naples with the discommodities there of fol. 477. Phillipin Doria gets a victory at Sea and the successe thereof fol. 478 The reuolt of Andrew Doria with the great constancy of Lautrech fol. 479. Lautrech dies and the seege of Naples is raysed fol. 480. The French Army wholy ruined with the number that dyed at the seege of Naples fol. 481. Genoa recouered from the French fol. 482. A Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Emperor and the French King fol. 483. The Kings childrens ransome paid the Emperor returnes into Italy fol. 484. The Prince of Auranges slaine fol. 485. Causes of the Kings discontent fol. 486. A League of the Princes of Germany against the Emperor ibid. A League and interviewe betweene the Kings of England and France fol. 487. The Duchy of Britany incorporate to the Crown of France fol. 488. The Kings of England and France complaine of the Pope ibid. The Cardinalls meanes to winne the Pope fol. 489. The first motiue of the separation of the Church of England froÌ„ the Church of Rome fol. 490 The Pope excoÌ„municats the King of EnglaÌ„d ibid An entervew betwixt the Pope King fol. 492. The estate of England in 1534. fol 493. Charles the Emperors dissimulation fol. 494. The King discontent with the Duke of Sauoye conquers his Country fol. 495 Wars begin in Piemont fol. 496. The Emperors entry into Rome fol. 497. The Emperors protestation at Rome fol. 498. The Kings preparation for Warre with the treachery of the Marquis of Salusses fol. 499. Anthony de Lâ—ua forced to flie out off his Campe. fol. 500. The Emperors conceit of his passage into France fol. 502. Francis the Daulphin poysoned ibid. The Emperors passage into Prouence and the Kings order against him fol. 503 The defeate and taking of Monteian and Boisy fol. 504. The Earle of Nassaw in Picardy takes Guise and beseeges Peronne ibid. The Imperialls defeated fol. 506. Marseilles surprized by the Emperour in imagination fol. 507. The Daulphin comes to the Campe. fol. 508. Exploits in Piedmont fol. 509. The Imperialls retreat and burne Aix ibid. The cause of Warre betwixt 〈…〉 fol. 511. Pursute against the 〈…〉 〈◊〉 512 Hedin S. Paul and 〈…〉 S. Paul beseeged by the 〈…〉 Recouered by assault and 〈…〉 fol. 515. Therovenne victualed and the 〈…〉 and beaten Francis Marquis of Salusses slaine The Imperialls attempt 〈◊〉 and are 〈◊〉 fol. 518. Piedmont being like to be lost for waâ—t â—f money first the Daulphin and afterwaâ—d the King goes thither 〈◊〉 51â— An enteruiew at Nice with a Truce for ten yeaâ—s fol. 520. The Emperors passage through France fol. 521. The Kings Ambassadors surprized and murtâ—â—red â—ol 522. Ferdinands Army defeated by the Turke ibiâ— The Emperor goes to Algier without successe ibid. The reasons that moued the King to Waâ—â—â— fol. 523. Warre in Luxenbourg and in Rossillion with 〈◊〉 causes thereof â—â—l 524. Attempt of Rossillion fruitlesse fol. 526. War in Picardy and Piedmont 〈◊〉 A gallant stratageme of Monsieur de Lâ—ngâ—y fol. 527. A new French Army in Piedmont where Monsieur de Langey dyes fol. 528 The rebellion of the Rochellois and the Kings Clemency fol. 529. Exploytes in Picardy with the taking of Landrecy and other places by the French fol. 530. The Castle of Emery taken fol. 531. The Imperialls surprised at Bains fol. 532. The Imperialls charge the French in their lodging and are repulst fol. 5â—â— The King sends to succour the Duke of Cleues he yeelds to the Emperour fol. 534. Landrecie beseeged distrest and victualled fol. 535. A braue Retreat made by the French fol. 5â—6 Nice attempted by Barbarousse and taken but not the Castle Mont-deuis yeelded and the Capitulation bâ—â—ken â—ol 5â—7 The Imperialles desseigne the French preâ—â—preparations to fight with the sonnâ— of 〈◊〉 two Armies fol. 5â—8 5â—9 The battaile of Sâ—risoles which the Duke of Anguien winnes after hee had bin in grâ—at danger with the number of the dead and prisoners fol. 540.541 Effects following the victory 〈◊〉 542. Truce in Piedmont warre in Picardy â—ol 54â— Saint Desier beseeged after a furious assault yeelded fol. 544. The King of England takes Bullen and Montrueâ—l and defeates the French fol. 546.547 The French Kings Army against England fol. 548. The French consult to take the I le of wight and to fortefie it fol. 550. Death of the Duke of Orleance fol. 551. Discription and sack of the Land of Oye fol. 552. A great plauge in the forte before Bullen fol. 553. The death of the Duke of Anguien fol. 554. Of Henry the 8. King of England Ibiâ— Of Francis the 1. King of France Ibid. Henry the 2. of that name the 59. King of France THe Constable restored fol. 555. Henry the 2. crowned sends an Army into Scotland fol. 556. Cruelties coÌ„mitted by the rebells in Bordeaux La Vergnâ— drawne with foure horses Ibid. Trobles in England fol. 557. Peace with the English and warre with Italy fol. 559. A leauge betwixt the King and the Protestants of Germany fol. 560. The Kings Army enters into the Country of Metz. fol. 561. Metz yeelded to the French and beseeged againe by the Emperor fol. 562. The Imperialls spoile Picardy recouer Hedin retire from Metz. fol. 563. Terouenne and Hedin taken and sackt and the Duke of Arscot taken fol. 564. The two Armies meete fol. 565. The Arrierband of France defeated and warre beyond the Alpes fol. 566. Sienna in Italy beseeged fol. 567. The Emperor resignes his Kingdome to his sonne fol. 568. Valence and Ostia with other places recouered by the French fol. 569. The Battaile of S. Lawrence lost by the French Ibid. The Pope reconciles himselfe vnto the Spaniards fol. 570. A great Inundation at Rome Ibid. Calais recouered froÌ„ the English Anno. 1558. fo 571. Francis the Daulphin married to Mary Queene of Scotland Ibid. Persecution for religion certaine Councelors of the Parliament Imprisoned fol. 572. The death of Henry the 2. his children and dispotition fol. 573. Francis the 2. of that name the 60. King of France Factions and alterations in Court fol. 574. Anthony King of Nauar and the chiefe Officers of the Crowne disgraced in Court fol. 575. Anne de Bourg executed and a tumult at Amboyse fol. 576.577 The Protestants petition to the King fol. 579. An Assembly of Princes and Noble-men fol. 580. The King comes to Orleans and the Prince of Condo Imprisoned fol. 581. Commissioners to arraigne the Prince and condemne him fol. 582. The death of King Franciâ— the second fol. 583. Charles the 9. of that name the 61. King of France A Parliament held at Orleance put of to Ponthoise fol. 584.585 The Kings Coronation a conference at Poisy fol. 586. A Petition and Protestation made by the Protestants fol. 587. The King of Nauar forsakes the Protestants
fol. 588. The massacre at vaissy fol. 589. The first ciuill trobles fol. 590. The death of the King of Nauar Roan taken the Protestants beaten in sundry place ibid. The Battaile of Dreux where both Generalls are taken fol. 591. The Duke of Guise beseegeth Orleans and is slaine by Poltroâ— fol. 592. A peace concluded at Orleans fol. 593 Sundry particular trobles at Meaux Chalons Bar S. Estienne Sens Corbigny Antraia La Charite Chastillion vpon Loyre Gyen Montargis Aurilliac Issodun Mans Vendosme Angiers Blois Mer Tours Poitiers Roan twise beseeged and taken Diepe fol. 595.596.597 598. New-hauen deliuered to the English fol. 599. Duras in Guienne twise defeated with the exploites of Piles and Riuiere fol. 600.601 Particular trobles â—n 1562. and 1563. from fol. 601. to 615. A generall Councell at Trent Anno 1564. fol. 615. The Edict of Peace ill obserued fol. 616. Murther of the Protestants at Creuan Tours ibid. Processe against the Iesuites fol. 617. A royall league fol. 618. The Turkes army at Malta ibid. The death of the Pope and Emperor ibid. A Parliament at Moulins fol. 619. The Protestants discontent resolue to Arme with the successe of their enterprise· ibid. The beginning of the second trobles fol. 620. The battaile of S. Denis the Constable hurt whereof he died fol. 621. A treaty of peace renewed but in vaine fol. 622. Charles beseeged fol. 623. A second Peace with the Catholikes discontents and the Protestants complaints fol. 624. The King makes an Army against the Protestants fol. 625. An Incounter at Iassenuille with smal slaughter fol. 626. Succors of money and â—â—â—ition from England fol. 627. The Battaile of Brissac the Prince of Conde slaine fol. 628.629 The Duke of Deux-ponts comes into France and dies there La Charite takeÌ„ by the Germains fol. 630. Incounter at Roche-abeile fol. 631. La Charite Poitiers and Chasteleraud beseeged fol. 632. The Battaile of Moncounter and victories after the Battaile fol. 634. Nismes taken by the Protestants ibid. Vezelay beseeged shamefull to Sansac fol. 635. A treaty of peace anno 1570. in February fol. 636. Warre in Poitou Guienne Xantonge and Angoulemois fol. 637. The Protestants fortified the Prince makes a voyage after the Battaile fol. 637. Incounter at Rene-le-Duc truce in the Armies warre in Guienne and the fort of Luson beseeged fol. 639. The third Edict of Peace fol. 640. King Charles marâ—ies the Emperors daughter ibid. A treaty of marriage betwit the Prince of Nauar and Marquise of Valois ibid. The Kings dissimulation with the Princes and Admirall fol. 641. Peace with the English and the Queene of Nauar comes to Court fol. 642. The Admirall comes to Paris fol. 643. The Queene of Nauar suspected to bee poisoned dies ibid. Negotiation of Poland fol. 644. The King resolues and the Duke of Guise giues order for the massacre of the Protestants with the names of the chiefe murtherers and murthered fol. 646.647 The King aduowes the murther with the Noble resolution of the yong Prince of Conde fol. 648. The Guisians deny to take the Massacre vpon them fol. 649. Warre against the Rochelois fol. 651. A decree against the Admirall fol. 652. A Comet in Nouember 1572. ibid. Sancerre beseeged and in great distresse for victualls fol. 653. Sancerre deliuered by an Admirable meanes yeelded after by composition fol. 654. The Duke of Aniou comes to campe and the Duke of Aumaule slaine fol. 655. Rochell after the enduring of nine assaultes makes a Peace fol. 656. Warre in Lanquedoc Quercy seegâ— of Sommiers fol. 657. In Gascony Viuaretz Daulphine fol. 658. The Protestants order in Languedoc with their Petitions AdmonitioÌ„s to the King fol. 659. Chaâ—les faâ—ls dangerously sick and new practises in Court fol. 660. Beginning of the fourth troubles fol. 661. The Marshall Mommorency put into the Bastile Count Montgomery taken fol. 662. The Prince of Condies retreate into Germany fol. 663. Charles his death and disposition ibid. Henry the 3. of that name 62. King of Francâ— COnfirmation of the Queenes regency fol. 665 Danuille suspected at Tholouse associates himselfe with the Protestants 〈◊〉 666. Warre in Daulphine Viuaretz Poitou Fontenay surprised ibiâ— Lusignan yeelded and Pousin beseeged fol. 668 Estate of Languedock Livron honored with a second seege fol. 669. Cardinall of Lorraine dies fol. 670. Warre betweene the Marshall Danuille and the Duke of Vsez fol. 671. The Kings Coronation and marriage ibid. Negotiation of Peace fol. 672. Sedition at Marseilles Monbrun defeates Gordâ—â— is afterwards ouerthrowne taken and vniustly put to death fol. 673. L'Edigueres chiefe in Daulphine fol. 674. The Duke of Alanson discontented ibid. The Dukes declaration fol. 675. The Queene Mother goes to the Duke of Alanson fol. 676. The Queene mothers second voyage to the Duke fol. 677. The King of Nauar escapes from Court fol. 678. The fifth Edict of Peace ibid. Breach of Peace preparatiues of new trobles fol 679. The practises desseignes of the house of Guise at Rome and in Spaine fol. 680. The first League at Peronne fol. 681. The Duke of Alanson reconciled to the King the beginning of the parliament fol. 682. The King of Nauars request to the Estates ibid. The Prince of Condes answere 〈◊〉 683. The sixt ciuill warre by the Dukes of Aniou and Mayenne ibid. The Peace of Poytiers Articles of hard Execution fol. 684. The Kings behauior during the Peace fol. 685. The Order of the Holy Ghost erected ibid. Prolongation of Townes granted to the Protestants and newe motiues of Rebellion fol. 686. The Kingâ— of Nauarre solicites to ioyne with the League and the Duke of Aniou dies ibid. The League presented to the Pope but not approued fol. 687. Duke Espernons voyage in Gascony and new motiues of the League fol. 688. The Kings the King of Nauares declaration fol. 689. The League weake and the Duke of Guise fortified by a Peace fol. 690. Warre against the Protestants fol. 691. Pope Sixtus the 5. excommunicates the King of Nauar and the Prince of Conde fol. 692. The voyage of Anger 's and the Castle taken fol. 693. The Prince of Conde in route fol. 694 The Prince of Condes second marriage fol. 695. The death of 4. Brethren of Lauall ibid. The Queene mothers conference with the King of Nauar. fol. 696. The Duke of Bouillon chiefe of the Germaine Army fol. 697. The King desires Peace the Duke will haue war which is concluded the Kings Army the Protestants army with the causes of the affliction of France fol. 698. Entrie of the strangers with the errors of their Army fol. 699. Battaile of Coutras where the Duke of Ioyeuse is slaine fol. 700. The Geâ—maine Army in Beause charged at Vimorry fol. 701. Death of the Duke of Bouillon fol. 703. Disposition of the Duke of Guise ibid. Death of the Prince of Conde fol. 704. The Duke of Guise leaues the warre of Sedan comes to Paris fol. 705. Barricadoes at Paris fol. 706. The King retires
from Paris fol 707. The Duke of Guyse seekes to returne into fauor fol. 708. The Queene mother Imployed for a peace seauen demands of the League and the Kings answeare fol. 709 The Duke of Espernons Iustification Deputies of the Parliament with the King and his answer fol. 710.711 The defeate of the Spanish Armado in 1588. with the Duke of Medinaes excuses fol. 712. The King refuseth to go to Paris with new resolutions of the League fol. 713. The Kingâ— Couâ—cellors dissmissed the Court trobles against Espernon in Angoulesme fol. 714. Conuocation the Estates at Blois the Kings speech fol 715. The Marquisate of Salusses surprised by the Duke of Sauoy fol. 718. The Duke of Guisses dissembling fol. 719 Assembly and Petition of the Pâ—otestants ibid. Obiections against the Duke of Guise and the Kings last resolution fol. 723. The Duke of â—â—ise slaine fol. 724 Death of the Queene mother fol. 725. Nâ—ort taken by the King of Nauar. ibid. The Parâ—sians Insolencies fol. 726. The Duke of Mayennes couâ—ses the Kings letters to him fol. 727. The Estates at Blois disâ—olued with the Archbishop of Bourges others speeches fol. 728.729 A generall Councell of the vnion with their Insolencies and reuolts fol. 730. The Duke of Mayennes attempts fol. 731. Reconciliation of the the 2. Kings fol. 732. Paris beseeged fol. 733. The Death of Henry the 3. his last speech and manners fol. 736.737 The 3. parcell of the 3. race of Capets in the Royall branch of Bourbon beginning with Henry before King of Nauar and the 63. King of France THe Genealogy of the King S. Lewis fol. 740.741 The King raiseth his seege from Paris goes into Normandy and the Duke of Mayenne followes him fol. 742. Notable exploits at Arques against the League fol. 743. The King approcheth to Paris fol. 745. The seege of Dreux and disposition of the kings army fol. 748. The Battell of Yury where the Leaguers are ouer-throwne with the losse on both sides fol. 749.750 The seege of Parâ—s with their miseries fol. 752. Deputies sent to the King with his answere to them fol 753. The seege of Paris raised and the Duke of Parmas retreate fol. 754.755 Roan beseeged and succored by the Duke of Parma fol. 759. A trecherous decree of the Court Parliament of Roan fol. 760. Death of the Duke of Parma and the Marshall Biron fol. 762. A sentence of the Court Parliament against the Bull of Pope Clement the 8. fol. 765. The Kings declaration against the Leaguers fol. 767. The Kings Conuersion fol. 769. By what meanes the townes of the League returned to the Kings obedience and the Spaniards chased out fol. 771. The Kings Coronation fol. 772. The miraculous reduction of Paris to the Kings obedience fol. 773 A decrree against the League and the Duke of Mayenne fol. 775. The Duke of Guise reconciled to the King fol. 777. Processe against the Iâ—suites renewed ibid. The King hurt in the face by Iohn Chastell fol. 778. Warre proclamed against the Spaniard fol. 779. Spaniards in Pycardie great seruice done by the Constable fol. 780. Wonderfull efects of the King Armies with the wisdome and valure of the Marshall Biron fol. 782. Haâ— surprised for the King and Humieres slaine fol. 784. Cambraâ— beseeged yeelded to the Spaniard fol. 785. The Pope blesseth the King and the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours are receiued into grace fol. 786. Calais and Ardres taken by the Spaniard and La Ferte by the King fol. 790. Amiens surprised by the Spaniard fol. 791. Beseeged againe by the King with the effects of the warre in Britanie and Champagne fol. 792. Warre in Sauoy and Maurienne taken fol. 793. The Duke of Sauoy defeated in sundry places fol. 795. Amiens yeelded and the Spaniards depart fol. 799. Crequi taken prisoner and the Fort of Saint Bartholomewe taken by L' Edigueres fol. 801. The reduction of the Duke Mercure and Britany to the King fol. 882. The most memorable things conteyned in the continuation of the generall History of France THE wisdome Iustice and piety of Pope Clemenâ— the 8. fol. 805. Three Popes in 17. monethes ibid. The Pope exhorts the two Kings to Peace ibid. Reasons that mooued the King of Spaine to a Peace fol. 806. The Prince of Spaine reiects the Councell of Peace ibid. The Infanta desirous of a Peace ibid. The Arch-duke applies his minde to Peace ibid. He sends Armes vnto the King fol. 807. The King of Spaine doubtes of a Peace ibid. A long Peace preiudiciall to a warlike nation ibid. The Kings generous resolution fol. 808. The Generall of the Friars returne in dispaire of a Peace ibid. The first negotiation of a Peace at 5. Quintiâ— fol. 809. The King of Spaine resolues to yeeld vp all places ibid. Veruins chosen for the conference ibid. The Precedence yeelded vnto the French fol. 810. An Agent from the Emperor to the states of the vnited Prouinces ibid. The Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor ibid. The Duke of Sauoy desires to be comprehended in the treaty of Peace fol. 813. A Peace concluded ibid. Ambassadors to sweare the Peace and Hostageâ— for the restitution of places fol. 814. The King of Spaine signes and sweares a Peace 〈◊〉 His Sonne signed it not till the treaty of Sauoy Anno. 1601. ibid. Deputies sent froÌ„ the King to the Arch-duke to take is oth fol. 815. Charles Gontault of Biron created Duke of Biron and Peeâ—e of France 〈◊〉 A feast made at Paris by the Duke of Bâ—ron ibid. The Arch-duke sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 816. Hee giues presents to the Duke of 〈◊〉 ibid. The King is aduertised of the Duke of Birons practises 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauoy sweares the Peace 〈◊〉 laquiline Contesse of Antremont wifâ— to the Admiral was prisoner at lurâ—e and 〈◊〉 died fol. 817. Her Letter to Peter Mathew 〈◊〉 Complaints from the towne of Geneua 〈◊〉 The Duke of Sauois pretensions 〈◊〉 Donation of the Lowe Countries to the 〈◊〉 of Spaine fol. 818. The conditions The Prince ratefies the donation ibiâ— The Infanta sends Procuration to the Arch-duke to take possession of the Low CouÌ„tâ—ies ibid. An Assemblie at Bruxelles vpon the donation made to the Infanta fol. 819. The Arch-duke leaues his Cardinalls habit ibid. The Arch-duke writes to the vnited Prouinces ibid. Letters from the Prince of Oâ—ange to Count Maurice ibid. A Diet at Ratisbone fol. 820. Execution of the Imperiall sentence against the Towne of Aix ibid. Iauarin recouered from the Turke ibid. The loosenesse of a Ladie of Naples ibid. The life and death of the King of Spaine fol. 821. Don-Carlo conspired against his Father fol. 822. The diuers reports of his death ibiâ— The sentence of the Inquisitors against D. Carlo fol. 823. The death of the Prince of Spaine ibid. The death of the Queene of Spaine ibid. Instruction of the King of Spaine to the Prince his Sonne 〈◊〉 824 The carrying of Armes forbidden in France ibid. The Clergy of France
make a petition vnto the King fol. 827. The Kings answere vnto the Clergy ibiâ— The Iesuits seeke to be restored ibid. The Kings onely Sister fianced to the Prince of Lorraine fol. 828 Troubles for the Duchy of Ferrara 〈◊〉 Duke Câ—â—sar prepares to armes fol. 829. The Popes entry into Ferrara ibid. The Arcâ—-duke Albert meetes with Marguerite of Austria ibid. They passe through the Venetians Countrie fol. 8â—0 The Duke of Mantoua meetes them ibid. The Pope and Legats receiue them ibid. The Duke of Sessa Ambassador for Spaine attended her ibid. The Queens entry into Ferrara ibid. The King of Spaines marriage ibid. Foure of one Family of the same Name and bearing the same Armes married together fol 8â—1 The Popes nuptiall gift to the Queene of Spaine ibid The Admirall of Arragons exploytes in the Duchy of Iuilliers ibid. Prince Mauâ—ice his exploites fol. 832 The Archdukes Answer to the Ambassadors ibiâ— The Earle of Broâ—ke taken by the Spaniards in his Castle and then murthered iâ—iâ— Wezell forced to furnish Money and Come fâ—l 833. The Electors write vnto the Emperor ibid. Warre in Sueden fol. 834. The Turke beeseegeth Varadin in vaine fol. 8â—5 Bâ—da attempted in vaine by the Christians ibid An Inundation at Rome ibid The Pope creatâ— 16. Cardinalls ibid. A treaty at Boulogne fol. 836. The King sicke at Monceaux iâ—id The Deputies of the Princes and States of the Empire assemble at Collen fol. 837. The Electoâ— of Mexiâ— answer to Cardinal Andâ—ew ibid. The Admiralls Letter to the Deputies at Collen fol. 838. He excuseth the murther of the Earle of Brouk and his otheâ— outrages ibid. The Kings Sister marryed to the Duke of Barfoll fâ—l 839. She refuseth to change her Religion and why ibid. The King desires his Sister should become a Catholike fâ—l 840. The Prince of Lorraine comes vnto Paris ibid. Complaints made by them of the Religion fol. 841. Exclusion from publike charges ignominious â—â—l 842. No man is held a Cittizen if he be not partaker of the honors of the Citty ibiâ— The last Edict for Religion at Nantes ibid. Contestation touching their Synode with strangers ibid. The Court of Parliament opposeth against the edict of Religion fol. 843 The Kings speech to the Court of Parliament ibiâ— A Pâ—ince giues no reason of his Edict fol. 844. Necessity the fiâ—st and essentiall cause of an Edict ibid. The Kings sister pursues the establishment of the Edict fol. 845 The Inâ—â—ntas proâ—laâ—ation against the States of the vnâ—tâ—d Prouinces ibid An answer made by the Vnited Prouinces â—â—l 847. The Archduke comes to Genoa with the Queene of Spaine fol. 848. The magnificence at the King of Spaines mâ—rriage at Valentia ibid. Knights of the Golden-Fleece fol. 849 The life and death of Monsieur de Pinaâ— Archbishop of Lions ibid. Barricadoes at Lions against the Duke of Nâ—mours fol. 850. The Duke of Ioyeuze returnes to the Capuchins fol. 851. The seâ—ond Duke of Ioyeuze drowned fol. 852. The Earle of Bouchage left his habit of Capuchin by the Popes dispensation and is Duke of Ioyeuze ibid. His mother desires his returne to be a Capuchin and the King commends his resolution ibiâ— Iesuites incapable of Spirituall dignities fol. 853. The Marquisate of Salusses in question ibid. The Duke of Sauoy seâ—kâ—s to be reconciled vnto the Kiâ—g ibid. The Pope made Iudge of the Controuersie ibid. Brauery of the French fâ—l 854 The Aâ—biteâ—ment broken The King of Spaine repayres all fol. 855. The Duke complaines oâ— the Spaniards â—bâ—d Death of 〈…〉 Marquis of Monceaux and Duchesse of Beaufort ibid. A quaâ—â—ell betwixt D. Phillippâ—n of Sauoy and Monsieur Crequi fâ—l 856. They fought twiâ—e and at the second combate D. Philâ—â—pâ—â— was slaine fol. 857. Aâ—â—igâ—ac demands D. Philâ—ppins life fol. 858. The Estate of the Kings affayres in Suisse ibid. The petty Catholike Cantons allyed to Spaine ibid. Monsieur Sillery Ambassador in Suisse fol. 859. The King sends money to the Suisses ibid. The Duke of Lerma fauorite to the King of Spaine ibid. Asseâ—bly of the Deputies of some Princes of the Empire at Conâ—â—ance fol. 860. The Iustifications of the Vnited Prouinces ibid. Propositions of the Deputies oâ— Westphalia fol. 862. A Decree made at Conâ—â—ance ibid. The Count of Lippe Generall of the Germaine Army they beseege Rees ibid. Prince Maurice assures them of Bommell by his presence fol. 863. The Admirall takes Creuecaeur ibid. The Spanish Aâ—â—ye and that of the States retire out off the limites of the Empire ibid. The Arch-dukes passage into Flanders fol. 864 Isabelle of Valois mother to Isabelle of Austria called the Queene of Peace ibid. The entry of silkes forbidden in France ibid. The King at the Queenes request reuoaked the Edict for silke fol. 865. Martha Brossier possest with a Diuell ibid. The Bishop of Anger 's discouers her to be a CouÌ„teâ—feit ibid. A decree made by the Court against her ibid. An Attempt against the King discouered ibid. Complaint made by the King of Spaine fol. 866 The Archdukes send vnto the King fol. 867. An Army defeated at Dunkerke ibid. The death of the Chancellor Chiuerny Complaints against him ibid. Pompone de Bellâ—â—re Chancellor of France ibid. The death of the Elector of Treues fol. 868. Death of the yong Princesse of Conde ibid. The Marquis of Belle I le becomes a religious Woman ibid. Execution of the Edict of Pacification ibid. The Duke of Iuilliers marries the Daughter of the Duke of Lorraine fol. 869. The Court of Parliament perswades the King to marry ibid. Monsieur de la Guesâ—les speech vnto the King ibid The King of France neuer dies fol. 870. A Letter from Queene Marguerit vnto the King ibid. Her request vnto the Pope ibid Pope â—râ—gâ—rieâ— dispensation was after the Kings marriage fol. 871. The Kings age ibid. The Kings Letter to Queene Marguerit Her answer ibid. â—oure Knights of the Golden-Fleece made by the Archduke fol. 872. The Archdukes Army retires out off the I le of Bommell ibid. The States answer to the Emperors Deputies ibid. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to goe into France iâ—id Hee seemes to bee discontented with Spaine fol. 873. The Councell of Spaine demands the Dukes children ibid. The King of Spaine offended with the Duke ibid. The King giues order for the receiuing of the Duke of Sauoye at Lyons fol. 874. The Duke of Sauoye comes to Fontainbleau fol. 875. The Duke of Mercures voyage into Hungary fâ—l 876. The Tartares demand a Peace fol. 877. They are defeated by Paâ—fi ibid. Redeâ— and â—ebâ—sse made Knights by the Emperor fol. 878 Ambassadors from the Moscouite to the Poland ibid. The great Duke of Moscouie sends presents to the Emperor ibid. Duke Charles hangs vp the Nobles of SuedlaÌ„d that serued the King And makes seauen demandes vnto the Estates of Sueden 〈◊〉 879. The Christians enterprises in Hongaâ—y 〈◊〉 the Turke A Parle of Peace betwixt the Christians Turkâ—â— and Tartares 〈◊〉 Cardinall Andrew Battory defeated and 〈◊〉 by
the Valachians 〈◊〉 8â—1 Publication of the Iubile the beginning tâ—erâ—of 〈◊〉 882. New-yeares gifts sent by the King and Duke ibid. The Duke of Biron refuseth a presâ—nt fâ—om the Duke of Sauoy 〈◊〉 The chiefe cause of the Dukes voyage â—ntâ— France ibiâ— The Duke of Nemours his affection to the Kâ—ngs seruice foâ— 883. The Duke of Sauoyes pollicy ibiâ— The Duke of Biron impatient to heare an otheâ—s praise ibid. The King leades the Duke of Sauoye to the Court of Parliament to heare a cause pleaded ibid. Anne Robert Aduocate for the Plaintife fâ—l 884. Anthony Arnault for the Defendresse fol. 888. L. Seruin for the Kings Attorney generall fol. 891. Monsieur d' Alincourt comes to Genoa fol. 899. He comes to Rome ibid. The Duke of Bar goes to Rome disguised ibid. Deputies for the King and Duke of Sauoye fol. 900. The Popes Nuncio intreates the King to leaue the protection of Geneua ibid. Exchange demanded insteed of the restitution of the Marquiâ—ate of Salusses ibid. The Emperor of Geâ—many hath little more then the Title fol. 901. The Duke of Sauoy demands the Marquisatâ— for one of his Sonnes iâ—id The Duke of Sauoye perplexed fol. 902. A pretext of the Dukes stay fâ—l 903. Articles of the treaty of Paâ—is ibid. The Duke of Sauoyes departure and his discontent fâ—l 905. The Duke going out off Bourg shedde teares fol. 906. The Archdukes men mutine in Saint Andrewes Fort. iâ—â—d The Fort of Creueeaeur beseeged and yeelded to Count Maurice ibid. S. Andrewes Fort beseeged ibid. And yeelded fol. 907. Briaute killes his enemy fol. 908. He is murthered ibiâ— An Ambassador from the Turke to the Palatin of Valachia ibid. George Basta and the Palatin of Valachia hate one another fol. 909. Thâ— Valachians demands of the Emperor ibid. The Moldauian and Battory defeated ibid. The Valachian abandoned by his friends for his cruelty ibid. Basta receiued Vaiuode of Transiluania for the Emperor ibid. The Valachian defeated fol. 910. The Treason of two hundred souldiars in Pappa and thâ—ir punishment ibid. Schuartzbourg slaine before Pappa ibid. A treaty of the Kings marriage fol. 911. The Quâ—enes picture sent to the King ibid. A Conference at Fontainbleau ibid. The manner of their sitting at this Conference fol. 912. The Duke of Sauoyes irresolution ibid. He sends Ambassadors into Spaine their answer to him ibid. The King comes to Lions ibid. The Dukes Ambassadors come to Lions fol. 913 The Kings answer to the Ambassadoâ—s ibiâ— Monsieâ—r de Sillery and President Ianin Deputies for the King ibid. Difficulties inuented by the Duke ibid. An attempt to poyson the King ibid. She is burnt aliue fol. 914 Foure enterprises against the King ibiâ— Tâ—e States resolue to make ware in the County of Flanders ibiâ— Count Maurice prepares for it and lands at the Fort of Philipâ—n in Flanders fol. 915 Oudenbouâ—g abandoned by the Spaniard ibid. Count Ernestus and his Troupes defeated ibid. The order of the Princes Army fol. 916 The battell of Niewport The Admirall of Arragon prisoner Men of Account slaine on the Archdukes side The chiefe prisoners ibid. The Prince returnes to the seege of Nieuport fol. 917. He beseegeth Isabâ—llas Fort. ibid. The Archduke releeues it and rayseth the seege ibid. Count Maurice returnes into Holland ibid. The exploytes of the Vice-admirall of Flanders ibid. The Admirall of Arragon set at liberty fol. 918. Eaâ—le Gouries attempt to kill the King of Scotland ibid. The Duke of Sauoy refuseth to signe the Articles concluded by his Ambassadors ibid. The Kings preparatiues for War fol. 919 The Duke sends the Patriarke of Constantinople vnto the King fol. 920 The Kings answer to the Patriarke ibid The Duke demands two Legates of the Pope fol. 921. The King offers mercy to the Inhabitants of Chambery fol. 922 The King comes to Conâ—â—ance and batteâ—s it ibid. The King of Spaines Ambassador in Suisse complaines of the King fol. 923 Two desperate men senâ— to kill the King fol. 924. The seege of the Castle of Montmelian it is summoned The Earle of Brandis answer ibid. The vanting of the Sauoyards fol. 925. Cardinall Aldobrandin sent Legate vnto the French King ibid. He comes to Turin and is receiued by the Duke fol. 926. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to fight ibid. The King returnes to Montmellian fol. 927 The Capitulation of the Castle of Montmelian ibid. Hermiâ— iâ— returnes to the Legate fol. 928. The Dukes Letters to the Earle of Brandis ibid. The Legates speech vnto the King ibid. The Kings answer fol. 929. The situation of S. Kathâ—rins Fort. fol. 930. The Capitulation of the Fort. ibid. The Cardinall Alâ—â—brandin comes to Florence fol. 931. His speech vnto the Queene ibid. The Queenes answer vnto the Cardinall ibid. The Queene parts from Florence to goe into France ibid. The Queene enters into Lyons ibid. The Kings fiâ—st sâ—ght of the Quâ—ene fol. 932. The Duke of Mercure Lieutenant generall to the Emperor Canisia beseeged The Dukes answer to the Veâ—ir ibid. Canisia yeelded to the Turke fol. 933. The Gouernor of Canisia beheaded at Vienna ibid. The Dukes deputies demand Peace of the King and his answer fol. 934 The Kings speech to the Ambassador of Spaine ibid. Bouvens letter to the Dukes Ambassadors fol. 935. Monsieur de Rhosny renewes the Treaty of peace ibid. A Peace concluded ibid. The Ambassadors of Sauoy consult with Taxis fol. 936. Bourg yeelded to the King fol. 937. The Marquisate of Salusses transported to the Duke ibid. The King and Queene go to Paris ibid. The Legate is Aduertised that the Duke refused to signe the Peace fol. 938. The King grants a prolongation of the truce ibi The Legate dâ—scontented with the Duke of Sauoy ibid. The Count of Fuentes excuse fol. 939. The Legate and the Duke of Sauoy meete ibid Diuers opinions of the Peace fol. 940. Commodities which the Duke got by the Peace ibid. The death of Queene Loise of the Princesse of Condy the Princesse of Conty and the Duchesse of Eguillion ibid. The Queene comes to Paris ibid. An Enterprise vpon Marseilles discouered by the complices fol. 941 An enterprise vpon Metz. ibid. Berk beseeged by Count Maurice yelded ibid. Maeurs taken by Count Maurice fol. 942 A Christian Renegado sent by the Turke vnto the King fol. 943. The Scriuano reuolted in Asia fol. 944. The King of Persia sends his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor and King of Spaine ibid. The Duke of Biron sent into England His coÌ„ming to the Queene The Queenes speech fol. 945. The Duke of Biron returned out off England fol. 946. The Queene in trauell The Princes of the bloud may be then in the Chamber ibid. The Daulphin borne ibid. The Queene of Spaine deliuered of a Daughter ibid. The Spanish Army at Sea goes to Naples ibid. Cigala at Sea fol. 947. Chaâ—teauneuf in Morea taken by the Galleys of Malta ibid. The Prince of Parmas speech to Prince Doria his answer ibid. The policy of Count Fuentes fol.
fauour may for a time fill your sayles and carrye your desseignes violentlye to Sea but they are inconstant light and disloyall And if they haue shaken off the yoake of dutifull obedience and loue to their King what shall they doe to a Prince to whome they shall not bee bound but as to the Protector of their mutinie They spake truly for after the tryall of all sorts of gouernments France must in the end returne to a royaltie and the Duke by a commendable resolution might haue vnited the mindes which his brother had diuided But when as others represent vnto him the aduantage hee should haue to succeed in the fauour credit and authoritie of his brother and by consequence his owne hopes he reiects the integriâ—â—e of the first councell coniures all the friends of his house to reuenge parts from Lion on Christmas day in his passage hee assures himselfe of Mascon Chaalon and â—ijon The Court of Parliament there refused to consent to this rebellion and therefore the châ—efe were driuen away and some imprisoned others apprehending the losse of their commodities Letters from the King to the Duâ—e of Mayâ—nnâ—â— did easily submit their neckes to the yoake of a new Democratiâ— At Dijon hee receiued Letters from the King promising to surcease the punishment of forepassed faults with the death of his bretheren whom sayd he I haue caused to dye to saue my life from the danger whereof you did aduertise me The Duâ—e attributing the Kings clemency to some weake abiect affection proceeding froÌ„â—eare either to haue him his enemy or to loose his friendship grows obstinate in â—is resolution reiects the Kings officers giues coÌ„mission to Rosne S. Paul and others to coÌ„mand in Champagne Brie and to seize vpon the best places he comes to Troyes where the Towne long before corrupted by the infected humâ—rs of the 〈…〉 receiued him with as great honor as they could haue done tâ—eir King 1588 and in 〈◊〉 where he passed they were easily drawne into rebellion euery Towne 〈◊〉 themselues after the modell of Paris and Orleans Three thousand men sent from Paris to succour the Chenalier d' Aumale 〈◊〉 in Orleans by the Marshal of Aumont with the â—obilitie of the Court 〈…〉 of foot and horse and the Kings gards had beene defeated neere vnto Estâ—mâ—â—s by Fargis and Montigni but the Marshall vnderstanding of the Duke of Mayennes â—â—proch rayseth the seege and retyres to â—oisgency In the meane time the King â—â—mselfe in person did vew and examine the conclusions of the Estates but this 〈◊〉 enterprise of the Dukes made him to leaue the worke imperfect to prouide 〈◊〉 the safetie of his person and for a conclusion the fiâ—teenth and sixteenth of Ianuary â—ee heard the Deputies greefes and complaints vppon the disoâ—ders which 〈◊〉 France The Estates diâ—â—olued The Archbishop of Bourgâ—â— speech The Arch-Bâ—shop of Bourges President for the Clergie after the Cardinals death imputed the cause of our miseries to contempt of religion which breaking the bâ—â—ds that tie vs vnto God had in like sort diuided the hearts and willes of families and Comonalties Hee greatly commended the Kings zeale to religion insisted long vppon the abuses of the Church which the corruption of the time had bred the vnâ—ortâ—y promotion of Prelats the nomination to Abbaies and other spirituall dignities of all sorts of persons souldiars ignorant men suborned men gardiens simoniaks â—omen children touching the alienation of the Clergie lands pluralitie of benefiâ—eâ— vâ—urpation of the reuenues of hospitalls deprauation of that goodly ancient order whereby none might come vnto Commanderies of the oâ—der of the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem vnlesse hee were a gentleman of three descents disorders of vniuersiâ—ies and monasteries in former times the nurceâ—ies of holy fathers Then hee tuâ—ned his discourse to the disorders noted in the Nobilitie of France who were in former ages the terrour of all nations and from whome neighbour nations confesse to â—â—ue leâ—rned the exercise and profession of cheualrie vpon the excesse of men of wa◠〈◊〉 the â—astâ—ng of the treasor other disorders which spring from these first headâ—â—â—â—ally hee beseecheth the King to make a good refoâ—mation whereby his people 〈◊〉 multiplie Iâ—stice should daily flourish and peace should bee setled iâ— the â—â—â—lme Câ—arlâ—s of Cosse Earle of Brissâ—c chief Pantler chief Fawconer of France newly restoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 fauour PresideÌ„t for the Nobility The Eâ—â—le of 〈◊〉 shewes that they be not the hands of â—ortune â—hich â—â—uiâ—oned his Maâ—esties forehead with this double diademe It is God who hath 〈◊〉 him our King who had before chosen him King of a more remate 〈◊〉 for the pietie faith clemencie and magnanimitie wherewith hee hath beeâ—e endued from his tender age That heresie schisme and discord which are crept into the peoples hearts haue not taken their beginning vnder his raigne whom God hath râ—â—sed 〈◊〉 amidest the furies and afflictions of France to bee reuenged by him and aduâ—â—ced aboue all the nations of Christendome who draw their firmestsupport from the stabiâ—â—tâ—e of his Crowne That â—he wished victories in France ouer heresie shall be vnto the King but a continuance of the route and defeate of that fearefull armie of Râ—isâ—res Lansquenets Suisses and French Huguenots which like so many trompets proâ—laime to all places the honours prayses and victories of his Maiestie That now those vowes fastings teares and toyles of the ancient French are heard who seemed to demaund â—engance against the fire furie and rage of those who after so many religious ages haue violated the sepulchres of their fathers and ours and would take from amongst â—s that onely religion which the holy fathers haue planted in old time throughout the world Then hauing represented the zeale and affection of the Nobilitie to assist the King to restore religion and the State to their former beautie following the example and the hereditarie vertue of their Ancestors who had chased and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arriens Albigeois Lombards Sarrazins Turkes and Pagans 1589. and continuing the defence of the faith and the victories of the Kings of France haue leâ—t no other limits to the reputation of their valour then those which the Sunne takes in making of his course about the earth He beseecheth his Maiesty to fauour the auncient priuileges of the Nobility to recompence in them the seruices of their Pâ—edecesâ—ors to confirme the military discipline of Kings his forerunners not to suffer any by â—auour or purchase to chalenge the title of Gentlemen to mainteyne the priuileges of the Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in Iustice to moderate the subsidies order the treasure establish the Magistrate plant discipline among souldiars reâ—orme the Church and to punish the enemies thereof Finally he wished a thousand happines to the King and peace to his people But this braue and commendable humour shal not hold him long but he shal returne to his
haue managed for the renuing of the League His Maiesty hath also coÌ„manded mee to assure you of the account he makes of your Faith and that he will fully obserue the promises that shal be made vnto you He doth also assure himselfe that for your parts you will bring al willingnes Freedome now that his Realme is the most florishing giuing more cause of Enuy then of Pitty He desires more earnâ—stly to renewe the ancient alliances that haue bin betwixt the Kings and Crowne of France your Comon weale thinking that the good which shall rise thereby shal be profitable vnto you the best and most assured meanes for to make you liue powerfully and happily I will conceale how highly I esteeme the honour which the King my Master hath done me in making choise of me with these Gentlemen to serue for so Good and Holy a worke and also to see my selfe with a Nation which hath bin often both in Peace and Warre cherished esteemed by my deceassed Lord and Father the Marshall Biron of my selfe For proofe of my Affection I offer you all that is in my power being desiâ—ous to assist you withall fauour aed to serue you in that which a Knight of Honour ought may The Kings alliance was accepted by the Suisses publike thanks were giuen to God the Duke with the Ambassadâ—rs solemnly feasted The alliance which before had bin coÌ„tracted but for the Kings life only was coÌ„cluded for the Daulphins also after that of the Kings as many years after as were graÌ„ted to the deceassed King The continuance of thâ— League The King receiued great content to see this Treaty so happily concluded to the honor of his Crown contrary to the intent and practises of those that sought to hinder it The Count of Fuentes greeued that things had not succeeded according to his hope cast his desseins in Italy vpon the Marquiâ—aâ—â— of Final without any pretext or offence but onely vp on the presumption of his Masters greatnes To giue some colour to his attempt he caused two diuers rumors to be spred abroad One was that the Marquis of Final was vpoÌ„ termes to exchange this Marquiâ—ate for a little Principality lying in the realme of Naples The other was that the Marquis of Final in the extremity of a sicknes had giueÌ„ it to the Kâ—ng of Spaine VpoÌ„ these two pretexts he caused Diego Pimentel his nephew Sanchio de Luna to passe with a great number of Spaniards to surprize the place The Marquâ—sate of Final surpâ—ized the Lansquâ—nets that kept it who were easily satisfied with a promise of 16 months pay that was due vnto them He placed 200. Spaniards in it vnder the command of D. Petro de Toledo and presently resolued to fortifie the Port and to put a Garrison therein The chiefe end of his Conquest was to bridle the Genâ—ueses and to make their Trafficke with Spaine so discommodious as they should reape no benefit but what it pleased the Gouernor of Finall An Army at Sea in Calabria of 60. Galleys The Lord of the place who had neuer any thought to Exchange nor to giue it filled the Popes and the Emperors eares and all the Ayre with his Complaynts but in the end finding no satisfaction he was forced to allowe of that which pleased the stronger The Spaniards made not so great an account of this purchase as they conceiued hope of a great leauy of Men of Warre made in the Realme of Naples and Sicilia and in the Duchies of Milan Mantoa Modena Vrbin and Parma whereof they ment to make an Army at Sea greater and better conducted then the last Many thought it was to repayre the fault of Alger or to oppose against the desseignes of Cigala who they said would come out off Constantinople with a hundred Sayle As the desseine was secreat so was it not knowne who shouâ—d bee the Generall Andrew Doria demanded leaue of the King of Spaine fore-seeing that they would hardly giue him the charge for that they must neuer imploy an vnfortunate Generall twise The Duke of Sauoy made shewe to accept of this command if it were offered him D. Iuan de Cordouâ— was General They had greater enterprises in Europe then in Affrick or Asia although it were sayd that the King of Fâ—z had promised to make the King of Spaine Master of Alger But the necessities of the Lowe Countries and the practises they had in France made the Spaniards to leaue all attempts against the Turkes and Moores for this yeare being so disapointed for want of money as they were forced to flie to priuate purses so as without an aduance of two hundred thousand Crownes by the Spinolas of Genoa the Troupes which past in Aprill and May had stayed vntill the end of the yeare in the Duchy of Milan These were the speeches of the King of Spaines desseignes wherevnto they added that D' Albigny was gone to Milan to the Count of Fuentes that the Marquis of Aix was in Spaine that the Duke was ready to subiect himselfe wholy to the will of the Councell of Spaine to whom he deliuered his two Sons hauing made them Knights of his Order to prepare them to the Voyage and had sent Defourny an extraordinary Ambassador to Rome to beseech the Pope to send them his blessing But the King knewe well that vnder these shewes and Pretexts there were other Negotiations to trouble his Estate whereof he made no shew yet such as did see him when hee was most free and priuate discouered that his Head was troubled and that the Toyle Weaâ—ines of his Minde was much more then that of his Body One day comming from Hunâ—ing being very pensiue before the fire with his Hat on his Eyes he drewe his Sword speaking some words vnto himselfe then he turned towards the Vidame of Chartres The King disquieâ—ed tâ—uching the Mâ—rshall Bâ—â—on who was there present asking him when la Fin his Vncle would come and that he longed to see him At the same time there were great reparations made at the Bastille rather to keepe that fast that was to be within it then to resist without which made many beleeue that the yeare should not passe without lodging of some one of marke in the place This Winter the Court was full of Iolity and Sports the Queene hauing made a very Rich and Sumptuous Maske The Queenes Maske calling fifteene Princesses and Ladies of the Court vnto her which represented sixteene Vertues whereof the Qâ—eene made the fiâ—st The Duke of Vendosme beeing attired like Cupid marched before the Queene but within fewe dayes after he changed that Habite into Mourning for the death of the Duke of Mercure his Father in lawe who dyed of a Pestilent Feauer on Twelfe day in the Citty of Nurinberg The death of Philip Emaâ—â—â—l of â—orâ—aiâ—e Duke of Merâ—uâ—â— comming into France to prepare a greater expedition against the Turkes The King was