by time with a good will the meanes thereof then to take the same enforced by necessitie The Queene said that they should then stay the armie of strangers and did much braule about the forme of pasportes Then the Vicount replied Madam if yee bee so vnwilling to giue vs good wordes we are not come to that passe to expect good effects for the which we should stay the longer if we should stay for the meanes whereby to enforce you thereunto Madam the time is no more that we will assure our selues vpon a single promise seeing that the edicts haue fayled vs. The Queene did so giue eare to these reasons that shee seemed to haue her minde occupied more vpon the aduertisements which were giuen her on euery side for they set before her face the apparance of a great rebellion and the King was ill prouided of companie The Duke d'Mayne was in Paris practising against the Kings person the Duke of Guize was about to put himselfe into Paris also They made her see in their aduertisements the occasions which the heads of the League had to giue the last blow of dispaire they did shew her that the hope which the Leaguers had of England was dead with the Quéene of Scottes and that the deuotion of the Cleargy did coole as fast as the ambition of the League did heate They shewed her how the sixe armies alreadie were spent and consumed without dooing any thing that they of the reformed religion were growne strong so that there was no more hope for them to build out of the ruines of them whereby it appeared euidently in what daunger of them the King stoode All these things being set before her eyes made her to take her iourney in haste from Niort to Paris fearing least these seditious persons who had left nothing more to enterprise would execute their mischieuous intents vpon the Kings person therefore at the same time the mistrust did greatly encrease at the Court where there were diuers factions for the King mistrusted the Leaguers and the Leaguers the King and among the Leaguers one mistrusted another Euery one going about vnder the colour of defending the Romish religion to lay downe the foundation of their greatnes by rebellion murther and particide which sturring of rebellion caused also that this generall truce which was in hand was not brought to effect It is saide before that the 13. day of December 1586. the Q Mother required of the King of Nauarre that a truce for a whole yeare might bee taken which the King of Nauarre graunted so that it might be by the consent and aduice of his friends seruants and confederats and such as had elected him for their protector and defender whome the King had forsaken by his edicts ploclaiming warre against them and also to certifie the Germans thereof which were his friends and alyed whereupon shee agreed to giue passeports that with safety of the messengers they might be aduertised thereof Vpon this promise of passeports the 29. of December the King of Nauarre to omit nothing which might shew the desire hee had to pacifie the miserable troubles of the realme and for to dispose as well them of the religion as his friends confederates and seruants he sent forth notable gentlemen into diuers countreyes as well of the realme as out of the realme with letters of credit and ample memories to informe them of all that had passed in the interuiew betweene him and the Q. Mother to that end that nothing should be disguised and falsified to them as it had chaunced often times in the former ciuil dissensions by them who doo watch nothing more then to disunite the heartes vnâ—ted to so good a worke as is the quarrell debated so many yeares against the Romish League enemie to al quietnes these were the contents of these letters of credit The King of Nauarre sent to them to whom he directed his letters this Gentleman N. carrier of the said letters to visit them and to let them vnderstand the state of the common affaires and how all things had passed at the meeting of him and the Q. Mother hee praieth them to beleeue the messenger as well about the particularities of the meeting as about all those things which he had to tell them from him he praieth them also to be of good courage and not to bee wearie because of the good hope which hee hath of the blessed issue of so many labours and for his part he will omit no point of his duetie touching the preseruation of the common cause As touching the memories the write inclosed in the letters contained the summe of them The King of Nauarre protector of the reformed Churches in France supposing that to bee the charge of his duety after so many stormes passed to visit and to confirme the remnant of the dissipation hath sent this the Lord N. to represent vnto all them of the religion in the Prouince N. what the estate of the common affaires is And to this effect the saide Lord shal repaire to the Lords Gentlemen other persons of meaner qualitie who haue retired to their owne houses or vnto other places of the said Prouince for the rigour of the edicts if it can be possible that he may find them and shall certifie them how that after so many lettes and delayes which mistrust bringeth hee hath seene the Q. Mother nigh Coignak that hee hath entred into no treatie of peace but onely hath hearkened vnto all that should be proposed to him touching the attaining to the same that he hath promised to doo nothing therein without the aduise of the Churches kinsmen friends confederats and seruants And that acknowledging the honor which the sayd Lady hath done to him considering the labour which she had taken at that tyme of the yeare and in that age that she is of after many discourses which she hath made of her desire and inclination to peace he hath consented to a truce of two moneths in the prouinces of high and low Poytow Laudonoys Mirabaloys Angomoys Xainctonge as well on this side of Charante as beyond as also in the towne and gouernement of Browage and Aluert the countrey of Aunis the town and gouernment of Rochel in the meane tyme to send for the deputies as well of the churches of France as of the conâ—ederats out of the realme for to intreat of the peace by theyr common aduise But hauing sent the Lord Turenne with six men of honor with him to Coignak for to agree vpon the conditions necessary for the entertaining of the sayd truce The sayd Q. mother among other discourses had declared vnto him that the king would suffer but one religion in the realme to wit his owne which determination of the King she saâ—d shee would playnely shew least any man should bee deceaued therein commaunding him to declare the same to the king of Nauarre to his partakers Which message the sayd Vicount reported vnto the king
of Nauarre as hee was vpon the way to goe to the place appointed for the second interuiew The sayd Lady also had made him more particular declaration and also commaunded him to make acquainted the other nobles and gentlemen which were with him and to send her answere the morrow after Which thing the said king of Nauarre shewing her to be impossible to graunt after hauing supported for so many yeares the weight of armes for the defence of the selfe same thing onely and that if so it were indeede that there was no neede to take so much payns as she did to loose it She persisted therein notwithstanding so that thereupon the sayd king of Nauarre tooke his leaue of her And the selfe same day at night the sayd king of Nauarre geuing notice to the sayd Lordes which were there at Iarnak of the kinges determination all answered with one mind and consent that it was impossible the said determination to be obeied and performed The morrow after by a common accord they sent to her the Lords Montguyon and Force to desire her most humbly to declare again whether that was the last resolution of the king For as much as they were all resolute after hauing shed their bloud and fought for so iust a quarrell to liue and die yet for the defence of the same and vpon that to finish the truce which was to end six dayes after Vpon that occasion shee sent the Lord Monpensier and the Marshall Biron to excuse her selfe that shee had not spoken so rawly and that her discourse about that matter was of aduise and not of resolution desiring that they would stay vntill the sixt day of Ianuarie next whilest she sendeth the Lord Rambouillet to the king to knowe his answere and expecting the kinges answere the truce hath béene continued according to the articles agreed vppon for that purpose Since the K. of Nauarre returned from Rochel whens he had likewise sent a gentleman to the king to notifie vnto him what was passed in that interuiew to the end that he might also know the dutie of the king of Nauarre therein Which thing likewise he hath done to the churches and to the chiefest who make profession of the religion to let them vnderstand in what maner he hath proceeded least the aduersaries should giue out thinges otherwise then they are as their manner is to doo for to sow hatred and dissention among vs to deuide vs by such crafty meanes The selfe same message hath the King of Nauarre sent to other prouinces and Lords strangers our partakers of whom wee do expect succour Now therefore knowing the state of the affaires the king of Nauarre prayeth them to giue him their aduise what is expedient to be done greatly desiring in that which concerneth the honour of God and the common quietnesse of his whole church to proceed as he hath done before not in following his owne opinion but by the common aduise and consent of all He willeth them to know that as partaker of the miseries of the griefs vexations which so many persons do suffer in their soules bodies goods being partaker of so many gronings and teares of so many poore families scattered and depriued of their commodityes he hath alwaies desired that for their deliuerance it might please God to giue vs a good peace But perceauing the crafts and deceites of our aduersaries and their hardnes of heart hee hath bent himselfe to patience finding all his paines and labours whatsoeuer light and easie in the defence of so good and iust a cause wherein hee hath felt in himselfe a wonderful great fauour and assistance of God hauing seene that which he durst not haue thought on and done that which he would neuer haue beleeued Whereupon he exhorteth them that haue remained constant expecting the goodwill and pleasure of God to perseuer and hope shortly of a good issue And them which through feeblenes or heauy burthen of euils haue fallen to keepe their hartes to God and that they will not suffer that fire of zeale whereof they do feele yet the heat to be cooled and quenched hoping for their deliuerance that by the meanes thereof and the grace of God they may reunite themselues and ioine to that body where from they are gone That they will assure themselues both the one and the other that there shall neuer be peace before affaires be established as wel beyond as on this side of Loyre and that the said king will prouide for necessarie safety in case of imminent danger for their safe retire otherwise there should be nothing done As the king of Nauarre beareth to them and all that concerne them a singular loue and affection that they would render vnto him the like that Godblessing such a correspondance of good willes we may all enioyne to his honor and glorie the fruit which such vnity and concord would bring to the confusion of Gods enemies Also other particularities necessarie to this Argument the said gentleman N. shall shew vnto them of the Religion following what he hath seene and heard by the course of the affaires being otherwise impossible to reduce them all in writing And aboue all thinges hee shall assure them of the good firme and constant resolution of the said king of Nauarre and of them who do assist him to employ their liues and meanes for the glorie of God and deliuerance of his Church At Rochel the 29. of December Henry below Berzeau The end of the third Booke THE FORVTH BOOKE IT is sayd before how the Duke of Guize in the apprehension of a great fright in a great heate went both to complaine to the King how all the heretickes of France had conspired to ioyne their forces together to oppresse his brother the Duke de Mayne almost destitute of defence and also to giue him counsell how to let such a dangerous association of them to wit by diuerting their forces And that could not be done but by sending seuerall armies into seuerall Prouinces where they of the religion were strong It is also sayd how vpon this aduise the King prouided sixe armies whereof be sent one into Poytow and another into Languedock the third into Daulphine the fourth into Auuergne and the last was a Nauie conducted by the Commaunder la Chastre and the sixt most daungerous was lead by his Mother agaynst the King of Nauarre vnder the colour of parley of peace hauing with her a legion of Italian wrenches and figges which did her no seruice Whilest the King was left alone and his forces scattered farre wide from him the Duke of Guize aduised himselfe of a dilemma that either he might easily oppresse the King or els at least might worke iollily the seduction of the people Therfore he called his brother the Duke de Mayne began to complayne greatly of the King and to impute the ill successe of his brother in Guyenne to him to wit how his brother was forsaken destitute of
trust in man and make their force the arme of flesh Beside these three mighty armies and the armies of the king of Nauarre and Ioyeuse whereof it is spoken before The Lords Mommorency and Diguieres had the fifth in Daulphine agaynst the Lord Valete beside the armes and assembled forces scattered elswhere Such was the state of miserable France which had great cause to grone vnder the heauy burthen of so many so great and mighty armies This tempest was very blacke and thicke and at length thereout issued dreadfull thunder clappes But now we haue to speake of these three armyes conioyntly to wit of the Leaguers lead by the Guyzes of the Catholikes conducted by the king himselfe and of the Germans guided chiefly by the Duke of Boillon Here we haue to consider the iudgementes of God which were powred vpon these armies First y e Leaguers by the K. forces did work y e K. vndooing y t by his fall they might be lifted vp on high The king in pretending y e defence of the Catholike religion which no man did oppugne by violence but the Leaguers went about to root the Gospell of Christ out of France The Germans for the most part were mercenaries who regarded not the right of the cause neither came to serue him who procured them but did in mynd swallow downe the spoyle of France And some among them who were lead with an vpright mind yet being mingled with prophane and irreligious men and trusting in the outward apparance of that army turned theyr confidence from God to the arme of flesh therefore all were disappointed of theyr intents for neyther of them all had any benefit by this great warre but blowes slaughters and calamityes About the latter ende of August after this great armie had passed the mountaine of Zauerne and began to enter into Lorreyne the Dukes eldest sonne with certaine regiments approached so nigh them at Salabrine that 3. of his companies were discomfited and six Ensignes sent to Strasbourg and proceeding further they tooke Blasmond The said army drawing neere to Nancy about the beginning of September certayne seruantes going about to forrage with their cartes were set on by certayne companies which issued out of Nancy when they had seazed vppon some cartes were pursued and beaten into the very gates of Nancy This army of Germans being about Nancy there was a counsell holden to wit agaynst whom they should first turne theyr armes The French men were of that aduile to make warre in Lorreyne and that it was the pleasure of the king of Nauarre that they who had of lustines kindled that miserable warre in France might first of all feele the heauy burthen of the same but specially the Duke of Lorreyne who was one of the heads of the League The Germans in taking a certaine summe of money which the Duke of Lorreyne proffered them were at length content to passe by as neighbours and friends yet notwithstanding they concluded warre did there many acts of hostilitie such as warre doth commonly drawe after it This armie being yet newe and lustie did neglect a notable occasion to oppresse the enemie at the bridge S. Vincent vpon what occasion that opportunitie was neglected it is vncertaine But it is confessed of all men that if they had come to hands that day they had seene the end by the iudgment of men of that warre assoone as the beginning Thus some exployts of warre being done there the scarcitie of victualls beginning to growe they determined to goe foorth out of Lorreyne But vpon the determination of the way which they should followe there was great difficultie found For the Germans desired to passe toward Sedan from whence they might hope of many good commodities and if néede should be they might haue a newe supply of forces out of Germany which thing could not bee if they enclosed themselues among so many riuers which are on the South side of Seyne Some French men on the contrary sayd that they should turne right to the riuer of Loyre for to ioyne with the King of Nauarre The Lord Boillon desired greatly that they would approach to Sedan as they had as he sayd promised him and that in hope of it he had made great preparations of powder and artillerie which hee had made of purpose Considering also that he had to prouide for the securitie of his places which might incurre some daunger if they were not prouided for All reasons debated and weighed on both sides the course to the riuer of Loyre was concluded Whilest these things so passed in Lorreyne the Lord Chastilion the 22. of September came to the armie with his troupes he had much adoo to passe and was as if it were enclosed in the towne of Gresille but was rescued by the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon The armie drawing néere to Chaumont in Bassigny there it was put in deliberation to execute a certaine enterprize which the Lord Chastilion had in hand but it could not be done The armie came to Chasteauuilaine where they soiorned some dayes and in the meane while they tooke a Gentleman named Viliers comming from Rome his iourney to Rome was to solicite the Pope to helpe his master with money to make warre against them of the reformed religion and also to pray the Pope Frier Sixtus to name the King head of the League assuring him that it would greatly mooue him to warre and roote out them of the religion whom he named heretickes The answere which the Pope made him as it appeared by his words was that they should liue in peace with their neighbours and that hee could not furnish them with money being not willing to make warre against any man who desired peace among all men The sayd gentleman carried a letter very ill written which he sayd to be the hand of the Duchesse of Lorreyne mother of the Duke contayning thus much I am very glad to vnderstand the state of your affayres and I aduise you to goe forward for neuer a fayrer occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crowne vpon your head This letter gaue occasion to them of the Counsell to agree that this Gentleman should be kept carefully and brought to the King of Nauarre The armie soiourning at Chasteauuilaine the King with his great armie stayed about Montereau faut Yonne and Sens but vnderstanding the determination of the Germans retyred with his armie into Berry beyond Loyre there to stop the passing ouer to the King of Nauarre and to giue them freer accesse betwéene the two riuers of Seyne and Loyre where hée thought either to weary them or by ioyning his with the armie of the Leaguers at the tayle of them easily he might oppresse them During this soiourne the Baron Oneau brought the artillerie before the Abbey of Cleruaulx which compounded to giue a certaine summe of money and some quantitie of wine and meale notwithstanding that capitulation
horses of carriage the onset was giuen within two leagues of Pilmil suburbe of Nantes The King after giuing of thankes vpon that place where the skirmish was fought for that prosperous successe and victorie made a light dinner vnder a tree and after retyred to his lodging at S. Georges where hee soiourned the whole day following for the long daies iourney which he had made the day before notwithstanding that day hee went a hawking for Partridges and in the euening viewed the towne of Montagne to take order for the fortifications and garrisons of the sayd towne and purposed to haue layed the siege to the towne Clisson not farre thence The King being yet at S. George was strengthened with foure regiments of footmen to wit of Charbonieres Sallignak Preau and the regiment of his gardes commanded by the Lord Querine there also he receaued the light horsemen of the Lord Trimouille who had discomfited the regiment of Lestele and taken foure Ensignes which they presented vnto the sayd King The selfe same day being aduertized of the daunger wherein the Duke Espernon stood within the Towne of Engolesme besieged there within the Castell by a conspiracie of the Leaguers caused him to giue ouer his enterprise vpon Clisson the day following being the 15. of August departed from Saint George purposing to make toward Engolesme to succor the saide Lorde Espernon but hearing by the way how the tumult there was pacified went not so far as that place It is saide before how that the Leaguers in their request presented vnto the King made a great complaint against the Duke Espernon charging him to haue intelligences with the King of Nauarre and them of the religion to haue been the cause that their armies had heretofore small successe and that if he should grow to greater authoritie it were danger that in time he would deliuer the places of his gouernement to the King of Nauarre that he is the onely cause that the politick state is so corrupt and out of frame and therefore the King must needes put him from about his person and fauour This Lord Espernon of the auncient house of Valette grew in great fauour with the King through his faithfull seruice a man altogether sold to popery yet a louer of the Kings person crowne and state a louer of the realme and peace of the same a hater of conspirators and perturbers of the quietnes of the King and his subiects who neuer could bee drawne to the conspiracies of the Leaguers neither by faire promises nor other meanes whatsoeuer which thing was the cause that the Leaguers hated him as the onely man about the Kings person who did hinder the execution â—f their enterprises that man therefore must not be about the King nor be admitted into the assembly of the states The King to giue place to their hatred for a time and to auoyde the inconueniences which through y e malice of his enemies might befall to such a trustie seruant determined to send him out of their sight and where hee thought that they should be least able to practise against him And giuing him a very great power and commission in a most ample manner to commaund in the Prouinces of Aniou Toureyne Poytow Engomoyes Xainctonge commaunded him to depart the Court about the same time that the edict of reunion was made by the Leaguers who hauing soiourned a while in the Tower of Loches situated in Toureyne vpon the riuer Vndre which falleth into Loyre betwéene Tours and Samure to fortifie and assure the said place to the Kings obedience against the practises of certaine Gentlemen of the League made against that place From thence he tooke his iourney to Engolesme where he vnderstoode that many enterprises were a working by the League against the Kings seruice There commaunded the Lorde Tageus his kinseman vnder the charge of the Lord Valette his brother The saide Lorde Espernon arriuing at Engolesme accompanied with a great number of the nobilitie was honorably receaued by the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie by the officers of iustice policie with great numbers of people who went to meete him at the gates of the Citie hee was likewise receaued by the Bishop and his Priests at the doore of Saint Peters Church where they sung solemnly a great te Deum laudamus in the worship of him Not long after the said Lord Espernon called together the Bishop and his Priestes the Maior and the Escheuins the Kings officers and other chiefe Citizens to giue them notice of the occasions of his comming which was first to preserue them all in the Catholicke Romane religion for the which and for the Kings seruice he would willingly aduenture his life against all manner of men Exhorting them to aduise what was requisit for their conseruation and that they would propound the same vnto him All answered with one consent that they would dye vnder his authority in the same resolution and for to testify their willes the better they would haue his authority from the King printed read and published as the manner is through all the towne The said Lord hauing many companies both of horsemen and footmen yet would he innouate nothing not so much as to change any part of the garrison of the Citty and to testify vnto them more apparantly of the confidence which hee had in the promises and fidelity of them he would not lodge in any stronger place nor more aduantagious for his preseruation but in the Castell which is called the Kings house wherein he found his Cosin the Lord Tageus lodged as the gouernours heretofore had accustomed to do This Castell hath no strength which is any thing worth nether in Ditches nor in any handy worke except some great Towers of stone very olde but otherwise very commodious for the store of chambers which are therein The said Lord had brought his Lady with him and had also lodged the Lady Tageus there Hee went the same day into the Citadell wherein he commaunded the Lord Bordes with all the nobility which accompanied him could euen then haue lodged there if he had had any diffidence of the inhabitants for the keies were presented to him by the Lord Bordes That Fortresse was sufficient to haue bridled the inhabitantes considering the strength and great store of Munitions of the said place as well in Ordinance as in other necessary things But specially hauing a gate to get out of the towne whereby may be let in as many men as one would But the sayd Lord in stéed of mistrust kept an open house as well for the nobility of the countrey as for the inhabitantes of the citty without any respect of persons whereof a great number but specially the Maior of the town with his conspiratours sat ordinarily at his table with great curtesy and welcome shewed vnto them by the sayd L. Espernon He walked familiarly with them through the citty and suburbs with a small company of his
siege two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Drow one of his house and one Villebeau Captaine of one of the companies of the Lord Salignak The inhabitants of the Iland Bouing had promised to the King of Nauarre who had vsed them very courteously that they would suffer none of the enemies to enter their Iland which promise they kept not The Lord of Guize though very busie at the States at Bloys yet ceased not but as he was very busie to supplant the King at home so was he very diligent to prouide for the affayres of warre and for to crosse in this siege the King of Nauarre if he could He sent to the Duke Mercure the regiment of S. Paule the fayrest and most dreadfull of all the companies of the League The 22. of October and the morrowe after the rendering of the Castle of Beauuoyre the inhabitants of the Iland Bouing against their promise receiued two of the fayrest companies of the sayd regiment of S. Paule But they had not so soone entered into the Iland but that immediatly they tooke such dreadfull feare that without any shame they sent a Drumme to the said king to beseech him to giue them safe conduct to retyre into a place of safetie They had some reason so to doo for the feare of his sworde put them in a fearefull apprehension For he had so prouided that they were at his mercie hauing sent his nauall armie to a place called Collet aboue Bourgneuf of Rhe which was the place where of force they must needes passe by But the accustomed clemencie of that Prince sustayned and eased the feare of these two companies who trusted that he would be no lesse fauourable to them then hee hath accustomably béen vnto others who did submit themselues vnto him Whereof they themselues among many other examples are and ought to bee hereafter witnesses for although hée might haue cut them in peeces yet of his good will leauing a marke of heroicall humanitie vnto the posteritie he gaue them their liues armour with a pasport for their safe returne so that they should retyre the selfe same day He forgaue also the Iland men who had falsified their faith and had rendered themselues worthie of sharpe punishment This clemencie to them shewed did so touch them that they haue remayned euer since most faithfull being otherwise most deuoted and addicted vnto poperie The saide King being desirous to passe into the Iland to sée it could not doo it for the contrarie windes hee left there for gouernour the Lorde Quergroy a Gentleman of Britayn of great reputation with a necessarie Garison And vpon the aduertisements which he receaued of the great preparation and marching of the royall army vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers who descended into Poytow he departed thence the 24. of October with all his army taking his way to Montagne where hee left the regiment of the Lorde Preau ordering all necessary things for the defence of that place which as was thought should be the first place where to that army would lay siege which also hee determined to rescue in conuenient time he deuided his garisons in the places which he iudged necessary and among the rest he put Garisons in Mauleon Ganache Talmond Fontenay and other places That being done he tooke his way to Rochel to be at the assembly of all the reformed Churches of France which hee had called thethere for diuers and notable considerations The deputies of all the Churches of all sorts and qualities stayed sometime in Rochel for him where the said King being ariued receaued them with great contentation and according to his naturall facility and mildenes to the great reioysing of all men which hoped for much fruite of this assembly for the preseruation of the realme of the Kings authority against whome the Leaguers vnder colour of the States at Bloys did worke dangerous conspiracies and for the iust defence of them of the religion so long time so cruelly intreated in all partes of the realme The said King being certified of the comming of all the deputies of this assembly of all degrees and conditions Lordes Nobles Iudges Kinges officers Maiors Aldermen and other notable men of the Prouinces gaue an opening vnto the saide assembly by the inuocation of the name of God the 14. of Nouember in the towne house of Rochel assisted by the Lordes of Turenne his Lieutenant general in the prouince of Guienne Trimouille Colonell of the light horses and many other Lords Barons Vicounts Gentlemen and other his counselers The same day were called all the deputies for the assembly the authority which euery one had of the Prouinces for whome they were sent There was almost no Prouince in France which had not sent their deputies to wit deputies were sent out of Gascoyn Amignak Albret and other places from beyond the riuer Garonne out of the Prouinces of Britayne Anjou Tourene Berry Lodunoys the I le of France Normandy Orleans Picardy Champaigne and others beyond the riuer Loyre out of the Prouince of high and lowe Languedock Daulphine Rowergue Mountalban and out of the gouernement of Terrides there were also out of the gouernement of Xainctonge on this side Charante out of all the Iles of Xainctonge other deputed for Rochel for the Prouinces of Limosin Perigord Agenoys for the towne of Bergerak in particular for the Prouinces of Poytow and Engomoys for the principalitie of Orenge and many others for the baily weekes townes and comunalties with sufficient shew of their charges and commissions The 16. day of Nouember after publick inuocation of Gods name the King of Nauarre accompanied as is aboue said represented to the whole assembly the chiefest causes of their conuocation the great necessities which should moue euery man to oppose himselfe to the enemies whose intent was too apparant for they went euen against the King and the whole estate he shewed that hee had hetherto in so iust and godly a cause spared neither goods nor life as his former actions could testifie and that if these mischieues should growe to the worst he for his part felt his courage to be increased of God in the resolution which he had long agoe taken to spend therein euen the last drop of his bloud and the last pennie of all his goods and desired onely that the world would iudge in this his resolution of his good intent as indifferently and truely as himselfe sincerely had walked before God and determined to doo hereafter He shewed how the long continuance of war and lisence of armes had to his great griefe bred and brought in many disorders to the which hee required them as well it might bée to prouide both in respect of the glorie of God of the King of the realme and in respect of all priuat men Prayed them that were of that assembly to bring with them cleane spirites voyde of all passion endued with the loue of the common wealth which thing if they did hee assured
himselfe that God would blesse their counsell and woulde make them to reape much fruite to his glory and the deliuerance of his children Hee represented vnto them the good and prosperous euents which might ensue vpon their firme and fast vnitie in a cause so iust and holy as this that presently was in question by establishing of all good order towards the whichâ—ause hee exhorted all the assembly to continue as well affected as they had done before and to bring so much the more aboundantly as the nouelties and late alterations happened by the malice of the enemies did most euidently require Aboue all things hee willed them to prouide for that which imported most of all the glorie and seruice of God the good order policie and Discipline of the Church And to auoyde the prouoking of Gods wrath by swearing blasphemies rapes whordomes robberies forbidden games and other disorders who had crept among many by the vnhappines of war the required that the lawes made for repressing of such things might bee straightly enioyned commaunded and obserued by the Magistrates without any dissimulation support or respect of persons commaunding also the Magistrates to assist euery one in his behalfe vppon great paines that the Discipline of the Church may haue a due authoritie and execution He willeth them also that the poore may bee assisted with certaine ordinary summes of money which should be dedicated to the same effect according to the forme of the books that should be made for that intent with the authority of certaine chiefe officers magistrates consuls or commissioners appoynted for that purpose Also that charges and offices bee giuen to men capeable and sufficient for the due execution of the same to the ease contentation of euery one and as for other orders it should be ordayned as the sessions and propositions should be made in order All the assembly gaue most humble thankes to his Maiestie for the care which it pleased him to haue as well in particular of the said Churches as true and lawfull nurser protector and defender of the same as also in respect of the publick peace welfare and preseruation of all with proffer of their most humble seruice and obeissance for so good so holy and so lawfull puâ—poses protesting with a most constant resolution to employ their persons their liues their goods to fauour so good and rightfull a cause with praier vnto God to continue in him his blessing and fauour for his honor and glory for the preseruation of his Church for the good and quietnes of the publick estate The Sessions propositions resolutions and ordinances were afterwarde made and continued in good order in the presence of the said king vpon the diuers arguments which were there to be handled And first they entreated of the glory and seruice of God next of iustice of a good counsell and good ordering of the same then afterward of the mannaging of the treasure gifts pasports officers order of warre commissions bootyes prisoners of warre protections â—taking of townes and places of the safety of husbandmen and many other statutes as euery one of the deputies of the Prouinces was seuerally charged by their remembrances and instructions Many such things were there determined vntill the dissolution of the sayde assembly which was made the sayd King sitting accompanied as aboue in the presence of all the deputies on the Lords day being the 17. day of December after the preaching of the worde and inuocation of Gods name with the vnitie consent voluntary approbation of al men to the glory of God and for the Kinges seruice the preseruation of the Crowne and Realme restablishment of the State and for the defence of all faithfull Frenchmen against all enemies leagued mutinous and seditious persons who directly or indirectly would seeke the trouble and euersion of the same Whilest these things did passe and so contrary assemblies did take contrary counsells and resolutions to worke so contrary effects for at Bloys counsell and deliberation was taken to destroy the K. the Crowne the Realme the State the true Church of God In Rochel they went about to saue the King to defend the Crowne to preserue the Realme to vpholde the state to maintaine the true Religion the Duke of Sauoy after great preparations of warre made the Duke de Maine being as then at Liomoys and about the borders of Daulphine inuaded the Marquiz at of Saluces and by treason and intelligences of the Captayne surprized Carmagnole one of the Arseuals of France he tooke also Rauel and Chasteaudauphin with some other holdes These newes brought to Bloys did greatly trouble them who coulde take no pleasure therein But the Leaguers did greatly reioyce thereat For they thought that â—his increase of miseries would further their enterprizes and that the sire being kindled in diuers places that which they did blow in the middest of France would not be either quicklie or easily put out This enterprize of the Duke of Sauoy was by the practize and counsell of the League which was that the armies of these two Dukes of Sauoy and Maine should respectiuely fauour each other each keeping his entent seuerall to himselfe For the Leaguers and the Duke of Sauoy did agree in this to wit in hating the true religion and the professors thereof and in making against them cruell warre to roote them out if they could doe it But the particular thoughts of the partie were kept incommunicable within the heart of them both of them reseruing to themselues the meanes to worke their affayres according to the opportunitie and occasion And in this respect as it commonly falleth out among them who doo aspire to any Soueraignetie there was neither societie nor saith betweene the Duke of Sauoy and the house of Guyze each of them enuying his fellow in that which he wished for himselfe The Duke of Guize with his partakers intended to raigne and to stablish his authoritie in France and would not admit any fellow neither the Duke of Sauoy nor any other The Duke of Sauoy on the other side thought himselfe so well descended in blood that he might claime to haue a good part and thought it very conuenient for himselfe to enlarge his dominions and that being Sonne to a Daughter of France he was nigh enough to possesse all and would haue beene very sory to haue had any companyon either of the house of Guyze or any other whatsoeuer These diuers drifts did lurke close hidden in the hearts of both parts being holpen and aduanced mutually by the common pretence which they tooke on both sides to wit the rooting out of the reformed religion which tearmed heresie and to that end in open words they agreed together did helpe and ayde each other reseruing to the craftiest the beguyling of his felow or to the strongest to preuaile Fryer Sixtus Vicar vnderstanding of this inuasion of the Duke of Sauoy fearing least the King should suppose that to haue beene some of Fryer Sixtus tricks
and vpon a sodaine desire of reuengement would haue his peniworth vpon the Countie of Veuese and Auignon which is a part of the de Mains which Saint Peter purchased with his penie that the Fryers might liue like kings after him to wash his hands and to make the world beleeue that hee saw nothing first beganne to chide and brawle with the Duke of Sauoy and findeth great fault in him reprouing him for such an enterprise The Duke of Sauoy playing falshood in good fellowship faineth although that Fryer Sixtus had no finger in that pie goeth about to excuse the matter and did colour this action specially with Fryer Sixtus saying that hee had done all thinges for the aduantage of the holy church of Rome because he vnderstood that the K. had determined to put those places which he had taken into the hands of the Lord des Diguiers and other heretikes which thing would be very daungerous both to him being nigh neighbour as also in tyme very domageable to the holy church and the county of Veues Some of his counsellers also did greatly mislyke his enterprise foreseeing that it would be in tyme as pernitious vnto him as it had béene to his father in tymes past for not knowing the measure of his forces Whilest the King of Nauarre did holde the assembly of the reformed Churches at Rochel as is aboue sayd and that the Duke of Sauoy inuaded the Marquesdome of Saluce the States did continue at Bloys with strange mistrust which did spring from hower to hower among the partakers The pretence of Religion did continually rowle among the Leaguers and Leagued Their liues and state sayd they did hang on a rotten threed In December two great alarums and pannick terrors were raised within the castell of Bloys who did put the whole court in armor and made them stand vpon their guardes The cause of the first was a quarrell which arose betweene the pages and lakeys who did hold with the Bourbons and them which did hold with the League The commotion and the feare was such that the Duke of Guyze tooke the alarum ranne into his chamber shut vp the dore with Cofers and other such like things as were at hand The second alarum was geuen by a souldier hurt which saued himselfe in the chamber of the Duke of Guyze into the which hee was pursued by some of the Kings guardes who went vp with sword in hand whereupon once agayne all the court was in an vprore About the same time also there were great enmities and seedes of quarrels in the court besyde the vlcer of ambition desire to raigne betwéene the Lord of Guyze and many other Lordes of the court by reason of loue for as the Duke of Guyze in the middest of those waighty matters which he went about to compasse was greatly in loue with a Lady of the court there were some Lords also who pretended the like affection to her whether it were that they did so of purpose to pick a quarrell or otherwise but so it was that there passions of loue were openly perceaued The Duke of Guyze about the middle of December did shew himselfe a more contemner of the Kinges authority then euer he had done before for there was seene after him in great security following his trayne and lodged euen in the Kings house a great number of ruffiens and malefactors condemned in diuers places for diuers crymes and executed in picture for contumacy euen many of them which in August before had raised vp a sedition in Engolesme agaynst the Lord Espernon they were in such security vnder his wing that no magistrate durst say any thing to them The said Duke also had shewed himselfe more saucy and malapert in his words and behauiour then euer hee did before For the King hauing intercepted many of his letters by the which hee did shew in open tearms the vilanous intent which he had purposed in his hart called his Nobles willed them to sweare to him that they would neuer consent nor practise any thing agaynst his person he most arrogantly and contemptuously denyed so to doo euen in his presence saying he will not do it and if hee did it there was good lawes to punish him spare him not let him bee punished bould and arrogant speaches were geuen dayly by him and his partakers The Duke of Guyze considering that by these fresh iniuries the King could not be much prouoked calling to remembrance his former attempts and that the stroke which he had long before intended was made knowen to the King began to enter a great fearfull apprehension that the King would not delay his reuenge but will goe about to preuent him And now considering that all his partakers had bent their eyes vppon him and expected some great atchieuement which should farre exceed the former attempts seeing also how the K. of Nauarre by the edict of reunion sworne by the assembly of the States was condemned and disherited that there was nothing left in the way to hinder him of his enterprise and that hee himselfe was now vpon the last step of the stayrs either to be King or first commaunder vnder the name of King of France so that nothing was wanting but either quite to dispatch him or else to take him prisoner Hee resolued himself therefore to hasten one of these two executions least perhaps he might bee preuented hee vndertooke himselfe to do that feat and layed that burthen vpon his shoulder And that such disorder might bee done orderly he called the chiefest of the conspiracy to counsell The chiefest of this counsell and conspiracy were Fryer Ladouik cardinall his brother and Fryer I. Archebishop of Lyons with few other to whom he shewed in what state his matters stood and that all thinges are brought to some good effect that nothing is obstant to obtayne the thing so long and so greatly desired but the person of the King and that their counsels beeing come to light hee was driuen to such extremity as that â—ither he or the King must needes perish Hee propounded vnto them therefore whether the King was to bee dispatched out of hand or else to bee imprisoned till all thinges were confirmed and established for a new gouernment They answere that this matter is not to be delayed but that the King was to be made away and dispatched out of hand their reasons be these for say they fetters and prisons are altogether vnprofitable that no dungeon how deepe soeuer could be able to keep close so great and mighty a Potentate and that so long as he should liue hee would couâ—t alwaies for reuenge If hee were kept in prison it would seeme cruell and strange to the common people and intollerable That they of late after the Kings fleeing from Paris had found and learned by experience that pitty preuaileth more then fauour But assoone as he should be dispatched new deuises should bee practised new counsels taken and that euery man would fall
now his age doth great iniurie to his memorie O man too much pride hath put thee out of thy wittes or els hath blowne thy wisedome into thy cap. When hee entred into France hee began to enquire how many dayes marching there was to Rochâ—l for he would take it by the way Man looke well to the would of thy cap. He imagined that the king at the first hearing of his comming would haue runne away and he would haue pursued him as far as the playns of Bourdeaux where he would haue fought with him sent his head in a charger to his master as Herode did of Iohn Baptist The Friers and Iesuits lacked no monkish Rhetorick to encrease nor winde to blowe vp these bladders Wheresoeuer he passed there he left tokens of his progenie to wit tokens of the most vilanous â—â—lthines and most barbarous crueltie that euer was vsed by any wilde people except it were by the Popes adulterous broode But whilest these things were a dooing there fel out such a chance as almost marred all Frier Sixtus a little before he went to render a count of the treasons murthers which he had caused to his power to be committed fearing by the threatning of the Lord Luxembourg who was sent to Rome by the Catholick nobility to doo a message in their name least the King would séeke for reuengement of the presumptuous iniuries receaued at his hands sent a flattering mandamus by the which hée dischargeth the King from excommunication and willed all his subiects nobles and others to obey him and pray for him whose subuersion hee himselfe desired Here ChristiaÌ„ reader thou maist sée what piety iustice or godlines is in this sinke of lewd Friers for aduantage this Frier Sixtus was the chiefest instrument countenance of the Leaguers to raise vp that most cruel warre and confused rebellion that euer was heard of â—n any realme by his excommunication by his aduise practises counsell and money Now when he seeth the whip in the Kings hands fearing to be handled as his countrey men did handle their flaues or as one of the Kings predecessors handled Boniface the eight whom he hanged at his owne window in the Citie Perugia now he sent his Curriero with his mandamus with his praiers he commeth as the Demoniâ—cles came vnto Christ Let therefore Christian Princes take héede not to trust these false dissembling Friers who do carry two faces vnder a hoode for there is nothing so wicked but for aduantage they dare doo there is nothing so vile but for aduantage they will debase themselues thereto But Frier Sixtus his mandamus his Curriero his commaundement was as much regarded of the Catholicks and Leaguers as of them of the reformed religion for the Leaguers will follow their deuotions that is their rebellion though all the Popes that haue béen euer since the diuel layed downe the foundation of that seate should say nay and therefore they tooke that mandamus abusiue for assentamur The Catholick Nobles who were with the King tooke that for a thing which is neither here nor there which could neither hinder nor further the cause wishing that Frier Sixtus would sit at home and make some new almanack or some new calender because yet we lack one or two to furnish the table and that by his Apostolicall authority hée would commaund the Sunne not to goe any more out of the way but to kéepe â—is course as some of his predecessors was so bold as to commaund the Angels They of the reformed religion laughed at the impudency and variablenes of the Friers wit who had breath both to warme his fingers and to coole his potage The K. did make account of all this Frierlike flattering rather to redound to his hindrance and dishonor then to any futtherance of his cause for he knoweth well that the praiets of Iâ—olaters would not be accepted of God and that all the godly minded would without the Popes bidding make their humble praiers and supplications to God for him not onely in France but in all Christendome Neither will he accept that obedience which is done by the Popes câ—â—maundement rather then in consideration of Gods ordinance And to receaue any goodnes of him or depend of him the King dooth knowe well that euery good gift commeth from aboue euen from the father of lighâ—s and that hee is his aboundant reward But the Pope is equus Seianus vnto as many as do meddle with him Whilest the Duke of Parma marched toward France the Duke de Mayne returned home to gather forces as is said before some were cut off by the waies as Aumale and the Vidasme of Amiens but certaine forces he receaned of Balagny gouernour of Cambray and the Lord Saint Paul with whom he made toward Paris The King vnderstanding of this went from his armie with a troupe of horsemen without any baggage and marched 17. Leagues without bayte to meete with the said Duke de Mayne to bid him welcome out of Brabant but the K. came too short by an hower For the Duke de Maine vsed with long experience to flee away from the Kings presence had saued himselfe in the towne of Laon in Champaygne but the King seeing that he had escaped out of the net he returned to his army Shortly after the D. de Mayne hauing gathered all his forces came to Meaux in Brie to ease his stomack geuing out that he came to giue battell to the King whereupon the King departing againe went almost to Meaux but seeing that the Duke had enclosed himselfe betweene the riuers of Marne and that which commeth from Crecy the King returned to his army once more In the latter end of August the Duke of Parma that great Soltan Solymon Mussulman Siech with his dronken Belerbeyes Bassas and Ianissaries entred into France The Duke de Mayne to requite his curtesy shewed him at Bruxels sent the Lord Saint Paul who the other day was a lackay and afterward houshold seruant to the Lord Beauuayes Nangy then he rose a step higher to wit hee was made one of the bawdes of the Duke de Mayne and now one of the chiefest of the League When the Duke of Parma came to Meaux vpon Marne about the 27. of August he thought himselfe to shew yet once an Italian proud tricke to the D. de Mayne for his so basely receauing of him in the land then he began to looke with a sower Italian brow and as the saying is Fronte caperata neither would he goe further except hee had an absolute power to commaund ouer all the forces as well French as Suanish which thing when he had obtayned he began to esteeme lesse the Duke de Mayne and his Captaines then the Duke de Mayne had esteemed him in sending a lackay in a Noble mans apparell to receaue him Now the Duke of Parma beeing on Cockhorse beginneth to triumph and disdayne all he altered the Duke de Mayne his resolution and the course of this voiage
part of the auncient Nation called Eburones hauing on the East side Lorreyne and Ardenues on the West Henault on the North Liege on the South Baroys and Champaigne it hath two strong places Sedan and Iamets and many other strong holdes and Castels the Countrey is Woody Moorish and strong lying altogether vpon the banck of the riuer Mense This Countrey since it had imbraced the Gospell and become the Garden of Eden hath been the place of refuge for them of the reformed religion of the Nations which doo lie betweene the riuers of Marne Seyne Mosselle and Saosne a place most fit to retire vnto in time of persecution There were two bretheren the Duke of Boillon and the Countie de la Mark two Noble young men of great vertue valour and godlines who had from their cradle as if it were sucked the true religion and vertue with the milke of their vertuous and godly Mother They ventured all that they had liues goods and state for the defence of the Crowne of France and true religion and opposed themselues against the conspiracies of the Leaguers not as Merceuaries but moued with a true zeale and loue toward both These two noble men were called out of this life vnto that which neuer decayeth and to inioy the inheritance of the Saincts in light whose names shall be in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous The one to wit the Countie de la Mark dyed at Lancye about the beginning of October as is said before but the eldest to wit the Prince BoilloÌ„ at Geneua the first of Ianuarie as is said It is said before how the Duke of Guize set vpon the Rutters at Vimory where many were slaine and taken on both sides and the Duke of Guize tooke also about three hundred wagon horses and in like manner tooke some more in the surprise which he did enterprise vpon them at Aulneau in Beausse This man being possessed with a legion of vncleane spirits named Ambition this vncleane spirit did so torment him that it made him to thinke an houre a day a day a yeare and a yeare an olde mans age so he longed to see the royall familie rooted out and the crowne of France to fall to his lot hee aduised therefore himselfe of this point of policie to make his name ring ouer all France his victories sung out and to store vp the loue and admiration of the people toward him and to procure hatred and enâ—ie to the King He deuyded these horses and armour which hee had taken from the Rutters at Vimory and Aulneau into sundrie companies of horsecorsers and riders transported with affection and factious malcontents and vnquiet to make a progresse through the realme into those Prouinces whereunto they durst venture and into those Townes and Cities specially which were fauorable to him There these horsecorsers carried as if it were in a triumph through the cities the Germaines spoyles horses weapons and all other aray And when the people were flocked together in great troupes to see these new showes there were the Orators ready among them The number of the dead horses and Ensignes taken were increased by the figure of multiplication one killed a hundred and a hundred ten thousand as Pyrgopolinices in Plautus the manner of the fight was made very difficult and dangerous for the conquerours They shewed also how not one of the Guizes Souldiers were found wanting to be short vanitas vanitatis Then they applied their showes how that the Duke of Guize had atchiued himselfe all the difficulties of the warre and either slaine or taken the chosen and valiant Captaines and Soulâ—iers thereof and if hee had been assisted by the King he would haue gotten such a victory as neuer the like had been heard of in France For hee knew the meanes how to haue made such a slaughter of them as not one had been left to tell the newes in Germanie all the realme might haue inioyed the commodities of such a victorie But the King he retyred beyond Loyre as though he had beene vnwilling or afeard of them for he would or durst neuer shew his face or draw his sword against them and for to shew some outward countenance or for shame when the enemie were alreadie vanquished and that the Duke of Guize had left the small remnant who were but pages and scullions so hurt wearie and sick that they could not flie trusting that they would haue been dispatched by the King they were followed so slackly that not onely he gaue them leasure to escape without running but also helped them to ouercome so many distresses wherunto they were driueÌ„ by the said Duke of Guyze also vnder colour of a counterfeit yeelding and submission he granted vnto them their liues horses and furniture and to some of them their goods and by these meanes they came all to their iourneys end and safely arryued to the King of Nauarre Now the conclusion of these infamous reports was left to euery man to inferre that eyther there was not in the King such princelike vertues as should be in him or else that hee was a fauourer of heretikes and a dissembler with the Catholikes Then what should wee doe with such a King Let vs haue another And whome should we haue but him that hath done such exployts and deliuered France from so manie daungers and terrors By these deuises hatred and contempt was no lesse procured against the King as gloria in excelsis prayse loue fauour and authoritie to the Duke of Guyze The Iesuites and Friers on the other side tooke these lyings and slaunderous reportes for a theme to discourse vpon in the pulpits he that was of a timorous minde cryed that the King was a betrayer of the Catholikes he was become either a close and desembling heretike or a fauourer of heretikes and that it was to be feared ere long hee would forsake the catholicisme and ouerthrow the Catholike Religion in France Others which had a more warlike stomack discoursed vpon the other common place that the K. had a timorous mind durst not look few Pages and Scullions halfe vanquished in the face and that was the cause that many attempts vpon the heretikes had come to small effect because the warres were not pursued by men neither of courage nor wisedome But the Duke of Guize that noble branch of Charlemaigne the deliuerer of France the onely protector of the holy Church was the onely man to whome they owe their religion their liues and goods the onely hope of the Realme Thus the frogges that rose vp out of the bottomelesse pit did dayly in their pulpits crie croake croake croake There was great hope that the sundry lamentable euents which did beate the one and the other part in France by the scourge of warre and execution of armours as well in the losse of the battell at Coutras in the death of notable men as in the oppression and hauock which the armies did cary with them would haue
asswaged the rage and passion which caried away many would haue stayed the persecutions against them of the reformed Religion and would haue made a way to some reasonable agreement but the Leaguers and other enemies without any remorse of conscience without feeling of their owne priuate or publike griues so much the more made hast to worke the vtter subuersion of the sayde religion oppressing with greater crueltie the professors thereof than they did before Sathan therefore the captaine of murtherers of the Saints deuided his forces one part to assault the remnaunt of the Church left in the popish prouinces of France and the Churches of the principalitie of Boillon which we will in order recite As after the breaking of the armie of the prince of Conde in Vandomoys in the yeare of our Lord 1585. they thought that with the same Prince al their hope had been gone which thing made them increase their crueltie euen so did they after the dissipation of the armie of the Germanes supposing that they should shortly see the end thereof The authors of these persecutions were the King the Leaguers the Bishops the Iesuytes the Fryers the Monkes the parish Priests and Magistrates In these assaults appeared the cowardlines of a great many of them who had professed the true religion who looking more on the euents and present dangers than to the end of such skirmishes where we ought to shew a proofe of our fayth and with pacience to expect an happyend for feare were caried away to vnlawfull things against their conscience But the Lord as at all other times left not his truth without witnesses for many in diuers parts of the Realme being cruelly persecuted shewed their constancie in maintaining their faith and religion whereupon it seemeth me not to be out of purpose to make mention of the constancie which God gaue to a man of base condition in defending of his religion who in this respect shewed the way to many which in the sight of the worlde had greater meanes to doe it than he had There was in the towne of Marchenoyre in Beausse a poore man borne in Boysgencye vpon Loyre named Francis Tixier as if wee shoulde saie weauer this man by his occupation was a maker of packsaddles who by reason of his family had not departed out of the Realme according to the Kings Edicts neither had obeyed the Kinges commandement in conforming himselfe to the Popish religion but had alwayes constantly remained in the profession of the true religion praying dayly in his house often times ioyning himselfe secretly to others to the same effect and to sing Psalms as it is vsed among thē who do professe y e reformed religion He visited also them who were sicke and strengthened them and if any were which stoode in neede by the meane of some small collections which was made among them secretly hee helped them as he was wont to doo when the reformed Church did assemble at Orges in the which he did beare the office of an Elder God blessed that zeale in time so hard and difficult for some of the villages thereabous by the meane of that small exercise without feare of the persecution forsaking the Romish Church ioyned themselues to the pure religion But this course was not continued long for by the watches and searches of them who in the former assaults alarumes could get nothing vpon this man he was at length discouered and complained off to the Magistrate So that the King passing through Marchenoyre the accusers addressed themselues to one of his Aulmoners and instructed him of certaine accusations against that poore man to wit that hee had not obeyed the Kings edict but on the contrarie did perseuer in his heresie and dogmatize so they kindled the Aulmoner in such a sort that they agreed altogether to put a complaint to the King they made also a booke of others of the religion which they caused the sayd Aulmoner to present to the King For his custome belike was so to bestowe the Kings almes The King commaunded that they should bee apprehended Tixier as the most hatefull was first taken and with great solemnitie brought before the King who was desirous to see him for he was informed that hée was a Minister The King himselfe examined him when he had appeared with great assurance When the King had asked him whether he was an Hugonet and wherefore he had not gone out of the Realme being one as he did confesse and whether he would goe to Masse once or twise and so to escape from punishment The poore man answered that he had not the meanes to auoyde and that he would not goe to Masse nor alter his religion which he knewe to be the trueth When the King perceiued his constancie he sent him to Bloys with letters to his Iudges there commaunding them straightly to make his processe according to the rigour of his edicts There in the Kings presence he was greatly reuiled by the Lords Courtiers and Clawbackes Being carried to Bloys there he was assaulted by three manner of enemies the Iudges his friends and the rest of prisoners First the Iudges had him in hand and after they had gone about to withdrawe him from his religion to Poperie with such bald reasons as they could affoord he made them a plaine answere that he knewe the true Catholike and Apostolike Church and that hee was one of the fellowe citizens of the same but for the Romish Church he neither knewe it nor cared to knowe When these great Deuines had spent all their reasons euen to the bottome they began to drawe out their threatnings to hang him and to giue him opprobrious words The poore man despising their reasons and the dregges thereof made them a flat answere that as he had liued in that religion which they call heresie so was he readie to dye for it if so it were Gods will And after many examinations all about on thing to wit whether hee would goe to masse one asked him of whom he held his religion and who had taught him he answered that hee held it of God who had taught him by his holy spirit Vpon this answere one Saint Seuerine an Italian replyed my frend thine holy spirit will hang thee if thou come not to thy selfe The Lord reproue the spirit of blasphemy This was the miserable state of that realme then that the most vile saucy blasphemous Atheistes were raysed vp by the Q. Mother to high and honorable dignities Saynt Paul had learned the Pharisaisme at the feete of Guualiel but this lewd Italian had learned Atheisme at the Popes feete in Italy and is welcome in France by them of his religion to teach Atheisme and to shew the way to the Frenchmen how to blaspheme a l'Italiane Many other such like trifling talke they had with the pore man more fit for gatherers of old shooes and ragges vppon the dunghil of Bloys then for magistrates The Prisoners did greatly afflict him
to make much for the safetie of Mets. She sent also to her vncle the Prince Monpensier who promised her all assistance to his power The Dukes of Sweibrook sent her word that they would doo what lay in them to diuert those forces from her The King not greatly regarding the suit and protection of the sayd Ladie for hatred of the reformed religion sent backe againe the Lord Reaulx to the Duke of Lorreyne where he taried so long that all things were burned and spoyled before he returned to Sedan And at his returne he deliuered a commission from the King to be receaued as Lieutenant generall for the King and protector of the Princesse and that after being receaued when they had giuen their oth then he would declare what order should be taken They made answere that it was a newe thing and that the soueraigne Lords of Sedan had neuer receaued such charges and therefore they could not accept them considering that they had giuen their oth vnto the Prince Monpensier her vncle and Warden to doo her lawfull and faithful seruice and to keepe the places against all men vnder the protection of his Maiestie who would as he hoped bée contented with the assurance which the Prince Monpensier would giue him About the same time the Lord Nueuile gouernour of Mezieres came to Ioram nigh Sedan seeking by fayre promises of friendship to haue that Lieutenantship and propounding certaine captious articles was so answered that if he had come into Sedan there was not of his kinne enough for halfe the women of Sedan for euen they who mooued the matter first stood in some danger The Prince Monpensier sent diuers times to visite and assist her and went to the Court to obtayne the continuance of her protection But nothing was obtayned for the King sought nothing els but to put in such as he thought would fulfill his desire to oppresse and scatter the Church and to haue in his possession that Princesse to nousse her vp in Poperie that there might not be any hope left hereafter to restore the Church Whilest the Duke of Lorreyne besieged Iamets the Duke of Guize sent to Sedan to proffer them great friendship and to preserue them in all libertie of conscience and religion if so that there might a mariage be made betwéene the Princesse and his sonne The Duke of Lorreyne vsing all manner of hostilitie and villanies that could be possible made suite to haue the sayd Princesse in marriage for his sonne the Lord Vaudimount both with flattering words also by thundring of the double Canon The weaknes of this Princesse caused the enemy to be very secure and carelesse which encouraged them which were besieged at Iamets dayly to make sturdy and stout sallies vppon the enemies geuing them no aduantage not so much as to approach to place their peeces and compelled them to trench themselues in the Vilages where they were charged by them within the towne dayly and this continued vntill the beginning of Aprill next following During these two Moneths of February and March and the continuance of the siege of Iamets the Lord Resne with certayne troupes of Italians Germans Wallons Legeoys and Lorreins to the number of 7. or 8. hundred horses with certayne regiments of footmen did scowre the countrey about Sedan where they fired all thinges so that in all the principality of Boillon there remained in a maner but ashes and calamity besides Sedan and Iamets Their outrages and cruelties were such that the like were neuer heard of For all maner of whoredome rauishments violences and woorse were committed by those infernall helhowndes villaines and sauage robbers besides they put all women maidens and children to raunsome as many as they could take such violences they continued vntill the latter end of March thereby to terrify this yong and desolat Princesse Whilest the Leaguers as fire brands blowne out of hell subiect vnto no law gouernment nor power do proffer iniuries vnto all maner of persons without any respect about the beginning of February while they tryed by al means possible both by faire words open violeÌ„ce to seaze both vpon the person and state of the Princesse of Boillon the chiefest of them assembled at Nancy in Lorreine where they continued in counsell vntil the middest of Februarie in the which assembly they concluded many articles against the Kings person and state also they tooke order to continue the eiuill warres which they had kindled and that still vnder the â—olour of popish religion they might win by little and little and so make themselues way to the state by the vndooing of whome soeuer And for as much as they were out of hope to preuaile against them of the reformed religion in Guyenne or other where they aduised themselues by policie to giue the King no rest by hampring him into new troubles in proposing to him vnreasonable requests and still vnder colour of Catholickisme For there they framed articles which haue three principal finall causes to destroy the King the nobilitie and to saue themselues The first is either to shorten the Kings life by some lot of warre or else at the least to weaken him and make him odious to the Church-men The second is to kindle and entertaine the warre immortall that the nobilitie may be destroyed by mutuall blowes and woundes Thirdly to saue themselues from blowes and charges and to keepe themselues in authoritie vntill the opportunitie which they watched for should proffer it self these things are euidently seen in y e articles following But here first before wee come to these articles marke well Christian Reader the turkish hearts who contemning all that is named God and Iustice they haue extinguished in themselues all humanitie and reuerence of superioritie For contrarie vnto all humanitie they went about to rauâ—sh away that noble Princesse issued of noble race left desolate fatherlesse brotherlesse and friendlesse and also to lay hand vpon her state Now haue they despised the superioritie ordayned of God when they desperatly and imperiously dare giue lawe to their Soueraigne euen such law as is altogether vnreasonable contrarie to the duetie of subiects But now let vs come to the articles First they say the King shall be requested to ioyne himselfe more openly to the League and shall put away from him and out of his strong holdes and out of all states and offices of any waight such as shall bee named vnto him Here first they will haue the King to take vpon him all the shame dishonour and hatred of their detestable actions and iniuries which they doo intend Note to proffer to all manner of men vnder the name of the League which they will the King to take vpon him in these words that they wil haue him to ioyne with the League Secondly whereas they seeke to displace from about him such as they would their intent is to depriue him of his authoritie forces and faithfull friends to put him vnderward that he
forces there nigh at hand and ready to succour him although that so oftentimes hee had been deaffe at his most reasonable counsells The king being at Tours the first thing which hee did was in the beginning of Aprill there he depriued the Duke Mercure of his gouernment of lands dignities offices and prerogatiues to him granted by him for his treasons committed against his Maiestie in his gouernment In the beginning of Aprill the king being at Tours and perceiuing the great dangers which compassed him about on euery side hauing many Leaguers of his counsell and about his person the Citie for the most part leagued bent against him by the meanes of some of his saythfull counsellers as of the Marshals Biron and Hautmont and others and considering more deepely the reasonable and modest protestation of the K. of Nauarre who in his great prosperitie yet of late craueth for peace desireth to be taught proffereth his seruice to the king willeth them to deuise some good wayes to remedie the horrible confusions which doe ouerflow France began to hearken to some good and moderate counsell as to take some truces with the said king of Nauarre to vse his counsell and forces for his iust and lawfull defence In the moneth of March following after the taking of the Citadel of Orleans by the rebels and the ennouatious which they had made in Paris in the changing of the State and treading downe vnder foote the kings royall authoritie The Dukes of Mayne and Aumale began to shew such ielousies and suspitions which ambition did worke in their hearts as it did before in the two brethren to wit the Dukes of Guize and Maine For the Duke de Mayne was caryed to the vsurpation of the Monarchy after his brothers death as if it were vpon the shoulders o. rebells and would haue had been sory if his cousin the Duke de Aumale should haue had either the whole or else any part thereof in superioritie but rather desirous that he should depend of his commaundements and therefore did holde him short with secret practizes and factions The Duke d' Aumale would haue beene glad to haue had all to himselfe rather than his cosin and if not all yet he thought to get as good part in the cake as he might but the factious were not so fauourable vnto him as to the other Fearing therefore some Guizien trick such as hee was well acquainted with to be played against him by the helpe of the mutinous Parisiens he putteth on a good countenance and after infinite sackings riflings and manifolde robberyes committed vpon the rich Marchaunts and others in Paris for in those dayes all rich men were either royalls or hereticks he departed out of the Citie into Picardy where he thought his parte might bee stronger and hee mought bee in greater safetie Mercure on the other side for his part was content if he might make sure vnto himselfe the Dutchie of Britaine supposing that the throte of his ambition was not so wide as that he might swallow down the whole kingdom Crown of France yet betweene them 3. the glorious name of the League and holy vnion holy Church and holy Catholick Religion did rowle among them and were patched by the Fryers and Iesuites for an olde gaberdine to hide vnder all their treacheries against the king and robberies against his subiects All these things did flie abroad vnder the authoritie of the newe great generall Protector of the Crowne of France to wit the Duke de Mayne to whome that title was giuen by conspirators assembled at Paris vnder the name of States as it is afore sayde All these three did well agree together in resisting the kings authority and oppressing the kings subiects euery where euery man reseruing to himselfe his owne thoughts yet would they not be kept so secret but that their enuies ielousies and enimities sometime would flame out so that they could be euidently spied by other men The Duke d'Aumale absented himselfe from Paris and in the I le of France Picardie Brie Tartenoys and Vermandoys went about to doo his busines as well as he could his part as strong as strong might be made with those great summes of money which for his share he had made of the spoyle of the rich men of Paris The Citie of Paris is one of the greatest Cities in the world but doubtles the greatest in Europe It is deuided into three parts The one and the greatest part lyeth in Belgik on the banck of the riuer Seyne in a low fayre and plaine situation That part is called the towne Among other edifices on the lower end by the riuer nigh Newgate is the kings house called the Loure and right ouer against it on the other side of the streete is the auncient house called L'hostel de Bourbon about a mile and a halfe vpon the same side of the riuer is the town house called by a temple nigh to it Saint Iahn en Greue There is a long street from the pont anchange directly to Saint Denis warde called Saint Martins streat which deuideth that parte of the Citie well nigh through the middest The other part lying in the celtick on the south side of the riuer is the Vniuersitie lesser than the former part it is full of Monkeries Friâ—ries and Nunneryes of all feathers and colours vnder the heauens So that a man comming out of a strange countrey and seeing so great diuersitie of fantasies would think himselfe to wander into a countrey of monsters or a Citie of mad men but if he consider well he shall finde himselfe in the middest of Sodome so cleane is their conuersation Beside these infernall Locusts there is a great number of colledges and houses of learning for the which cause it is called the Vniuersitie wherein are chiefly two colldges to wit Sorboune and Nauarre Sorboune is a colledge where Diuines and students of Diuinity cheefly haue allowance and beside it is an association of Diuines whersoeuer they haue taken degrees it is more famous than Nauarre by reason of their ignorance but Nauarre is greater in liuing and multitude of students This Vniuersitie was founded or rather reformed I feare me from better to worse by Charles the great by the helpe of his schoolemaster one Alboinus an Englishman sometime scholler of the learned Beda who as it seemeth changed the former order of studie and fashioned them to the forme of doctrine laide downe by the learned S. Augustine This forme there continued vntill y t time that a visioÌ„ was seen in the ayre to wit a man naked hairy and deformed carying a wallet ful of stones gnawing on a stone which he had in his hand Immediately after that forme of studie was changed and diuinitie reduced to vaine speculations carnall Philosophy and fâ—iuolous questions without edifiyng or breeding any knowledge or wisedoms in the students Then began Aristotle to beare sway in the Diuinity schooles and to fitt in the chayre of Moses The
to examine him nor to aske him Domine quo vadis The newes of this exploit so happily brought to passe arriuing at Rome filled the Citie with Gaudeamus the Churches with Te Deum and the court of Rome with Curtizans Thereuppon that Fryer Sixtus may fill the measure of iniquity and that he may leaue a testimony to the world to be knowen whose Vicar hee is he called together all his Chaplains into the Consistory and telleth them the happiest newes that euer came to Rome since the day that it was taken and ransaked by Charles of Bourbon to wit that Henry the third K. of France was slayne by the hands of a Frier and that hee may giue some ground to his oration flourished with Monkish eloquence he taketh a text out of A bacuck I haue wrought a worke in your dayes and no man would beleeue it though it be told them Vppon these wordes the lewde lying Frier taketh vppon him to make the articles of our Faith as touâ—â—ing the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and the execrable parricide of this accursed murdering Fryer to bee equally miraculous and wrought by the will counsell finger and power of God and by the inspiration of the selfe same Spirit which guyded the Prophets and Apostles and wrought in them the measure of all wisedome righteousnes and holines conducted this Fryer through all the difficulties of the way and directed him and his hand in committing such a damnable Parâ—icide The Lord reproue the lying spirit of blasphemie Thus may we see the hellish diuinity which Frier Sixtus which sitting in his Consistory in his Pontificalibus cannot erre spueth out by the inspiration of Sathan This impudent Frier the other day being Sonne to a Swineheard lying in Ouens for lacke of better lodging though he be neither Prophet a spudevp-prophet let him be nor the sonne of a Prophet yet telleth to his Chaplayns that hee prophecied to the red-cap Priestes called the Caroinals Joyeuse Leuencourt and Paris how the King should be the last of his name and should die an infortunate and violent death By this prophecie euery man may see how deeply this murthering Fryer Sixtus had his fingers in the conspiracy of the Kings death Thirdly because the King would not yeeld himselfe to be slayne by the Leaguers according to the secret counsell of Rome Also by reason that he suffered the execrable murtherer to bee slayne and willed the King of Nauarre and the Princes with him to make exemplary iustice vppon the authors and accessaries of his death Frier Swineheard otherwise Sixtus sweareth by his cornerd cap that as when it is vppon his head there lyeth vnder it the foure quarters of a false Frier so the King shall haue no Masse of Requiem of him but shall souse burne and broile in purgatory vntill he be as cold as a Frogge So Fryer Sixtus hauing taken so great paines for the holy Church as he did that day his belly began to call him to another worke And all the red cap Priestes making their abashio vpon their knées began to whistle with his mouth and with his two forfingers and his thumb hunting flies ouer their heads blessed them voto milesorum nemo vestrum frugi esto get you to dinner edite bibite cras moriemini Not long after at the solicitation of the rebels who had promised in case Fryer Clement should bée slaine in such good seruice to the holy Church to make him a Saint Fryer Sixtus for why should not a Fryer doo for a Fryer euen a greater thing then that made him a holy martyr who suffered for the Catholick faith and Deum tutelarem of the Citie of Paris Then his Image was set vp in euery Church Massing sensing offring kissing kneeling and ducking is dayly done to the Idoll there was neuer so much a doo about the Idoll of Molok there was neuer so much crying about the Altar of Baal as there is ora pro nobis about this new Saint there was neuer so many flyes about Beelzebub as there is Idolaters in Paris about this new Idoll Now before we do enter into the narration of King Henry the fourth we will represent an image of the miserable confusions which are in the realme by a comparison Henry the fourth Emperour of the Romains by the mothers side was of the royall bloud of France a man of great wisdome and integrity The holy Empyre was set on a fier of sedition by the Bishops Priests and Monkes by the procurement of the Popes which then liued seditious rebellions and commotions were raysed vp by the Shauelings throughout all Germanie about the bestowing of Bishoprikes and Benefices First they stirred vp Saxonie after Suobland they set vp an vsurper to wit Radolph but to his great harme Then they set vp his owne Sonne against him to wit Henry the fift Last of all the Bishops Priests and Monkes by treason oppressed him this noble Emperour could neuer be ouercome by force but had alwaies the victorie against the Shauelings and their partakers his age was blinded with grosse ignorance and a vaine feare of the Popes vayne craking excommunication Henry of Bourbon the fourth all one in name in number in vertue and force and prosperous successe is all one with that noble Emperour issued out if we should well consider the histories of the same famely as the other was by the mothers side his Kingdome is all set on a fire of rebellion the Priestes and Fryers haue blowne and kindled it religion is pretended but in very déede ambition is the procurer of all these euills This age is not so blinde if they would but men are more malicious they vse now the old rusty sword of the Popes excommunication as they did then not that they doo passe for it but to serue their owne turne to bée the trumpet of all rebellion he hath sustayned the fury of the Priests and Fryers and of their partakers for the space of these 14. yeares and had neuer any foyle but hath had alwaies the victory on his side The Emperour Henry the fourth was oppressed by the treasons of popelings this I hope will beware of such Chaplaines Popery then did preuaile but now the Gospell shall florish mauger all the religions of idolatrous Fryers and all the route of Antichrist We haue left the King on the sea coast of Normandie there to view the preparations and attempts of the Leaguers where vnderstanding that the Leaguers did insult by the good successe which they had in executing their traiterous felony vpon the Kings person and that they had prepared a mighty army of such rablement of rebels as Paris could afoord them and had receaued certaine swart Rutâ—ers vnder the conduct of the Duke of Brunswick He was aduertised also that the Duke of Lorreyne had sent his sonne the Marquis d'Pont with certaine companies of Horsemen and that they had receaued certaine Wallons out of the Low Countrey conducted by the County Egmond The
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
perswaded them that the King whatsoeuer might happen neither durst come neere them neither was able to let the carriage of the victuals to their citie which was the cause that they liued from hand to mouth and had prouided no more then in tyme of the greatest peace that can be But after the rumor of the ouerthrow of the Leaguers came to Paris all the Cittie was replenished with terror many of the Citizens came to the King to plead their innocency but specially two of the chiefest of the citie to wit Belieure who was one of the Kings lately deceased Secretaries of estate and Brulart President of the Court of Parliament in Paris These two men had béen wauering a great while not faythfull to their old maister King Henry the third who had preferred them neither did greatly trust the Leaguers and yet liued in some suspition of this King now raygning But when they heard of the Kings good successe contrary to their expectation like good Mariners they turned their saileâ— to the wind came to the King to make their excuse and submission and both of them were receaued curteously of the King The King said vnto Belieure that he had thought him to be an honest man vntill he fell to the Q Mother and ioyned to the company of Vileroy but Brulard was receaued with greater fauour whom the King hath employed since in great affayrs as to bee his Ambassador to the Cantons of Swisserland In this consternation the Parisiens who had liued in great security began to open their eies and see the danger whereto the great bragges of the Duke de Mayne the promises of the Fryers and Iesuits their vaine hope had cast them and did threaten them at their doores and caused them to bee deuided into diuers opinions for some who were of a hot nature would haue a new muster to be made in the Cittie and on a sudden afore he had suplyed the roome of them which were dead in the battell to set vppon him but this course was thought rash and dangerous for many eauses Other gaue a wiser counsell if it could haue béen followed to wit to try his elemency and that vpon reasonable conditions ther was no doubt but they should find fauour and peace and for the proofe thereof alleaged his gentle disposition far from all cruelty and desyre of reuenging which hee hath alwayes shewed in all his actions Some were of a contrary opinion and gaue counsell to take order for the prouision and fortifications and pollicy of the citie they shewed that by the multitude and other meanes which they had they were able to geue him a new battell if he would goe about to draw neere to their Câ—tie and at the worst they were able to abide a siege they shewed that he was not able with as great forces agayne as hee had to force them and that hee would not hazard his old experienced Souldiers so rashly knowing that it were hard for him to recouer the like againe to be short great variance rose among them as the manner is in such a case Whilest this variance was among them the Duke de Mayne came to Saint Denis to view the countenance of the Parisiens feare and shame warning him not to come into Paris None or few of the inhabitants of Paris went to salute him but they onely who had sent him to the butchery in the playne of Saint Andrew to wit Frier Henrico Caietano Frier Sixtus his Nuncio the blinde Captaine Bernardino Mendoza the Spanish Moore Ambassador of Spayne there and the incestuous Fryer Byshop of Lyons with few more to comfort him and to goe forward in his begun rebellion Therefore it was thought good to remedy the affayrs as well as they could deuise that the sayd Duke de Mayne and the Comendador Moreo who was then in Paris should goe with all speede into Picardie to stay the remnant of the forces of Flanders which were going home through Picardie after they had lost their guide the County Egmond and that there the Duke de Mayne should gather such new forces as he could the Comendador Moreo should goe to the Duke of Parma to bring him y e goodnewes of the victory of the County Egmond and his company but specially great care should bee had least Paris and Saint Denis should in any case yeeld to the King In the meane time Frier Henrico and Bernardino would take order to pacify the strife and diuersity of opinions They returning to Paris scattered few Pistolets of Spayne and Ducados Italianos among the Fryers and Iesuits to teach them Frierlike Rhetorike These rauing Prophets and among them one Peter Crestin such a one as was of my remembrance magister nostor de cornibus or magister noster Olyuer Maillard stept vp they fret they fume they fome lyke Boars they rayle they reuile there is nothing holy before them they shew how the King is an heretik a relapse son of an heretike father and mother they looke euery day for a new excommunication from Rome he is out of the bosome of holy Church incapable of the Crowne of France no obedience is due vnto him they descant vppon the praise of his gentle nature how it is but fayned and if he were once established hee would shew such cruelty vppon holy Church as hee did vppon Borgoyn Gessey and few other Fryers he would roote out the Catholik religion and plant here sie It were far better to die all then to admit such an heretike ouer them if they die in this quarrell they goe straight way to heauen they are blessed Martirs they shall be Saints as Frier Iames Clement was of late these raging furies of hell do so perswade the people that as a people destitute of reason and â—ereâ—t of their witts are lead to their owne destruction by these enchaunters so that afterward if any man should speake of peace with the King or of any thing besides warre fire and desolation hee was presently murthered by them or cast into the riuer in one day more then twenty persons were so murthered But fearing to bee compassed with a siege afore they had set order in their affayres and pollicy to daly with the King they sent from Paris Fryer Paniguerola Bishop of Aste and in hast and Vileroy to busie him and to dilay the siege which they supposed the K. would haue layedd presently with speeches of truces or peace that they might fortify themselues in the meane space The King would haue no speeches with such companions but yet of his accustomed clemency sent Paniguerola to the Marshall Biron to see what he had to say and what wisedome he had brought with him out of Italy After many salutations and popish blessings the Frier did wonder much to see sayd he that so great companie of Catholikes could finde in their hearts to followe after an hereticall King The Marshall Byron answered the saucie impudent malapert Frier that it would not be safe for