reported wonders of the greatnesse and power of the King of Persia who he saâ—d had taken aboue fourescoâ—e Towns from the Turke that he had defeated Cigale in Battell and that now he held Aleppo beseeged and that they could not passe his Countries in three moneths that he could raise two hundred thousand Foote and a hundred thoâ—sand Horse for his defence After that hee had discoursed long with him vppon this sâ—biect he asked the Gouernor by his Interpreter What profit he had by his charge and the Gouernour asked Why he demanded it Because answered the Ambassadour that the King of Persia my Maister neuâ—r reapes any profit of that which is leaâ—ied in his Prouinces but leaues the disposition therof to the Goâ—ernors who for that respect are bound in time of War to furnish a certaine number of Men and a propotion of Money out of the reuenues of their Gouernments We must beleeue them which come from far for that the great dâ—stance makes the proofe difficult The Pâ—rsian ioynes vpon the North with the Medes Desâ—ription of 〈◊〉 on the West side it hath Susiane vpon the East Caramania and towardes the South it is bounded with the Sea The powers of the World haue their reuolutions and periods as well as Men. It hath beene seene in the Monarchy of the Persians They held the Monarchy two hundred and fiue and twenty yeares the Medes expelled theÌ„ these were chased away by the Macedonians and they by the Romaines and the Romaines by the Saracins Sâ—nce they haue freede themselues from any others coÌ„mand and reserued some peece of the anâ—ient Monarchy But the Turkes intreated them very ill who after many long Wars granted them in the end so infamous a Peace as they retayned their capitall Cittie and so iniurious as the worst conditions of warre had bin better As peace is to be desired for them that are at ease and war for the miserable This Persian tooke the way of Suisserland to performe his Ambassage hee went from Lions to Baden during the assemblie of the thirteene Cantons of Suisses he had but one more on horsebacke with him and fiue or sixe men on foot and one cart for his baggage When as the Kings Ambassador saw him in his equipage he said he did not thinke his charge should haue any great traine seeing he himselfe had so small The King hauing promiâ—ed to restore the Iesuits The Iesuits restored Father Cotton came to Paris by his Maiesties coÌ„mand with father Armand the Prouinciall and father Alexander They not onely found all things easie but beyond their conceiued hopes for the King grew presently into such a liking with Father Cotton as he did nothing but he was called in the end his Maiestie granted their returne vpon certaine conditions and the Edict made for their establishment notwithstanding any oppositions made vnto the Court to hinder the confirmation therof was confirmed in the beginning of this yeare and their Colledges restored at Lions Rouan Bourges and Dijon The Seigneur of Varenne Controller Generall of the Posts Iesuits at Lâ— Flecâ—â— and now Gouernor of the Towne and Câ—stell of Anger 's who loued them of this company besought the King to build a newe Colledge at La Fleche in Aniou with priuileges like to the other Vniuersities of this realme the which the King made of a royall foundation and gaue them his owne hoâ—se with pensions â—or the instruction of a good number oâ—â—ong gentlemen whome his Maiestie would haue bred vp and instruâ—ted there in al Professions Tongues Exercises During these great royall fauouâ—s Father Cotton tasted oâ— some prâ—uat diâ—grace Father Cotton wounded for returning one night somewhat late about the end of â—ebruarie and passing by the street of the new bridge to goe vnto the Louvre there were cerâ—aine Pâ—ges and Laquaies which calling for him at the dore of the Carosse wounded him with their rapiers hauing one great wound in the shoulder going towâ—rds the necke the throat whereof notwithstanding he was soone after câ—red There was great search made for this attempt but the King himselfe discouered presently whence it might proceed The Pages Laquais of the Court had beene whipt by commandement for their insolencie in crying with dirision Old woll old Cotton vpon the complaint of certain Princes and Noblemen Those that say this blow was premeditated by the enemies of the Iesuits were deceiued and his Maiesties only opinion who iudged that it came from the Pages and Laquais was true Some were taken and examined the King himselfe heard the examination first they excused themselues of the fact then they sayd that they meant onely to strike the Coachman to whome they had cryed to goe farther off and that hee would hurt them comming so neere the wall the which hee would not doe and that thinking to strike the Coachman they had hurt Father Cotton If â—ather Cotton had not beene an earnest suter vnto the King to pardon them it had gon ill with them but notwithstanding they were banished the Court and forbidden euer to come there vppon paine of death This yeare the King besides his goodly buildings which shall make his memory commendable to posterity A Chanel from the riuer of Seine to Loyre would also shew vnto future ages that he had a care of the good of his subiects who for the commoditie of their comerce traffick caused a câ—anell to be made by the which all marchandise should be carried from the riâ—er of Loyre into the riuer of Seine At the same time hee began his channell from Seine to Loyre which costs a hundred and fourescore thousand Crownes in 3. yeares They propounded vnto his Maiestie an enterprise of greater difficultie to ioyne the two Seas togither to make the nauigation from the one to the other through FraÌ„ce not to passe by the straight of Gibraltar By the means of a chanell more easie to bee made betwixt the two riuers which passe the one from Tolouse into the Ocean the other from Narbone into the Mediterranian Sea theÌ„ that which is made to ioyne the riuers of Seine and Loire togither The vndertaker offered CantioÌ„ to â—oiâ—e the nauigatioÌ„ of the â—aid two Seas by this Câ—anel within one yeare for 40000. Crownes only the which should carrie a vessell of foure fadome wide from one Sea vnto the other for a certaine proofe of his desseine Which was to make ships to passe afterâ—ards within a â—mall time and for little more charge There were many new inuentions for works deuised and brought into France this yeare by strangers New inuentions of workes brought into France Making of Cipers as weauing of gold after the manner of Milan and the making of cloth and lines of the barke of white Mulberie trees more easily then of nettles or any other trees and more strong and of longer continuance then any other the which was inuented by Monsieur Serres in Prouince The making of all
Caroloman but hee is not numbred among the Kings Charles the Grosse raigned nine yeares Eudes or Odon eleuen yeares Behold the 22. yeares of this minoritie The 28. raigne vnder LEWIS and CAROLOMON LEWES .3 KING OF FRANCE XXVIII CAROLOMAN KING OF FRANCE XXVIII THey talke diuersly of these Kings who in deed were no lawfull Kings but guides to a lawfull King A confused and obscure age which hath leâ—â— such famous persons in doubt But wee may say in their excuse that men being weary of these confusions haue willingly left them doubtfull to hide the infamie of their times or else no man durst set Pen to Paper to represent the shamefull courses of those miseries Lewis and Caroloman tooke either of them a part to gouerne Lewis the countrie on the other side of Loire and Caroloman that on this side They had the Normans and Boson King of Arles for common enemies Lewis defeated by the NormaÌ„s and â—yes for griefe and as continuall thornes in their sides in diuers places and vpon diuers occurrents for the ending whereof they besiege Boson in Vienne and resolue to take it but presently the Normans come to his succour Caroloman continues the siege and Lewis goes to incounter the Normans But oh the vanity of humaine conceptions the Regents are frustrate of their hopes for Lewis looseth his Armie and afterwards his life through griefe of his defeat Carolomon on the other side takes Vienne but not Boson who saues himselfe in the Mountaines of Viuarez And contrarywise hee that hoped to haue his greatest enemy in his power was surprised by death vnlooked for and extraordinarie 885. hauing ended his â—eege and become sole Regent by the death of his brother But the manner of his death is diuersly obserued some write that running in iest after a gentlewoman he was crusht vnder a gate whether his horse had violently carried him Others say that hee was slaine by a boare going a hunting or that being at the chase he fell downe and brake his necke But all this notes that the manner of his death was violent and extraordinarie Caroloma◠〈◊〉 a violent death So the Regencie of these two bastards gotten by sute against the Law was both short and vnfortunate Lewis succeeded to these two brethren Men dispute with much vncertaintie what he was to Caroloman either brother or sonne but all agree he was an idle person It is likely hee was the nearest kinsman hauing seized on the authoritie after the death of these two Regents but in effect the French had the power in their owne hands It chanced as they were readie to free themselues off this Lewis that he died and so they called Charles the grosse King of Bauiere first Prince of the bloud to this great dignitie CHARLES called the grosse or great 29. King and Emperour An Example from a tragicall change to a worthie person CHARLES THE GROSE KING OF FRANCE XXIX CHarles called the grosse began to raigne the yeare 88â— and raigned nine yeares 885. His entrance was goodly but his end tragically fowle Hee was installed in the Regencie with the same ceremonies that the other two forenamed for he was crowned King with promise to restore the Crowne to the lawfull heire and to gouerne according to the will of the States Hee was sonne to Lewis called Germanicus sonne to Lewis the gentle as wee haue said This neerenesse of bloud gaue him an interest and the Imperiall dignitie power and meanes to gouerne the Realme well So the eyes of the French were fixed on him as the man which should restore their decayed estate Great hopes oâ— Charleâ— his good gouernment after so many disorders and confusions His entrance was reasonable happie as at the first euery thing seemes goodly being respected of all his subiects He went into Italie and expelled the Sarazins which threatned Rome but being returned into France hee found a new taske for the Normans a Northerne people gathered togither not onely from Denmarke but â—lso from Sweden and other neighbour Countries as the word of Norman doth shew signifying men of North were dispersed in diuerse parts vpon the sea coast of the Realme of France and had cheefly set footing in the Countries of Arthois â—herouenne and other low Countries and in Neustria one of his greatest and neerest Prouinces taking their oportunitie by the troubles so long continued among the brethren Neustria new calleâ— Normanâ—ie Chaâ—les defeated by the Noâ—mans yâ—lds to a preiâ—diciall peace Charles marcheth with his armie against them but at the first incounter he was beaten This checke although the losse were small stroke a greater terror and in the end caused an apparent impossibilitie to recouer that Prouince from so great forces so as he was aduised to enter into treatie with them and to make them of enemies friends leaâ—ing them that which he could not take from them The which hee did absolutely of his owne authoritie being very great vnited in these two dignities without the priuitie of his Estates So Charles yeelded Neustria to the Normans vppon condition they should do homage to the Crowne of France Then gaue they their name to the Countrie which they had conquered ratified by this sollemne title and called it Normandie He likewise lost Frâ—seland and gaue Gisele in marriage being the daughter of Lothaire his Cousin to Sigefrid or Geffrâ—y one of the cheefe of the Normans thinking thereby to stoppe this storme But therby he wrought his owne ruine for this grant was found so woÌ„derfully strange that the French not only greeued that the Regent had done it without their aduice but also that in yeelding this goodly countrie to the Normans he had dismembred the inheritance of the Crowne which is inalienable by the law of State And although necessitie might inferre some consideration for Charles his excuse yet the French for this respect conceâ—â—ed so great a hatred against him Charlâ—s extreamly hated as they could not rest vntill they had degraded him And as one mischeefe neuer comes alone Charles finding himselfe thus disdayned fell sicke This corporall sicknes was accompanied wâ—â—h a distemperature of the mind farre more dangerous by an extreame iealousie hee had conceiued against his Queene Richarde daughter to the King of Scots suspectâ—ing her to haue beene too prodigall of her honour These two infirmities of bodie and mind made charles altogither vnfit for his charge which consists more in action then in contemplatiue authoritie and in a season when as occasions were ministred on all sides This difficultie and disabilitie to serue effectually in the regencie of the Realme and Empire vnited in one person of whome all men expected much and they discontent of the ill gouernment which the French and Germains depending of this Crowne pretended in quitting Normandie made both the one and the other to enter into strange alterations against Charles At the first his great authoritie kept the boldest in awe and his sicknes did excuse
that this charge was imposed vpon the subiects against his consent laying a good foundation of firme correspoÌ„dencâ—e with the Parisâ—â—ns he retires into Flanders to take possession of his mother Marguerits inherâ—tance and credit with that rich people but in effect it was to build vppon the hereditary hatred he had against his cousin and capitall enemy To omit nothing that might auaile him agâ—inst tâ—e Dâ—ke of Orleans being at Brussels hee sends his Ambassadors to King Charles beseeching him with all affection to consuÌ„mate the marriage betwixt Lewis his eldest sonne Duke of Guienne Daulphin of Vienne Katherine of Bourgoâ—gne his daughter Charles thought it fiâ— to content his cousin Iohn vpon this demand but his brother Lewis crossed this marriage as preiudicial to the housâ— of France beeing â—lready weakened by the vniting of Bouâ—gongne to Flandâ—rs the which would be much more â—ortified by this alliance with the Kâ—ngs sonne Iohns Aâ—bassadors after long delaieâ— returne home without any effect making theâ—r maâ—stâ—â— acquainted with the cold proceedâ—ngs of the Court the which required his preâ—eÌ„ce Iâ— the end he reâ—olues to go in perso â—o â—ollicite a matter of so great imporportance But beeing ready to march behold the King of England sends an armie into Flanders The Dukâ— of Oâ—â—eaâ—â— â—oâ—â—eth the Duke oâ— Boâ—â—gâ—ngâ—â— to bâ—siege Scluse â—hich make him yeeâ—d â—o neâ—essity to demand succours of the Kiâ—g 〈◊〉 hâ—s â—oueraigâ—e against the common enemâ— of the Sâ—ate staying himselfe in Flandâ—rs to preuent theâ—e practises of the English Lewis of Orleans pretending a truce betwâ—xt France and England causeth succors to be denied him as if they should dâ—aweâ—â—arre vpon Francâ— being already tired â—ith sâ— great and long troubles Iohn held him selâ—e mâ—ch â—ronged by this deniall to haue the better meanes to returne to Paris he compounds with the English being desirous to make it knowne that hee would oppose himselfe against the Dâ—â—e of Orleans desseines taking hold of the occasion which he himselfe offeâ—ed him to his gâ—â—at preiudice The imposition was leuied by the Dâ—ke of Oâ—leans his commande and commissionâ— were brought into Flanders At â—aris it was exacted with all rigour but Iohn commâ—nd his subiects of Flanders â—oâ— to pay â—t â—nd goe well accoâ—panied to â—aris to assist the peâ—ple who gâ—eatly dâ—sâ—oâ—tented with â—his burthen durst not yet vtter their griefe expecting the countenance of a great commander The Parisiâ—ns incensed agâ—inst Lâ—wis of Orleans 〈◊〉 Iohn of Bâ—urgâ—â—gne â—o comâ— to Paris being resolued to imploy all their means in the defence of thiâ— cauâ—e The Paâ—iâ—ions solicite Iâ—â—n of 〈◊〉 to come whiâ—h they heâ—d to be very important for their reliefe Iohn desiâ—ed nothing mâ—re so as redoubling his courage aâ— these calls he goes in haste to Paris stâ—ies at Louure in Paâ—isâ—s gâ—uing the Parisiens nâ—tice to coâ—e vnto him The King remained at Paris as he was accustomed the queene Lewis of Orleans hauing discouered the Dâ—ke of Bourgongnes â—â—tent fearing leâ—â—t being the stronger hauing tâ—e Parisiens at his deuotion â—e should force the king to marry the Daulphin Lewis made sure to his daâ—ghter they thought it best to coâ—ueâ—gh this yâ—ng prince into Germany to some place of safety And going togither from Paris they lefâ— the Daulphin with Lewis of Bauâ—ere his vncle by the mothers side who shoâ—d câ—nduct hâ—m secreâ—ly in a litter to Corbeil where a goodly troupe attended him The Bâ—â—â—gâ—ignons fâ—lloâ—ers giue him present intelligence of their departure Iohn folloâ—es so speedâ—ly as he â—ueâ—takes the Daulphin Lewis at Vâ—liuifâ—e Iohn of Bâ—â—rgoâ—gne â—eizeth on the Dâ—â—â—pâ—â—ns person coÌ„ducted in a lâ—tter by Lewâ—s of Baâ—â—ere hiâ— vncle bring him back gâ—ntly to Paris where they receiue the Dâ—ke of Bâ—uâ—gongne â—â—th great ioy and are glad of the Daulphins returne going to meete them â—n great pompe as at a ioifull triumph Iohn beeing come to Paris hath conference witâ— them of this faction and findes them at his deuotion The Prouost of Mâ—rchantâ— â—nd the Vniueâ—sity assure him of their faithfull seruice they intâ—eat him to vndertake the reformation of the State a charge which he doth willingly imbrace as a fit maske â—or his ambitious humor He then presents a petition to the King beseeching him to reâ—orme the Sâ—ate 1406. strangely corrupted by the ill gouernement of the treasure whereby tâ—e subiects were oppâ—â—â—sed with insupportable charges and sacred iustice ill adâ—inistred the ordinary â—ubâ—eâ—â— of the peoples complaints but in effect it was to araigâ—e the Duke of Orleans Tâ—â— King forbare to make any answer vntill his brothers retuâ—ne beeing Pâ—esident of thâ— counsell and greatly interessed in this complaint bâ—t these had bin words witâ—â—uâ—â—ffect if force had not followed this admonition The Bourguignon had brought grâ—at â—roupes vnder the conduct of Iohn without pitty Bishop of Lâ—ege Ciuâ—ll waâ—â—â— beâ—inâ— and tâ—e Duâ—e oâ— Cleues The Duke of Orleans had also assembled an armie from diuers parts by the Lord of Hâ—rpendanne fortified with the forces of the Dâ—ke of Lorraine and the King of Sicily beeing made reâ—dy for the voyage of Naples Thus the Iâ—le of France is full of souldâ—â—â—â— of one liuery but of contrary humors as the manner is in ciuill warres French against French and kinseman against kinseman all making profession to maintaine the good of their country in ruining it Iohn of Bourgongne in shew had the aduantage being in the capitall Citty and possessed of the peoples harts he had the King in his poâ—er and for a gage of this newe authority which men honour like the sunne rising the Daulphin of the house of France â—hom he pretended to be his sonne in lawe All these considerations made his heaâ—â— sâ—ell and his tongue to speake proudly But Lewis Duke of Orleans soundâ— forth the name of publike authority which then remained in his hands as in a sacred gard Tâ—e most passionate make a stay at the name thereof to attend the euent of â—o great a quarrell Such force hath the name of lawfull authority and order in a Sâ—ate whereon it depends as on a firme foundation These armies thus lodged about Paris the Generalls minds appeared in the deuises of their standards In that of the Duke of Orleans was written Ielâ—enuie The deâ—â—seâ— of the 〈◊〉 with a staffe â—â—ll of â—nots painted in it signifiyng that he would knock him on the fiâ—gers that should presume tâ— touch his authority In the Duke of Bourgongnes was written in Flemish Ick Houd tâ—at is to say I hold it with a ioyners plane to make smooth the knotty staffe â—o to incounter the force that threatned him yet these passions were suppressed by the only reâ—pect of authority without the which al had teÌ„ded to a violent spoile The Princes of the bloud who were not ingaged in these quarrels labouâ— to reconcile their cousâ—â—â— seeing the Kings infirmity will not suffer him to vse his absolute authoâ—iâ—â—
his duty he could not finde any thing That there were no places vnsercht but Princes great meÌ„s houses where if he might be suffred to enter he wold do his best to discouer the murtherers The Princes were all in Councell and the Bourguignon amongest them all promise it freely Ihon of Bourgongne guilty of the crime holds his peace and as they beheld one an other he riseth and drawing the King of Sicile and the Duke oâ— Berry apart he confesâ—eth that through the deuills motion he had committed this murther These Princes beeing amazed conceale iâ— for that day The next day comming to Councell the Duke of Berry willed him to retyre himselfe Thus amazed he returnes to his lodging and presently without any staie hee flies with fiue more into Flanders where the muâ—therers likewise finde a sure retreate That conscience which at the first had terrified him is now hardned and that which had mooued him to conâ—esse himselâ—e the author of this murther doth nowe animatâ— him with new motions to become obstinate and to maintayne by vniust force that which he had committed by furious violence Hauing sought the loue of all the Cittiâ—s of Flanders he finds them willing to support him in right or wrong in his necessiâ—y vpon this assurance he calls an assembly at Gand to leuy those succors wherof he stood in neâ—de At the newes hereof the zeale of iustice growes cold in Court they seeke an accord with him whome they should pursue the King of Sicile and the Duke of Berry go to him to Amiens being prouder then if he had done a meritorious act where making open proâ—ession of his pride hee had placed ouer the doore of his lodging a table wherein were painted two Lances a crosse wherof the one had a wel steeled head for the warre and the oâ—her a but head for the Tilt as giuing the choise of warre and peace publisâ—ing generally that he not onely had done the murther And offers 〈◊〉 iâ—stâ—â—â— the muâ—â—her by â—â—mes but that he would and ought to do it And to the end he might be mad with reason he findes Diuines in those daies that confirme him in this passion pâ—otest to maintaine it by the Scripture as the sequele will preâ—ently shew The Princes that were sent vnto him not able to moue him to confesse his fault and to humble himselfe they command him in the Kings name not to come to Paris He answers them boldly that he would presently go to informe the King what reason had mooued him to punish the common enemy of France And hauing reuiued his practises at Paris by meanes of his intelligences Iohn of â—â—â—â—â—gongne 〈◊〉 armed tâ— Paris contraâ—y 〈◊〉 the Kings pleasure he gathers togither a great army and accompained with hâ—s two Brethren and the Dukes of Lorrainâ— Cleues he comes to S. Denis lodgeâ—h his troupes about this great Citty who willingly stâ—etch forth their hands vnto him as to their redemer who should purchase them perpetuall rest The Princes go vnto him intreat him in the Kings name not to enter â—nto Paris but with his ordinary tâ—aine of .200 men Iohn makes them answer That for the surety of his person he could do no lesse thâ—n to go well accompâ—ined the next day he aâ—riues at Paris withall his troupes being receiued by the Parisiens with cries of ioy as a new Monarke He fortifies himselfe in Bourgongne house where hee is visited by the whole body of the Citty and the vniuersity who seeke to support â—his execrable murther The next day the game is played with a strange praeludium Iohn Petit a doctor of diuinity maintayned with wonderful impudencie that the Duke of Bourgongne had caused the Duke of Orleans his Cousin to be worthily slaine by reason of many notable crymes whereof he doth accuse him The Originall of the history doth set downe these detestable phrensies to shewe how much disorder preuailes in an estate wiâ—hout a head The Councell of Constans shall condemne â—his Impostoâ— being accuâ—ed by the Colledge of Sorbonne who shall disauowe this meâ—cenary man afâ—eâ— the death of the Duke of Bourgongne The issue was answerable to his speech The King being sick in minde and the Princes fainting Iohn of 〈…〉 for the â—â—â—ther Iohn of Bourgongne is absolued of the murther committed on the person of his Cousin germaine The King to couer this bad act declares by his letters pattents That in case he died hee would that Lâ—wis his eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should haue the gouermeÌ„t of the realme after him Iohn Charles his yonger sons one after an other without any Regent But the Bourguignon was ignorant that this decree gaue him authority that should punish him being also aduised for some speciall considerations not to deale any more with the affaires of France 1409 but with his owne So he retiers into Flanders not daring to attempt any thing being thus iustified and absolued This insolency accompained with some indignities against the Kings maiestie displeased the whole Court and not iustifiable by the Bourguignon faction it caused Valentine and her Children to renue their complaynts to the Kings Councell who stoutly made a decree against Iohn Duke of Bourgongne for satiffaction of the murther committed by him on the person of the Duke of Orleans But what auailes it to report that which tooke no effect A friuolous decree against the Bouâ—guignon for the murther but only to proue That when lawfull authority is suppressed Iustice is of no force and the stronger treads vnder foote thâ— right of the weaker As it proued in this ridiculous imaginary sentence giuen in fauour of the Children of Orleans against the murtherer of their father for it was scarse recorded for the benefit of the interessed when as newes came of the victorie which Iohn of Bourgongne had gotten against them of Liege in fauour of Iohn of Bauiere surnamed without-pittie their Bishop This did quite change all their thoughts countenances and words in Court al CommissioÌ„s for the leauying of soldiars for the executioÌ„ of this decree by force are reuoked There is no talke but howe to warrant the King and Daulphin from the Bourguignon who without doubt would according to his humor bring his victorious army to Paris disanull the decree vpon their heads that should mayntaine it So as the Daulphin with the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon conduct the King to Tours for his better safety being vnwilling to leaue him in the Parisiens power The King forsakes Paris who were affected partakers of the Bourguignon The Parisiens are wonderfully discontented at this departure they arme drawe their cheynes as in a time of war and call in the Bourguignon assuring him of their hearts and meanes He comes speedily with a great army and staies at S. Denis contrarie to the Parisiens expectation who thought he would haue kept more stirre hauing so great forces But he
Bourgongne and intreats the King to forbeare in the excution of this charge Behold a sharpe touch which might easily open the Dukes eares to harken to these malcontents yet would he not enter but suffers the Earle his sonne to vse all his meanes for this effect beeing discontented for the gouernment of Normandie taken from him and his pension not payed for the redeeming the Townes vpon Somme and the aduancement of Croy in France Lewis discouers the League And although the passing and repassing of the Agents and factors of these Princes were very secretly performed by men disguised like religious men pilgrims beggars yet could they not worke so secretly but the King had intelligence that the Britton had sent to practise the loue and association of the King of England that by Iohn of Rommilli vice-chancellor of Briâ—tanie he had made a strict allyance with the Earle of Charolois a violent valiant Prince Thus the King sends the bastard of Rubempré a sea Captaine to surprise such as hee should finde passing out of Brittanie into England or from the Bourguignon to the Britton This bastand lands at La Haye in Holland hee enters the Towne with three in his company where then the Earle was resident Being examined of his quality and of the cause of his landing he makes some difficultie to discouer himselfe He is put in prison as a pirate sent saied they by Lewis to surprise the Earle trecherously and so to preuaile more easily with the Duke his father This brute was dispersed through the Countrie and made the King odious At the first report of these newes Philip being at Hedin dislodgeth without taking his leaue although he had promised not to depart without speaking againe to the King Lewis aduertised of the bastards detention sends the Earle of Eu the Chancellor Moruilliers and the Archbishop of Narbonne to Philip beeing at Lisle Ambassadors from Lewis to Philip. they accuse his son of treachery and infidelitie for that he had made a League with the Duke of Brittanie a friend and confederate with the English he complaines of the restraint of Rubempré his seruant and demands amends for words blowen giuen out against the Kings honour that the prisoner should be inlarged and for expiation of the crime that the authors of this slander should be deliuered into the Kings hands especiallie Oliuer de la Marche one of the chiefe in the Dukes Court to bee exemplarily punished The Chancellor who deliuered the speech being but a blunt man made it as bitter as he could and omitted nothing that might make the fact odious and criminall for the which he shall in time and place bee disauowed by the King and loose his office adding moreouer that he could not conceyue the cause of the Earles discontent if it were not for the pension and gouernment which the King had giuen him and since taken away Philip answers that Rubempré being charged with many crimes was iustly taken and in a Countrie where Lewis had no right If the informations did acquit him Philip answers to the Ambassadors he would send him to the King That la Marche was of the Country therfore the King not to be his coÌ„petent Iudge yet if he had done or sayed any thing against the honor of his maiestie he would punish him to his liking Moruillier insists vrging that Philip should not deny the King and that he should command his sonne not to entertaine any bad conceite of his Maiestie nor beleeue the sclanders imposed vpon Rubempré The Duke replies That till then hee had neuer denyed the King anie thing and contrariwise the King had failed of his promise 1465. in that contrary to their transaction he had fortified the Townes redeemed with great garrisons the which he should haue inioyed during his life taking an oathe of the Nobility to carrie armes indiffereâ—tly against all he should command That if his sonne were iealous and distrustfull hee tooke it of his mother who had often suspected him to go to other Ladies not from him who suspected no man The Earle of Charolois toucht with the Chancellers speech would haue taken the defence of his honor and the Duke of Brittaines but Philip fearing least choller should transport him beyond reason commands him to prepare for the next day The night brings Counsel The Earle hauing considered well of his plea answers very respectiuely yet he maintaynes that the proces of Rubempre would shew that his imprisonment was both iust and duly made That hee had made an allyance and strict league with the Duke of Brittain being brothers in armes but their association did nothing preiudice the Kings seruice nor the good of his realme but rather their common forces should be alwaies ready for the preseruation of his crowne and the publicke good As for the losse of his gouernment and pension whereof he had neuer receyued but one quarter hee was nothing displeased that as for any welth and honours the fauour of the Duke his Lord and father did suffice him Thus the Ambassadors returne nothing to Lewis but threats from the Earle who charged the Archebishop of Narbâ—nne particularly with this speech That within one yeare he would make the King repent the iniurious words he had caused his Chaunceller to giue him in the presence of the Duke his father And hauing spedily assembled a great armie out of Artois Henault Boullen Flanders Holland and Brabant consisting of foure thousand men at armes The warres of the Common weale and eight or nine thousand archers vnder the enseignes of Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Saint Paul and afterwards Constable of France the Lord of Rauestin brother to the Duke of Cleues Anthonte bastard of Bourgongne Haut-bourdin bastard brother to the Earle of Saint Pol Contai and Lalain valiant and wise knights with many other Noblemen and gentlemen and great store of artillery and carriages hee enters into Picardie as Lieutenant generall to the Duke of Berry taking armes to releeue sayes he the people surcharged with taxes and subsidies The Earle of Câ—arolois enters Picardie and to recouer their ancient freedomes and liberties to restore the Nobilitie to their honors and ancient dignities and to gâ—ue vnto the Clergie their rights and preheminences In truth these were goodly shewes able to perswade the credulous and to supplant the affections of the simple For the first fruits of his forces he takes Nesle a little Castell neere vnto Noyon in the which there was a garrison Roie He takes Nesle Roie and Mondâ—dâ—er Montdidâ—er Beaulieu and Pont Saint Maxence then hauing passed the riuers of Somme Oise he comes with little spoile of the Country to S. Denis where all the confederats should meete but they failed of their appointâ—enâ— Hauing presented himselfe before Paris and skirmished at the gates with some losse to the Inhabitants supported onely by the companies of men at armes of Charles of Melun Baylife of Sens
would not suffer Saint Quentin to bee yeelded vnto him and if hee would continue the warre against the sayd Duke hee would returne the next spring and ioyne his forces with the Kings so as hee would recompence him for the losse hee should sustaine by the customes of wooll at Calais which would be of no value being estimated at fifty thousand Crownes and pay halfe his army The King to satisfie Edward answers that it is the same truce they had made togither and for the same terme but the Duke would haue letters apart hee thankes him for his good offers and returnes him home his Ambassador and hostages Lewis had lately learned that the French the English do easily quarrel when they are togither and a small matter would reconcile them with the Bourguignons As for the Britton the King could not well digest the answere which Edward had made to Bouchage and Saint Pierre whereby he easily discouered the strict allyance betwixt them but â—eeing he could not diuide them beeing in the Abbie of Victorie neere to Seâ—lis where he had a priuate deuotion the peace was absolutely confirmed whereby the King renounced all rights pretended by him to the Duchie of Brittain reseruing the souerainty and homage according to the ancient Custome A peace confirmed with the Duke of Brittain Hee promised to keepe the Dukes person in safety and to maintaine his priuileges and prerogatiues 〈◊〉 forcing him to follow him out of his Duchie but with his owne good liking moreouer he should cause to be giuen vnto the Duke of Brittain the hands seales of all the Princes of his bloud and of the Noblemen of the Realme both spirituall and teâ—porall with reuocation of all alliances or former promises and restitutions to be made of all things takenduring the warre The patent hath the same date with that of the Duke of Bourgongne Let vs nowe bring the Constable into open veiwe to play the last acte of his Tragedy finding that all these shifts and deuises The 〈◊〉 act of the Constables Tragedie could not breake the reconciliation of the 〈◊〉 Kings the next day after their enterviewe he writes very humbly to the King by a seruant of his named Rapine That he was well informed howe his enemies labored to briâ—g him in disgrace charging him with many things wheroâ— he had shewed contrary effects for that during all the forepassed confusions hee had faithfully kept all those places which his maiesty had committed vnto him and beate backe the enemie whensoeuer hee presented himselfe And to purchase some credit hee offers to deale with the Duke of Bourgongne who if the King please shall helpe to defeate Edward and all his army Lewis dissembles and writes to the Constable what was concluded the day before that at this time hee was busied with many affaires Lewis disembles with him and had neede of such a head as his A captious word but well vnderstood by Rapine who takes it for a beginning of fauour for his maister But alas howe easily doth man deceiue himseâ—fe in his vaine imaginations and what can a perplexed soule produce but trouble and confusion The truce is no sooner confirmed with the Bourguignon but the conclusion of Bouuines is renued whereof wee haue made mention Nowe this poore Constable knowes not to whom to flie And as euery man runnes as farre as hee can from an imminent shipwracke his best friends his most affectionate seruants The Constables piteous estate and his most confident soldâ—ars abandon him What shall hee then do Whome shall hee implore What Sanctuary What succors Hee knowes well hee hath equally dipleased Lewis Edward and Charles his Lands are on all sides inuironed by his enemies He is too farre from any 〈◊〉 reâ—â—eat He holds strong places yea almost impregnable but who shall defend them Hee inioyes great treasure but they violently hunt after it What refuge 〈…〉 choose Shall he go to the King but by what meanes shall hee purchase gâ—ace hee is too farre incensed and is seized of the letters which the Constable hath wâ—â—â—ten to the King of England and the Dukes of Bourbon and Bourgongne May he reâ—ie vpon Lewis his word but he would not sweare vpon the crosse of Saint Lau. The Frenchmen beleeued that whosoeuer brake that oath died violently within a yeare Shall 〈◊〉 the seas he gaue Edward too vnkind a welcome neere S. Quintin Shall he cast â—â—â—selfe into Charles of Bourgongnes armes but he hath spoâ—led his Country of Hainâ—ult â—e would haue forced him to marry his daughter with the Duke of Guienne deceaâ—ed and hath often treacherously deceiued him being aduanced by his meanes to thâ—t gâ—eat at dignity of Constable To conclude hee alone hath more then all others maintayned these Princes in hatred 〈◊〉 as what partie soeuer he takes hee is vndoone Yet must hee needes vnmaske â—â—â—selfe and flie to one The Constable in a despeâ—rate estate for what meanes hath he to warrant himselfe alone against so â—â—ghty enemies which shall he choose Poore â—oule beaten with distrust feare and 〈◊〉 for yeelding to the one he incensed the other Moreouer there is lesse danger for him to be beseeged by two then by one alone being impossible for two armies 〈◊〉 accord long togither and contrariwise being charged but by one there is some hope to make his peace Sometimes he resolues to flie into Germany and to buy a place there vntill he be reconciled to the one sometimes to kepe his strong Castell of Han the which hee had well fortified to serue him at neede But he is so amazed as he dares not discouer himselfe to those fewe seruants that are left him Moreouer they are all subiects to some one of these Princes Yet he must resolue and better is it to fall once then stagger alwayes But they haue both ioyntly conspired his death he is well informed thereof and hath seene a coppie of their mutuall seales Yet when once he hath passed his word he will make a conscience to breake it But there is no faith in the Court of France he hath offended the King too much and hath too great aduersaries and no man might safely loue him whome Lewis hated The Duke of Bourgongne is more moderate more easie to pacifie and if he giue his faith he wil be ashamed to deliuer him who had thrust him selfe vnder his protection He gaped after Saint Quentin he must yeeld it vp vnto him redeeme his head with the price of this good place He stands firme in this resolution The Constable yeelds to the Bourguignon and beseecheth Charles to send him a safe conduct to go and treat with him of matters concerning his estate and person At the first Charles makes some difficulty but in the end he thinkes he may well dispense with his conscience for Saint Quentin So the Constable accompained onely with fifteene or twentie horse goes towards Mons in Hainault to Esmeriez great Bayliffe
rest persisted in the Kings seruice In the meane time the Kings armie prepares to go into Base Brittanie and to beseege Guingamp but the Marshall of Rieux changing his partie makes them to change their proiect Rieux was at Ancenis wonderfully perplexed to see the French entred the Countrie by a breach which the Nobility of Brittain had voluntaâ—iâ—ie made them deuising some meanes to repaire these confusions drawne therevnto by his reception into grace The Earle of Cominges going Ambassador to the King passed by Ancenis and confirmed Rieux in this good resolution perswading him to go vnto the Duke with assurance that he should be gratiously receiued Rieux thinking to strike two stroakes with one stone sends Francis du Bois to the King who at that time was at Font de Larche giuing him intelligence that the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Orange and others retired into Brittaine were willing to leaue the Country so as they night rest safely in their houses without touch for that was passed Which being concluded he beseeched his Maiesty to retire his men at armes according to the tâ—eaty he had signed with his owne hand Anne hearing this proposition My friend sayed she vnto the gentleman say vnto my Cousin the Marshall of Rieux your master that the King hath no companion and seeing he is entred so farre he will make it good The Earle had no better satisfaction An answer discouering the Kings intentioÌ„ which was to incorporate this Dutchie to the Crowne the which caused the Marshall to yeeld to his Prince without dissembling He drawes some souldiers from Nantes in October and deliuers his Towne of Ancents into their hands swearing they should keepe it for the Duke In the end Francis of Baâ—al Baron of Chasteaubriant sonne in law vnto Rieux suffers him to enter the Castell holding him to be the Kings seruant Being the stronger lodging his troupe within the Towne hee commands 〈…〉 yeelded to the Duke seeing that the King had broken the contract all those that would not sweare fidelitie and seruice to the Duke to retire the next day with bag and baggage Could he be ill receiued of his maister carrying with him the deliuery of two so good places The Prince of Orange hauing ioyned with some Germaine succours sent by Maximilian and lead by Baldwin bastard of Bourâ—gongne and some three thousand men of the countries Cornouaille Leon Trâ—guer â—oello resolued to besiege Quintin where the Brittons ioyned with the French that â—ere commanded by the Baron of Pont-Chasteau did wonderfully annoy Guingamp who being in a towne vnfit for warre left the place and gaue the Prince meanes to campe before la Chaize a Castell belonging to the Vicount of Rohan But weakened by the losse of many of his men part of them going daily to the â—rench The Prince of Orange army breakes off it selfe part disbanding by reason of the winter he retired his armie to Montcontour resolute to take a view to punish such as were departed without licence Yet notwithstanding all his care and the Dukes seuere command to the gentle men to returne to the Campe within two dayes vpon paine of the losse of their goods and honors and to others of corporall punishment those few forces which remained vanished sodenly Thus the Duke wauers betwixt hope and feare fortified on the one side but weâ—kned on the other seeing his estate incline to ruine He had two pillers Compâ—tiâ—oâ—s for the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 which in his conceit might raise him or at the least support him Anne and Isabell. The Prince of Orange wooed Anne for Maximilian Rieux the Lady of Laual and the greatest part of the Nobilitie for Alain of Albret The first promised greater conditions yet the King had incombred him much in Flanders supporting the Gantois against him so as he could not succour his pretended father in law neither with his person nor his subiects hauing small credit amongst them and lesse money for that they would nor assist him to preiudice the King Alain whom others call Amand had some forces in hand and fed with this plausible hope he brought about a thousand men out of Castile three thousand Gascoins The Duke would willingly haue made two sonnes in lawe of one daughter vrgent necessity forced him like vnto Charles of Bourgongne to promise her to many whom he could giue but to one euen as Erisichtâ—on satisfied his glutto◠〈◊〉 and continuall hungar whervnto Ceres had condemned him hauing cut downe her groue by the many sales of his daughter Mnestra In th' end Anne is promised to Maximilian who should come to marry in Brittanie withall he should bring great troups of men to succour the Duke against the oppression of the French But hee abuseth no lesse then he is abused Herevpon Alain comes with his Castillians and Gascons At his first arriuall he went to salute the Dâ—ke at Nantes and then his Mistresse thiâ— king to haue the greatest interest in her loue But oftentimes two braue Grey-hounds coursing of a Hare a third crosseth them and carries away the game as we shall â—oone see The Marshall of Rieux being arriued gaue his consent in fauour of Alain at the Countesse of Lauals request sister in law to the said Alain It was no time now to leaue this Marsâ—all newly reconciled idle The Duke giues him the charge of his armie with commâ—ssiâ—n to take Vennes where Gilbert of Grassai Philip of Moulin of whom we shall make mention in the battaile of Tournoue commanded He marcheth thether batters iâ— and takes it by composition the third of March Then S. Cir Forsais who led the hundred men at armes of Alains company declared themselues Brittons by their Captaâ—â—es commandement Vâ—nnâ—s taken for the Brittâ—â— building friuolously vpon this marriage yet some of the comâ—â—â—â—â— reâ—iâ—ed to the King The Kings armie wintered Aâ—ceâ—â— and 〈◊〉 tâ—ken for thâ— King but Lewis of Bourbon aduertised of the taking of Vennes by Rieux requiâ—es him by the surprise of Ancenis and Chasteauâ—â—â—â— places razed neere the riuer to make the siege of Fougeres more easie on the 〈◊〉 being a frontier towne and of good defence and on the other side that of S. 〈◊〉 Cormier The Brittons army had bin eighteene moneths in field without â—est to make head against the French 1488. but now they must shew what courage is in them The Duke of Orleans Alain of Albret the Earle of Dunois the Marshall of Rieux the Lord Scales an Englishman commanding some 300. men of his nation sent by Henry King of England by the meanes of the Lord Maupertuis the Seignior of Leon eldest sonne to the Vicount of Rohan the Seigniers of Chasteaubriant Crenetes Pont â— Abbé Plessis â—aliczon Montigni Baliues Montuel and other Captaines of bands go forth of Nantes with an intent to raise the siege Their armie was 400. Lances 8000. foote besides 300. English and 8000. Germaines sent by Maximilian
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
not personally performed to preuent the miseries that growe by warre Maximilian was farre of vnacquainted with these practises no man sought to preuent it and these perswasions did ring dayly in the eares of Anne so as in the ende shee yeelds to follow the resolution of her states They were wonderfully toyled and wearied with the warre the people turmoyled the Nobility impouerished the Clergy oppressed some Townes taken and some waâ—ering and moreouer they did see a great Prince demand their allyance with force and the chiefe Noblemen inclyned to the French faction These reasons made it seeme more conuenient and to be preferred before the slowe succors of Maximilian A finall peace in Brittaine by a treaty of marriage Thus was Anne Duchesse of Brittain perswaded and a peace concluded and ratified by a happy and agreable treaty of marriage by the which to maintayne the subiects of the Country in peace that were armed for eyther side it was sayd That all exploits and offences committed and done vpon assurance or otherwise during the warres on eyther side should be forgotten and remayne without reproch to any as remitted abolished and recompenced euery man should returne to his home and all soldiars depart the Countrie A wise aduice to mainetaine these two Countries in loue and concord The Cittie of Rennes yeelds at this happie composition where the King entred in Nouember vpon the assurance and conduct of the Duke of Orleans with his simple traine and without any men at armes for so it was agreed to see the Duchesse and to ratifie the treaty making the Prince of Orange for that he had beene a chiefe instrument in this busines his Lieutenant generall in Brittaine then he tooke the way to Langeais in Touraine whether Anne was conducted by the Chancellor Montaubon Coetquen Lord Steward and by the Lord of Chasteaubriant and the marriage was consumated the 16. day of December The articles of the contract are to be seene in the Originalls The marriage to Chaâ—ls with Anne If this marriage were pleasing to God or not let vs leaue it to the iudicious reader so it is that of three sonnes they could not bring vp one Soone after Francis of Orleans Earle of Dunois died the chiefe fierbrand of this warre and likewise the principall motiue of 〈◊〉 peace From him are issued the Dukes of Longueuille and a littile before Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon was deceased without Children to whome succeeded Peter Earle of Beauieu who hereafter shal be Duke of Bourbon the eleuenth of that name This yeare was borne Gaston of Foixe Duke of Nemours sonne to Iohn of Foix The practises of the English vpon Brittain Vicont oâ— Narbone and of Mary of Orleans one of the greatest Captaines of his age who shaâ—l giue ample testymonie of himselfe in the warres of Italie which nowe approch There died also at Rome Peter of Foix Cardinall brother to the sayd Iohn and Vncle to Queene Katherin of Nauarre Henry of England wonderfully incensed at this marriage sought by all secret practises to surprize some of the chiefe places of the Prouince and at the first retreate of his army out of Brittaine hee caused it to make an offer at Port-blans and some other ports but they were still repulsed by the faithfull care of the Noblemen of the Country namely by the Chancellor of Montauban of Bertrand d'Acigâ—é and other sea Captaines Thus the Englishmen seeing their attempts like to take none effect bent their course to go towards Calais in the company of their King who was making warre in the Countie of Guines whilest that Maximilian should enter the Realme with forces on the other side then they beseeged Boullen by sea 1492. beeing kept from landing by the Lord of Cordes and the bastard of Cardonne Captaine of Arras with such small forces as they could sodenly oppose But oh Bastard whilest thou repellest this common enemie how preiudiciall shall they absence be from Arras Arras betrayed to Maximilian Foure young gallants saieth the history make false keyes to the gates and giue Maximilian intelligence bringing him by night into the Towne vnknowne to Carqueleuant Lieutenant to Cardonne Some write that one of those in whome he trusted for the opening of the gates made this Stratagem But howsoeuer he was taken in his bed sleeping at his ease and for a second token of base cowardise he yeelded vp the Castell without attending the succors that came vnto him The Towne was spoiled without sparing of the Churches or the traitors houses A worthy reward of their treachery Thus can we preserue our Conquests A while after they attempted Amiens A shame to soldiars that a woman should heare the first report that by her aduertisement to the watch in ringing the great bel of Beffroy should put the Towne in armes And as the first aduice came from a woman so are they honorablie qualified in the history To haue borne weapons and armes with their husbands who by the care and command of Rubempré and of Anthonie Clabault Maire of the Towne did their duties so well euery one repayring to the quarter which had beene formerly assigned him as the enemie returned amazed A duty which made them as famous as their descendants infamous by the notable trechery they committed in our dayes Henry loued peace and was imbarked more at the instance of his subiects least they should thinke him more gratious to the French then the ancient quarrells of both nations required then for any desire he had to haue the King his enâ—my to whom he had a great and strict bond as we haue heard The chiefe cause of his grudge was a great sum of money Peace with Henry which he sayd he had lent to the deceased Duke of Brittaine The King hauing discouered it coÌ„mands the Lord of Cordes to treat with him and payes him the money and so sends him home satisfied into England This peace made Maximilian willing to bee reconciled Moreouer the Princes of Germanie laboured in this pacification and the affaires of the Empire in the which his father had associated him since the yeare 1486. began to call him The Suisses laboured it And with Maximilian and the people especially those of the Lowe Countryey as well through the French warres as by their owne priuate diuisions were so toiled as they detested the warres In the end a peace was concluded for foure yeares onely by the meanes of the Dâ—ke of Bourbon the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Cordes So he receiued his daughter Marguerit againe with the Counties of Artois and Bourgongne receiuing the reuenues and homages and the King keeping the Castles to place garrisons in them vntill the end of foure yeares Behold this estate doth now enioy a happy rest by the vnion of this goodly and great Duchie to the Crowne of France and by a peace confirmed with Henry and Maximilian But as Charles had inlarged his Diadem with
of Pisa the Venetians practises whose greatnesse Lodowick did much feare in Italy might bee crossed by the Florentins they purchasing fauour credit with the King he might imploy them to mediate some accord betwixt the King him the which he desired with all his heart Lodowick did foresee the storme and laboured to auoide it but in vaine for the time of his shipwrack was at hand 〈◊〉 comes to Court Then Caesar Borgia the new Duke of Valentinois came vnto the King with the Bull of dispensation where he was no sooner arriued but as the soâ—ne of his Father he plaid the first act of a bloudy Tragedie vpon the alliance which the King did contract with the Pope his father Caesar following the instructions of Alexander dissembled the bringing of this Bull iudging the Kings disposition to be like vnto those who desire that most which is refused to make him the more plyable to his desseignes But the Bishop of Sept hauing sent intelligence vnto his Maiestie of the truth the King thinking it sufficient to haue the Bull dispatched concluded the marriage with Anne giuing for a portion to his wife diuorced the Duchie of Berry Caesar hauing discouered the author of this aduise He commits a trâ—â—cheâ—ous murther caused the Bishop to be soone after poisoned The peace with other Princes which might somewhat disturbe the proiects of Lewis was no lesse expedient he therefore concluded with Ferdinand King of Castâ—le and thereby did associate him in the conquest of the realme of Naples Peace with the 〈◊〉 he confirmed that which his Predecessor had with the English and renewed the alliance with the Suisses granting them the pensions which Lewis and Charles were accustomed to giue Maximiâ—ian alone working vpon the old leuaine of his Ancestors shewed some bitternesse amidst these contents Troubles in Bourgongne casting the coales of diuision in Bourgongne Champâ—gne by the Lord of Vergi Comtois when as they least doubted it seeing that Lewis being taken prisoner at the battaile of S. Aubin and hauing aboue all others imploied Maximilian for an intercessor to Charles the 8. they thought that Maximilian should reioyce at this new succession more then any other Prince and that the discontent he had against Charles hauing forsaken his daughter and married with Anne of Brittaine his Spouse had beene mortified by the death of the said Prince The Emperour was thrust on by the Duke of Milan who being perswaded that the King busied at home should haue no leisure to attempt any thing in Italy or any accord being made betwixt them he should be comprehended therein This war put the realme in alarme but Lewis opposed so great a power vnder the commaÌ„d of Iohn of Foix Vicount of Narbonne his brother in law as it was quenched as soone as kindled by a tirce of many moneths without any mention of Lodowike Sforce And to the end that Phillippe Arch-Duke of 〈◊〉 and Earle of Flanders sonne to Maximilian might reape the fiâ—ites of their rereâ—oâ—â—â—â—ement he did homage to the King for the places hee held of the Crowne and those of Artois were restored vnto him In the meane time they consult at Venice vpon the tearmes of confederation with the King The chiefe difference was The Kings association with the Venetians the holdâ—â—g of â—isa The Venetians offering all other conditions would not haue this string tâ—â—cht and the King being resolute to haue it restored vnto him in fauour of the Floâ—â—â—tines refused to treat vnlesse this article might be granted But the Duke of Valenâ—inoiâ— and other Agents for the Pope the Cardinall of S. Pierre Triuulce and all the 〈◊〉 who for their owne priuate interest perswaded him to warre hauing layed beâ—â—re him the losse he should receiue by the want of the Venetians ayde considering their power and meanes to annoy the Duke of Milan hee yeelded without any more â—pâ—ech That at the same time as he should inuade the Duchie of Milan they should doe the like vpon their frontiers That hauing wonne the rest of the Duchie Cremona and Guiaraâ—add should be taken by their common forces for the Venetians except the bredth of fortie fadome along the riuer of Adde That after the conquest of Milan the Venetians should bee bound to defend that for a time with a certaine number of horse and foote the King should doe the like for Cremona and other places which they possessed in Lumbardie euen vnto the marshes of Venice This conuention tooke all hope from Lodowike both of peace with the King and reconciliation with the Venetians Being thus left naked hee resolues to defend himselfe and beginnes by the fortification of Anon Nouarre and Alexandria Townes lying neerest to the French meaning to oppose against their violence Galeas of S. Seuerin with the greatest part part of his forces and the rest against the Venetians vnder the command of the Earle of Caiazzo. He commands Galeas to passe the Pau with sixteene hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse ten thousand Italian foote and fiue hundred Lansquenets but rather to defend his places then to keepe the field hoping that the prolonging of the warre would breed him some aduantage for that he expected an issue of the accord which he did mediate betwixt Maximilian and the Suisses the which effected he had promise of notable aide On the other side the King caused Lewis of Luxembourg Earle of Ligni to march with Eâ—erard Stward Lord of Aubigni Iohn Iaques of Triuuâ—ce leading 6. thousand horse The first exploits of this voyage and twentie fiue thousand foot The Castle of Arazze vpon Tanare was the first obiect of thier armies a place kept by 500. foote assayled the tenth of August and taken within few dayes Seuen hundred men being lodged in Anon did likewise suffer it to be lost in two dayes and all those put to the sword that were retired in armes into the Castle Donat Raffagnin a Milanois Captaine of the Castle of Valence well furnished with men artilerie corrupted by the promises of Triuulce gaue entrance to the French the same day as he had by the like treacherie twentie yeares before deliuered one of the gates of Tortone to Lodowike Sforce to the preiudice of Bonne of Sauoy and of the little Duke Iohn Galeas All the souldiers were slaine or taken amongst others Octauian brother to S. Seuerin was prisoner The same deluge ouerflowed euen vpon the very brute Basignagne Voguere Chasteauneuf and Poâ—t Coronnâ—e Antonie Maria Palauoism yeelded vp Tortone not attending any assault Alexandria makes head against the armie and whilest they presse it Lodowike shuts himselfe into Milan and seeing his estate lost by peece meales he flies to those remedies which are vsuall in greatest dispaire He inroules all that could carrie armes assembles the people dischargeth them of a part of their ordinarie impositions shewes them with most vehement wordes That if happely hee had ouercharged 〈◊〉 not any desire to
Chastillion brought him two hundred men at armes which the Pope sent him discontented that the Venetians had inuaded this Duchie without respect of the superiority which the Church hath ouer it fauored with the knowledge of the Country and the nature and oportunity of the riuer hauing brought his Cannon to the banke opposite to the enemy being couered with a strong causey after an assault giuen to the bastion where his men had the worst hee saluted the Venetian shippes so fuâ—iously as some â—ot able to resist yeelded others fiered with the shot were miserably burnt with the men that were in them others sinking escaped the enemies hand and the generall saued himselfe by flight in a Cock-boate his galley-flying shooting and defending it selfe was in the end suncke To conclude the riuer beeing full of bloud fire and dead men fifteene galleies came into the Dukes power some great shippes many foistes and other small vessells in great number threescore enseignes taken and two thousand men slaine This army defeated Alphonso sent presently Hippolite Cardinall of Este his brother against that army which had taken Comache but the losse of the other hauing forced them already to retire the Cardinall imployed his forces to recouer Lorete which the Venetians had fortified This done the Pope desirous to tie the Duke of Ferrare vnto him 1510. to the end that acknowledging the good he should receiue by his intercession he should depend more vpon him then on the King against whome he layed the foundation of great hatred was a meanes the Venetians should yeeld Comache to the Ferrarois and should no more molest his estate And to reconcile them with Maximilian he sends Achilles de Grassi Bishop of Pesere his Nuncio vnto him But through the Emperours excessiue demands and the Kings Ambassadors crossing it Achilles returned without effecting any thing The season made them proceed coldly in matters of warre vntill the end of this yeare Maximilian and Ferdinand had contended before the King for the gouernment of the realme of Castille the first for Charles his grandchild the second building vpon his wiues testament as we haue seene before In the end the Cardinal of Amboise not considering how much this accord did preiudice the Kings affaires drew Maximilian to consent that the Catholike King in case he had no heires male should be gouernor of the realmes of Castile and Naples vntill that Charles his grandchild should come to the age of fiue and twentie yeares and should pay vnto the said Charles fortie thousand ducats yeerely fiftie thousand to Maximilian at one payment and should ayd him according to the treaty of Cambray to recouer that which belonged vnto him Accord betwixt Maximilian and Feâ—â—dinand A match which gaue courage to Ferdinand to incounter the Kings greatnes the which in regard of the realme of Naples he alwaies feared Doubtlesse ambition did so blind the eyes of this good Cardinall as hee could no more discouer this grosse policie then foresee that death prepared him a biere in stead of a Pontificall chaire In the end of this yeare died the Earle of Petillane Generall for the Venetians old and of great experience in martiall affaires Although they proceed slowly in matters of warre yet Princes mindes were disquieted with many distemperatures especially the Emperours who dispairing to get the victorie of the Venetians by his owne proper forces perswaded the King to attempt the recouerie of Padoua Vincence and Treuise receiuing a sufficient recompence The King knew well that whilest the Venetians possessed a foote of land he should still be compassed in with continuall charge and dangers The Popâ— practises against the king But hee was diuerted from repassing of the mountaines by the sicknesse of the Cardinal of Amboise to whome onely hee committed all his affaireâ— fearing likewise least a new armie should wholy withdraw the Popes affection who long before deuised by what means hee should dislodge the French out off the Estates of Italie and fearing as wee haue said elsewhere least the King being armed should dispossesse him of his chaire to place the Cardinall of Amboise in it hee labored to draw the English from the Kings friendshippe he practised to ioyne with the Suisses by meanes of the Bishop of Sion to the preiudice of his Crowne and protected the Venetians In â—ruth we may behold three Princes act three diuers personages vpon this theatre The King of a faithfull allie the Emperour of a weake and the Pope of a dâ—sloyal Three dâ—uers humors 〈…〉 Princeâ— In the end the King the better to supplie the affaires of Italie goes to Lions with an intent to pacifie the Pope or at the least to keepe him from being his enemie To this end he sends Albert Pie Earle of Carpi with commission to offer the Pope both the Kings forces and authoritie in all occasions to impart vnto him the affaires that were now handled The requesâ—s which the Emperour made vnto him and to leaue it to his discretion to passe or not into Italie were not these sufficient submissions to pacifie any discontented mind Contrariewise Iulius receiued the Venetians into fauour and the foure and twentith day of Februarie gaue them full and absolute remission Hee still solicâ—ts the English to take vppon him the title of Protector of the sea of Rome against the King of France against whome sayd hee if hee made warre many others to whome his power was odious would take armes The Suisses forsake the alliance of France and ioyne to the Pope But hee drewe the Suisses with more efficacie to the protection of the Church paying a thousand florins yeerely to euery Canton The boldnesse and presumption wherewith they refused to renue their alliance with our Lewis but vppon condition to augment their pensions had iustly displeased the King but this vnseasonable repulse shall proue very preiudicial to this Crowne The King in exchange allies himselfe with the Valaisans and Grisons who bind themselues to giue passage to his people and to deny it to his enemies and to serue him for pay with such forces as they could make The Pope fortified with this new alliance bends all his thoughts to support and raise the Venetians to reconcile them to the Emperour and by their rising to pull downe our Lewis But the Popes alienation serued only to kindle new fires in Italie The Emperour and the King discontent with the shewes which the Pope made in fauour of the Venetians vnited themselues more strictly togither and the Duke of Ferrare gaue the King occasion to aduance his forces for the protection of his estate for the Duke hauing set an impost vpon all the marchandise that passed by the Po to Venice the Pope commaunded him to free it as not being in the disposition of the vassal to impose a tribute without the libertie of the Lord of the fee. And in case he disobeyes hee denounceth warre against him The Duke thus threatned flies to the
of the golden fleese on Saint Andrewes day and the King of Spaine that of Saint Michell on the said Saints day The Venetians also by the Kings meanes had prolonged their truce for fiue yeares with the Emperour But the soueraine Iudge of the world hauing decreed to punish the disorders of Christendome with sundry afflictions tooke Maximilian out of this world The death of Maximilian in whose life we may obserue a strange alteration of affaires for if prosperity did often present vnto him goodly occasions aduersity did as often crosse him in the execution A good Prince mercifull courteous very liberall a great spender the which did many times hinder his good successe painfull secret well seene in the arte of warre but his happie beginnings did commonly proue fruitlesse through his owne delayes and inconstancie This death bred an equall desire in the mindes of two great Princes Francis King of France and Charles King of Spaine Francis sent the Lord of Boissy Lord Stuard of France to purchase the fauour of the Germaine Electors for the Empire Some promised all fauour for the King his master yet the cause was not so fauorable for the French hauing no correspondencie with the Germains neyther in tongue manners nor life Moreouer the Commons of Germanie were sutors that the Imperiall dignitie might not go out of the nation The Pope fauored the King but in shewe onely hoping that by these demonstrations of loue hee would hereafter giue more credit to his Councells whereby discouering that in his inward thoughts the election both of Francis and Charles were alike suspect vnto him hee labored to perswade the King that seeing there was small hope for him to carrie it by voices he should seeke by his authority to aduance some other Germanie Prince to this Crowne rather then Charles But whilest that Francis feeds himselfe with vaine hopes giuen him by the Elector of Brandebourg and the Archbishop of Triers who to drawe money from the King gaue him great assurances 1519. Charles in steed of gold brings armes to the field An aâ—my approacheth neere to Francford for the King of Spaine vnder colour there should be no force in the election the which increased their courage that fauoured his cause made them yeeld that wauered and troubled the French faction So Charles of Austria King of Spaine The election of Charles the fift of that name was chosen Emperour of Germanie the 28. of Iune The Election of a newe Emperour consists in the voyces of sixe Germaine Princes Three are of the Clergie the Archbishops of Maience Cologne and Treues Three seculars the Count Palatin the Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Brandebourg The King of Bohemia is Vmper when as the voyces are equall The Emperour is chosen at Francford and crowned at Aix la Chapelle Who could doubt but these two yong princes hauing so many occasions of Ieloâ—sie and quarrel would soone breake forth into fierce and cruell warres the which had taken deepe roote in both their hearts The King desired infinitely to recouer the Realme of Naples and did greatly affect the restitution of Henry of Albret to â—is kingdome of Nauarre whereof he sees himselfe now frustrate by the sodaine aduaâ—cement of Charles to so high a dignitie and all that which the French held in Italy was in great danger The Emperour on the other side was disconteÌ„ted that the King contemâ—iâ—g the accord first made at Paris and knowing the necessity of his passage into Castille for the which his fauour did much import had in a manner forced him to agree to new Articles Moreouer the king had taken the Duke of Gueldres into his protection an enemy to the Flemings who where subiects to Charles a sufficient cause to drawe both Francis and Charles into armes But aboue all the recouerye of the Duchie of Bourgongne caused strange alterations in the minde of this new Emperour The Duchy of Milan was a sufficient motiue of quarrell the King since the death of Lewis the 12. had neither demanded nor obtained inuestiture and therfore they pretended the possession to be of no validity and his interest to be voide yet all these were not sufficient motiues to stirre vp those horrible confusions which so afflicted the Estates of these two Princes for the space of thirty yeares Ambitious hatred is alwaies grounded vpon light beginnings In the meane time the Preachers of this voyage against the Turke dispersed through out all Christendome 1520. grew vehement promising according to the Popes Bulls pardon for all sinnes and the kingdome of heauen to such as paid a certaine summe of money Without doubt Leo vsed the authority of the Apostolike sea too boldly diâ—persing throughout the world without distinction of time or place most large pardons not onely for the liuing but also to redeeme the soules of the dead from purgatory for money And for that euery one did plainely see that these pardons were oâ—ly granted to get money which the Commissioners appointed for such exactâ—â—â— demaunded after an impudent and shamelesse sort being also well knowne that the greatest part of them had purchased their authority from the Popes officers Leo incurred great dislike many were discontented with this insolent proceeding especially â—n Germany where the ministers of this collection appointed aâ—cording to the common opinion for the deliuery of poore Christians fighting vnder the burthen of the Turkâ—sh yoake sold for a small price yea played away in their Ale-houses their authority to redeeme dead mens soules from purgatory And that which did more increase the peoples spleene it was generally reported that Laurence of Medicis had carried a breefe froÌ„ his vncle to King Francis whereby he allowed him to imploy the money gathered throughout his Realme for this warre to what vses hee pleased vpon condition to yeeld it when it should be demaunded for the voyage beyond the seas and to imploy fifty thousand crownes to the benefit of the said Laurence his Nephew A worthy cause to make the French repine seeing the money they gaue to a good intent was conuerted to contrarie vses But that which made the Germains wonderfully impatient Leo had giuen to his sister Maudlin the profit of the exaction of Indulgences in many parts of Germany who appointed the Bâ—shop Arembauld a Commissioner in that part Worthy saith the history of such a charge the which he executed with great couetousnes and extortion Being the more odious for that this holy money went to satisfie the greedinesse of a woman So as not only this exaction and the Agents thereof but also his name and authority that granted it became odious in many prouinces Martin Luther a religious man of the order of S. Austin learned and vehement The beginning of Lutheâ—â— doctrine began to preach against these indulgences in his publike sermons he taxeth the Popes authority complaines of Albert of Brandebourg Archbishop of Mayence and of the doctrine which these gatherers did teach
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
great confusion which the following ages did bring forth the like â—ssistance according to his power but both doe promise ioyntly â—o maintaine by all meanes the dignitie of the Catholike religion to cut off as much as in them lay all lets and speedily to seeke all occasions profitable for this desseigne beginning first with the heads This businesse was not so secretly managed but the Prince of Condé the Admirall and other Noblemen of that partie had intelligence They stand vpon their gardes aduertise their men and for this time preuent surprises The end of the yeare brought the King home much satisfied with the ioyfull entertainment his subiects had made him plunging himselfe with his yong brethren in maskes delights whilest the Queene his Mother with her Councellors gouerned France at their pleasure and layde plottes which shall soone breed as dangerous stormes as the former Whilest our Christian Princes studie by their enterview and League to kindle horrible combustions in their estates The Turkes army at Malâ—a they giue the Turkish Armie the better meanes to land in the Isle of Malta to besiege and take the Forte of Saint Elme latelye built by the Pryor of Capoua and by this victorye to make the siege of Malta more easie Let vs obserue three notable things before we conclude the yeare The first was that braue attempt of Peirot the eldest sonne of Montluc who weary to liue idâ—e rigged out some shippes with a good number of Gentlemen Souldiars and Marriners The death of the Pope and Emperour to make a voyage into Affricke hee tooke and sackt the Isle of Madera but with the losse of his life leauing his troupe excluded from all returne into France by the pursute the King of Portugall made demanding satisfaction of the outrages done to his subiects The Earle of Sanzay was sent to pacifie him and â—uen then was treated but without any effect the marriage of Marguerite Sâ—ster to Charles with the sayd King The second was the death of Ferdinand the Emperour and King of Hongarie deceased in September leauing his Sonne Maximiâ—ian for his successor The third was that of Pius the 4. in whose place was chosen to the Pontificall Chaire Michel Giseleo a Iacobin Cardinall of Alexandria and tooke vpon him the name of Pius the 5. The first fruites of this yeare were very commendable and if they had giuen hope of the like proceeding the haruest had beene very happy but such as trust â—ot but vpon good cautions take not all kindes of money for payment growing very suspitions by reason of the conclusions taken in this voiage 1566. To make it more gloâ—ious and lesse suspect the King calls an assemblie at Moulins of the greatest peâ—sonages of his Realme as well for the gouernment of Iustice as for other causes concerning the good and quiet of the state wherof followed that great volume of statutes of the which they rightly say That they were as iust and holy as ill obserued A 〈…〉 Those of the houses of Guise and Chastillon were called The quarell of Paris inuited the Marshall of Montmorency And the Admirall hauing purged himselfe by oath of the crime wherof they pretended him to bee principall motiue the King hâ—d already pronounced him innocent by his letters pattents the King the Qâ—eene Mother the Duke of 〈◊〉 brother to the King the Cardinalls of Bourbon Lorraine and Guise the Constable â—he Marâ—shall of Bourdillon and Vielle-uille the Bishops of Valence Orleans Limoges Ihou and Seguier first and second Presidents of Paris Dasis the first of Tolouse Lagebaston of Bourdeaux Truchon of Grenoble le Feurs of Dâ—â—on Fourneau the second President of Prouence and many other Noblemen assembled to that effect besides the aboue named Statutes made a reconciliation betwixt the two houses whereof followed imbracings protestations promises not to attempt any thing whatsoeuer against an other But the issue will verifie the saying That there is no trust in a reconciled enemie In the meane time the resolutions of Bâ—yonne appeared manifestly the moderations they made of the Edict the insolencies they committed in many places with all impunity the threats they gaue the protestants amazed them on al sides The Prince and Admirall were vigilant obseruing the countenances of their enemies The preparations of Spaine against the Lowe Countries made them to foresee that this enterprise wold in like sort preiudice their partisaÌ„s in France The Prince of Roche sur-Yon had before his death discouered many particularities they coÌ„plained that aboue three thousand persons had perished of violent deaths sence the Edict without any Iustice and theiâ— complaints had no other satisfaction but goodly words and gratious letters To conclude the winds saied they which did blow at Bayonne must needes cause a strange tempest So the causes of their discontent were manifest and secret and consisted in the dismanteling of some townes to take from them the meanes in the building of Cittadells in some places of their exercise in the ordinary murthering of their men Causes of the Protestanâ—s discontents in the massacring of men of accouÌ„t without punishement in the ordinary threats That shortly they should not lift their heads so high but especially in the leauie of six thousand Suisses made vnder a fained pretence so gard the frontier against the coming of Don Fernand Aluares of Toledo Duke of Alba who marched against the Protestants of the loâ—e Country with a mightie army whom notwithstanding they caused to enter â—â—r within the realme by some letters intercepted being sent from Rone and Spaine they had discouered many practises made for their destruction And the intelligences they had from one in Court well affected yet secretly to their party The 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 That it was decreed in a secret Councell to seize vpon the Prince Admirall to put the one to death and keepe the other prisoner at the same instant to bring two thousand Suisses into Paris two thousand into Orleans the rest into Poitiers then by the abolishing of the last Edict to establish one quite contrary All these coÌ„siderations made the chiefe heads resolue to stand vpoÌ„ their defence to obserue fourethings in this new taking of armes To seize on â—ew townes but of importance To bring a gallaÌ„t army to field To cut the Suisses in peeces by whose fauor the Catholikes should be alwaies masters of the field to chase the Cardinal of Lorraine from Court if they might as the chiefe fire-brand of tâ—e confusions which would consume the whole estate Man purposeth and God disposeth and of many resolutions fewe haue their desired ende The pleasure of God doth often disapoint the desseins of them which are most practised in knowledge valouâ— discours wisdome some enterprises little or not at al premedâ—taâ—ed do oâ—ten fall out veâ—y succesfully For the execution of the first point diuers considerations had made them to name three townes Lions Tolouse and Troyes
1567. But a great desseine imparted after the French manner to many meane person◠〈◊〉 vncapable of such actions turne them easily into smoake Not one of them that vâ—dertooke the charge could effect it For the second the Protestants being first armeâ— were in the beginning masters of the field but within sixe weekes the Catholikes forced the Prince and the Admirall to flie to the Germains which the Duke Iohn Câ—sâ—â—er brought them as we shall see Their proiect against the Suisses was likewise diâ—coâ—â—red and the forces which should haue met at an appointed day failed in their â—â—â—â—â—dition The fourth succeeded but it imported least of all but this separation 〈…〉 in shew and not in authority nor credit The King is much incensed against them He was at Meaux and prepared to â—â—lemnize the feast of Saint Michel according to the custome of the Kings of 〈◊〉 The Prince approcheth with fiue hundred horse and by this attempt forceth the â—ing to retire with some amazement to Paris in the midest of sixe thousand Suisses and a good number of horse The retreat of Meaux the which had beene in danger if a hundred and fiftie horse comming out of Picardie and the harguebuziers on horse backe which attended the Prince had arriued betwixt Paris and Meaux at the day appointed At the same time the Protestants party arme on all sides and this generall taking of armes vnlocked for with that bold enterprise vpon the Suisses and the taking of Orleans Soissons Auxeâ—re and some other places had wonderfully amazed the Catholikes But that which augmented this alarume the Prince being too weake loath to ingage himselfe in this forest of halbards pikes and shot went to lodge with his troupes in Saint Denis where some others arriuing in fewe dayes made vp the number of two thousand horse and foure thousand shot The beginning of the second troubles The King assembles his troupes and had alreadie ten thousand men But this â—â—daine approche to Paris might perswade them that the Prince expected speedie and great forces and that he had good intelligences in Court and at Paris Paris was the chiefe obiect of his armes The Pariâ—ens were not accustomed to fast taking their viâ—tualls from them hee hoped of two things to effect the one either to force them to fight or to drawe his enemies to a more assured pacification then the first To this end he sends d' Andelot with fiue hundred horse towards Poissy and Pontoise to seize vpon the passages of Seine beneath Paris and other troupes to seize vpon such places as were aboue the Towne Some companies were sent to ioyne with the forces that came out of Guienne who should come to Orleans being lately surprised by la Noue He and the Admirall with about eight hundred horse and twelue hundred harguebuzieâ—â— keepe Saint Denis and intrench Saint Owin and Auberuilliers to courbe Paris on that side But how could so many excellent Captaines vndertake so painfull and vnlikeâ—â— a desseine May an Ante assaile an Elephant Howe many mighty armies haue in former times lost their labours thinking to effect such an enterprise To remaine idle had impayred their reputation They were sodenly drawen into it and they must for their honours sake attempt that which occasion seemed to present vnto them Thei◠〈◊〉 being fresh and full of resolution made difficult things easie One thing onely staâ—ed the course of their prosperities Such places as the Prince hoped to surprise vpon Marne and Seine whether if he should be forced to abandon Saint Denis he meant to retire himselfe and attend his Germains there were two onely seized on Laigny and Montereau On the other side the Constable Lieutenant generall for the King in this armie resolued hauing increased his troupes to force the enemie to fight The great aduantages he had inuited him vnto it He had fifteene or sixteene thousand foote and two thousand Lances he was furnished with artillery hee had a commodious place for a battaille and fitt to lodge his troupes and Cannon The Parisiens felt famine and were much greeued to see such tenants in their farmes And many cried alreadie against the Constable as a great temporiser and as firme a partisan to his Nephewes as to the King his Master They were to blame for he was no sooner aduertised of the error the Prince had committed in dismembring the bodie of his army as we haue heard The ba taile of Saint Denis but he presently imbraceth the occasion â—ends seauen or eight hundred Lances followed with some sâ—ot for their retreate to discouer the certeintie of the Protestants forces and the next day the x. of Nouember he goes to fieâ—d with all his army and giues him battaile The Constables footemen for the most did little good and the Princes very much The horsemen on either side shewed great resolution and courage In the ende the Protestants are forced from the place and followed aboue haâ—fe a quarter of a League and it may be but for the Constables hurt whereof he died within fewe daies after they had beene chased more hotly but the night fauored their retreat The Constable hurt whereof he died and parted the battails To conclude the Catholikes were masters of the field and had the spoile of the dead and by consequence the honor of the battaile the which shal be blemished the next day with a great disgrace This aduantage seemed to inuite the Catholikes to perfect their victorie the next day but the losse of the Constable kept them within their walles The Prince attended a second charge not thinking his enemies would haue taken it for a repulse hee therefore sends speedily for d' Andelot who comes to Saint Denis at midnight sorie to haue lost his part of the banket Hauing rested a while the Commanders conclude to make an atâ—eÌ„pt to abate some of their aduersaries glory gotten the day before They bring their small army to field present themselues before the sâ—burbes of Paris stand there some houres in battaile burnt a village many wiâ—dâ—â—lls to vrge them But no man comes forth They bury their dead dresse their hurt men The Captaines viewe their Cornets and companies and will hazard no more What should the Prince then do beeing incamped before Paris with a fewe men The losse of one man did import him more then a hundred of his enemies and to stay there was his ruine He dislodgeth marcheth to Montereau and there augments his army with the forces that came to him from Orleans and Estampes The death of this incomparable olde man but farre more happie in his age The Princâ— retreat if hee had shed his bloud against the stranger enemies to this Crowne the which he had so freely imployed during all the course of his life and not against his Countriemen yea against his owne bloud gaue the commande of the royall army to Henry Duke of A â—ou the Kings brother a Prince of 16. yeares of age vpon whose
Catholiks cost The Abbey of S. Michell alone amongsâ— all the other places of base Poitou bridled tâ—e â—â—otestantâ— They besiâ—ge it batter it and take it at the third assault Sancerre besieged and cut foure 〈◊〉 fiue â—undred men in peeces which defended it Martinengues Entragues and la 〈◊〉 gouernours of Gyen Orleans and Bourges besiege Sancerre giue many assaults loose many men and finally tyred with many sallies leaue this small Towne in quâ—â—t to be hereafter a mirrour of singular patience in the preseruation of their liues and families Bâ—t those of Sancerre seeking to in large themselues to build a fort vpon Loire suâ—fer themselues to be surprised loose both fort and some fifty men and are inforced to shut themselues within their walles During the sharpenesse of winter and this small surceasing of armes the Vicomtes of Bourniquet Montclar Paulin Gourdon and others with seuen thousand shot and some horse made war especially against them of Tholouse Montauban was theâ—r chiefe retreat and experience had lately taught them That it were better to defend this Prouince and their countrimen against Montluc and their enemies then transporting their armes into a strange country to leaue them againe in prey Piles was commanded to perswade them to ioyne with the Prince At their refusal he armes tweâ—ue hundred shot and two hundred horse takes Bergerac and S. Foy passeth into Perigord burning all the villages and to purge the death of Mouuans and Pierre Gourde hee kills all that were suspected of their ouerthrow and so hee marcheth towardes the Prince The Prince had now taken breath and hearing that the Duke marched towards Angoulesme fortified with three thousand foote and some horse which the Earle of Tende brought him and two thousand Reisters led by the Reingraue and Basâ—ompierre he retires along the riuer of Charant to viewe the Dukes countenance and to fortâ—fie the places of his obedience but with the preiudice of his armie The Duke comes lâ—kewise to Chasteauneuf a towne vpon the riuer of Charente and at the first takes a Casâ—â—e by composition which was kept by a Scottishman The Admirall likewise arriues followed with seuen or eight hundred horse and as many harguebusiers and to hinder the Dukes passage he lodgeth two regiments of foote neere vnto the bridge seconded by the horse charging them to vexe the enemies gards with continuall alarums to make them thinkes that all the Princes vantgard was lodged there and then he retires to Bassac with the rest of the vantgard But this commaundement wrought no effect They had forgotten the manner of camping euery one would lodge liue and forrage at his ease so as the most part goiâ—g to quarter elâ—ewhere and leauing the passage vnfurnished of men make the possession easie for the Duke The Duke through the care of the Lord of Biron repaires the bridge makes an other of boates and in the night passeth the riuer of Charente At the breake of day fiâ—tye horse beeiâ—g in garde a quarter of a league off discouer the enemies troupes that passed and aduertise the Admirall the Prince being a league beyond at Iarnac the Admirall sends for his men dispersed in their lodgings to come vnto him and to make their retreâ—t together in the meane time he attended them at Bassac In a gâ—eat action all delayes are dangerous He spends three houres to attend them and might easily haue retyred if his troupes had bin ioyned Hee had nine Cornets of horse and some Enseignes of foote Montgomerie Acier and Puuâ—ault were Colonells whom he was loth to loose Beeing all ioyned with him except Acier who could not arriue in time with his sixe thousand shot hee findes all the Dukes armie past making shewe by their skirmishes that that day being the thirteenth of March should not passe without a battell The Prince was aduanced halfe a league in his retreat but hee was too well bred to see his friâ—nds ingaged and to fight in his absence Hee turnes head towards the Admirall with those fewe horse hee could sodainely drawe out off his battell The â—attell of 〈◊〉 for he camped not but his armie dispersed into quarters The Admirall making his retreat incounters a small riuer which could not bee passed but in two or three places Then the Duke sends forth the flower of all his horse beeing seuen or eight hundred who at the first ouerthrow foure Cornets take la Nouë and la Loue fighting vanquish Puâ—iault charge d'Andelot but with the death of Monsalez and fifteene or sixteene others of account In the ende 1569. the Prince and the Admirall see themselues in a manner iâ—gaged betwixt all the Dukes forces and the riuer of Charente they go to the charge first the Aâ—mirall and then the Prince and at the first make them turne their backes that were before them and now they endured a second charge more fierce and of longer continuance But sodenly all the army falls vpon them their horsemen are in route the Princes horse slaine he ouercast vnder him abandoned by his troupes and prisoner to the Lord of Argence to whom he had yeelded but he was shot in the head with a pistoll by Montesquiou a Gascon and Captaine of the Princes gardâ—s A lesson for great men The Pâ—i ce o Conâ—◠〈◊〉 and a maxime of warre That a generall should not fight but being forced for that in the losse of his person consistes the ruine of his army This Prince hath leâ—t tâ—is memorie of him to haue yeelded to no man of his age neyther in courage nor curtesie eloquent in speech liberall afâ—able to all the world and a most exâ—ellent commander in warre The Protestants lost in this battaile neere foure hundred men most hoâ—semen 〈◊〉 foote men of account la Tour a â—oiteuin Captaine of Marine yong Châ—steliers â—ortaâ—t Chandenier Mesanchere â—randaniere the eldest of the Bessons the â—oâ—â—er of Tabaâ—riere Barrete la Mesleraye and a great number of other gentlemen of 〈◊〉 Prouinces many wounded and many prisoners the amazement and disorder beeing so gâ—eat as they could not flie fast enough Of Catholâ—kes there died about two hundâ—ed amongest the which were Monsalez the Bâ—rons of Ingrand and Prunâ—y of the house of Billy the Earle of Mirande of Morete Moncanure Linieres and some otâ—er of maâ—ke Many Protestants would haue gathered togither againe but they pursued them too neere and the Reisâ—res arriuing in the pursute so hastened them that fled as night surprised them in the midest of their flight The Admirall and d' Andelot not able to pacifie the amazement nor repaire the disorder tooke their way towards Saint Ian d' Angely and gaue the rendezuous for them that escaped at Xaintes whether tâ—e yong Princes of Nauarre and Condé were retired The bodie of the army was entred into Cognac The footemen with their Commanders Acier Beaudiné Blacons Chellar Mirabell and many others and of the horse Montgommery Chaumont and others To dislodge them from Cognac the
after them passe the riuers put themselues in battaile to force the Duke or to make him to retire to Tours where the King then remainend Both the armies are in battaile but betwixt them is a small riuer which makes the Counâ—â—â—e Moorish and very vnfit for a Generall fight so as they could not ioyne their battaâ—â—es and no meanes to bring the Cannon without hazard to loose it The Dâ—ke who was lodged in Cell a village well intrencht flanked and gabioâ—d couered on the one side by a riuer on the other with a wood could not by any skirmishes be drawne to fight vntiâ—l he had assembled all his forces The Princes for want of victualls repasse Creuse and Vienne lodge at Faye la Vineuse and from thence the Country being spoiled and ill to lodge in passe to Montcontour a lodging of aduantage both for the situation and commodity of victualls The Dâ—ke pursues him and by his speede deceiued the enemies His foreward led by Bâ—ron meetes them vnlooked for at Saint Cere chargeth Mouy who made the retâ—eate with 300. horse and two hundred harguebuziers kills about fiftie men at armes and aâ—most alâ— of his footemen so amazeth the Princes army as they all begin to wauer and had not a straight beene where onely twenty men might march in fronte the whole army had then beene in route The Admirall makes hast to repaire this disorder and by his presence renues their daunted courages They charge and recharge twise or thrise at this passage and not able to be forced the two armies campe within shot of musket leauing it betwixt both The Duke had eight or nine thousand horse seauenteene or eighteene thousand foote French Suisses and Italians and fifteene peeces oâ— aâ—tiâ—lerie The Princes had six thousand horse French and Reistres ten thousand harguebuziers French and Lansquenets and eleauen peeces of Cannon As these armies beheld one an other two gentlemen following the Dukes campe An 〈◊〉 for acciâ—â—nt present themselues to the first they meete of the protâ—stant party Aduertise the Admirall saied they that he forbeare to fight for the succors newely arriued haue gâ—eatley fortified our army let him temporise a moneth onely it is the time the Nobility hath giuen vnto the Duke with protestation to serue him for that time but not afterwards then shâ—ll hee bee forced to a peace to your aduantage Of two Councells those which hasten to their owne râ—ine do commonly followe the worst They aduerâ—ise the Admirall hereof he apprehends it and desires to followe it so do the most modest and that at nine of the Clocke at night they should take the way to Eruaux putting the riuer that runnes there betwixt the two armies Others of a more boyling humour inferre That these nightly retreats terrifie them that make them preiudice their reputations augments the enemies courage and that they must do it only at the pointe of day Moreouer this might be a practise to amaze their troupes and that comming from suspected persones accustomed to deceiue it was also suspect and to be reiected This diuersity of opinions troubled the Admirall but see what afflicted him more nereâ—y The Reisâ—res did mutine for want of pay the Lansquenets refused to march three or foure French regiments of the most remote Countries had alreadie asked leaue to depart many gentlemen were retired to their houses And the Duke approched The Admirall then beseecheth the Princes that were at Parthenay to come to the armie that by their presence they might conteyne them in obedience They bring a hundred and fiftie good horse But whilest the Admirall labors to pacifie the mutinie of the Germains two houres are spent so as the troupes cannot recouer a place of aduantage nere vnto Eruaux where they could hardly haue charged them These broyles appeased the armie takes the way to Eruaux the third of October and discouers the Dukes which aduanced They cause the Princes to retire being yet too yong but vnder colour to conduct them with more assurance many retire with them and arange themselues in a vallee beeing couered from the Cannon And vpon the approche of the Dukes foreward consisting of nineteene cornets of Reistres in two sâ—uadrons marching directly against the Admirall the Admirall sends to Comte Lodâ—wike who led the battaile to send him three Cornets The Earle obeyes but hee leads them himselfe who hath no sooner lefte his place Error of Comte Lodâ—wike but hee remaynes ingaged in the skirmish the which continued three quarters of an â—oure the Admirall was hurt in the face his horsemen ouerthrowne leaue the field The battaile makes a great resistance but vnfurnished of a head it is forâ—eâ— to yeeld to the greater number part of the footemen are cut in peeces and part dâ—â—persed here and there the artillery lost and the enseignes carried away all flie euery man saues himself Battaile of Mâ—â—â—contour Comte Lodowike retires with three thousand horse in one coÌ„pany tuâ—ning head still against them that pursued recouers Parthenay the refuge of the remaiâ—ders of this shipwracke Foure thousand Lansquenets died in this battaile fifteene hundred French soldiars about three hundred men at armes many horses seruants and Lackeys of men of marke Putgreffier Biron brother to him that led the foreward and Saint Bonel Cornet of the Admirals company La Nouë was prisoner againe with Acier and others the Reistres baggage was spoiled that of the French being more aduanced towards Nâ—ort and Parthenâ—y was saued The Duke lost fewe foote but fiue or sixe hundred hoâ—se twice as many hurt wherof the most part died as the eldest Reingraue the Marquâ—s of Bade Clermont of Dauphiné and fewe others of quality Notable Errors Seldome do we reape the fruits of an absolute victory The Protestants footemen were dispersed and their horsemen for the most part Reistres were discontent for want of pay and losse of their baggage A hot pursute had in shewe produced one of these two effects eyther their defeate or their retreate into Germanie two monethes pay had drawne them vnto it To leaue the remainder of these forces at the Commanders deuotion was to giue the Admirall meanes being a wise Commander in the warre to gather togither the remnant of this shipwrake to repaire his broken vessell and in â—he spring to go to field with newe troupes to spoile diuerse Prouinces and in the ende â—o bâ—ing the warre to the gates of Paris Moreouer these daunted spirits would be soone reuiued by the presence of their Princes whereas vpon this fresh defeate they might shut them into some place whereby the warre should bee soone ended Victories after the battaile Thus discoursed the most iudicious but others finding the recouery of those places easie in this amazement which the Princes held in Poitou Xanitonge and Argoulmois the Duke followes their resolution and for the fiâ—st fruits of his conquest marcheth to Parthenay but there he finds nothing but the neast the place emptie
buried the which the greatest â—earcâ— of his enemies could neuer discouer They therefore make the forme of a man dragg it through the Cittie and then cause it to be hanged Moreouer the King commands by his letâ—ers pattents That those of the pretended religion should be maintained in safetie in their houses bodies goods and libertie of consciences And to excuse what was past they cast abroad many libels defaming the memory of the Admirall and his followers They giue new charges to the Ambassadors being in Germanie Polanâ— England Suisserland and other forraine Countries to iustifie the actions of the King and of the Catholikes to the confusion and shame of the Admirall and his paâ—tie But all these proceedings were meanes to discouer the iniquitie of their perâ—â—tiâ—us Councels For the intent of this declaration in fauour of the Protestants was presently discouered by the tenor of the letters which the Duke of Guise did write vnto his wife the day that Briquemault was executed The King said he hath decreed in Councel vtterly to roote out this seditious vermine But few would be taken and the practises against the Prince of Auranges and others being discouered by this letter vanished into smoâ—ke In the meanetime they continued their attempts against Rochell and Essars being chosen cheefe of the warre for the Rochelois hauing taken one of the Baron oâ— la Gards galleys who had approched too neere vnder colour of bringing a letter to the whole bodie of the Towne caused Biron to publish the Kings letters pattents giuen the sixth of the moneth and to make open warre to the Rochelois Bâ—t Charles waâ— not willingly drawne to aâ—mes hee sees well that hee had kindled a fire which hee â—hould not queâ—ch when hee would Hee now tries the last stratageme La Noue sent home by the Duke of Alba after the taking of Monts in Hainault had great credâ—t amâ—â—g the Protestants as one of the cheefest Captaines which remained The King sollicits him to bee a meanes to bring the Rochelois to composition The impossâ—biliâ—â—e of the thing ansâ—eres hee and my conscience will not suffer mee to aduise the Rochelois to offer their throtâ—s to them that will cut them Yet the Kings authoritie makes him tâ— accept of tâ—is charge but râ—ther with an intent to serue the Rochellois and to retire himselfe from Court then to hurt them of his religion After hee had giuen an account of his Ambassage to Biron who was then at Saint Iean d' Angâ—li hee returnes to Rochâ—ll where hee performed his dutie so well and carefully as they acknowledge him for one of the cheefe Instruments of the preseruation theâ—eof during the seege Then appered there a new starre in heauen hauing the forme of a Lozenge of foure points A Comet and continued beginning the ninth of Nouember the espace of nine moneths immouable by the saying of the Astronomers the first three weekeâ— resembling that which serued as a guide to the wise men that came out of the East to worship Iesus Christ in Bethlem An other repealâ— of the 〈◊〉 Protestants The nineteenth of the said moneth the King by an other Edict called home all his subiects to their houses vpon paine of losse of their goods and sollicited the Protestant Suisses to chase away such as were fled to them for succour But the Ambassadors instance was of no force the taking of Sommiers by the Marshal of d' Anuille from the Protestants the perswasions of Gourdes to drawe into the bâ—sâ—me of the Cathoâ—ike Câ—urch Monbrun Mirabel and Les Diguieres who euen then made shew of a most valiant most wise and most happy Captaine for their party and shall hereafter haue a good share in our History the assurance hee gaue them Tâ—at the King was resâ—lued to suffer but one religion within his realme with all the preparations for the destâ—â—ction of them in diuers Prouinces tooke from them all desire to returne Seeing then that no Edicts can draw them home to their houses and that Rochell â—â—â—câ—rre and other places being threatned prepare for defence they must at the least take from the Protestants such refuges as they haue within the realme To shut vp Rochell Biron enters into the Country of Onis in the beginning of December with â—euen Cornets of horse and eighteene Enseignes of foote Those of Sancerre runne yet â—t libertie but the opinion of their chiefe Commanders that they would attempt some other thing and the vaine presumption they had of the situation of their hilly place made them the more negligent both to furnish it with victuals and to repaire the necessarie fortifications to endure a siege against the which they should haue foreseene the small hope of succours and the constant resolution of the assaylants Let vs consider of these circumstances and prepare our selues to see the greatest reâ—oâ—uâ—ion of men lead by Captaines to whom the necessitie of the time gaue more credit then their beginning gaue them authority Martignon Pilard Marâ—inat La â—eur Chaillou Montaubâ—n Buisson Paquelon La Minee and Doriual commanded there â—uer sixe hundred and fifty men and for Colennel they had Andrew Ionneau Bayliffe of the Towne A hundred and fifty strong labourers in the Vines wrought great effects â—ith their slings which were called the Pâ—stols of Sancerre for seruices vpon the wall in assaults scalladoes and â—allies In Ianuary La Chastre Lieutenant for the King in the gouernment of Berry and generall of this armie came before it with about fiue hundred horse 1573. and fiue thousand 〈◊〉 sixteene enseignes of Pioners Siege of Sancerre and a great number of pesants gathered together at the first he offers a reasonable composition to the besieged if they will accept it As the beginning of the Generall was courteous so was the proceeding of the bâ—sieged inciuill disdainfull and contrary to the lawe of nations They reteyne the â—â—rum and make no answer To make his approches La Chastre builds a fort withâ—â—â—â—ure hundred paces of the Towne towards Pontenay another vpon the way of â— â—â—â—â—â—ult a palissadoe in the field of S. Ladre intrenched the approches and wayes â—bâ—ut the Towne planted ten peeces of Artillery in the field of Saint Ladre and sixe â—thers at Orme au Loup it is a â—igh mountaine vpon the South side of Sancerre which commands the Towne he shootes against the walls and houses at randon and spends in two moneths aboue six thousand Canon shot and yet the besieged lost not aboue fiue and twentie men giues an assault but with the losse of many that were slaine and a great number hurt The 18. of March La Chastre by a second battery in three diuers places beates downe the defences both of Towers and wall makes a breach of about three hundred paces gâ—ues a generall assault presents a scalado on an other side mines and sappes on the third that the Sancerrois wearied with so many difficulties might shriâ—ke vnder thâ—ir burthen But well assayled and
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
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
lookes bigge the Clergie reioyceth the Preachers tongues are fire-brands of sedition they speake in derâ—sion of the King in their Pulpits before time the Pulpits of trueth are now beâ—â—â—me the Chaires of Iuglers they make the King a Saul and the Duke of Guise a â—auid Saul slew his thousand but Dauid his ten thousand They publish generally in their Sermons that the King had leuied the Riestres to oppose them against the Dukes holy enterpriâ—es and to expose Paris as a prey but by the Dâ—kes valour and constancie religion had now triumphed ouer heresie The 〈◊〉 sends vnto the Duke a Sword grauen with flames The King of Spaine and thâ— Dâ—ke of Sauoye conceiue great hopes The Duke of Parma salutes him and Amongst all the Princes of Europe saith he Henry of Lorraine alone deserues to command in warre â—hey make bonfires in all places and sing the wondrous workes of the Duke of Guise to the Kings diâ—grace The people of Paris especially possessed with the praises of the house of Guise the disorders of the King the dissolutnes leachery anâ—â—yâ—ocrisie of the Court vnder a shew of penance leane to the party which they hold most certaine they disdaine the present estate apprehend what is to come and thinke to loose nothing by the change Henry of Lorraine discouers all this and thinkes to make his profit of so goodly an 〈◊〉 He knowes moreouer that Ioubert and Miron haue giuen their opiniâ—◠〈◊〉 the Kings disabilitie to haue children Hee makes himselfe more pleasing to the people who feare the succession of a Huguenot Prince hee entertaynes them 〈◊〉 great familiarity but with an humour aspiring vnto tyrannie Hee sees the mâ—iestâ—e of his Soueraigne disgraced his enemies retired to Rochelle England readâ—e to bee inuaded by a proud Armie from Spaine hee giues eare to the counsell of the Arche leaguers encreased to the number of sixteene by reason of the sâ—â—teene quarters of Paris He is crafty aduised foreseeing The disposition of the Duke of Guise generous and valiâ—â—t but variable corrupt a dissembler secret and patient Hee will by no meanes vse his owne name in any thing yet will hee effect that by another which hee atteâ—â—tâ— or takes in hand He aduertiseth the Cardinall of Bourbon who goes but as he as led that this goodly oportunity must not be lost 1588 But the secrets of his 〈◊〉 contrary to his outward shewes This assembly at Nancy tended only to force the King to make his will and to 〈◊〉 the regencie to them It was therefore conculded That the King should be 〈◊〉 to ioyne his forces effectually with the League To displace such from their offices aâ— should be named To bring in the inquisition of Spaine and to publish the Councell of Trent but with a moderation of such things as derogate from the priuileges of the French Church To consent to the restitution of the goods sold by the Clergie for the charges of the warre To giue them Townes to bee manned and fortified as the time and necessity required To forâ—â—it the Huguenots bodies goods and to entertayne an army vpon the frontiers of Lâ—rraâ—ne against the Germains who threatned reuenge for the insolencies committed in the Countie of Montbelliard But to subiect the Kings authority to the desseins practises of the league what â—as it but by this means to aspire to the Crowne To haue him ruine them he loued and that were alied vnto him in bloud what was it but to make a bush of a forest and a desert of a goodly kingdome And this word of Inquisition is it not hatefull vnt◠〈◊〉 men It was necessary for the Spaniards who had no better meanes to plant and maintaine Christianity But the tediousnes and manner of their proceeding is horrible the malice and Calumniation of their spies and informers abhominable their pâ—isons vnder ground fearefull their rackes and tortures intolâ—erable the yellow gowne without sleeues painted all ouer with deuills the Miter and Corde and for the last act of this pittifull Tragedie the fire haue made it detestable to the Flemings and execrable to the French As for the reception of the Councell of Trent the â—oueraigne Courts of this realme haue neuer so aduised our King for the preiudice they should do vnto the Crowne and the pruileges of the French Church To require redemption of the Clergie goods and to haue the King force them that were beneficed to redeeme them was it not to haue him make warre for the Church and the Clergie should giue the alarme and shadow themselues vnder the temporality whilest that the Nobility should go to fight and the people languish The League had obtayned some townes of assurance and the Parliaments labored to put downe the Huguenots To conclude the King had not refused the chiefe of the League any demande that he might lawfully graunt and had yeelded them many things which he might by his authority refuse Besides the motions of the Kings apprehensions the first beginning of his misâ—â—â— iâ— that almost all his councellors of state are corrupted The Kings Councell corrupted they conceale the truth they fit themselues to his humors they are fearefull weake and inconstant 〈…〉 that Prince is miserable saied anâ— Emperour from whome they 〈…〉 They perswade him the Duke of Guises partie is strong that the Townes anâ— Pâ—ouinces looke onely after him if hee enters not into it hee must be subiect both to League and Huguenot Yet he meanes to be master ouer both but hee takes nâ—t the safest course Hee becomes the head of the Guisards party and talking of nothing but of the voyage of Poitou thinks to winne the peoples loue and to stoppe the mâ—â—muring of the League Deaâ—h of the â—rince of Conde The Prince of Condes death made the enterprise easie A great debility of the stomacke a difficulty of breathing a great costiuenes a continuall vomiting with an alteration and extreame paine surprised him the third of May halfe an houre after supper and the second day of his sicknesse a suffocation of all his vitall â—pirites sent him from the bedde vnto the graue Hee was a Prince indeed with aâ—l the qualities fit for a great Captaine vnder whose magnanimity the Protestants conceiued great hopes The bodie was opened and the iudgement of Physitians was diuers The botome of his bellie was pale and burnt his bowells oueâ—flowed with a reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice perced through with a round hoâ—e the vitall parts being vlcered made some suspect poyson others held that it was the remaynder of the potion he swalowed in the yeare 1572. which making an impression in the bowells had by little and little weakened the stomake of the paine wherof as alâ—o of his side by reason of the blowe he receiued at the battaile of Coutras with a Lance he had complayned many weekes before his death The schoole of Montpellier did subscribe to this last opinion Iâ— the meane time the King doth
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
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may
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
hundred thousand Crownes They offer him one of the Duke of Sauoyâ—s daughters in marriage and the transport of all the rights of the Soueraigntie of Bourgongne The Duke of Sauoy gaue him more hope then assurance of this marriage and it was not credible that hee would accept of a meane gentleman for his Sonne in Law who was not of soe great a house but there were many better then his in France Princes promise all and hold nothing but what doth not preiudice their greatnesse Whilest that La Fin treated of the Dâ—ke of Birons capitulation in Italie the Treatie of Peace at Lions was concluded The ignorant sayd that the King had done ill in not proceeding and that hee should keepe that great Rampar of the Alpes for the frontier of Gauâ—e These were discourses oâ— men which did not consider how dangerous it is to goe farre from the frontier and to leaue behind his backe a strong conspiracie without this peace the King had beene forced to passe the Alpes the which had beene a fauorable occasion for this Treâ—son He was aduertised of the bad seruices the Dâ—ke of Biron did him and that the enterprises which hee had vpon the Cittadell of Thurin and the best places of Piedmont were discouered by their treacherie to whome hee had trusted his Crowne and Scepter A Prince that hath Traitors in his armie neuer fights happely Charlemagne repented his trust reposed in Gauelon and Charles Duke of Bourgongne in Campobaccio The Duke of Biron craues pardon of the King The Duke of Biron had alwaies disswaded this peace But finding that this peace must send him home to his gouernment that the King had some notice of his practises with La Fin hee seemed to bee verie penitent and asked pardon of the King walking in the Cloyster of the Franciscane friars at Lions beseeching him with a countenance full of contrition and humilitie to forget his bad intentions the which rage and dispight for the Cittadell of Bourg had possessed his heart with The King pardoned him Saying that he was well pleased that hee had relyed vpon his clemencie and the loue which hee bare him whereof hee would alwaies giue him so good proofs as hee should haue no cause to doubt nor to attempt any thing against the assurance he had of his loyaltie Going from thence hee met with the Duke of Espernon saying that as to his best friend hee would impart vnto him the best aduenture that euer happened vnto him hauing discharged his conscience from the terrors and horrors that did afflict him and that the King had pardoned what was past and had promised him all fauour hereafter Crimes of treason are not pardoned wiâ—hout an abolishment The Duke of Espernon answered that he was glad but he must craue an abolishment for offences of that qualitie are not so easily remitted How should I sayd hee assure my selfe better then in the Kings word If the Duke of Biron must sue for an abolishment what must others do The Duke of Espernon had reason to aduise him to take an abolishment the other was in no error in trusting to the Kings word who had forgotten his fault if hee had done nothing since to renew the remembrance But here they obserued an act which had all the signes of an implacable hatred The Duke of Biron being sent for by the King to come and receiue his commandements and the testimonie of his clemencie parts from Bourg and comes to lye at Vimie There hee made a dispatch to La Fin who was at Milan He continues the offence pardoned Hee goes to Lions and is receiued of the King as the Father doth his lost Child whome hee hath found againe Hee stayed some dayes at Lions and hauing accompanied the Queeâ—ne at her departure hee returned to Vimie where hee made an other dispatch to La Fin by one Farges As soone as he comes to Bourg hee sends away Bosco Cousin to Roncas to aduance the busines This negotia tion was continued at Some betwixt the Duke of Sauoy the Count of Fuentes and La Fin. The Count of Fuentes led La Fin to Milan desiring to bee satisfied of some points but finding his answeres not constant he thought it not fit to trust the secret vnto him but to dispatch him who finding that he was vnpleasing vnto theÌ„ in this negotiation stayed not long there Hereupon he sent him backe requested him to passe by the Duke But he did wel in taking his way by the Grisons to recouer Basill Paurentin Besancon Renazâ— stayed prisonâ—r bâ— the Duke of Sauoyâ— command for Renaze his Secretarie who passed into Sauoy was stayed prisoner The worke changed nothing but the instrument Alphonso Casal Roncas continued it with the Baron of Lux. In the meane time the Duke of Biron slept not hauing sent a man into Spaine although he were neere vnto the King who for that he would not loose him kept him about him hee carried him to the fronter and sent him into England where he heard of the death of the Earle of Essex A fresh example of Iustice against those that seeke to be feared of their masters and abuse their loue At his returne he made a voiage into Gascone wher he was honored of the Nobility as a Prince and being returned to Dijon he went into Suisse to coÌ„clude the renewing of the Kings Alliance where he coÌ„tinued his practises with the Count of Fuentes to whom he sent his Secretary vnder colour to conduct his Pages to Noua Palma a Fort of the Venetians Being returned out of Suisse he went not to giue an account of his charge excusing himselfe vpon the holding of Estates of the Prouince The King who had some inkling of these broiles by Combelles desired greatly to speake with La Fin to be informed of the truth La Fin who had his heart big with dispight that the Baron of Lux would haue all the frute of of this negotiation and that Renaze was detained prisoner in Sauoy sent Cerezat to the Duke of Biron to tell him that â—e could no longer he his seruant if hee did not deliuer him Renaze aduertising him also that hee could no longer deferre his going vnto the King and that he desired to know what he would haue him say touching things past He made small account of one of his propositions and spake of Renazé as if he were no more among the liuing Touching the other he sayd to Cerezat that he was of opinion he should goe to the Court with a small traine Instructionâ— gâ—uen by the Duke of Bâ—â—on to â—a Fin. and that he should prepare himselfe at the first to receiue words of choller and contempt from the King the which hee should easily calme in beseeching him to beleeue that the voyage which he had made into Italy was onely for deuotion to our Lady of Loretto and that passing by Milan and Thurin they had charged him to
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
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
shewed how farre the election of our Kings extend euen in this first race But to conceiue well the diuerse occurrents of this reigne wee must remember that Clotaire the 1. had 4. sons Cherebert king of Paris who is reckoned the 8. King of France and died without children Sigebert King of Metz slaine by Fredegonde and Gontran King of Orleans who suruiued all his brethren a good and a wise Prince and died without children Sigebert King of Metz left for heire Childebert his sonne with his wife Brâ—nehault a subtile and a wicked woman This ground being laid I will returne to the course of my historie Gontran Kâ—ng of Orleans vnckle by the father to this yong King was his nearest and most assured kinsman so as by a generall consent of all the French he was called to be Regent of the King and realme And now they talked of an assemblie Notable subtletie of a woman Fredegonde flying the light and libertie of publique assemblies â—earing not onely to be reiected from the gouernment but to be accused for the murther of her husband preuents the States from the calling of Gontran the first Prince of the bloud and the kings vnckle as they should haue done if leisure had suffered them to assemble and to speake in an vnited bodie with publike authoritie Thus shee gaines time beseeching the cheefe of the Councell to prouide for the Conuocation of the Estates and in the meane time to giue order that Gontran may come to Paris both to informe of the execrable murther and also to take vppon him the charge of her sonne and the gouernment of the common weale This discourse was far from her thoughts but shee supposed to make an euasion by this goodly shew And in the meane time shee practised to kill Gontran Shee did write vnto him in all humilitie holding him as a father to the King her sonne and the support of her widowhood Gontran foreseeing the pollicie of Fredegonde prouided so wisely that being arriued at Paris he was receiued by a generall consent Regent of the Realme He made no shew of discontent to Fredegonde who notwithstanding hauing a guiltie conscience packs vp her baggage being readie to flie vppon the least shew that Gontran would call her into question But it was not his meaning his onely proiect was to bring vp his yong nephew and to preserue him in his realme wherein hee was borne supposing this mild manner of proceeding to bee the best both for the King and the Realme Thus without any alteration he wisely dissembles all the actions of Fredegonde hee respects her as the Kings mother and imployes her in the education of her son And knowing how much the presence of the Prince workes in the subiects to haue him acknowleged for King He makes a progresse throughout the Realme leading with him this yong infant with the mother receiuing in all places the oth of fidelitie and obedience Being returned to Paris he giues him in gard to the mother and applyed himselfe wholy to the gouernment of the Realme As the affaires were managed with this good order two great difficulties crosse Gontran almost at one instant for Childebert King of of Metz iealous of his vnckles Authoritie requires to be associated in the Regencie the which he pretended to appertaine vnto him with the same right it did to Gontran and Fredegonde for the punishing of whome hee complayned much both of the foulenesse of the fact which should not remaine vnpunished and of Gontrans sufferance which was too palpable For the which Gontran prouided stopping Childeberts entrance into Paris and causing Fredegonde to retire herselfe quietly to Rouan by reason of the peoples hatred reuiued by Childeberts complaint And for that hee would not seeme to haue altogither neglected the punishing of Chilperics murther he caused information to be made against a Chamberlaine of the Kings called Cherulphe who being found guiltie he caused him to be slaine in the Temple whether hee was fled And so proceeded no farther in this search least Fredegonde should be found too farre ingaged Besides this crosse there happened a second for one named Gondeuault hauing termed himselfe a long time to bee the sonne of the great Clotaire An imaginarie King and kept in a Cloyster in the end he escaped and was openly maintained by Childebert who sought but a colour of trouble and innouation He is followed by a parte of the Nobilitie and Clergie and seizeth on many good Townes in Guienne And hauing written his letters to all the Prouinces hee carries himselfe for lawfull heire of the Realme with better right said hee then this yong child the sonne of a strumpet And by consequence a doubtfull heire to the Crowne That which was most to be feared in this newe accident 592 was the spirit and force of Childebert but Gontran preuented it with iudgement For seeing himselfe olde and without Children and knowing his Nephewes humour hee doth institute him his heir and by that meanes makes him to abandon Gondeuault So this supposed King left by Childebert was soone abandoned by all the rest and by them was deliuered into the hands of Gontran who presently put him to death And hauing assembled the Clergy of the realme hee caused the Bishoppes to bee condemned who had so rashely followed the frensie of this bold Impostor Gontran hauing with such dexterity preuented these daungerous difficulties and performed those good turnes to the King his Nephewe in his infancie he retires himselfe to Chaalons where soone after he died without Children leauing his estate to Childebert and the realme of his poore pupill who had scarse attayned the age of ten yeares to the mercy of the waues tempesâ—ts of all sorts of miseries incident vnto states Gontran was no sooner dead but the ambitious desire of Childebert A king in his cradle a Conquerour growne great by the new estates of Orleans and Bourgongne inflamed him against young Clotaire conceiuing an assured victory in his ouerweeâ—ing brayne imagining soone to suppresse a yong Childe and a woman ill beloued But the God of victories had otherwise disposed for Childebert hauing brought a mighty army to field and entred into the heart of France behold Fredegonde armed with more then a manly courage and wisdome encounters him with an other army beeing fortified more by her exhortations and the presence of the yong King whome shee shewed openly to the French then by the number of men of warre The battell was giuen and the imagined Conquerour was vanquished by a Childe and a woman beeing surprised with so happie a celeâ—itie by Fredegonde as he could hardly beleeue she had beene parted from Paris when as he sees his whole army defeated He lost in this conflict 20000. men his honour and his life for hauing recouered his Country with much ado hee died of melancholy leauing a memorable example to Princes neuer to attempt a warre to take from another without iust occasion He left two
sonnes Theodebert and Thierri Tragicall practises of â—wo women The first had for his portion the realme of Austrasia the second had Bourgongne Brunehault his mother suruiued him and kept at Metz with the eldest she presentenly styrred vp these two Princes ouer whome shee had great authority as their grandmother to pursue Clotaire for the shame and death of their father Behold sodenly an army of Austrasians and Bourguignons marcheth into France led by these two yong Princes Clotaire accustomed to these sports opposeth himselfe in person and gettes the victory with such successe as they say the course of the riuer of Aurance where the battaill was fought was stayed by the dead bodies of the conquered Fredegonde leapt for ioye of this second triumph Fredegonde dies with 〈◊〉 victory by reason of Brunehault who was her chiefe obiect but her ioye was presently conuerted into her owne funerall for shee died soone after to teach reuenging spirits that their hatreds which they would haue perpetuall are mortall and at the least wise ende with their deathes Thus Fredegonde died in her bed and was interred neare to Chilperic whom she had caused to be slaine so as in this peaceable death we may consider the patience of God which doth often attend those it reserues to his last iudgement But Brunehault who thought her selfe a conqueresse by the death of Fredegonde her capital enemy incenfeth Theodebert Thierri her grand-children anew against Clotaire They raise another army vnder the coÌ„duct of Beroald not willing any more to hazard their persons being taught by the successe of two great defeats Beroald is slaine in this battaile and yet the victory remaines to his men with great losse to the French so as it seemed the warre would grow more violent betwixt these Princes who nowe beganne to see a part of their reuenge against their Cousine Clotaire But the malice of Brunehault who had banded the Cousins must nowe diuide the brethren This old bitch euen in the fury of war fouÌ„d stil meanes to follow her beastly lechery then had she got a yong courtier called Protade for a stallion whom she entertained in vew and knowlege of the whole Court 599. and aduanced him beyond dutie or deâ—ert The dislike of this vnchast conuersation offensiue to the whole world doth in the end force Theodebert to find a meanes to withdrawe his mother from the view of the multitude who were eye witnesses of the filthinesse of this shamelesse old woman and of the ignominie of his house He supposed to send her away with pollicie perswading her she should doe best to retyre her selfe into some goodly monasterie there to lead a godly life and to seeke for rest be fitting her age This admonition caused her partly to leaue the Court and State of Theodebert but not to change her mind She retyres then from Metz Brunehault incenseth 〈◊〉 brother against the other and comes into Bourgongue to her other sonne full of choller and finding Thierri ill affected against his brother shee presently kindles the vnfortunate fire of dissention betwixt them which consumed them both and finally her selfe That posterities may note in this tragedie the examples of Gods iust iudgement who punisheth one sinne by another and the sinner by his owne sinne This lewd woman perswades Thierri that Theodebert was a bastard the sonne of a Gardiner and that he had lawfull cause to make warre against him as an vsurper of that which belonged vnto him by right Thierri being exceeding couetous embraceth this occasion prepares an armie against Theodebert and imployes this Protade in the principall charge who was a kindler of warre in the spirit of this yong Prince The cheefe Noblemen of Bourgongne infinitely grieued with these disorders not daring directly to charge Brunehault they set vpon her Minion kill him By this meanes they drawe Thierri to an accord with his brother Theodebert and so either of them sends backe his troupes Thus this fire seemed to be wholy quencht the which kindled soone after in an other place by the practises of the same woâ—k woman Thierri had remayned long vnmarried entertayning change of women by the counsell of this bitche who daily prouided him store of this stuffe but solicited by the continuall perswasions prayers of his Councel The husband against the 〈◊〉 he takes to wife Membergue the daughter of Dataric King of Spaine louing her with that honest affectioÌ„ that a man ought to loue his wife Brunehault iealous of this lawfull loue fearing to be dispossessed of her authoritie and credit if a lawfull wife possessed her husbands hart she workes by her charmes reducing Thierri to that extremitie that hee was not able to accompany with his wife and for a bait to his adulterie she furnisheth other women whome he might freely vse as shee loathed him of this poore Princesse causing him to send her home to her father Dataric as vnable to beare children who infinitly greeued with this disgrace done him in the person of his daughter resolues to reuenge Hee complaynes of this iniurie both to Clotaire and Theodebert whome he knew to be enemies to Thierri and all togither resolue to make warre against him Brunehault seeing this great storme ready to fall vpon Thierri she perswades him to compound with his brother Theodebert at what price soeuer whose humour she knew wel This accord was sold by Theodebert to Thierri at a deere rate for he had the CouÌ„tries of Champaigne Touraine Artois and many other places but it cost himselfe much dearer for by this composition all the armie was dispersed and euery one retyred home Thierri who by the aduise of his mother stood vpon his guard surpriseth his brother Theodebert with such aduantage that not onely he recouers all that he had giuen him but by the Councell of this Proserpina he embrewes his hands in his blood murthering him most barbarously The brother kills the brother Theodebert had but one onely daughter whome Thierri would take to wife to haue some honest pretext to seize vppon all his Estates But Brunehault who desired greatly to see him maister but not to haue a companion in this absolute authoritie disswades him from this marriage inferring to couer her hidden intent that it was not lawfull to marrie his neece Thierri blinded with passion who by a iust iudgement of God sought to die by poyson of this viper by whose meanes hee had done so much mischiefe replies that the daughter of Theodebert was none of his neece seeing that Theodebert was not his brother being begotten by another father reproching BruÌ„â—hault that he knew no more then she had taught him And that vpon this occasion shee had encouraged him to kill him And as they grew hot in wordes hee threatened to kill her Brunehault seeing her selfe taken by the â—ose 601 and measured by the same measure she had measured to others resolues to preuent Thierri and to murther him She herselâ—e
the voiage which his Heighnesse had made into France would reape the profit which hee himselfe might enioye That he should hold their Councells not only suspect but dangerous as passionate men whose perswasions were sugred poyson Who beeing more iealous of his Greatnesse then desirous of his Quiet would not cease vntill they had diuerted him from the execution of his promises That i ft it pleased him to thinke of what was past and compare it with the present he should finde that Peace was the inexpugnable rampar of his Estates and that it was a great misery for a Prince to submit himselfe to an others discretion beseeching him to beleeue that the Councell which hee gaue him was the same which he would giue him if it had pleased God that hee had beene borne his Vassal or one of his Councell I take answered the Duke that which you say vnto mee as of a Nobleman of Iudgement and thanke you I acknowledg my selfe so much bound vnto the King as I would sacrifice my life in exchange of the dutie which I owe him and doe promise neuer to giue him any occasion to esteeme mee other then his most humble Seruant and louing Kinsman But commonely Princes wordes serue but to disguise their inward conceptions houlding dissimulation for a great vertue Such was the issue of the Duke of Sauoyes voyage The yeare shall not passe before he tast the fruit His presence did pâ—ocure him the condition of exchange the which the King would not haue granted to his Ambassadors But hee continued not long in thâ—s opinion The Duke going forth of Bourg had teares in his eyes to performe the one or the other Going out of my Cittadell at Bourg they found that sorrow troubled his soule to leaue a place esteemed one of the strongest in Europe Being aâ—riued at Bourg hee sent one post vnto the King to thanke him for the honor he had receiued in his voyage and for the good entertainment which Pralin had gâ—uen him in Champâ—gne and the Baron of Lux in Bourgundy Hee writt by the same post to the Gouernour of Lions imparting vnto him the contentment which he receiued by the treatie of Paris and that hee went to Chambery and soone after the Feasts iâ—to Piedmont there to reâ—olue what the King should expect of him But hee stayed not long before he gaue eaâ—e to their perswasions who sought to depriue him of all happinesse which hee might promise vnto himselfe by his voyage assuring him that the comming of the Count de Fuentes would giue him meanes to free himselfe from the necessitie of the Exchange and Restitution Hee dissembled the diâ—content of his voyage with great arte yet still hee did vent out some vapour which made the most â—udicious to beleeue that he would be glad to preiudice the King in any thing with the hazard of his owne We haue sayd before that in the ende of the yeare the Arch-duke Albert had retired his army out of the Isle of Bommel where he had left a good garrison in the new fort of Saint Andrewe and in the fort of Creue-caeur which the Admirall had taken This winter was sharpe and long during the which the garrisons of the sayd forts of Creue-caeur and Saint Andrew suffred much hauing receiued no pay for many months that were due vnto them from the Arch-duke This was the pretext of their mutiny expelling all their Captaines and Officers The Arâ—h-dukes men 〈◊〉 in S. Aâ—drewâ— fort and committing all acts of hostility as well vpon the Arch-dukes subiects as vpon the enemies Country protesting notwithstanding to continue in the seruice obedience of the King of Spaine of Albert Arch-duke of Austria his Brother in Lawe demanding nothing but theâ—â— pay whereof the Arch-duke and the Infanta shewed themselues some-what câ—relesse Count Maurice who was also retired being loth to loose the oportunity of this mutiny ment to make his profit of it Winter being spent hâ— appointed the Rendez-uous for his army about Roterdame and Willemstad the 18. of March 1600. hee parted from Hage and came to Dort where imbarking two daies after with hiâ— army â—ee mounted vp the riuer of Meuse with 200. sayle vnto the fort of Creue-caeur The 21. hauing landed his army and begun to plant his Cannon â—ee sommoned the place to yeeld The â—ort of 〈…〉 beâ—â—eged and yeâ—lâ—â—d to 〈…〉 There were foure companies of Wallons in it who remembring their mutiny although all were pardoned or at the least so promised them and the small likeâ—â—-hood they had of any timely succors and the great dilligence the Prince vsed to force them they yeelded to the Composition that was offred them and the 24. day they yeelded the Fort whereof two Companies not trusting to the Aâ—ch-duke dâ—d offer willingly to serue the States and the other two retired to Saint Andrewes Fâ—â—t S. Anâ—â—ews fort bâ—â—eeged Count Maurice seeing this happy beginning entred with his army into the Isle of Bommel to beseege S Anndews for t the which he did the 29. of the sayd moneth notwâ—â—hstanding the continuall raine and cold his men beeing forced to lie dispersed in their ships vpon the riuer of Meuse and Wahal Being before the Fort he presently caused many Forts to be built to assure his Campe and to keepe the Spaniard from succoring of the place or froÌ„ annoying him by his courses The Prince being thus fortefied wiâ—hin his Campe the Arch-duke was out of all hope to succor it all things falling out crossely for the waters were so great as the trenches of the Princes Campe were filled and they Beseeged were forced to lodge like Connies in the Rampars suffring much vpon hope to be Succored Reconciled and Paied and doing their endeauors to hinder the Princes approches The first of May the waters beeing shronke a little the Prince commanded approches to bee made in a darke night with good trenches sending a trumpet to summon the Beseeged who although they were well resolued to hold the place for the Arch-duke gaue â—are and were willing to enter into parley with him The 4. and 5. of the sayd moneth Wirtembroue and Vander Aa were sent vnto some that met theÌ„ without the trenches of the halfe Moone which they of S. Andrews Fort had builâ— without their CouÌ„terscarpe They giue theÌ„ to vnderstand in his conference what small means there was to suÌ„ccor them the doubtfulnes of their reconciliation the small likelehood to be payd by the Arch-duke for their seruices the which mounted to great summes of money considering the great necessity of their affaires wherevnto the Deputies answered that there was due vnto them fiue hundred thousand Florins that hetherto they had defended themselues and endured almost impossible things that they would neuer yeeld vp the place vntil they were payd their due by whome soeuer The Prince offred them a hundred thousand Florins but vpon the refusall thereof the parley brake of The beseeged hauing discouered a signe
made with Torches from Bosâ—eduâ— which was but two Leagues off aduertising them that they should be succored within foure daies The Beseeged being to much vnacommodated seeing the Princes soldiars aduance euen vnto the foot of their Counterscarpe and that they appointed to make two Bridges to go vnto the assault after a breach were made the said foure daies of their hope being expired seeing no shew of succors about two of the clocke in the afternoone the same day they demanded againe if the Prince would harken to a compositioÌ„ The Prince fearing as it soone after fell out an other ouerflowing of the Riuers which would force him to abandon his Approches and Trenches and to retyre his Cannon with some difficultie The Beseeged hauing sent eight Deputies vnto him a composition was made and a hundred and fiue and twentie thousand Florins promised them with condition that they should continue still in the Fort vntill the money were payd Promising and swearing vnto the Prince that so long as they continued in the Fort attending the money they should keepe it faithfully for the States and Prince and withall should obey such Captaines and Officers as should bee sent vnto them by him renouncing and reuoking the oath which they had formerly made vnto the King of Spaine or to Albert the Archduke of Austria Whereupon Articles were drawne on both parts which I omit for breuities sake referring the Reader to the Originall The eleuenth of the sayd Moneth they went out of the Fort S. Andrews Foâ—â— taken and were payed by the Commissaries of the States by the Powle being a thousand one hundred twenty and foure men by muster the least of them receiuing a hundred and sixe Florins They being gone forth the Prince sent in foure of his companies and then he entred with all the Noblemen of his army After they had receiued their money they were presently shipt and sent away into Garrison into diuers Townes of those Prouinces Behold the Fort which was held Impregnable easily wonne by the States and not onely the Place Artillery Munition and prouisions of Warre and Victuals which were more worth then 125000. Florins but a troupe of as braue men as the Archduke had of long time in his army choyse and old trayned souldiars The Prince found in this Fort ninetie and sixe barrels of Poulder eighteeene peeces of Ordinance with a great quantitie of Wheate Rye Malt and other Graine and Victualls About this time Mounsieur â— Briauté a yong French Gentleman Captaine of a companie of horse in the States pay and exceeding valiant beeing in garrison in the Towne of Saint Gheertruidenbeâ—gh receiued some wordes of reproch as well to his owne person as to the French nation ill reported and lightly deliuered by a souldiar which had runne away from the States seruice his name was Lekerbitken that is to say a daintie morcell for his courage Lieutenant to Grobbendones companie of Horse who was Gouernour of Boslâ—duc in Brabant Briauté wronging his degree and reputation to meddle with one which was not of his quality for such light words which are ordinary among souldiars sent him a challenge defying him bodie to bodie fiue to fiue tenne to tenne or twentie to twentie This challenge was accepted by Leâ—erbitken of twentie against twentie on horsebacke with such armes as they did vsually carrie at the Warre The day and place was appointed although Prince Maurice did disswade and forbid him alleadging the friuolous occasion of the quarrell and the inequalitie of his person to that of a Traitor and Renigadoe But Briaute hauing made choise of nineteene horsemen of his companie almost al French in whom he trusted most himselfe making the twentith hee went out of Gheertruidenberghe telling Wingarde Gouernour of the place that it was with the Princes concent and hauing giuen him if he died in the Combate his best aâ—mes the which were as faire as rich and as curiously wrought as any Prince could weare hee went to the place appointed for the Combat midway betwixt Bosledue and Gheertruidenberghe Briauté finding not his enemie aduanced further then hee ought meeting halfe a League from Bosledue vpon their approch they charged equally Briauté and his companie with long Pistolls onely and Lekerbitken with Carabin and Petroneâ—l The two Commanders had before giuen a signe to know one another Briauté who had a great white feather Briauâ—â— kills his enemie made choyse of Lekerbitken who had a red and charged him with such great â—urie as hee slue him shooting him in at the sight of his caske at this charge there were fiue of them of Bosledue slaine whereof the Brother of Lekerbitken was one It semed Briaute should vanquish but they of Bosledue reâ—uming courage to reuenge the death of their leader returned more furiously then before to the charge the which strocke a terror into Briautes companie who flying away left their Captaine in danger who was taken Prisoner with a Cosin of his and was carried with three of the companie to Bosleduâ— Grobendone being before the port expecting the returne of Lekerbitken and to learne with the first how the combat succeeded seeing not his Lieutenant he demanded where he was they answered that he was slaine and his Brother with him hee replyed and why haue ye not then slaine these at which wordes his men fell vpon Briauté and his Cosine Briauâ—é murth red murthered them in cold bloud This yeare the Emperour made the Duke of Mercure LieutenaÌ„t General of his army in Hungarie sending him his Commission the which he would not accept without the Kings commandement esteeming no honor nor greatnes in the world to bee desired or accepted of a Subiect The Duke of 〈…〉 â—econd voyage into Hungarie without the permission of his Prince The King liked well of it This was his second voyage into Hungarie who after that hee had receiued the Emperours commandement at Vienna he went directly to Iauarin where hee was acknowledged Lieutenant Generall to the Emperour in his army the which was very small in number but very great in courage and resolution to doe well Wee haue shewed before how that Michael Palatin of Valachia vanquished Cardinall Battory and the Transiluanians and how hee became Master of Clausembourg in the Emperours name Let vâ— now see how ambition blinded him and how hee lost Valachia and was forced to liue at Vienna a pentioner to the Emperour Ambassador from the 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 of Valâ—câ—â—a In the beâ—inning of this yeare a second Ambassador came from the Turke vnto the Palatin of Valachia to draw him from the Emperours alliance to inuite him to haue intelligence with the Turke The Palatin went to meet this Ambassador with a great 〈◊〉 and wel appointed His name was Haraian an old Captaine and of a reuerent aspect Coming neere togither both of them lighted and hauing imbraced one another the Aga tooke off the Palatins sword and girt him after the