hauing inuironed the Castle with a strong guard brought them two vnto Amboise after dinner returned againe with a troupe of fiue or sixe hundreth horses The Barron had sent Renaudie to make haste to come to relieue him not minding to abandon the place wherein hee found both armes powder and munition But perceiuing himselfe inclosed and the Duke returned againe hee beganne to parley being required therevnto and hauing at large declared the causes of that their enterprise the Duke oftentimes desired him to leaue his armes and to come and speake with the king binding himselfe vnto him by the faith of a Prince that neyther hee nor any of his should once be hurt but all freely set at libertie The Barron assuring himselfe vppon the word of a Prince was content to doo as hee desired the like did all the rest But beeing in Amboise they spake not vnto any man but onely to such as the Duke of Guise would send vnto them La Renaudie the same day being aduertised what had past at Noisay commaunded the troupes that were beyond the riuer to march straight vnto Amboise which they did within the wood but beeing stayed and intrapped The troupes sent by Renaudie taken and surprised by the horsemen sent thither by those of Guise most of them were taken who being ledde prisoners were presently hanged and then cast into the water those that were best apparrelled and likeliest men were slaine within the woods to spoyle them of that they had Therest of the troupes stayed for in the place appoynted were taken and the Souldiers were tyed by 15. in a companie at horses tailes and so cast into prison The Duke of Guise king in effect Therevppon the 17. of March letter were sent out by the which after a long discourse made against the prisoners of Amboise the Duke of Guise was by the king declared his Lieftenant Genenerall with all power to raise in both foote horse therewith to punish the rebelles without any other forme or manner of Iustice Other letters were sent out the same day with commmaundement vnto al those that were in armes readie to come vnto Amboise beeing aduertised by their leaders Meanes to dispearse the troupes and vppon their faiths giuen should within 24. houres after the sight of those letters depart and get them home into their countries vpon paine to bee hanged if they once presumed to do the contrary The death of Renaudie The next day as Renaudie sought to assemble his troupes hee was met in the Forrest of the Castle Regnaut by one named Pardillan that shot a Pistole at him but hauing fayled Renaudie slewe him but one of Pardillans seruaunts with a shot of a Caliuer flewe Renaudie his bodie was carried vnto Amboise hanged vppon the Bridge with a writing made fast to his necke containing these words La Renaudie called la Forest chiefe of the rebels The death of la Renaudie was the cause that diuers of those which ment to assemble separated themselues and so retired But no man made any great pursuite after them Renaudie had with him fiue hundreth horse followed by 1000. more not accounting the footemen Among the rest of the prisoners there was one la Bigne that had beene Secretarie vnto la Renaudie about whom was found a paper written in Ciphers and to saue his lise he disciphered the paper which contained nothing but onely that which had been concluded by al the Associates with their expresse protestation not to attempt any thing against the kings Maiestie the Princes of his blood nor against the State of the Realme the articles tending onely to this poynt to take the Gouernment from those of Guise and to cause the auncient custome of France to be obserued by a lawfull Parliament Hee was likewise found ceased with an humble petition vnto the king in the behalfe of those of the religion wherein the vniust proceedings of the Cardinall against the Parliament of Parris Anna du Bourg with others were fully discouered Those of Guise at the first The souldt-diers that were prisoners released wold not haue saued any of the prisoners but thinking that the ouer great number that should bee executed would make them to be hated of all men caused the souldiers to bee set at libertie and to each man they gaue a teston to bring them on their way The Captaines la Motte Cocqueuille and others had not lost courage but gaue a whot alarme vnto the Courtiers of Amboise and had it not beene by meanes of some wrong intelligence that constrained them to retire without losse of their horsemen the enterprise had surely been executed but it was nothing but a meanes to kindle the chollor of those of Guise who that last time caused all the footemen that might bee taken presently to bee hanged and as then it was a most daungerous time for all sorts of men eyther souldiers Marshants or others to bee found abroad without Amboise for that the least hurt they could receiue was presently to bee spoyled and stripped of all they had and then the theeues who vnder colour to ayde the king to whom a new guard was giuen composed onely of such kinde of men both horse and foote committed most straunge and cruell extortions The first execution of the prisoners Those of Guise perceiuing the troupes that ment to cease vpon them to bee gone and the rest in prison and being ayded by those that from all places came to helpe them beganne to make pursuit after such as were retiring whereof some they tooke they commaunded the Prince of Conde in the Kings name not to depart from the Court without expresse licence and beganne to hang drowne and behead their prisoners which continued for the space of one whole moneth All the riuer of Loire being couered with dead bodies tyed by sixe eight tenne twelue and fifteene at long Poles the streetes of Amboise lay full of dead mens blood and euery place was hanged with dead bodies many were hanged at the windowes of the Castle and to make men beleeue that all this proceeded onely from those of the religion that sought to establish themselues by armes they questioned with the greatest part of them touching the Articles of their faith The kings complaints against the Guisians and disputed with them of the poynts of the religion now in controuersie therby to blinde matters and not once touching that which wholly concerned the Estate and for which cause the enterprise was taken inhand Some that returned according to the kings permission being intrapped and brought prisoners to Blois found frends that sent vnto the king the Queen his mother to procure their deliuerance but by no meanes they could be spoken withall the soliciters beeing threatned to bee cut and hewed in peeces if they happened to present themselues before the king he would oftentimes in weeping say vnto them What haue I done vnto my people what mean they to deale thus with
Parris see clearer then others touching the gouernment of the Realme displacing of some and placing of others in principall offices to constraine those of Guise to yeeld an account touching the treasures by them receiued in the last Kings time as also of other their misbehauiours to recall the gifts made vnto the Duchesse of Valentinois thēselues and others that before their iustification they shuld not sit in coūsell The Queene-mother much troubled therat found no better nor no surer meanes then to make a new contract with the king of Mauarre and therein to imploy the Constable that by the accord between them the King of Nauarre was expresly declared Liestenant Generall for the King To breake their intent the Queene-mother agreeth with the King of Nauarre and order set downe that the Queene-mother should do nothing but by his aduise and consent This was written and signed by them both as also by the Councell and namely by the Duke of Guise who by the Queenes Counsell shewed himselfe much more tractable then euer hee did Diuers of the King of Nauarres Councell were of the contrary opinion although hee alleadged diuers great promises made vnto him from the Queene by word of mouth alledging that shee would wholly deny whatsoeuer shee had said that his Lieftenants place should be but in paper and that if the matter were ruled and ordered by the Estates both the Queene and those of Guise with all their adherents would bee so dealt withall that the realme would be restored vnto her pristinate gouernment and that to the contrary leauing things in that order France as then beeing at peace and quietnesse with forraine enemies would presently bee troubled in most straunge and extraordinary maner within it selfe for partiallities being great on both sides the one would seeke to ouerrunne the other and that it was to bee hoped that if the affaires of the estate were ruled ordered according to the lawes of the Realme men might easilie impeach and hinder wicked men from effecting that which by them is secretly pretended that then at the beginning it behoued them to looke vnto it and to bee well aduised thereby to establish peace and good gouernment in the affaires of the Realme But whatsoeuer they said it was to no effect whereby both the King of Nauarre himselfe the Princes of the blood and all the Realme in generall did after indure much woe the wound wherof as yet remaineth fresh The increase of the religion not supported Forth us it fell out those of the religion openly increasing within France and in the Court the King of Nauarre did seem to support them Sermons were made both in the prince of Condes the Admirals chambers as also both within and without the Court and the Queene-mother caused the Bishoppe of Valence to preach within the great Hall which Bishoppe followed not the Sorbonists doctrine such as desired nothing but new troubles thereby not to bee constrained to giue account for things past and that knewe full well that the sweete ayre of a firme and steadfast peace would soone melt and consume them or else reduce them into so miserable an estate that they should bee forced to hide their heades taking that occasion as it fell out They first inflamed the Constable by the daylie speeches and exclamations of his wife ordinarily accompanied and plyed by Priests and Friers and then by his kinsmen And lastly The perturbers solicite the Constable to begin their Tragedie by certaine persons purposely appoynted to that end by those of Guise as also by the Queene-mother against those of the religion saying that they went about wholly to abollish the Masse and all his Reliques and that vnder pretence of yeelding vppe of accounts and extraordinary giftes they sought to vnhorse him that for the space of fortie yeares had dealt in the greatest and most vrgent affaires of the Realme The Marshal of Saint Andre and Montpesat draue forward this wheele and therewith perswaded the Constable alreadie mooued in that hee sawe and openly perceiued the auncient traditions of the Romish Church to bee wholly despised both by great and small within the Court. His eldest sonne who beeing a Lord of great iudgement and perceiuing his Father vppon the poynt to bee separated and disioyned from the Prince of Conde and his Nephews de Chastillon other great Lords thereby to become the executioner of the Guisians passions vsed all the means he could to driue backe the blowe but he did no more therein then the Admirall and his brother the Cardinall de Chastillon The Constable remaining firme in that opinion that changing of religion would breed an alteration of the estate which he would not endure and to conclude not long after he and the Duke of Guise hauing made diuers banquets togither with the Duke de Montpensieur at Fontainbleau the Constable made a Supper to the Duke of Guise the Prince de Iainuille and the Marshall of Saint Andre the next day riding to Chantilly to the marriage of Thore his fift sonne the Duke of Guise not long after following him to Nantueil about fiue myles from thence where by letters they had many and seuerall conferences The common people in diuision following the example of the Nobilitie The people of France beeing vsed to cast their eyes vppon the Court perceiuing that there the great personages beganne to looke with strange countenances vpon each other they began to do the like There wāted no prouokers nor perswaders in the temples who without suppression spake of nothing else but fire and sword whereby in many places ensued great mutinies as in Beauuais Amiens Pontoise and other Townes wherein most great excesse and rigor was shewen to those of the religion who beeing as it were but a handfull in comparison to those of the Romish Church demaunded nought but peace sometimes certaine of them lesse patient then the rest not beeing able to indure the iniuries of those that termed them Huguenots and no Christians beganne to replye in like manner calling such as abused them Papistes and from such stinging words they fell to quarrelles which differences produced an edict made at Fontainbleau forbidding those reproaches and names of Huguenots and Papists also not to search any mans house nor to keepe any man prisoner for the religion vnder colour and pretence of certaine formes not well obserued An edict made at Fontainbleau as aremedy against the order taken by the Parliament which as then was almost broken The Parliament of Parris that likewise beganne to take a part in stead of opposing it selfe against commotions that might alter and change the quietnesse of the estate made great declarations vnto the King affirming most plainely that the diuersitie of religion is not to be indured in one estate condemning that by them termed to be a libertie of conscience and requiring the king to make and ordaine an open profession of the Romish religion and therevnto to
and little they assembled themselues about the Prince who beeing at Orleans first beganne to write into all places which caused diuers Townes to bee ceased vppon for those of the religion the onely cause to breake diuers intents of their most cruell aduersaries Likewise on both sides they beganne to rayse Souldiers out of the Realme meane time Declarations and protestations of the Prince meane time the Prince published diuers declarations and protestations for the iustification of his defensiue armes referring his enemies from that time named the Triumuirat to the edict of Ianuary and to leaue off armes thereby to set the King at libertie and his Realme in peace The Triumuirat that is The Triumuirats answere the Duke of Guise the Constable and the Marshal de S. Andre made diuers answeres onely tending vnto the suppression of that edict The Emperour and the protestant Princes were by the Prince fully certified of the whole Estate of France who in an open assembly of the Estates shewed the letters of the Queene Regent expresly written vnto him after the ceasing vppon the King and Parris recommending vnto him the mother and her children besides that hee made an agreement at Orleans with the Lords and Gentlemen there assembled to vse their forces and meanes for the deliuery of the king and Queene and for the maintenance of the edicts and state of the Realme this agreement sent vnto the Court the same day beeing the ninth of Aprill A greement made at Orleans a letter was published and registred in the Parliament whereby they certified the King his bretheren and the Queene that as then they were at libertie also by an other the King declared his intent to bee that the edict of Ianuary should bee executed in all places but onely in Parris The Prince for his part solicited those of the religion to send him men and mony The 25. of Aprill the Counte de Rochefoucaut with great troupes went out of Poicton and Xaintonge and arriued in Orleans The next day the Prince receiued a large aunswere Many proceedings on both partes before they proceed to armes vnto a certaine declaration by him made and sent thither but hauing vnderstood that the day before in all the places of the Cittie of Parris both hee and his partakers had publikely beene declared and termed seditious and euill Christians hee made a second declaration wherein hee openly declared and described the horrible cruelties alreadie committed against those of the religion imploring the edicts yeeldeth a reason of his actions and by letters written the 27. to the Parliament of Parris desired that his enemies hauing first raysed armes should laye them downe and that for his part he would do the like thereby to cease the calamities of the Realme And to the end to shewe all forraine Princes his intent two Gentlemen were by him deputed to stay in Almaine to the end that if the Triumuirat should there enterprise to leuie men they should procure that the Prince might there bee ayded and not others which done order was taken for the securitie of Orleans and there they coyned mony in the kings name The Queene therevppon beganne to solicite a peace writing letters vnto the Prince who vppon the first of May made her aunswere withall sending her a memoriall signed with his hand Meanes vsed by the Queene containing the meanes of pacification as hee had declared vnto the Parliament The fourth day after the Triumuirat made a declaration to the contrary requiring the abolution of the edict of Ianuary and of all exercise of religion onely that of Rome and that such as bare armes without the expresse commission and commaundement of the King of Nauarre the kings Lieftenant generall should leaue them off vppon paine to bee declared rebelles and enemies to the king and his Realme desiring likewise the Queene-mother to obtaine that all the forces on both partes might bee vnited and ioyned togither vnder the commaundement of the king of Nauarre and that so doing they were readie to retire vnto their houses The declaration of the Triumuirat but the king made a new declaration wherein the edict of Ianuary was still continued After many speeches in the end they grewe to blowes whereof I will speake as time serueth and first beginne with the Prince and his troupes Iu the beginning of the warre the Queene seeketh to accord and thē with a summary deductiō of that which happened in the Prouinces The companies of Lanciers beeing for the most part arriued at Parris with some of the olde companies of foote the king of Nauarre and the Triumuirat marched towards Chasteau Dun. The Prince at that time beeing as strong as they determined to enter into the field which mooued the Queene to seeke the procuration of a peace while the Triumuirat might haue meanes to gather a greater force One of the principall dealers therein was the Bishoppe of Valence The practises of the Bishop of Valence and what followed who in some sort perswaded the Prince extreamely greeued to see himselfe constrained to enter into a ciuill warre to offer the Queene to goe out of the Realme with all his friends to procure a peace Within two daies after he went to speake with the Queene and shewed her his minde which hee had no sooner vttered but hee was presently taken at his word the Queene making him great promises saying that the next day shee would send vnto him to knowe the conditions by him to bee propounded Wherevpon at his returne the Prince hauing communicated his intent vnto his companie not only the ordinary Councell but all the Coronelles and Captaines were summoned to giue their aduise which was wholly and directly against that declaration and the opinion of Monluc and the Queene-mother Among the rest Missieurs d'Andeloc and Boucard maruellously incouraged all the companie by their bolde and braue resolutions and if they had beleeued Monsieur d'Andelit presently they had set vppon the Triumuirats troupes After the Truce an enterprise of no small importance was begunne but your guides hauing not well conducted the Princes troupes and withall much raigne falling a great aduantage was lost Good discipline for a time in the Princes Armie At that time military discipline among the Princes souldiers was much to bee commended for the Gentlemen neuer molested their Hostes and such as had meanes payd honestly for that they tooke The Pesantes stirred not out of their houses such as offended were punished One named the Barron de Dampmartin that had violated a maide by great fauour escaped death but after continuing his follies hee had his head striken off within Parris this exemption in the beginning of the warres was taken for an euill signe No blasphemie was heard in al the Princes campe Among thē you sawe neither cards nor Dice for women they were from thē no man strayed out of his troup to forrage much lesse to boote-halling morning and euening at rising and
Princes of his blood But God shewed that he loueth not disturbers of the estate nor such as bath their handes in their owne blood that take courage by the indiscreet opinions of certaine pretences The enterprise of Amboise ciscouered in Ann. 1560. the enterprisors pursued by the Duke de Nemours The gate of Hugon in Tours by the which they assembled or of the first accords of the declaration of protestants made in Latin which are Huc nos venimus and that vse remedies crueller then the disease it selfe For that he ouerthrew this first enterprise and the actors thereof beeing taken vppon the suddaine obtained paine and punishment for reward and so were hanged in their bootes and spurs at the castle of Amboise But the sparks that issued out of this flint after that set fire to the ciuill warres of France and because the greatest part of those alterers of estates were of the new religion that as then were called Huguenots of the place where they first assembled themselues in Tours the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to crie out against Hereticques and to make them more odious he caused it to be reported throughout the Realme that their enterprise was against the king wherein they induced the Prince of Conde who to iustifie his innocencie and to shewe the integritie of his heart to the seruice of the king in his presence and others the Princes Lords and Officers of the Crowne spake openly and said That his Maiestie excepted and with reuerence to the Princes his bretheren the Queene his mother and the Queene then raigning those that had reported him to bee of the enterprise of Amboise lyed falsely and if they would seeme to iustifie it hee offered to fight with them and that if they were not comparable vnto him for degree hee would imbase himselfe for that time and make them either by sword or launce confesse themselues to bee vilaines and traitors And thervpon this Prince not induring to liue among so many suspitions and distrusts as beeing the But and marke of his enemies left the Court and went vnto his brother the king of Nauarre whither such as professed reformation withdrewe themselues This disease increasing more more and the corrupted humors therof breeding to a dangerous and mortall palsie the Queen-mother that knewe better the disease then the cause thereof The assembly of Fontainbleau Anno. 1560. the 21 of August where the King the Queene and diuers Princes sat there the Admirall presented a Petition and said that he would cause it to be signed by 50000. men and the Cardinall of Lorrain said the King should oppose 100000. against it They were not permitted to alight as the manner is at the kings Pallace She said that no man euer bandieth against the blood of France with out repētāce Iustification of the Prince of Conde Agreement made betweene the Prince of Conde and the house of Guise the 14. of August 1561. La Popelimere saith that the king of Na. promised the am bassador of the K. of Dēmark to cause the religiō to be preached throughout France within one yeare after perceiuing that by sharp and bitter remedies it was nothing healed beganne to vse gentlier and more easie and to the same end she caused the most learned and wisest men in al France to be assembled at Fontainbleau there to debate the causes of religion Where the Admiral presented the request of those whō he supported which was to haue libertie of churches and freedome of conscience wherevnto the Cardinall opposed himselfe And the Lords of Monluc Marillac were of opiniō that the most assured means to stop those new sprung sects was to submit themselues to a generall Councell and in fine the conclusion of this assembly was that a Parliament of the generall States should be holden at Meaux in the moneth of December after and a nationall Councell the tenth of Ianuary then next after ensuing The Parliament was holden at Orleans and the king sent for the king of Nauarre to come thither and to bring the Prince of Conde his brother with him that there hee might cleare himselfe of the hard report that ranne against him to the which end they set forward and arriued at Orleans presenting themselues vnto the king that intertained them not as their qualities and nearenesse of blood required For the Prince of Conde was committed prisoner whose deliuerance was sued by the Ladie Renee duches of Ferrare neuerthelesse his processe was framed wherevnto hee pleaded not guiltie yet in fine hee was condemned to haue his head striken off before the kings Pallace and at the entrie of the States vpon the which iudgement he continually expected the houre of death But by Gods prouidence the death of the king procured both his life and libertie for king Charles iudged him to be innocent At the same time the Court of Parliament in Parris made an Edict the Parliament of Estate continued and the difference of religion was appeased by staying for a generall Councell Meanetime Messieurs de Guise being in hope that their greatnesse would still increase and spread abroad were much abashed to see it shortened by the death of the king their Nephewe and thereby to be constrained and put in minde to thinke that they were no more as they had been So that they yeelded their place to the King of Nauarre but not the opinion nor the hope to recouer it once againe By that means their great affaires left off but they forsooke them not seeking by all meanes to be reconciled to the Prince of Conde alwaies keeping their owne like the Maister of a shippe that hoyseth and pulleth downe his sayles as time serueth and alwaies stopped the holes wherein they foresawe the round world enter ceasing not to speake most assuredly and openly against heresie which they so much the more detested as that they perceiued the Princes of the blood to lend their helping hand towards the aduancement and establishing thereof and that the king of Nauarre that made account thereof began to like it hauing more desire to the Realm of Nauarre that was promised to be restored vnto him and to that of Sardaigne offered him if he would separate himselfe from the Princes reformed and the protection of the protestants Churches then to the consideration of the quarrell of his house The greatnesse of those Princes could not continue equall by reason of the vnequallitie of their houses Yet they sought to go all in one ranke whereby the kings fauor could no sooner giue countenance to the one but it mooued the other His fauour is like a faire Ladie euery man seeketh and courteth her and if she smile more vpon one then vppon the other it breedeth but iealousie despight quarrell she cannot diuide her heart in two without a a mortall diuision Euery man hath his turne and both Catholicque and Huguenot vnder pretence and zeale of religion seeketh to get the good wil of the king his
the place was won for the King In Poictou the Barron de la Rocheposé the Lords of Preaux of Parabere and others for the King fought oftentimes with the Leaguers The Duke of Nemours after certaine sallies in and about Langres put himselfe within Lyons As for those of Chartres they defended themselues most couragiously for the space of two moneths and a halfe without beeing succoured by any in the end whereof perceiuing that the bridge which was made by the pollicie of the Lord de Chastillon to come vnto blows with them would be their ruine they entered into conditions of accord the Fryday before Easter the which contained that if within eighteene daies they were not assisted by the Duke de Maine who was then at Soissons three smal daies iourney from Chrartres they would yeelde themselues to the king Then they sent Deputies in post toward the Duke who for prouision dispatched a Maister of his housholde and two Maisters of the campe with tenne or twelue horse to trie if they could enter into the Cittie with charge to confime the Townesmen in their obstinacie But all the succours being taken on Fryday the ninteenth of Aprill about foure of the clocke in the after noone the king with his armie entered into Chartres where hee stayed Saturday and Sunday following The morrow after his enterance the Leaguers of the Cittie to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth went foorth of the Towne with their armies and suddainly the Marshall de Biron entered being followed with 1200. harguebuziers and about 300. horse the garrison assigned to him and the gouernment giuen againe to the Lord de Sourdis who before commanded ouer them They dislodged from thence certain Ladies and Gentlewomen of the leaguers in Coches and Chariots which they caused to be safely conducted to Orleans The K. being Maister of so faire strong a place leuied certain monies of the Inhabitants which had submitted themselues to his mercie Then hauing brought Aulneau and Dourdan to his obeysance hee returned to Senlis Leaguers ouerthrowne at Esperron At this time when Chartres was yeelded vp the Leaguers armie in Prouence consisting of a thousand Chieftaines and of sixteene or eighteen hundreth harguebuziers as well Prouencieux Spaniards as Sauoyans were othrowne at Esperrond de Pallieres by the Lords de la Valette and Diguieres who did the king excellent seruice For the league lost at that time near hand foure hundreth Chieftaines and fifteene hundreth shot leauing a great number of prisoners fifteen tents an infinit companie of horses baggage which were equally diuided among the victors they lost among the rest young Buous a braue and gallant Gentleman twentie souldiers and there were an hundreth hurt At Poictou also In Poictou certaine weekes after the Vicount de la Guierche commanding ouer certaine Regiments of footemen and horsemen and where hee found neare a thousand natural borne Spaniards newly come from Brittaine hauing an intent to do some great exployt they were charged to so good a purpose and with such high resolution by the Barron de la Roche posé and other of the kings chiefe seruitors that after they had giuen them a certaine fight la Guierche seeing on the cold earth more then three hundreth Gentlemen and his most assured fauourites tooke his flight toward the next riuer where finding the ferrie and thinking to go ouer easilie the throng was so great that the ferrie-boate and all the passengers suncke to the bottome La Guierche was there drowned with a great number of others There perished in the water and in the fight more then seuen hundreth Spaniards Some supposed this losse of the Leaguers to bee little lesse then that of Coutras by reason of the great number of the Nobilitie which died therein As for Guierche hee was but little lamented in respect of his vngodly life and disordered behauiour Chasteauthierri yeelded to the League The Duke de Maine hauing thus lost Chartres followed his intelligence vppon the Towne of Chasteauthierri the which was yeelded vnto him with the Castle by the Pinarts the father and the sonne who were commaunders of the same place The Spaniards sackt both the Towne and Castle spoyling in like sort diuers Gentlemens houses round about neuer caring of whole part or religion they were of After this exployt those of Guise beeing at Reims made there a new Archbishop dispatching Ianin sometime President of Diion to go into Spaine to the intent hee might there looke vnto their affaires The kings Edict for upholding the two religions in his kingdome On the other side the Princes and Romaine Catholicque Lords which were the kings partakers perswaded with him to frame himselfe to the exteriour profession of their religion and by the Duke of Luxenburg who had before made a voyage vnto Rome in their name they practised with the Pope to that end On the contrarie side the Protestant Lords beseeched the king to haue them in remembrance who were so faithfully constantly imployed for him Other of his Councel pressed vpon him to prouide for his peaceable subiects as well of the one as the other religion Also that hee would preuent the new attempts of the Pope and his adherents against France And these solicitations begat two Edicts which were brought foorth at Maâ—te in the beginning of Iulie The one established the decrees of pacification made by Henry the third deceased vpon the troubles of the Realme repealing abolishing that which had been made in Iuly 1585. and 1588. in fauour of the league The other contained in forme of letters pattents an ample declaration of the kings intent to maintaine in France the Romaine Church and religion which was surnamed Catholicque Apostolicque togither with the rights and auncient liberties of the Gallican Church An act made by the high court of Parliament at Chaalons at Tours against the Popes bulles his Nuntio and his legat in France It hath beene said before that the new Pope called Gregorie had sent Marcellin Landriano his Nuntio into France with monitarie bulles against the king The Court of Parliament of Paris sitting then at Chaalons in Champaigne hauing receiued and verified the two Edicts aboue mentioned added at the last making mention of the conseruation of the liberties of the Gallican Church that she admitted the Atturney generall to appeal touching the abuse of those bulles published by the Popes pretended Nuntio the thundring and execution of the same held him to bee wel relieued giuing him audience for the first day that commission should bee deliuered vnto him to informe against this pretended Nuntio and his adherents which information beeing made and brought throughout the Court and viewed then they wold decree that which should bee reason moreouer that the same Atturney should haue an act of protestation by him made to prooue himself for the counsell to come This Edict was giuen the first day of Iuly In the montth following there was a second
where it was openly proclaimed throughout the Prouinces The Guisarts not content with the troubles in France mooue warres in Scotland but to their owne confusion The religion multiplieth in France euen in the middle of their persecutions and next after God submit themselues vnder the protection of the Princes of the blood determining to oppose themselues against the house of Guise who by diuers subtilties receiue and award their blowes discouer the enterprise wrought against them cause the principall Nobilitie of the Realm to be assembled at Fontainbleau where the Admirall galleth them on all sides This assembly produced an aduise and consent of a Parliament to be holden in the end of that yeare The Princes are summoned to come vnto the Court and all subtile practises vsed to get them thither being arriued at Orleans where the Court was holden They were stayed as prisoners specially the Prince of Conde the house of Guise practising the totall ruine of the Princes and all others of the religion leaue no meanes vndeuised which by the sequell is well perceiued While these actions were in hand the king fell sicke in the end the Queen his mother got the Regencie with the ayde of the house of Guise and the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and those of the religion are relieued by the kings death CHARLES THE NINTH I Account the raigne of Charles the ninth to be the time of wonders in France his beginning was the assembly of a Parliament where nothing was done but onely in words Those of the religion openly increasing the house of Guise began to practise against the estate many edicts were made to pacifie the troubles The Queen-mother vseth practises that ouerthrew the lawes of the realme to satisfie those of the religion an assembly was holden at Poissy which ended in words and no resolutions and lastly with mutinies in Parris The Edict of Ianuarie was made whereby the Duke of Guise vndertooke to commit the massacre at Vassy inducing the king of Nauarre to consent with him hee seizeth both of Parris and the king which bred the first ciuill warres which on the one side containe infinit exployts of warres as battels incounters assiegings defenses and taking of places on the other side spoyles and horrible murthers of those of the religion in all the Prouinces of the Realme The troubles being ended by the death of the Duke of Guise slaine at the siege of Orleans the first Edict of pacification abolishing that of Ianuarie was established After the peace the Englishmen were driuen out of New-hauen the king is declared to bee of age to gouerne without a Protector and causeth diuers Edicts to be made He is solicited by the Spaniard to breake his Edict of pacification which is weakned in diuers poynts the beginning of the voyage of Bayonne diuers Citadels builded many Townes vnwalled those of the religion sacked and spoyled in many places leagues made against them Edicts reuoking those that had been granted vnto them The shamefull entrie of the Cardinall of Lorraine in Paris Councels holden at Bayonne the kings progresse throughout France A dissembling reconciliation made between the houses of Guise Chastillon the miserable state of France a notable processe at Paris between the Vniuersitie and the Iesuites Vnder pretence of a passage to bee granted to the Spaniards to passe into the low Countries preparation was made to ouerrun those of the religion which constrained the Prince of Conde and his associates to seeke to defend themselues whereof ensued the second eiuill warres set downe with the most notable accidents therein happened Negotiation of peace which the Prince is constrained to accept This peace presently after conceiued a third ciuill warres The Prince and the Admirall hauing hardly saued themselues in Guyenne followed by diuers others The Princes first exployts edicts against those of the religion many warlike exployts betweene the contrarie armies Warres began to be in greater force in the yeare 1569. then euer they were before The Prince was slaine after the battell of Bassac the Prince of Nauarre declared generall of the armie and the Prince of Conde assistant A puissant armie of Almaines vnder the conduction of the Duke de Deux Ponts commeth to ayde them the incounter of la Roche la Belle the warres of Bearne the siege of Poictiers and Chastelleraud the battell of Moncontour What both the armies did after that The siege of S. Iohn d'Angely ouerthrowne the armie victorious Diuers exployts of wars in Poictou Guyenne Xaintongne and Angoulmois a great voyage through the Prouinces after the battell of Moncontour continuance of warres which is ended by the third edict of pacification and about the end of the yeare the king married the Emperours daughter a voyage made vnto the Queene of Nauarre for the marriage of her son with the king of France his sister Councels among those of the religion the death of the Cardinall of Chastillon The marriage aforesaid agreed vpon warres were pretended against the Spaniard the secret of the Court discouered the Queene of Nauarre went to Parris where she died the Princes and the Admirall came thither Contracts and espousals of the king of Nauarre most horrible bloodie and cruell councels and massacres of the Admirall and thirtie thousand of the religion in Parris and in many other Townes all the circumstances precedent and following set downe at large Many deuises to destroy those that were resting of the religion who in Rochel Sancerre Languedoc and other places resolued to stand in a iust defence of their cause the assieging and yeelding of Sancerre A notable discourse of the siege of Rochel from the beginning vntill the peace granted The state of those of the religion in Quercy Languedoc and other Prouinces where they ouerthrew their enemies and presently after reduced the king to such a stay that he was forced to begin againe who fell sicke as his brother went into Poland A deuise not ouer good for those of the religion The fourth troubles beganne at the massacres and ceased for a time at the peace of Rochel and began the fift by the enterprises against Rochel and Languedoc The wonderfull practises of the Queene-mother to maintaine her actions and to serue her turne by her third son against those of the religion The estate of diuers prouinces specially of Normandie where Monsieur was taken prisoner Warres in Poictou against those of the religion The Prince of Conde goeth into Almaine The sicknesse and death of the king HENRY THE THIRD THe Regents dealings during the warres in Normandie The estate of Languedoc Viuarais and Dauphine Montgommery beheaded in Parris The Prince of Conde chosen generall by those of Languedoc Warre in Poictou The arriuall of the new king escaped out of Poland The beginning of his actions The siege of Lusignen Warres in Dauphine Practises against those of Languedoc The death of Charles Cardinall of Lorraine The memorable siege of Liuron Conquests in Languedoc and elsewhere Negotiation of
peace which procured warres Notable exployts of Mombrun with the end thereof The state of Xaintongue New practises inuented against those of the religion The Duke of Alencon the kings brother leaueth the Court and promiseth wonders Accord betweene the Prince of Conde and the Duke Casimir ouerthrowne by the Queen-mother The miserie of Frenchmen The Germaines armie entereth into France The king of Nauarres departure from the Court. After the D. of Alencon is made general of the armie A peace is propounded which in the end is fully agreed therevpon the fift Edict of pacification was made which like the rest hatched the sixt ciuill warre Foundations of the league begun by the house of Guise Preparations and beginnings of new warre A summarie of the king his Oration to the estates The intention of the same estates discouered What the king of Nauarre and Prince of Conde answered to the Deputies of the same estates Entrance to the sixt ciuil war and the most memorable things of the same being ended at last by an ample edict of pacification The proceedings both of one and other after the peace especially after the king his mother and those of the house of Guise which beganne to stirre and constrained the King of Nauarre to looke to himselfe but chiefly after the death of the Duke d'Alencon which serued for an infantation or production of the league in Paris and elsewhere the progressions wherof are declared Pretext of the leaguers mutinie whom the king attempteth to disvnite The King of Nauarre manifesteth himselfe against them The Queene-mother maketh her selfe a necessarie Agent heerein and causeth the King to yeelde vnto the leaguers more then they hoped for so that hee abolished the last edict of pacification prepareth for warre and demaundeth money The Pope excommunicateth the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde the which the Parliament of Parris disliketh yet neuerthelesse the king formally proclaimeth himselfe against those of the religion who prepare to make resistance The Duke de Maine his exploits for the league then those of Duke de Mercoeur The memorable expedition of the Prince of Conde towards Anger 's What those of the religion did for their defence in Poictou Xaintongue and other places and the King of Nauarre against foure armies of the league The first and last exployts of the Duke de Ioyeuse for the league against the King of Nauarre Battell of Coutras Discourse of the iourney and ouerthrow of the Rutters armie abou◠the end of the yeare 1587. A summarie recitall of the attempts of the league against the Duke de Bouillon in those seasons Fresh attempts of the league against the estates and those of the religion The warre taketh beginning at Sedan The death of the Prince of Conde The Duke of Guise commeth to Parris vpon which ensueth the battell of Barricadoes The Kings retrait and the beginning of extreame euils in France Proceedings of the King and Leaguers Assignation of the estates at Blois An edict of vnion in the month of Iuly War ordained against such of the religion as intended those estates Attempts of the Duke of Sauoy against France Assembly of the Estates and that which proceedeth the ouerture of the same The Kings Oration who would confirme his Edict of Vnion The Duke of Guise his progressions discouered wherevpon ensueth the putting to death of him and his brother Warlike exployts by the K. of Nauarre for his owne defence and of the armie of the league in buse Poictou Niort taken from the league Restitution of Ganache Dissipation of the leaguers armie A straunge confusion in the estate of France Death of the Queen-mother Behauiour of the king the league and king of Nauarre during these beginnings Truce betweene the two kings Diuers exployts and enterprises of the leaguers who are discomfited in Normandie Beausse in the Isle of France The king with a puissant armie hauing brought in diuers places of importance drew neare Parris where a Iacobin Moonke subborned of long time for the same purpose traiterously gaue him a wound with a knife whereof after some certaine houres hee died and in him failed the race of the French kings of the line of Valois HENRY THE FOVRTH DIsposition of the French after the Kings death Councels of the league Order giuen for the affaires of his armie by the new King being Henry the fourth lawfull successor to the Crowne His genealogie His proceedings and notable exployts in Normandie neare to Arques From thence hee commeth towards Paris taketh the subburbes assayeth to drawe the leaguers to fight taketh Estampes Vendosme Mans reduceth many Prouinces to his obedience and martyreth Normandie wherevpon the Parliament riseth against him 90. Stratagems of the League for maintenance of themselues Exployts by the king in Normandie Battel of Parris Attempts of the Parliament of Roan the Parisiās against the K. The siege of Paris A strange diuisiō of the Order of Sorbōne frō their soueraigne Lord within the Realm Famine oppresseth the Parisians who desire peace and cannot obtaine it through the false deuises of the heads of the league who goeth about to deciue the king and people As for the king hee goeth forward against his enemies who are sauoured by the Duke of Parma the king of Spaine his Lieftenant who being resolued not to couple with the Frenchmen intrench in a strong place and make themselues Maisters of Lani vpon Marne Their intrenchment and auoyding of fight is an occasion that the king dismisseth his armie wherevpon ensueth the entrie of the Duke of Parma into Paris The taking and reprisall of Corbeil with the shamefull retrait of the Spaniards and Wallons 91. Parris is besieged as before Dauphine reconquered to the king The Pope fortifieth the league Cheualier d'Aumale is slaine Stratagems of the Spaniards for defacing of Parris Romish attempts against the king who taketh Chartres by composition and by his Lieftenants discomfiteth the league in Prouince and Poictou Afterwards hee publisheth Edicts for the retention of two religions in his Realme The Parlaments of Tours and Chaalons condemne the buls the Popes Nuntio and Legate In the meane while the Duke of Guise escapeth out of prison On the other side the king besiegeth and taketh Noyon Ouerthroweth the armie of Sauoy at Pontcharra entereth into Normandie whither he draweth the Duke of Parma when in the meane while the mutinous Parisians hang vp Brisson Archer and Tardif For reuenge of whose death foure of the principall seditious were dispatched out of the way 92. Arrest and decree of the Parliament of Roane against the king Discourse of the siege of Roane Disposition of the leaguers armie it is ioyned and fought withall being put to flight both by sea and land The ignominious retrait of the Duke of Parma Attempts by the league in diuers parts Bayon in vaine assailed by the Spaniards Amblize and the Lorraine leaguers discomfited by the Duke of Bouillon Ioyeuse ouerthrowne with his armie before Villemur Complaint by members
of the league and resistance made by the heads Arrest of the Parliament of Chaalons against the Popes bull and assembly of the estates of the league Proceedings of the heads of the same Death of the Duke of Parma Attempts of the Duke of Maine after his death His declaration against the king 93. The king maketh answere to the Duke And his Councell offer a proposition to the estates of the league who are turned aside out of the way of peace by the Popes Legate and Spanish Ambassadour The king is solicited to go to Masse wherevnto the leaguers apply all their pollicies ouerthrown before by the Parliament of Parris The king maketh profession of the Romaine religion wherevpon ensueth a generall truce and new practise of the leaguers to withdraw the people from acknowledging him In the meane while the tragedies of Peter Barriere are a playing who desirous to haue a part in the league conspired against the life of the king and Duke de Nemours The leaguers turne themselues on euery hand for ther owne maintenance and to ruinate those of the religion Stratagems of certaine Polititians against the king who expresseth his good will to those of the religion and looseth that which he had conquered in Piedmont 94. He bringeth the league vnder subiection enforceth rebellious townes to their former obedience namely Parris where the Parliament opposeth it selfe against the Spanyardes After certaine goings too and fro to Rome the lesse desperate Leaguers are receiued to fauour Amongst others the Parisians who are woont to chase away the auncient enemies of France published a decree or arrest against the league and the Duke de Maine What ensued vpon a fauourable declaration of the king who in Picardie pursued the remainders of this vnion During this the Vniuersitie prosecuted the Iesuites Warre is noysed in Brittain and towards the lowe Countries About the end of the yeare a disciple of the Iesuites attempted to kill the king 95. Processe against the Iesuites and their secret complots discouered Warre proclaimed against the king of Spaine Leaguers of Soisson hewen in peeces Spaniards discomfited in the Dukedome of Luxembourg Warre in Franch-Countie Beaune surrendred to the king Memorable explopts both of one and other part Duke d'Aumale executed in his image and portrature The siege of Fere. The king obtaineth absolution from the Pope Estates of Picardie 96. Marseilles reduced vnder the kings obedience The Cardinall of Austria releeueth Fere and by force of armes taketh Callais and Ardes Neuerthelesse Fere is by composition deliuered into the kings hands Afterwards Marshall Biron made diuers incoursions into Artois And the amitie betweene the king the Queen of England and the vnited Prouinces of the low Countries was confirmed The king conuocateth the estates at Roan discouering briefly vnto them his intention Henry the seconde M. D. XLVII HENRY the second of that name and the 59. King of France Pharamond the only sonne of Francis the first that died vppon the 30. day of the moneth of March in the year of our Lord 1547. succeeded in the Crowne by order of succession according to the auncient salicque lawe of the land Hee while the Nobilitie were busied to prouide for the obsequie and funerals of his deceased father and staying for his sacrying anoynting in the moneth of Aprill following made and ordained an edict An edict against blasphemers to be published against blasphemers of the name of God which action made shewe of a notable and commendable beginning yet that so laudable a worke continued no longer in force then many others had done before it Neuerthelesse it wrought this effect that thereby it euidently appeareth that succession and not the sacrying and annoynting of a Prince is the chiefe originall of royall authoritie The 16. of Iulie the Court was much troubled by a contention and memorable action that happened betweene Messieurs de Iarnac and Chastegneraye gentlemen of great account that had defied each other by reason of certaine words vsed by one of them which had procured the other to giue the lie The King in steade of ending their cause by aduise of his Councell and to constraine the offender to satisfie the offended graunted them the combat wherevpon according to the Kings appoyntment they appeared vpon the day aforesaid at S. Germaines in Laye where in the presence of the King Princes Lords and others they entred into the lists There Monsieur Iarnac who by all the company was esteemed the weaker by reason he was newly recouered of a certaine sicknesse withall despised and litle fauored ouercame the other to whom before they entered into the combat euery man adiudged the victorie and wounded him in such sort that not long after he died to the Kings great griefe who vppon that occasion expresly forbadde all combats whatsoeuer in this manner hee beganne with a bloodie tragedie and ended with the like as heereafter you shall heare The King sacred at Reims The 27. of Iulie after hee was sacried and annoynted at Reims with all the auncient accustomed ceremonies therevnto belonging in the presence of twelue Peeres spirituall and temporall The spiritual were the Arch-bishop of Reims the Bishop of Langres Beauuais Noyon Laon and Challons the temporall the Duke of Bourgongne Normandie and Guyenne the Earles of Champagne Flaunders and Thoulouse Most part of the Princes Nobilitie of the Realme being likewise present with diuers Ambassadours of straunge nations But the Ambassadours of Florence Mantoue and Ferrare came not by reason of a controuersie that fell out between them concerning their preheminence of places and for that they could not agree therevppon they absented themselues till the cause was further debated The Constable exalted Anne de Montmorency Constable of France who certaine yeares before had been bannished the Court and secretly held at Chantilly as soone as Francis the first died was repealed againe and the new king committed the principall charge of the affaires of the Realme vnto him which at that time were executed by the Cardinall de Tournon the Admirall Annebaut who as then had good leisure to repose themselues yeelding their place to him whom the king termed his Gossep one that in times past had done him many seruices as afterward hee did Mesieurs de Longueual d'Espars de Boncour de Framezelle de Antipe the Barron de la Garde the Generall Bayard and others were narrowly sought and pursued for diuers secret causes in such sort that some of them were forced to saue themselues by the gilded Gate others by meanes of their friends Warres in in Scotland The king hauing made a Progresse into Picardie went further into the Realme and caused an Armie to bee leuied vnder the conduct of Monsieur D'esse to ayde the Queene Dowager of Scotland against the Englishmen causing her to be safely conducted into Scotland to the end to impeach the vnion of both those Realmes which might bee to the preiudice of France and thereby to
Counsell giuen the king against the peace and quietnesse of his Realme The king hauing agreed with his forraine enemies with whom all men hoped a most sure and perpetuall alliance to be made was againe put in minde and counselled to redouble the hard and cruell punishments by him deuised against those of the religion who in the middle of those troubles had much increased thoughout all the Realme And so in steed of spirituall meanes to be vsed in things concerning the soule diuers euil Councellors to this Prince caused him to conceiue an extream hatred to those of the religion filling his eares with many vnworthie terrible reports against them Monsieur d'Andelot first felt it being for religion committed prisoner in Melun wherevpon many discontentments and suspitions grewe among the most noble houses whereof ensued diuers and many mischiefes which after the death of king Henry began to increase who hauing vnderstood that in the Parliament of Parris many and diuers iudgements were made touching the condemnation of such as were accused for religioÌ„ was counselled to sit in person at a Mercurialist iudgement Mercuriales and imprisonment of certaine Councellors in Parris within the Augustines because as then the Pallace was preparing and making readie for the marriages that there hee might heare and vnderstand the aduise of all his Presidents and Councellours Others of the same Councel esteemed that the presence of the king wold but abash such as seemed to oppose therin and that so those of the religion remaining without support and condemned they would in fine procure the execution of their desires But it fell out cleane contrary for that some Councellours said and flatly affirmed that it would be more conuenient to deale with lesse rigour against those of the religion vntill such time as by a free and generall counsell they had beene shewed their errour Hee that spake boldest and plainest was Anne de Bourg a man of great learning and pietie The king that neuer had heard any speech of such importance commaunded the Constable to leade du Bourg and other Councellours prisoners to aunswere their obiections swearing in great chollour that hee would see the end Wherevpon Monsieur Montgommery Captaine of the guard ledde du Bourg into the Bastille the rest into other places Meane time those of the religion were hardly pursued in euery place who during those troubles in the moneth of May caused a Sinode to be holden by all their Pastors A Sinode of the religion in Parris Deacons and ancients within the Towne of Parris wherein the Articles of the Doctrine and Discipline of the reformed Churches throughout all the Realme were written and set downe Meane time the Courtiers sought and deuised all the meanes of ioyes and pleasures they could inuent thereby to solemnise the royall marriages both of the Kings daughter and of his sister I speake not of the murther committed vppon the person of a renowmed Player of Comodies who at that time had made most magnificall preparations therewith to reioyce the Court that was slaine in the house of Reims by his owne seruants so that all his preparations were layd aside Preparation for the marriages neither yet of the Queenes Dreame nor of the apprehensions and discourses of diuers Politicians who were of opinion that this great Wheele of earthly prosperities would shortly turne about onely I will shew you that the sighes of prisoners for religion the horrible torments vsed to some of them and the earnest prayers of infinit numbers of families threatned and that wel perceiued that the peace had beene agreed vppon betweene the Frenchmen and the Spaniards thereby to make a warre with them that neuer should haue an end were the winds that hoysed vp the wonderful and strange alterations which the wise and prouident counsell of God in short time after made to appeare Marriage of the King of France his daughter with king Phillip Elizabeth of France hauing been solemnely ledde and conducted by the King her father > vnto the Cathedrall church of Parris and there most magnifically and in great triumph espoused by the Duke d'Alue Deputie for the king of Spaine his Maister The espousals done by the Cardinall de Bourbon and after fiers of ioy made for the peace the reioycings of the people glad of that rest quietnesse the Banquets Proclaimations and Ceremonies accustomed with all maiestie performed assisted by so many Noble Princes Lords Gentlemen Cardinals Officers and Domesticall seruants both of the King and Queenes houshould there likewise beeing present the Dukes of Sauoy and Alue the Prince of Aurange the Counte d'Aiguemont and other Lords of the lowe Countries in great numbers and after the sumptuous banquets playes maskes and daunces followed the last act which changed all those ioyfull and pleasant Comodies into bloodie and mornfull Tragedies wherein the king played the lamentable Prologue for that hauing published a running at Tilt to bee performed within S. Anthonies streete Atourney in S. Aâ—thoniesstreete where against the aduise of those that besought him to leaue that exercise to such as should shewe him pleasure therein he would in person be a principall actor seconded by the Dukes of Guise and Ferrare But the second day of his running hauing runne verie often the Queene desired him to leaue off saying that the Duke of Sauoy might supply his place He sent her word by the Marshall de Montmorency that hee would runne but once more and that for the loue of her Wherevppon hauing sent a Launce to the Counte de Montgommory commanding him to runne against him and the Counte earnestly excusing himselfe eyther for the respect hee bare vnto his Prince or fearing to faile as the first day hee had many times done not once touching any against whome hee ranne The King sent him expresse commaundement not to refuse him With that the Earle ranne and breaking his Launce vppon the Kinges Cuirasse The king sore hurt with a splinter of a lance a splinter thereof entered into the Kinges Vizarde not beeing well closed and by chaunce ranne into his eye so farre in that his head festered Wherewith the King presently beganne to fall by reason of the blowe but the Princes and Lordes ranne to him and ledde him into his Pallace of Touernelles where in great dolor and paine he died vpon the tenth day of Iuly He died in the flower of his age in the thirteenth yeare of his raigne and the fortie and two yeare of his age the day before his death he desired that the marriage of the Duke of Sauoy and Lady Margaret his sister should be celebrated in his Chamber and that whatsoeuer had beene accorded vnto by the treatie of peace touching the Duke should wholly bee performed His heart was buried in the Temple of Celestins in the Chappell of the Dukes of Orleans his royall Obsequies were celebrated vppon the thirteene day of August and his bodie buried at Saint Dennis in the Common
fatned by the confiscations of the goods of those of the religion and by borrowings neuer to be repayed hauing made offer of all that hee had to the house of Guise was receiued into their band The Constable sent home The Constable perceiuing that the king in open Parliament had declared that his meaning was that from thence foorth al men should haue recourse touching matters of estate the crowne and of his house vnto his two Vncles the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine and that by consequent his mortall enemie entered into his place and doing that which wholly apperteined to his offices of Constable and Great-Maister of France yea and in the presence of the Spaniards and other straungers who before had made so much account of him about eight daies after the kings death went to present himselfe vnto the king deliuering vppe the seales to him committed by King Henry and hauing been certified from the king that the charge of the treasures and other affaires concerning the estate were as then committed to the Cardinall and to the Duke of Guise the commandement of all things that belonged vnto the warres and that for his part the king permitted him leaue to depart and go vnto his house saying hee still retained him of his Councell and that whensoeuer hee would come vnto the Court hee should bee welcome he thāked the king for suffring him so to retire beseeching him that as touching his comming vnto the Councell his Maiestie would excuse him for two causes the one because hee could not serue vnder such men ouer whom he had alwaies commaunded the other for that beeing holden and accounted for an olde and simple man his counsell would not bee necessarie otherwise he offered both life and goods to serue the King Which done he went to see the Queene mother that handled him very rudely reproching him that he in presence of the king with smiling countenance should say that he had neuer a childe that in any thing resembled him but onely his bastard-daughter that married with the Marshall de Montmorency Yet for the loue of her deceased king and husband she said she was content to remit her owne particular quarrell for which if it pleased her she could haue caused him to loose his head yet she exhorted him not altogither to leaue the Court but to come thither sometimes He denied the accusation which she alledged touching her children affirming it to be false desiring her to haue in remembrance the many seruices by him done to her and to the Realme and not to regard the euill report of such as were his enemies that shuld not do him all the mischief which they pretended And so hauing taken his leaue and brought his maister vnto his Tombe he withdrew himselfe vnto his house The Princes of the blood scattered Touching the Princes of the blood the Prince of Conde was sent into Flanders there to confirme the peace to whom was deliuered a thousand Crownes to beare his charges The Prince of la Roche Suryon was sent thither likewise to beare the order of France vnto the king of Spaine and at his returne appointed with the Cardinal of Burbon to cōduct the Princesse Elizabeth into Spain The Parlimēts were appointed at the good pleasure of those of Guise The Cardinal de Turnō an old enimy to the Cōstable to al those of the religiō was repealed from Rome reestablished of the priuy councel The Kings Officers of his house chaunged part of the old officers of the kings house were discharged part sent home vnto their houses with half their pensions to giue place to others And to cōclude there staied not one in the Court that fauoured the Constable The Prouinces of the Realme and the frontier Townes were filled with Guisians and all Gouernours and men of warre commaunded to obey the Duke of Guise as the king himselfe All the Parliaments were aduertised Those of Guise haue charge of all that the Cardinall had the whole ordering and disposing of the treasures and of the estate The Queene Mother aduanced aboue all obtained the monies proceeding of the confirmation of Offices and the priuiledges of Townes and corporations whereof shee gaue a part to whome it pleased her although such summes ought not of right to be exacted vnlesse the Crowne fall into an other braunch First Edicts The first Edicts were made against such as bare Armes namely Pistols and Bastinadoes then against long Cloakes and great Hose It was a common saying in euery mans mouth that the Cardinall was a fearefull man if there were euer any in all the world hauing vnderstood by a certaine Magician in Rome that by enuie and then when he should be most in credit his enemies would cause him to be slaine with a Bastianado for that cause hee had procured that Edict being alwaies in great distrust euen at the time when all men were in most subiection to him Among so many affaires the 14. of Iuly Letters Pattents from the king confirmed the Commission vnto the Iudges appointed to proceed in iudgement against Anne du Bourg Proces against Anne de Bourg and other prisoners and foure other Councellours that were committed to prison Du Bourg stedfast in religion was hotly pursued Bertrand Cardinall and Archbishop of Siens beeing one of the principall wheeles of this criminall Chariot and the Cardinall of Lorraine the leader therof Those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be at the point of a more violent persecution by expresse Letters vnto the Queene besought her by her authoritie to commaund the leauing off to persecute them in such great rigor Shee promised the Prince of Conde Madame de Roy his mother in lawe and to the Admirall to cause the persecutions for to cease so they would leaue their assembling togither The Queen-mother promiseth to doo for those of the religion and that euery man wold liue according to his own conscience secretly and not to the hurt of others Shee had been most earnestly mooued by the letters of one named Villemadon that knew great part of his secrets putting her in minde of her great affection vnto pittie at such time as shee was barren exhorting her not to withdrawe the Princes of the blood from the mannaging of the affaires of the estate thereby to aduance and make Kings the house of Guise Those letters were written the 26. day of August and wrought with so great effect that from thenceforward for a certaine time the Queene seemed to hearken vnto the comfort and ease of those of the religion meane time those of Guise to make their gouernment seeme agreeable to al the people and to leese nothing in the kings name published letters of the reuocation of all alienations made Alienations made by king Henry reuoked as well for life as yeares beeing for recompences of any seruices past except those sales whereof the monies had beene imployed for the kings great vrgent
the estates of the land they perswaded the king to hold him whatsoeuer he were for a mortall enemie to his authoritie and guiltie of treason that should once speake or mooue the question to bridle it or to appoynt a Protector ouer him that they were but practises and deuises of such as liued discontent solicited therevnto by Hereticques that onely sought to ouerthrowe and spoyle the religion of his fathers Meanes to interrupt the Parliament The Queene-mother likewise no lesse then they doubted the assembly of this Parliament and at that time things were so gouerned that the King of Spaine wrote letters to the King his brother in lawe which were openly read in the Councel-chamber the king of Nauarre being present wherin he said hee vnderstood that certaine mutunous and rebellious persons inforced thēselues to mooue and stirre vp troubles thereby to change the gouernment of the Realme as if the king as then raigning were not sufficient and capable thereof and to giue the charge to whom it pleaseth him without the consent and will of others or of any his subiects that for his part hee would imploye his whole forces to maintaine the authoritie of the King and of his officers whatsoeuer yea that it shuld cost both his and fortie thousand mens liues alreadie prepared if any man were so bolde to attempt the contrary for that hee bare him such affection The King of Spaines declaration as hee said that from thencefoorth hee declared himselfe both Tutor and Protector of him and of his Realme as also of his affaires which hee no lesse regarded then his owne Not long after the king of Nauarre returned vnto Bearg Petitions to the Queene and what ensued The pursuites against the Councellor du Bourg proceeding moued those of the religion in Parris to present a petition to the Queen-mother exhorting her vnto her dutie withall setting downe and threatning the vengeance of God and the daunger that might ensue by meanes of those so hard and rigorous dealings which in the end might turne vnto great troubles At the first she aunswered them with an angrie countenance but in the end she became somewhat milder making shew to desire to see one of the Ministers of Parris to conferre with him Madame de Roy prouided one and this Minister went as farre as Reims where hee stayed a certaine time but neuer could speake with her but shee still found some excuse when any man tolde her of him Besides du Bourg about the end of this yeare diuers were imprisoned within Parris for the religion and their houses pilled and robbed as if it had beene in a Towne taken by assault witnesses beeing seduced Slaunders and false witnesse against those of the religion to protest and verifie that in a certaine assembly made vppon the Thursday before Easter in the place of Manbert at a Councellours house great numbers of Lutherians men women and maides after the sermon and solemnisation of their Sabbaoth had eaten a Pig in stead of the Pascal-lambe and that the candles being put out euery man tooke his woman and had his pleasure with her The Cardinall by these informations mooued all the Court but the Queene-mother for that cause hauing spoken against certaine of her Gentlewomen that were of the religion they found the meanes that in her presence the two principall witnesses were examined beeing two young boyes who said and affirmed both then and many times before they had had their pleasures of that Councellours daughters but in fine they began to stagger and couertly to deny in neuerthelesse the accusation and proces went forward and because that at the taking of the prisoners there had beene some resistance in the subburbes of S. Germaine they sent from house to house to search for all their weapons and tooke them away not leauing them so much as a knise which were carried into the house of Guise The Councellour so shamefully slandered went with his wife and daughters and yeelded himselfe prisoner Innocency found but in no sort maintained as it appeareth where the daughters were sound to bee Virgins but without doing iustice vppon the false witnesses and such as had procured them by vertue of a certaine edict that set prisoners at libertie which were accused for religion and notwithstanding their complaints and declarations they were in a manner forcibly thrust out of the place and while they were holden prisoners diuers were burnt wiihin Parris and other Townes onely for the religion which among all those troubles did much increase A declaration against the authoritie vsurped by strangers On the other side hatred increased both from great and small against the house of Guise About the end of October a Proclamation was made touching the assembly of a Parliament wherein was prooued that it appertained vnto the Parliament to prouide for the gouernment of their kings that were in minoritie that the king spake nothing but by the mouthes of the Vncles of his wife that the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise were vncapable of the Gouernment the one beeing a Priest and a creature of the Pope the other and all his familie euen in the life of the late deceased king hauing beene so bolde to say that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from the race of Charlemaigne vpon the which Hugh Capet had vsurped that they had manisestly striuen for certain members thereof as the Counte of Pronince and the Duchie of Aniou they set downe the lamentable effects of their ambition in the breach of peace and in the last voyage into Italie cause of the ouerthrowe of the battell of S. Lawrence and danger of all the Realme which to auoyde they were constrained to yeeld vppe all the conquests of Francis the first and Henry the second they forgot not likewise their exactions their dealing with the treasures and the great debts of the king Meanes to vphold that authoritie They perceiuing that the king which beganne to growe vppe gaue no great hope eyther of long life or issue beganne likewise with more care to prouide for their affaires They sought to obtaine and procure vnto themselues diuers seruants and friends in the Parliamant inticed the Courtiers and all the captaines and men of warre to fauour them shewing a great zeale to the Romish religion thereby to winne the hearts both of the spiritualtie and the Cannons And in the month of Nouember to please them a rigorous edict was published against the assemblies of those of the religion who being found with the maner were presently condemned to die their houses rased and great recompence promised vnto such as should disclose their assemblies These edicts published the persecution followed but the spies beeing abashed of themselues there were other edicts published against all those that fauoured any of the religion and that once seemed to abash eyther the Iudges or the witnesses in any such proces The President Minard and
Iulian Forme stain The eighteenth of December Anthony de Minard President in the Parliament of Parris was slaine with a Pistole as in the euening he returned from the place to go to his house but it could neuer bee knowne from whence it came no more then of the death of Iulian Ferme Agent for the house of Guise slaine hard by Chambourg where the king laye and sound with certaine notes and memorials cocerning the liues of certaine notable personages some were imprisoned and in great danger for the death of Minard and among the rest one Stuard a Scot who although he was of the linage of the Queen as then raigning was cruelly tortured yet could they not drawe any thing from him that once might preiudice himselfe or any other About this time the Elector Palatin hauing sent his Ambassadour vnto the king to craue that the Councellour du Bourg might bee giuen to him to serue him in the towne of Heidelberg the Cardinal being greatly moued at the death of Minard wrote vnto the Court of Parliament that they should presently proceed with their proces against du Bourg but before it proceeded so farre expresse Proclamations were once againe made and published against bearing of armes Anne de Bourg executed for religion The 20. of December Anne de Bourg hauing constantly perseuered in the consession of the faith concerning those poynts which at this day are in controuersie and debate touching religion was degraded and the next day the Iudges caused to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth men as well horse as footemen and all armed to set vppe Gibbets and to carry wood into all the places of Parris there vnto appoynted And in this sort vpon the 23. of the same moneth du Bourg was led to S. Iohn in Greue and there hanged which done his bodie was burnt and consumed to ashes Presently after other were burnt in Parris and many other places for the religion and many meanes inuented to massacre such as passed along the streets not doing reuerence vnto the Images as then newly set vppe at all the corners of the streets and euery passenger was constrained to contribute their money to the boxes presented vnto them therewith to beare the charge of the waxe-candies Extraordinary rigors that were set vppe to burne before them otherwise it cost thē their liues They went likewise from house to house to gather mony for the maintenance of the officers and suings of proces against such as were found faultie therein and whosoeuer refused or delayed to put his hand into his purse sped but hardly for it The vsurpation of the insupportable dealings of the house of Guise awaked the French men These proceedings altogither vnsupportable the threatnings against the greatest personages in the Realme the putting backe of the Princes and principall Lords of the Realme the despising of the Estates of the land the corruptions of the Courts of Parliament adicted to the part of the newe and straunge Gouernours that ruled both the king and Queene the common treasors the offices and the benefices diuided and giuen at their commaundement and to whom it pleased them their violent and of it selfe vnlawsull gouernment against the lawes of the land and the order of the Realme mooued most great and maruellous hatreds against the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine and caused that diuers not being able longer to indure so great oppression beganne to vnite themselues to gither thereby to determine vppon some iust defence that so they might erect the auncient and law full gouernment of the land Whervpon counsell was asked both touching lawe and conscience of diuers Lawyers and Diuines wherof the greatest part concluded that men might lawfully oppose and resist against the gouernment vsurped by those of Guise and if need were take armes thereby to repulse and withstand their violences so that the Princes who in that case are borne as lawful Magistrates or ony one of them would take the matter vppon him beeing therevnto required by all the Estates of the land or else by the greatest part thereof The first that with earnest zeale determined vppon this matter of so great consequence were not all of one opinion for some of them mooued with a true zeale of seruing God the king and the Realme beleeued verily that they could not do a more iust and vpright worke then to procure the abolition of Ferrany and the reestablishment of the Estate and withall to open the way to some meanes of comfort and reliese to those of the religion There were some that were desirous of change and the rest prouoked by euill will and hatred conceiued against those of the house of Guise for hauing done some wrong and outrage eyther against themselues their friends or allies But in effect their onely and finall intent was to inforce themselues wholly to worke the meanes to cease that vnlawfull gouernment and that the Estate of the realme might bee established as it ought to bee But for that in this intent both generall lawfull and commendable there chanced diuers particular and defectiue discourses it is not to bee wondred at if that there happened a confusion in the pursuit and that if the euent fell out but badly for those that tooke it in hand specially such as mixed their particular passions with the consideration of the common profit of the land For as touching those that onely determined to release and free the Realme of France from the yoake of strangers although the greatest part of them are dead in the pursuite thereof as well then as since that time in the raignes of the two kings ensuing and that as yet that debate not being determined yet are they gon out of this world with that most singular contentment in their mindes to haue most couragiously sacrificed and yeelded vppe their liues to reduce their countrie into a true spiritual and corporall libertie Difficultie in a great enterprise In these first enterprises there appeared an other great and doubtfull difficultie which was how they should beginne to addresse themselues vnto the king for that besides his minoritie hee had no great vnderstanding and it was impossible to speake vnto himselfe about such affaires considering his whole affection desire was to bend himselfe vnto the counsel of those two whom they sought to withdrawe and separate from him To present the matter vnto his priuie Councell would be as much as to allowe their aduersaries to bee their Iudges and so euidently to worke their own confusion to haue recourse vnto the Parliaments it would lesse auaile and yet more daungerous so that in fine the surest way was found to bee by ceising vppon the persons of the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine by some deuise and vnder the name of some one or some number of the principall members of the Estate to demaund an assembly of a Parliament to the end that they two might there yeeld an account
the end that in so great a presence they all might heare what aunswere hee would make Presently therevppon the companie was assembled in the great Hall of the Castle and in the kings owne presence where the Prince hauing recited the speeches by the king vsed vnto him and what therevpon had followed said that the person of the king excepted with those of the Princes his bretheren and the Queenes and with reuerence vnto them all those that had said and reported vnto the king that hee should bee the head and conductor of certaine seditous persons that were reported to haue conspired against the person of the king and his estate had fallely and wickedly lyed And that to prooue his innocency therin he would leaue his place dignitie of a Prince of the blood to fight with them and cause them with his sword or launce to confesse themselues to bee right villaines and that they themselues onely sought the ruine of the Estate name and blood royall for the conseruation whereof hee said hee would imploy both life and goods as hee had alwaies made good proofe as also for his interest to the Crowne and house of France the title whereof hee ought to procure with much more right then those that were his accusers summoning all the company that if among them there were any that had made the report or that once would seeme to maintaine it presently to shewe themselues wherevppon no man presenting himselfe he besought the king to esteeme him for an honest man and from thencefoorth not to bend his his eares vnto the secret tales of such flaunderous and bad persons but rather to reiect and bannish them from his presence as enemies both to him and publike peace which done he went out of the Councell to giue them leaue to consult But at a certaine signe made by the Cardinall the king brake vppe the assembly without asking their aduise where as then hee might haue made some alteration or disaduantage to those of Guise The Admirall sheweth himselfe a faithfull seruant to the king and the Realme The Queene-mother much troubled in these tempests yet according to the maner and custome of all the world seeking to holde on the strongest side sent the Admirall into Normandie to know the cause of their commissions desiring him most earnestly without dissembling to certifie her the truth thereof with promise not onely to acknowledge his trauels in that behalfe but to keepe it secret Hee executed his commission with all diligence and without feare of any man nor long after sent a Gentleman to the Queene with large and ample letters therein containing that those of Guise were the onely cause and true originall of all the troubles that happened in France because of their violent and vnlawfull government shewing the proofes thereof adding that the faithful subiects of the Crowne held for certaine that the calamities would neuer be ended as long as straungers gouerned the King and his Estate hee exhorted her therevppon to take the cause in hand and to giue ease and quietnesse to those of the religion causing the edicts that tended therevnto to be well and truly obserued Comfort to the prisoners for religion These aduertisements bred letters that were directed to al the Parliaments and other Iudges freely to release all such prisoners as were detained in their Prisons for the cause of religion the execution of which letters neuerthelesse were long performing an other thing likewise draue forward this wheele which was that cerraine prisoners at Blois and Tours for the enterprise of Amboise hauing found the meanes for to escape out of prison wrote a letter vnto the Cardinall partly in iest and partly full of threatnings that it should not be long before they would come to see him with all the rest that were not in his keeping and that had wholly determined to spoyle his person Hee beeing a man very fearefull for that time put water in his wine which caused the generall inlargement of diuers prisoners throughout all the Realme and it was spoken by diuers men that the Cardinal verified the ancient Prouerbe which is If you touch pitch you shall bee defiled therewith Letters in fauour of those of Guise Further those of Guise perceiuing themselues to bee assayled on all sides by diuers writings beeing as it were the forerunners of some new onset the last of March they caused certaine letters to bee dispatched to all the Parliaments Bailiffes and Stewards as also to straunge Princes wherein such as had beene present at the enterprise of Amboise namely the heads were accused of high treason both against God and man specially those of the religion and their Ministers were therin abused in diuers sorts to the which was added a number of great and large promises of reformation both in the Politicque and Ecclesiasticall Estate Answere to their letters To these letters a most ample and large answer was framed directed vnto the Parliament which painted out the house of Guise in all their colours requiring that they in open Parliament of all the Estates might yeeld account of their behauiour in the gouernment of the Estate The Parliament of Parris sent this answere by one of their Vshers vnto the Cardinal But that of Rouen seeking to doo more their deputies beeing sent vnto the king were constrained presently ro retire and could do nothing Letters vnto the king of Nauarre The ninth of Aprill letters were written and sent in the kings name vnto the K. of Nauarre to the same effect as those that were sent vnto the parliamēts being desired to cease vpō certaine persons that attended about his person accused to be of the enterprise of Amboise therin likewise was set downe the acculatiō imposed against the prince of Conde who for the same cause had iustified himselfe mean time a consultation was holden to cease vpon the person of the Prince of Conde which the Duke of Guise wholly seemed to dislike Hee on the other side sent his Secretarie vnto his brother to aduertise him what had past to aske his counsell and to write him answere thereof This beeing discouered to those of Guise they wrote a letter vnto the Prince full of excuses to the end hee should content himselfe which hee likewise sent vnto his brother that made him a plaine answere fearing to bee discouered Warres in Scotland mooued by those of Guise At that time those of Guise thought to trouble and ouerthrowe the Estate of Scotland which their sister the Queen Dowager and monsieur d'Oisel gouerned peaceably they hauing made the marriage betweene their Cousin and King Francis caused their Cousin to take vpon her the title of Queene of England and of Scotland onely vpon some vaine imaginations and not content therewith they sent certaine intelligencers into England there to mooue the people to fauour their Cousin and to bring the Q. of England in hatred with her subiects specially because of thereligion Their intent
was presently found out notwithstanding they lost not courage but to maintaine their credit with the Catholiques they caused certaine rigorous edicts to bee made in Scotland against the religion whereof ensued a tumult appeased by the Q. Dowager and the Noblemen of the countrie Therevpon king Henry being dead and the gouernment of France in their hands they sent the Bishop of Amiens and la Brosse their faithfull seruants into Scotland who at their arriuall would constrame euery man to go to Masse telling the Q. Dowager and Monsieur d'Oisel that their sufferance had spoyled all saying that from thencefoorth they wold vse force not sparing any man And therevpon sound diuers means to alter the Esate of Scotland and although the Queene Dowager propounded diuers peaceable and sure means they two would deale as they thought good but in the end the Lords Gentlemen of the countrie threatned troubled by such newcome fellowes rose vp in armes desired ayde of the Englishmen their neighbors in such sort that in short time they draue out the Priests reduced la Brosse into a small corner compelled the Bishop to saue himself in France The Queen of England before she entered into armes had desired those of Guise not to proceed in so hard and violent maner wherevnto they not being desirous to hearken vpon the 24. of March she made a long discourse wherein she shewed that she litle esteemed of all whatsoeuer those of Guise their adherents shuld enterprise or vndertake against her person or Estate and withall made it euidently knowne that her only desire was euer should be to liue in peace amitie with all Christendome They sought both by Ambassadors and messengers to ease the mischiefe by them deuised but by no meanes could effect i◠so that in fine things of themselues grewe to such an end that in the meane time it may be said that the violence vsed by those of Guise gaue such a blowe vnto the Papacie with in the realme of Scotland that euer after it did nothing but languish and consume and in the end was wholly extirped and so remaineth Touching France during those executions of Amboise as also before that those of the religion still increased both in zeale and number Aduancement of the religion in France in all the places of the Realme and yet not without great hinderance by diuers persecutions and by the meanes of some men that could no more content themselues to vse it secretly whereof ensued their open assemblies and that within some Churches Those of Valence Montelimart and Romans in Dauphin beeing the first The Duke de Guise beeing Gouernour extreamely offended that those of whom he thought to be most feared began to take that course which most displeased him to stoppe their intents and purposes first hee sent Iohn de Monluc Bishop of Valence who before by meanes of his Sermons had done more hurt then good vnto the Pope and because Monluc did not proceed with any effect and that Monsieur de Cleremont Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise was esteemed to be too fauorable Mangiron a cruel man an extream enemie to those of the religion had the charge giuen to him wholly to roote thē out at the beginning he proceeded therin with great subtiltie with diuers of his Agents playing many seuerall parts and in the end hauing found the meanes to driue certaine Gentlemen out of Valence that maintained those of the religion he beganne to play his part sacking their houses as if the towne had beene taken by assault Proceedings of Maugiron against those of the religion in the Parliament of Grenoble in Dauphine to strengthen him they sent him sixteene Ensignes of the olde troupes of Piedemont and some Companies of launciers On the other side Truchon chiefe President of Grenoble ayded by diuers Councellours went to Valence and passing through Romans caused 60. of the principallest to bee cast in prison while Maugiron pilled those of Montelimart to whome hee had both sworne and promised not to do any wrong neither in publike nor in priuate that had good means to impeach and hinder him from his pretence if by faire words hee had not wonne them To returne vnto the Presidents and Councellors of Grenoble they caused two Ministers in Valence to bee beheaded and hanged three of the principall Cittizens of the Towne The rest of the prisoners went out by the Goldē gate with abiurations whippings bannishments and great fines wherewith the Iudges and kings Atturneyes made themselues rich At Romans they hanged two men and whipped one whom they after sent vnto the Galleyes The estate of the religion in Prouence In Prouence two Gentlemen beeing bretheren Sieurs de Mouuans named Anthony and Paulon de Richiend hauing made open profession of religion in the time of King Henry Anthony was traiterously massacred by those of Draguignan in Anno. 1559 whereof Paulon could neuer haue iustice Not long after Captaine Chasteauneuf beeing sent from Nantes to Prouence by Renaudie and his companions to assemble those whom they thought meete to assisist them in the enterprise of Amboise the Deputies of 60. Churches in that Prouince being assembled at Merindol Paulon was chosen Leader of the troupes of Prouence which hauing accepted hee made a diligent inquiry through all the countrie and found two thousand men that had good means to horse arme and entertain themselues besides a great number of Gentlemen and other voluntarie Souldiers And as when the time of marching approached his Councell were of aduise that the troupes should seeke to enter into Aix there to erect the religion and so to giue occasion to those of Guise and others to mollifie their persecutions when once they should perceiue men rising in all places of the Realme to withstand their rigors This enterprise discouered Mouuans determined to make a way through the plaine countrie where hee made warre against the Images which were beaten downe in euery Church causing all the relicques of gold and siluer to bee molten and to sell the vessels and other to yes belonging vnto the Masse the mony whereof euen to a halfe-penny was left in the hands of the Consuls and others of euery place A most admirable militarie Discipline but yet truly and seuerely executed at that time wherevppon Mouuans pursued by the Counte de Tande with a great power retyred in good order into the high countrie where hee expected newes from Renaudie meane time the Counte beeing a wise Gentleman as any of his time dealt so wisely therin that by agreement made between them it was ordained that Mouuans might surely and freely retire without any hurt or displeasure neither great nor small hauing beene hurt either in word or deed in all Prouence the Mages likewise not once complaining of any thing done vnto them for whatsoeuer had past with promise to cause iustice to bee done touching the mother of his deceased brother Captaine Paulon surnamed the Barron de la
and to shew a good countenance vnto the Constable and his Nephewes The Admirall presented a petition to the King in the behalfe of the religion The 21. of August they were assembled wherein there was not one of the Princes of the blood and before they began to debate of any matter the Admirall presented a request vnto the King for those of the religion in France whose desire was that it would please his Maiestie to graunt them libertie of Churches and free exercises of their religion in all places The King hauing hanked the Admirall for his vigilancie fidelitie and sincere affection caused the petition to be openly read and then hauing declared from poynt to poynt the cause of that assembly desired the assistance euery man in particular freely and without feare or passion to giue him counsell as occasion and necessitie therein should require that done the Queen-mother and the Chauncellour spake and the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall offered but in generall to render vp an account of their administration which finished that daies meeting the assembly beeing remitted vntill the 23. of August wherevnto Monluc Moruilliers du Mortier and d'Auanson al foure of the priuie Councel opposed themselues But hee that spake most to effect and that deserued most praise to bee a faithfull Councellour was Charles de Marillac Archbishop of Vienne Oration and aduise of Marillac who by notable reasons liuely desciphered shewed that it was requisite to assemble a nactionall Councell thereby to remedie the differences in religion and the third Estate to direct the gouernment of the Realme But hee liued not long after this Oration made and many spake diuersly of his death The Admirals Oration censured by those of Guise The next day beeing the 23. of the moneth of August the Admiralles turne fell out to speake whose Oration tended to the ordering of religion and the Estate before mentioned by Marillac but with farre more eloquent phraise wherevnto hee added a most graue and wise censure against those that by inuironing the king with double guardes learned him to feare his subiects and his subiects to hate their Prince desiring the king most certainly to be perswaded that all his subiects reuerenced him and bare most earnest and hartie affection vnto him The Duke of Guise much greeued and offended at that which the Admirall had spoken specially touching the new guards made a large discourse vnto the contrary in such sort that he shewed himselfe in great perplexitie with all the wit hee had to defend his broken cause His brother the Cardinal walked with some more deliberation vppon those pricking thornes assaying to refute the humble protestations contained in the request presented by the Admirall in the name of all those of the religion who from that time foorth was most extreamly hated by those of Cuise who neuerthelesse at that time made shewe not to dislike in any sort that a generall assembly of the Estates should bee assigned and that as touching religion they propounded an other aduise which likewise was allowed as in the articles following you may reade A Parlia-assigned the 10. of December And according to the resolution vpon the last of August letters were dispatched vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards signifying vnto them that the Estates generall were assigned to meete vppon the tenth of December next ensuing within the Towne of Meaux to the end they should take order to cause Deputies to bee chosen against that time But in this Commission there ranne a clause which was that during such elections the Gouernours and Lieftenants of Prouinces should seuerally visit the Townes to inquire and vnderstand the peoples griefes and to bring them vnto the King that prouision and good order might bee taken for the good of euery Prouince A Sinode of the Clargie the 20. of Ianuary By the same letters he assigned the Bishops Prelates and other Ecclesiasticall persons to bee at Parris vppon the 20. of Ianuary next after ensuing to aduise and take counsell what shall be fit and conuenient to be shewed vnto the generall Councell exhorting them in the meane time to reforme that which belongeth to bee reformed and amended by the Church further commaunding them to be watchfull ouer their aduersaries termed wicked spirits composed of the remnants of the rebellion and tumult of Amboise Gathering of troupes of Souldiers Those of Guise hauing by this means assured themselues against the Princes the next day sent letters in the kings name vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards for the assembly of men at armes or lanciers to be readie by the 20. day of the month of September the distribution whereof was done in such manner that the companies were all mingled the suspected inuironed with others that might set vpon them both before behinde the commanders hauing charge to take put to the sword al such as they once esteemed or suspected to march to ayde the Princes On the other side because the declaration which those of the religion had directed vnto the Princes in many points concerned those or Guise At the deniall of Iohn du Tillet a certain yong Councellour named Des Autels of Charrolois presented himselfe that vnder the title of an Oration vnto the people of France made an answere vnto it and with priuiledge from the King caused it to be imprinted But this Orarout was so well schooled by a replye made therevnto that neuer after hee durst hold vppe his nose and was disauouched by the Cardinall that onely had set him on worke saying that both time and his actions would soone procure him reason at the hands of his enemies And those of Guise hauing ioyned the forces Letters from the king to the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde with their answeres returned out of Scotland with the olde troupes of Piedemont Metz and Picardie they caused them to approach near vnto them with 1200. launciers reserued besides the deuisions made within the Prouinces sent a message in the Kings name vnto the King of Nauarre whereby the Prince of Conde was charged to haue enterprised against the Estate of France and to haue sought to cease vpon the least Townes to haue them in his possession for which cause hee desired the King of Nauarre to send his brother vnto him vnder strong and safe conduction which if hee refused hee said hee should in person be constrained to go thither with such a traine that it would not be for his commoditie The King of Nauarre and his brother made a graue and bolde answere which was that if their accusers would make themselues knowne and seeme to defend the accusation against them and beeing bereaued of that authoritie which they vsurped they with a small company would present themselues before the King where in his presence they would euidently shew him that such accusers were the parties guiltie to whose most false reports they besought his Maiestie in any sort not to giue
Lorraine A Gentleman one of their Participants and in time past very familier with the Prince was appointed by them to conferre with him He pronounceth warre against the Guisians as also to sound his full meaning and intent and therewith to seeke to abate his courage which hee pretending the Prince desired him to shewe those of Guise that for his part hee hadde receiued so many and great wrongs and iniuries at theyr hands that their quarrell could neuer bee fully ended eyther at the swordes poynt or else by Lanuce which if hee coulde not effect yet hee hoped before his death to make them manifestly to bee knowne and founde culpable of those faultes by them imposed vppon him This most haughtie resolution caused them to sende for the President de Thou Barthollomewe Faye and Iaques Violle Counecllours of Parris certayne Maisters of the requests Bourdin Attourney Generall They seeke to make his processe and du Tillet the Clarke to examine the Prince vppon high Treason and that if they coulde not finde him guiltie thereof they shoulde then examine him vppon the Artickles of his fayth The Prince aunswered them that it belonged not vnto them to put any such questions vnto him not specifying diuers causes of refusing them therein which hee might well haue shewed specially against de Thou whome hee most sharpelye reprooued and when they enterprised to proceede further in lawe the Prince appealed vnto the King But the next day being the 15. of Nouember the peale was declared by the priuie Counsell to bee of no force from which the Prince hauing once againe appealed hee was commaunded vpon paine of high treason to aunswere before those Commissioners He purgeth himself of treason and openly professeth religion which he did hauing two Councellers to helpe him And before them he clearely acquited himselfe of treason and boldly confessed and auouched the religion Not long after the Secretary Robertet brought him a certaine paper containing diuers speeches pretended to haue beene spoken by him at Amboise beholding the execution of certaine prisoners Hee therewith at large expounded his meaning vpon those speeches yet was there no witnesses produced against him for the same no nor Bouchart himselfe that had faithfully promised vnto the Cardinall by word of mouth to shewe him many wonderfull things touching the Prince but they proceeded so farre that vppon his aunsweres hee had iudgement of death pronounced vppon him and his head to bee striken off vppon a Scaffold before the Kings Pallace vppon the tenth of December then next ensuing at the entering of the Estates into the Parliament He is condemned by the priuie Councell and participants of Guise It is affirmed and published by writing that this iudgement was vnderwritten and sealed by all the priuie Councell onely the Chauncellour and Monsieur de Mortier that delayed it off as also by diuers great Lords and Barrons by the eighteene knights of the Order newly chosen and by diuers others participants of the house of Guise and by more Maisters of Requests and Councellours of the Parliament which the king sent for and caused to come thither that not once dealt in the cause The Counte de Sancerre refused to signe it desiring the King with weeping eyes rather to cut off his head then once to mooue him therevnto whereat the King much abashed dismissed the Counte not pressing him any further therein They likewise vsed many rude and hard dealings towards the Princesse of Conde who very stoutly and with a meruellous courage sued for her husband Meanes and subtilties vsed that no speech should be had in the Parliament touching religion At the sametime the Pope published a Bull bearing date the twentieth of Nouember wherin hee promised a generall Councell for the ordering and determining of matters of religion assigning it to be holden within the towne of Trent vppon Easter day then next ensuing On the other side the Cardinall of Lorraine had giuen order to write and Register the names of all the principail of the religion in euery Prouince throughout France which rolles were made and diliuered vnto him All those that held on the Princes parts and with religion were as then iudged to die thereby to cease all quarrelles and that no more speech might once bee mooued touching the reformation of religion seeing as then the affaires concerning the same were in that estate which those of Guise desired and for the execution of so high and haughtie enterprises as the assembly of the Estates whereby the libertie of France should wholly haue beene ouerthrown the forces of the Realme diuided into foure parts vnder the conducts of the Duke d'Aumale the Marshals of Saint Andre de Brissac and de Termes marched to clear the Prouinces of all suspected persons touching religion to furnish the charges thereof they tooke the third part of all Ecclesiasticall reuenues the Gold and Siluer of Relicques and the Treasures of the Temple with promise that the confiscations should restore it all againe For supply of Souldiers the Pope dispensed with all the Cleargie and promised to furnish them with a great number of men of that calling As touching the extermination of the Princes and Lords they proceeded therein with time and leisure The King of Nauarre was to bee confined vnto the Castle of Leches the Admirall into the great Tower of Bourges with all his children his Nephewes in another Tower within Orleans which after that was called the Admirall hard by that of Saint Aignan prepared for the chiefe Cittizens of the Towne Determination to kil the king of Nanarre marnellously preserued The Marshals of Saint Andre and Brissac beeing arriued at the Court were of aduise that the King of Nauarre should bee slaine without troubling themselues to set a guard to keepe him wherevppon they determined to poyson him at a banquet and then vppon an euening to kill him as hee went from the kings chamber which taking no effect the king was desired to do it and to stabbe him with his Ponyard and so to shedde his owne blood which Gods mercifull prouidence would not permit although it seemed to bee almost vppon the poynt of execution the King hauing the Ponyard readie vnder his Gowne beeing alreadie entered into certaine rough speeches against the King of Nauarre who in presence of those of Guise made him so sufficient and good an aunswere that hee escaped An other pretence was sought to get him to ride abroade to hunt and in hunting to kill him The Constable had not as yet entered into the Lackes but they were minded to constraine him therevnto hauing alreadie sent out commission to laye hands vppon Monsieur d'Anuille his second sonne As touching the Admirall and his two bretheren the declaration by them made specially the Admiral d'Andelot to bee of the religion was cause sufficient to condemne them Meanes vsed to intrap and extirpe all those of the religion Which to effect the king sent commission to all
the knights of the Order to certifie them that he would holde a generall feast of the Order vppon Christinas day then next after ensuing minding all excuses set apart that euery man should as then come thither which beeing expected the Doctors of the Sorbonists framed such a confession of the faith that not any man how little feeling soeuer hee had of the religion would for a thousand liues haue once signed or consented therevnto The day beeing come this confession was to haue been presented by the King himselfe vnto the knights hee beeing the first that should set hand vnto it requiring the like of euery one of them with oath and promise to holde and obserue the same vnuiolably in euery poynt and to set vppon and ouerrunne all such as should deny it without exception either of friends or Parents whatsoeuer and whosoeuer should make the least deniall or any delay presently without further inquisition forme or manner of proceeding the king should degrade him of the Order and as also of estates dignities and honours and the next day after hee should bee burnt The like should also bee done vpon the same day by an assembly of Cardinals thereby to intrappe the Cardinall of Chastillon that done all the Princes and Lords of the Realme should come to signe to that confession then all the Gentlemen and Domesticall Officers to the king The Chancellour had commaundement to do the like among the Maisters of Requests Iudges Secretaries and other Officers of the Courts of Parliaments The Queene-mother tooke the charge vppon her to cause all the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Court to do the like it being inioyned vnto al those that had any retinue or houshold to cause them to followe the same rule vpon paine to aunswere to the contrary at their perils After that it was to be sent vnto all the Parliaments Baliages Stewardships and other Iurisdictions of the Realme to exact the like confession of faith vppon euery man and whosoeuer delayed or fayled therein to be presently burnt without any other forme or manner of proces If any belonging vnto the Princes or Lords of the Guises part were exempted from death for hauing refused to signe and after repented their fault for his pennance all his life after hee should weare a Sanuenito or coloured robe after the manner of Spaine for a perpetuall shame and ignominie The Curates and Vicars were charged to go vnto all the houses of their Parishes accompanied with the Clarkes Notaries and other such persons therevnto appoynted to take the Signatures and to keepe a iust record of the number of euery particular Iurisdiction New Commissions likewise beeing sent out vnto the Captains and Gentlemen perticipants with those of Guise to raise men of the same confession that they might iustly execute that which should bee giuen them in charge The Deputies for the Estates put in feare and hardly handled As the Deputies for the Estates arriued and the tenth of December approaching for the beginning of the Parliament expresse commaundement was giuen them from the king vppon paine of death that not any of them should once be so bolde as to vtter one word in open Parliament touching religion because his Maiestie had otherwise disposed thereof But some of them not refraining to say that the letters of commission to assemble specified the same Those they sought by faire meanes to appease or else to blinde their eyes with the Popes new made Bull with the assembly of a Councel others they put in feare and to some they made faires promises but to such as were not of the religion they partly made them priuie to their intents aforesaid At that instant there arriued a packet from the Counte de Villards Lieftenant for the Constable in Longuedoc who wrote that the Deputies for that Prouince that were appoynted to sit in Parliament were such as were most affected vnto religion and such as would not fayle to aske the libertie thereof as hauing speciall charge to doo it wherevppon men were presently sent foorth for to arrest them but they taking an other way to Orleans without giuing leaue to enter into their lodgings they were ceased vpon with all their notes containing most ample instructions both for the good and benefit of the Estate and religion Constancie of the king of Nauarre On the other side certaine Captaines and souldiers solicited the king of Nauarre to saue himselfe presenting him with the meanes diuers of his friendes aduertising him of many daungers that might happen vnto him by staying there But hee committing his life into the hands of God and doubting least his retrait would rather be cause to bereaue him of his life refrained that counsell so that whatsoeuer eyther friends or enemies could say vnto him yea although hee might easilie perceiue himselfe to bee openly disdayned and mocked by the Courtiers hee would not forsake the Towne neyther yet leaue his brother before hee had seene what would bee the effect thereof The Admirall goeth to Orleans The Admirall sent for by the king to come to Orleans without making any account of his friends and other his familiars disswations shewing him into what daunger hee would thereby bring himselfe presently tooke his voyage and beeing arriued at the Court hee vnderstood by the Queene-mother that the Cardinall had fully determined to aske him a reason of his faith in the presence of the King praying him not wilfully to put himselfe in daunger His constant aunswere was reported vnto the Cardinall who therevppon made his full account that eyther the Admirall should as then renounce the religion or else loose his life The day before the Prince should be executed the King fell sicke Vppon Sunday beeing the ninth of December as a part of the Kings houshold were alreadie departed from Orleans to go to Chambourg and Chenoncean the king of Nauarre in the morning going to salute the King hee was warned to come foorth and to ride on hunting vntil the States were come but he excused himselfe considering his brothers captiuitie yet had hee expresse commaundement the next morning to prepare himselfe to ride vppon the which day his brother should haue lost his head but that day the common Prouerbe was truly verified which is that God can alter all mens actions for that the same day about foure of the clocke in the Euening the King beeing at Euening prayer at the Iacobins hee fell in a sound wherewith hee was presently carryed into his Chamber where beeing reuiued hee beganne to complaine of his head on that side of his left eare wherein hee had a continuall Phisola in such sort that with the paine a Feuer ceased vppon him Which notwithstanding Those of Guise seeke to withstand the blow those of Guise caused diuers commissions to be sent abroad vnto the Captaines of their part to raise men in diuers Prouinces and not long before commission had been giuen vnto the Marshall de Termes to march to
inioyne all his subiects whatsoeuer to obserue and keepe it vppon such paines and penalties as hee and his learned Councell should thinke most conuenient There were other declarations made touching the wordes of Papistes and to liue Catholickely contained within the edict wherevppon those of the Parliament propounded many difficulties to the great hurt and detriment of those of the religion that were wholly and openly condemned and the Pope expresly named the head and Gods Vicar vppon earth This winde serued but onely with more speede to assemble and bring togither the tempests of ciuill warres which at this day as yet continueth Sacrying of the king The Cardinals complaints In the moneth of Iune the king was sacred in Reims where were present thirteene Peeres of France the kings eldest brother beeing the first and all the other Princes of the blood sitting in their degrees there the Cardinall of Lorraine made great complaintes against those of the religion wherevpon it was determined that a new assembly of the Princes Lords and others of the priuie Councell should bee made in the Court of Parliament in Parrris to take order therein Not long after letters pattents were sent vnto the Presidents de Thou and Seguier to assemble the particular Estates of Parris but vpon the opposition framed by the Councellour Ruze in the name of the Nobilitie those assemblies of Estates were broken vppe without any resolution onely in one poynt which was that the payment of the Kings debts should bee imposed vppon the Cleargie About the same time the act for the clearing the Prince of Conde of treason was newly published proclaimed openly in the Court by President Baillet the doores being open and all the Iudges and Councellors being present in their Scarlet gownes within the great chamber where were present diuers Princes and Noblemen A decree in the Court of Parliament to iustifie the Prince of Conde and others the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine beeing of the traine There the Prince was declared innocent in that which had bin imposed against him and free libertie reserued vnto him to haue lawe against all such as hee therein suspected to bee his enemies and false accusers and such recompence in that case to bee allowed him as to a man of his estate might appertaine The like Actes were read and pronounced at the same time for Madame de Roye Vidame de Chartres deceased Monsieur de Cany and the Councellour de la Haye Not long after the king the Queene his mother and the priuie Councell came into the Parliament and there after many and diuers opinions giuen foorth concerning religion in the moneth of Iuly The edict of Iulie an edict was published vppon paine of death forbidding al iniurious speeches words whatsoeuer on both sides to bee vsed all leagues and things tending vnto sedition all slaunderous words against Preachers and assemblies forbidden to those of the religion who neuerthelesse could not haue beene condemned to indure a greater paine vnlesse it had beene bannishment out of the Realme all which prouision vntill a full and ample declaration should bee made by a generall Councell or by the next assembly of the Prelates all faults past in respect of those of the religion to bee remitted with commaundement to punnish all such as should seem to delay them Bastionadoes forbidden but onely to men of qualitie In like sort the Prelates were sent for to bee at the conference and safe conduct giuen vnto all Ministers freely to come and dispute of their religion Practises against the King of Nauarre The place beeing assigned at Poissy while those of the religion were in good hope because the Cardinall of Lorraine and others protested to reason quietly touching the articles debated by the parcelles of the holy scripture means was practised wholly to diuert the king of Nauarre from the affectiō by him shewed to those of the religion and by the means of the assembly at Poissy to breake off the Parliament as then reiourned vntil the month of August next after ensuing because the Queene-mother knewe full well that the Gentlemen and the Commons would aske to haue Churches allowed vnto them which being agreed vnto would make the Princes part too strong which she doubted Such order therefore was taken in that poynt that Descars before that Chamberlin to the king of Nauarre and put from his Maister Descars entertained hauing discouered him to bee a Pensioner to those of Guise was restored to his place and became in more fauour then euer hee had beene Also the Duke of Guise being returned from Callais where hee had been with Monsieur d'Anuille second sonne to the Constable and a great number of other Courtiers to conduct the Queene of Scots widdowe to Francis the second solicited the Prince of Conde An agreemēt between the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Guise to bee reconciled vnto him at the which agreement made at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August with the king and the Queene-mother there were present all the Princes Noblemen Cardinals Councellours and Knights of the Order The king hauing spoken of the cause of the assembly commannded the Duke of Guise to speake who turning vnto the Prince spake and said Sir I neither haue nor euer ment to do or execute any thing that should bee against your Honour neither was I eyther author meanes or moouer of your imprisonment The Prince of Conde answered him and said I esteeme them both for wicked and mischieuous persons that were the cause thereof The Duke replyed and said I beleeue it well but that toucheth not mee which done at the kings request they imbraced each other with promise from thenceforth to continue good friends and the Queene-mother to witnesse the ioy shee then conceiued that day held a solemne Feast The Queen-mother practise a both with great and small to maintaine her Regency As touching the Estates reiourned vnto Pontoire in the month of August as then it was no longer time to deferre them but the Queene playing secretly on both parts to ratifie the agreement made between her and the king of Nauarre touching the Regencie and to the end it should no more bee spoken of first sent thither the Councellour du Mortier that was sent backe againe finding so many that spake against him Wherewith the Queene calling her wits togither she remembred that he had alwaies borne a good countenance vnto the Admirall pretending in some earnest matter to imploye his ayde and occasion as then falling out this Lord was sought vnto by all meanes and thousands promises were made vnto him for the ease and reliefe of those of the religion hee perceiuing that the King of Nauarre had no desire to deale therein and after the manner of simple men trusting to many and great protestations made and vttered vnto him concerning his future good vsed Clarklike meanes imploying himselfe vnto the Estates for the
persons of all the Parliaments in France with the Princes of the blood Lords Councellours and maisters of Requests therby to aduise and make some new edict touching the gouernment and order of those of the religion as also to answere vnto the demand of the States that had most instantly desired to haue allowances of Temples The chiefe of the Romish Church and among the rest those of Guise found this counsell not to bee expedient alleadging that they ought to bee content with the edict of Iuly and withall they complained of the Queenes leuite openly accusing the king of Nauarre the Prince the Admiral and his bretheren The Queen that sought to assure her Regencie would not hearken therevnto wherby those of Guise tooke occasion to withdrawe themselues from the Court leauing certaine seruitors and solicitors to supply their places The Queene willingly gaue them leaue to depart assuring them of her good will both to them and their religion and desired them to returne assoone as possibly they might They went from thence about the end of Nouember and at the time of their departure there rose a most horrible extraordinary wind aforeshewing as some affirmed of the tēpest that not long after ensued At the same time likewise were brought and sold in the Court three great Pictures most excellently wrought whereof one was bought by the Prince of Conde wherein was represented the bloodie and horrible massacres of the auncient Triumuiras of Rome true Pictures shewes of the cruelties exercised the yeare ensuing by the support and in the presence of French Triumuirat vpon those of the religion Not long before their departure the Queene of Nauarre discouered an enterprise An enterprise of the Duke de Nemours made to take away the Duke of Orleans the Kings brother and to carry him into Lorraine for which cause the Duke de Nemours in all haste saued himselfe and returned not againe vntill the ciuill warres beganne to arise The report also was spread abroad that the King of Spaine and other Princes adherents to the Pope made preparations to ayde their participants in France and to dispearse the assembles of those of the religion The Queen inquireth what forces the religion could make All these things mooued the Queene to make inquirie of the forces and means of those of the religion whereof were found 2150. Churches and more for the which the Deputies had required Churches offering all seruice and obedience vnto the King both with bodies and goods at their owne charges but shee desired to knowe it more at large which by many of the Churches was thought to bee superstitious and thereby they made no such certificates because of the diuersitie of opinions although some of them thought it both good and necessarie to shewe the Queene the number of the forces as well horse as foote which by those of the religion might easilie bee raised iudging that such a power as it after appeared to bee had beene the meanes to drawe the Queene and by consequent the Kings and all the Princes of his part vnto them which would easilie haue stayed those of Guise and their partakers in apparance haue wholly hindered the discipation of the Churches stopping the passage vnto all strangers other suspecting the Queens intent and fearing least so open a discouerie should bee the cause the easlier to expose for a pray vnto their enemies would not proceede so farre The commotion of Medard These things beeing thus imbroyled about the end of the yeare there happened a great mutinie in Parris raised by certaine Priests of Saint Medards Church in the Subburbes of S. Marceau which rang a bell while those of the religion were assembled at a Sermon from whence proceeded wounds murthers and imprisonments where those of the religion not beeing the beginners payed a fine and foure of them one beeing Gabaston knight of the watch were executed to appease the people of Parris and yet not presently done 1562. The Edict of Ianuary In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary and the absence of those of Cuise that thought vppon other matters as also of the Constable that would not be present a great assembly such as the like had not beene seene in France was made there by to take order touching the Estate and to ordaine an edict wherein after each man had said and propounded his minde touching the which was esteemed by them to bee most conuenient and necessary for the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth in the end it was agreed to make that solemne edict which vntill this time beareth the name of the edict of Ianuary which being a true meanes to preuent and stoppe the mischiefes which as then threatned the Realme of France was neuerthelesse in the end turned vnto an occasion of the greatest calamities that euer happened therein By it the edict of Iuly was abollished permission graunted to those of the religion to assemble without the Townes and sufficient order taken that eyther part might liue in peace and quietnesse with each other which was agreed vpon and signed at Saint Germaines in Laye the seuenteenth day of Ianuary Difficulties in the same The execution of this edict mooued great difficulties specially on the part of those of the Romish Church Touching those of the religion their Ministers and Deputies hauing resolued vppon certaine doubts that might be made they ranged themseluelues wholly vnto the Kings pleasure The Parliaments onely two or three made much difficultie to publish it that of Diyon would neuer do it and that of Parris made great question vpon it The chiefe President Bourdin the Kings Atturney held firme for the Church of Rome assisted by Merle Prouost of Marchants Marcell Sheriffe and diuers others The King of Nauarre seduced by his enemies The winds that made them turne blew from the Constable and those of Guise yet they had done little or nothing at all if at that time the King of Nauarre had not suffered himselfe to be seduced by his most deadly enemies that had for instruments of his ouerthrow the Ambassadour of Spaine the Popes Legat and the Cardinall de Tournon ayded by two of his principall seruants Descars and the Bishoppe of Mande Hee not being ambitious suffered himselfe to bee perswaded that if bee would but shewe him as newter and cause the Prince his sonne but once to heare Masse the king of Spaine would peaceably yeeld vp the Realme Sardagne vnto him which they affirmed to bee an Iland no lesse in valewe then that of Sicile and foure times as much as his Realm of Nauarre which was as much as a man may say to present him with nothing betweene two dishes and thereby to bereaue him of the certaine and honourable meanes to recouer his Realme of Nauarre if hee would haue hearkened therevnto and continued to haue fauoured and supported those of the religion as he had done vntill the edict of Ienuary neuerthelesse the pernitious counsell of
those men was of such force that hee fully determined to beleeue it By litle and litle he withdrew himself from those whom he had sauoured Wherevppon hee sent Monsieur d'Anduze into Spaine and Descars to Rome from whence hauing receiued newes hee beganne by little and little to withdrawe himselfe from those of the religion to vse the Queen his wife somewhat hardly and among others to court a Gentlewoman attending vppon the Queene-mother in such sort that from day to day the mischiefe increased to the great greefe and sorrow of all such as before that time honoured him specially of his wife a Princesse most wise and vertuous that sought all means to reduce him but by no meanes could effect it yet was shee solicited by the Queene-mother to seeme to agree and hearken vnto the King her husbandes minde Wherevnto shee aunswered that before she would go to Masse if she were able to hold her Realme of Nauarre and her sonne within her hands she would cast them both into the Sea thereby not to impeach her which was the meanes in that behalfe not to mooue her any more The Queen mother sheweth her selfe a newter The Queene-mother perceiuing the king of Nauarre to yeeld to the other side determined for a time to seeme to be indifferent that of the religion being very strong full of resolution and for that cause she entertained the Prince of Conde and the Admirall with faire speeches giuing order in Parris and other places that those of the religion should bee maintained and vpholden peaceably in the exercise of their religion On the other side couertly making certaine small breaches in the edict by certaine modifications termed declarations made by the King Those of Guise slept not but deuised a new matter in Germanie The Guisians faine to be desirons to be of the confession of Ausbourg therewith to blinde the eyes of the Protestant Princes the Cardinall hauing desired a meeting to bee made by the Duke de Virtemberg at Sauerne there to conferre with the Ministers touching the confession of Ausbourg Iohn Brence and Iaques Andre the Dukes Preachers and two principall Doctors of Germanie came thither and there conferred with the Cardinall who presented them with certaine vesselles of siluer and vsed the matter in such sort that the Duke departed with opiniō to haue done some great matter by that means those Almaine Doctors verily thought within short space to plant their error in France In the meane time those of Guise that laughted at the simplicitie of the Almaine Prince hauing receiued newes that the king of Nauarre held with them determined in all haste to repaire vnto the Court. On the other side the Queene aduertised by many and diuers receipts and solicited by those of the religion Publication of the Edict of Ianuary in Parris A vaine disputation vpon vanitie came to S. Germains to Parris and did so much that vppon the 6. of March the edict of Ianuary was both allowed and published in the Court of Parliament with protestation that neuerthelesse it was done to obey the vrgent necessitie of time and the kings pleasure At the same time shee caused conference to bee holden betweene the Ministers and the Sorbonistes touching the adoration of Images whereof ensued no other thing then onely that each of thē remained stil in their own opinions She likewise sent Monsieur de Cursol into Dauphin and Languedoc to giue order touching the troubles in those places and Monluc into Guyenne for assistant to Monsieur de Burie◠she thought to haue sent the Prince of Conde Miseries of France but that intent brake off whereby those of Guyenne found themselues but in hard case for that therein Monluc vsed great and cruell oppressions which hee himselfe hath set downe within his Comentaries wherein after his death hee hath spit foorth the rest of that his furie which during his life hee could not fully execute vpon them It was thought good likewise thereby to preuent that which not long after fell out that each Gouernour should withdrawe himselfe into his Prouince wherevnto the Marshall de S. Andre well backed aunswered that his office bound him at that time to remaine at the Court neare vnto the King On the other side the King of Nauarre shewed so straunge a countenance vnto the Admirall and his bretheren that they withdrewe themselues into their houses The presumption of the Marshall de S. Andre The Prince of Conde stayed and to take Phisicke went to Parris while the King was ledde by the Queene his mother vnto Mouceaux in Brie Those of Guise beeing aduertised of all that passed determined with a good troupe to ride to Parris where the Constable was to meet them as hee did It is sayd that the Queen desired them to come thither without armes which the Duke of Guise did not as by effect appeareth The first of March hee hauing vpon the day before departed from his house of Ianuille in Champagne A briefe discourse of the massacre of Vassy accompanied with his wife and the Cardinall of Guise his brother hee rode vnto Vassy a Village not farre from thence hauing with him about two hundreth men armed with caliuers pistolles and courtelasses And 8. daies before his company of Lanciers stayed there for him and as they came neare the Village hauing vnderstood the bell to ring vnto a Sermon to be preached by those of the religion within a barne of the said Village of Vassy wherein might bee assembled to the number of one thousand or twelue hundreth persons both men women and children all peaceable and without armes as he lighted from his horse and hauing secretly spoken with the Prouost and the Prior of the Monastery hee went with all his troupe both horse and foote vnto the barne young la Brosse Cornet of his Launciers marched first and entered into the barne seconded by foure or fiue hundreth others where he beganne to blaspheme and sweare that hee would kill them all His men beganne without hauing slaine three and the Gate beeing forced themassacre beganne the Duke beeing there in presence with his naked sword in hand followed by the elder la Brosse Lieftenant of his company On their part of the religion there was no maner of resistance but onely prayers to God running away euery man to saue himselfe as it pleased god where besides a great number of wounded people there was 42. men slaine and many that died in short space after they killed likewise certaine women The poores box was taken and emptied the Pulpit broken downe the Minister hurt in many places was ledde prisoner the dead bodies beeing dispoyled and stripped of coates hoase shooes and all that was about them and many men beeing stripped saued themselues all bloodie and sore wounded New matter against those of Vassy After this valiant combatte which beeing executed with the sound of the Dukes Trumpet as if hee had fought against the enemies
Villebon Bailiffe of Roan ceased vpon Pont de l'Arche the Baron de Clere took Caudebec the one aboue the other belowe the riuer of Siene Whereby it prooued great discommoditie for the Towne of Roan that by those meanes could get no victualls by water besides the ceasing of the Courts of iustice the staye of trade of merchandise and all sorts of handy workes these discommodities made the Citizens to looke vnto themselues In the beginning of Iune Villebon came with great troupes to besiege Saint Catherins fort where in a fierce skirmish he lost his cornet and fourteene men and they of the fort 8. mē Presētly after him came the Duke de Aumale Saint Catherins Fort besieged gaue an alarme vnto the Towne where presently he lost 25. of his horsemen But for renenge he assayd all means he could to impeach the Towne of Roan from necessary prouisions But not long after it was relieued by Monsieur de Moruilliers sent thither by the Prince from Orleans assisted by Monsieur de Languetot a gentleman of great wisdome The Duke d'Aumale dispersed the Churches of those of the religiō in Hafleur Montuilier and l'Islebonne where he hanged three auncients and three Gentlemen of the Religion And not long after besieged Saint Catherins fort with thirteene Cannons and two coluerins where Monsieur de Languetot had his legge shotte off with a great peece whereof hee died Many skirmishes beeing daylie performed between them till in the end the Duke left the Fort and fledde from thence and within fiue daies after beeing before Ponteau de Mer faining to parley with them within the Towne he surprised them vppon a suddaine and so entered by force where hee vsed all kind of hostilitie specially vppon the Minister named Brionne and the third day after hee besieged and tooke Honfleur The sixe and twentieth of August the Parliament of Roane being at Louniers made a declaration whereby those of the religion in Normandie were declared Traitors permitting all men Declaration of the Parliament of Roane against those of the religion that eyther would or had the meanes to spoyle and ouerrunne them wholly disallowing the edict of Ianuary established the Inquisition of Spaine and appoynted the Duke d'Aumale Lieftenant for the King And by that declaration and sentence this Court of Parliament executed many of the religion commanding all such as would not make profession of the Romish religion to depart out of the Towne of Louuiers within foure and twentie houres after vpon paine of confiscation both of body and goods On the other side they draue all the Friers out of Roane and hauing discouered treason pretended by some of their companions they tooke order therein from thence forward The siege of Roane giuing good eye to those of the Romish religion whereof they thrust out great numbers In August Monsieur de Moruilliers withdrew himselfe from Roane and kept himselfe peaceably within his house and so continued during the warres neuer forsaking the open profession of the religion In the meane time Monsieur de Montgommery was by those of Roane desired to assist them which hee presently did and arriued at Roane vppon the 18. of September within rennedaies after the Towne was summoned to yeelde it selfe vnto the armie of the Triumuirat whose campe wherein were the king the Queen and the king of Nauarre being composed of sixteen thousand foot and two thousand horse besides Rutters and Lansquenets came before the Towne where at their arriuall they had a hotte and fierce skirmish which continued all that day and three daies after successiuely The fixt of October the king armie hauing intelligence from Captaine Louis out of Saint Catherins Saint Catherins fort taken for they surprised it by force wherein they slewe al they found And Louis himselfe ayding the enemie to mount vp was slaine by one of his Souldiers another fort called Montgommery was taken by the like means where the Queene-mother ledde the king beeing but twelue yeares of age to see the dead bodies of the women and made him behold them bathing in their blood The thirteenth of October an assault was giuen vnto the Towne but they within repulsed the enemie where some couragious women bringing meate vnto the souldiers were slaine The next day they gaue another assault at the Rampart of Saint Hilary but were repulsed and for the space of 6. houres that the skirmish indured they lost to the number of eight hundreth of their best souldiers and they within foure or fiue hundreth accounting women and children that were slaine with the Artillerie The same day the king of Nauarre beeing visited by a certaine Lord told him Hurt and death of the King of Nauarre that if hee escaped safely from that siege hee would neuer beare armes againe for that quarrell but the next day he would go see the trenches where by fortune as hee made water he was striken with a Harquebushotte into the shoulder which done hee was borne by certaine Gentlemen to his lodging at Dartenal where the Surgians vsed all the meanes they could to get out the bullet but hauing deferred it ouerlong they could not one of the Phisitians named Vincentius a voluptious man entertained him with sports and companies of Gentlewomē among therest a Gentlewoman named Rouet came to see him which was some meanes to inflame his wound and hauing intelligence that Roane was taken he was borne thither where gouerning not himselfe as his wound and time required it began to growe to further paine and in the end a feuer tooke him wherwith he began to be faint and thē perceiued they had deceiued him Notwithstanding his seruāts had so great credit with him that they caused him to be cōfessed to receiue the Sacrament after the Romish maner The other of his Phisitians called Raphuel being of the religiō vttered many reasons vnto him so farre that he seemed to charge him with sin against the holy Ghost wherevnto hee answered nothing but lay still Not long after the Queen aduertised by his Phisitians that he could not liue being come to see him willed some of his men to read vnto him Shee being departed hee commaunded Raphael to take the Bible and to read the Historie of Iob which beeing done adding therevnto certaine wordes of the iustice and mercie of God the king beeing mooued in spirit lifting vp his hands vnto heauen and with teares in his eyes hee asked mercie of God making a large and ample declaration of his faith protesting that if it pleased God to graunt him life hee would cause the Gospell to bee preached throughout the Realme of France His disease waxing more vehement and Raphael continually attending vppon him hauing made his will hee caused himselfe to bee borne into a boate to go to Saint Maur des Fosses hard by Parris But not long after his entrie into the boate a great cold ceased vppon him and therevppon insued a sweate wherewith hee beganne to talke idly
determined to retire with a soft pace and to set his men in safetie Puch a valiant Knight was of the contrarie opinion saying that when two armies are neare vnto each other the first that retireth giueth aduantage to the other proouing it by that which happened vnto the French army vppon S. Lawrence day Burie and Monluc perceiuing that Duras began to retire made haste to ouertake him and gaue him a charge where in a maner no resistance was made whereby they entred so farre into Duras Campe that they seized vpon the artillery and their carriages and there the soldiers staying greedier of praye then of honour gaue such as had first fled to reassemble and so to passe the water throwing downe their arms to flye the easitier the ouerthrow was of about fiue or sixe hundreth soldiers and 2500. boyes and pages with all the artilerie some of those that were taken prisoners being hanged specially the Ministers who by the aduise of the Church had followed those cōpanies I will recite one particularly Among the prisoners there was a Captain called la Mothe that fell to Captaine Bazourdans lot Who not long after meeting with Monluc hee gaue him diuers stabbes with a dagger and thrust him through with his rapier saying these words Villain thou shalt dye in despight of God Neuerthelesse to prooue Monluc a lyer this poore man being in that sort borne away and healed although he had many deadly wounds woonderfully recouered his health and liued Laumosniere ouerthrown by Duras Duras hauing assembled those that past the riuer and made two retraits being aduertised that Captaine Laumosniere sent by Monsierde Sansac stayed for him at Embornet with fiue hundreth men to make an end of an ouerthrow not being once abashed marched right vnto the place where hearriued about the breake of day and behaued himselfe so well that Laumosniere and all his men onely three that bare the newes to Sansac were slaine in the fielde After this conflict Duras men beganne to leaue him so that hee arriued at Orleans with a very small companie where the peace being once concluded he dyed The 10. of March 1562. Mont de Marsan was taken by certaine of Monlucs forces those of the religion after many outrages Mont de Marsan being constrained to flie into some other place and to leaue both wines and children Not long after sixe of the principall of them being kept prisoners had their heads striken off and three or foure others executed in diuers manners And a Lancier beeing taken after the peace of Villeneufue de Marsan was buried quicke and at Caseras in the moneth of August a young woman named Ieanne de la Gora pursued to bee violated threw her selfe out of a Windowe and dyed thereof The Hystorie of Thoulouse and other places belonging to the Parliament of Languedoc is very long but I wil assay to make a breefe rehearsall thereof Thoulouse as of the rest The Edict of Ianuarie hauing beene published therein things were peaceablye handled vntill the second of Aprill when by an occasion of a Buriall those of the Romishe Church in the Subburbes of Sainct Michael Sainct Steuen and Sainct Saluador in Thoulouse assayled those of the Religion and hurt greate numbers of them Killing foure outright besides diuers more of them that were throwne downe into a well The Parliament fauoured this action but to the contrary the Capitalles sought by all meanes to represse the sedition and layde holde vppon some of the chiefe dealers therein but the tumult still increased and so continued vntill night both within and without the Towne The next day nothing was done but faire words to appease so great an iniurie neuerthelesse the Capitalles pursued the matter so well that foure of the seditious persons were hanged and two whipt But the fyer of deuision began to bee so houe that those of the religion alreadie threatned with that which after ensued seized vpon the Town-house and certain corners of the streetes which mooued the Parliament in such maner that presently they sent for al the gentlemē therabouts to be their aydes calling the commons to gither causing it to bee published throughout the Towne that all men should take weapon in hands to inuade those of the religion who by the intermission of the Capitalles assayed to appease that Tumult Monluc gaue the wheele good passage by writing to the Parliament that the Capital de Lanta new come from the Court lying without the Towne had promised the Prince to cause the Towne to hold for him The thirteenth of May the Presidents and Coūcellors comming forth in their Scarlet gownes caused it to be cryed throughout the Towne and in their presence that all good Catholicques and faithfull seruants to the King should take armes and vse them against those of the religion to take them eyther dead or liuing and to kill and spoyle them of all they haue without all mercie Besides that fiue or six Councellors went crying throughout the Towne that they should not spare to kill and spoyle being lisenced thereunto by the Court with permission both from Pope and the King The coppie of this proclamation was presently sent to all the Borrowes and Villages round about wherewith belles began to be rung in all the steeples of the Towne and presently after in all the Countrey round about for foure or fiue Leagues compasse Thoulonse is one of the greatest and most populos Townes in all France At which time there was within it at the least 25. or thirtie thousand persons of the religion and of diuers qualities ages Horrible Massacre in Thoulouse and then began one of the most horrible massacries that can be remembred The prisons were presently filled and many were knocked on the head at the entry into it because it would hold no more The riuer in short space was couered with dead bodies many were throwne out of windowes into the riuer from whence if they seemed to escape they were presently slaine with swordes and stones Those of the religion that had strengthned them within the Town-house and in certain other places defended themselues with great courage and made diuers sallies and if treason hadde not beene wrought against them by Captaine Saulx they had gotten the Pallace and driuen their enemies out of the Towne but he put them from that whereof presently ensued a totall ruine For the next day beeing the fourteenth those of the religion perceiuing that of force they must die resolued to defend themselues and besides the peeces that they hadde within the Towne-house wherewith they abashed their enemies they issued diuers times out of their fortes to skirmish with the enemie where betweene them much blood was spilt The Citizens fight The same day Bellegarde Lieftenant to the Marshall de Termes entred into the Towne with his companie of Lanciers Those of Terrides and Monluc stayed without to hinder such ayde as might arriue to helpe those of the religion that
the liuing treading vppon the dead they vsed great deligence to bring earth fetherbeddes dung and other things whatsoeuer might serue At the same time that assault was giuen by thirtie Ensignes of foote and a Cornet of horse that followed them where the fight was great and fiue times refreshed till seuen of the clocke at night with such furie that powder fayling on both sides they fell to stones rapiers and other hand-blowes in the end the assaylants were constrained to leaue the breach and to retire with great losse An assault fiue times refreshed Notwithstanding Sommeriue beganne another batterie by which means about euening Senas Mounans and other Captaines within the Towne that had lost many souldiers perceluing themselues destitute of munition had no hope of ayde charged with a great number of poore people little experienced in Marshall affaires and considering the forces mindes and insolencies of the assaylants determined to leaue that feeble place and with al speed to saue that remnant of men that were within it wherevppon they got the straight of the Mountaine whereof I spake beeing the onely place whereby they might escape This conclusion was presently disclosed to Sommeriue A meruellous resolution of the Towne to leaue it by one that comming out of the chamber where they determined vppon it went vnto him but the matter beeing debated by Sommeriues Councell that ment to close that passage one named Cental brake off that determination alleadging so many reasons to the contrarie that it was concluded among them that no man should stirre that night out of the campe although that some of the besieged made shew to saue themselues that way but that in the morning they would determine vppon their affaires About eleuen of the clocke at night the besieged beganne to issue forth in the sight of al their enemies that might easilie discry them from two places which commanded the Towne and by the lights that stood in the windowes of the houses marching in order you may well iudge what noyse was made at that departure among the children sicke hurt and olde people and women great with childe and so with all their carriages followed on the way vppon the Mountain al that night not one of Sōmeriues campe once stirring as if those poore people had beene safely guarded vntill morning that Sommeriue caused certaine horse and foote to passe the riuer and to set vppon the backes of them where they found some poore women that stayed behinde whereof some were slaine others brought prisoners but they followed not long after them as well for the difficultie of the way as the couetous desire they had not to leese the spoyle of the Towne wherein Sommeriue durst not enter fearing some treason before tenne of the clocke in the morning They beeing entered into that desolate Towne slewe three or fource hundreth women and children without any respect of age or religion taking that small bootie which they could finde Sommeriue entereth into Cisteron If the issuing of those of Cisteron was meruellous so was their voyage vppon the Mountaines which continued for the space of three weekes in the which time they escaped an infinit number of dangers vntil the seuē a twentieth of September that they ariued in good safetie at Grenoble singing Psalmes and thansgiuings vnto God for their miraculous deliuerie knowing nothing of what had passed the same day in other places as at Saint Gilles The battell of S. Gilles Scafold of the Prouenceal murthers where there enemies were wholly ouerthowne and almost all slaine as wee shewed in the discourse of Languedoc From Grenoble they were safely conducted vnto Lyons and charitably ayded in their necessities vntill the edict of pacification After the taking of Cisteron and the ouerthrow of the Prouenceals at Saint Gilles Sommeriue continued Maister of the Prouence continuing the battell massacres and great insolencies begunne before and yet without impunitie The principall heads of the horrible confusion that raigned therein vntill and after the edict of peace beeing Carces Mentin and Flassans prouoked by certaine of the Parliament of Aix as Bagarris Chesne Saint Margaret and others that ruled all the rest and that in steede of obeying the edict of pacification durst conclude say that those of the religion should not haue any exercise that such as during the troubles had beene their Leaders or hauing had any office Straunge iniustice absented thēselues should not be receiued nor entertained and that the wars still be followed that there should a stay be made of the punishments of offenders that had committed so great insolencies during the troubles although the womē with childe had bin ript open the yong childrē murthered many buried quicke others hewed in peeces burnt throwne downe headlong their throates cut like sheep drawne through the streetes and then harquebused beaten downe with clubbes and wounded in diuers places In this sort those good iudges executed so manie insolencies that the kings Councell after the edict of pacification was forced to send the President de Morsan with certaine numbers of Councellors from Parris to Prouence which did such execution vppon some boot-hallers and other insolent persons that from thence forward Sound instice done vppon the offenders although their weapons were many times in hand Prouence neuer mutined in such sort as it did during those first troubles Morsan and his companions were determined to haue done iustice without exception but the multitude of offenders the qualities of some of them the credite of others and the maruelous practises of Carces and the Parliament of Aix hindered those Iustices to doo as they pretended In the end by the solicitation of Carces the king released diuers of them whereof their processe was alreadie made and that had well deserued to bee put to cruell death Now must we say something of the Duchie of Bourgongne Bourgongne The Parliament of Dyon did so much that by letters of the first of March 1562. commandement was sent by the king to Monsieur de Tauanes his Lieftenant in the absence of the Duke d'Aumale of the house of Guise not to permit any preaching at Dyon not in the Frontier-townes so that whatsoeuer letters and commissions those of the religion obtained after that would serue to no effect as long as the Court of Parliament resited The eight of May Beaune those of Beaune were wholly bereaued of the exercise of the religion and within foure daies after their three Ministers imprisoned which done the Artificers and others were driuen out of the Towne to the number of seuen or eight hundreth with women and children Ventoux Captaine of the Towne filled their emptie houses with souldiers wherein they vsed great disorders such as were found therin being vilely abused and so much detested that they durst not shewe themselues in the streetes which reduced them to extreame necessities their kinsmen and friendes not daring to relieue them The fines imposed vppon
those of the religion whose goods were taken from them was maruellous as well in that Towne as others in Bourgongne as also in other Townes and Prouinces of the Realme The one and twentieth of Iune the house of one of the principall of the Citie was forced and sacked In the moneth ensuing diuers meanes were vsed to cause such as were lest to abiure the religion some remained firme In the beginning of October the Parliament of Dyon assayed to commit some of them prisoners and summoned the rest to appeare and such as appeared at Dyon although innocent were hardly handled others had diuers aduentures and some yet very fewe wounded and slaine So that in Beaune there were not aboue two men and some women of great reputation that made open profession of the religion by the support of their assistance Those of the religion in Mascon vppon the thirteenth of May made themselues the strongest yet without effusion of blood and three daies after Mascon the Images were beaten downe as they had beene at Lyons although the Ministers and auncients were of the contrary aduise Mombrun hauing left Chalon and come downe to Mascon put the Inhabitants in such feare that many of them were of opinion to leaue the Towne Wherevpon Tauanes First siege who not long before had made them many gracious offers came before the Towne minding to enter which the people denyed which caused him to assemble all his forces and vppon the third of Iune besieged the Towne his armie being Bourguignons of the Counte euery man wearing a red scarse which was an occasion that the Towns-men shewed the Kings Councell that it was no reason that they beeing his naturall subiectes desiring to liue peaceably according to his edicts should bee constrained to open their Gates vnto Tauanes beeing accompanied with straungers enemies to the Crowne and for many causes suspected vnto them Wherevppon letters were sent vnto Tauanes who withdrewe himselfe in such sort that not long after hauing receiued an other packet hee sought to cease vppon the Gates vnder the Towne whereof hee sayled hauing receiued a hard repulse And as hee made preparation for a second siege those of Lyons sent Monsieur d'Entrages to ayde the Towne who by his conduction made many sallies and braue skirmishes Second siege which notwithstanding Tauanes caused his trenches vppon the one side of the Towne and the third of Iuly wanne the Subburbes of S. Lawrenre the next day making such a batterie that in lesse then two houres all their defences lay vppon the ground And the same day one Mussy seruant to Tauanes was hanged within the Towne for enterprising to cause the towne to bee surprised Not long after Entrages beeing summoned to yeeld made aunswere that if hee had the Maister in his handes hee would cause him to passe the same way his seruant Mussy had done which set Tauanes in such a rage that besides fifteen or sixteene hundreth shotte made against a Tower they shot diuers hundreth times against the breach whereby diuers men were slaine and maimed But the resolution of the assieged hindred Tauanes from approaching and contenting himselfe to send twelue souldiers to viewe the breach sixe of them were slaine and about eleuen of the clocke at night thirtie souldiers issuing out of the Towne cut the throates of certaine Sentinelles and entered so farre as to the Artillerie to trie if they could stop it which they had done if Tauanes in person had not come thither The next day although the Tower so much beaten and defaced had opened a new breach vnto Tauanes yet hee stirred not but to the contrary making shewe in great haste to returne into Bourgongne suddainly raysed his campe leauing certaine thinges of powder behinde him with an ambuscado if those of the Town had offered to come forth but Entrages beeing a polliticke souldier and one that had not many men to loose suffered not his souldiers to issue Tauanes thereby beeing deceiued lodged his troupes not farre from thence and went vppe againe to Chalon where certaine troupes of Dauphine came to meete him At that time it chanced that two Sheriffes of Mascon hauing by their authoritie in the night time laden certaine boates with the reliques of gold and siluer and other ornaments of the Temple of S. Vincents in Mascon minding to carrie and sell them in Lyons Reliques taken for booty beeing two or three leagues off were discouered by one named Saint Poinct who being ayded by certaine Gentlemen of Dauphine and a good troupe of footemen passed the riuer aboue Belleuille and setting vppon the boates tooke them and became Maisters of all that was within them valewed at the least to the summe of thirtie or fortie thousand frankes The Challices and Images of golde and siluer were broken and parted between S. Poinct and his companions although they termed themselues Romish Catholicques Wherevppon a young Lacquey came to Gascon who hauing falsely charged two Captaines was hanged but the souldiers of those two Captaines beganne to mutin because their leaders had been committed to prison vsing many threatning speeches This beeing appeased Entrages saying he would make a generall muster in a plaine hard by the Towne caused those two companies of mutinous fellowes first to issue forth Belleuille defended by astraunge accident which done he shut the Gates vppon them by which meanes beeing constrained to take the other part they went to Belleuille that held for the religion and arriued therein in good time vppon the 28. of Iuly for that the next morning before the breake of the day S. Poinct with sixe or seuen hundreth foote and two hundreth horse and the Pesants of the countrie besieged the Towne thinking to enter therein without resistance But approaching neare the walles and by chance discouered by the one that rose somewhat early they were so hardly receiued by the souldieis of Mascon that they were cōstrained to retire with shame and great losse to reuenge themselues they draue away the beastes of diuers Farmes and sacked the house of a rich Pesant whom they massacred and cast his bodie into the Soane but his bodie was taken vppe and buried in Belleuille How the Queene mother her Regency Hitherto I haue shewed the estate of the particular Prouinces of France during these first troubles now let vs returne againe vnto the Court The Queene beeing deliuered out of the hands of the Triumuirat to assure her authoritie and to hold the greatest personages in some stay thereby to serue her turne by some of them to checke the rest first shee iuested the young Duke of Guise with the estates and offices of his father and to appease the Parisians much greeued for his death shee deliuered Poltrot vnto them that was executed with as greeuous punishment as if hee had slaine the king himselfe which done something was to bee done for the appeasing of those of the religion that had been spoyled massacred as you haue heard The
of eighteen Cornets of horse and three Regiments of foote vnder seuen and twentie Ensignes as they marched tooke le Dorat in Limosin and Lusignan and then tooke three peeces of artillerie out of Orleans wherewith they battered and forced Pont sur Yon taking it by assault which done they ioyned with the Princes armie while the Duke d'Aumalle went into Lorraine to meet the forces of Iohn VVilliam duke of Saxon the Marquesse of Baden and others that brought an armie of Rutters to ayde the Romish Catholicques and that young Lansac marched into Almaine to diuert the ayde which Duke Iohn Casimeire brought to those of the religion on the other side the Duke of Alue sent twelue hundreth horse and two thousand foote vnder the conduct of the Counte de Aremberg that ioyned with the D. of Aniou notwithstanding the Prince marched towards Lorraine constraining those of Bray and Nogent vpon Seyâ—â— to giue him passage and tooke Espernay lying vpon Marâ— where for a time he stayed to assemble all his forces There young Lansac in his second voyage to Almaine was taken and beeing brought prisoner to the Prince all his businesse turned into smoke In the moneth of December vppon some motions of peace there were two truces agreed vpon each for two or three daies to the end as the voyce went to conferre vpon the poynts propounded The first was neare to Montereau and the other by Chaalons but the last was like to haue bredde much mischiefe for the Prince relying vppon the promises of his sworne enemies rested in a very bad lodging out of the way whiles their armie approached And had it not beene for an enterprise that the young Countie Brissac a young Lord by nature violent and the Duke of Anious especiall fauoritie had vndertaken against certaine companies of Argolets vnder the Captaines Bois Blossel and Clery who were then ouerthrowne the Prince who yet hoping vppon two daies respite stirred not from that lodging had surely beene intrapped and in manifest daunger but Brissacks rashnesse saued him and according to the prouerbe mischiefe was good for somewhat The Prince waying the wrong that his enemies had wrought to their owne reputation in weening to indomage him determined no longer to trust their promises in which conceit notwithstanding hee did not long perseuer vppon his conclusion in three daies space hee made his armie to march aboue twentie long leagues through the raine and such hard passages that it was wonderfull that the artillerie baggage could euer follow and yet lost neyther the one nor the other so good was his order and so great their diligence The Duke of Aniou followed not for some of his Councell making great haste perswaded him that his very name had driuen the Huguenots out of France whereas such as were indeed warriors did contrariwise accuse the cowardlinesse of those that had so suffered the Prince his followers to escape as not daring to fight with them eyther weake or halfe strong The Prince arriuing in Lorraine stayed some fewe daies for his Rutters not without some repugnancie and perplexitie of diuers VVarres reuiued in diuers places This Negotiation which was but a string to stay the Prince that afterward they might with greater aduantage ouerrunne him beeing vanished on the one side they beganne to take armes in Poictou and about Rochel which euer since hath been a refuge to sundrie families of the religion and so hath happily continued as a barre to blocke vppe the purposes of the Romish Catholicques and the instrument that God hath put in vse to confound the infinite conspiracies of the enemies to the Crowne and state of France On the other side the Duke of Aniou but ouerlate sought all opportunitie which before hee had let slippe to fight with the Prince and Admirall before they should ioyne with the Germaines whom they went to meet in Lorraine and of whom they receiued certaine aduertisement near to Pont a Mousson from whence Duke Iohn Casimeire their Generall writ to the king to desire him to thinke The Prince ioyneth with his Germains that hee neuer determined to enter into France for any his owne priuate good or particular interest but onely for the support of such as were afflicted for the same religion which himselfe professed who had intreated him to ayde protesting that if it might please the king to assure to them the libertie of conscience and generall exercise of their religion himselfe and all his troupes would presently retire Then fell there out great adoo about the satisfying of the Rutters who looked to receiue a hundreth thousand Crownes at the least heere were they put to their shifts and forced of necessitie to make a vertue and when the Prince and Admirall had made vse of whatsoeuer their eloquence both to great and small vpon this extremitie they set all men a notable example in that they parted with their owne siluer vessell The Preachers in their sermons perswaded many and the Captaines also prepared the mindes of their men Many Lords and GentlemeÌ„ likewise did most readily put their hands to their purses the rest some for loue and some for feare execeeded all expectation So generall was this liberall contribution that the meanest Page and veriest varlet gaue somewhat yea in the end it was thought a dishonour to haue beene sparing and many offered more then was demaunded In summe the whole beeing gathered togither both quoyne plate and chaines of golde The Rutters in some sort contented it amounted to aboue foure score thousand Frankes wherewith the Rutters were well quietted and so ioyned with the Princes forces Then was there a generall voyce that it was best to drawe towards Parris which was the apparant meanes to obtaine peace as also their Leaders were not ignorant that for their better maintenance it was requisite to prouide artillerie powder mony and other such commodities as are to bee wrested for the Marchant Artificer likewise that vnlesse they drew towards Orleans their true nurse they should want those aduantages Heerevppon they set forward They drewe towardes Beausse and passed ouer Marne neare to the head thereof not farre from Langres and marching through Burgondie at their passage ouer Seyne were set vppon by certaine Italian and French whom Schonberg with a Regiment of Rutters and French of the religion charged defeated leauing the most of the assaylants dead in the place Hence the Prince drewe towards Creuant and Irancie a small village taken by assault and so passed ouer the riuer of Yone Loyne and la Cure and so set himselfe at large maugre the many hinderances of the aduerse armie which laboured as well to restraine him from any purchase out of the villages and small burroughs and to finde opportunitie to cut off part of his armie How they prouided for the victualling of the armie In those daies did France abound in all sorts of victualles which notwithstanding it stood the Prince and Admirall
was done onely to preuent the execution of a cursed conspiracie practised by the Admirall and his confederates against him his mother and bretheren and therefore commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee most firmly obserued But if it should fall out that any Huguenors incensed with the newes of Parris should gather in armes in any place whatsoeuer hee commaunded his said Gouernours to assist the scattering and dispearsing of them Also to the end the studious of nouelties should not commit any sinister practise his meaning was to haue the gates of all his Towns wel diligently kept referring therest of his minde to the credite of the bearers According to the purport heereof at Meaux in Brie Trois in Champagne Orleans Bourges la Charite Lyons Thoulouse and Bourdeaux those of the religion were handled as they were in Parris not speaking of those that were sacked in other Townes and Villages of the Realme as also in the fields when they thought to saue themselues by going out of the Realme so that in fewe weeks aboue thirtie thousand persons were massacred in France because of the religion The king aduoweth the massacre to be done by his commandement but specifieth no cause why the next day writeth contrarie letters Vpon Tuesday the six and twentieth day of August the king accompanied with his bretheren and the chiefest of his Court went to his Court of Parliament where sitting vpon his bed of iustice all the chambers assembled hee declared in expresse termes that whatsoeuer had happened in Parris had been done not onely by his consent but also by his commandement and of his owne motion and therefore that his meaning was that all should bee attributed to himselfe All which his speech was approoued and allowed by Christopher de Thou chiefe President in the name of the whole companie The next day letters were sent to the Sheriffes and other the kings officers in the Townes giuing them to vnderstand that to his great greefe his Cousin the Admirall and others his partakers besides sundrie particular parties in sundrie parts of Parris had beene slaine whereof hee thought good to giue them notice to the end they might represse all commotion and murther which might breed his incredible greefe and sorrow enioyning them in his name to make proclamation commanding euery man to remaine at home not to take armes nor any to offend other vnder paine of death also to take order that his Edict of peace were well and diligently obserued Thursday the twentieth in Parris was celebrated an extraordinary Iubile with generall procession wherein the king was assistant and whereto hee had but in vaine solicited the king of Nauarre with sweet words and flattering speeches and the Prince of Conde with threats The kings new declaration The same day hee made an other declaration importing that by his own expresse commandement the Admirall with his adherents and confederates had beene slaine not vpon any cause of religion or breach of his Edicts of pacification which hee alwaies had and still ment to haue obserued kept and continued but thereby to preuent the execution of a damnable conspiracie contriued by the Admirall the chiefe deuiser thereof and his adherents and confederates against the said king his estate the Queene his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other Lords and Princes his attendants Withall that hee tooke into his protection all other the protestants but forbad them all assemblies or preachings vpon whatsoeuer occasions To this declaration were there soone after added sundrie restrictions qualifications and amplifications Such of the protestants as in sundrie places relyed vpon them had but bad successe The wiser sort ffed out of the realm which notwithstanding their goods were seized their mooueables partly solde to the most giuer and partly stolen and their immooueables put to the crie There was a long Commentarie made and added to the same declaration by one Gui de Fuur Lord of Pibrac as it was auouched before that of religion who durst affirme that witnesses had been examined before the kings Councell Commentaries vpon this matter that affirmed a conspiracie made by the Admirall not naming who neither yet specifying any circumstance of apparance of trueth for the which cause certaine sharpe aunsweres were made therevnto wherein all the cauillations of the said Commentarie were amply and particularly resuted Within Parris it selfe all men that had any wit or vnderstanding in their common and ordinarie talke touching this horrible cruell iniustice said that there was neither shaddowe nor any apparance of trueth in this accusation and to thinke to make men of any iudgement to beleeue that the Admirall had wrought any thing against the king and his adherents being within Parris Defence made in the Admirals behalfe were vaine it beeing a thing which all men knowes that in the Court there is an ordinarie guard of Gascons Switzers and Scots both for day and night besides the other companies specially then when the most part of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France were there to honour the marriage that in lesse then three houres within Parris they may assemble and gather at the least sixtie thousand men well armed who at the first word had deuoured the Admirall and all his friends and if they had been sixe times as many more that the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde bringing thither their wiues seruaunts and kinsmen brought but their swords and thought but to run at the ring and to shew their braue apparrell That the declaration did neither specifie the time place adherents nor meanes of this coniuration Before the Admirall was hurt as he receiued all fauour of the king so he held and accounted him for one of his most faithfull seruants whereof the Admirall made proofes with all sinceritie Being come to Parris vppon the word and iterated commandements of the king where no man liuing euer vnderstood other thing from his mouth what aduise soeuer was giuen him to issue out of Parris because he was hated euill willed and inuironed with enemies but onely that hee trusted in the faith and promise of his Prince that heedemaunded nothing but peace wherevnto he perceiued the king to bee inclined and to lay the war vpon the shoulders of the hereditarie enemie of France which is the Spaniard if this conspiracie had been made after hee was hurt how durst a mā being cruelly wounded with two dangerous wounds about Fryday at tenne of the clocke and flaine vppon Sunday at two of the clocke in the morning of great yeares troubled in both his armes whereof one the Surgeans were in counsell to cut off accompanied with three hundreth Gentlemen vnarmed all naturall Frenchmen most affected seruants to the King hauing neither goods parentage alliance pleasure nor contentment with their families but in France bee so bolde or could set vppon sixtie thousand men prepared to fight Nay were it onely
want of flesh had in one moneth dispatched all their asses and moyles A note of the famin in Sancerre In the end they were constrained to eate Horses Cattes Rattes Moles Mice and dogges hides of oxen calues and sheepes skinnes parchment horsehoues hornes of lanterns halters and furnitures for horses girdles of leather hearbs and wilde rootes and in the end of Iune the third part of the besieged eate no more bread such as could get linseede and other seedes which they neuer thought on caused them to bee ground or beate them in morters and made bread thereof as also of all sorts of hearbs mixed with a litle bran if they could get it They eat bread of straw-meale of powder of nutshels and of slate suet olde oyntment and other olde greace serued to make pottage and to frie the excrements of horses and of men and the filth in the streetes were not spared And the twentieth of Iuly a poore labourer and his wife were taken and executed for eating the head the entrailes and the braines of their daughter of three yeares of age that died by famine and miserie hauing dressed all the rest of the bodie to eate it at other times an other olde woman lodged in their house and that had eaten part of that costly banquet died in prison not long after her apprehension There were that were found guiltie of other faults but that which agrauated the latter fault was that the same day when they did the fact they had bin comforted with certaine pottage made of hearbs and wine which might well haue satisfied them in that time of necessitie Such as went and were put foorth of the Towne to seeke reliefe seeking to passe were either slaine by the enemie or constrained by blowes with staues to turne backe againe And staying without as not being able or else wold not enter into the towne they liued of the sprigs of vines blackberries in hedges of red snailes of hearbs And most of them died betweene the trenches and the ditches Among other pittifull spectacles the bodie of a laborour his wife were found dead one hard by the other among the vines and two of their children weeping by them the lesser being but sixe weekes olde which a reuerent and charitable widow in the Towne tooke home to her house If many died among the vines hard by the trenches and in the ditches there died many more in the houses and streetes where they fell downe in euerie place and some daies they buried fiue and twentie or thirtie that died for hunger almost all the young childrē vnder the age of twelue yeares died great pittie it was to heare the poore fathers mothers lament and mourne the greatest part of them neuerthelesse strengthening themselues with the assurance of the grace of God of the which I will recite two notable accidents A young boy of the age of fiue yeares hauing languished certaine weekes running along the streets in the end nature failing fell down before his father and mother who at that instant perceiued the sinues of their infant to shrinke in as if they had been cut and presently the body died An other young boy of tenne yeares of age lying at the poynt of death hearing and seeing his father and mother weeping and lamenting about him whom hee felt vppon the armes and legges that were as drie as wood said vnto them Why do you weepe in this sort to see me die for hunger I aske you no breade mother for I know you haue it not but seeing it is the will of God that I should die in this sort I must take it thankfully The holy man Lazarus had hee not hunger haue I not red that in the Bible and saying so hee yeelded his spirit vnto God Vpon the thirtieth day of Iuly the meanes that stayed the death of all this people in the end of Iuly was certaine horses of seruice reserued for the extremitie and six kine kept to giue milke for certaine young children which beastes were killed and the flesh sold to comfort those that liued with a little corne which some by stealth brought into the Towne cut and gathered by night where 's pound of corne was sold for halfe a crowne but this meanes continued not long by reason of the watch which the enemie kept straight The warre killed but eightie foure persons within Sancerre but famine killed both within and without the Town aboue fiue hundreth besides those that languished who hauing escaped had much paine and labour to recouer themselues During these miseries diuers souldiers and fugitiues in Sancerre got out by seuerall meanes shunning the famine desiring rather to die by sword some of them being slaine the rest kept prisoners and some executed So all hope in mans iudgement failing to those of Sancerre the king hauing sworne that hee would make them to deuour each other the prouidence of the king of all kings holpe them by a straunge meanes Through the endeuours of the Bishop of Valence By what meanes they were deliuered Henry Duke of Aniou brother to the king and his Lieftenant generall in France had been accepted for king of Poland by the states of the realm as hereafter we will more at large declare in the siege of Rochel It fel out well for those of Sancerre that the Ambassadours of Poland came into France during their extremitie of famine to fetch the Duke of Anion for they vnderstanding that Sancerre was yet besieged solicited the Bishop of Valence and Lansac his associate to keepe the promise they had made sworne vnto them in the name of the king their maister to set at libertie all the towns and people of France that were molested for the religion which not being wholly to be denied the poore Sancerreans half dead for hunger as yet al resolute to end their daies in that sort one after the other before they would yeelde vnto the enemie that had so oftentimes threatned them with a generall massacre were deliuered by means of those good mē y◠came out of so far a countrie and as it were frō the end of the world their neighbours those of the countries next adioyning not hauing the meanes neither once seeking to aide them So that in the end Composition with Sancerre after certaine conferences meeting and iournying too fro hostages beeing giuen on each side it was agreed that they should issue with their armes and goods and such as would stay not to bee called in question for any thing past permitting thē to dispose of their goods as they thought good with promise to preserue the honour of women and maides vppon condition that the Inhabitants and other fugitiues should pay the summe of fortie thousand frankes to Monsieur de Chastre who by that agreement entered vppon the last of August The Ministers diuers Inhabitants Captaines souldiers and refuged persons retired with pasports with safe conduct some to one place some to an other Not long
the common consent of all After these protestatioÌ„s with the consent of the new king of Poland whom his brother and the Ambassadours hastened into that farre countrie they assembled at Millaud in Rouergue after at Montauban where they diuided Languedoc into two gouernments the one at Montauban the other at Nismes to serue for the bordering countries of Seuenes and Viuarais For the gouernment of the quarters of Montauban they chose Vicount Paulin and Saint Romain at Nismes who had the charge of all mattters of warre yet were accountable to the estates of the countrie that furnished theÌ„ with counsell quoyne These estates in euery gouernment were coÌ„posed of the chiefest of the prouinces yet so as in matters of importaÌ„ce ther were particulare states in euery Dioces that ment to confer by one or more of the Deputies with the estates of the gouernment by whose aduise the gouernor was to take his directioÌ„s at their haÌ„ds to receiue his pay For the countenance of this order they decreed the the souldiers contenting theÌ„selues with their pay shuld not forrage nor waste the plain countries to that end they taxed the aduersaries Townes and villages forcing theÌ„ to contribute toward the maintenance of the garrisons Such as voluntarily payed were eased as in time of peace in many places the Pesants followed their labours without daunger which caused many townes and boroughs otherwise enemies to the protestants to paye the contributions for feare of woorse Besides this order to furnish the maine charge and at all times to haue a stocke readie for all accurrences The want of discretion in the kings Councell they seized vpon the Church reuenues establishing their commissaries to that effect and all this had they leisure ynogh to do whilest the kings their Courtiers were busie in their bankets dances other vaine pastimes for the K. of Polonds farewel Thus in Languedoc in a short time they furnished many places from whence they might bring to the field vnder the conduct of their Gouernors very neare 20000. persons still weakning their aduersaries with the collection of the reuenues of the benefices contributions that they gathered in euery quarter Likewise following their example sundrie of the Romish Church otherwise discontented grew to be more affable to the protestants and to take their parts so to procure some quiet in the state of France The protestants in the gouernment of Nismes twise assembled togither resolued to craue at the kings hands a more sure peace and vpon better conditions then the edict of Rochel which they found very faultie and not to be admitted in many the articles They sent therefore their Deputies to giue him thanks for the good affection that he protested to the restoring of peace adding that the same is the most necessarie remedie for the reforming of the estate alreadie decayed lost without speedie prouisioÌ„ The magnanimitie of those of Languedoc That in hartie good wil they are most affectionate to yeeld him al obedience but that the massacres do euidently declare the daunger where the Prince is gouerned by the pernitious aduice of his wicâ—ed Councellours They besought the king not to mislike that they hauing an interest in this action had assembled themselues to the end with deliberation to consider of the surest meanes to establish a sound and good peace That through the pollicies of wicked Councellours the king was induced both by word and publicke letters paâ—rents to declare himselfe to be the author of the massacre at Parris which some fewe daies before hee had disaduowed wherin his reputation was greatly impaired with forraine nations That they could not thinke his will to concurre with such bloodie effects as lately appeared yet they feared least his wicked Councellours were still like affected and therefore they could do no lesse but take order for the safetie of Languedoc and themselues and by the example of their fellowes so hardly intreated looke to themselues They did therefore for the establishment of peace desire that the protestants might in their townes haue their Garrisons maintained at the Kings charge Their petitions that besides those Towns the king in euerie Prouince of his Realm should deliuer two such as by soure Deputies should be chosen which also should bee kept by the Protestants at the kings cost That the free and publicke exercise of religion should be permitted in all parts of the Realme and to all that would require it That for the admistration of iustice to the Protestants there might be in euery Prouince erected a new Court of Parliament composed of protestant iudges That the protestants for the maintenance of their Ministers might be discharged of such tenths as the Priests did demand That the authors Councellours and executioners of the massacres might bee punished as theeues and disturbers of the common quiet Those of the gouernment of Montauban sent likewise their Deputies to demaund besides the premisses that the Admirall and all the Protestants murthered the foure and twentieth of August 1572. as also they that yet liued might be deemed to haue been and to bee most faithfull subjects to the king and his estate and innocent and cleare of all spotte of rebellion That all arrests edicts and deedes to the contrarie since published might be reuoked and declared to bee of no force as slaunderously graunted defased and rased out of the records the goods honours and offices restored to the heires of the murthered all defamatorie monuments taken away and all processions instituted in honor of such cruelties abolished They farther also demaunded free exercise of their religion and Ecclesiastical discipline in all poynts Buriall without limitation of time or Church-yard exemption from all contribution to the ceremonies of the Romish Church admission of their children vnto Colledges vnder protestant Regents and legitimatioÌ„ of Priests marriages to such as should frame themselues to their religion Many other articles they propounded concerning gouernment and sent their committies toward the end of August with whom neare vnto Lyons ioined the Deputies of Prouence Dauphine and Nismes who all by the mouth of one propounded great declarations vnto the king who returned them to conferre with certaine his commissioners promising after he had broght his brother the king of Poland out of the Realme to take aduise for all that should bee requisite for the satisfying of his subiects Vppon the Deputies report in the beginning of Nouember the protestants renued their association throghout the Prouinces aforesaid where they held many places as also a very exact course for their conseruation The Ambasladours of Polonia beeing entered into France about the end of Iuly to fetch their king they bare him companie from Rochel to Parris What passed since the comming of the Ambassaders of Polonia vntil their departure where vpon the foureteenth of September he made a roy all enterie nothing wanted to make him happie but the prosperitie of the Rochelers that had slaine part of his
the contrarie if age and not a most cruell and poysoned knife had not borne him to S. Dennis he I say was king in the middle of all his troupes in open field and by sound of trumpet proclaimed king of France And the Catholicque Nobilitie who by reason of their diuersitie of religion it was thought wold haue separated themselues from him were so much mooued at the detestable murther so disloyally committed against the sacred person of their most Christian Catholicque and religious king abhorring that part from whence so miserable a monster had his issue that they chose rather to preserue themselues by keeping togither then to destroy themselues by disvnion that it remained constant and faithfull to the successor of their king not once disputing of the lawful vocatioÌ„ of his Maiestie so much the rather that he imbraced the preseruation of the Calâ—olicque Apostolicke and Romaine religion and promised to reciue instruction and make profession thereof No other meanes resting whereby to knit and ioyne that which by disvnion had been separated and nothing but the newe opinion of religion was the cause to place a barrier between them and the meanes that the poore people did not most willingly cast themselues into his armes And to the contrarie the feare of the alteration of religion putteth theÌ„ out of their bounds as the waues that breake into a breach hauing gotten through do runne with more noyse and force then before So he was esteemed for an hereticke his goods confiscate and his bodie punished that had not halfe a dozen of maximes or princples readie thereby with tooth and nayle openly to maintaine that Henry de Bourbon might not be king although he were a Catholicke and that the power of the Pope stretched not so farre as once to vndertake the hearing of his excuses much lesse to absolue him In this general licenciousnesse of all things whereby euery man is permitted both to speake and thinke euil which filleth France with barbarisme and monsters which maketh the Citties and Townes the gulfes of ciuill furies wherein it is easie to fall and impossible to get out againe it seemed that a whole world neither yet the raignes of foure kings would euer haue ended so great adesolation For thereby is seene the deluge of all afflictions fallen vppon the people confusion and disorder rampeth and entereth into all places councels are weake iustice despised the foote commanding the head the treasurescconsumed the estate becommeth sicker then sickenesse it selfe and which is more religion for the which they take weapon in hand looseth more in one moneth then it getteth intenne hauing nothing more contrarie to the increasing restoring and beautifying therof then the insolencie crueltie disobedience and impietie of ciuil wars And should wee suppose that during these monstrous mad rebellions the obedience we owe to God can long continue VVhat is he that knoweth not how many iniuries religion hath sustained as well by the defendors as enemies thereof both of them esteeming it a glorie to violate blaspheme and in a moment to destroy the forepassed labours of so many yeares and in two houres to saw downe the tree that hath growen vp and prospered for 1500. yeares The people by long draughts swallow downe the sweete breath of libertie they terme disorder reason they admitte no lawe but what they like best and will by no meanes heare speaking of superior Of the despising of the Prince proceedeth disobedience to God and from that impietie springeth the disobedience we shew vnto each other For that long sufferancealtereth custome and formeth immitation and the example of one that escapeth vnpunished mooueth others to commit the like offence So that among so many crimes disorders and confusions it is not straunge vnto vs to see our actions haue so hard successe For as the horse that hath newly cast his Maister to the ground broken his bridle ceaseth not to runne till he commeth to some place where with great furie he killeth himselfe so the people abandoning all dutie respect of gouernment ouerthrow themselues at the end of their most furious course and are like a ship in the middle of the wanes which beeing neuer so well rigged and furnished with warlike ammunition hauing neither saile nor rurther is readie to sincke and stirreth not but at the pleasure of a feeble blast of wind which vseth it as it list To the contrary the kings armie that as a rocke resisteth the proude and raging waters like agreat riuer passing her boundes to ouerflow the medows assiegeth Townes winneth diuers battels beareth all before it and triumpheth in all places And Spaine which ought either to vnburthen it selfe or at the least be content with the great number of roabes which it daily weareth and with so many Scepters that impeach it and rest it selfe riseth vp to put vs in feare She that feareth least our prosperitie would bee her ruine our peace her wars and that our nayles should grow so long therewith to pull that from her which she and hers hath forcibly taken from vs she bendeth her cannon shot against the battered wals of our estate and she that seeing vs transported with furie and collor ought to hide the knife and quench the fire putteth it into our hands therewith to mooue vs to destroy our selues And addeth oyle and wood more to increase the fire of our diuisions yet all in vaine for that against good Frenchmen shee sendeth Spanish shadowes But after the losse of a great battell and the long and extreame induring of miseries by the assieged townes euery man beginneth to detest wars and to seeke peace And the ordinarie meat wherewith the people were vsually serued beginneth to faile and be disliked the goodly and beautifull pretence of religion that had giuen so great an appetite to the common people to disiest arms looseth credite and it is euidently seene that the war hath more respect to the altering of estate then preseruatioÌ„ of religion And in fine when at the assembly of the league in Parris the D. of Ferrare vnder pretence and couer of religion had propounded the means to shake vtterly ouerthrow the salique law not any good Frenchman but detested the deuise as athing more cruel then death it selfe And the Court of Parliament did most vertuously resist the lamentable subuersion of that law which hath maintained this monarchie continued so many yeares and in defence wherof our forefathers died the plaines of Poctiers and Cressy with their liuely and masculine blood And in the mean time when euery man cried out and openly said the king was no king that they were earnestly busied to find an other that euery man would be and yet durst not his Maiestie by reuelation of the holy Ghost and for his owne saluation turned to the sacred and holy bosome of the Church leauing the error and new opinion that from his cradle he had alwaies holden feeling in his soule a strong and firme
French men had their throats cut wher the king of N. doubting himselfe not to be secured in the chast imbrasings of his first nights espousals was constrained to alter the forme of his religion And because he had escaped that danger and finding himself healed of his continuall fears and distrusts he said that in changing of religion he had done it by constraint hee was oftentimes accused of Apostacie At that time Rochel the begā to refuse the Garrisons which the K. would haue placed therin was the refuge of the Huguenots Rechel besieged Anno. 1573. whervpō Monsieur besieged it and in 6. months brought it to such extremitie as that if the planting of the flowerdeluce in the furthest parts of Septentrion had not diuerted him he had been Maister therof at such cōposition as had pleased him The King of Polonia Sigismod when he died left 5000. horses in his stable For the Polonians sent Ambassadors vnto him to offer him the Crowne of Polonia and to inuite him to the possession of a great rich and puissant Realme great because it is in compasse twise as much as France rich by reason of the abundance of all things necessarie for mans life renowmed for armes and horses and puissant for the honour of the Nobilitie being most valiant and braue warriours hauing more Gentlemen therein then are in France England and Spaine Thither he went being accompanied by the king himself as far as Lorraine from whence for his better assurance Coronation of the K. of Polonia Letters of regent granted the Queene-mother till the K. comming out of Polonia In Parliamēt the 3. of Iune 1574. he passed through the territories of the Princes of Almaine that were much greeued offended at the murther cōmitted vpon S. Bartholomewes day from thence he arriued at Cracouia and there vpon the first day of Penthecost he receiued the Crown the next year after vppon the same day hee was crowned king Meane time king Charles his brother that died in the flower of his age declared him to be his successor and his mother regent till his returne commaunding the Duke of Alencon his brother and the king of Nauarre not to alter any thing in the state and to perswade themselues that kingdomes are onely gotten eyther by vertue or succession and not by reuolting or tyrannie As this great king of two great realms as earnestly looked for of the Frenchmen as lamented of the Polonians was desired of the Catholciques for the effects The returne of the king of Polonia into France His nature The warres for the common-wealth vndertaken by Monsieur the malcōtēts An increase of Monsieurs reuenewes the 28. of May 1576. An agreemēt with Monsieur made at Ioinuille The K. made this peace to seperate his brother from the Princes The 4. Edict of peace in May. 1576. Aiguemortes Beaucaire Perigueux Le Mas de Verdun Nions Serres Yssoire Seine la grād Tour. The king called this peace his peace D. Casimire wold not dislodge without assurance of paiment and the obseruation of peace The league of Peronne they had perceiued to be in him touching the religion so was he also loued of the protestants that knewe him of nature to bee a true Frenchman estranged not only frō cruell actions but also from most seuere intents and hoped vnder his raigne to finde a more moderate and peaceable season But God to punish our sinnes had otherwise ordained for at the kings returne the wars likewise returned which began to flame burst our vpō the frontiers against the Marshall of Amuille who perceiuing himselfe altogither frustrate of any hope of euer being reconciled to the king practised with the towns of Longuedoc seduced Monsieur that made himselfe Generall of this new confusion vnder pretence of a quarrell for the Common-wealth and vsed the forces of both the religions The king of Nauarre that could not forget the bloodie day that had consumed so many of his seruants and perceiued not himselfe so much imployed as his inferiours in matters of estate abandoned the honorable captiuitie of the Court and those that had followed him with all the Princes of his house ioyned themselues togither for his protection Whereat Monsieur was greeued and perceiuing himself to be left alone with his Catholicques he had recourse to the kings fauour by the increase of a new degree of honour and reuenue giuen him by the king The king of N. the Prince of Conde procured strāgers ayde not as they protested therby to shake off the yoke of the Monarchie or to deuide thēselues into as many Cōmon-wealths as ther are Prouinces in France but to liue in obedience vnder the king freedom of conscience and thereby to obtain a peace which was made between the king Monsieur his brother the K. of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whereby the free publike and generall exercise of the religion was permitted vnto the Protestants in all the places and Towns which as then they held they being declared capable to haue their places in Parliaments and chambers of iustice seuerally all iudgements being made against them for any enterprise whatsoeuer declared voyde the memorie of the heads of their part taken away and the cruell day of S. Bartholomew disauowed And for the better assurance and performance of the conditions they had eight Townes deliuered vnto them with the conditions of their gouernments This peace which was thought would haue long continued beeing made with so greate solemnitie not with dissemblers but with a king that as yet had giuen no occasion of distrust was soone weakened and shaken for that the same conditions that had made it were the means to vnloose it For the Prince of Conde perceiuing that he reaped not the fruit of his desert and that the gouernment of Picardie was denied him was the first that found himselfe offended and that shewed himself discontent desiring the Duke Cazimir not to abandon the frontiers of Lorraine vntill hee perceiued that peace to be wel confirmed and obserued The Catholicques to the contrary being greeued at the libertie which the Huguenots had obtained thereby to make their religion increase fructifie and that the Rutter had not as yet put vp his Pistolle into the case besought his Maiestie to restraine that pernitious licence of the Edict of peace but perceiuing him not to be sufficiently moued to cut off that which as thē begā but to spring vp nor to take knife in hand therewith to shed his owne blood they began to assemble at Peronne to moue all the rest of the towns vnder pretence of diuers occasions not litle wondred at of the people which were for the honor increase of the Catholike religion for the suretie of the estate and Crowne of his Maiestie the vtter extirpation of Heresies and for the reuocation of the Edict of peace wherein they swore obedience and seruice to the Generall that should bee appoynted ouer this fellow
that which went for Poitou where hee assieged Bar Taking of la Charite and Issoire Anno. 1577. and tooke diuers Townes His Maiesties armie incamped at Brouage and costrained it to yeelde And Lansac Gouernour thereof would haue gone into the Isle of Re but hee could not And to conclude the warres were so long and tedious that the Generalles wel perceiued themselues to bee too olde to liue to see the end thereof And the king that neuer had tasted the sweetenesse of peace beganne to dsire it hauing first prooued so many troubles and vexations of warre therevppon hee determined to establish a good and holy peace Reason to induce peace and against warre in An. 1577. Great numbers are not the cause of victories God is the God of battelles A discourse polliticke and military The chance of warre vncertaine which should bee well obserued to the which end hee heard debated examined and considered diuers and all the reasons that could bee alleadged both for the establishing and dissoluing thereof Those that desired no peace deuised many arguments which they framed for the purpose as first they sayde That the king ought not to make peace hauing meanes to make warre with more men and aduantage then his enemies But they were aunswered that the multitude of men is not the cause of victorie and that a smal handful of desperate souldiers had ouerthrowne a great armie The kings cause is more iust The Princes shrowd themselues vnder a iust enterprise when God is offended and that the war is not made for the defence of his quarrell but for particular reuenge The Huguenots haue neither mony nor credite for the souldier himselfe among them is constrained to contribute mony to pay forraine ayde instead of receiuing his own wages With a little they do much necessitie is their vertue and the ground of their cause is so deare vnto them that they will rather fight without mony or meat then liue without their libertie or preaching of the Gospell There needs but one battell to ouerthrow and destroye them Victorie resteth in the hands of God it is a both doubtfull and vncertaine battels in these daies are prolonged and neuer giuen without aduantage of the one side or the other And again it is impossible with an armie of 10000. men to roote out a 100000. Huguenots The K. wil neuer hazard battel but he is assured to haue the victorie to triumph ouer his enemies This is as much to say as he reckoneth without his Host for it coÌ„sisteth in God there needeth but a small matter to put all your forces in disorder and make them a praye to their enemies For if in times past 500. Actolians Iustin lib. 24. Xâ—nop hist. lib. 7. Bap. Egnat The battell of Poictiers Lois the last Earle of Flaunders Froisart li. 2. cap. 95.96.97.98 better shepheards then souldiers put 900. Lacedemonians to flight If Epaminondas with 4000. men ouerthrew the Spartans armie beeing sixe times as many If among the Christians Baudonin brother to Godfrey of Bullon with 300. horse and 900. foot all Frenchmen caused the Caliphe to yeeld and leaue the field being inuironed with 9000. horse and 20000. foot If a litle troupe of English souldiers halfe in dispaire before Poictiers triumphed ouer a great armie of the most puissant warlike Nation in the world Is it not a most foolish temerite to put confidence in the doubtfull chance of a battell It is neuer good to assayle those that hope for nothing but dispaire The last Earle of Flaunders hauing brought the Towne of Gaunt to an extremitie of victuals would haue them to present themselues before him bare-headed footed with halters about their necks and so to aske pardon for their liues without any assurance thereof But 5000. of those miserable people that had nothing left but their armes and in dispaire He was constrained to hide himselfe in the strawe of a poore womans bedde where he saued himselfe and the next day went out disguised The peace of the low countries issued out vpon him like hungrie wolues fought so desperately that in fine they ouerthrew his whole armie coÌ„posed of more then fortie thousand men There is no peace to be granted to heretickes It is done continually for it is not yet a yeare since the king of Spaine granted peace to the Islands of Holand Zeland not only giuing them the libertie of their religion but withdrawing the exercise of his owne Peace giueth that to the Huguenots which warre taketh from them And what the libertie of conscience Many polliticke and wise men haue acknowledged and confessed that force constraineth not mens consciences that sword and fire haue not power to extirpe the opinions of religion that are once entered into the mindes of men that such victorie ouer mens consciences belongeth onely to God the father of light and trueth and that force may well make Hippocrites and Atheists but not religious or christian people If the king suffreth this libertie of conscience 1576. Libertie of conscience Catholicque religion will bee cleane consumed vnder these nouelties and all his Realme wil be poysoned with sects Schismes errors The free exercise of this new religion will be lesse aduantage to the perticipants thereof then it would be if it were but secretly vsed Religion increaseth more being persecuted and forbidden then wheÌ„ it is permitted Read a booke touching this point imprinted at Antwarpe An. 1579. Dialogus do Pace For the people are light impatient with long rest and quietnesse and to the contrary things least permitted and vneasie are most pleasant and agreeable And therefore desire nothing but change and dislike nouelties with more disdaine then euer they had affectioÌ„ or vehmeÌ„t desire to see theÌ„ aduaÌ„ced They alwaies fal headlong into that which is forbidden theÌ„ The more they presented tormeÌ„ted troubled the hereticques at Prague and in Ausbourg and the more they were forbidden to assemble and meet togither so much the more they in creased and had assemblles and with fiers whippings hanging and prisons became innumerable And when they haue the free libertie of that they desire when rigor is layde aside the thing becommeth so common and discouered that many refuse it entering againe into the great and broad way which they had left And therfore diuers men haue thought that there is no better means to shake Apollitike maxime Vnitie of the sectaries in matters of pollicie and in the end to ouerthrow a new religion then to permit the free exercise thereof For as a man of great iudgement in our time saith As much as man loueth his libertie and yet abuseth it so much the more hee hateth seruitude and constraint wherin notwithstanding he behaueth himselfe better then in the enioying of his freedome There ought to be but one religion in one Realme It is well said but when a king findeth more it is very hard for him to roote them out Would you
his subiects within sixe months after to make profession of the Catholicque religion or to depart out of the Realme dispearsed the tripartite chambers of Parliaments ordained that the Towns giuen in hostage to those of the religion should bee yeelded vppe and not onely commended but approoued the warre by the Princes begunne acknowledging it to bee done for his seruice This edict authorised them Articles drawne at Nemours the 7. of Iuly 1581. but the articles that were secretly drawne at Nemours were not altogither for their aduantage and yet there was nothing in them that displeased them but onely the condition that bound them presently to leaue the league And although they demaunded no other sureties then his Maiesties word yet they asked the Townes of Chaalon Thoul Verdun Saint Disier Reims Soissons the Castle of Dyon the Towne and Castle of Beaune Rue in Picardie Townes giuen in assurance to the League Dinan and Conq in Brittaine to bee deliuered vnto them And the king payde 2001006. Crownes and two thirds for the strannge forces leuied by thē discharged thē of one million sixe thousand three hundreth fortie eight Crowns three deniers which they had taken vp of the kings receiuers and 100000. Crowns to build a Citadel in Verdun besides the wages of their guards of Harquebusiers on horsebacke which he gaue to al the princes of the league Consider now I beseech you if these great comfortors of the people these Timoleons and these Arates that caused their defence of the Common-wealth to bee published in all places that detested the great increase of tallages and inuentions of imposts in these affaires did once thinke vpon the people See how in three moneths they made the people so leane that they left them neyther flesh blood nor bone and oppressed them more in that time then euer they were in three whole yeares before by ordinary charges besides the violences pillings burnings and many other insolences incident to warres For the poore Pesant that knewe not what the league ment that neuer came at Peronne nor at Nancy where it was first deuised was forced to pay the millions of golde which that three months warre had prodigiously spent and to support the seuen and twentie Edicts that by that meanes sprung vppe to the great disturbance of polliticque gouernment and iustice and to confirmation of the kings treasures And yet in the meane time all their Orations and their great and long discourses made vnto the king tended to no other end but to renue the wars But I would to God that most christian kings had answered them with the same words that Cleomenes vsed to the Ambassadors of Samos who by along and vehement Oration exhorted him to make warre against Policrates After they had made him wearie to heare them and their owne tongues to speake hee answered them in fewe words which made them much abashed saying I remember not what you said at the beginning of your Oration much lesse in the middle and as for your conclusion I will not graunt vnto it there needeth not so many words I can do nothing touching your demaund I will haue peace and neuer make warre but against those that refuse peace Thus should a king of France haue said vnto his French subiects and not suffer himselfe to be consumed by them in such sort as you shall heereafter heare Heere endeth the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE last troubles of Fraunce containing that which passed from the beginning of the wars after the Edict made in Iuly 1585. vntill the Barricadoes of Parris and the Kings retrait to Chartres in the Month of May. 1588. There are degrees to ascend vnto the royaltie and not to descend without falling NO man can mount and descend both at one time There are some high places wher you cannot descend without falling The kings authoritie neuer faileth without his ruine and decay Assoone as the king bended himselfe and the honour of his Maiestie to the leaguers desires hee perceiued his authoritie ingaged to the pleasure and will of another by the edict of Iulie which of a king as hee was made him a participant and in estate like a scipher which of it selfe is nothing without it bee ioyned to other figures And to the contrarie caused the league to bee of more account then before so that the light hee gaue vnto it was the losse of his owne From that time his respect power and feare vanished he spake no more to the league but as equall to equall and receiued the lawe of those that ought to receiue it of him The league did not any thing without the King This peace made a great vnreparable breach in his honor by the which all the impunities of the league passed with great assurance and her bold enterprises which of theselues wold haue bin ouerthrown became more assured For assoone as the fauourites thereof perceiued themselues to bee feared that their first sailie had gotten credite in the hearts of good Townes put feare into the kings minde procured fauour with his Councell that the zeale of religion kindled the most colde mindes and that the thing which deserued punishment had obtained recompence They determined from thence to vndertake their first enterprise but knowing well that in a manner hauing pulled it forcibly out of the kings hands it hatched but a rotten egge who by that leuie of men at armes being much offended wold neuer cease vntill he were reuenged that so great a wound would neuer be so well healed It was impossible that the king should forget the leaguers enterprise but there wold be a scar specially because it was in a maner but three or foure daies since that by so many Edicts hee had declared them rebelles and manifest traitors they determined not to assure themselues but in and by their armes But armes are nothing without mony and mony cannot bee had but by leuying it vppon the common people to whom there rested nothing but their tongues and voyces to complaine to constraine them was the meanes to bring vppon the league the same furies imprecations wherewith the Husband man the Marchant and the Artisicer detested the enterprise and pretence of the first troubles and make their quarrelles most fearefull and odious for no other reason then onely because of the greefes oppressions which they receiued to send into Spaine the spring was not stopt but that liked them not so well so that there rested no other means then onely to serue their turnes with the kings commissions and to make him chiefe author of the warres the means of entertaining thereof Therefore presently they caused him to determine warres in all places of the Realme against the Huguenots hee was not onely aduised of the importance but of the facilitie thereof affirming it to bee but three daies workes and that the strongest places would parley for a peace assoone as hee sounded vppe the drumbe and the king
league And perceiuing himselfe to bee Maister of Douzy and Rocroy and by that meanes of the passage of the riuer of Meuze hee caused his troupes to enter vppon the lands of the soueraigntie of Sedan vexing the poore countrimen that dwelt in the villages with al kinds of warlike cruelties Mean time that famine plagued them within the towns the D. de Bouillon to diuert him from thence sent the Lord de Schelandre Gouernor of Iamets to make an attempt against Verdun which is the first towne lying in the frontiers of Champaigne and most tumulteously entered into the coniulation of the leaguers pretences The Duke of Guise followed him with the most part of his forces which his departure gaue time and leisure to the Duke de Bouillon to victuall Sedan and the Queene-mother in the meane time disposed the two Dukes to make a truce first for fifteene daies in the which time the Duke of Guise practised certaine souldiers more for gaine then for conscience to surprise the Castle of Iamets but the enterprise failed and the instruments therof were punished and from that time they began againe to renue their courses and spoylings more then they did before The Queene layde an other plaister vppon this sore by a second truce of a month which the Duke de Bouillon imployed in Alsace with foure hundreth horse and eight hundreth Harquebusiers therby to aduance the armie of Germains that were to meete in the plaines of Strausbourg there to bee mustred And the Duke of Guise had leisure to go vnto the King to receiue his instructions and commaundements vppon so great and vrgent an occasion Hee found him at Meaux where hee shewed him that since the Edict of Iuly and the resolution taken by his Maiestie to make warre against the Huguenots it had been so coldly begunne and pursued with so many wants that it was not to bee found straunge if the issue had been as vnfortunate as the cause iust and woorthie to bee done by a king of France that contrary to the edict they had let their hereticques continue in their houses enioye as in a publike peace their lands and goods that ought to be imployed for their destruction and to the taking away of the means that continued their crimes towards god and their rebellion against the estate That in stead of selling and confiscating thereof Borne in France and spaniolized in Rome the reuenues of the Cardinall of Pelleue were ceased vppon because in open consistorie hee had most vertuously sustained the iust occasion of the leuying of armes by the Catholicke Princes against Hereticques That in those warres the Cleargie had indured most and receiued least profit or aduantage hauing continued more for the aduancement of Mignons then for the ruine of Hereticques and that so great summes of money cut off from the possessions of the Cleargie from the nourishing of the poore from the reliefe of Pilgrims from the ransome of captiues and other necessities of the Church had serued to no other end then onely for the entertaining of the enemies of the Cleargie Hee complained of the contradictions of the edict and among other things in that the kings Councell the Court of Parliament in Parris the Iustices nor the Prouost in Parris had not sworne to the edict Of the hard measure shewed to the Townes that had desired the exterpation of heresies and the reuocation of the last edict of peace Of the ouerthrowing of the citadel of Mascon of surprising the of Valēce of the disgrace of the Sieurs de Brissac Crusilles Gessan and Antragues and of the countermaunding of the assignations giuen vnto him for the restoring of the charges by him made in that last raising of souldiers The king to the contrary had well considered how the insolent passion of the league could not finde a firmer footing within all the articles contained in the treatie of Nemours and that it aspired to some greater matter Hee knew well it had demaunded Townes for assurance against the Huguenots in the Prouinces where they had no cause to feare them neither in soule nor bodie That the surprise made by the D. d'Aumalle of the towns of Dourlan Pontdormy and the intelligence discouered at Bollogne were som of the operations of the medicine which they had takē to auoyde this monarchie of vigor strength That for to fortifie themselues with numbers of Townes and participants it had caused a Citadell to bee erected at Vitry le Francois therein to place an Italian in whose countrie a Frenchman cannot so much as obtaine the base office of a Sergeant That the Duke of Guise would not receiue the gouernment of Raucroy vntill his Maiestie had promised him they should hold it in his owne name That it had prodigally spent the 100000. crownes raised for the building of the Citadell in Verdun not desiring other fortresse thererein but the hearts of the people abused with pretences and goodly apparances of the intents of this conspiracie The contrarieties of the edict being well wayed and debated on both partes the Duke of Guise turned his pursuites vppon the meanes to assayle the Huguenots in the same places where they had receiued the foyle in Poitou Dauphine and in the countries of the Duke de Bouillon desired the king to cast his eyes vppon decaying religion if the armie of straungers should beare the triumph into Allemaigne both of France and of the Catholicke Church and to imbrace the conseruation thereof without esteeming any thing to bee difficult or daungerous for so memorable a victorie calling to minde that he was a king of a people that neuer feared any thing but the falling of heauen and assured thēselues to ouercome all whatsoeuer that durst assayle or set vpon them heere on earth The King whose intent was onely to liue and raigne could not consent to warre The Kings oath the 10. of Ianuary 1587. notwithstanding the oath hee made when hee instituted the order of the holy Ghost nor the last resolution sent to the king of Nauarre by Monsieur de Rambouillet that hee would not permit or suffer other religion in his Realme then the auncient Catholieque faith and abolish that which they called reformed yet he desired most earnestly to haue had a good peace therby to diuert the miseries which the armie of strangers would bring with it but when hee perceiued himselfe not strong ynough The kings resolution to make the King of Nanarre and the Duke of Guise to consent by reason of their differences and that hee could not sustaine the one without oppressing the other that hee had not the courage to bee indifferent between both without leaning to the one or to the other and to bee short that hee durst not vse the authoritie of a King hee was constrained to suffer all the heads of the league to counterfeit with him If hee consented to the libertie of reformed religion and restored them the Edict of peace hee thought hee heard
an armie vppon the frontiers of Lorraine against the returne of the Germaines that would come to haue some recompence for the cruelties by the league committed in the Counte of Mombeliard These articles were sent vnto the king mean time This warre continued till May 158◠the forces of Lorraine continued warres against the Princes of Sedan a warre that raised a thousand curses against the league the thing not beeing so well iustified as the consideration of an innocents case made it seeme execrable and detested such as enterprised the same for entering vpon other mens boūds The king stayed for a time to resolue himselfe vppon the intentions of the Princes of the league and made shewe to consent vnto them And to say the trueth he was not in estate to oppose himselfe against them for that in the beginning of the league hauing permitted them to strike their hatchet into the florishing tree of Saint Lois the blow entered and made so great an ouerture that all fell in peeces Hee acknowledged the perilous consequence of his first fault And that hee agreed to the treatie of Nemours and to the breach of peace so to approoue the league Prognostications of de Mesnil Aubri 1560. He verified that which the Cassandrian Huguenots had so often sung hee sawe that the great credit which the Duke of Guise had goten among his subiects to the great diminishing of his owne did more increase that since he had left disobedience vnpunished rebellion was auouched and that from it would proceed some straunge change to shake the estate As many sillables as hee pronounced in reading those articles so many times his heart beat and moued in his bodie with an extraordinary feare saying in himselfe Considerations by the King had touching the articles of Nancy The league will haue me to bannish my seruants that are most affected vnto mee So the wolues desired the sheep to driue away the dogges that they might worke their willes That I should binde my selfe to their deuises and why to serue them for a bridge to enter vppon the royaltie that I should hatch the vipers within my bosome that should knawe my enteralles and vnder the flower deluce I should couer the crosses of Lorraine that of a king I become Generall of an armie that the people may know that seeing I haue not the courage to bee a Maister it is reason I should bee a seruant that if I haue not the stomacke to punish such as enterprise vpon mee they neyther haue shame nor feare to proceed therein it will haue mee ouerthrow and destroy those great persons that I loue and that belong vnto mee which beeing done what aduauncement would it bee either to mee or to the Common-wealth what is a forrest when the fairest trees bee cut downe but onely a place full of fushes what is a Realme when the greatest houses are ouerthrowne and impouerished onely a desart That I should agree and consent with them to make warre against such as are not of their league Who euer heard that any estate could long endure when it is diuided in two parts that haue weapon in hand and what will become of mine induring three or foure and that these two words of leaguers and Pollititians shall be as contagious therein as those of Guelphe and Gibelin that first sprang out a little Towne betweene two bretheren and spredde all ouer Italie among all the Princes Who shall defend mee vnder his partialities from the same slaunders that our neighbours of England and Germanie haue receiued I will haue no other part but mine owne and finde there is no better nor fairer then to bee a king I meane a king of France That I should cause the Councell of Trent to bee published I am content but this publication must not bee made by sound of trumpet or noyse of Cannon-shotte Hitherto my soueraigne Courts of Parliament neuer counselled mee vnto it for the preiudice I might induce into the liberties of my Crowne and franchises of the Cleargie of this Realme and fortaine Princes haue not receiued it but as farre as it was conformable to their willes and haue taken out of it the thornes that pricked them That I should establish the Inquisition at the least in all my Townes this word breedeth a feare in euery man The Inquisition was not inuented but against Infidelles for that after my auncestors had reduced Spaine to the Christian faith and that Pelages King of Castille perceiued himselfe not strong ynough to constraine Infidelles in their consciences hee permitted them the libertie thereof for certaine yearely tribute Long after Ferdinand of Arragon perceiuing that by the patching of so many superstitions both of the Sinagogue and the Alcaron of Christian religion beganne to be corrupted he determined to constraine thē to be Baptized or to leaue the country such as to stay that made more account of their liuings then their consciences purged not themselues so well of their errors but that there rested some dregges of their first opinions which they held by succession from their auncestors and desired rather like the Duke of Friezland to go to hell with their sects then to Paradice without them For men do hardly forgo the religion by them learned from their cradles the more they are afflicted to make them leaue it so much the more they harden their mindes against torments the more the exercise is forbidden them the more they seeke it and the more they are mooued the more they stirre they began to informe against them whereof the Iacobins as then newly produced into the Church by Saint Domenicke ful of doctrine and religion had the charge who imployed prayers and exhortations and would not vse violent purgations thereby not to stirre vppe an aboundance of humours that might stop the heart or the liuer this peaceablenesse and toleration being daungerous in the Church they beganne to vse rigor against those miserable Marians vnder the name of Inquisition and since that it hath been exercised against such as are not sound in Catholicque religion The formes since that time added therevnto are very straunge as the length of proceeding to aunsweres the voluntary confessions of those that are accused the slaunders and boldnesse of their officers called Flyes the prison vnder ground soule obscure and fearefull the punishment with trochelles and wheeles the sinewes the water and the fron the yealow Casocke without sleeues painted full of diuels which they call Saubenite the myter gagge and the cord and that which is the last part of this pittifull tragedie the fire haue made this inquisition which I thinke necessary in Spaine so strange vnto the Flemmings and so detestable to the Frenchmen that the Frenchmen will rather a thousand times indure that which the Flemmings haue suffered then subiect themselues vnto it to establish this inquisition among the light toyes of the Frenchmen the liberties we possesse within these thirtie yeares and the curiosities that
that haue drowned our companions that made libertie captiue trueth criminall rapin iust and tyrannie and inuasion lawfull See heere the first beginning of the troubles of France 47. slaine by Brisson the President that pulled the Crowne from the head of the King and the lawes from the heart of the Realme that put the weapon in the hand of a President to raise the people in his quarter that kindled the courage of the most coward to fall vppon the kings guard that lifted vppe the chin of most vile persons and caused the League to triumph in the strees of Parris as an Image accomplished with all wickednesse that put pen in hand of the sixteenth therewith to publish this wicked commotion and to qualifie that with a iust defence against the kings aduertising all the Townes of their conspiracie that God had preserued that holy and religious Cittie from a great massacre and fearefull spoyle that the Duke of Guise had turned the counsell of Polliticians specially the Duke d'Espernon that had wonne so much fauour in the kings heart that it caused him to determine the ruine and ouerthrow of the principal and most Catholicque Sedition called the image of all euill families in Parris to restraine their libertie and dispoyle them of their religion esteeming no better nor readier meanes to make his people to obey him then to weaken beate downe and spoyle them of that corpulent fatnesse which made them insolent mutinous and rebelles and that they should not beleeue the Historie of their tragedie from any but their owne lying mouthes Assoone as the Kings seruants knewe that his Maiestie was gone The Court dislodgeth from Parris The Duke of Guise is sory for the kings retrait the Huguenots neuer dislodged with more haste out of the subburbs of Saint Germaine de Prez at the dolourous day of S. Bartholomewe then they did to saue themselues some on foote some on horseback out of Parris flying in great haste many had no leisure to put on their bootes the furie of the people beeing such and so straight mooued against them that it was a great escape made to returne from the house of Guise to the Louure and no man might passe if hee held not for the Duke of Guise Illia cos intra muros peccatut extra Horatius His Lacqueys serued for Pilots and conductors of the Kings chiefe Councellours to bring them safe to their lodgings That this accident procured not most straunge corosiues to the kings heart it is not to be doubted His Maiestie hauing assembled his men at Saint Glaude hee went to Chartres where the league had alreadie sounded so many mens hearts that there they spake not of the king but in disdain that his Maiestie was greeued at the hart to see himselfe in a manner bannished in the middle of his estate and spoyled of his authoritie The Duke of Guise was much more greeued when hee knew the king was gone that suddane blowe so much abashed him that hee would willingly haue taken poste to followe after him imputing it a great imperfection of nature The Duke of Guise repenteth his hardinesse but faults are neuer knowne vntill they bee done and then wee may looke into the cause and attribute it eyther to our owne opinion that opposeth vs against the rules of reason or to our weaknesse which abateth both our courage and resolution Both of them although too late giuing vs wisdome and meanes to repent It is very hard in these commotions that are sooner seene then conceiued and where we must take counsell and armes both at one time to retaine consideration respect and necessary wisedome or that a mans minde can continue firme in one resolution This commotion of Parris was followed with great imperfections both within and without as well on the kings as on the Duke of Guises part hee fayled by letting the king escape for that holding him the tragedie of Chilperic had bin acted and the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid accomplished he failed likewise herein that hauing passed the bounds of dutie and fidelitie and vsed his Maister in that sort he beleeued that playing the part of a diligent seruant he should win fauor againe that his boldnesse wold be forgotten that a Lyon roused in that sort so cruelly wold become tame or meek at the first morsell of respect seruice and obedience that should bee offered vnto him that hee should haue his will of the king sooner by flattery and seruice then by pursuing and forcing him for that not knowing how to vse his aduantage nor in what sort to behaue himselfe in the highest step of the lather of his enterprises wherevnto hee had mounted with so long and secret pretences hee fell downe all the steppes at one time When he saw all France disliked the kings departure in that forcecible maner out of Parris hee beganne to protest his innocency and the dutie hee had shewed to restraine the furie of the people trauelling in the kings behalfe to saue his honour so straungely blemished Fault in the King The king for his part failed and his fault was so much the greater then that of the Duke of Guise as there was inequalitie between them The forme order means he found to rebate the credite of his enemie and the reputation hee had gotten among his subiects was as vnaduisedly pursued as begun He sought to purge the bodie before he had well disposed the humors some of his Councell said it was best for him to let the Duke of Guise rest as being alreadie mounted so high that he could not bee brought downe but that it would be good to breake downe the steps whereby he mounted and withdrawe those that serued him for footestooles Counsell to abate the greatnesse of the Duke of Guise The magnanimious resolution which the King should hold Wholesome Councell to reduce the people strayed into the right path of obedience loue and feare which they owe vnto their king and win so many hearts againe by the same meanes that the League had vsed to seduce them that is by peaceablenesse by a vniuersall reformation and by reliefe of miseries The king should haue said I will do as the League desireth I wil performe that which it promiseth you I will performe deedes and not wordes wherewith shee abuseth you she taketh the disorders of times for the subiect of her mutinies I will establish order in pollicie in my treasures and in my Court the shortest way had been so to preuent him by little and littled iminishing the vniuersall fauour of the Parrissians towards him but to do it vppon the suddaine at one blow and in one houre to repaire the destruction and ruines so long bred and inuented it was a great folly and seeing by so many signes and distrusts he feared the comming of the Duke of Guise to Parris and that hee had discouered his pretence Why did he not cause him to go out again
both that of force he was constrained to take part with the one The king resolueth to be reuenged of the Duke of Guise because hee had been so imprudent to suffer them both and that of a King hee must become the Generall of a faction And in this manner beeing driuen heere and there by the incertitude of his conceptions feeble vnresolued and inuironed with so many distrusts by the apprehension of the mischiefe he suffered his minde to bee ledde away from the boundes of his nature And beganne to be very chollericke against the Huguenots to haue the League on his side so to ayde himself with their forces against them But those in whom hee ought to put most credit that lamented the diminishing of his authoritie and the weakning of his forces and that perceiued him bent to procure his owne destruction counselled him to make peace with the king of Nauarre Councels of peace An edict of peace 1576. and not to breake the edict of pacification which he had worne not in the field by force or imbecilitie of infancie as king Charles his bother did but after so many victories in the flower of his years in the strenth of his wit in presence of all the Realme of France putting his faith into the handes of God who is a iust reuenger of such as breake it although it be giuē vnto their enemies They propounded the same reasons wherewith in the yeare 1577. they defended the libertie of consciences inforcing them with diuers examples most certain arguments Others that for the most part are creatures of the league cōdemned the counsell at euery word they spake crying Set vpō the Huguenot religiō the church the truth wil alwaies remain The league will haue warre they braued in their discourses they perswaded the K. to continue wars to acknowledge that God had sent him those Machabes of Lorraine to resist Infidels those Herculeses against monsters that race of Monfort against the relicques of Albigios Sir said they you shall loose the name of most christian king if you yeeld vnto these heresies that draw the sap out of religion You shall be the only king among 60. of your predecessors that hath so faintly permitted suffred so pernicious detestable a mixstur of truth lies it wil be said that vnder your raigne Temples were without Altars Altars without sacrifices Churches without Ministers and God without seruice The gainsaying of those of the league Godlinesse desireth not warres The others knowing well that those faire and goodly couertures hide and keepe close most infamours rebellions and to put both fire and sword into the deepe woundes of the League said That as then it was no more requisite to decide religion by armes pietie is not ioyned to weapous men speake not of God but in blasphemie and cursing they worshipped him not but in vanities entered not into Churches but to prophane them laye hand assoone vpon the Priest and religious persons as vppon the Minister or Deacon and the fury and blindnesse of the souldier doth not distinguish that in his eye which in heart hee well discerneth And to bee short warre vndermineth religion as woormes consume trees rust eateth Iron and a feuer weakeneth mans body it ingendreth Atheists Libertines and Epicurians it maketh Cittizens of one Towne such as drinke of one fountaine and that liue vnder one ayre to become so wilde and vncourteous each to other that of men they become wolues Tigers such as desired that the leaguers sword should driue away the Huguenots as the Englishmen were driuen out of France Zozomen lib. 3. Hist tripart chap. 11. say to the contrarie that there is no warre more iust holy nor necessary then that which is vndertaken onely to procure the seruice of God by one religion saying that Constantine with weapon in hand ouerthrew the Paganisme of his Empire extirped the assemblies of hereticques Nouaciens Valentiens Marchionists and Paulianists not leauing them any means whereby they might offend the libertie of the religion that hee held Theodozius the elder made warre against the Arrians Theodozius his son against the Nestorians Marcians and Manicheens And that our kings had not attained the name of christrian Princes but by most vertuously sacrifising their liues for the defence of religion You take not the Historie said the defendants as it is to be vnderstood Warre was not made against heretiques til after they were condemned of heresie you read not that wars were made against the Arrians Nouatians Manicheens and other hereticques vntill the Councels of Nice Ephese and Calcedonia had confuted their errors and condemned their opinions Wee haue not to doo with such people they are called members of one church like vs they confesse one redemption with vs hoping for their saluation therein as we do there is neither Infidelitie nor Idolatrie in their maner of seruing God they blaspheme his name lesse then we do punishing such as offend his lawes more then we and there is nothing in their doctrine that shaketh the foundations of our faith You call them heretiques it is long since they affirme this word not to be agreeable to their doctrine ther is no sentence nor iudgemēt pronoūced against thē such as er are not therfore to be accounted heriticques heresie is the folly of an opinious minde so that false opinion and obstinacie are the two poynts that make an hereticque the one depēdeth of the vnderstāding carried away with errors and falsehoods the other of the obstinate minde perseuering in those errors If the Huguenots knew they erred or if they were wilfull in their ignorance why would they haue suffered themselues to bee slaine and massacred in that hotte caniculer month of August in the yeare 1572. If they were obstinate would they so often aske Councels eyther generall or nationall to instruct them as for vs that haue this blessing of God to be christians instructed in the Catholicque Church which wee beleeue to be Romaine we know that Huguenots haue more need of pietie thē paine of doctrine then destruction and of Catechising then imprisonment Wee take compassion vppon such as wee perceiue to bee out of their wits and that runne headlong into mischiefe and why should not wee haue the like feeling towards those that are mortally wounded with those errors that in a whole and liuely bodie beare a weake and paste soule lanquishing and spoyled by the poison that hath so long consumed it The Catholicque calleth the Huguenot an hereticque because hee beleeueth not ynough the Huguenot calleth the Catholicque hereticque because he beleeueth too much The Hoguenot beleeueth not euill in that wherein hee agreeth with vs but he beleeueth not ynough and wanteth in that which he beleeueth not hee hath nothing but it commeth from vs but there is a fault committed in the alteration and not in the essence and I say following our instructors that heresie is rather a want of
vnto their libertie hee would destroy and ouerthrow all the Catholicque Churches in Italie The feare of this mischiefe caused him to tollerate an euill otherwise vntollerable pernicious necessitie to haue peace is the most straight band of humane commodities thereby to shunne warres that maketh fathers without childen children Orphans women widdowes Churches without exercise of religion or godlinesse and the world without God without lawe or without faith to bannish warres that change a most christian Realm into a Commōwealth of Atheists Frēchmen that are peaceable and tractable into Scithians and Canibals liuing only by blood this bloodie ciuill warre that maketh the earth a hell and men the diuelles it is most iust and reasonable to appease the differences of religion by peace seeing warre cannot effect it That ancient world of the church which in respect of ours beeing of Iron and brasse might iustly be called golden permitteth this libertie Peace accorded such false concords and made good musicke diuers Princes and Estates which at this day flourish in great honour suffer euery man to liue according to his conscience and manner of religion without any alteration of their estates by such discipline Detestation of massacres They consider that the schisme is begunne that the greatest part of Europe is diuided that diuers good Towns in France make profession of this religion there is no more remedie that wee must leaue this conuersion to the prouidence of God They content themselues that their subiects obey them and that they vse their religion according to their mindes they doo not therefore make a barbarous galemawfre of the members of their subiects they massacre them not they kill them not and beleeue that whatsoeuer wee haue done heretofore is not lesse horrible to the minde then cruell to the will the League replyeth and said Trouble not your selfe so much with tying these examples togither they serue for nothing there is no proportion of one Realme with the other in this poynt that which is good for the Frenchmen is not good for others We must not so much stand vpon the consideration of things that are alreadie done as of those wee should doo France neuer had two religions shee could neuer indure them Arians could not dwell therein the Alligers were not tollerated with them and the Lutherians and Caluinists would not long continue among them if the League bee in force Let your Grace remember what a Chrisostome of France said vnto you at the last Parliament holden in Blois and now giue the like authoritie to his arguments that they then had when they made you take armes to purge the heart of Europe of the poyson of heresie France said hee hath beene such that after it had publicquely receiued the Christian faith vnder Clouis it hath alwaies maintained it in one course immutable iuuiolable France neuer indured the peruerse opinions of faith within her brest France while all Christendome was moued by the pernicious diuisions of so diuers opinions and with so many and different sorts of heresies that vntill this time haue raigned hath alwaies continued constant and vpright not once bending it selfe to any false doctrine France hath been the succor and defence of christian faith and the terror of the enemies thereof And to conclude France hath beene like a rocke or vnexprignable sort of christianitie And how much should it now bee fallen from his auncient honour how much reputation should it loose how much should it want of her first fidelitie towards God if changing her firmitie constancie touching faith it should liue long in such diuision and indure before her eyes in times past so iealous of the vnion of christian beleese and libertie but rather an intollerable libertie to liue vnder diuers religions Your Maiestie looking into the memorie of things past may sufficiently perceiue that as long as France hath been vnited vnder one christian religion shee hath made her glorie and renowne spred through all countries shee hath caused her valor in armes to be prooued felt in all places of the world shee hath alwaies beene victorious ouer all the enemies of Catholicque religion and hath done so many honourable actions achieued so great and happy conquests against Insidels that it wanne such glorie among the Asians Africans Indians Persians Tartarians Moores Sarrazins and others that all the christians in Europe are by them called Frenchmen for that because those strange nations haue onely felt the armes of Frenchmen they haue also comprehended all the Latine churches vnder the name of France Frenchmen But since France hath been diuided rent with two religions let vs see how much it hath loft of her auncient renowne shee that commaunded a great part of Europe that conquered countries farre distant from her that at her onely name made diuers warrelike nations to tremble is found since this vnhappy and vnfortunate diuision to bee reduced into such extremitie that in the middle of her brest she hath receiued forraine powers shee hath in a manner receiued the lawe of her neighbours and of her enemies and that cruell turning her sword against her owne intrailes and although shee was inuincible in respect of all other nations she is now her self so imbased vanquished and ouerthrowne which is the fruit that this venemous plant of new opinion hath induced which seemeth to be at the poynt readie to giue more daungerous thrusts if according to the expectation which your obedient people haue conceiued of your wisdome pietie it pleaseth not your Maiestie speedily to take order therein Remember that your Grace beareth the Scepter of the great king Clouis that first ruled this Monarchie vnder the publike profession of this religion which at this present is put in question within this Realme Remember that you are successor to that great Childeberg that being able to indure such persons about him that had any wrong opinion of christian religion made wars vppon the Visigots that were infected with the heresie of the Arrians and in the end constrained them to ioyne and vnite themselues to the holy and Catholicque Church Remember that you beare vpon your head the crowne of that Charles who for the greatnesse and valor of his actions deserued the name of great and by the vertue of his armes aduanced christian religion and defended the authoritie of the Apostolicque sea against such as persecuted the same Remember that you hold the place of that most woorthieking Philip Auguste who with so much zeale affection imployed his armes against Albigeois hereticques that had sequestred themselues from the Catholicque vnion Remember that you sit in the seate of that renowmed Prince Saint Lewis that spared not his treasures his forces nor his own person for his desence and aduancement of the faith of Christ and by his christian actions deserued the crowne and surname of Saint and without prolonging time to rehearse them all Remember that you are Nephew to that great king Francis
placed therein not onely till our Lady day in Haruest next ensuing but for the space of two yeares after And as touching Brigard that hath been chosen to the office of the kings Atturney they shall likewise put it into the kings hands who shal ordain that hee shall vse it till the middle of August next beeing in Anno. 1590. Meane time Perrot shall receiue the ordinary stipend giuen by the Towne and the pensions it hath pleased the king to graunt vnto the said office And then there shall bee payde vnto him by him that shall bee chosen to execute the said office after the saide middle of August 1590. the sum of 4000. crowns if it bee the kings pleasure to continue the said office and pension vnto the said new elected officer and if his Maiestie will continuie the saide pensions the said Perrot shall haue but three thousand crownes The Castle of the Bastille shall bee remissed in to his Maiesties hands to dispose thereof as pleaseth him His Maiestie shall make election of some man whom it shall please him within the said Towne to haue the office of knight of the watch The Magistrates Councellours Captaines and other officers of the bodies of townes that haue charges in the Townes within this Realme that haue followed the part of the said Princes shall likewise put them into the kings hands which shall presently bee restored to them againe for the good and tranquillitie of the same All prisoners that haue been taken since the twelfth of May by reason of the present troubles shall be set at libertie on both sides without paying ransome The artillery taken in the Arcenac shall be restored into the same place againe and remaine as it was if after the conclusion of this present agreement any man of what estate or condition soeuer hee bee do enterprise any thing against the Townes and places of his said Maiestie they shall bee holden for infringers of the peace and for such taken and punished without fauour or assistance by the saide Princes or any other vnder any pretence whatsoeuer Likewise if any of the townes or places that are giuen for securitie shall bee taken by any man those that shall haue taken them shall be punished as aforesaid and the said townes being recouered againe shall be redeliuered into the said Princes hands for the time graunted vnto them The taking of Marrans Vpon these articles the kings Edict was published not so much against the king of Nauarres religion as against his interest and to debarre him from all that which none but God could take from him who while they were agreeing vppon these articles and that in lesse then foure daies the declaration and execution were both proclaimed touching him he made himselfe Maister of the Isles of Charron and Marrans The Edict was ratified in the Parliament at Parris vppon the 21. of Iuly the substance thereof beeing that his Maiestie would renue the oath made at his sacrying and annoynting The second edict in Iuly for the league to liue and die in the Catholicque religion to imploy his life forces for the conseruation therof to extirpe heresie neuer to make peace nor truce with the hereticque nor to fauour or aduance the succession of any Prince that is an hereticque or fauorer of them to imbrace and receiue all those that are ioyned in league against them not to place in any office of iustice or estate any other then men that are of the Catolicque Apostlicque and Romane religion that his subiects so vnited should sweare to leaue all sorts of association and intelligences as wel without as within the Realme and to defend each other against the oppression and violence of hereticques freely to expose both their bodies and goods The subiects oath to their King for the conseruation of his authoritie and of the children which it should please God to send him hee abolished and as it were wholly buryed in silence the furie and ingratitude of his subects declaring them guiltie of treason that should refuse to signe to that vnion or that hauing signed should leaue it in respect and fauour whereof he remitted the disorders of the league since the Barricadoes which he declared in the end of the edict in these words The kings declaration against the disorders of the league since the 12. of May. We declare that no inquirie or search shall be made of any the intelligences associations and other things which our said Catholicque subiects may haue done togither as well without as within our realm for that they haue informed vs that whatsoeuer they haue done was onely but by reason of the zeale that they haue borne to the conseruation maintenance of Catholicque religion All which things shal remain extinguished quenched by these presēts we declare them and all whatsoeuer is happened past since the 12. and 13. of May last and since that time by reason thereof vntill the publication of these presents in our Court of Parliament of Parris extinguished and voyde as well in our said Towne of Parris as in other Townes and places of our Realme as also all acts of hostilitie that may haue beene committed as taking of our treasures in our receites generall particulars or elsewhere victuals amunition and artilleries bearing of armes or mustering of men and generally all other things done executed during the said time and that since the said time haue ensued by the occasion for the affecting of the troubles without pursuite inquirie or search directly or indirectly in any sort whatsoeuer against our said subiects All the which we do once againe cease and delay as things that neuer happened without any exception assoone as the edict was published and the kings lightnesse therin once perceiued those that looked into it presently iudged that such peace couered a dangerous war The leaguers to the contrary tooke that as a miraculous effect of their Barricadoes yet they feared much the last act of the tragedie although the aduancement of their enterprise trāsported their sences yet the most couragious amōg thē trēbled with feare whē they remēbred the violēt breach of their fidelitie vnto the K. The onely remembrance of the twelfth day of May caused their fairest daies to become cloudie they put in obliuion the forgetfulnesse of their duties and esteemed not the Prince so insensible but that in the end he would be reuenged Two things abashed them the one the fatall desteny and ouerthrow of the great armie of Spaniards consisting of one hundreth and fiftie ships that were destroyed in a manner without fighting vppon the coast of Ireland which should haue ledde all English slaues into the mountaines of Granado and the mynes of Peru the other the kings resolution not to returne to Parris The ouerthrow of the Spaniards armie although hee had been desired and importunately sought vnto for the same excusing himselfe by the preparations of his armie for Poitou and the
King that it would bee necessary for him to make peace within his Realme and to reuenge that iniurie to driue away the Goate that eateth the colewoorths while the Good-man is fighting with his wife to chase the wolfe that assayleth the sheepfolde while the Sheepheards are quarrelling togither For so the Romanes agreed togither when they perceiued the enemie before their Capitoll so the Spaniards left of their mutenie when they beheld the white crosse before Fontarabie so the Frenchmen appeased their debates to ioyne togither for the driuing of the Englishmen out of Normandie They tolde the King it would bee accounted a poynt of great cowardise in them if they should seeme to bee offended thereat if they should indure the pride and ambition of their so weake an enemie if they should suffer the Crowne of France to bee dismembred specially the places which are particularly allotted vnto the eldest sonne of the King The king is resolued to folow strange wars and to pacifie ciuil broyles To suffer that a meane Prince should in a brauado take away from a King of France that little plot that rested vnto him of the territories of Italie togither with foure hundreth peeces of Cannon-shotte the Frontiertowne of France lying beyond the Mountaines that place that was able to withstand the most proude forces of the Spaniards which onely rested vnto vs as an assured pawne therewith in short space to recouer againe the countries of Naples and Milan The King beeing in flamed with iust greefe was fully mooued at this tyranny and iudged this branch of mischiefe to spring out from the bodie of the coniurations of the League for the which cause he said hee would make peace with the Huguenot to serue himselfe by their means against such as sought to pull off his cloathes before he ment to go to bedde minding to quit himselfe from the rule of such as like maiors of the Pallace sougt nothing but his subiection vnto their passions The Duke of Guise excuseth himselfe The Duke of Guise perceiuing that all the assembly the whole Parliament all the kings seruants iudged this inuation to be done by his means and to bee the onely effect of the League and that it bred hatred and repentance in the hearts of those that esteemed his proceedings to bee most iust he besought the king not to bee mooued thereat assuring him that assoone as his Maiestie should haue quenched the fire which the Huguenots had begun to kindle within his realm he would be one of the first that should passe the Mountaines to make his forraine enemies yeeld their praye desiring his Maiestie to giue him that commission but first he said hee ought to assure his people of that hee had promised them by oath touching the holy vnion and the good resolution of the Parliament The king that could not well disiest this aduise receiuing it as from the heart of him that had giuen the spirit motion to the mischiefe by his continuall practises with straungers perceiuing that neither his Edict of vnion nor yet the obligation of the oath which he had taken concerning religion of all the Princes of the League to make them depart and leaue their secret associations as well within as without the Realme had not wrought that effect which hee expected hee determined from that time forward to bee reuenged of all forepassed offences perswading himselfe not to bee bound to obserue the Edict of vnion seeing the League had first begunne to breake it consenting to the pernicious intents of strangers Reade the wars of Geneua in the booke following not withdrawing themselues from the mutuall intelligences it had with him but in the meane time while hee dissembled his displeasure against the Duke of Cuise hee vsed another meanes against the Duke of Sauoy which I will shewe heereafter That the king of Nauarre was not much greeued at the iniurie which a meane Duke had done vnto a mightie king it is not to bee doubted yet he reioyced thereat being in hope of some good fortune that might thereby ensue and that it would be occasions to end the diuisions partiallities within the Realme of France At such time as this new trouble sprang vp among the assembly at Blois hee was in Rochel where hee called an other assembly of the Churches of his religion seeing the artificiall deuises of the League had shut the gate against him where hee ought to holde the principall place as the first Prince and chiefe Magistrate of France An assembly at Rochel This assembly began the fourteenth day of Nouember in the Town-house of Rochel the King of Nauarre beeing present assisted by Moniseur de Turenne Monsieur de Trimouille and other Gentlemen of his house and Councell as in a manner there is not any Prouince in France wherein this religion hath not purchased some acres of land and by that meanes there were Deputies from all places By whose aduise and resolution sprang the request presented vnto the States at Blois The Protestants demaundeth a Councell vnder the name and title of the Frenchmen exiled for the religion beseeching the king to restore them vnto the libertie of the first Edict which from the name of the moneth wherein it was published was called the edict of Ianuary to ordaine that a national Councell might be assembled where the Doctors on both parts with good securitie in presence of his Maiestie and all the assembly might peaceably debatetheir differences and holily decide and resolue vpon the same to graunt them the free libertie of possessing their goods for supplying their necessities to permit the registring of their supplication together with the consenting therevnto by his Maiesties pleasure to the end that nothing might bee done in that assembly to preiudice them This petition was badly framed at that time as beeing wholly contrary to the principall intent of that assembly which beeing for the most part composed of men chosen and purposely taken out from among the most passionate aduancers of the League desire rather to destroy then instruct such as had strayed aside and sooner to drowne then to wash the infected And therefore not beeing satisfied with the Edict of vnion the right destruction of the Protestants they ceased not vntill both from the king himselfe and all the assembly they had procured a declaratiō of the perpetual disabilitie of the king of Nauarre to the succession of the Crowne Yet their artificiall poysons do not so fully infect all the body of that assembly and their mindes were not in such manner tyed vnto the opinions of the League but that there were some persons both of dignitie reputation that would not permit that the means should bee taken from the king to revnite his subiects in one religion seeing that the intent of the Parliament ought onely to tend vnto a publike peace and therefore they counselled him to procure a lawfull Councell against this schisme of conscience
saued but increased not flourishing but eleuated aboue all nations and that from this triumph so much desired his Maiestie shall reape the honour his estate the principall good and all the people of Europe bee participants to this happie chance it beeing an assurance vnto his Crowne the most assured stay of all Christendome The memorable victory of the â—ing against the Rutters That the victories which France desireth to see his Maiestie obtaine shal be but a continuation of the ouerthrow by him giuen to that great and searefull armie of Rutters Switzers Lansquenets and French Huguenots which by the good conduction vigilacie of his Maiestie receiued more shame and losse then it hoped to reape in riches honour and the Switzers found more fauour and mercie then before they had shewed boldnesse and desire to doo him iniurie those that were saued returning like trumpets of his renowne publishing the honours praises and victories of his Maiestie That now the prayers teares and trauels of auncient Frenchmen seemed to aske vengeance against those that after so many religious times haue violated the Sepulchers of their fathers and ours who by fire furie and rage would pull from among vs this onely religion which those holy fathers had planted throughout the world That of all reprobates there can bee no sect found that is so dangerous nor abhominable as that of the Hugunots and as their impietie is extreame so ought their punishment to bee the like That it is knowne whether the furie of the enemie be greater then the disorders are deplorable which are found to bee in the Church by negligence ignorance confidence and abuse And proceeding to shewe the affection and zeale which the Nobilitie continueth in the assistance of the King to remit religion and the state in their first splendure and with the price of their liues following the example of their elders and the hereditary generositie of such as haue driuen out and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arrians Albigeois Lombardes Sarazins and Pagans that haue pursued the defence of the faith and victories of the kings of France from the furthest parts of the Ocean Seas farre beyond the Westerne and that haue not left any place for the reputation of their honours within the compasse of the circle of the sunne hee besought his Maiestie to fauour the antiquitie of the priuiledge right belonging to the Nobilitie in them to acknowledge the seruices done vnto his predecessors The prowesse of auncient Frenchmen to reforme the rules and militarie ordinances of the Kings his auncestors not to permit that any by mony or fauour may attribute vnto himselfe the name of a Gentleman to maintaine the priuiledges of the order of the knights of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in iustice to moderate his subsidies order his treasures reestablish the Magistrate ordaine an order and pollicie among souldiers cause the Church to bee reformed and to punish the enemies of our holy religion And so wishing a thousand prosperities to the king and peace vnto his subiects hee ended his Oration The complâ—â—â—ts of the third estate The agreement of subiects to the kings obedience Heresie and schisme Monsieur Bernard Councellour of the Parliament in Dyon presented the complaints of the third estate beginning his Oration with a solemn thanksgiuing for the promise made by his Maiestie fully to execute the holy Edict of vnion written marked pointed vnto by the finger of god by the which heresies shall bee driuen away as cloudes that are dispearsed by the sunne exhorting all the townes and subiects of this Realme besides this vnion in one onely religion to enter into an other vnion good intelligence for the seruice of the King continuance of his dignitie and in defence of the good of the estate euery man remembring that the Prince is giuen of God to commaund and the subiects to obey Hee discouereth all the infirmities of this polliticque bodie which beside the vlcer of heresie and partiallities haue most straungely corrupted this Realme Blasphemies are naturall and ordinarie speeches among diuers Frenchmen adulterie is a sport coniuration is a subtiltie of spirit curiositie honestie and simonie a common trade of marchandise Simony Simony is not onely a spirituall Leprosie of the Church but a poyson which innisibly is tasted by the Nobilitie and a contagion which intecteth the third estate The Gouernments of townes places and Castles are committed to meane Gentlemen the suretie of the Inhabitants of a place of importance is exposed to the hazard of the meanes and riches of a Captaine euill affected The most ignorant beeing rich obtained the chiefest places within this Realm meÌ„ are rather known by the goldennesse of their estates then by their vertues knowledge and wisedome and haue nothing but an officers gowne to hide and couer their ignorance So the beautie of Iustice is darkened the elections of benefices and offices violated good customes peruerted vertue banished exiled vice in authoritie and rapin marcheth throughout the Realme with Ensignes displayed The disorder in warres The insolencie of horsemen the violence of souldiers who like mad men and patrticides haue pilled torne murthered violated and sacked this countrie of France our Common-wealth haue spoyled the villages with so barbarous hostilitie that most part of the lands are vntilled firtile places become desarts houses voyde and the flat countrie vnpeopled and all things reduced into a most fearefull disorder The Partisans Warre is not onely made among the people by souldiers inrolled and prest by the kings coÌ„missioÌ„ but also by another sort of enemies that haue no lesse troubled his subiects then an armie of Rutters which are the partakers such as by importunitie gifts and inuentions of new tallages haue drawne the treasures of this Realme into their coffers and made the people readie to begge those are the deuisers of sibsidies and new Edicts the executors of extraordinary commissions buyers and fellers of offices vermine of men hatched by harpies bred vp in one night who by their deuises haue fretted this Realme euen to the very ashes of houses They march proudly incredite with the Seargent at their heeles at their word to execute the kings subiects with summons in their hands to constraine the consciences of the good and to violate the authoritie and religion of soueraigne Courts by crosssing of payes and interdictions of entries Many Edicts haue been verified and registred with these words by commaundements diuers times reiterated in good and iust Edicts the commandements of the soueraigne Prince is not necessarie Treasures euil imployed That if such and so great nouelties and oppressions neuer seen nor heard of in France had been deuised for the profit and commoditie of his Maiestie the complaints against them were neither iust nor reasonable but the souldiers haue bene without maisters and not payd the wages of officers lessened and the treasures spent and consumed And yet they go about to
of prouiding for the good of France and other countries His securitie imboldened his enemies both neare and farre of within and without the Realme to innouate much and in that he would not lay to his hand when he ought to haue done he at last found the gate shut against him perceiued himselfe driuen out of his own house and those whom many waies he had too much supported established in his place who gaue him right downe blowes vpon his head whereof he should haue bin warie in time Men talke diuersly touching his departure some iudging that he left the world too soone in respect of France her good others deeming the contrarie Howsoeuer it was his decease was to the whole Realme a beginning of particular calamities aboue all the rest as the Historie of king Henry the fourth of the race of Bourbon will giue testimonie Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the third This is to giue the Reader to vnderstand that there is certaine Titles gone Henry the fourth that should haue bin Henry the third A BRIEFE RECITALL OF THE MOST MEMORABLE THINGS which came to passe in Fraunce vnder the Raigne of Henry the fourth since his first comming to the Crowne vntill the middle of the yeare 1598. The Frenchmens disposition after the death of Henry the 3. ALthough there were great sorrow greefe and lamentation made in the royall armie for the death of king Henry the third as much signe of ioy and gladnesse was there seene on the other side among the leaguers throughout al the Citie of Paris for the same in singing of songs and making mocking times therevpon The Duke de Maine with his Court and many others which since the execution of Blois wore black scarfes in signe of sorrow did heerevpon cast them aside and wore in stead of them scarfes of hopeful greene Then was there great feasting masking and other sportfull games made among them wherein and whereby the murthered king was cursed and banned in most horrible sort At that time the image and portrature of the traiterous Moonke which kild the king was by the commaundement of the chiefe of the league artificially framed in Brasse and other paintings wherewith they garnished both their houses Churches Then was he cannonized and among the supersticious prayed vnto as a new made Martyr whom they called by the name of Saint Iaques Clement All such as were knowne to bee of any kin vnto him were greatly inriched with almes gifts and publicke contributions Councels of the league The Duke de Maine which as yet durst not name himselfe king caused that title by proclamation to bee giuen throughout all Paris to the Cardinall of Bourbon beeing then prisoner stamping mony and gold as the coyne of king Charles the tenth The Duke disguising his vsurpation by his new and rediculous title of Lieftenant generall to the Estate and Crowne of France and perceiuing that the declarations made by the lawfull king did shake in the beginning of his proceedings a great part of the league published and sent abroad an Edict dated the first day of August in his owne name and the generall Councell of the holy vnion of Catholicques established at Parris who stayed there for the assembling of the estates of the kingdome to revnite as he said all Christian Frenchmen in the defence and conseruation of the Apostolicque Romane and Catholicque Church for the holding vp of the royall estate expecting the libertie and presence of king Charles the tenth Orders giuen to the king for the affairs of the armie King Henry the fourth which soone after the death of his predecessor had signified to the Princes and Lords in the armie his full intent vnderstāding that many of the Nobles made diuers bad attempts caused the principall of them to bee assembled before whom hee called vnto mind the recommendations of the oathes which the deceased king had caused him to make before them all for the tranquillitie of the Realme after his hurt perceiuing himselfe to drawe toward his end The first and chiefest poynt whereof was to maintaine the Frenchmen in the libertie exercise of the two religions that is to say the Romaine and the reformed Churches vntill such time as by a good and generall Councell it were otherwise determined These promises by oath he renued vnto them againe which appeased the controuersies And because hee might not securely stay at Paris by reason of this suddaine change and the sicknesses which afflicted the royall armie the king by aduise went into Normandie as well to receiue the succours which came from England as also for the fortifying of certaine places and passages which was fit for his purpose The league remooued on the other side and then the Earle of Randan one of the chiefest of them had surprised in Auuergne the Cittie d'Issoire about the tenth of August The Parliament of Bourdeaux published a decree the 19. of the same moneth whereby all those of their side were inioyned to keepe inuiolably the Edicts made by the holy vnion concerning the Apostolicque Catholicque and Romaine Church and all the declarations by them made Three daies after that at Thoulouse tearing the picture of the deceased K. bodie in peeces they ordained by an act made by the generall consent of the leaguers that euery yeare vpon the first day of August they should in making processions and publicke prayers acknowledge vnto God the great benefits which as vppon that day they receiued by the fearefull death of Henry the third whereby the happie deliuerance of Parris ensued with many other distressed Cities in the Realme forbidding al persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon king of Nauarre to be king of France whom that Court thoght a most vnfit man to succeed in the same kingdome because said the edict of the notorious and manifest crimes expressed against him in that bull of excommunication which was giuen out by Pope Sixtus the fift His genealogie The enuie of which partiall Parliament hath constrained mee once againe to set vnto your sight in briefe sort the true genealogie of King Henry the fourth Lewis the ninth surnamed the Saint beeing the 44. king of France came to the Crowne in the yeare 1227. and raigned till the yeare 1270. he had foure sonnes two of the which namely Peter and Robert died without issue and before their father The other twaine that suruiued was Philip and Robert the second of that name Philip surnamed the Hardie third of that name successiuely left these following from the father to the sonne from brother to brother and the nearest of blood to the nearest of blood Philip the fourth called the Faire Lewis the tenth surnamed Hutin Philip the fift surnamed the Longe Charles the fourth termed the faire Philip de Valois Iohn Charles the fift surnamed the wise Charles the sixth called the welbeloued Charles the seuenth Lewis the eleuenth Charles the eight all descending from Saint Lewis
field who hauing heard the Bishops Oration tending to a generall peace or perticular to Parris if the Duke de Maine would not seeke for a general made this answere after he had shewen how their Councel had infolded them in contraduction asking peace for him which would not acknowledge him saue onely for King of Nauarre that it was his will and desire to haue peace for the comfort of his people but not according to that which the Deputies held for expedient declaring that he loued the Cittie of Paris as his eldest daughter and that hee would doo more good for her then shee required at his hands prouided that she would seeke his fauor and not the Duke de Maines or the King of Spaines That the Deputies proceeded very ill and contrarie to the dutie of their Ecclesiasticall charges in suffering the Parisians to die so miserably while they sought vnto the Duke de Maine for a generall peace sith vppon that voyage though perhaps it would not bee long it might the while cost the liues of twentie thousand persons dying with meere hunger Then did hee dechipher with a maruellous good grace the ambitious practises of the king of Spaine and his people The most wicked and horrible disloyaltie of the chiefe of the league discouering the vanitities of their badde purpose hee drew his discourse into diuers articles to the Bishoppe of Parris the Archbishop of Lyons who in their excuses accused themselues more and more before a most noble companie of Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France who were attending round about the King Moreouer hee shewed that the report of the Spanish succoors for Parris made him nothing dismaid and caused them clearely to see wherevnto the Spanish forces tended and that it was not for nothing that the Prince of Parma tooke his way into France staying but till hee might bring his purposes about Parris and the kingdome beeing morsels too big for king Philips mouth the which hee told vnto them in a short and pithie speech discouering in diuers sorts the blindnesse of the Spaniards in their attempt for France He allowed them eight daies to thinke vppon the yeelding vp of Paris and the articles of peace for the whole kingdome adding that his dutie constrained him in the end to do iustice vppon those that were chiefe of the mutinies exhorting the Deputies to make a faithfull report of that which hee had aunswered The Bishop of Parris had before alleaged in his Oration the constancie of the people of Sancerre dispraising therein the victorie gotten by those of Gaunt to extoll the Parisians But the king auswered that such allegations were impertinent for those of Sancerre were resolued to indure the extremities of their siege because their enemies would haue depriued them without mercie both of their goods liberties religion and their liues But contrariwise said hee I will surrender to the Parisians the life which Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador doth at this present take from them by their sore famine As for the religion all these Princes and Catholicque Lords shall witnesse vnto you how I vse it nor wil I constraine them against their conscience were it neuer so litle either in the exercise of religion or otherwise Concerning goods and liberties I giue them to my subiects So that the comparison with those of Gaunt is not good The Parisians haue well shewen what hearts they haue hauing suffered me to possesse their subburbs I haue fiue thousand Gentlemen that neuer feared those of Gaunt The duke de Maines wicked proceedings beside I haue God for mee and the iustice of my cause After certaine other discourses witnessing the kings good conscience and the litle feare he had of the leaguers forces the Deputies tooke their way toward the Duke de Maine who sent them backe againe to his Maiestie with declaration that he desired nothing more then peace At the same time hee sent letters to those of Parris by one of his owne Secretaries euen at the said Deputies heeles aduertising his partakers not to bee discouraged for all the answere which he sent to the king and that hee would sooner die then make peace with him These letters beeing intercepted they were a great reproach to the Duke by reason of his vnconstancie but he made no other excuse but onely that they were surprised As for the king hee indured both before and after that which the Parisians vttered out of their rebellious mouthes that they had brought victuals for the Duke of Nemours and others which made them render him euill for good nor made hee any strong warre against his chiefe Cittie hauing an intent to preserue it if he could But hauing vnderstood that the Duke de Maine at his returne from Bruxelles accompanied with Balagni and Sainpol drewe toward Parris with certaine troupes The king departed from his armie with a small troupe of horsemen without any carriages seuenteene leagues outright to incounter with his foes and came but one houre too late to haue met with them The king goeth to meete his enemies who hearing of his comming were speedily constrained to cast themselues into the towne of Laon. Then the D. with his troupes made such haste that at last they came as farre as Meaux where hee reported that hee would fight with the king which occasioned him to repaire to his armie with a small troupe of horsemen onely whom hee pursued as farre as Meaux But hee found the Duke inclosed betwixt two riuers where hee stayed for the Prince of Parma at whose arriuall the battell was the second time published aduancing themselues to the Towne of Claye and the Castle of Fresnes about sixe leagues from Parris where they lodged about the ende of the moneth of August The king supposing hee should then haue battell with them after hee had recommended himselfe vnto God according to his custome in such affaires departed from Parris on the VVednesday the nine and twentieth of that moneth assigning the Rende-vous to all his armie for the next morrow in the plaine of Bondi which is at the end of the forrest of Liuâ—i the right way toward his enemies On the Friday following hee chased their forriers from the Towne of Chelles who beganne to marke out their lodgings and gaue a charge to a certaine troupe of eight hundreth horsemen whom he constrained to retire euen till they came within their armie On the morrowe beeing Saturday by eleuen of the clocke the first of September the Kings armie were all in battell array The Duke of Parma got vp vppon an hill to behold them and after he had throughly noted them hee said to the Duke de Maine that this was not the armie of tenne thousand which he tolde him might bee ouerthrown so easilie for hee sawe by estimation more then fiue and twentie thousand in the best manner prouided that euer hee beheld And indeed they consisted of eighteene thousand men on foote as well Frenchmen as straungers and of fiue or six
AN HISTORICAL COLLECTION OF THE MOST MEMORABLE ACCIDENTS and Tragicall Massacres of France vnder the Raignes of HENRY 2. FRANCIS 2. CHARLES 9. HENRY 3. HENRY 4. now liuing Conteining all the troubles therein happened during the said Kings times vntill this present yeare 1598. Wherein we may behold the wonderfull and strange alterations of our age Translated out of French into English Imprinted at London by Thomas Creede 1598. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE GEORGE EARLE OF CVMBERLAND BARON OF CLIFFORD LORD OF VVESTMERland Skipton Vipont Bromflet and Vessy Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter all health and happinesse AMong many that haue taken in hand Right Honourable and my very good Lord to write the Stories of auncient times the warres and woorthie deedes of famous Princes it was my lot thogh vnwoorthie to be called to the translating of these last troubles of France which by the Author was in the French tongue very learnedly and eloquently set downe And sith the matter therein contained meriteth to bee well regarded and duly considered of all noble and honourable personages and the knowledge thereof profitable to be imparted vnto all Christian kingdomes it was thought verie meete and requisite to haue the same turned into our English tongue for the profit and benefit of all such Englishmen as are not skilfull in the other language what sweetnesse of phrase it hath lost being thus stript out of it owne attire I beseech your good Lordship to pardon considering that the French in phrase carrieth a peculiar grace in it self which cannot alwaies in an other speech be exprest Not what I would but what I could I haue done in the translation wishing in my heart for your Lordships sake that my skil could haue stretcht to my good will Neuerthelesse for the saluing of all imperfections therein and the intier affection which I beare to your honourable vertues In all humilitie I commend my Booke to your Lordships patronage that your worthinesse may supply what is wanting in me and shield my booke from the enuie of Satyricall carpers who beholding your Lordship to be a Protector of my simple labour will rather blush at their owne peeuishnesse then proceed any further in their mallice Thus building on hope of your honourable fauour I humbly rest Your Lordships in all dutie TO THE COVRTEOVS AND FRIENDLY READER SVch is the plentie of fine wittes in this our age right gentle and courteous Reader that nothing can passe currant without controll except it be rare in conceit or excellent for Art for my owne part I cannot boast of either yet haue I beene like blinde Bayard bold to deale in the translating of this booke which I confesse might haue well beseemed a man of greater skill notwithstanding beeing called therevnto I haue done my best to satisfie the world submitting my selfe to the correction of the learned Many faults haue escaped heerein some by my owne ouersight some through the Printers negligence which I would desire the skilfull courteously to correct with their penne or friendly to pardon through their courtesie For such as are vsed to the Presse are priuie to this that few bookes goes cleare without an Erata yet thus much I dare presume that to my knowledge no fault heerein committed hath either spoyled the sence or mangled the Storie Therefore in so great a labour as this is thinke not a small fault a great preiudice So shall you bind mee by your courtesie to bee readie heereafter both to correct this and to procure some other thing that may be more to your content Yours in all courtesie THE CONTENTS OF THE MOST PRINCIPAL POYNTS CONTAINED IN THIS HISTORIE HENRY THE SECOND THe raigne of Henry the second containeth the alteration of the Court by the death of Francis the first Warres in Scotland Practises wrought at Rome against the Emperour Reuolt in Guyenne because of exactions made vpon Salt Persecutions against those of the religion War at Bullen The notable actions of Merindol and Cabrieres The reestablishment of Guyenne Occasions of warres renued between the Frenchmen and the Spaniards The beginning of warres beyond the mountaines Preparation for warres in Picardie The kings proceedings against the Pope the Emperour and the Councell of Trent The Edict against the abuses of the Court of Rome Continuance of persecutions against those of the religion Pretences against Lorraine Councels and agreements between the King and the Protestant Princes to crosse the Emperours proceedings in Almaine and elsewhere The taking of Metz an Imperiall Towne brought vnder the King of France his subiection Warres in Luxemburg The Conquest of the Duchie of Bouillon The Emperour agreeth with the Almaines to besiege Metz and ouerrun Picardie The issue of the siege of Metz. The taking and rasing of Terouenne Hesden sacked The ouerthrow and taking of the Duke of Arscot Three royall armies which reuenge the fires made by the Emperours Armie in Picardie The Towne of Bains among others is burnt The encounter at Renty The ouerthrow of the Armie of Frenchmen in Picardie Wars in Piedmont and Sauoy The French Armie conducted by Strossy ouerthrowne and Siene yeelded Warres in Picardie and the Isle of Corsie The Emperour yeeldeth vp his Empire vnto his brother other dominions vnto his son The two kings make truce for fiue yeares which are presently broken and warres renued about Rome The Duke of Guise marcheth with an armie for the king to ayde the Pope who maketh peace with the Spaniard Meane time the Constable looseth the battell of Saint Lawrence Saint Quintin taken by assault and many other places wonne from the Frenchmen in Picardie The king assayeth to recompence his losses and following his intent long practised he recouered Calais and the Countie of Oye after that Theouuille and others On the other side the Earle of Egmont ouerthrew the Marshall de Termes hard by Grauelines A speech of peace in the meane time Charles the fift his sister Elenor and Mary Queene of England died In the end the two Kings agreed togither and the King of France began to persecute those of the religion more then euer he did but while he plaide his part death seized vpon him and laid him on the ground by a blow with a Launce Whereby ensued a maruellous alteration in France FRANCIS THE SECOND THe Court in a moment is wholly altered and chaunged by the practises of the house of Guise that withstood all men executing Anne de Bourg an excellent person vnder the authoritie of a Prince of the blood Information is made against them and the Barron de la Renaudie in the name of a great part of the Nobilitie and third estate vndertaketh the commission to take the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine prisoners What order was holden therein by Monsieur de Renaudie which in the end was discouered whereof ensued diuers bloodie Tragedies at Amboise The Prince of Conde valiantly maintaineth his innocency and sheweth the cowardly tyrannie of his enemies
and sacred a thing as is the religion and the truth of the sonne of God and that it was to be feared that for the same occasion God wold send a greeuous plague and punishment both vpon the King and his Realme But the King being moued and sore greeued with such exhortations which touched her to the quick to whom they were spoken Punishmēts of those of the religion hauing commaunded that his iudgement should speedily be giuen said he would in person behold the execution of his Taylor and the better to do it he went vnto the house of Monsieur de la Rochpot in Saint Anthonies streete before Saint Catherins Church right against the scaffold where the Taylor shewed most singuler and constant patience and hauing espied the king he beheld him with so stedfast a countenance that by no means he would looke of and the sire being put vnto him he had his eyes so stedfastly fixed vppon him that the king was constrained to leaue the windowe and to withdraw himselfe being so moued thereat that he confessed that he thought the shadowe of the Taylor followed him and with the apprehension of that spectacle for the space of certaine nights after it still represented it selfe before his eyes in such maner that he made an oath and protested that he would neuer see nor heare any more of those Lutherians The Kings protestation But not remembring the same about ten yeares after he heard that which he ought to haue giuen better respect vnto and pretending to see the person of a man of great estimation burnt he lost both his sight and his life as when time serueth you shall reade Orders for apparrell made in paper At that time excesse of apparrell was so great in euery man by reason of the pompe and magnificence of the Court that it bred a dearth and scarcitie of all things so that cloth of gold silkes lace and imbroydery were forbidden to be worne by diuers persons euery estate being appointed what he should weare But this was but an ordinance made in paper and of litle cōtinuance and the greatest example showne by the king himself who ordinarily went plain in his apparrell the rest of the Court vsing what apparrell they would Estate of Scotland Monsieur de Termes knight of the order was sent into Scotland to supply the place of Monsieur de Esse there to continue the warres Mary Queen of Scots being of the age of sixe or seuen yeares hauing the yeare before bene conueyed into France Monsieur d'Esse before his departure hauing giuen the English men an ouerthrow before Hedungton and taken the Isle of Horses left the rest of his affaires vnto his successor that behaued himselfe most brauely and with great honour Hard dealing vsed against Monsier du Biez because of Bullen For the recouering of Bullen holden by the Englishmen the king commanded his Nobilitie and Captains to assemble themselues by the first of September next after ensuing before Bullen In the month of Iune Iaques de Couci Lord of Veruin had beene beheaded in Parris and Edward du Biez Marishall of France his father in lawe after a long imprisonment degraded of his estate The Marishall was accused to haue vnaduisedly placed his sonne in lawe within Bullen and the other for hauing yeelded vp a place so impregnable and well furnished vnto the enemie to the which ende diuers witnesses and Commissaries were appointed and procured by suche as had credite about the king so that not verie long after it was plainly and manifestly seene and openly knowne that the innocencie of those gentlemen had beene falsely accused and condemned by the enuie of certaine Courtiers that ruled the king who acknowledged the fault by him therein committed but remedied it not the condemnation against Monsieur de Veruin continuing still in force vntill the yeare of our Lord 1575. that his sonne and heire by petition made to king Henry the third besought the king to restore the name and honour of his Father and Grand-father by the mothers side and commaundement was giuen vnto one of the Heraults to be assistant at the funerals of those two Lords which were solemnely holdē at Bullē in the month of Iune 1577. VVarre at Bullen But to returne to the warres of Bullen the king being arriued at Monstrueil vpon the sea the 17. of August caused his armie to march towards Bonlamberg and hauing taken the Fort of Selaque where Monsieur de Chastillon entered by force and that of Blaconnet by composition The Englishmen left Bonlamberg which was presently repaired after that they besieged the Tower of Ordre but by reason of the winter time the Forts beeing garnished with men and victuals the king dismissed his armie and withdrew himselfe till spring time This yeare the proces of Merindol was pleaded in the Court of Parliament at Parris beeing the 50. time that it had beene heard which was thus The notable proces of Merindol Cabrieres In the moneth of September 1540. the parliament of Prouence had by default condemned 17. persons of Merindol to bee burned for religion and that the Village of Merindol should be rased and all the trees cut downe within 200. paces round about it this iudgement for a time cōtinued in suspence although both the Bishops and Spiritualtie of the countrie were very earnest to haue it executed but many Gentlemen and others of good account stayed the rigor thereof and about fiue moneths after king Francis first Earle of Prouence sent a pardon to those of Merindol and others surnamed Vandois vppon condition that within three yeares after they should abiure and renounce their errours They accordingly made their apparance in the Court of Parliament requiring to let them see the Coppie of their accusations which was denied them touching the poynts that accused them to haue maintained and published certaine errours and that they should by the word of God be better instructed which done they said they would bee readie and most willing to follow al good counsell whatsoeuer And because their error was ntot shewed vnto them and that they only sought their blood they in open Parliament presented the confession of their faith with a most ample and large declaration and answere vnto the false reports and vntruthes imposed and deuised against them desiring therein eyther to be maintained and vpholden or otherwise to be heard and permitted to speake in their owne defences From that time till the yeare of our Lord 1544. there was diuers practises vsed to oppresse and ouerthrowe those poore people but while their enemies contented themselues to assault them by words and threatnings they solicited and besought the king that it would please his Maiestie to call the hearing of that arrest of contumacie before himselfe The President Chassane a man of indifferent iudgement being dead one Iohn Menier succeeding in his place who hauing forcibly taken the goods of certaine husbandmen of the village of
the particular profit and commoditie of some speciall men not that thereby hee pretended to leaue or forsake papisticall religion but protesting onely to doo it that hee might not bee surprised by such as vnder pretence of religion and reformation of abuses sought to imbase his kingly estate and dignitie which hee hoped to impeach by all iust and reasonable meanes that possible he might An edict against small dates and other abuses in the Court of Rome After this protestation hee published an edict made the yeare before touching the obtaining of Benefices against the deceites of pettie dates and other abuses vsed the Court of Rome and also touching the auncient arrests and edicts made against Annates and abuses of reseruations and exactions inuented by the Popes forbidding his subiects not to go to Rome for Annates nor any other occasions touching or concerning Benefices appoynting them to bee disposed and ordered by the ordinaries certifying into all places what wrong Pope Iulius did both to him and to Octauian Fernese Duke of Parma whom hee depriued of the place wherein hee had beene solemnly inuested The Cardinals and others of the Popes creatures in France fearing least this edict whervpon Charles de Moulin a Councel of great vnderstanding wrote a most learned Cōmentary in the which he discouered many terrible practises in Rome wold giue a hard push vnto the Papasie with earnest sute procured the King to publish and ordaine farre straighter and seuerer edicts then euer he did against the religion to the end that Iules the Cardinals on the other side of the mountaines might assure themselues of him to bee their friend as long as they seemed to agree with him Those ordinances were followed by diuers cruell and terrible executions in many places of the Realme against great numbers of the religion that were burned for most boldly confessing the truth of the Gospell reiecting mans traditions induced and brought into the Church and seruice of God Those that were assembled at Trent wrote vnto the king to induce him to accept and allow the decrees of their councell and to send the Bishops of his Realme vnto them as also to intreate him to be a meanes vnto the Switzers to send thither likewise but warre beeing open in all places and the Emperour hauing sent for the Spaniards that were in Almaine to make warre in Italie against Parma the pursuit of the Councell of Trent hung still vpon the field Preparation for warre in Lorraine Warres in this sort beeing kindled the King determined to assure himselfe of Lorraine beeing in some suspition of the Dutches that as then was Dowagar and hauing sent certaine companies into the frontiers the Emperour also strengthened all his fortes and places the one beholding the other with seuerall intents whereof in time the effects appeared The Princes of Almaine take counsel to deliuer themselues from seruitude Because the Emperor proceeced with the Almaine Prince in such sort as seemed inconuenient they not being acquainted with any such kinde of seruitude much lesse to bee in subiection of the Spaniards perceiuing that the King made preparation to set vpon the Emperour esteemed it a most fit good occasion for them to serue their turnes which King Henry of France thereby to abash the Emperour Charles and so to procure the meanes of better and more friendly vsage towardes them on his behalfe or else wholly to leaue them And therevppon entred into secret conference with the King to beseech him that it would please his Maiestie to imploy his meanes to procure the auncient libertie of the Germaines He thinking to haue found an entrie and means to attaine vnto most high and hautie enterprises thereby to abase the greatnesse and pride of his most glorious enemie and by that meanes to erect the honour of France willingly gaue eare vnto the Almaines and to the same end about the beginning of the yeare he sent the Bishop of Bayonne Tho Kings letters to the Protestant Prince vnto the Princes Electors with letters importing many protestations and offers of amitie as also shewing and declaring the many and great wrongs by the Emperour done vnto the Princes and towne of Almaine protesting that hee was fully resolued for their cause to imploy both his forces and his person to defend their rights and priuiledges not exspecting any recompence but onely honour to haue thereby deserued the good will and liking of so puissant a countrie as that of Germaine And therewith assuring them by the faith of a Prince that his only intent and meaning was to deliuer all the estates of Germaine from the oppressions of the Emperour and his Spaniards which hee likewise meant to do particularly in the behalf of his louing Cousin Iohn Duke of Saxon Philip Lant-graue of Hessen as then detained kept in miserable seruitude by the Emperor contrary to his oath promise And in the end of the letter he added these words We wil promise you likewise by the liuing God and before all the Kings Princes and Potentates of Christendome that our intent is not in any sort whatsoeuer to permit that either you in generall or any of you in particular of what estate or condition soeuer he bee shall suffer or endure any wrong or iniurie and much lesse will wee that beare the name of most Christian king permit that any damage or hurt shall be offered or committed either to the persons or goods of your most reuerend Prelates Abbots and other Ecclesiasticall persons as our aduersries haue most wrongfully giuen foorth but rather meane to take and receiue you into our protection and sauegarde so you will acknowledge it both vnto vs and to our allies and therein certifie vs of your whole and full intents hoping for the good and revnion of the Churche whiche is to bee expected by the recouerie of publique and auncient libertie wherein GOD willing wee will imploye all our force and meanes whatsoeuer Which most reuerend Prelates most noble Princes and other estates of the holie Empire we thought good to certifie vnto you to the ende you should not be ignoraunt of the cause of this our warres whereby we meane to pursue the Emperor both with fire and sword and although to our great disliking to cut him off as a putrified member from the bodie of the Common-wealth or at the least constraine him from henceforth from further molesting or troubling of your estate Effects contrary to words While the king in this sort termed himselfe the Protector of Almaine and defendor of the Countrey and nation of the holy Empire giuing a great hope of the revnion of the Church his Officers in many places of the realme burnt such as they called Lutherians and that agreed and consented to the doctrine holden and beleeued by most of the Princes Townes of Almaine open enemies to the traditions and ceremonies of the Pope On the other side he made great preparations for a voyage
villages of Picardie that had beene burnt during his beeing in Almaine They set fire likewise in an other goodly Castle belonging vnto the Queene of Hungarie then in Reux after that in Bauets The armie being past beyond Monts Hainaut Landreei Auanes le Quesnoy Vallenciennes and Cambray the Prince of Piedemont vsed all the meanes hee could to bee reuenged for those extreame losses but could not effect it the Frenchmen beeing strong and well conducted in the end about the tenth of August both the armies met neere vnto Renty where there chanced an indifferent hard incounter on both their partes Encounters of both the armies by Renty The Emperour lost about 800. or 900. men and the King two hundreth after the which skirmish winter opproaching the king dismissed his armie and that of the Emperour making towards Hesdin burnt and spoyled all the plaine countie and therein had done much hurt if the Duke de Vandosme that laye not farre from thence had not resisted him Continuance of warre In spring time the warre beganne againe betweene the two Princes and the report of the courses made by the Emperours armie gaue occasion to the Frenchmen to enterprise vppon the Castle of Cambresis which was presently taken by assault and good warre holden with the Spaniards Maruembourg was victualled by Bourdillon Lieftenant to the Duke de Neuers The king and the Queene of England intreated the Emperour and the King of France to make a peace wherein Cardinall Pole an Englishman Vaine treatie of peace trauelled much as then all flaming with fire against those of the religion who at that time were most sharply handled within the Realme of England This treatie of peace beganne with great bruit but in fine it vanished like smoke and warre beganne againe stronger then euer it was The Duke de Neuers and the Admirall de Chastillon beeing made Gouernours of Picardie because the Duke de Vandosme as then king of Nauarre and Soueraigne of Bearc by meanes of his wife was gone to take possession of his new estates tooke good order both for the victualling and keeping of the places and frontiers of the countrie notwithstanding not long after as some of the Garrisons of Picardie marching with 1500. horses of the French rereward called the companies of Nobilitie and foure hundreth footemen had in such sort ouerrunne the countrie that in fine they returned al laden with spoyles The rereward of France ouer throwne being ledde by la Iaille their Generall Haulsmont Gouernour of Bapaulme finding them inclosed betweene a Wood a Village and a Riuer whereof hee caused the passages to bee broken downe and surely kept without espials order feare of the enemie or hurt charged them so couragiously with a small company of men that in short space he made them loose both courage bootie and liues at his discretion where la Iaille was hurt aboue fiue hundreth taken prisoners some escaped and the rest slaine Those of Hannuyers and Arcesiers men much giuen to derision made it a cōmoniest saying that they had taken Nobles of France without waight but to say the truth there was as then but fewe Nobles in those troupes onely certaine Wagoners and Pages that were imployed in the muster and to make a shew sent by Widdowes and Orphanes of Gentlemen deceased or by the Lords of certaine fief rated at certaine values To assure Picardie the king went into Villiers Costerez sending the Duke of Guise further vppon the frontiers and the Admirall into the middle of the Prouince The estate of Predemōt touching the warres betweene the Emperor the king of France Now I must shew you what was done in the warres of Piedemont and other places beyond the Mountaines The Marshall de Brissac who the winter before had taken Iuree and Bielle in the spring time fortified S. Iaco tooke Crepa-cuore by means of Monsieur Saluaison by a surprise most brauely executed got Casal de Montferrat a towne Castle a place of great importāce spoyled Poman S. Saluadour and other small places not to bee holden and hardly to bee strengthened and fortied in any conuenient time The Duke of Alue hauing succeded Gonzague in the Gouernment of Lombardie about the end of Iulie entered into the field with 20000. foote 4000. horse and 40. cannons and besieged S. Iaco wherein were Captaines Birague and Vimercat who constrained the Duke to retire from Pont de Sture where he fortified himselfe hoping by famine to constraine such places to yeeld as hee durst not besiege The king sent foure thousand foote and foure thousand horse to strengthen Marshall de Brissacs forces Taking and spoyling of Vulpian who perceiuing himselfe so strong besieged Vulpian and by Kochepose ouerthrew the Dukes forces sent to ayde them by force tooke the basse Towne and soone after the Castle by composition was yeelded Vulpian had the walles rased and beaten downe and not long after Mont-Coluo a Towne and Castle yeelded vnto the Frenchmen These things were done in the moneths of September and October not long afer the Dukes troupes by meanes of an Ambascado placed hard by Iucise slewe and tooke certaine French souldiers whereby they wrought some small reuenge for their great losses at Vulpian and Mont-Caluo A particular discourse of the warre of Siene from the beginning to the end Before I leaue the affaires beyond the Mountaines it is necessarie I should say something touching the warres of Siene that fell out and kindled in this yeare beginning at the originall thereof During the siege of Metz the Emperour beeing ceased of Siene an auncient and famous Towne in the territories of Tuscane placed Don Diego de Mendosse Gouernour therein with a Garrison of Spaniards Don Diego vsing rigor more therein then was conuenient the Sienois not content therewith beganne to conspire against him hee vnder colour of fauouring the people caused the Gentlemen to leaue their armes which done he beganne to molest both the one and the other who consulting togither sent vnto the king to desire him to receiue them into his protection which hee consented vnto The Fugitiues of of Sienie in the kings name beganne to raise men throughout Italie vnder the conduct of the counte Petillane Hieronyme de Pise Maire de Sainctefior The Duke of Florence sent eight hundreth men to ayde Mendosse But the Sienois mooued at the newe extortions raised vppon them let foure thousand men cōducted by the Counte de Petillone enter into the towne that draue out the Spaniards but not without great losse on both parts part of the Spaniards hauing saued themselues without cannon within the Iacopius and in the Citadell were entred vppon by force and put to the sword Their Generall and others of the Florentine Captaines issued by composition and ceased vpon Orbitelle a place not farre from thence which they fortified The Emperour beeing returned into Almaine after the siege raised before Metz commaunded Don Garsie de Tolede Viceroye of Naples to
Emperour and the king to bring them to an agreement but nothing tooke effect each of thē seeming to haue right on his side meane time the differences touching religion began to increase such as would not receiue and acknowledge the traditions of the Pope were cruelly burnt They suffered the Turke to win diuers places in Europe and his Gallies as then came before Corse to ayde the Frenchmen were at the siege of Calui and Boniface among the Christians and holpe to conquer the Island and then returning homeward spoyled the coast of Toscane besieged Plombin and the I le of Elbe belonging to the Duke of Florence passing further executed an infinit of mischieses vpon the realmes of Naples Sicile and Calabre and so laden with great spoyles and numbers of Christians their prisoners they arriued in Constantinople other places without any impeachment so much so great was the hatred between the Emperour and the King that they had rather see the Turke inriched with Christians teasure then once to consent agree in one to inuade so common an enemie But returning to Siene Siene besicged and taken the Marques of Marignan came to besiege it with all his forces onely vpon the hope he had that Strossi beeing wounded and Monluc lying at the poynt of death being dead for it was thought they could not liue long Lanssac and Fourqueuau taken the Sienois being wholly destitute of counsell and French secorers would yeeld vnto him Strossi beeing somewhat recouered and hauing been certified of the death of Monluc hazarded himselfe with sixe companies of foote and two of launciers to come to Siene Where by the prudence and resolution of Serillac Nephew to Monluc he entered who by a stratageme of trompets caused an alarme in the Marquesse campe that thought verily some new armie had been come to set vppon them but hauing found Monluc liuing and in some better estate then he had been he returned againe yet not without great daunger Monluc hauing made many skirmishes vppon the enemie perceiued that in fine they would take the Towne whervpon hauing shewed the Souldiers and the Townes-men what he thought the Marques would do hee gaue order that euery man should be stinted in his victuals and that they should liue by prescript rules of war The Sienois very willing to followe his counsell and aduise did as he commanded The Marques hauing assayed by scaling the walles in the night-time to enter into the Citadell and the Fort of Camollia was valiantly repulsed with the losse of sixe hundreth of his men and by many skirmishes batteries intelligences and combats seeking to become maister of the towne being not able to effect his will determined to proceed with the first and surest resolution which was to constraine them by famin by which meanes his campe indured much miserie and euery moneth diminished more and more neuerthelesse in fine his perseuerance ouercame them so that vpon the 20. day of Aprill 1555. an honourable composition hauing been made and agreed vpon with Monsieur de Monluc his troupes and those of Siene the towne was yeelded vnto the Marques and after into the hands of the Duke of Florence Touching that which after happened to the territories of Siene I meane not at this present to intreate further thereof leauing that to the description of the warres of Italie from whence I must returne vnto Picardie Warres in Picardie Mariembourg being revictualled the Leaders that cōmanded in those quarters for the Emperour hauing erected an armie of twentie thousand foote fiue or sixe thousand Rutters and some Enfignes of olde bands of Spaniards caused a place called Giuets to bee fortified from whence they forraged the Country lying nearest vnto it and famished Mariembourg The king assembled his forces at Maubert Fontaine whereof Francis de Cleues Duke de Veuers was Lieftenant Generall hauing eight hundreth launciers as many light-horse about eight thousand footemen who once againe revictualled Mariembourg The 26. of Iulie the Rutters and the French light-horsemen met togither but the Rutters were presently constrained to reenter into their fort and the Count de Barlaimont General of the Emperors Armie refusing battaile the French men retired presently after the prince of Orange entred in to the kings country and spoiled the Castle of Faignolles After that in winter time Messieurs de Sanssac and Bourdillon the third time reuictualled Mariembourg The raigne and troublesome season togither with the want of victualls on both sides impeached the armies from meeting togither During this last voiage the king hauing gotten the writings and euidences whereby Iohn de Brosse Duke d'Estampes claymed a right and title vnto the Duchie of Bretaigne into his hands gaue the Count of Ponthieure in exchange thereof vnto the said Duke The Emperor resigneth all his estates vnto his son and his brother At the same time the Emperor a prince of great valour and courage as all Histories do witnesse hauing so long time borne a world of affaires troubles within his braines determined to discharge himselfe thereof and hauing sent for the Prince Don Philip his sonne vnto Brissels then king of England resigned vnto him his kingdomes of Spaine Naples Cicile and others whereof hee gaue him letters pattents commanding all his subiects to obey him Those letters being deliuered vpon the 25. of october 1555. were read in open counsel by the Chancelor And among many notable instructions aduises by the father giuen vnto the Prince his son he exhorted him to make peace with the King of France and to haue pittie vpon Christendome miserably tormented by so long and cruell warres He likewise left off the Empire and by letters vnto the Electors desired them to giue that dignitie vnto Ferdinand his brother to whom by right it ought to appertaine hauing by them bin chosen and elected for king of the Romanes Wars in the Isle of Corse About the same time the Geneuois assaied to win the Isle of Corse not long before taken from them by Monsieur de Termes and sent thither the Prince d'Aurie that assailed the port of S. Florent which yeelded by composition the souldiers issuing armed and their goods saued returning to Boniface to Iourdā Vrsin d'Aurie following after them thinking to win it but he was soone repulsed to his great losse About the moneth of the same yeare died the Marquesse of Marignā The death of the Marques of Marignā being out of fauor with the Emperor For hauing too long prolōged the taking of Siene consuming a whole armie about it he was solemnly buried at Millan the Duke d'Alue being assistant at his funerall King Philip following his fathers counsaile and solicited therunto by Mary Queene of England his wife inclined to peace which to effect after many meetings and conferences a truce for 5. yeares was agreed vpon between thē The Count de Lalain Truce for 5. yeares between the 2. Kings came to Blois to sweare the truce vnto
mee I will heare their complaints and doo them iustice Sometimes hee said to those of Guise I knowe not what the matter is but I vnderstand they haue nothing to say but vnto you I would that for a time you should absent your selues from hence to the end that men might see if it bee against mee or you that they complaine They very cunningly and presently bandied such blowes and to diuert the people from giuing credite vnto the demonstrations made touching the cause and iustification of their enterprise they sent letters in the kings name vnto all the Parliaments and Iudges of seuerall prouinces wherein those of the religion were accused to haue conspired against the King A combat of pennes against swords the Princes of the blood and the Estate of the Realme wherevnto was made a most large and ample aunswere wherein all the dealings of those of Guise were fully discouered with plaine and most euident proofes against them to bee guiltie of high treason and not those that had assembled to reduce the King and all his realme into true and perfect libertie There was likewise published an other pamphlet shewing by the example of Phillip de Commines in the last chap. of his first booke that such are open enemies vnto the Estate that say it is treason to speake o◠the assembly of a generall Parliament And that it is the meanes to lessen and diminish the kings authoritie There was likewise aduertisements vnto the people and complaints vnto the Parliament and so some ayded themselues with pen against the swords of their enemies Reuocation of the abolition giuen by the king The 22. of march other letters were sent foorth whereby the king declared that his meaning was not that the abolitiō of the 17. of March shuld extend further but vnto those that simply of ignorance had assembled and trauelled for the keeping of their promise and that therein were not comprehended such as had guided the conspiracie made against his person the Queens Princes and Noble personages that were about him in the which number are contained those that came in armes into the subburbes of the Towne and such as had beene taken about and within the Castle of Noisay which serued for a dispensation of the faith giuen by the Duke de Neuers vnto the Barron of Chastelnau and others Presently after these letters they returned to executions wherin neither day nor night passed but that a great number of prisoners were put to death and all men of quallitie some hanged some drowned the rest beheaded without any publike sentence giuen without declaring the causes of their deaths or without telling their names They constrained the king and his young bretheren to bee assistant at those spectacles Besides that the Duke of Guise many times for a pastime after his dinner caused some of those whom hee most hated of the prisoners to bee brought foorth and hanged out at his chamber windowes The Barron de Chastelnau made a maruellous proces against those of Guise and the Duke de Nemours they beeing present thereby made the Chauncellor stand still and all amazed that dealt in those affaires against his conscience and appealed from the sentence giuē against him before God the like did most of all the rest to the great astonishing of all the assistants perceiuing a most inuincible constancie in all those men but neither the stout courages of the prisoners nor yet the cries of both great and small that as then were present at those executions could not in any sort once mollifie the harts of those of Guise nor yet diuert the rigor of their cruelties A Gentleman named Villemongis beeing vppon the scaffold readie to bee beheaded hauing wet his hands in the blood of his companions lifting them vppe to heauen cryed out saying Lord behold the blood of thy children thou shalt reuenge our cause The death of the Chancellour Oliuier Among the prisoners that after the Barron spake most boldly vnto the Chancellor there were two the one named Picard the other Campagnac that shewed him his petegree from one poynt to the other but the last of them touched him so neare vnto the heart that with griefe thereof the poore Chancellour fell sicke wherein hee continually sighed and murmured to himselfe tormenting his bodie in most straunge manner for that all crooked aged as he was yet he stirred his bodie with such force that he made the bed to shake with greater force then a young man of Iustie yeares could doo The Cardinall going to visit him his paines beganne to increase and perceiuing him a farre of hee cried out and said Ha ha Cardinall thou haste made vs all to be damned But when the Cardinal went neare him saying vnto him that the wicked Spirit sought to seduce him and that hee should remaine constant in the faith That is well done now said hee and so turning his backe presently lost his speech in his great torments many times lamenting the death of the Councellour du Bourg Behold how the chiefe and principall condemners of the prisoners in Amboise was taken and first executed vppon the scaffold of the terrible and manifest iudgements of God The rest in time likewise were brought thither each of them in his turne Monsieur Michell de l'Hospitall an excellent man as then Chancellor of the Duchie of Sauoy was repealed from Nice where he remained to succeed in Oliuiers place and till he came Moruilliers Bishop of Orleans kept the Seales and vsed all the meanes hee could to please the house of Guise The Prince behaueth himselfe boldly in his innocencie against all men The Prince of Conde was in Amboise during those horrible tempests where hee behaued himselfe like a man wholly without feare as knowing himselfe to bee vnculpable Those of Guise animated the king against him setting and appoynting men to watch and looke into his behauiour whereof the Cardinall kept a Register specially of one word spoken by the Prince in chollor perceiuing certaine of the prisoners to bee executed at the Castle windowes saying that the king was counselled otherwise then hee ought to bee to cause such Lords and honest Gentlemen to bee put to death not considering the great seruices by them done vnto the late deceased king and all the Realme of whom beeing so depriued it was to bee feared that during those great troubles straungers would enterprise against the Realme and that if they should bee ayded by any of the Princes they would easilie ouercome it Presently after they caused du Vaux his Sewer to bee committed prisoner and caused the king to send for him into his chamber to shewe him that by the information giuen hee had vnderstood him to beee the chiefe of the conspiracie wherevpon the king added many sharpe threatnings The Prince for answere besought his Maiestie to assemble all the Princes and knights of the Order that as then were within Amboise togither with his priuie Councell to
Garde venturing against the faith and promise made to set vppon Paulon beeing within a straight thing Periury of Captaine Paulon to put both him and his troupes vnto the sword not beeing aboue 50. Souldiers was himselfe inclosed by Paulon that offered him battell but the Barron forgetting his fence although he had tenne times more men then his enemie and a good intent do do great seruice to those of Guise that had dispoyled him of estate of Generall of the Galleyes to giue it vnto the great Prior of France their brother bledde at the nose and by means of a new Capitulation renounced the Councell of Constance and retired with great shame after that for a long time holding himselfe secretly his name seruing for a mockery and ieast to all the world Mouuans flattered by his enemies to be intrapped answereth them in plain French Paulon perceiuing himselfe to bee but hardly bestead in his owne countrie because of the successe of the enterprise of Amboise and of the particular threatnings against him made by the Duke of Guise because of the troubles he had raised in Prouence for a time withdrewee himselfe vnto Geneua whither the Duke sent men expressely to practise with him by infinit promises both by word of mouth and writing in commendations of his vertues and admiring of his valour aboue al the Captains in Prouence to mooue him to return into his countrie But Paulons aunswere to the Duke of Guise was that as long as hee knewe him to bee an enemie both to the religion and the State and that he vsurped the places of the Princes of the blood hee might well assure himselfe to haue Mouuans his mortall enemie and although a poore Gentleman yet one that hath so good credit with the true seruants subiects to the king that they at least fistie thousand where of hee was the least would imploye both liues and goods to cause him to make amends for al the wrongs by him committed against the good subiects and seruants to the king and that hee might be fully assured that as long as one of them both liued hee should neuer bee quiet nor liue in any assurance of his life nor any of his race seeing hee had so much incensed and prouoked the Nobilitie and people of France Not long before his departure out of France hee said Mouuans receiued letters from the king himselfe and from the Queene-mother wherein they gratified him very much as one of the most faithfull and affectioned seruants to his Maiestie promising him great fauour and withall ratifying the accord made by the Counte Gouernour of Prouence But at the same instant Mouuans was aduertised that the Queene-mother had expressely sent vnto the Parliament in Aix that they should finde the means to cause him to cause Mouuans Chasteauneuf and other Captaines that were of the enterprise of Amboise to bee slaine Aduancement of the religion in diuers Prouinces At the same time those of the religion multiplyed in Normandie and Preaching was publikely vsed in diuers places Those of Rouan were troubled by an Anabaptist that was taken and burnt The Church of Tours was much troubled by the seditious dealings of the runnagate Monke named Richelieu Captaine of the Kings new guard but by silence and patience is kept togither the Towne hauing failed twise or thrise to be lacked and spoyled in all the other Prouinces of the Realme those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be wholly destitute of humain ayde tooke a notable resolution not to addresse themselues any more to seeke the helpe of man but what daunger so euer might happen determined to assemble to pray to God to heare his word and to continue in true obedience thereof liuing in great loue and concord one with the other and with much edification to the Catholicques who in great troupes lest the Masse to make profession both of contrary life and doctrine The Queene-mother perceiuing that those of the religion addressed themselues no more to her willed one of her Maisters of Requests called Chastelleus to vse the meane that la Roche one of the Ministers of Parris should come vnto her or some other in his place to conferre with him about somes meanes whereby to procure the quietnesse of those the religion La Roche not being found and they of Tours beeing desired in his place to send Duplessi their Minister they excused themselues beseeching the Queen to content her selfe with letters that should bee written vnto her which shee seemed not to dislike Wherevppon a large discourse was written vnder a deuised name of Theophile for those of the religion wherein after certaine protestations of their sinceritie the depths and grounds of their great griefes against the house of Guise was fully showne then diuers remedies wisely propounded whereby to preuent a ciuell warre which were that prouision should bee made for the good gouernment of the Realme and a Councel to be giuen vnto the king according to the auncient customes of the Realme that to staye and remedie the differences of religion a holy and free councel should be holden and that in the meane time those of the religion should be permitted to liue in peace of conscience and according to the profession of their faith Declarationâ— of the religion against the house of Guise This declaration beeing by Camus deliuered to the Queen-mother fell into the hands of those of Guise which construed it in many sorts to know who that Theophilâ— might bee The messenger was oftentimes in danger of his life and in the end he beeing troubled and tormented in diuers kindes and knowing that such as had giuen it vnto him would not bee knowne but kept themselues secret hee shewed their names in presence of the Queene-mother and those of the house of Guise who likewise charged him to bee of the conspiracie of Ambotse but in stead of beeing secret he tolde them much more truth then they desired to heare and yet hee got out of their hands by vertue of the generall abolution made in the beginning of the raigne of Charles the ninth The Guises proceedings too The Guises perceiuing themselues to bee so much noted and daylie hated in euery place of the Realme specially by those of the religion determined wholly to roote them out and to the same end wrote vnto the King of Spaine and other Catholicque Princes laying the fault vppon those of the religion touching all the troubles that happened in France as also the conspiracie of Amboise To the Princes protestants they wrote that the many and great executions made in France was onely vppon certaine Sacrementaries open enemies vnto the confession of Ausbourg Besides that their intent was to establish the Inquisition in France wherein they thought the Chancellor de l'Hospitall would bee assistant which he did not but like a wise Polititian as he was hee withstood their blowes in such manner that when in the moneth of May the edict of Spaine should haue
been published hee knowing that the priuie Councell and the Parliament haue giuen consent hee moderated it by another edict wherin he exposed his reasons with such vehemencie great eloquence that those of Guise themselues that onely were the purchasers thereof The Duke of Romorantin breaketh the pretence of establishing the Inquisition of Spaine agreed to his aduise and certified it vnto King Philip that liked well thereof although his whole desire was to see the Realme of France disguised in a Spanish sute Wherevpon the edict of Romorantin was published and set foorth whereby the King committed the knowledge and inquirie of Heresies vnto the Prelates of his Reaime forbad all publike assemblies vnlawfull forces declared all the Ministers of the religion makers composers and printers of infamous libelles tending vnto the moouing and stirring vppe of the people guiltie of high treason this edict appeased not the murmurations and troubles but to the contrary rather doubled and increased them on all sides A Combat of Princes Against all the bookes published and set foorth against the vnlawful gouernment of those of Guise Iohn du Tillet Clarke to the Court of Parliament in Parris composed a booke intituled The Kings Maiorit wherein hee defended that in France the Kings beeing of the age of fifteene yeares might then command after that hee inueyed against those of the religion saying that with a false wrong title they termed their new opinions to be the Gospel of Christ naming their Ministers seditious mutinous and concluded that God would fauor and prosper the armes that should bee taken in hand and vsed against them Many strong and earnest aunsweres were made vnto it wherevnto neither he nor yet his brother the Bishoppe of S. Brieu durst once reply although by the Cardinall they were most instantly required therevnto for whose contentment at the request and solitation of a certaine Councellour named du Lyon a Printer of Parris named Martin l'Hommet was hanged for printing a booke The Tyger put two men to death intituled The Tiger made against those of Guise the like intertainment was made vnto a rich Marchant of Roane who beeing present at the execution and perceiuing the people most strangely mooued against l'Hommet desired some of them to vse themselues with greater modestie His proces was made without any further delay onely to please the Cardinall as du Lyon not long after in a great audiance openly confessed The Queen-mothers dealing and resolution of those of Guise in those difficulties The Queen-mother much troubled among so many waues hearing a speech of calling a Parliament and of establishing the Princes and the Constable whom shee deadly hated vnto their places and authorities which if it happened she should no longer haue the mannaging of the affaires resolued to hold and maintaine all things in the same estate wherein as then they were and vnder her authoritie to couer the imperfections of those of Guise who still continued in their grosse and high speeches protesting that they wold imploy the meanes both of themselues and of their friends that possible they could make to beate downe and represse the insolencie of those that sought to purchase the alteration of religion which from that time forward was their pretence thereby to abolish the other quarrell that onely concerned the State which was affirmed to haue beene wholly vsurped and now to bee most lawfully ruled and gouerned by them They thought likewise that hauing exterped those of the religion as their meaning was to beginne with it it would be a meanes to cut the sinewes of the Princes of the blood of whom thereby they should easilie bring to reason as also the Constable Counsell of some of the Nobilitie Touching those of the religion the first and principall in the rolle were certaine Gentlemen that made free and open profession thereof and although they had not in any sort beene priuie or once consenting vnto the enterprise of Amboise yet were they accused and summoned to come and iustifie themselues before the king But they perceiuing that nothing but their destruction was pretended concluded some to go vnto the Prince of Conde to incourage him the rest vnto all the Churches of the religion to giue them notice and intelligence of their destructions then readie to fall vppon them if each of them sought not to desend themselues The Prince of Conde escaped while his enemies consulted his death The proposition mooued in the priuie Councell touching the ceasing vppon the person of the Prince of Conde and to make his proces to the end that hauing begunne with him they might proceed against the rest made them to looke vnto themselues It chanced that vppon this proposition touching the taking of the Prince the Cardinall was resolutely of that aduise but the contrary the Duke of Guise had made a long discourse to shewe that they should not proceed therein and that it should bee wholly against his consent and desire Some at the first were much abashed that those two heads in one hood were of so different mindes but when they well perceiued that nothing was by them neglected where to find the meanes to laye holde vppon the Prince euery man then did knowe that this contrarietie was onely done of purpose thereby to drawe the Councell to giue their whole consents to the end that by those meanes they might fortifie and couer themselues against all chaunces whatsoeuer In the meane time the Prince looking on his owne securitie with good aduise deliuered himselfe out of their snares and got vnto Bearn where as then the king of Nauarre his brother was Resident they as the common saying is vsed to make bread of stones and to turne all things for their aduantage beganne to assure the king and his mother that without all doubt the Prince was culpable and that his flying made him to appeare as guiltie wherevpon commissions were presently made and sent for to leuie men to warre against Gascon whither the Mashall de S. Andre vnder pretence of going to see his bretheren was sent to discouer which serued to no other end but onely to cause the two Princes to stand more warity vppon their guard La Planche discouereth those of Guise There rested yet another threed to vntwine which was to know if that the Constable were not of the Princes Councell whom as they thoght they held alreadie within their fingers to this end they appoynted the Queene-mother to worke the matter who secretly sent for Lois Regnier Sieur de la Planche one of the Councell ours of the Marshal de Montmorency who beeing entered into her chamber the Cardinall standing behinde the tapistrie and desired very earnestly to say his minde touching causes and remedies of those troubles made a large and ample discourse the effect whereof was that those of Guise beeing straungers ought not to haue the gouernment of the Estate vnlesse some naturall Frenchmen were ioyned in commission
with them Hee likewise made a long answere touching the accusation made against the Prince of Conde shewing it to bee a meere falschood once to thinke or suppose that the enterprise of Amboise was thought or ment against the person of the king or for to trouble the Estate After that he desciphered the originall of those of Guise behauing himselfe in such sort in all his aunsweres like a good Politian and that with so good reasons that thereby hee escaped from the Court and nothing was done either touching him or against the Constable nor any of his Those of the religion next to God commit themselues vnto the protection of the Princes of the blood Those of the religion hauing vnderstood by aduises giuē thē by many Gentlemen in diuers Prouinces that their ouerthrow beganne to approach if with all speed and readinesse they prouided not for themselues Hauing recommended themselues by heartie prayers vnto God determined to cast themselues into the armes of the Princes of the blood as Fathers Tutors and Conseruers of the innocencies of the poore afflicted people and that by the natural lawes of the countrie were called vnto that charge during the minoritie of the kings And for the same cause certaine notable personages were appoynted among them to go vnto the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde at Nerac to whom with all their meanes he offered a large declaration containing a rehearsall of all the wrongs by those of Guise committed against the king and the Realme with a most humble supplication that it would please the said Princes to deuise the meanes to deliuer the king and his Estate out of their hands The explort of Monsieur de Mombrun About this time Monsieur de Mombrun a Gentleman well affected to thereligion beeing narrowly sifted by the Parliament of Grenoble and brauely escaped out of his enemies hands was desired by diuers of the Venitian Marchants to ayde and assist them against the violences and extortions vsed in their behalfes by the Popes Vicelegat contrary vnto their priuiledges and auncient franchises La Motte Goudrin Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise in Dauphine was likewise entertained by the Vicelegat to helpe him with all his forces And although Mombrun had very fewe men yet hee constrained his enemies to seeke for an accord which hauing but violated and broken in all the articles by the Vicelegat and la Motte Goudrin Mombrun raised armes againe and handled the Priests hardly that had slaine some of his men after the accord was made and sworne which done hee put a great number of la Motte Goudrins souldiers vnto the sword and vsed him in such sort that hee made him leaue his fence but hauing beene constrained to dispearse his little troupe and soone after betrayed by one of his domesticall seruants hee saued himselfe by flying out of the Realme hauing trauersed through many daungers and saued himselfe in the territories of Geneua and about the countrie of Berne The Princes counsels discouered by la Sagne wherof ensued the imprisonment of Vidame de Chartres To returne vnto the Princes they beeing much confirmed in the resolution by thē taken to discharge their duties touching the relieuing of the realme of France by the declarations and offers of those of the religion they began to deale therein and among other agents imployed in those affaires the Prince of Conde sent one named la Sagne vnto diuers great Lords to desire them not to saile him of their aydes La Sagne hauing receiued an answere from the Constable and Vidame de Chartres came vnto the Court where hee deliuered certaine letters and as hee stayed fro an aunswere hee was so vndiscreet that hee suffered himselfe to bee vndermined by one Captaine Bonual who hauing discouered it vnto those of Guise ranne after him and brought him prisoner to Fountainebleau where the letters of Vidame de Chartres beeing read wherein he promised the Prince to maintaine his iust quarrell against all men except the king his bretheren and the Queenes those of Guise sent to apprehend him within Parris and to keepe him prisoner in the Bastille where they vsed him with most great rigor vntill hee died They found not so good a baite in the Constables letters or at the least would make no shewe thereof because they would not trouble themselues with so many things at once La Sagne was well payed for his prating for that his nostrils were stretched in such sort that hee tolde all whatsoeuer hee knew and more then truth to prolong his miserable life Mean time his cōfessions made vppon the racke caused those of Guise in all haste to dispatch their affaires for first to their great dishonour and disaduantage of their kinswoman they agreed with the Queene of England prouided for the frontiers of Lorraine caused the olde troupes that came out of Dauphine and Piedemont to lye along by the riuer of Loire writing on both sides to their partakers A proposition in the Councell for calling a Parliament at Fontainebleau On the other side the Queene-mother that feared least shee should bee disgraced whatsoeuer might happen by the aduise of the Chancellor and the Admirall to whom as then she made shewe willingly to hearken she resolued to cause a motion to bee made in open councell that it were requisit that the king should assemble all the Princes Lords knights of the Order and men of authoritie in his Realme to take order for the pacifying of the troubles which they esteemed specially to proceed because of the persecutions against those of the religion Those of Guise found this resolution to bee good thinking thereby to finde a meanes to intrap both the king of Nauarre and his brother trusting likewise for that most part of those that should assemble were of their retinue that nothing should passe therein but for their aduantage and that this meeting would wholly breake off the calling of the generall States and by that meanes make a sure ground for their affaires Wherevppon they began to write into all places in the Kings name who desired euery man to bee at Fontainebleau vppon the 15. day of August for the causes aforesaid Those of Guise sent letters likewise from themselues full of all good promises and rewards The King likewise wrote vnto the King of Nauarre desiring him to bee there with his brother and all such Lords who as then were with him But couertly by the meanes of secret practises those of Guise dealt in such sort that the King of Nauarre resolued not to come and that against the aduise of the Constable and diuers great Lords who said and affirmed that as then the meanes presented it selfe whereby to put downe those of Guise and to reestablish the lawfull gouernment of the Realme And to conclude the Constable verilie supposing that the Princes would bee theee sayled not to come thither with aboue 800. horse which constrained those of Guise as then weake to flie softly
of those that tooke him to cause him as a Traitor to loose his head but all this was but words and nothing else The papers were not forgotten Bouchart taken and ledde to prisoâ— Imprisonment of the Bailiffe of Orleans and Bouchart was ledde to Orleans and then to Melun with other prisoners that came from Lyons by that meanes to make readie the proofes against the Prince whose proces was followed with all diligence Hierome Groslot Bailiffe of Orleans a man both learned vertuous and full of pietie a louer of the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth and an enemie to all Tyrants and factious persons abhorring auarice ambition within two daies after the Princes arriuall was likewise committed prisoner hauing three daungerous witnesses against him which were his office a goodly house within the the Cittie and another in the countrie The cause pretended was that his father had beene Chancellour to the deceased king of Nauarre and he in Orleans the Protectour of those of the religion and an affected friend vnto the Princes Further when time came that hee should make an Oration vnto the king at his entrie into the Towne the Bailiffe mooued at some wrong offered vnto him as it appeared as he went towards the king togither with the kings countenance that looked frowningly vppon him hee could not vtter his minde as hee had first determined and therevpon those of Guise tooke some occasion to accuse him vnto the King saying that hee felt his owne conscience to be guiltie of his treason Being in prison false witnesses whereof the Curate of Saint Paterne and the Vicar of Saint Catherine were the principall with Iaques Aleaume Iaques L'huillier le Borgne le Alemant and Iaques Masnet accused him to haue determined to deliuer Orleans vnto the King of Nauarre to be of the intelligence of Amboise and to haue beene in a certaine assembly holden by night within the great Church-yard as also to haue manifestly supported those of the religion Dauanson maker of the proces The maker of the proces was Dananson a slaue to those of Guise that sent such witnesses as hee perceiued not to bee sufficiently instructed vnto the Curate of Saint Paterne that by him they might vnderstand their lesson Marshall de Brissac had alreadie laid hold vppon the house in the countrie named l'Isle and in fantasie made diuision of the goods in Sipierre and Boyuin his Secretarie was so bold to say vnto the wife of Groslot that if she would speake boldly shewing her that shee must come off with mony vnto his Maister the Bailiffes affaires might speede the better The Guises practises open the mouthes of the estates of the Prouinces Out of the Kealme those of Guise had made the Pope the king of Spaine and others to thinke that at that time they would roote out all those that bare the name of Lutherians within France whom they held bound both hand and foote hoping that winter to cleare them all out of the countrie in the spring-time to send them into Almaine and Switzerland to visit their friends but their deuises could not impeach diuers and seuerall assemblies in many Prouinces to determine and deuise what were best for them to present at the Parliament to giue them some new worke whereof the Orations made at Blois Anger 's Parris Bazin Plessis Grimaudet Capel and others are proofes sufficient as also in most part of the other Prouinces when the oppressours were discouered and the people disposed to prouide by lawfull meanes against so many disorders introduced and maintained by straungers many of them hauing openly said that they would not indure that those of Guise should so oppresse the Princes of the blood whereof most part that vsed that speech Conspiracie to extirpe those of the religion were men of the religion and those of Guise beeing aduertised could well shewe and propound this article of religion vnto the Duke de Montpensier and other great Lords in diuers places of the Realme to make them the readier and more prompt to leane vnto them The hope of confiscations being mixed therewith which made many rauening fellowes to looke about them there was nothing offered but Estates Offices Benefices Mountaines of Gold to such as would ayde and assist the King to extirpe and roote out the enemies of the Church of Rome Passages kept that no aide should come Besides that the kings forces were diuided by those of Guise into the Townes next about Orleans as farre as Bourges Moulins Blois Tours Saumur Anger 's Chinon Loudun and Poicton and in all the passages from whence they esteemed that any ayde might bee procured to helpe the Princes that were prisoners Those of the religion were narrowly looked vnto in diuers Townes specially in Parris meane time they proceeded vnto the framing of the proces against the Prince But because of the obseruation of the formes of iustice The maner of proceeding against the Prince neither the informations made at Lyons against the Marshall of Saint Andre nor the prisoners of Melun were sufficient they produced the Princes words vsed at Amboise lamenting the death of so many Gentlemen that were executed with that which hee had vttered riding to Bearn vnto Monsieur de Genlis that had renounced the Cerimonies of the Romish Church to the end that not being able to accuse him of high treason they would condemne him of Heresie To strengthen this second proofe those of Guise sent a Priest vnto him apparelled after the Romish manner which certified him that he had expresse commaundement from the King to sing Masse before him in his chamber But the Priest with a rude aunswere was sent backe againe by the Prince with commission to shewe the King from him that hee was not come thither in any sort to bee perticipant or communicate with the impieties and pollutions of the Romaine Antichrist His magnanimitie in Religion wherevnto long before hee had renounced but onely to yeelde him an aunswere vnto the false and forged accusations imposed against him Which answer was not forgotten but thereof a large article was framed both by the deposition of the Priest and of the guarde As also his accusations against those of Guise This magnanimitie much mooued those of Guise but much more in that the Prince spake openly against them to their discredits oftentimes shewing a bag which hee helde in his hand affirming it to be the processe of those Brigands and Guisian theeues by the which many points of high treaon whereof they were culpable were well prooued and verified which hee kept and reserued to present vnto the estates thereby to giue them knowledge of their subtill and vnlawfull gouernments that imputed their owne treasons vnto the Princes of the bloud that sought to oppose themselues against theyr tyrannies and that if euer any man euer sought or ment to enterprise any thing against the King and his Realme it would bee those Harpiers and vpsprung house of
to be dead although hee departed not his life till about fiue of the clocke at night not long before his death those of Guise went to shut themselues within their lodgings from whence in 36. houres after they neuer came foorth before such time as that they had a full assurance both from the Queene-mother and also from the king of Nauarre and before that they carried vnto their houses the summe of three or foure score thousand Frankes that rested in the treasor wherevnto no man resisted which made all men suppose that the Queene-mother suffered them to do it the better to maintaine her selfe in time to come A chaunge in the court Assoone as the king was dead the Queene-mother sent for the Constable vnto Estampes in all speed to repaire vnto the Court at his arriuall hee discharged the guard that were placed by those of Guise to keepe the Gates of Orleans the Prince of Conde continued prisoner in Orleans tenne ortwelue daies after the kings death he neuer hauing had the credit once to see him during his imprisonment after that he was sent with a guard vnto Han from whence hee went to Roye there to attend the issue of his proces in other sort then eyther his friendes or enemies once conceiued Deliuery of those of the Religion Those of the religion that had still remained in long continuall prayers in their most secret assemblies for certaine daies beganne to lift vp their heades being all prepared and readie to die if the king had liued but certaine weekes longer The king of Spaines troupes marching towards Bearn were countermanded and so retired without any exploit Monluc that was promised by those of Guise to be made Counte de Armignac and stayed for them in that countrie retired vnto his house as others adherents vnto them which did the like the most secret seruants that those of Guise could haue within the Court presented thēselues with al humilitie vnto the K. of Nauarre The inconstancie of the Court. discouering vnto him the certaintie of those affaires that should haue bin executed against his person But the Queen-mother would not permit that neither then nor at any time after such things should once be spoken of thereby fearing as she said some great trouble that might arise But it fell out cleane contrary for that for want of taking order therin whē time serued it grew to such an issue that both she and her sonnes hauing neuer seen any other thē mischiefs were deep sunck into them that before they died they neuer could find any certaine issue how to auoyde them The Admirall among the rest wheresoeuer hee came glorified the wonderfull workes of God Constancie of the Admarall who at that time had deliuered him out of the hands of his most mortall enemies euen at such time as they thought most to triumph ouer him Those of Guise besought the Queene to make him to bee silent yet he ceased not to offer and also to iustifie thē to be culpable of diuers poynts of treason if it pleased her to permit that iustice might bee giuen accordingly Shee not seeming to hearken therevnto desired him to thinke well of them and from that time to liue in peace assuring him to set good order among them His aunswere was that to shewe a good countenance vnto those that had purchased his death charged his honour procured the confiscation of his goods with the totall ruine and ouerthrow of his house his kinred and friends he could not do it without shewing a double hart which was a thing cleane contrary to his religion and not fitte for any honest man to do yet he remitted the vengeance vnto God that could well do it when hee should see his time seeing men would not permit him to haue iustice Those of Guise desiring not to bee farre from the assembly of the Estates wherein they feared some earnest matter would be propounded against them King Francis that had been so much mooued against those of the religion is buried after their manner caused the bodie of the dead king to bee conuaied by Sansac and la Brosse vnto Saint Denis where without any solemnitie or royall pompe it was buried The Duke of Guise as then great maister and hauing ceased vppon the last receipts of mony not long before the king died with whom hee kept companie in his life was much dispraised and euill thought of by reason of that great fault wherevnto his seruants aunswered that as then hee had no more neede of the kings helpe by whom he had serued his turne so wel but that thencefoorth hee was to looke vnto himselfe and to seeke to eleuate his house Such was the raigne of Francis the second that died at the age of 17. years lacking one month in the 17. month of his raigne the 17. day of his sicknesse and the 17. houre after midnight and because that during the short time of his raigne the seedes of ciuill dissention were sowen and scattered in France which hitherto haue endured for the space of twise seuenteene yeares I thought at large herein to declare all that had passed in this kings time the better to please the Readers mindes Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Francis the second Charles the ninth M.D.LX. The Regencie confirmed to the Queen mother FRANCIS the second being dead without issue Charles his third brother succeeded in his place Son to Henry the second the second called Louys dying an infant borne the 27. of Ianuarie 1550. vppon the 20. of December in open Councell where the yong king was brought accompanied with the king of Nauarre and other Princes of the blood with diuers Lords and principall Councellours an order was established for the mannaging of affaires and the Regencie confirmed vnto the Queene The Parliament Two daies after the Estates assembled in a great Hall within Orleans where the Chancellor made an Oration wherin he shewed to what end an assembly in that sort was to be holdē why they had assembled what good would happen therby wholly confuting those that were in doubt to haue them meet painting them out in all their colours After that hee propounded the means to appease all troubles The Chancellors Oration shewing wherein they might relieue both the Estate and religion inclining to a Councell exhorting them on all parts to a perfect vnion and quietnesse of mind lastly he spake of the kings debts which done hee ended his Oration and so for that time the assembly came foorth The next day after certain disputations were holden to know if the Deputies might as then enter into a Councell after the kings death De Rochefort for the Nobilitie whereby it seemed all their Commissions not to bee of any force which beeing decided they beganne with Orations Monsieur de Rochefort speaking for the Nobilitie approoued the Regencie of the Queen-mother complained of the iurisdictions vsurped by the
Clargie of the disorders happened among the Nobilitie and of the wrongs done vnto them set downe the meanes to gouerne the Spiritualtie and to maintaine them within their bounds spake for the comfort of the people specially concerning iustice shewing that the Offices for iustice oght to bee freely giuen iustice reduced to a certaine necessary number of Officers and that the Nobilitie ought not to be secluded from the administration thereof After that he spake touching the disorders vsed in confiscations against seditions besought the King to receiue and maintaine the Nobilitie in their priuiledges and withall presented a request wherein was required the vse of certaine Churches for the Nobilitie de l'Ange for the third Estate that as then made profession of the religion One named l'Ange speaking for the third Estate intreated principally against the ignorance auarice and carelessenesse of the Cleargie thereof inferring that such faults ceasing in them all troubles would soone be ended Iohn Quintin Autunois professor of the ciuill lawe in Parris appoynted to make an Oration for the Cleargie whom the Cardinal of Lorraine had preferred De Quintin for the Cleargie as also for the Nobilitie and third Estate but all in vaine spake much but with much dirision pronouncing nothing but by writing and that with smal grace hauing for his cōtrowlers diuers of the principall Prelates Cardinals of the Realme The summe of his Oration after many and great commendations vttered in the behalfe of the Queene-mother was to shewe the principall causes of the assembly of the Estates not to deale in any thing touching the reformation of religion which cannot erre but rather to solicite and commaund the Ministers of the same duly and truly to execute their charges and not to permitany other religion then that of Rome wherevppon hee made a long inuection against those of the religion such as had desired Churches saying that hee which had beene the messenger and presenter of their request in a manner openly charging the Admiral set right against and face to face with that Orator oght to be holdē declaredan Hereticque against him as be-being one they oght to proceed according to the rigor both of cannō ciuil lawes thereby to roote the mischiefe out of the heart of France Hee compared those of the religion vnto the Arians the Lords that fauored thē to the Traitor Gainas in the time of Arcadius vsed all his eloquence to prooue the antiquitie of the Romish religion and that those of the religion in France were dispersed people and such as sought to induce an Anarchie wholly vnworthie of any support or good intertainment requiring the prohibition of all bookes not allowed by the Doctors of the Sorbonistes concluding therewith to desire that all those of the religion might bee wholly rooted out and extinguished which done hee directed his speech vnto the king and his mother making request for the maintaining of the persons and goods of the Cleargie for their elections for the obseruations of the ancient Cannons for the exemption of Tithes contributions and cotisations wherevppon hee made almost a whole houres worke Lastly hee pleaded without request for the Nobilitie for the third Estate for the gouernment of iustice and to conclude made a long discourse of the institution of a king The next day the Admirall complained vnto the king to the Queen mother of the presumptious ignorance of de Quintin A payment for de Quintin Orator for the Cleargie that had so openly charged him touching the presenting of a request in the behalfe of the religion at Fontainbleau Quiutin excused himselfe vpon the lesson that had been giuen in writing and in his second Orarion denied his first to please the Admirall and not long after died of sorrowe and greefe perceiuing himselfe so well discouered by diuers answeres made vnto his Oration wherein his Apostacie his slaunders and his falsehoodes were fully set downe In the beginning of this yeare the Spiritualtie had commandement from the king to bee at the Councell of Trent and commission likewise was giuen vnto all Iudges and other Officers Order touching religiō that they should presently release both bodies and goods of all such prisoners that then were kept or holden in prison for religion defence beeing made to all men whatsoeuer not to iniurie them nor their religion vppon paine of death The States continued their conference at Orleans where the Cittizens of Orleans were much greened that in the last kings time those of Guise had filled their houses with souldiers that had fedde vpon them at their owne pleasures complaining that the Duke de Nemours held a great number secretly in diuers places to do some suddaine exploit The king of Nauarre and the Constable beeing appeased the Queen-mother caused all that complaint to cease contenting themselues that the Duke disauouched them all There rested yet another stoppe which caused the Parliament to bee reiourned vntill the month of May next after ensuing to be holden at Pontoise The King of Nauarre and the Channcellor desiring the estates to take order that the Kings debts might be paide The breaking vp of the Parliament offering to shewe them a particular rolle thereof The King of Nauarre saying further that if by accounts they founde that he hadde receiued any extraordinary giftes hee woulde freely restore them againe But those of Guise and others that coulde not saye the like did so much that those matters proceeded not any further in question hoping that time would cause them to speake of other things then restitutions Not long after the Prince of Conde recalled vnto the Court came from la Fere The King iustifieth the Prince of Conde to Fontainbleau and the next day after his arriuall entred into counsell vpon the thirteenth of March where in presence of them all the king declared that hee had beene sufficiently certified of his innocency permitting him to make a second declaration thereof at the Court of Parliament in Parris whither not long after the Prince went On the other side the King of Nauarre complained to the Queene-mother touching the Duke of Guise that was preferred both before himselfe and the Constable and proceeded so farre therein that both he and the rest of the Princes of the blood with the Constable and diuers Noblemen The Queen-mother assureth her regency began to prepare themselues to depart out of the Court but she perceiued that to be a blowe wherewith to abate her gouernment by the Cardinall of Tournons meanes shee sent for the Constable commanding him expresly from the King that he should not depart from the Court. Which done she stayed the rest and so brake off that matter to her no small contentment The report of this discontentment beeing spread into diuers places the Deputies for the assembly of the particular states of Parris began to speake therof and earnestly to agree of some order to be taken The particular states of
confirmation of the accord aforesaid The States forced to agree to a thing that ouerthrew a lawe of the Realme and to finish vp the matter the King of Nauarre himself went thither in person to certifie them that he had resigned his right title vnto the Queene which notwithstanding the matter was much debated many great personages partly perceiuing the great mischiefs which by that disorder would in fine growe vp in such sort that the Estates agreed not therevnto but with protestation to the contrary in their billes which they presented vnto the king at Saint Germaines in Laye where the general assembly was holden the Chancellour commaunded by the king by a long Oration perswaded the company to determine with themselues whether it would be necessary and conuenient that the assembly of the religion should bee holden or forbidden And after him Lieftenant Autun surnamed Britaigne speaking for the communaltie in a large discourse shewed the abuse both in the goods and iurisdictions of Ecclesiasticall persons their duties the great charges that spoyled and ouerthrew the people required that the persecutions should be ceased against those of the religion that promise should bee made vnto them of an assembly and that to the same end Churches might bee permitted vnto them also that their principall Ministers should bee called to conferre with them of the differences of religion Touching the acquitting of the kings debts and ordering of other affaires the third Estate made a large couerture proposing diuers means to cease diuision and to reduce the Realme into as rich estate as euer it was But because diuers matters propounded touched and concerned many of the greatest personages specially the Spiritualtie it was all but words which likewise were the cause to hasten the principals of such Sects to inuent their conspiracies The Cleargie desiring to get out of the myre made offer that to acquit the king of his debts for the space of sixe months they would euery yeare paye foure tithes at the same time likewise the Imposts of fiue sols vpon euery Alme of Wine entering into euery walled Towne was raised for the terme of sixe yeares and no more besides the eighth and tenth part beeing ordinary custome While the Estates were busied to dispute and determine of matters concerning the Estate The Popes deuise to hinder the assembly of Poissy Pope Pius hauing beene aduertised what had beene determined touching the assembly at Poissy sent the Cardinall of Ferrare his Legat in France with charge to remit all things touching religion vnto his Councell because that among other articles agreed vppon by the States it had beene decreed that the benefices of the Realme should bee conferred by the Ordinaries euery man in his iurisdiction and not by the Pope Also that dispenses should more be allowed There was likewise a question among thē touching the reception of the Legat who in fine made such meanes that the Chancellour was commaunded to seale his letters of authoritie which the Chauncellour did not but after many commissions adding therevnto that it was done without his consent the Court of Parliament would not approoue them and touching the Courtiers at the first the Legat was but hardly vsed by them but he vsed such meanes by his friends that in the end hee got the vpper hand hauing with his assistants in France frustrated the assembly of Poissy Assembly of the Cleargie for the conference at Poissy At the same time the Prelates assembled for the conference at Poissy and because some of them were wholly without learning and the rest little studied in the holy Scriptures they brought with thē a great number of Sorbon Doctors and others whom they appoynted to dispute in their presence thereby to learne what were best for them to say Touching those among them that had any learning they were suspected so that in their particular conferences many times there happened great strife among them and many times blowes whereat the Courtiers made great sport While they were in this debate among themselues diuers Ministers of the Churches in France to the number of twelue with 22. Deputies The Ministers came to Poissy and present a request vnto the king with the confession of the faith by the kings safe conduct and commaundement arriued at Poissy not long after followed by Pierre Martir Theodore Beza whom the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde had caused to come from Zurche and Geneua Those that first arriued presented a petition vnto the king vpon the tenth of August wherein they desired that commaundement might bee made vnto the Prelates to peruse the declaration of the faith of the reformed Churches presented vnto the king since the ninth of Iune then last past to the end that at the first assembly they might shewe what cause they had to deny it and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches by the mouths of their Ministers and Deputies They further desired that the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical persons might not bee iudges ouer them seeing they were parties against them that the king and his Councell would bee present at that assembly that all the differences might bee decreed by the onely word of God that two Secretaries might bee chosen on each part that euery day might conferre the notes of their disputations togither and that those notes should not bee holden nor accounted for lawfull before the parties had subscribed vnto them The king receiued the confession and petition The Kings answere by the hands of Augustin Marlorat and Francis de S. Paul in the presence of his Mother the king of Nauarre and other Princes of the blood with diuers Lords of the Councell and with a good countenance said vnto them I will referre your petition vnto my Councell and you shall receiue an aunswere from my Chancellour The 24. of August 1565 Th. de Beza preached at the Court. And the 24. of August 1574. the Massacre was committed against those of the religion Conference betweene Th. de Beza and the Cardinall Theodore de Beza beeing arriued at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August he preached publikely the next day at the Castle within the Prince of Condes Hall where hee had a great and notable assembly without any noyse or trouble The same day about euening beeing sent for into the king of Nauarres Chamber there he found the Queene the king of Nauarre the Prince the Cardinals of Burbon and Lorraine the Duke de Estampes Madame de Crussol where hauing made a lowe reuerence vnto the Queene in fewe words hee shewed her the cause of his comming thither togither with the desire he had as also all his company to serue God and his Maiestie in so holy commendable and necessary an enterprise Thervpon the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to speake charging Beza to haue been authour of the troubles to haue dispearsed infamous libelles about the Realme of France and to haue
spoken with vnreuerēt speeches touching the presence of our Lord in his holy supper But he hauing in fewe words shewed the vanitie of the two first articles hee entered into a reasonable large discourse of the third wherein hee so well satisfied all the common questions of the Cardinall that hee said expresly vnto the Queene that hee was very well pleased to heare him speake and greatly in hope that the conference of Poissy wold proceed to a hat pie end with so courteous and reasonable disputation and with that speaking to Beza he said I am glad that I haue both seen and heard you speake I protest in the name of God that you shall conferre with me to the end that I may vnderstand your reasons and your minds and you shal finde that I am not so blacke as I am desciphered Beza thanked him and besought God to continue him in that good minde promising for his part to imploy himselfe for the aduancement of the good of Gods flocke as much as in him lay Madam de Crussul there vppon said as shee was alwaies bolde to speake that it would be necessarie to haue Inke and paper A pleasant and notable speeche of Madame de Crussull to cause the Cardinall to signe avow his saying For said shee in the morning hee will speake cleane contrary and she diuined right for in the morning a report was spread about the Court that at the first meeting the Cardinall had confounded and reduced Theodore de Beza In such manner that the Queene was costrained to tel the Constable who much reioyced thereat as thinking it to be certaine that hee was wrong informed Not long after the queen of Nauarre arriued at the court which made the assemblies to increase The second request of the Ministers The eight of September the ministers presented a second request wherein they shewed a reason of the articles propounded in their first requiring answere The Queene mother receiued this petition in the presence of the King of Nauarre the Prince the Admirall the Chancelor and one of his Secretaries which done she dismissed Beza and three others that accompanied him with good speeches and assurances that the Cleargie should not be their iudges The beginning of the conference at Poissy The next day about noone the king accompanied as his estate required entered into the great Refectorie of the noones in Poissy where the Princes and Princesses beeing set on each side and behinde him somewhat lower fat sixe Cardinals 36. Bishoppes and Archbishoppes and behinde them diuers Doctors and men of the Cleargie Right before him at the end of the hal stood his guard and behinde them a great number of men of all estates there hee made a short and small declaration touching the cause of that assembly commaunding the Chauncellour in larger manner to make it knowne vnto them The Cardinall de Tournon in the name of all the Prelates humbly thanked the king which done hee desired that the Chancellor might deliuer his proposition in writing and that leisure might be giuen them to consider thereof which was refused them Therevppon the Ministers to the number of twelue with 22. Deputies of the Churches in the Prouinces that assisted them The Ministers and deputies for the religion appeared before one of the greatest assemblies that euer was in our time and there confessed their faith being called and brought in by the Duke of Guise that had the charge with Monsieur de la Ferte Captaine of the guard were ledde vnto the barres where all bare-headed they stayed and Theodore de Beza being chosen by them all beganne to speake and first hauing made a briefe Preface vnto the king hee began his Oration with an humble and ardent prayer vnto God deuised and imployed to the time and occasion of that assembly which done standing vppe hee shewed the most singular contentment which al those of the relgion receiued at that time by hauing such recourse vnto their Soueraigne and lawfull Prince the Queene the Princes of the blood with all the Lords and notable persons at that time and in that place assembled that done hee shewed the sinceritie and good desire of all those of the religion which being ended he entered into the principal poynt making a most ample large collection of the articles of Christian doctrine not forgetting any poynt that is in controuersie but hee expounded it sufficiently withall saying somewhat touching the Discipline of the Church concluding that both hee and his companions with all those that were of the religion desired nothing but the reformation of the Church which onely desires to liue and die vnder the obedience and protection of the king detesting all those that soght the contrary praying to God for the prosperitie of the king his mother his Councell and the Estate and therevppon hauing made a great reuerence he pursued with his matter presenting to the king The confession deliuered to the king and receiued by him the confession of the faith of the Churches of France requiring that the conference might bee made vppon the same His long Oration was pronounced with a most acceptable voice to al the assistants and heard with a most singular contentment euen to the end where hee spake very openly to the Prelates likings against the opinion of the presences of the Lords bodie in the bread For this article put them in a great murmuration although before hee had spoken many other things that expresly condemned the Doctrine of the Church of Rome neuerthelesse hee proceeded and ended the king nor any of the Prelates not once offering to rise His Oration ended the king receiued the confession of the Churches by the hands of the aforesaid Monsieur de Ferte Captaine of the guard which hee deliuered vnto the Prelates The Prelates behauior after the Oration in the name of the Churches Among other Prelates that were in a hotte case the Cardinall de Tourno◠boyling in hotte chollour hauing desired the King to perseuer in the religion of his auncestor asked time to aunswere to that Oration saying that it should bee well aunswered and that hee hoped that the King hauing heard the answere would be reduced and remembring that word hee said not reduced but holden and kept in the good and perfect way the Queene sought to qualifie his chollor The next day Theodore de Beza wrote and sent the Queene an ample exposition of that which he had spoken touching the Lords Supper to the great misliking of the Prelates who beeing assembled to consult touching their affaires the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne with these words In my opinion I would that hee meaning Theodore de Beza had either beene dumbe or we deafe And after many opinions giuen it was determined that the Cardinall assisted by diuers Doctors The mean to be Iudges in their owne cause specially of Claude Despense that framed the answere and serued for a prompter vnto his Disciple should answere
onely to two poynts that is touching the Church and the Lords Supper not to dispute thereof but that it should not bee thought they were without reply For the rest that they should frame a confession of the faith opposite to that of the Ministers which if they refused to approoue sentence of condemnation should bee solemnely pronounced against them and by that meanes the conference would bee ended without any more disputation The Ministers aduertised of this resolution contrary vnto all Ecclesiasticall conference by request made their complaint vnto the King which being presented to the Chancellor A new inuention of the Cardinall to disgrace the Ministers hee according to his wisedome prouided for it in such sort that the Prelates proceeded in another manner Touching the Cardinall hee bethought himselfe of a new expedition in his aduise very fitte thereby to confound the Ministers and with mockerie to send them from the Court for the which cause hee wrote vnto Monsieur de Vieilleuille Gouernour of Metz that with all speede he should procure certaine Theologians to bee sent out of Germaine who touching the Lords Supper did not agree in opiniō with those of the Churches of France pretending to cause those Theologians to striue and dispute against the Ministers and hauing had some pastime to heare them at variance to send them both away without any further conference Vieilleuille vsed such diligence that three or foure Doctors of Virtemberg and two Theologians of Heidelberg went presently into France but one of those of Virtemberg dying of the plague within the Citie of Parris and the two Theologians of Heidelberg beeing of the opinion of the Churches of France the Cardinals expectation therin was frustrate yet they offered him faire for that they determined to aske him and the rest of the Prelates if they ment to hold with the confession of Ausbourg hauing called some of those Doctors and asked them when the Cardinall would giue an answere who in fine was constrained to seeke some other places of refuge The Cardinals Oration The 6. of September the Cardinall in presence of the King the Princes and the Councell made his Oration containing a long deduction of two poynts agreed vpon by the Prelates which were touching the Church and the Lords Supper that done they most instantly besought the King to continue in the religion of his ancestors to summō the Ministers to vnderwrite that which the Cardinal had propounded which done they wold confer vpon the rest of their articles that if they denied it they shuld wholly be refused to be heard and presently sent out of the Realme wherein there ought to be but one faith one lawe and one king The Ministers requests The Ministers as then required to bee heard what they could answere vnto the Cardinall but it was referred vntill an other time and although that from that time foorth they vsed many meanes to be heard in open audience they could neuer obtaine it onely vppon the 24. day of the same moneth Theodore de Beza in presence of the king and his Councell aunswered vnto the Oration made by the Cardinall where were present fiue Cardinals and fifteene or sixteene Doctors Despense and Desanctes made certaine disputations where vnto Beza made answere The Cardinall of Lorraine had summoned the Ministers to knowe if they would allowe of the confession of Ausbourg and they desired him first to signe it which done they would followe but there hee was at a nonplus which was done vppon the 26. of March where once againe Despense discoursed of the Lords Supper Diuers conferences betweene the Ministers and Doctors that spake for the Prelates The resolution of Sorbonne and after him Doctor Martir in a large and ample manner but because he spake Italian the Cardinall said hee would not deale with any but such as spake the French tongue A Spaniard general of the Iesuites wold likewise haue spokē whom de Beza haue refuted he entered into disputation with Despense The rest of the Ministers also answered vnto certaine obiections propounded by other Doctors of Sorbonne touching the interpretation of the words in the institution of the Lords supper After that all was changed into a particular conference wherein it was impossible for the Ministers to induce the Deputies for the Prelates vnto any orderly disputation neither yet to the conclusion of any articles That of the holy Supper was oftentimes intreated of and sometimes it seemed that the parties were almost at an agreement but the Sorbonne Interpreted that very hardly which by the Doctors of the Deputies for the Prelates had beene allowed of and made an inuection in writing against the Ministers desiring that they might be driuen out of the Realme if they would not approoue and allowe of the doctrine of Sorbonne touching the Eucharistie The Ministers to the contrary humbly required that the confessions and articles of the doctrine on both parts might bee examined by the order vsually obserued at all times in any Ecclesiasticall conferences but their aduersaries who in most bold and euident manner shewed themselues to be their Iudges would neuer consent thereto The 13. of October the Prelates hauing thanked and discharged their Doctors sent them away and in the end withdrewe themselues hauing first taken order touching their cannons which concerned not any Christian doctrine onely discouering certaine disorders in their Cleargie the reformation whereof they referred vnto the Pope and the Councell of Trent that did nothing therein because their Church cannot erre At the same time certaine letters were discouered written in the Kings name vnto his Ambassador in Rome named Monsieurde l'Isle others from the Queen-mother which shewed that al their conference was but a deuise and meere inuention thereby to intrappe the Cleargie which agreed vnto some Tithes to saue the rest of their stakes The intent of the assembly at Poissy Aduancement of those of the religion and that was it whereof they sought to bee resolued and not of the religion nor yet of any thing that concerneth the conscience wherein diuers of them had in a maner playd Banckerrupt After the departure of the assembly those of the religion by little and little beganne to preach openly and in some places without resistance ceased vpon certaine Churches whereof ensued an edict made by the King bearing date the 3. of Nouember which commanded them to leaue them which they presently performed in the same moneth Those of Parris beeing assembled to preach in a Garden without the Church-gate called la Cerisaye at their return there was some blowes giuē but the hurt was lesse thē it was thoght to be because the conference of Poissy had reduced no remedie that the parties were still at difference and that the religion openly aduanced it selfe throughout all the Realme Counsell giuen to assemble the chiefe persons of the realm to take order touching those affaires The Queen was counselled to assemble the most notable
of the Crowne hee departed with his bloodie troupes and laden with spoyles tooke the way that led to Reims where the Cardinall of Lorraine stayed for him but not content to haue delt so cruelly with those of Vassy he becaused certaine informations to bee made against them wherein the principall murtherers were witnesses And eight daies after the Duches Dowager of Guise sent Monsieur de Thou thither that made search for their weapons and would constraine them all to go to Masse which notwithstanding those of the religion tooke courage comforting themselues and assembling euery Sunday and Festiuall day to praise the Lord vntill such time as ciuill warres dispearsed and separated them The prince of Conde beeing at Parris and receiuing newes of that massacre hauing consulted with diuers Lords and Gentlemen that kept him company with all speed certified the Queene and others in the Court Iustice demaunded but in vaine for the massacre of Vassy all was past ouer in words or notable preductions of troubles what had happened and fallen out who thereby tooke it for an alarme and counselled him to seeke the meanes of preseruation for the Realme and those of the religion whom he presently aduertised looked vnto themselues The greatest part as Frenchmen are alway full of hopes imagined nothing but quietnesse and troubled themselues to build Churches not much thinking vppon warlike prouision therwith to defend themselues But by the Princes aduise they were indifferently awaked Much more the Lords and Gentlemen of the religion dispearced throughout the Prouinces which beganne to make prouision of armes and horses staying for news both from the Court and Parris from whence in the name of the Nobilitie Churches of France Monsieur de Francourt and Theodore de Beza beeing sent to Monceaux to aske iustice of the king against the Duke of Guise because of the massacre at Vassy The Queene made gentle aunswere but to the contrary the King of Nauarre beganne to be offended saying that whosoeuer presumed to touch but the fingers end of his brother the Duke of Guise should haue to doo with all his bodie Theodore de Beza thervpon hauing most humbly shewed him that the Iustice which kings ought to shewe vnto their subiects is the worke and rule of God and that to demaund iustice was no hurt or iniurie vnto any man Hee replyed that they had throwne stones at the Duke of Guise and that hee could not staye the furie of his troupe and that Princes are not to indure the dishonour to be cast at with stones Wherevppon Beza very grauely and with all due reuerence aunswered that if it were so the Duke of Cuise might haue had iustice against all those that in such vile maner had despised his estate and dignitie and therewith speaking vnto the King of Nauarre hee said My Lord it is most true that it belongeth to the Church of God in whose name I speake rather to take then giue blowes but may it please your Grace to remember that it is an anuile which hath indured many and seuerall hammers The Triumuirat coaseth vpon the King and Parris From that time the estate of France might well bee resembled vnto a Sea that beginneth to rise and rage in euery place for that in euery Prouince great and wonderfull troubles beganne to rise whereof in the end of the Historie of the first troubles wee meane to speake for now wee must returne vnto the principall instruments of the most bloodiest Tragedie that euer was seene in France Presently after the returne of Francourt and Beza those of Guise the Constable the Marshall de Saint Andre and after the King of Nauarre openly holding with them arriued in Parris from whence they constrained the Prince of Conde beeing very weake with a Towne beeing his enemie and such as in short space might swallow vppe both him and his The Prince went to Meaux thē to Orleans if they had beene tenne times as many more to withdrawe himselfe vnto the Towne of Meaux with a good troupe of Gentlemen It was straunge that as then his enemies fell not vppon him but the haste they had to assure themselues of Parris and the king and the feare that at that entrance she should bee constrained to fight and to hazard them ouermuch caused them to worke by great The Prince beeing at Meaux wrote vnto the Admirall and other Lords sending them word that want of courage had not constrained him to leaue Parris but rather want of ayde and that with all speed they should meete him which they did all armed which those of the contrary part had alreadie opēly discouered and beeing in minde to withdrawe themselues and to retire men came vnto them from all places and the Prince determining to ride vnto the Court to the end that beeing strong about the king who as then laye at Fontainbleau hee might constraine his enemies to seeke to agree hee vnderstood that they had gotten both the king and the Court into their power in such sort that the Prince rode towards Orleans whereon hee ceased and there beganne to take order in his affaires while those of Guise ledde the King and Queene to the Castle of Melun and that in the most part of the Prouinces of the Realme they vsed those of the religion withall the insolencies and cruelties that possibly may bee deuised From Melun the King and Queene were brought to Parris where the Constable had ouerthrowne and defaced ihe places Beginning of the first and horrible troubles in France where those of the religion vsed to assemble The people beginning to mutin to assemble in great troupes in such manner that both there and in other places where those of the Romish Church were strongest those of the religion receiued such entertainment as the most cruell Barbarians would haue beene ashamed to vse it which likewise in some places mooued those of the religion whereby the Churches Images some Priests and others bare away the blowes But this was little or nothing in respect of all the mischiefe that those of the Romish Churches indured throughout France in those first troubles in comparison of the miseries which those of the religion indured in one of the seuenteene Prouinces as the Histories published by Iohn le Frere de Laual Belleforest Monluc and others of the Guises part do witnesse and thereat reioyce and make great triumph If the massacre of Vassy had not chanced the Prince and the Admirall had bin constrained eyther to loose all or to haue forsaken the Realme because that before that time they neuer thought vppon defence The euill committed at Vassy cause of some good nor of any thing that after happened and fell out much lesse to bee offensiue The edict of Ianuary and the Queenes promises staying their hands but when the Lords and great Gentlemen of the religion dispearsed throughout the Realme had once heard of that bloodie exploit committed by the Duke of Guise by little
sitting of the watches they had publike prayers and the ayre sounded with their voyces singing Psalmes Diners Ministers were distributed among the troupes that had charge to continue and procure that good order and at one time were better heard then at an other This Discipline was continued almost two moneths at the end whereof Baugency being taken by assault caused a beginning of disorder from whence proceeded la Picoree or boot-halling which since that time became so common that at this day it seemeth to bee chiefe Prince The Admirall a great enemie to boot-hallers with stood it and punished some of them with great rigor but in sine a great number got the vpper hand The armie of the Triumuirat committed most terrible outrages without any reproofe and all vnder pretence to extirpe the Huguenots How the Prince hindred the dispearsing of his armie After the taking of Baugency the occasion of fighting beeing let slippe the heate of those of the religion beganne to quench the meanes to maintaine Souldiers lessened and some of the Nobilitie beganne to doubt of their iust quarrell wherefore to preuent a total dissipation the Prince tooke counsell to imploye part of the Nobilitie that were with him in the Prouinces where the affaires hung as it were in a ballance so that the Counte de la Rochefoucaut with ceraine troupes marched towards Poicton Xantonge and Angoulmois Monsieur de Soubize was sent to Lyons Iuoy with his Regiment to Bourges d'Andelot for the sucours out of Almaine and Briquemaut into England On the other side the king of Nauarre the Triumuirat led the king with them in their armie being assembled at Chartoes determined to besiege Bourges holdē by those of the religion before it should be fortified and by so great a Towne not aboue two daies iournie from Orleans in their iudgement was a great helpe and furtherance to the Princes affaires they marched towards it and hauing besieged it Bourges yeelded to the Triumuirat it made no such resistance as they expected but was yeelded vnto them by composition for the which cause Iuoy Gouernour therein was neuer after esteemed or once accounted of by reason of an euill opinion conceiued against him They beeing puffed vppe with this suddaine and vnexpected victorie which as they said was as it were an arme cut off from those of the religion they with their armie of twelue thousand foote and three thousand horse were readie to march to besiege Orleans wherein the Prince the Admirall continued but the daunger thereby feared to receiue more great losse besides the shame put them in the heads to besiege Roaue gouerned by Monsieur the Counte de Montgommery Roane taken by the Guise with seuen or eight hundreth olde Souldiers and two companies of Englishmen vnder the conduct of Monsieur Kilgre And vpon that resolution about the end of September they besieged Roane where after diuers assaults they tooke it by force The Towne beeing sacked for the space of three daies there they executed many of the best of the Cittizens And on the other side Death of the King of Nauarre the King of Nauarre was wounded at the siege and died vpon the seuenteenth day of Nouember the towne hauing been taken 3. weeks before The hard vsage of the prisoners of Roane was the cause that in Orleans they proceeded in iustice with Baptiste Sapin Councellour of Parris and the Abbot de Bastines taken going into Spaine that were hanged in Orleans about the beginning of Nouember The ouerthrow of the Armie of Duras Not long after the Prince had news of the ouerthrow of the troupes of Gascon led by Mousieur de Duras so that in mans iudgement there rested no more hope vnto the Prince but onely the Almaine forces of Rutters conducted by Monsieur d'Andelot so that he tooke counsell with the Admirall that if they were intercepted hee would himselfe in person trauell into Almaine with all speede to obtaine new ayde while the Admirall should keepe Orleans But about foure daies after they had newes that their Rutters were within foure daies iournie of Orleans where the Counte de Rochefoucaut arriued with three hundreth Gentlemen The Prince marcheth towards Parris and some of the rest of the troupes of Duras The Prince hauing his forraine ayde was counselled with all speed to march to Parris for to impeach them and thereby to force them to seeke for peace and to send into Normandie for 150000. crownes to giue the Rutters wherevpon he set forward with 8. Peeces both great and small wherwith he met the Rutters hard by Pluuiers which was taken by force from thence he went to Estampes some being of aduise that he should march to Parris with all speed while the alarme was in the Towne But they determined to besiege Corbeil which was so well defended by Causseins Maister of the campe and certaine forces put into it by the Marshall de S. Andre that the Prince left to go towards Parris and at his arriuall there hee had a hotte skirmish giuen him whereof the end was A furious sirmish that the forces that had issued out of the trenches of Parris after some fight were constrained in all haste to saue themselues in their said trenches with some losse to the great astonishing of the Parrisians For the space of seuen or eight daies that the Prince remained incamped at Gentilly Arcueil and Montronge Villages not farre from Parris What was done about Parris many conferences or rather delayes were holden and vsed and the Prince perceiuing that his enemies still increased thought to giue them a canuisado which tooke not effect hauing beene discouered by one of the principall of his armie that left him to go to the Duke de Guise whereof within three daies after hee repented being his brother that had yeeled Bourges the Prince saued himself by a most straunge meanes for that fearing that hee would make them acquainted with the defaults of his armie the next day he dislodged The falt of Monsieur de Genlis The Duke de Guise beeing strengthened by certaine companies out of Gascon and some Spaniards had determined vppon the next day in the morning to giue him battell before hee had leisure to assemble his dispearsed companies So the Prince departed vpon the tenth of December and the thirteenth beeing in the way to Chartres after diuers opinions of his Councell hee resolued to march straight towards Normandie to recouer mony and to meete his forces comming out of England there to diuert the siege of Orleans The sixteenth Galardon a small Towne was forcibly taken by the Prince and the next day he marched towards Dreux and as hee passed ouer a small riuer hard by the Castle of Maintenon an olde woman stepping a good way into the water tooke him by the boote staying him and looking vppon him said Go Prince thou must suffer What happened to the Prince not long before the battell
haue violently broken so solemne an edict The Prince hauing demaunded permission of conference with his Councell in Orleans desired to haue the aduise of the Ministers who by three of their Deputiès gaue him at large expresly to vnderstand that neither the Queene nor hee by the lawe of God nor reason could in any thing whatsoeuer once derogate so solemne an edict made at the request and desire of the States and so notable an assembly of all the Parliaments of France and by them all sworne and pronounced The next day at his request all the ministers beeing to the number of seuentie two being assembled they made an humble request exhortation in writing vnto him touching the cause aforesaid withall The Ministers aduise added diuers good and necessary articles to make an assured peace as that those of the religion acknowledged by the King to bee his faithfull and obedient subiects might bee peaceably maintainted in the exercise of the religion the king declaring himself protector of their doctrine discipline against al Atheistes Libertines Anabaptistes Seruitistes and other Heretickes or Scismatikes that the Baptisme administred in their Churches might not bee reitterated and that the marriages therein celebrated might bee holden for good and lawfull that without other leaue it might be permitted by those of the religion to haue free exercise thereof in all places that the religion might no more bee called new seeing their Churches are founded vpon the ancient doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles that euery man might peaceably enioy his estates offices and goods with perusing recalling of processes touching such as are interessed by suspect Iudges that all murtherers the eues spoylers exacters and others that without warre their massacries and other inormities beeing acts of hostilitie should bee taken and punished according to their deserts Notwithstanding so many declarations both by word of mouth and writing the Prince was in such sort perswaded by promises that after that Peace agreed vppon they would make another and better agreement for him making him beleeue that the conditions as then set downe were done only to please those of the church of Rome and by little and little to attaine vnto a full and perfect libertie withall that many of them desired nothing else but whatsoeuer it cost them to returne vnto their houses That he consented to the altering of the Edict of Ianuary suffering certaine exceptions to be added therevnto which hee caused to be read vnto the Gentlemen desiring that none but they bearing Armes should giue their aduise which hee spake openly before all the assembly in such manner that after that time the Ministers were neither sent for receiued nor heard speake or giue their aduise in any sort nor likewise the Admirall and his company knewe nothing more thereof then only the conclusion The Queene mother that was in great doubt to be reduced vnto the Edict of Ianuary and the Constable as much or more then she imployed all speedie meanes to conclude and set downe the Articles in manner of an Edict agreed vpon the 12. of March and fully resolued by the Kings Councell at Anboise vpon the 27. of the same month and the same day published in the Towne by sound of Trumpet The exercise of religion was thereby restrained to the houses of certaine Gentlemen and in some Townes besides those wherein it had bene vsed at the beginning of that moneth with a certaine confused remission and pardon for all forepassed matters Exploits of the Admirall To returne to the Admirall after the taking of the Castle of Caen he sent Monsieur de Colombieres to set vppon Bayeux who at the second assault wanne it vsing the inhabitants somewhat hardly because they had abused themselues The Captaine called Iulio a wicked villaine if euer there were a-any was hanged in Caen by reason of diuers crimes imputed and laide against him The next day after being the fift of March the Garrison of Saint Lo being in feare yeelded the place vnto the Admirall that sent thither the Counte Montgomimery who from thence marched straight to Auranches wherein he was receiued without resistance The thirteenth of the same moneth he tooke Vire by assault and punished the principall offendors And minding to proceed further the packet of the peace was deliuered vnto him About the same time that Bayeux was taken The Admirals forces march to Orleans Monsieur Mouy receiued Hondefleur by composition And as he minded to reduce Ponteau de Mer the Admirall sent for to returne to Orleans repealed to Caen from whence the Horsemen departed vpon the 14. of March diuided into two battells The Prince of Portien conducted the auantgard composed of foure Cornets of Rutters that marched towards Lisieux and the 18. â—ntred forcibly into Bernay where certain Priests were slain hanged that fought yet knew not how to make war The town of Aigle in the borders of NormaÌ„die was forced by the Vicont de Drux vpon the 20. of the same moneth al such as wâ—â— found in armes slain in the streets The same day the Admiral departed with the greater part of his forces marching by Falaise Argentan that yeelded hauing agreed for a ransome of a 10000. frankes from thence he went to Mortague a great borough Towne in Perche where certaine Priests moued the people to do him iniury whereby diuers of Mouies company were both hurt and slaine that marched in winges wherevpon the Borough was entered by force and the chiefe offendors specially the Priests rewarded for their paines Monsieur de Coignee likewise punished the Monkes of S. Calais who with their Garrison had cruelly handled his houshold seruants On the other side Mousieur de Coruoy tooke the Castle of Mezieres harde by Drux and slewe the souldiers that were in it The 23. of March the Admirall arriued at Orleans and vsed all the meanes hee could to remedie the Princes accord hauing agreed to the breach and abolution of the edict of Ianuary The Queene mothers praâ—â—â—ses vnder the shadowe and pretence of the Queenes promises who on the other side about foure daies before had caused Poltrot to bee executed with all extremitie that might bee inuented caused a funerall pompe to bee celebrated for the Duke of Guise in Parris and gaue his estate of high Chamberlin and Great-maister to his sonne Henry as then an infant both of yeares and vnderstanding but aster shewed openly vnto the third king in what schoole hee had been taught as heereafter you shall read The estate of the prounues and Townes Now I must shewe you a summarie recitall of the estate of the Prouinces and principall Townes in France during the first troubles from the moneth of Aprill 1562 vntill the peace Parris the principall Towne of the Realme during that time committed many great and terrible spoyles vpon those of the religion Parris diuers therein were executed not onely of the Towne but such as had beene
brought prisoners from other places The people on the one side desired nothing but blood and spoyle and the Parliament not to spare eyther great or small that sell into their hands taken at the returne of the Princes armie or in any of the Townes of his resort brought thither eyther by appeale or summons Diuers Councellors were sent into certaine Townes to proceed against those of the religion among the which this Towne aforesaid vsed great means and meruellous inuentions to extirp the memorie thereof At Senlis those of the religion had therein but hard entertainment by meanes of Claude Stocq and Guillaume Berthaut Gouernours thereof Senlis who not long after ended their liues in great misery sustained by Terouenne and Fauier Councellours of Parris among others that were put to death by sedition and iniustice one was the wife of Iaques Reuerant the rest Adrian le Clerce Iohn Gouion burnt Louys Chaunin Iohn des Iardins Iohn Greffin Lieftenant particular Messieurs de Moncy S. Eloy de Houdencourt d'Ardres de la Maison Blanche yong Gentlemen Anthony Trappier Maister of a Schoole was be headed at Parris their heads brought to Senlis and set vppon the Gates and other places some were condemned to paye fines to be bodily punished to bee kept in prison and put into the Galles not sparing the simple women In Picardie the first exremitie vsed against those of the religion in Amiens was that the thirteenth of May 1562. their Bibles Amiens new Testaments and Psalmes were sought for and openly burnt then the Ministers Pulpit And from wood and paper the Guisians proceeded to deale with their bodies killing and casting into the water Iaques Berne and Francois Greuin Harquebused Dauid Preuost and N. Marquant slewe two Artificers the one named Robert the other Rondelet and a poore impotent person named Mauguyet and to knit vppe the matter hanged Christ opher Riche a Draper because hee had borne armes Those of Abeuille slewe Robert de S. Delis their Gouernour his brother and Lieftenant with nine Souldiers two Gentlemen and a Page Abeuille as well in the Towne-house as in the Castle in despight of the religion whereof that Gouernour Lord of Haucourt made open profession vppon the 38. of March one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie three named Louys Beliart beeing condemned to paye a fine in the presence of the Iustice and Parliament was drawne along the streets by the feete with his face downe ward and then cast and drowned in the riuer Meaux in Brie At Meaux in Brie those of the religion that therein were strongest continued their exercise vntill the end of the month of Iune when the Images were thrown their Priests peaceably withdrawing themselues for the which cause they and others by order and iudgement giuen in Parris the last of Iune were exposed and giuen to the spoyle of such as could or would vndertake it without further processe Another order giuen by the said Parliament dated the 3. of Iuly against all the Ministers Deacons and other officers could not stay those of Meaux but to the contrary they appeased the edict of Ianuary not permitting that such an order condemning them to death should once be published wherevppon at the instance of those of Parris Lihoux brother to Monlue was sent to Meaux wherein hee entered with a small company and by the consent of those of the religion vppon the 25. of Iuly the next day Masse beganne to bee vsed The sixt of August commaundement was giuen vnto the Inhabitants to bring all their weapons into the Towne-house wherevnto many obeyed others to the number of foure hundreth that were gone vnder the conduct of Captaine Bethune to ioyne with the Prince of Portun but could not and so beeing constrained to separate themselues for the most part were slaine the rest beeing hard by Meaux were handled in the same sort and of all that number there escaped but 4. mē that went to Orleans Monsieur de la Chapelle Aux Vrsins successor to Lihoux vsed those of the religion with more fauour but that continued not long for that Monsieur de Boisy Great-maister of the horse arriuing there vppon the 21. of September caused the walles of the great Market to be throwne downe and the Gates thereof to be broken beeing as then one of the fairest places for the bignesse thereof that was in France And not long after there entered two companies of souldiers led by Captains of Parris named Gantier and Forgeron that committed a thousand iniuries Many women in Christmas time were beaten and drawne to heare Masse many children new christened and diners marriages reconfirmed and because such as had fledde sought to haue gotten the Towne vppon the thirteenth of February 1563 those of the Romish religion beeing mooued thereat that with great crueltie they murthered Gilles Cabeche the kings Atturney Fracre Lambert that had beene Deacon Pierre Champenois called Lorraine Those of the market fled their houses beeing so sacked and spoyled that they tooke away the lockes grates boults windowes and gutters and the place made vnhabitable those that fledde some of them died with hunger and colde The Kings officers and the presidents of the place as Frolo the chiefe President an infamous man and Cosset the kings Atturney were the principall moouers thereof and had their part of the praye Many men women and children were massacred and drowned and among the rest a childe of one Iohn Oliuiers of foure daies olde had the head striken against the walles Denis Piero Iohn Augrant Claude Baillet Mathieu Cantier Pierre Thibaut Guillin Rose Nicolas Bergeron N. Floquet la Biselle a woman of the age of 88. the wiues of Iohn Augrant and Pierre l'Archer and diuers women and maides violated both in the market and about the Towne After that they hanged two men of the religion among the which one was Iohn de la Haye a rich Farmer another Fremin Cauiller one of the Gouernours of the Towne The executioners running into diuers places where they committed an innumerable number of mischiefes In their troupes were diuers Priests among the rest the Curate of Mareuil who with his owne hands slewe certaine men of the religion In Champagne at Chaalons two men of the religion were hanged At Troys they liued friendly and peaceably with each other vntill the beginning of August Chaallons Troys in Champaigne that the Duke de Neuers Nephew to the Prince hauing by Desbordes and Vigenare his seruants beene diswaded from the religion and the Princes part In the month of August the exercise of religion ceased and presently therevpon Desbordes that commaunded in the name of his Maister whom hee killed at Dreux and after he himselfe was slaine in the battell caused diuers Artificers to be cōmitted to prison billes other bookes of diuinitie to be rent torne in peeces and the houses of those of the religion to bee spoyled and robbed with great furie the owners beeing murthered many children
were taken from their mothers and new christened mariages resolemnised the goods moneable and immooueable of 62. of the principall of the Towne ceased vppon and whatsoeuer thereof might be sold the mony was confiscated and sixteen or eighteen men were massacred and hanged by the sentences of the Iudges and at the peoples pleasures among the which were two or three that had denied the religion women likewise were not spared whereof three or foure were drawne through the streetes and cast into the water Besides that the souldiers went out and slewe all that they met without companie the Maior and Sheriffes beeing the principall ayders in those cruelties and in a manner no massacre was done but by the commaundement of the Maior Those of the religion at Bar Sur Seine about seuen myles from Troys hauing â—ound the meanes to be stronger then their aduersaries Bar Sur Seinie for a time maintained themselues in that sort but because it is a place easie to be surprised those that were in the Towne perceiuing the cannon placed against the Castle saued themselues as they could The enemies entering into the Towne therin committed such rare cruelties as neuer were seen specially against women and litle children cleauing some of their breasts and plucking foorth their hearts bit them between their teeth reioycing to haue tasted of a Huguenots heart A young Councellor sonne to Ralet the Kings Atturney was hanged at his own fathers request Those that were within the Castle were taken cruelly handled specially their Captaine partly cause of all the disorder whom they condemned to die being vpon the ladder renounced the religioÌ„ but his Apostacie saued him not from hanging The Towne remaining in their hands that had taken it and with most horrible blasphemies defiled diuers women and children In the month of Ianuary fortie or fiftie horses of the Garrison of Antrain a place beeing but a myle from thence about the breake of day surprised the Towne and at their arriual hauing layde hands vpon Ralet they tyed him vpon the toppe of a house where hee was slaine with Pistolle shotte the rest of the massacres were likewise murthered their goods giuen to others Claude Cousni d'Ay was sore wounded within Espernay Espernay cast into the riuer of Marne where the murtheres finished his misery hurting diuers of the people that wept to behold the crueltie committed against him Monsieur de Saint Estiene beeing returned from Orleans to recreate himselfe in his house hard by Reims with two of his brethreren and others S. Estiene was inclosed besieged by a company of fiue or sixe hundreth men and although the houses were not strong neither of walles towers nor diches yet those Gentlemen with their wiues and seruants beeing but 25. persons hauing gotten into a Tower made long resistance and therein sustained two assaults but in the end a part of the tower hauing been beaten downe with a cannon shot and the besieged constrained to hide themselues within a hollow place of the wall the women were gotten out vppon promise to bee set at libertie as in regard of their honour they were but spoyled of all they had and ledde prisoners to Retel which done they sent certain Pages to cal to Monsieur de S. Estiene and to certifie him that the Duke de Neuers sent for him and that hee should not doubt to come foorth which hee had no sooner performed but his owne Cousin German named the Barron of Serny killed him his two bretheren and sixteene others were stabbed The assaylants lost before this place about one hundreth and fiftie men all well knowne This happened in the moneth of September 1562. Commosion of Pesants The Pesants of Coulours Gerisiers and the Villages bordering vpon them for the most part Tenants to the great Prior brother to the Duke of Guise committed infinit murthers and mischiefes about Troys murthering Monsieur de Vigny his wife and their seruants robbing and spoyling his Castle But Monsieur de Cormononcle a Gentleman of the religion accompanied with eight men onely finding those companions in disorder ouerthrewe them and slaying a great number of them put the rest to flight taking all from them which they had taken and brought away from the house of Landry the Controwler about fiue myles from Troys But the Pesants assembling againe assisted by others called bare feete raysed at Sens and thereabouts besieged Villeneufue a Castle belonging to the Monsieur de Esternay but they were speedily repulsed from thence with great losse but to reuenge themselues they burned the base Court wherin stood the barne the fairest stalles in all France with the Mill and a peece of a house which was done about the end of December Within two moneths after seuen score caliuers returned againe to besiege the Castle but Monsieur de Bethincourt a Gentleman of the religion accompanied with nine horse and foure footemen set so resolutely vpon them that some of them beeing slaine and 25. taken prisoners the rest saued themselues by flight The nineteenth of Nouember one of the Dukes of Lunebourg who in Anno. 1559. had had a quarrel against the Duke of Guise in the campe of Amiens The Duke of Lunebourg slaine in France being at Rameru between Troys Vitry le Francois accompanied only with 18. men minding as it was said to goe to Orleans by the commaundement of Bussy d'Amboise Gouernour of Chaallons was assayled in his lodging beeing in his chamber where sixe of his men were slaine and himselfe wounded with thirteene Pistolle shottes which done they layde him in a Horse-litter and bare him vnto Chaallons where hee died Bussyes executioner named Malfontaine an Apostate of the religion in triumph of that worthie exployt carried before him as in triumph eighteene horses eighteene cloakes eighteen paire of bootes and 36. Pistolles Ceant in Othe In the Towne of Ceant in Othe seuen myles from Troys the commons hauing found the meanes to enter therein vpon the 24. day of August murthered diuers of the Towne and continued therein till the end of Ianuary ensuing The number of those that were specially noted besides those that were murthered in other places were twentie persons and a young childe of fiue yeares burnt with his father Many houses were burnt by them for the space of a myle from the Towne and about sixe score horsemen and three hundreth foote of the religion ledde by Monsier de Semide and other Captaines being not able to followe the Prince of Portien that with other troupes had gotten to Strasbourg about the sixteenth of September for their retrait ceased vppon the Borough Towne Cermoise where they maintained themselues valiantly and ouerthrewe an armie of three thousand men that came to assayle them and slaying one hundreth and fiftie of their brauest Souldiers the rest fledde with the losse of three of their men onely and not long after they ioyned with the Prince of Portien
houses of those of the religion eyther within the Towne or in the fields for 8. myles compasse round about but were all pilled and that by the neare kinsmen of such as had absented themselues Fiue hundreth Harquebusiers beeing appoynted for the guard of the Towne and other places bordering on the same exercised all kindes of cruelties vpon such as stayed behind as some poore people maides and men-seruants and certaine Gentlewomen of account in the Towne and other persons withdrawing themselues into their farmes countrie-houses and with their friends Presently the prisons were filled and by decree a iudiciall place was appoynted that neither kinsmen nor friends should solicite for the prisoners whom they termed rebelles and seditious The Steward saying it was sufficient hauing seene a man to enter into the Temple while the Images were throwing downe or bearing a sword at that time when they held the Towne to condemne him for seditious and a rebell Three witnesses beeing hired and appoynted for the purpose to performe the tragedie one called Chouan a bookeseller the second a Priest called les Anges and Bandoun an Apothecarie so impudent in their occupation that when their wages fayled to bee payd they said openly that they would meddle no more therein Further the accused were not allowed or permitted to refuse any witnesse in such manner that thereby they put two hundreth persons to death both men women and seruants as also foure young children whereof the eldest was not aboue seuenteene yeares of age and two men that were madde Such as were absent had processe made against them and their pictures executed confiscated the goods of those whom they knewe to bee dead in the warres disabled their children of all offices and estates depriuiuing them of all possessions or inhereritances that might by any meanes fall vnto them Not long before the peace they beheaded one called Rolandiere hung a Ioyner and massacred foure others by moone-light and beeing halfe dead threw them into the riuer In the Villages both farre and neare vnto it many murthers both of men women and children were committed to the number of sixe score and vpwards with particular cruelties and such horrible traiterous meanes that I am abashed to remember and ashamed to recite them One named Captaine Champagne hauing a fish-pond behinde his house cast aboue fiftie persons into it and with their bodies nourished Pikes His Lieftenant called Boi-Iourdan seconded him therein for that in two ditches neare vnto his house were found to the number of fiftie or sixtie dead bodies Those of the religion in Anger 's Anger 's beeing become strong within the Towne with the hurt or iniurie of any of their aduersaries about the fift of Aprill and within sixe daies after made an agreement to liue peaceably one with the other vnder the obedience of the King obseruing the edict of Ianuarie But about the 22. of the same moneth a Gentleman comming thither to demaund ayde of men and money for the Prince certaine souldiers that bare him company in the night time brake down the Images in Saint Sansons Church which moued the Priests although the Gentleman much condemned their action and had not any part of the spoyle Wherevppon diuers Gentleman and souldiers of the religion beeing gone to Orleans those of the Romish religion perceiuing themselues to bee strong first blinded their enemies causing the edict of Ianuarie to bee newly published and then beeing well assured of Monsieur de la Fancille that commaunded in the Castle Puygallard a Gascon Captaine sent by the Duke de Montpensier vppon the fift of May at night entered into the Castle followed by diuers souldiers and the next day his watch-word being Sathan did so much that hee ceased vppon part of the Towne and the more to blinde those of the religion and wholly to get them into his possession he graunted them free exercise of the religion and the next day caused the Gates to bee opened that they might go to heare the Sermon made within a house that stood vpon the ditch and to take vp the bodie of one of their Ministers named Charles d'Albiac called du Plesus who the day before had been slaine as he went to saue himselfe by leaping ouer the wall The next day their began a horrible tumult for that vnder pretence of disarming those of the religion they entered into their houses and because two of them among the rest whereof one was the receiuer of the talages had shune their Gates their enemies tooke occasion to ring a bell wherevppon presently those two houses were robbed and spoyled some of the seruants slaine the rest prisoners the kings mony taken and made prise partly by Puygallard and his companions Which done they cast both men and women of the religion and of all sons into prison In a Marchants house they found diuers bookes of the holy Scriptures which were burnt openly in the middle of the Towne and the souldiers of the Monke Richelieu hauing found a guilded Bible stickt it vpon a holbord and issuing from thence went in procession through all the greatest streetes and singing like Priestes said Behold trueth hanged the trueth of the Huguenots the trueth of all the diuelles behold the mightie God beholde the euerlasting God will speake And beeing come to the bridge they cast it into the riuer of Loire and with higher voyce beganne to crie and saie Behold the trueth of all the diuelles drowned Within diuers daies after and till the end of that yeare to the number of eightie persons were executed and put to death A Gentlewoman of the age of seuentie yeares was beaten dead with the stockes of their Pistolles then drawne in a sacke through the dirt and her bodie cast into the water with great ioy and laughter of all the people terming her the mother of the greene diuell that preached to the Huguenots The wife of a Councellour named Sigongue although shee lay bedthred was murthered children rebaptised and women to heare Masse by sound of drumbe some were abused in their bodies many maides violated and among the rest two yong maides rauished in their fathers presence whom those cruel villaines had â—yed at the foote of a bed that he might behold the fact committed About Anger 's diuers Gentlemen and others were massacred The Duke de Monpensier hauing licence to ring a bell and to kill all such as were suspected to bee of the religion which done they fell to pillage vpon whom the Duke de Montpensier most discharged his chollor was vpon Monsier de Marests a valiant Captaine who with twentie or fiue and twentie souldiers hauing taken and kept the Castle of Richefort against the Dukes forces and slaine aboue two hundreth men in the defence thereof in the end beeing betrayed by two of his owne men defending himselfe till hee remained without company and not hauing any more powder yeelded himselfe to Puygaillard who vppon his faith promised him to saue his life but
and among other words hee said he would send Raphael to Geneue to bee a Minister And vppon a suddaine commaunded him to praye which Raphael did all that were in the boate namely the Prince de la Roche suryon kneeling downe the Cardinall de Bourbon the Prince of Mantoue and Monsieur de Losses withdrewe themselues apart standing vppon their feete and their heads couered The prayer being done wherewith the Cardinall could not finde fault Raphael added a certaine exhortation and with him was ioyned another that went like a seculer person but some say hee was a Iacopin who notwithstanding vsed no other wordes but such as any minister would haue done The last words the King spake were vnto a seruant of his chamber to whom he said serue my sonne well and bid him serue the King faithfully and so vpon the 17. of Nouember 1562. he yeelded vp his soule The 15. of October many parlies were made touching a composition wherin the Queen-mother vsed many hotte and vehement speeches vnto the citizēs that issued foorth saying that shee knewe howe to liue Parley of yeelding that they were come too late to teach her that they ought to content themselues to liue as the King did and that if they would not yeelld by faire meanes they should be compelled by force Shee desired two articles one that they shoulde bee wholely bereaued of the exercise of religion the other that they should receiue the King the Triumuirat and their troupes into their towne But they offered to receiue the King the Queene the Princes of the blood and theyr traine but for the rest they craued to bee remitted Desiring that the edict of Ianuarie might bee continued in force Which was flatlye denyed vnto them The 26. of October an assault was giuen vnto the Towne and in the end by meanes of a mine that wrought at the breach of S. Hilaries gate the towne was taken by force Roan taken by assault where the Kings souldiers beganne to kill and massacre all they met vsing all kinde of monsterous cruelties Montgommerie perceiuing no remedie entered into a Galley and with such as coulde saue themselues therein went to New-Hauen others that sought to do the like without boates were drowned such as fledde out at the gates were spoyled and robbed of all they had and some taken prisoners Diuers Ministers beeing within a strong Tower yeelded themselues vpon promise of safetie but contrary to promise they were kept prisoners yet escaped onely Marolart and president Maudreuille an excellent man that were betrayed by one S. Estene that had promised to saue them and for his paines he should haue had 2000. Crownes The Constable threatned Marolart but he indured it patiently many English and Scottish souldiers were hanged the rest being sicke taken and cast into the riuer of Siene Maudreuille Monsieur de Soquence and Berthonuille Councellors of the Towne with Marolart were condemned to die Maudreuille to loose his head Diuers notable persons executed the rest to be hanged which was presently executed with many opprobrious speeches against Marolart both by the Constable and his sonne They all dyed constantly in the profession of the Gospell The next day 5. Captaines and two others were likewise executed The spoyle and sacking of the Towne continued aboue 4. moneths togither and it is almost incredible to speake what great riches was taken and borne out of the Towne such as came from Parris Amiens Beauuais and other places to buy the spoiles in theyr returnes homewarde were eyther robbed of all they hadde or else neuer prospered in theyr affaires Touching Deepe Deepe those of the religion therein maintained themselues very well exercising many notable exployts against those that sought to molest them So that from the beginning of May vntill October their enemies lost to the number of one thousand or twelue hundreth men This Towne serued for a retrait to great numbers of the religion from diuers places nourished an infinit number of poore people ayded those of Roane with all the meanes they could but the succors they sent to help the town being cut off ouerthrown the Towne of Deep perceiuing it selfe not able to resist in fine by many threatnings promises and other meanes they yeelded the Towne vppon certaine conditions the woorst whereof was that the exercise of religion was taken from them the Marshall de Montmorancy establishing Ricaruille and de Baqueuille with foure hundreth men to commaund therein yet those of the religion lost not courage but made such sute vnto the Queen-mother that feared the Admirall and the siege of Orleans that they obtained licence to assemble in smal companies which they did hauing certain Ministers that escaped from Roane yet there was not one Priest in all the countrie that durst once venture to saye Masse within Deep although the two Captains aforesaid kept good watch yet they were surprised for the twentieth of December Monsieur Ricaruille beeing gone out of the Castle with one of his seruants to see his horses in a stable not farre from it was slaine by Monsieur de Chastiuille and Captaine Gascon who presently ceased vpon the Castle Deep taken from those of the Romish Church and hauing intelligence with those that were in it armed themselues and entered into the Towne where without hurting any man they tooke Baqueuille whom all men had forsaken that done the exercise of the religion was againe publikely permitted and the Gouernment of the Towne giuen to Monsieur de la Curee a Gentleman well affected to the religion There happened diuers exploytes of warre in many places of Normandy because of the Townes but because the most part of them were but surprises and ordinarie stratagems we will not speake of them but onely of that which seemeth woorthiest memorie The seuenth of Iune 1562. Messieurs de Houesuille and de Cequeuille Gilles Michant Phisitian Valongnes Iohn Guifart and Robert de Verdun Counnellours were massacred in Valongues for religion and the houses of such as made profession were filled with souldiers that did what they list therein for the space of eight daies In the Moneth of May Vire before Viere hauing been taken by Montgommery the Images beaten downe and the Reliques borne away the religion reestablished vpon the last of Iuly those of the Romish Church assayled those of the religion as they came out from the sermon whereof they slewe three men whereof one was stoned by the women beeing in the riuer and hurt diuers But about the end of August they were reuenged thereof by meanes of Monsieur de Montgommery that sent them ayde which did much mischiefe to all the countrie round about but not long after againe the Duke d'Estampes tooke the Towne by force and many of them put vnto the sword The Duke d'Estampes hauing gotten Vire Saint Lo. went to Saint Lo where hauing continued siege for the space of fiue or sixe daies in the end hee tooke it the Towne
held but one gate to whom about Euening was sent a letter into the Towne-house to make an accord where vnto they appeared onely demaunding assurance of their liues and the rest of their goodes with the obseruation of the Edict of Ianuarie which was refused them Whervpon each prepared themselues vpon the next day after to enter into a hotter fight then euer they did And because the cannon in the Towne-house did much hurt vnto the Towne the Councellours and the Court caused more then two hundreth houses to be burnt and in diuers other places many houses were robbed and spoyled and among others the houses of President Bernoy and Councellour Chauuet where two yong maides were rauished in their mothers presence Saturday the sixteenth they had a cruell skirmish and then those of the Romish Church asked a parley and had a truce which truce continuing it was agreed vpon that those of the religion leauing their armor and weapons in the Town house shuld withdraw thēselues with all securitie And according to that agreemēt made with the Captains the Parliament those of the religion hauing receiued the Communion with teares solemne prayers about euening came foorth where against the faith and promise made vnto them they tooke all they could lay hold vppon and committed them prisoners and those that got out at the gate called Villeneufue many of thē escaped were receiued into Montaubon other Towns that held for the religion The souldiers scattered about the fields and the Pesants killed and spoyled many of them The common opinion is that in this mutinie there died within the Towne aboue three thousand fiue hundreth persons as well on the one side as on the other The foure and twentieth of May Burie and Monluc determining to destroy Montauban marched thither with an armie of a thousand horse The first besieging of Montauban and fiue thousād foote wherwith they besieged it haning two fierce skirmishes within the Towne in one of them Captaine Saint Michell slewe three launciers and tooke a goodly horse The next day the artillerie came thither many skirmishes being made wherein Monluc had the woorst and hardly escaped with his life his horse hauing been slaine vnder him the next day the campe dislodged and made away in great haste but for what cause it was not known Monluc hauing lost about sixtie men but hee spoyled all the houses round about it and burnt the corne beeing halfe ripe Not long after Captaine Saint Michael and his brother beeing attainted of treason and robberie were slaine in the house of Marchastell within Montauban The enemies laye in the Garrisons round about it which caused those of the twone to erect certaine companies and a kinde of millitarie Discipline and then to make issues and courses in the countrie which fell out with good successe but not to those of Castres who in one recountre lost betweene foure score and a hundreth Souldiers in a manner all young men borne within the towne The three and twentieth of August Captaine Bazourdan sent by the Parliament of Thoulouse Other accidents in Montauban vsed all the meanes hee could to induce Montauban to fall to some composition and if they would not do it yet that at the least those that said they were their friends and could bring forces would exhort them to make peace The last words vsed by Bazourdon contained a certaine kinde of mockerie touching the confidence that those of Montauban put in the Lord but Constant their Minister tooke him vppe for halting The fift of September those of Negropelisse hauing beene surprised and hardly handled by Captaine Coulumbier and the Bishoppe of Montauban they sought to remedie it but all too late The Bishoppe causing sixe of his best prisoners to bee stoned and beaten to death with staues and their bodies cast into the riuer In a sallie made vppon the eight of the same moneth those of Montauban beeing discouered by a traitor were put to flight hauing lost one of the Ensigne-bearers two Corporalles two Gentlemen and tenne souldiers The same day Marchastel and Duras beeing entered into Montauban desired that they might take the companies and the Artillerie with them hauing lodged their armie within the Towne which constrained the Consuls to graunt to their desires But their arriuall fell out well for the Towne The second siege of Montauban for that within three daies after Burie and Monluc with nine companies of Lanciers great numbers of Gentlemen fiue and twentie companies of footemen foure companies of Argolitiers and three companies of Spaniards each cōpanie of foure hundreth men with fiue cānons three Coluerins and fiue demy Coluerins came to besiege Montauban the second time At their arriuall there happened a fierce and hard skirmish the issue thereof being such that the assaylants left the place which they had taken and withdrew themselues somewhat further with great losse Those of the towne left the Maister of the campe to Monsieur Duras a Sergeant of a band a Corporall sixe souldiers and certaine straungers with diuers hurt The next day beeing the fifteenth of September the skirmish began againe to the dammage of the assaylantes and foure score Spaniards that had set fire in a Mill vpon the riuer of Tar making good cheere in a farmers house were surprised and all put to the sword not one escaping The execution beeing done by fiue and twentie souldiers of the Towne that returned laden with armors and other spoyles in the face of the enemie wherevppon some made foorth to go on the other side of the water to ayde their companions but their boate ouerwhelmed and they were almost all drowned The next day Duras presented battell vnto Monluc which he refused and the next day raised his siege hauing lost about sixe hundreth men and the Towne thirtie The third siege of Montauban with diuers skirmishes sallies escalades and other warlike practises to the losse of both parts continued vntill the fifteenth of Aprill A third siege of Montauban that peace was proclaimed within Montauban and in that third siege the enemie lost as they themselues confessed two thousand souldiers foureteen or fifteen Captaines Lieftenants and Ensigne-bearers and diuers Gentlemen of companies besides a great number of hurt and maimed men that died in diuers places as they retired The Towne lost two Captaines two Ensigne-bearers some Gentlemen of companies and sixtie Souldiers at the most The pollicie in the watches hauing beene notably well obserued vntill the end of the Siege The fifteenth of March Carcassone one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie two those of the religion at Carcassone being gone out of the Towne to a Sermon at their returne found the Gate shut against them and the Cittizens armed that saluted them with Caliners and in that estate they continued vntill the nineteenth of the same moneth that those within the Towne hauing gotten a Leader and hauing mustered their men which they found to bee betweene foure or fiue
thousand they beganne to shoote off their ordinance and to sound vp drumbes in all parts of the Towne wherewith those of the religiō being in smal number were much abashed leauing the subburbs saued themselues as well as they might which those of the towne perceiuing made after them slaying some and hurting others On the other side within the base Towne were slaine Iaques Sabatter his sonne and three or foure others The 91. of May three of the richest houses therein were sacked and spoyled and vpon Whitsunday one of the religion beaten downe in the Subburbes beeing sore wounded they cut off his nose and eares and pulled out his eyes After that fiue prisoners were hanged many put to great ransomes and a Gentleman beheaded Those of Reuel liuing peaceably Reuel vntill the one and twentieth of May hauing receiued newes of the discipation of Thoulouse left their goods and houses to go to Castres and other places The Parliament of Thoulouse seeing that gaue out commission that if they appeared not in Court within three daies after their bodies should bee apprehended and committed to prison and for want of their bodies their goods of the Iudge and of one hundreth and twelue others of the religion to bee ceased vpon One of the number named Martin du Puits a man that was rich peaceable and without reproach or infamie was taken in a farme without the Towne and shortly after hanged his bodie cast vnto the dogs hauing first blacked his face hands and feete causing it to bee reported that he had the diuell within him Others beeing taken and ledde vnto Thoulouse were condemned to the Gallies or else put to great fines or banished Touching those that were absent the Consuls and others tooke their mooueables tooke notes of their immooueables tooke all they could find from the women and yet constrained them to lodge and finde certaine souldiers constrained with blowes to go to heare Masse and their children rebaptised Those of the religion beeing the strongest within Limoux vppon a Sunday beeing the first of March 1562. about euening there happened a sedition Limoux wherein two of the Romish Church were slaine and three more vppon the seuen and twentieth of Aprill after the tumult at that time being raised againe Wherevppon there fell open warre betweene both parts those of the religion beeing strengthed with fiftie souldiers that came from Foix withstood Pomas that came to ayde their aduersaries with tenne companies and eight hundreth Bandoliers most part Spaniards conducted by a notable murtherer called Peyrot Ioupian Presently after the desolation of Thoulouse the Parliament sent thither the Marshall de Mirepoix that besieged and battered the great Towne which was holden by those of the religion with seuenteen peeces of Artillerie but all in vaine Wherevppon hee deuised another meanes and vppon the sixteenth of Iune he entered therein by reason whereof he executed all kind of monsterous cruelties violating women and children most detestably without any description of religion The Minister was slaine two Gentlemen and 60. souldiers taken prisoners were hanged A widdowe of great account hauing redeemed her onely daughters virginitie with a great summe of mony the villaine that had sworne to defend her violated her in presence of her mother and then killed them both Those of the Romish Church were nothing spared for that some of them were likewise slaine The praye that Marshall de Mirepoix had for his share was esteemed to bee at the least aboue a hundreth thousand Crownes And the furie continued in such sort within that poore Towne that after the publication of the peace at one time fourteene of the religion comming thither were all slaine and one of Monsieur de Ioyeuses seruants hauing beene found to followe one of the iudges that was not well thought on was stabbed and rifled in the open streetes The fifteenth of March 1592. both the parties within Beziers were readie to come to handie-blowes Beziers and not long after the newes of the massacre of Vassy being published those of the religion prouided for their safeties and hauing brought certaine souldiers into their houses in the beginning of May the Images were throwne downe in all their Churches Monsieur de Ioyeuse allied to the Constable vsed all the meanes hee could to suppresse those of the religion but Monsieur de Baudine appoynted commaunder ouer the troupes of the religion in Languedoc while the warres continued interrupted him and withall ceased vppon Magalas a very strong place which much annoyed the Towne forced Espignan and there put most part of two companies of Bandoliers to the sword Ioyeuse followed by fiue thousand men foure Cannons two Coluerins two demy coluerins and foure field peeces went to besiege the Castle of Lignan neare to Reziers wherein were but twelue souldiers with munition onely for two daies Baudine gaue Ioyeuse so much to doo that they in the meane time saued themselues which done he went to Lezignan that held against the cannon shotte but at the second assault it was taken and hauing by composition taken two companies of souldiers that kept Montagnac with promise to saue their liues falsifying his promise hee put foure of the principall of them to the sword From thence he marched to Pezenas where Baudine met him and had ouerthrowne him if it had not beene for the treason of the Maister of his campe who set things in such bad order that Baudines troupes were thēselues in daunger to bee put to the sword and there hee lost one hundreth or an hundreth and twentie souldiers This Marshall not long after dying in Montpeslier confessed to haue receiued fiue hundreth Crownes of Monsieur de Ioyeuse before the encounter with promise of twise as much more This losse and the separation of the troupes being much more produced a parley wherin Ioyeuse made so many goodly offers that they suffered him to enter into Pezenas but beeing entered hee shewed them what hee ment killing certaine hurt souldiers and Inhabitants that could not serue in the warres His crueltie caused him to loose Beziers where when he thought to enter he found a face of wood and those of Beziers readie in field that forced and burnt Lignan hauing ouerthrowne two companies that kept it The warre beeing wholly turned against Montpeslier those of Beziers fayled to be surprised by night vppon the sixteenth of October their enemies hauing secretly gotten close vnder the walles But it chanced that a Drummer of the Town being drunke about two of the clock at night suddainly rose vp and thinking it had beene day beganne to sound the Diana or morning watch which caused the enemie to flie whose lathers in the morning were found in the ditches Wherevppon seuen or eight traitors were apprehended and being found guiltie were executed for the fact And within eight daies after the enemie came by day close to the Barriers but to their losse the principall of their troupe beeing hurt where of he died The second of
set for the enemie but before thy dyed they sold their skins at a deare prise hauing slaine a great number of those that assailed them among the which was Peyrot Loupian commaunder of the Bandoliers The first of October they receiued an other cooling Ouerthrow of Captaine Grille for that Captaine Grille proude of his victorie and despising diuers good aduises being ouerthrowne at Arenasses with the losse of one hundreth or one hundreth and twentie souldiers Baudine ranne thither to relieue him and slaying a great number of the enemies brought Grille to Montpeslier yet the ouerthrowe was so great that some flying to Lunel other to Maugueul the rest to Sommiers hardly the third part got into the Towne so that presently they could not assembly togither Ioyeuse on the other side perceiuing his armie daily to decrease by sicknesse and other necessities began to parley wherby he obtained passage to retire Yet his Garrisons in the valley of Montferrant made diuers courses euen to the Gates of Montpeslier yet to his losse in hope by certaine intelligences that hee had to get the Towne discouered by two of the principall actors who beeing condemned for other crimes vppon the scaffold confessed their treasons The Captaines Grille and Bouillargues vpon the ninth of October wanne a Tower called la Carbonniere cituate by d'Aguismortes and brought Barkes thither wherewith they bare away the assalt of Requais A good thing for the commoditie of those of the religion wherof those of the religion made great profit towards the charges of their warres To returne to Ioyeuse beeing at Perzenas by meanes of a certaine traitor hee made a new enterprise vpon Montpeslier but his treason beeing discouered and Baudine hauing taken a little towne vppon the riuer of Rhosne called le Bourg he besieged Agde where Captaine Sanglas commaunded Agde The first of Nouember the assault was giuen which continued 4. houres where they fought at hand blowes those that were besieged making braue resistance pursuing their enemies a great way without the breach among the which a woman behaued her selfe most valiantly with a sword And at the same time they repulsed the enemie that assayled them in another place of the towne The next day they were assisted and strengthened by the ayde that a souldier of the towne named Trencaire brought them from Beziers being sixe score Harquebusiers led at a certaine houre through water that ran as high as their horse saddles bearing their flaskes and a bagge of powder to srue them at their need at the end of their caliuers The 3. day of the moneth Ioyeuse commaunded to giue a second assault but it tooke no great effect so that such as serued therein spedde but hardly whereby the next day about midnight hee trussed vp his courage his campe beeing diuided into three parts one of them marching towards Gignac Ouerthrowe of one of the part of Ioyeuse was so brauely encountred by Bouillargues that he slewe two hundreth seuentie foure of their men in the place among the which were three of the principall Leaders But for his part hee lost not a man onely the poore Pesant that was his guide slaine by a souldier because hee knewe not the watchword Bouillargues went to Nismes and beeing aduertised that three hundreth men lying in Aramon made diuers courses to the gates of Bagnols found meanes to intrappe them by an Ambascado where most of them were slaine drowing a Frigat which they brought with them Not long after hee tooke Saint Laurent des Arbres in Contat driuing thence fiue and thirtie Italian Lanciers sixtie Argolitiers and a companie of footemen hauing lost seuen men at the myne and slaine certaine Italians After that time Montpeslier continued in peace vntill the end of the warres that Monsieur de Caylus sent by the King and Queene to proclaime the peace in Languedoc shewing Monsieur de Crussol Gouernour of Prouence and all those of the religion that the King and his mother were well pleased to pardon all whatsoeuer they had done for their iust defence houlding them for good and loyall subiects with thankes for their good seruices done for the good of the Common-wealth which done The king acknowledgeth those of the religion for his faithfull subiects approuing their tust defence and giuing them thanks by vertue of certaine letters pattents deliuered vnto him in Amboise vpon the 6. of Aprill hauing heard the declarations made vnto him by those of the religion that besought him that from thencefoorth their enemies might vse no more acts of hostillitie against them and that Ioyeuse that had brought the Spaniards into the Realme might not be their Gouernour hee caused the edict to bee proclaimed within Montpeslier Touching the declaration of those of Toulouse and other places committed infinite mischiefes after the edict of peace Ioyeuse was made Lieftenant of Languedoc the principall Gouernment beeing giuen to Monsieur de Danuille a Capitall enemie to those of the religion and Crussol put out Let vs speake somewhat of that which happened in those miserable times in Viuarets Rouergue Giuaudan and the Counte de Foix which done wee will speake of Lyonnois Vutarets Nonnay Dauphine and Prouence Those of the religion in Nonnay in the moneth of Aprill one thousand fiue hundreth sixtie two beeing become Maisters of the Towne presently after the Images were pulled downe and a famous Chase named les Sainctes Vertus being opened was publikely burnt Yet after that they liued peaceably vntill the end of Angust that their Gouernour named Sarras threatned with a siege and perceiuing the Towne to bee vnfurnished of armes vppon the seuen and twentieth of October about euening issued foorth and the next morning about the breake of the day they were at Saint Estienne in Forest a small Towne much renowmed for the great quantitie of armes that are made therin and suddainly setting fier on the gates hee entered which done hee tooke and packed vppe all the armes that hee found therein without committing other excesse But hauing a long retrait to make his troupes were ouerthrowne himselfe taken prisoner his brother fore wounded and about sixe score slaine and hurt and hardly handled The poore Inhabitants destitute of armes men and a Gouernour beganne to flie one after the other but had not time to do it for that the last of the moneth Monsieur de S. Chaumont their mortall enemie sent by the Duke de Nemours who as then made warre vppon those of Lyonnois surprised two gates and entered into the Towne First taking that was sacked and pilled not leauing so much as the barres lockes and hinges of the doores and windowes much humaine blood beeing shedde vppon the earth with infinite and most horrible blasphemies spit out against the heauens A Locke-smith beeing willed to despight and blaspheme God refusing to do it was hewen in peeces with Courtlelasses for the same cause likewise a Pesant was striken dead with the great end of a caliuer A
poore Nayle-maker of the age of eightie yeares because hee would not giue himselfe vnto the Diuell was drawne about his shoppe by the eares and after beeing layde vppon his anuile they beate his head in peeces with his Hammer And fire beeing set in one of the Gates burnt two and twentie houses Monsieur d'Achon made also the like spoyle among the Villages and about the latter end of December Monsieur de Saint Martin Lieftenant to Crussol in Viuarets beeing come to Nonnay repaired the walles and made it defenceable leauing certaine Garrisons therein vnder the Captains Prost le Mas and Montgros that were besieged vppon the tenth of Ianuary 1563. by 4000. men commaunded by Saint Chaumont who not beeing very nimble at forcing of places tooke another course presenting composition for the assurance both of the strangers and the Towne This composition accepted Achon would beginne with the straungers that withdrewe themselues and put them to the sword but beeing valiantly repulsed by Montgros hee went to discharge his chollor about the Towne robbing and killing all that hee met not sparing sects nor age And notwithstanding the promises giuen and sworne The second taking about euening Saint Chaumont let the footemen enter into the Towne to whom for their watch-word was giuen the double word of Gods death wherewith all crueltie whatsoeuer could bee deuised was then vsed Three of the chiefe of the Towne were cast downe headlong out of a Tower in the presence by the commaundement of Saint Chaumont diuers others were throwne downe to make sport among the which were two young laborours who not beeing able to furnish two Testons which the Souldiers asked of them made that deadly leape Some were burnt within their houses throwne out of the windowes others killed vppon the ground stabbed in the streetes The prisoners set to sale and if they found not any to buy them they murthered them in the place the houses burnt to ashes if none were found that would paye mony for them whereof they burnt sixe score women maids were must shamefully handled Extreame desolation a poore young woman being found hidden with her husband within a house was rauished in his presence and then compelled to holde the Rapier in her hand wherewith one of them thrusting her arme she killed her husband Whatsoeuer the souldiers could not beare away was broken and spoyled in such sort that many sellers ran full of wine let out of the vesselles the pipes being pearsed with Pistoll shotte Saint Chaumont caused the greatest part of the walles to be broken beating downe the Towers and tooke away the Gates which done went to the like to Bonlieu a small Towne about halfe a myle from Nonnay But in despight of all these furies the rest of the Inhabitants of Nonnay assembled togither and had their Minister and in Anno. 1564. the exercise of the religion which continued therein vntill the yeare of our Lord one thousand fiue hundreth ninetie foure when wee beganne to write this Historie the Towne being restored and people increased by the most singular and speciall fauour of God In the Counte de Foix Mousieur de Pailles commanded as Seneschall for the King of Nauarre who ruled his actions as the winde blew The Counts de Foix. and fedde those of the religion with faire words vntill such time as hauing receiued newes of the desolation of Thoulouse hee vsed subtill meanes to cause those of the religion to issue out of Foix whom hee feared his pretence was that they beeing known to haue broken downe the Images hee should bee constrained to cast them in prison which hee desired not to doo and as the wolfe hauing sent away the dogges entereth into the folde and deuoureth the sheepe so Pailles hauing made such as had both eyes and hands to go out of Foix entered presently into the Towne committed such as pleased him to prison and gaue such analarme to the rest that hee made them glad to inuent the meanes to flie Of those whom hee held prisoners two had their armes and legges cut off and then beheaded two others burnt and sixe hanged presently after two and twentie others were likewise executed and tenne condemned to the Gallies The goods of such as went out of the Towne were exposed and giuen for a pray vnto the souldiers these extreame rigors put all the other Townes within the Countie in such feare that they did whatsoeuer Pailles would command except Pamiers Pamiers a Towne wherein were great numbers of the religion who perceiuing themselues to bee exposed to the furie of the Pesants that were in armes determined not to depart from thence And while they expected some outcries and violences the plague happened in the Towne which freed them from their enimies the crueltie of death hauing surmounted the auarice of the most mutinous Touching those of the Romish Church within the Towne the richest and such as had most meanes and greatest forces to hurt them fledde out of it and the meaner sort was so much diminished by the plague that in short space there died three thousand in which number there was not aboue fistie of the religion and which is more other that had beene persecuted in diuers places came thither in such sort that they became Maisters of the Towne hauing death for a rampart to their liues for that the Queen of Nauarre to whom Pamiers belonged was much troubled to looke vnto her selfe in her chiefe countrie of Bearn But they did so well that after the ouerthrow of Duras they sent sixtie souldiers vnder the conduct of Captaine Honorat to ayde those of Castres about 2. daies iourney from thence Honorat marched in safetie vntil he came within three leagues of Castres and beeing pursued and hardly charged hauing lost tenne or twelue of his men in fight hee tooke a house standing in the fields where hee held himselfe from eight of the clocke in the morning till three in the afternoone that ayde came vnto them from Castres whither one of the companie ranne in all haste to certifie them Hauing behaued themselues valiantly within Castres about sixe weeks after they returned to Pamiers which Pailles beganne to threaten and brought a companie with them from Castres to strengthen the Towne which was about the eight of December and hauing trauersed many daungers in the end they got into the Towne All the moneth of Ianuarie passed ouer in deuising of meanes to surprise and intrappe them where the end bredde mortall warre Wherein Honorat accompanied by two valiant Gentlemen surnamed les Lombats and eight and thirtie others made an enterprise vppon Tarascon in Foix. Tarascon in Foix. The Viscount de Seres and his brother with three hundreth men set vppon them constraining them to take the Mountaines wherein they that followed them where themselues intrapped in such manner that not onely the Vicount and his brother were slaine but the most part of their men the rest beeing scattered in
him hee presented the Escalado in diuers places but hee was but badly serued by his men both within and without the Towne and hardly repulsed by Soubize that gaue him occasion to seeke other meanes to get Lyons He holpe himselfe with the newes of the battel of Dreux and about the end of December caused the King and Queene to write vnto Soubize to desire him to yeelde the Towne of Lyons to the Duke de Nemours While Soubize made answere therevnto one named Marc Herlin one of the Kings receiuers within Lyons hauing for a time entertained certaine souldiers in the ende vsed to ride out well armed and horsed and to skirmish with the enemie In the moneth of Februarie 1563. hauing beene taken in a skirmish thought vppon a deuise both to saue his life as also to deceiue the Duke de Nemours desiring Lignerolles whom hee knewe to get him licence to speake with the Duke A deuice wrought against the Duke de Nemours to whome hee was to vtter some matters of great importance Men that are desirous of newes doo in a manner beleeue whatsoeuer is told vnto them which in any sort may bee any shewe of the effecting of theyr purpose and so it chaunced vnto Nemours who by the discourse that Herlin made beleeued that Lyons should bee taken and surprised at Sainct Iusts Gate which Herlin promised to keepe open for him Wherevpon Herlin was sette at libertie as if he had escaped away and beeing in Lyons hauing discouered all that had past betweene him and the Duke de Nemours vnto Soubize hee hadde more recourse vnto Nemours with whom the day of execution was appointed to bee vpon the 7. of March 1563. about eight of the Clocke in the morning Three thousand footemen according to the signe giuen vnto them entered without impeachment into the Subburbes of Saint Iust which they found not strange because they were well aduertised that no watch was holden in those Subburbes beeing entered and marching towardes the Gate Herlin that ranne before them and was their guide hauing entred at the wicket presently shut it against them and presently therevppon all the great Ordinance was discharged vppon them besides two or three hundreth Muskettes which in the night time hadde beene brought into the Bulwarkes and placed along vpon the walles with three or foure thousand Harquebusiers discharging all togither vppon that fearefull troupe and the more to spoyle them they sent sixe hundreth Caliuers of the best shotte out of the Towne ledde by Blacons Poyet Andefroy and Entrages that made an ende of dispersing of all them There you might haue seene a meruailous spoile and all kindes of death some being slain others smothered and beaten down the rest throwing themselues off from the walles or else intrapped in the snares so that if the horsemen conducted by Poncenat had made haste to issue at the Gate assigned vnto them and had marched thither not one of all those three thousand had hardly escaped But howsoeuer it fell out there lay foure hundreth of them dead within the Subburbes besides those that dyed without the hurt men beeing in greater number which dyed as they stedde away eyther to the Campe or to Vienne or else were borne away in Waggons Nemours was not onely auditor but an eye witnesse of this Tragedie whereby he conceiued such displeasure that he thought he should haue dyed with greefe whereby he stirred not out of his bed in two moneths after Meane time peace was concluded by the which those of the religion had the exercise of the religion within the towne wherein they made two Churches the armie being within and about it retiring Now let vs consider the estate of Dauphine about the beginning of the moneth of March 1562. the Parliament of Grenoble began to weakē the Edict of Ianuarie as much as it might Dauphine And not long after Des Adrets before being Colonel of the troupes of Dauphine Prouence and Languedoc beeing by the gentlemen and notablest Personages assembled in Valence established chiefe commander in Dauphine with prouision till they shoulde receiue some further and more certaine commaundement from the Prince Des Adrets made head commander in Dauphine Presently newes came that the Images were brokē down in many prouinces of France which was the cause that they could not be warrented within Dauphine Des Adrets aduertised those of the religion in Grenoble and by letters full of authoritie cōmanded the Parliament to driue certaine seditious persons out of the Town which he named vnto them and among other the second President the Attourney Generall the Aduocate of the Towne and the fourth Consull whome he threatned with death they neither stayed commandement nor executioner but presently retired only to execute an enterprise which they had vndertaken thereby to make themselues maisters of the town vpō the next night ensuing neuerthelesse their intent beeing discouered they saued themselues in good earnest Which knowne vpon the first of Maye those of the religion seized vpon the Gates of Grenoble and by consent of the Deputies of the Parliament of the Chamber of accounts and of the Councell for the towne entred into the Fryers Church which they cleansed of all her Images and Alters therein to vse the exercise of religion not dooing any other hurt vnto the Fryers After that by common consent they prouided for the safetie of the towne wherein Des Adrets sent a company of footemen led by Captaine Commung and after came thither with other troupes both horse and foote thereby to resist Monsier de Maugiron that termed himselfe Lief-tenant Generall in Dauphine Against whom he published a decree to seize vpon his body terming him a seditious person and one that violated the Kings Edicts All those Souldiers assembled within Grenoble first made warre against the Images and then entred into the fielde and tooke the Castles of la Bussiere and de Mirebel Des Adrets hauing made a course to Lyons vpon the fourth of Iune returned to Grenoble where he seized vpon the reliques causing an inuentory thereof to be made al being waied and valued amounted to 260. Marks of Siluer which was sent to Valence and the next day the great Charterhouse lying three miles distant within the Mountaines in a huge and very strong place was taken and burnt Massacre at Auranges Meane time those of Aurange were Massacred in this manner after the Massacrie at Vassie Those of the religion perceiuing Fabrice Serbellonne the Popes kinsman to lye with his forces within Auignon beeing but a small halfe dayes iourney from thence seized vppon the Towne On the other side in the ende of May the troupes of Prouence ioyned themselues with those of Fabrice at Cauaillon staying the commoditie to enter into Auranges where they had intelligence which those of Aurange sought to preuent strengthening themselues with sixe hundreth souldiers Thervpon it chaunced that the President Parpaille comming by Boate with prouision of Armes which hee hadde brought
penne then all the enemies forces could beate downe intenne yeares space That the Gentlemen that would shewe their good wils should soone see and feele by good experience how much more expedient and commodious it will bee vnto them to go to a sermon within a Towne or Village neare vnto them then to receiue a church into their house besides this that such Gentlemen dying would not alwaies leaue heires of their opinions These reasons were so firme that besides the disliking of those that were not called to counsell the most part of those that had agreed vnto it could gladly haue wished it to beginne againe But the Prince to all that opposed the promises made vnto him that in short time hee should enioy the estate of the deceased king of Nauarre his brother and that then those of the religion should obtaine whatsoeuer they could desire Yet although many alleadged to the contrary that all his promises were but words and that when those of the religion should bee disarmed and retired vnto their houses their enemies would still deuise the meanes to vexe and trouble them and that they should bee disgraced and nought esteemed Yet would hee neuer apprehended it and what paines soeuer the Admirall tooke accompanying the Prince in diuers priuate conferences with the Queene the Edict continued in force as it hadde beene decreed and nothing else could bee obtained but onely that certaine Gentlemen procured this poynt that some of the best Townes in certaine Prouinces should bee nominated for the exercise of the religion in the Baliages but this was but an accord in paper that tooke small effect The Queene of England had assisted the Prince of Conde and his adherents with men and mony during those warres who for assurance of her mony disboursed and for the retrait of her men gaue her the possession of the towne of New-hauen wherein there laye an English Garrison The Prince by his Edict hauing not made any conclusion that the Englishmen should bee payde and peaceably sent home againe they stayed in New-hauen to keepe it till they had satisfaction on the other side The Councell of France by letters dated the sixt of Iuly proclaimed warre against the Englishmen and fifteene daies after New-hauen was besieged The Englishmen driuen out of New-hauen the Constable beeing Generall of the armie wherein they drew the Prince with diuers Lords Gentlemen Captaines and Souldiers of the religion some of their aduersaries vaunting after the siege to haue driuen out the Englishmen by those that brought them thither And that the Huguenots might bee well assured not to haue any more ayde out of England the Earle of VVarwicke laye in New-hauen with sixe thousand Englishmen hauing well prouided all things necessarie for the defence of a place of such importance But the fresh water beeing taken from the Englishmen the plague was very rife among them and the batterie most furious vppon the eight and twentieth of Iuly they grew to a parley and the next day yeelded the place wherein aboue three thousande of them were deade of the plague Eight monethes after this reudition a peace was concluded and proclaimed betweene France and England The king of the age of 13 yeares and a month declared of lawfull yeares The Prince of Conde in the conclusion of peace was made beleeue that he should haue the place of Lieftenant generall by the decease of the king of his brother the king of Nauarre but after the deliuery of New-hauen the Queen hauing no more need of him to take all hope from him on that side and to breed new conceits in the heads of those of the religion published a declaration to shew the maioritie of the king as then entered into the 14. yeare of his age And to make shewe the better vnto this declaration whervnto was added a most seuere Edict against bearing of armes his subiects leagues and the pensions of forraine Princes shee caused her sonne in great solemnitie to sit in the Parliament of Roane where to shewe her child to bee sufficient and capable to adminster the affaires of the Realme she caused him to bee taught and learned by hart to vtter a lesson artificially deuised thereby to bridle the Prince assistance thereat which by many was termed his degrading The substance thereof was that his comming into the Parliament was to giue his officers to vnderstand that hauing attained to the yeares of maioritie he would no longer indure that any such disobedience should bee vsed against him as had beene shewed since the beginning of the troubles commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee obserued threatned the breakers thereof and such as made associations and leagues which was done vppon the sixteenth and seuenteenth of August Within short time after the Parliament of Parris sent a declaration vnto the king touching that Edict of maioritie which confirmed that of pacification But the Queene caused him to speake with authoritie as hee had done before The Queens proceedings against the Court of Parliament in Parris declaring his mother superintendant of his affaires and said vnto the Deputies of the Parliament that his meaning was that they should deale with nothing else but onely to administer good and speedie iustice vnto his subiects giuing them to vnderstand that hee would haue them to knowe that they were not appoynted by him in their offices to bee his tutors nor protectors of his Realme neither yet conseruers of his towne of Parris For you are said he according to his instructions giuen made beleeue that you are such but I mean not to suffer you any more to continue in that error but commaund you that as in the times of the kings my predecessors you neuer vsed to deale with any thing but with iustice that from henceforth you deale with nothing else And when I shall commaund you any thing if you finde any difficultie therein I will bee well content to heare your aduise as you haue vsed to do vnto the kings mine auncestors and not as my Gouernours and hauing giuen your aduises hauing heard my minde to be obedient therevnto without reply In dooing so you shall finde mee as good and milde a King as euer you had but dooing as you haue done since the time you were giuen to vnderstand that you are my tutors I will make you knowe that you are none such but my seruants and subiects willing and charging you to obey my commaundements The Bishop of Valence checqueth the Parliament of Parris Here you may see howe they draue the dogges before the Lyon and the subtill practises of the Queen to establish her Regencie vnder the warrant of her sonne wholely debarring the Prince of Conde from all his hopes and to change the Parliament of Parris somwhat more vnto her will she caused the the Bishop of Valence in a large discourse to confute that which the President de Thou had propounded touching the Kings Court and that his mawrite ought
first to haue been signified to the Court of Parliament in Parris that the King ought not to permit the exercise of two religions within his Realme that the inhabitants of Parris ought not to be constrained to leaue their armes The Bishop in open tearmes seemed to charge de Thou and all his companions to shew but small vnderstanding in those affaires and much lesse conscience The twentie foure of September following by Decree of the priuie Councell the mawrite of the King or as some are of aduice the regencie and Soueraigntie authoritie of the Queene was confirmed The Pope abandoneth the Realm of Nauarre to him that could take is by force wherevnto the King opposeth At the same time an other deuise was wrought against those of the religion The Pope faining that he could no longer beare with the reformation of religion and doctrine vsed in the Realme of Nauarre and the Soueraigntie of Bearn in the moneth of September caused a declaration to bee published in Rome against Ieane d'Albert Queene of Nauarre who as then made publicque profession of the religion and had driuen the Masse out of her Countries This declaration was made in forme of an excommunication for a dispossession of all that land which as then remained vnto this Princesse by whom soeuer would take it in hand to enioy it as by conquest and his owne proper inheritance Shee was likewise cited to appeare before the Consistorie of Cardinalles within sixe moneths after for default whereof the Pope declared her hereticke her goods confiscate and abandoned as aforesaid The King formed an opposition against this papall thunder which as then was shewed but in Rome The King of Spaine hauing neither the desire nor the meanes to fall vppon that Princesse and the Councell of France esteemed it inconuenient to giue so manifest a shadowe vnto those that were of the religion The death of Charles de Cosse Marshal de Brissac that had done great seruice for the Realm of France in the warres of Piedemont made an ende of this yeare 1563. that dyed vpon the last of December Ann. 1564 In the beginning of this yeare it was permitted vnto the Clergie by an Edict to redeeme their landes that had bin alienated to the value of a hundreth thousand crownes yearely rent An Edict in fauour of the Clergie All this was but a point of cunning vsed to diue into the purses of those who during the warres and that France drowned in teares had sung and for the most part liued at their ease About the beginning of Februarie the Ambassadors of the Pope the Emperour the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy came to Fountainebleau desiring that the King would cause the Decrees of the Councell of Trent to bee wholely obserued within the Realme of France for the which cause The King solicited by the Spaniard to breake the Edict of pacification the Deputies were to be at Nancy vppon the the twentie fiue of March then next ensuing to reade the same in presence of the Ambassadors of all the Papisticall and Catholicque Romish Princes assembled togither there to make and frame a generall league against the Realmes principalities and estates that had withdrawne themselues from the obedience of the Pope They likewise desired the king wholly to cease the alienating of the goods of the Cleargie alleadging it to bee preiudiciall both against him and his Realme and contrarie to the word of God that the king of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy could not bee payed the monies due vnto them by reason of their mariages with the Cleargies mony desired that those of the religion might bee openly punished whom they disciphered according to their accustomed manner That the pardon and the edict of peace should bee made voyde that the king should doo iustice specially of those that were consenting vnto the death of the Duke of Guise And to effect these requests they added most faire and great offers thereby to cast the realme into the burning flame of a second ciuill warre Answere to the Ambassadors But the Queene and her Councell perceiuing it to bee a ticklish matter and distrusting in the promises of such men caused the young king to aunswere them that hee thanked their Maisters whom hee ment not to trouble hoping to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Romish Church That hee had made the edict of pacification to put straunges out of his Realme that as then he could reenter into a new warre within his realme for certaine reasons which in writing he sent vnto them and that in those affaires hee would aske the Counsell and aduise of the Prince of his blood and the chiefe Lords of his Councell and of the Crowne The king of Spaine with that Ambassage deuising how hee might see his kinsmans house in new troubles tooke no order for his own in the lowe countries where as then warres beganne to bee hatched which not long after came foorth and as yet continue therein to his great shame and confusion In the beginning of March the Queene beganne the voyage of Bayonne to speake with the king of Spaine the pretence was that the king beeing Maior and about foureteene yeares of age Beginning of the voyage to Bayonne would ride about his Realme to visit his Prouinces and that his presence would bee a means to remedie many complaints and discontentments and withall strengthen and establish the edict of pacification But the effect that both approached and ensued did partly shewe the intents and secret practises of that woman and her Councell The king beganne that voyage in Champagne and Bourgongne from whence hee went to Lyons What a scita dell was built at Lyons and to the ende those of the religion should not haue the meanes to fortifie themselues therein as they had done at other times a scitadell was then begunne to bee erected and although at that time the plague raigned within the Towne yet the Queen and her Councell would not stirre from thence and kept the king there vntill that scitadell was almost finished But in the end the plague being entered into the Queens Chamber whereof one of her Gentlewomen fell sicke the king was ledde from thence While they built at Lyons to bridle those of the religion by that means to weaken their forces Defacing of Townes the Townes of Orleans and Montauban were vnwalled in other townes scitadels were made which by some were called Chastre-villaines by others the Nests of Tyrants Those of the religion indured all contenting themselues with simple declarations in paper and receiuing paper for payment For that about the beginning of this voyage the Romish Catholikes of Greuan in Bourgongne massacred diuers of the religion being assembled therein to exercise their religion Massacre of those of the religion complaints thereof beeing made vnto the Queene shee gaue faire words promising to send Commissioners to Creuan such as were honestly
minded and not passionate to inquire of the fact But in stead of keeping promise at the same time an edict was made forbidding the exercise of the religion in the kings Court An edict derogating that of pacification and that in the Townes wherein by the edict it was permitted the Ministers should not preach as long as the kings should remaine therein all eadging for reason that his presence might not indure the exercise of any other religion then that which he vsed who as then was taught to rule and Court Ladies hauing Maisters appoynted for the purpose the Court as then beginning to bee an example of all dissolution They likewise draue al ministers out of the realm that were not natural Frēchmen The king being gone from Lyons went to Roussillon wher he staying for a time was visited by the duke d'Sauoy Ther they erected another dismēbring of the edict of peace Another derogatiue edict forbidding all iustices to vse the exercise of religion in their houses freses or Castles other then in those that are appoynted in the edict That the Ministers which should haue exercised their charges in places not comprehended in the edict for the first time should bee banished out of the realme and beeing found therein againe to bee corporally punished That Priestes Monkes Friers and Nunnes that are married should bee constrained to leaue their wiues and husbands and to returne againe into their Monasteries and Couents or else to go out of the realme That it should not bee lawfull for those of the religion to hold Sinodes accusing them vnder that pretence to haue made conspiracies and raised the greatest part of the realme This edict abated somewhat of the edict of pacification From Dauphine the king went into Prouence and Marcèllis and in the beginning of winter hee entered into Languedoc and being in Montpeslier about the end of December prolonged the redeeming of the spirituall goods for the space of sixe moneths more This winter was extreame colde through all the realme of France The Cardinall of Lorraine pretending to enter armed into Parries is repulsed by the Marshall de Mont morency At that time the Cardinall of Lorraine newly returned from the Councell of Trent hauing stayed a certain time in Champagne rid to Parris with his guard openly bearing armes contrary to the expresse commaundement of the king beeing accompanied by Henry Duke of Guise his Nephewe as then but a child but yet inuested with the estate of Great-maister of France His brother the Duke d'Aumale lay not farre from Parris with a troupe of men The Marshall de Montmorency Gouernour of the Isle of France beeing a wise Gentleman and a friend to peace hauing discouered that diuers mutinous companions attended the Cardinalles arriuall in that manner to commit violence against those of the religion that daily increased and foreseeing that so bolde an attempt openly to ride in armes would breed some horrible tempest if it were not preuented sent word to the Cardinall that hee should not presume to enter into Parris with such a traine nor in that manner And because he made no account of the kings Lieftenants commandement the Marshall sent him word that hee forbadde him to enter into his gouernment with armed troupes which if hee did hee would vse his authoritie But the Cardinall not letting for that about the beginning of Ianuarie assayed to enter armed into Parris but hee found the Gouernour and Soueraigne Magistrate with thirtie or fortie men readie to resist him all men of account as Lords and Gentlemen and the Prince of Portian But in stead of beating down the Cardinall and his men hee contented himselfe to put them in feare The Cardinall his Nephewe and diuers of their followers saued themselues in the first shoppes and houses they could get into Their men of war shunning the danger with all the speede they could but not once pursued This chance made the Cardinal wholly confused and hauing stayed for a time within the Towne hee returned into Champagne staying the Kings returne from Bayonne The Duke d'Aumale his brother made more shewe and for the space of certaine weekes no other report ranne abroad within Parris and all the Isle of France but onely of leagues and associations made to bee reuenged vppon the Marshall de Montmorency who being assisted by the Admirall and other Lords held the Parisians in peace and caused his action to bee approoued both in the Parliament and by the kings Councell But this blowe renued the despight of the house of Guise against those of Montmorency and Chastillon and because the assemblies made by the Duke d'Aumale and the league hee made with the Duke d'Estampes Martignes Chauigny and the Bishoppe of Mans had constrained the Marshall the Admirall to assemble certain Gentlemen to withstand those pretended leaguers The Queen fearing least that beginning wold breed some mischiefe that might breake the voyage of Bayonne and other expedients which shee esteemed to bee most fit and necessarie for the effecting of this Councell presently dispatched letters pattrents whereby the king commauned those that as yet were not entered into Parris to approach no nearer and such as were therein to depart from thence referring the ending of this quarrell vntill his returne out of Gascoigne The Cardinall offended that no better remedie was taken in his behalfe touching that disgrace beganne another enterprise making warre against Salcede Bailiffe de Vic The Cardiwalles warre and Gouernour for the king in Marsault that had ceased certaine places appertaining to the Cardinall alleadging hee had reason to doo it because the Cardinall had put himselfe into the safegard and protection of the Emperour and had caused it to bee published without the commandement and licence of the king his Soueraigne But Salcede beeing ouerweake for so puissant an enemie fauoured by the Queene in the end was constrained to leaue both Vic and Marsault The ninth of Iune Henry duke of Orleans brother to the king departed from Bayonne The comming of the Queen of Spaine to Bayonne where not long before the Court arriued and went to lodge at Saint Iohn de Lus from whence the next day after he road to Iron the first place in the frontiers of Spaine scituate vpon the riuer of Marquery which diuided the lands of the Kings of France and Spaine And hauing past that riuer he went to meete with his sister the Queene of Spaine beyond Aruany where after the ceremonies and salutations ordinatily vsed at such meetings they tooke their way to S. Sebastians wher the Duke of Alue stayed Not long after the king went forth to meet his sister accompanied by diuers Princes Noblemen conducting her vnto Bayonne where she stayed along time The Duke d'Alua with many of the Couucell of Spaine had diuers secret conferences with the Councell of France There resolution beeing as Monsieur de Noue saith in his discourse Councels holden in Bayonne betweene the Spantards the
Frenchmen originals of the mischiefes of France and the lowe Countries The continuance of the K. progresse to the preâ—udice of those of the teligion of the cause of raising armes in the second troubles to root out those of the religion as well in France as in the lowe Countries and that it was necessary to beginne with the leaders according to the rule of that Spanish Duke that shortly after put it in practise by cutting off the heades of the Countes de Horne and Egmont with other noble men in Brusselis that they must not stand to looke for frogges but first fish for the great salmons The Prince of Conde the Admirall and others in France beeing in time aduertised by some that were not farre from their so bloody Councels from that time beganne to looke vnto themselues and to thinke vppon their affaires aduertising those of the religion not to bee negligent FroÌ„ Bayonne the K. tooke his iourney to Nerac wher he restored the Romish Catholicques to their goods repaired their temples brought in againe the Priests and Monkes that had beene thrust out and commaunded Monluc by his letters pattents in firme of an Edict to see all things performed as also to take order that the officers of the Towne might bee equally chosen out of both religions halfe of the one and halfe of the other and this course he prescribed as a lawe to all those Townes where those of the religion had gotten the vpper hand Hee did besides ordaine that such Monkes Fryers and Nunnes as had cast off their coules in purpose to reenter into the successions of their Parents should not bee admitted orherwise then according to the ancient constitutions Hee also gaue audience vnto the Catholicque and Romish Leaguers of Guyenne whom he likewise iustified Moreouer in all places where the King made his iourney there was in manner no other speech but of the complaints of those of the religion whom the peace did as much molest and in some places more as the warre The Councell stopped the plaintiues mouthes with sweet words promising redresse in all possible loue and equitie but their speeches vanished like smoke for of an infinite number of murthers from the publication of the Edict vntill that day committed there were scarce sixe offenders punished and those but of the rascall sort that else where and before time had tenne times deserued the wheele or fire The rest of the yeare was spent in the kings entries into the towns vpon the riuer of Loire in banquets triumphs superfluous expenses and ridiculous pastimes wherin the K. and his two yonger bretheren were altogither buried whilest the Queen with her Councellors mannaging the whole state of France guided it in such crooked courses as still doo remaine of the stormes no lesse daungerous then the former A fained reconsiliation betweene the houses of Guise and Chastillons Wee said before that presently after the Edict of pacification the Queen had giuen accesse to those of the house of Guise to aske some new iustice of the king touching the murther of their kinsman slaine by Poltrot that had beene tormented and executed by foure wilde horses in Parris And because those of Guise had sufficiently declared that their malice tended onely to the Admirall and that the dissimulation of the Queene-mother entertained the fire of that quarrell The Prince of Conde that went not the voyage of Bayonne had from that time assayed wholly to quench it and on the one side to stay Magnanimitie of the Prince the violence of the plaintiues on the other side the subtiltie of the Queen that desired nothing but the continuance of quarrels among the Nobilitie that shee might raigne by their diuision and crie staye there when it pleased her following the aduise of her wise Councellours braue Pollititians if they might bee beleeued and great friends to France To that end the Prince had presented a declaration vnto the Councell bearing date the fifteene of May 1563. against those of Gusse saying therein that if there were any man that would once vndertake to oppose himselfe in word or deede against the Admirall otherwise then by order of iustice which the Admirall himselfe desired I will saith hee make him well knowne that it shall touch mee as much as if it were done vnto my selfe beeing his friend and he vncle vnto my wife by whom I haue diuers children besides that hee is a braue knight and one that is able to do the king great seruice The Queen remembring that and seeking to shadow her Councell of Bayonne in the beginning of Ianuary 1566. caused those of Guise and Chastillon to be summoned to appeare before the king at Moulius in Bourbonnois where likewise appeared the Marshall de Montmorency because of the quarrell of Parris Shee likewise sent for du Thou and Seguier first and second Presidents of Parris Dafis chiefe President of Thoulouse Lagebaston of Bourdeaux Truchon of Grenoble le Feure of Dyon and Fourneau second President of Prouence The king beeing in his chamber with diuers Princes and Lords the Chancellour made a long Oration touching the miseries of the Realme The Oration of the Chancellour and the disorder of iustice and pollicie whereof ensued certaine orders taken which continued no longer then many other commendable ordinances that had been made within this Realme that done hee beganne to touch the quarrell betweene the houses of Guise and Chastillon where diuers things on both sides being debated and the Admirall by oath clearing himselfe not to be the Author of the murther in question Agreement in the Court. A certaine agreement was made betweene the two houses and therevppon they imbraced like friends with many protestations of words and promises neuer to renue them more The widowes of the Duke and the Cardinall of Lorraine were the interlocutors in this tragedie the young Duke of Guise not speaking a word as theÌ„ lending his countenance to signes of threatnings and frowning lookes wherof those of Chastillon made small account because as then hee was but a childe That which made them most to consider vpon the matter was that they perceiued the Queene-mother to leane to the house of Guise and the Cardinall and shee to bee as two heades within one hood they likewise tooke vp the matter betweene the saide Cardinall and the Marshall de Montmorencie touching that which had passed between them at Parris during the voyage of Bayonne The rest of this yeare was for the most part spent among Courtezans in mariages banquets other pastimes whiles all parts of the realm were plunged in great disorders The miserable estate of France The insolencies of the Romish Catholicques against those of the religion continued the qualifications of the Edict did by little and little fret it quire a way the threats of speedie raigne to those of the religion whose Captaines and leaders are heere and there slaine without iustice or any execution of the mutherers did weakely increase
and the resolution concluded at Bayonne grewe manifest both within and without the Realme The Prince neuerthelesse and the Admirall lay still and rested quiet being content plainly to looke vppon the accurrences and readie to advertise their friends of all that was practised least they should bee surprised From diuers parts they were aduertised of the Spaniards preparatiues who purposed a terrible destruction to the lowe Countries and withall they foresawe that his enterprise would breed new troubles in France wherby after so many stormes at Bayonne there must needs ensue some great rage and straunge euents The Prince of la Roch Suryon also a little before his decease had reuealed vnto them many particularities Let them complaine of any breach of couenants they should not want eyther sweet words or courteous letters to lull them on sleepe In the meane time in Faix and Bearne the troubles continued wherein the better sort were most vniustly dealt withall There began a disputation at Parris betweene two Ministers and two Sorbonists at the Duke of Neuers lodging which grewe into very large writings without any resolution as indeede such parlying do for the most part bring foorth small fruite The executrō of Simon May a thiese and notable slaunderer About the same time there was likewise a certaine offender named Simon May broken vppon a scaffolde this man was of meane birth and dwelt in a countrie house not farre from Chastillon vppon Loyn where vnder pretence of an Hostrie or Inne hee practised his robberies Him did Anmalle the late Duke of Guises brother hire to watch the Admirall as hee went on hunting and gaue him in hand a hundreth Crownes and a Spanish Genet The Admirall before vnderstanding his wicked course of life had sharply threatned him and now by witnesses finding him to bee a notable theefe he sent the informations to Parris wherevpon hee was soone apprehended and brought into the Conciergery where hee beganne to accuse the Admirall and some others that they should haue conspired togither and so promised him great reward to kill the Queene-mother but the Councellours that were deputed to perfect his processe presently smelling out the infection of this slaunder and perceiuing that in the boulting out of this matter which notwithstanding they ought to haue done they should haue found some of the house of Guise in more fault then the Chastillons letting fall this false accusation and hauing auerred May his robberies and thefts they committed him to the wheele During the kings voyage to Bayonne wherein hee was accompanied only with Princes and Lords of the Romish religion Anotable proces in Paris betweene the Iesuites and the Vniuersitie The beginning of the Iesuites there happened a notable processe within Parris touching the Iesuites whereof I will set downe certaine notes collected verbatim out of the fourth booke of the Epistles and pleas made by me Stephen Pasquier a Councellour that pleaded for the Vniuersitie against the saide Iesuites his words are these A Nauarrois named Ignace who had beene a souldier all the daies of his life time hauing been hurt in the Towne of Pampelune while hee laye to bee healed vsed to reade the liues of holy fathers by whose examples hee determined from that time forward to frame his life Wherevppon hee entered into conference with diuers men and among the rest with one named Maister Pasquier Brouet They sware and aduowed a societie and Ignace being beheaded they made certaine voyages to Parris Rome and Ierusalem and in the end went to Venice where they continued certaine yeares And perceiuing themselues to haue many followers Their profession went to Rome where they beganne to make open profession of their order among other articles chiefely promising two things the one that their principall intent was to preach the word of God vnto the Pagans to conuert them to the faith the other freely to teach all christians the studie of learning and to accommodate their name vnto their deuotionss they called themselues religious persons of the societie of Iesus presenting themselues vnto Pope Paul the third Their name of the house of Fernese about the yeare of our Lord 1540. at the same time that the Almaines began to arme themselues against the alteration of religion and because one of the principall disputations of the Almaines was touching the authoritie of the Pope whom Martin Luther sought to deface they with a contrary profession shewed that their first vow was to acknowledge the Pope to be aboue al earthly powers At what time they began and aboue the generall Councelles and the vniuersall Church The Pope who at the first made doubt to allow them and after had permitted them to name themselues religious but with charge that they should not exceed the number of sixtie persons began to hearken to this promise and to open the gate to their deuotion and after him Pope Iulius the third vntill Pope Paul the fourth named Theatin the first Promoter of that order authorised them fully and wholly with many and great priuiledges By whom they were receiued into France Now their affaires proceeding in this sort it chanced that the Bishop of Cleremont Bastard to the Chancellour du Prat began to beare them some affection and sought to plant that order in Parris whither hee brought Pasquier Brouet with three or foure others They at their comming lodged themselues quietly in a chamber in the Colledge of Lombards and after that established their habitation in the house of Cleremont in Harp-street by the permission of him that first brought them into France celebrating their Masses and prayers vppon the Sundaies and other Festiuall daies in a Chappell that standeth at the entrie into the Chartreux How they intruded themselues And perceiuing that their affaires beganne to take effect they presented themselues diuers times before the Court of Parliament that there order might be authorised by them But the Atturney generall named Brulart Their boldnesse opposed himselfe against their requests not that hee fauoured not the Catholicque religion but for that aboue all things hee doubted and feared such nouelties as mother of many errors specially in religion Wherevppon hee shewed them that if their hearts were wholly estraunged from worldly care they might without induring any new order Who withstood them content themselues with the auncient professions of Saint Benet Clugny Cisteaux Grandmont Premonstre and others approcued by diuers Councels or with the foure orders of begging Fryers The Court not content with those oppositions wold not seem to be opinious of themselues but for the same cause had recourse vnto the facultie of Diuines who by their decree censured against them partly because that some of their proposition derogated from the priuiledges of the French Churches partly because that terming themselues religious they weare not the habit neyther yet confined themselues like vnto others within Cloysters which censure put them by their whole intent Not long after the Bishop
of Cleremont died who by his will bequeathed them great gifts those legacies by them recouered happened the first troubles at the beginning whereof the conference of the French Church was holden in Possy From that time they began to breake their long silence and againe presented a request to the Court of Parltament to be receiued and approoued if not in sorme of religion yet as a simple Colledge Their aduancement The Parliament made account that this request touched the superiors of the Church wherevpnon they referred it to the assembly at Possy where the Cardinall of Turnon was President as the eldest Prelate who had founded a company of their name within the town of Turnon by his means they obtained licence to be receiued in forme of a societie a Colledge What they obtained at the first with charge to vse some other name and title then that of Iesuites and to conforme thēselues wholly to the canonicall order without enterprising any thing either spirituall or temporal against their Ordinaries and that likewise they shuld expresly renounce those priuiledges that had bin granted them by their buls otherwise for not performance therof or that thereafter they obtain any others this approbation should be voyde and of none effect This decree was set downe word for word in the registers of the Court Not long after they bought a house within Parris in S. Ieames street called the house of Langres which they diuided in two habitations the one for the religious the other for Schollers In this cōpany were diuers learned persons among the rest Fryer Edmond Anger Maldonnat the first a great Preacher the second one that had bin instructed in all kinds of learning and languages Their supports a great Diuine and Philosopher They being sent to anounce their doctrine were wel accepted and by that means drew great numbers of Schollers vnto them and perceiuing the wind to blow with them they presented a request to the Rector of Parris to be vnited and incorporated into the vniuersitie whervpon a Congregation was assembled at the Mathurins where it was concluded Who stroue against them that they should certifie before they passed forward whether they bare the name qualitie of regulers or seculers which reduced them to great perplexitie For that to denie themselues to be regulers was as much as to falcifie their vow and to affirme it Their deniall would be a contradiction to that which had bin inioyned them at Possy whervpon for that they tooke no precise quallitie vpon them the Vniuersitie denied them their request yet for all that they yeelded not but had recourse vnto the Parliament to the end that by force they might constraine the Vniuersitie to grant that which otherwise they would not once consent vnto And it was agreed that the parties shuld plead vpon the first day of the opening of the Court These are the words of M. Stephen Pasquier adding thervnto The vniuersitie vouchsafed me the honor The Vniuersitie pleaded against them to chuse me for their Aduocate The cause was pleaded two forenoones with such contentiō as the greatnesse of the cause required M. Peter Versoris pleading for the Iesuites and I for the Vniuersitie Lowing the plea made by M. Pasquier I will set downe some chiefe and notable poynts The Iesuites cause saith he is ful of dissimulatiō hypocrisie their sect is hereafter to be but a semenarie of partiallities between the christian the Iesuite the purpose and intent tendeth only to desolation and surprising of the estate both polliticque and Ecclesiasticall They bear the name of Iesus but with a false title I am of opinion that there is not any faithful christian or good and loyal Frenchman but that wil find the reasons and conclusions of the vniuersitie to be both iust and good which is Certain allegations to be noted in the declaration of the vniuersitie that not only this new world which by a title partiall arrogant and ambitious affirmeth it selfe onely to bee of the societie of Iesus ought not to bee adopted nor incorporated into the body of our Vniuersitie but that it ought wholly to bee bannished tooted out and exterminated out of France These new bretheren vnder a beautifull title exterior shew wold enter make a breach into our peace quiet estate Ignace a maimed souldier not for the zeale and deuotion that hee bare to any new austeritie of life but perceiuing himselfe to be impotent and vnable anylonger to beare armes entered into familiaritie with certaine persons and among others with one M. Pasquier Brouet borne in Dreux a man certain exterior quallities excepted that had no learning either in humane or diuine laws These two with some others for a time kept themselues in Venice a town by certain Italian authors well knowne and acknowledged to be the receptacle of diuers and peruerse things There for a time they vsed a certain hypocriticall austeritie of life perceiuing that their superstitiō begā to be followed they were so bold as to transport themselues to Rome wher they began to publish their sect And althogh the greatest part of them were neither seen in tongues nor diuinitie yet they began openly to promise two things The one to preach the gospel to the Infidels so to cōuert them to the faith the other to teach doctrine vnto al christians without any reward For that cause taking vpō them the name of religious people as if al those that cleaued not to their sect were separated from their societie Epithetes of the Iesuites In the same plea they are quallified with the titles of Subtile Authors of a superstitious sect vnhappy weed A sect condemned by the facultie of diuinitie as being replenished with all superstition and damnable ambition inuented and admitted for the desolation of all estates either seculer or reguler men in state to grow great by other mens falles aduanced by the ambitious vnwoorthie practises of the Cardinall of Turnon their supporter impudent irreguler disobedient hypocrites ignorant Teachers and wanderers deceiuers pardoners new men patched togither of many peeces full of ambitious superstitio Then doth he proceed to lay opē their stratagems whereby they haue deuised in short time to incroach infinite wealth yea euen whole kingdomes countries Their practises to grow great that their pretended societie consisteth of two manner of people whereof the first terme themselues to be of the greater obseruance the other of the lesse The first besides the three ordinarie vowes of the Monkes doo also make a fourth and that is that they doo acknowledge him to bee Soueraigne in earth ouer all thinges without exception or reseruation in whatsoeuer it shall please him to commaund The others of lesser obseruance are bound onely to two vowes the one respecting their fidelitie that they promise to the Pope the other their obedience to their superior These latter sorts do not vow pouertie but may lawfully
for attributing to themselues the name of Iesuits deserue a shameful death And thē answering to the Iesuits vow touching the Pope Our faith saith he is otherwise We in France acknowledge the Pope for supreme head of our church with all due honor deuotion but in such sort that he is subiect to the decrees of general coūcels that he can enterprise no authoritie ouer our realm nor against the M. of our kings neither yet against the authoritie of the decrees of our Court of Parliament or to the preiudice of our diuosians in their confines and limits And thervpō he saith Iesuites chiefe creatures and right slaues to the Pope that Iohn Gerson teacheth vs in one of his books that we may well bee without a Pope in the church that it is in the power of a generall Councel to displace a Pope out of his seat therin to place an other for the ordering of the affairs of the church as in effect it was practised in the councels of Constance Basle Thus hauing learnedly pleaded for the rights priuiledges of the French church he discouereth their subtilties thefts dissimulatiōs impostures rauenings shewing by diuers examples that they are mutenous sowers of troubles Atheists and mockers of God And ending his plea said to all the Court You my Maisters that tollerate the Iesuits Vertues of the Iesuites True predition shall one day be the first Iudges of your owne condemnations when by the meanes of your permissions you shall perceiue the mischiefes that will ensue not onely in France but throughout Christendome Aduocate Mesnil who in this care pleaded for the kings Atturney propounded many matters against these sectaries who hee sufficiently prooued to bee a plague to the Realme but because of the kings voyage into Bayonne and that the Queenes councels and those of the house of Guise that ruled all tender onely but to the ruine and ouerthrow of the Prince of Conde the Admirall those of the religion the Iesuites proces was for that time ordered by the Councel that is layd vp by the walles Afterward the second and third troubles togither with the massacre ensuing the Isuites set vp their crests in earnest and compassed the straunge practises whereof ensued the horrible tragedies that were played about the end of the raigne of Henry the third as more at large shall appeare wherewith this yeare ended Now let vs consider what happened in the yeare 1567 when the troubles and miseries of France began againe The king of Spaines intent against the low countries The king of Spaine not being able to indure the increase of those of the religion in the lowe Countries much offended with them for the breaking and throwing down of Images in Flaunders Brabant and other Prouinces determined to proceed against them with fire and sword not once regarding the priuiledges of the countrie nor yet the cruel extortions and iniustices of his officers against those of the religion whose Ministers principal rulers opposed thēselues by all the means the could against the breaking of Images thrown down by a small number of men such as were of no great account in so short a time that it seemed they had fallen of themselues For the execution of this bloodie councel which had bin decreed in the League made at Bayonne Fernando Aluares de Tolede Duke of Alua that had been his Agent in Bayonne was established Liefetenant General with most ample and expresse cōmission who in the beginning of the spring in An. 1567. accompanied with his two sonnes and great troupes of men imbarking themselues at Barcelonne in the month of May arriued at Genes with an armie of 9000. The Duke de Alue commeth to torment the low countries Spaniards 1000. light-horse marched towards Millan What followed therof is at large set down in the Histories of the low Countries The Q. and the Councel of France vnder this pretence of the D. of Alues passage made a certaine report to be giuen abroad that it was to be feared that the Spaniard would attempt somewhat against France vnder pretence of going into Flanders thervpon began to leuy 6000. Switzers to keep the frontiers but not long after they were broght further into the realme for the Duches of Parma was alreadie gone out of the lowe Countries into Italie assoone as she receiued intelligence of the D. of Alues imbarking The Prince of Conde the Admiral with other Lords of the religiō Sundrie councels holden by the Prince of Conde before he entred into armes calling to mind what had past since the edict of pacification perceiuing the Switzers to enter into the realme and that the D. of Alue was alreadie arriued in the lowe Countries assembled togither in small number there they produced certaine letters intercepted from Rome and Spaine wherein the practises how to roote out the professors of the reformed religion at one instant were at large set downe In a short space they had three consultations of Vallery and Chastillon where met some ten or twelue of the chiefest Gentlemen of the religion to debate vppon the present accurrences and to seeke all lawfull and honest meanes of safterie in so many terrors without proceeding to the last refuge In the first two the opinions rested very diuers neuerthelesse rather by the Admirals counsell then otherwise euery man was intreated a while to haue patience and the rather for that in matters of such consequence as wherevppon depended so many miseries and calamities it was more necessary to be drawne in by necessitie then to make too much haste or vppon a greedie desire to runne on headlong besides that shortly matters would bee made more apparant but in the last consultation they grewe into a greater heate For besides all passed calamities or imminent daungers also that they of the religion were openly threatned throughout most townes and Prouinces that they should not long beare themselues so high and that their time drew night to an end they receiued more aduise out of sundrie places and both the Prince and Admirall did plainely affirme that they had expresse aduertisement from a certaine Courtier very well affected to those of the religiō that there had been holden a most secret Councel wherein it was concluded that they should bee seized vpon that the one should bee executed and the other detained prisoner that at the same instant two thousand Switzers shuld enter into Parris two thousand into Orleans and the remainder into Pointiers that the Edict of pacification should bee vtterly repealed and an other made quite contrary to the same Heerevppon they grewe to earnest disputation for whereas some vrged a speedie relolution of necessary defence the rather because the forraine forces marched alreadie openly for the vtter ruine of those of the religion throughout the realme others that were not altogither so hotte shewed that albeit they perceiued the fire alreadie kindled yet they could not see
any water to quench it For if wee should said they as many times heeretofore haue recourse to complaints wee doo plainly finde that so we shall sooner stirre vppe our aduersaries to more rage then procure our selues any remedie Againe if we take armes albeit it bee for our most iust necessary and vrgent defence yet what obloquie slaunder and curses shal we incurre at their hands who althogh wrongfully do impute vnto vs the whole blame of whatsoeuer miseries may ensue and will turne their rage which they cannot inflict vpon vs against our poore families scattered in sundrie places And therefore sith of many ineuitable mischiefes we are alwaies to chuse the least it were better to beare the violence of the enemie then by beginning with them to make our selues guiltie of a publicque and generall commotion Herevpon the la d'Andelot vrging the necessitie of the defensiue amongst tother speeches said If ye linger and driue off vntill ye bee banished into forraine countries cast bound into prisons ouerrunne with multitude of people contemned by the men of warre or condemned by the authoritie of the greatest all which is not now farre from vs what good shall wee reape of our patience and former humilitie what profit shall wee reape by our innocencie to whom shall we complaine nay who will affoord vs the hearing It is now time for vs to bee better aduised and to haue recourse to the defensiue which is no lesse iust theÌ„ necessary neither are we to care thogh we be accounted the Authors of the warre which is leuyed onely by thoâ—e who in so many sorts haue broken all publicque couenants and agreements and brought euen into our bowels six thousand forraine souldiers that haue alreadie in effect proclaimed it against vs. Now let vs likewise giue them so much aduantage as to smite the first blowes and so shall our mischiefes bee past all care And after many meetings and determinations had among them heerevppon they resolued vppon a prompt and readie defensiue resolution wherin there were diuers meanes disputed vpon touching the execution thereof In the end it was concluded to rise in armes and in that beginning of war to obserue foure things the first to hold but fewe townes but such as shuld bee of importance the second to raise a great armie the third to ouerthrow the Switzers by whose meanes the Catholicques would alwaies bee Maisters of the field the fourth to assay if they could driue the Cardinall of Lorraine from the Court because many imagined that hee onely was the man that still solicited the king to destroye all those of the religion But touching the two last poynts many and great difficulties were propounded some alleadging that the Cardinall and the Switzers marched continually with the king and that setting vpon the one and seeking to feare the other it would bee saide that the enterprise had been made against the Maiestie of the king and not against them Yet in fine they were confuted by this reply that the effects would plainly shew what the intent of the Prince and his associates was as the euent manifestly shewed in the actions of Charles the seuenth as then beeing but Dauphine when he raised armes yet neyther against his father nor the Realme Further that it was well knowne that the Frenchmen themselues neuer attempted any thing against their Prince Lastly that if this first successe fell out fauorably that it would be the means to cut off the course of a long and troublesom war because therby they shuld haue means to let the king know the truth of those things which were diguised vnto him wherevpon might ensue the confirmation of the Edicts specially when those that arme themselues to preuent shall finde themselues preuented The successe of the Princes resolution This as saith the Lord de la Noue in his discourses was the resolution of the Lords and Gentlemen that at that time were about the Prince who as hee addeth albeit they were men of great experience skill valor and wisdome yet al that they had so diligently pondered and so well forecast when it came to the effect fell out wonderfull short of their expectation whilest other things whereof they had so farre drempt as thinking them ouer sure or difficult redounded to their good and stood them in stead A while before they resolued vpon this necessitie as the Switzers marched on first the Prince and then the Admirall made a iourney to the Court where they declared each after other to the king to his mother and to the Councell that there was no reason neither any iust occasion to make this leuie of six thousand Switzers to bring them into the Realme vnlesse paradu enture they had some pretence to imploy them vpon the ruine of those of the religion of whom there were yet remaining a greater multitude then they imagined whereof the late warres might beare witnesse withall that if their enemies practised ought but good they would stand vpon their guard and not haue their throates cut by theeues and perturbers of the publike peace and heerevppon also they besought the king to take compassion of so many honest families throughout his Realme but they were denied and hardly intreated yea the Prince at one time was in great hazard of his life against whom the Courtiers had incensed the Duke of Aniou the kings brother who suddainly entered into a sharpe braule against him seeking all occasions to do him a shrewd turne but the Prince both wise and eloquent aunswered him so pertinently to whatsoeuer the questions and violent complaints of him whom hee was to reuerence who also was at that time inuironed with those that would not sticke to strike that the snare was broken whereby hee escaped and from that time came no more to the Court. To returne to the successe of the enterprise of the Prince and his partakers they were forced of necessitie eyther to oppose themselues against the cruell resolution of their enemirs in France The Princes preceedings or else to flie out of the Realme and so to leaue so many thousands of hou sholds families to the mercie of their massacring enemies For touching the first poynt they determined to surprise three townes onely that is Lyons Thoulouse and Troys all very commodious for the warres But the meanes vsed by those that tooke the charge vppon them were not well effected in regard they were ouer many people and of small experience and sucfficiencie in such affaires who held their consultations of that which should bee done while they lay in their beddes or sat in their counting-houses Touching their strength in field those of the religion had more in the beginning then the Catholicques but sixe weekes after the raising of armes about the end of Septemb. they found themselues the strongest whereby they constrained the Prince and the Admirall to seek refuge in Almaine from Duke Casimeire The execution against the Switzers succeeded but crosly because it
some rumours whereby the Duke de Montpensier and Martigues may bee aduertised of our departure in manner of a flight euery man seeking to saue one for this will easilie bee beleeued In the mean time let vs prepare and encourage our men to the field so that if they drawe after vs as vndoubtedly they will in hope rather of spoyle then of battell we may valiantly encounter them so shal we giue them such an ouerthrow that wee shall not need to feare any troupe that may dare to meete vs for one months space but that we may at ease either passe the riuers or get into Germanie Martiques by this passage purchased great honour but d'Andelot more commoditie by his by bringing himself all his troupes into safetie wherby within eight daies hee ioyned with the Prince Then was there sundrie consultations about their affaires how to imploye both men and the time whilest they leuyed a mightie armie for the duke of Aniou and that the duke of Montpersier assembled diuers troupes in Anion and the countries thereabout to go to it in earnest The Prince bringing some cannons out of Rochel set vpon such townes of Poitou and Xaintongue The Princes first exployts as were but weake and meanly furnished with Garrisons seizing vpon Nyort Fontenay S. Maixaut Saintes S. Iohn d'Angely Ponts and Coignac Depuys Blay and Angoulesme whereof some were gotten easily and others by force and assault To be short within two months space the Prince and his partakers of poore vacabondes as they were at the first became so wealthie that they were able to continue a long war In al these places they lodged some thirtie companies of footmen and seuen or eight cornets of horse which was a great sauing for the fielde and they formed a most pollitieque militarie order as wel for the French as for the conduct of their armie Thus throgh necessitie togither with occasion they of the religion found meanes to make vse of both and the Admiral was wont to their aduenture to attribute the ancient prouerbe of The mislocles saying to his familiers Had we not been lost we had been lost Meaning that had they not committed an ouersight they had not had so great a recouerie as that which did farre surpasse their former condition The delaies of the Romish Catholieques stood the Prince in great stead But if in time they had foreseen that those whō he had caused to dislodge in so great hast went to settle themselues farther off The delay of the one serued for the others good and made speede to impeach them by all apparance the Prince had remained inclosed within Rochell and the wars had not cōtinued But god by those obscure beginnings made an entrie into the notable iudgements which after that appeared It may be that the ioy they had at Parris to see the Townes and Prouinces left which had made so long and hard war against the Parrisians during the first second troubles made diuers of their harts so much in flamed that they disdaind their enemies that were so far off esteeming that Rochel alone could not resist them but y◠within 3. month after they shuld be inclosed therin which discourses are commonly made when our prosperitie is geater then we expect The Q. and her Councelors presently caused an edict to be published at Parris Edicts against those of the religion by y◠which after a long declaration made touching things happened to the realme by of the religion the king among other things declared that the Edict of ianuary by the which he promised the exercise of religion was but prouisionall vntill his Maioritie and that hee was not determined to haue the Edict made before that touching the religion should be any more obserued For which causes beeing atiained to the said age of Maioritie hee fore bad all exercise thereof in the countries of his obedience commaunding without reuocation that there should be no other exercise of religion but onely that of the Romish Church vpon paine of losse of bodie and goods And vppon the same paine commaunded all the Ministers of the religion to depart out of the Realme within fifteene daies after the publication thereof commaunding neuerthelesse that those of the religion should not in any sort be troubled for their consciences so they would liue peaceably in their houses At the same instant an other edict was published certifying that from thencefoorth the king intended not to bee serued with any offices beeing of that profession from that time forward discharging them of all their offices commaunding them to yeelde them vpto him within fifteene daies after otherwise hee would take some stricter order therein These Edicts had been long hatching but their hope was to intrappe the Prince and the Admirall The effects of such edicts wherein hauing failed to get mony of the Cleargie and the third estate the Queene and those of Guise serued themselues with this deuise which was to no great end For that besides the great charges of the Duke of Anious armie wherewith the most dearest Catholicques were twise greeued and offended before the warre was halfe ended diuers of the religion entered into the field who otherwise would haue stayed the rest and quietnesse promised them by the king and not haue left their houses But at this alarme they assayed to ioyne with the troupes further the commaunders sent certaine declarations into England and Almaine to shewe that they were not pursued as seditious persons or such as desired a Crown as their aduersaries reported but onely because of the religion which the Romish Catholicques sought to extirminate France which serued thē well for the furtherance of the leuie of Rutters which the next yeare came into France vnder the conduct of the Duke de Deux Ponts Also there were many about the king the Queen and the Duke of Aniou that desired nothing else but to see all the countrie flaming with fire some to robbe and spoyle without punishment others to execute their vengeances and reuenges the Pensionaries of Spaine to cause the Frenchmen to cut each others throat those of Guise by litle and litle to attaine to the aduancement of their deseignments which discouered themselues in the end of the raigne of Henry the thrid as you shall read After these Edicts the Duke of Aniou made preparation for all things necessarie for his voyage and so puissant an armie whereof by the king hee was made Lieftenant generall That which increased the Princes troupes was the Regiment of foot which Monsieur d'Acier brought out of Dauphine Prouence and Languedoc not long before the Prince had written vnto him as also to diuers Captaines in those Prouinces that they should vse all the means they could to prouide him a certaine number of men therewith to withstand the armie royall that came to assayle him that the Princes Lords and other commaunders might not indure so great disaduantage to bee assieged within a towne
answered that for the losse of such a battell their hope in the strong God of whose aide they were assured was not diminished And the next day after this parley was made the sallie aforesaid wherein Partso◠was slaine and at their returne into the towne they sung the 50. Psalme beginning The mightie God c. And not long after Martigues felt that the strong God is liuing to ayde the weake and to abate those that thinke themselues to be stronger then he During this batterie la Motte Puiols and S. Seurin with eightie horse and two hundreth foot made a braue sallie vpon the besiegers court of guard which consisted of foure Ensignes slew fiftie or sixtie of the principall wounded a great number cloyed sixe coluerins and burned fifteen barrels of powder belonging to the munition also la Motte charged the Switzers that kept the store house wherein were some hundreth barrels and more slew part of the Switzers and scarred the rest so that had they not made speede to the rescue all the powder of the armie had vanished in smoke The besieged retired with two Ensignes many drūmes weapons great bootie without losse of any one man Afterward the furie of the cannon was redoubled and the besiegers resolued to abide but not to fight but with cannon shot Finally the siege hauing continued for the space of two monethes there was a capitulation signed with the kings owne hand importing that the besieged should issue out with their goods armes and horses their Ensignes wound vp and that for the space of foure monethes after they should not beare armes for the generall cause of the religion that as well straungers as others might retire whither they would with all securitie and that they should be conducted by Biron Cosseins Now it remained that they should prouide to depart the next day being the third of Decemb. which they did euery man as well as hee might In the meane time the sicke and wounded the aged impotent and women tooke on mightily neither was there anything heard but weeping and lamentation especially at the departure which was about noone The Duke of Aumale was at the gate of Mattas where the footemen were the first that came forth The vn worthee dealing with those that came foorth of Saint Iohn d'Angelie vpon compesition vnder the leading of Captaine Serido and other Captaines to whom Marshal Vieillenille said Follow me and let your men come after you Beeing come to the midst of the subburbs the Romish Catholicquesouldiers began to discharge vppon therest and with force draue them into their lodgings where they stripped them of their armes apparrel and mony the marshal being hereof aduertised commanded his mēto follow him with their weapons readie but as he ran one way there was much iniurie offered an other Whervpon Serido went twise to complain to the D. d'Aumale and to summon him to see the kings promise performed but Aumale in liew of going himselfe commanded certaine Captaines to take order for it About 50. paces without the subburbs stood the D. of Aniou whose countenance did somwhat represse the insolencie of the Rutters but so soone as they were passed him his foot mē spoiled their cariages seized vpō their spare horses set the horsemē besides their saddles robbed them Neither did they the escaped this first spoyle go scot free for passing by S. Iulians which was halfe a league of they incurred greater iniuries then before The regiment of Sarrieu that stood there at guard suffered not any to escape but tooke from them all that they could finde euen to their hose and shooes yea sometimes to the very shirt Many were beaten murthered and slaine and some cast into the riuer Thus were the footemen intreated that vppon the kings faith royall came foorth of S. Iohn d'Angely The horsemen at their departure did Biron and Cosseyns bring foorth which notwithstanding they were stripped by their carriages armour and horses and being passed Saint Iulians three cornets appoynted for their conduct began to strip and iniurie any that scattered neuer so little yea euen at Siech whither they were that day to march diuers were robbed stripped and slaine And the next day vppon the way to Saint Cibardean this disorder continued to the contempt and infamie of the authoritie royall notwithstanding the kings safe conduct his Herault and Trumpet whom Biron had commanded to bring them to Angoulesme where both foote and horse thus hardly intreated arriued vppon Sunday the fourth of December about tenne of the clocke in the morning where they were honeftly receiued by the Lord of Mesines the Gonernour and diuers other Lords and Gentlemen that wondred at the former treacherie and aduised to complaine to the king and other principall men and to craue amends Aumale and the rest made much ado but in wordes onely so that thus the solemne promise was broken and the dignitie royall exposed to infamie neither could the Captains notwithstanding their complaints procure any satisfaction Indeede some fewe of the veriest rascals and treachers were bannished the campe and recompence promised for the loft baggage besides that the king seemed to be mightily discontent that his name shuld be so villainously prophaned but this second promise was as well obserued as the first Piles and some others accounting themselues in regard of this treacherie freed from their promise contained in one of the articles of the capitulation departed from Angoulesme and went to the Princes notwithstanding the disturbance by Vauguyon and eight Cornets of horse offered at the passage ouer Dordogne In this siege the assaylants loft aboue 10000. men of war and discharged 35000. cannon shot 25. or 30. commissaries of the artillerie were slaine by the besieged who for want of munition let 12. or 15. peeces mounted vpon wheeles stand vnoccupied many left the campe which found it selfe diminished of 18. or 20000. men yet litle esteemed in respect of the D. de Martigues and other cōmanders Whilest the Romish Catholicques armie lay spending thēselues before S. Iohn d'Angely la Chastre and others warred vpon the religious in Berry the borders with variable successe on both sides The protestants in two or three places trusting to their enemies promises were hardly intreated but they had their reuenge by weapons and valiant resistance in sundrie places where they bare out sundrie assaults forced their enemies to retire The kings armie by want of victuals and other discommodities presently after went from Saint Iohn de Angely leauing the Princes and the Admirall to thinke vpon their voyage And the king about the end of the yeare went to Anger 's assigning the Princes Deputies to bee there in the beginning of Ianuary to intreat of peace The King 1570. the Queene the Duke of Aniou and their Councell thinking that the Princes had lost courage and after the battell of Montcontour Why a parley of peace was made about the beginning of the yeare to be wholly destitute
of all means to ayde themselues determined to sound them to see if they would enter into request and acceptation of peace hoping that hauing brought them to the poynt there could bee no condition how hard soeuer it were but they would gladly accept it so they might bee assured of their liues and the possession of their goods in their houses And according to this aduise in the moneth of Nouember 1569. a meeting was practised betweene the Marshall de Cosse and the Deputies of the Queene of Nauarre the Deputies hauing presented their articles although the matter ought rather to bee handled by conference then by writings which haue no replies the meanes therein vsed and the delaies practised for aunswering therevnto made the Princes know and perceiue that their enemiesment to helpe themselues by that deuice to hinder their affaires After the first audience giuen vnto their Deputies they were giuen to vnderstand that the king could not indure the exercise of their religion and that they ought to content theÌ„selues with the libertie of their consciences An other deuice was wrought which was that messengers were sent into England and Almaine to certifie them that the peace was made by that meanes to stay the ayde that they might procure from thence And on the other side Postes went in all haste to procure money and forraine souldiers They discouered diuers practises against them both within without the Realme the effect beeing that first they would disarme them and then vse them and all those of the religion as the iudgement giuen against the Admiral sufficiently shewed Notwithstanding they determined to send Messieurs de Beauuais la Nocle Theligny to Anger 's to enter into conference with the kings commissioners and on the other side to pursue their warlike affaires and so make peace with weapon in hand After the battel of Moncontour we see how the forces of the Protestants were scattered in diuers Prouinces Such as were dispearsed in Berry determined through intelligence with a certaine souldier that betrayed them The Progresse of the warlike exployts in Poictou against the Prostestants to surprize Bourges but missing of their purpose by a counter intelligence lost in that exployt some 30. men besides as many more taken prisoners hauing but homely entertainment with the cannon were forced to retire from the town wherto they had brought 1000. horse 2000. foot The Countie of Lude Puigaillard Sanzay Colonel of the Arrierebands of France after the recouerie of Poictou got possessions of Marans wherby the whole Prouince round about was won for the Princes except Angoulesme and Rochel where the Protestants were shut vp after that Sanzay had gotten the Castle of Beauâ—oir on the sea from yong Rohan Lusignon was lost through the cowardize of the Barron of Mirambean whom the souldiers made their scoffing stock witnesse the scoffe of the L. of Losses who comming to speake with the Queen of Nauarre at Rochel saide openly that Mirambeau came to composition not for want of victual or munition but be cause he could get no more mustard to eate with his poudered beese The Councel weening to terrifie the L. of Pardaillan Gouernour of Blay caused the King to write his letter vnto him importing both threats and promises to cause him to yeelde vp the place which gotten they hoped to haue Rochel cheape ynogh which he held for the Princes into the haÌ„ds of Lansac who in his letters threatened Pardaillon in case he denied to obey But Pardaillan answered the K. discreetly and Lansac as couragiously to whom hee wrote thus You can conceiue no greater greefe in enterprising to force mee in this place then I should by yeelding reape shame losse hinderance and confusion whereto I doubt not to put you or any other that shall put mee to it Neither am I or any vnder my charge so base minded to graunt you any greater aduantage then the like force as you pretend against vs. Lansac finding nothing to bee had there but stripes turned an other way and tried Romegou the Gouernour of Tayllebourg whose aunswere was not vnlike to Pardaillans Then because the Isles of Xaintongne Marennes and Brouage had much molested the armie that besieged Saint Iohn d'Angely by letting their Garrisons rode vp and downe and cut off their victuallers they now sent the Countie of Lude Puigaillard and Riuiere Puitaille with eight cornets of horse and twentie Ensignes of foote who tooke all by force and there slew the remainder of the Lansquenets that escaped at the battell of Moncontour so as there were left aliue not aboue three hundreth fighting men or thereabout Whilest the wars continued in those quarters in a rode they caught a souldier whom Riutere Puitaille sought to practise for the surprising of Rochel Sundrie warlike exployts on either part in Poictou Guyenne but the souldier laboured a double intelligence whereby Riuiere and others in hope to take had almost been taken but hauing warning thereof by the way they returned to their Garrisons On the other side la Noue the Princes Lieftenant in Guyen sought to recouer Brouage a place that greatly annoyed the Rochellers but as hee went about it hee discouered an other enterprise practised by the Barron de la Garde against Thonne Charente so as the purposes of the one countermaunded the other At that time which was the beginning of the yeare Rochel was as it were blocked vp on euery side For towards Poictou the Countie of Lude and Puigaillard had a great armie Riuiere Puitaille the elder held Marans and other places thereabout and the younger commaunded in Brouage Landereau the Viceadmirall a sworne enemie to the religion which before himselfe had professed lay in Olone then the Brittons and Bourdelois by sea did what they could to cut off all victuall from Rochel wherein also the Barron de la Gard then Generall of the galleyes did greatly annoy them running many times euen to their hauen He now to the end on all sides to blocke vp the towne with the helpe of the yonger Puitaille broached a practise against Thonne Charente to the effecting whereof he sent Captaine Beaulieus Lieftenant to make the first descent La Noue vnderstanding his deuice vndertooke to keepe the place and so ordered his Harquebusiers that had they forborne vntill the souldiers of this Galley had landed they had caught either dead or aliue not onely these but also their followers who came onâ— row into Charente and so purposing to land had cast away themselues in Sparte But they forgetting their Captaines direction so soone as Beaulieus Lieftenant was comming on shore receiued him with such a storme of shot that they slew him and l'Argoussin withall they proclaimed libertie to the Galley-slaues who therevppon let go their owers and so la Noue tooke the Galley and all that was in it The prisoners were carried to Rochel and the Galleye to Taillebourg wherewith as also with an other Romegouse did afterward make sundrie
voyages and tooke diuers prizes from the Romish Catholicques The Barron retired with his losse broght his Gallies back to Brouage where he practised by pollicie that which he could not compasse by force but he lost both time men and money to bee briefe hee did iust nothing First parley of peace The Princes Deputies arriued in Anger 's in the moneth of February to parley of a peace the king hauing vnderstood their declarations demands made aunswere that for their exercise of religion they should be permitted to dwell and liue peaceably within his Realme in libertie of conscience without beeing troubled in their houses And for securitie he graunted them two Townes which Biron should nominate wherin they might do as they thought good without interruption with condition that there should bee some sufficient Gentleman appoynted to be superintendant ouer those places to see that nothing should bee done by them contrarie to the authoritie of the king and his Realme Minding that in France there should bee no Ministers nor any other exercise of religion then his owne they should bee restored vnto their offices except to such as by iniustice they hadde bin put from And by the kings commaundement who had sold them to get mony for the affaires of warre hee demaunded to haue them disarmed that they should speedily discharge their forraine souldiers and yeeld vp all the towns holden by them The Deputies hauing other commission hauing conferred with the Queene and the Kings Councell at Chasteaubruiant in Brittaine returned to the Princes without any conclusion for that time During these affaires VVar about Rochel Puigallard with other the Captaines thereabout determined to inclose Rochel and to that end beganne at Marsilli Enandes Noaille and other hamlets within a league or two But Scipion an Italian Enginer to whom the Princes in consideration of his seruice had giuen the reuenues of Noaille vnderstanding what was done with the helpe of la Noue and Puuiauts shot surprised the enemie in the village and slew a good number The others that were shut vp in the Castle with condition of life and goods yeelded to Noue who was come with some forces out of Rochel The same time died Riuiere Puitaille the Elder and Gouernor of Marans wherevppon la Noue Puuiaut and other Captaines determined to seize vpon the Burrough Castle and Bastille of Marans where the new Gouernour named Chaperon found as small obedience as might bee Their enterprise they happily atchieued stripped Chaperon whom they sent emptie away turned a companie of Italians that held the Bastille and were loth to fight too long into their hose and dubblets and their weapons purses garments and horses furnished Captaine la Gardes souldiers A notable ouer throw in fauour of the Rochelers This conquest gotten toward the ende of February awaked the enemies Garrisons round about whom la Noue pursued so hotly that he draue them out of tenne or twelue fortes about Rochel Then tooke he in hand an enterprise against the sonnes of Olone which failing the first time by reason of the roughtnesse of the sea which kept away fiue hundreth shot that should haue come in Barques Chaluppes and other small boates vnder the leading of Captaine Sore was set on foote againe the fifteenth of March and so resolutely prosecuted that the defendants were forced and for the most part slaine Landereau who commanded in that place carried to Rochel where in regard of his intollerable demeanours hee had been executed had it not beene for such protestant Gentlemens sakes as beeing in many places prisoners might therevpon haue beene the more hardly intreated the burrough was giuen in pillage where the souldiers found a wonderful bootie much goods and plentie of siluer readie quoined there were taken sortie good vesselles and many prisoners that remained of foure hundreth slaine in fight The Conquerers tooke also aboue thirtie small peeces of artillerie besides what was in the shippes A gallant fight of an English ship against fiue gallies About the same time the Barron de la Garde weening to recouer his losses sought in a calme with his fiue Gallies to inuest an English shippe of 25. or thirtie tunne that ridde neare to Rochel laden with marchandize But the Englishmen bare themselues so couragiously that the Barron with the losse of fiftie men whom the English slew with their muskets and cannons was glad to returne emptie with his gallies shrewdly brused The Englishmen lost tenne men and all his tackles which was torne but the Queene of Nauarre gaue him in recompence one of the shippes that was taken from Landereau These fresh springs of the Rochelers procured the sending of Puigaillard with fourteen companies of the ordenances ninteen Ensignes of footmē to warre vvpon them Fernaques who lay in Fontenay with seuen score sallets made an enterprise against Langon and the foord of Velugre which hee wonne taking at the foord thirtie prisoners killing eight souldiers which cost him fifteene of his The taking of this place with the losse of Lucon did greatly annoy Marans and Rochel and therefore the same day that the Italians came to lye at Saint Gemme namely the seuen and twentieth of March la Noue departed Exployts of both parties in Giuenne Xantoigne Angulmois and entering into Lucon put the keepers to flight and ledde away their horse but in his returne the Italians of Saint Gemme followed him with a pretence to charge vppon him yet seeing their leader a man of valor named Sforce beaten downe and slaine they retired Puigaillard taking the fields surprised the Tower of Maric the Castle of Greue Talmond and the Castle of Chise otherwise not greatly regarding whatsoeuer his capitulations with such as hee besieged On the other side Puuiaut Gouernour of Marans went forth the foureteenth of Aprill against Captaine Dante who with his cornet ouerranne all the countrie of Poic̄tou Him he surprised at Tire flew in the place and ouerthrew his companie which neuer after did any thing as being for the most part all wounded or slaine Young Riuiere Puitaille and Guitiuiere Gouernour of Saint Iohn d'Angely that came to the siege of Chise in their returne were charged by Chaumont and Goulene with two Cornets out of Angoulesme where Guitiuiere being slaine Riuiere saued himselfe their men defeated left two auncients behinde them which were carried to Rochel The Garrison of Angoulesme that held for the Princes hearing that Captaine Herbelet with his company and two companies of Italians fouraged those parts sent foorth the Lord de Coignees with two hundreth horse who finding himselfe inclosed betweene Herbelet the Italians resolued to charge the foremost which he so valiantly performed that Herbelet was slaine his corner taken and his men either killed or taken prisoners Then prosecuting his victorie hee set vpon the Italians entered their troupes put some to the sword led away the rest and wonne some hundreth or sixe score horse about the fiue and twentieth of
May. Second parley of peace I said before that the first aunswere made by the king to Messieur de Teligny de Beauuais and la Nocle Deputies for the Princes to parley of a peace at Anger 's was such that after it the warre was rather increased then diminished For those of the religion perceiuing that they sought onely to ouerthrow and destroy them determined to proceed and to make of necessitie a vertue And as time breedeth changes those that happened were to their aduantages in such sort that their courages were increased and their hopes fortified The king the Queen and their Councell perceiuing that since the losse receiued before Saint Iohn d'Angely they found themselues new to beginne determined to beginne a parley of peace wherein for their part Biron was imployed with charge as like wise Teligny Deputie for the Princes to say vnto the Admirall that the king and the Queen his mother desired more then euer they did to receiue him into their fauours with many such like words whereof the effects may well bee seen in the discourse of the yeare 1572. The king was greeued that the continuance of warre bereaued him of his pleasures ouerthrew the loue and obedience due vnto him fouraged his countrie diminished his treasures and consumed his forces His wicked Councellours ceased not to kindle in his heart the fier of rancor and desire of reuenge against the Admirall his associates and all those of the religion because of the iourney of Meaux in the beginning of the second troubles and of so many resistances as they had made The Queen his mother was much offended because that from the beginning of the first troubles it was discouered that her intents were to rule and to cause the one part to spoyle the other Her chiefe obiect beeing wholly against those of the religion specially against the Admirall and other commaunders There was too much paine and daunger to bring them to her bow by dint of sword murtherers and impoysoners durst hardly approach the Princes applyed themselues to the time and from their youths beganne to know the friends and enemies of rest and quietnesse of France On the other side the Queen of Nauarre and the Admirall as also diuers great Lords of their part affected to the good of the Common-wealth and foreseeing that the ingrafted enemies thereof desired nothing but the weakning of the same by the meanes of ciuill warres there to erect their practises and to open the way to their ambitious deuises desired by an assured peace to see some end of the miseries of France hoping that mens mindes being somewhat cooled good counsell would bee taken for the benefit of the Common-wealth to the vtter confusion of the secret and open enemies thereof the diuine prouidence of the almightie God and ruler of the world directeth our affaires partly according to our desires but for the most part it guideth all things in such manner that calling to mind that which past after vntill the death of the Duke of Aniou which was Henry the third wee cannot marke nor say otherwise but that the iudgements of God are vnsearchable and that his waies are impossible to bee found out To returne vnto the Princes they were constrained after the battell of Of the great voyage made by the Princes after thâ—ir tourney of Moncontour vntill the peace Moncontour to keepe themselues farre from the Dukes armie to assure their troupes to stay their enemies about townes and so to consume them while they strengthened themselues and became busier then before thereby to constraine those that tooke so much pleasure in war to seeke for peace This counsel was good because of the improuidence of the Romish Catholicks who without resistance suffering this smal snowball to retire in time it became as great as a house for that the authoritie of the Princes drew and moued many people The Admiral by his prouidence surmounted the occurrent difficulties and the Rutters to the number of three thousand horse for the field gaue reputation to the armie They indured much vntill they entered into Gascon where they strengthened themselues with Harquebusiers beeing most necessarie for them specially to defend the horsemen nightly surprises much vsed in that countrie because of the nearenesse of Townes and Castles They were mingled among the Cornets of Rutters and other French troupes in such sort that both plaine countries and couert they were alwaies ready to defend theÌ„ Staying of the Princes Armie The longest way that this demy armie made was towards Agenois and Quercy where it stayed almost all the winter and by the good entertainment it receiued there both great and little spedde wel In this voyage the Princes abandoned the enemies countrie for a pray vnto their souldiers and whosoeuer would hazard wanted no meanes those Prouinces were so abundant Monluc went about to hinder their passage ouer Garonne but the diligence of la Loue that ledde the Princes light-horse hauing taken those places that serued for resistance forced him in all haste to retire to Agen so that in the moneth of December 1599. all the armie passed ouer Garonne at Saint Maries port without impeachmeÌ„t at the second time for at the first Monluc had broken their bridge The twentieth of the same moneth Captaine Piles ioyned with the Princes armie and hauing obtained three Cornets made them flye that followed him so neare La Loue and his Argolitiers made diuers courses and picorees into Agenois and the countries thereabout The first forces that ioyned with the Princes were those of the Countie Montgommery comming from Bearn and it is not to bee doubted if he were welcommed at his returne The two and twentieth of December Bole a strong Towne was taken that done Exployts of this armie in their voyage that armie went to lye at the Bastille Saint Surin two leagues from Thoulouse The next day and others ensuing beganne a manner of war most violent by reason of the burnings that were permitted to be made about that great Towne onely vpon the houses of Presidents and Councellours of the parliament it beeing alleaged that they had been most earnest and as it were inraged to burne and massacre those of the religion beheaded Captaine Rapin that brought them the Edict of peace from the king and committed diuers insolencies oppressions for the which as then it was requisite to punish them for that omitting that occasion it would possible not be found againe The Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc la Valette and diuers others of account were within Thoulouse accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen and 9000. harquebusiers as well straungers as of the countrie wherewith they made many sallies with diuers effects yet neuer went farre from their walles for fear of some surprise after Thoulouse had receiued those small checkes the armie went towards Carmaine Thoulouse checked a small towne which was forced and such as resisted put to the sword The like was done to those
that hee died immediately To be briefe the Protestants tooke from them all that they held about Rochel excrept Saint Iohn d'Angely where they nestled themselues The Barron de la Garde had for a while kept the sea with his Gallies but hearing of the taking of Bronage hee retired toward Bourdeaux whilest Sore for the Princes scoured the Ocean where hee daily light vppon some bootie Among other his exployts about the beginning of Iuly hee tooke a Portugall shippe laden among other marchandize with some fortie Iesuites that were trauelling toward India but they were stayed and the most part leaped ouer-boord This victorious successe of the Protestants in Poictou and Xaintongne were the occasion that to preuent any greater conquests the Prince d'Auphin was appoynted to come down into Poictou there to reassemble Puigaillards forces which now hopped but vpon one legge Succourd deputed for Puigaillard and those of the Countie of Lude to the end to come to some new practise The eleuenth of August after the two great armies lying about the riuer of Loire newes was brought vnto them of a peace agreed vpon between the king and the Princes all precedent modifications and restrictions abolilished the second Edict of peace confirmed and allowed The 3. Edict of peace this peace was receiued of all men with hope of revnion betweene the two parties through all the Realme The peace published in the Campes and Townes the armies were discharged assoone as they had conducted their straungers into Lorraine and the Princes accompanied with Countie Lodowicke in the beginning of October returned to Rochel the king by the Edict granted foure Townes Rochel Montauban Cognac and la Charite Townes for assurance to bee kept in the Princes names for the space of two whole yeares for assurance of this third Edict of pacification in the pursuite whereof Teligny after sonne in lawe to the Admiral and Beauuais la Nocle imployed themselues most faithfully with great credite and reputation of all men Touching the Admirall if there were any Commaunder on both sides that desired peace it was hee as by letters dated the second of March at Montreal hard by Carcassonne written to the king the Queen and the Duke of Anion appeared For being friend to militarie discipline abolished in those miserable ciuill warres and enemie of vices oftentimes beholding such disorder hee said that if it pleased God to send peace in France hee would desire to die a thousand deaths rather then to fall againe into those confusions The Admirall desireth peace and once againe to see such mischiefes leauing to all the rest of the commanders the praise which they obtained if in ciuil wars praise may be giuen it may be said that the Admiral trauelled much both in bodie mind hauing sustained the heauiest part of the affairs of the wars with much cōstancie fidelitie facilitie and behauing himselfe with as great reuerence towards the Princes his superiours as modestie to his inferiors he neuer spake of the king the Queen the Duke of Aniou and those whom hee knew to bee his capitall enemies but with honour without subtiltie or counterfeit speeches beeing the man among all those of the religion specially among the Commaunders in the warre who in a speciall manner reposed himselfe vppon the prouidence of God The prisoners that fell into his hands were fauourably vsed by him as courteous when hee had put vp his swoord as fierce when he held it naked in hand Pittie by him was alwaies had in singular cōmendation as also loue to iustice wherein hee continued both priuate and publike in time of peace and warre vntill hee died which made him both esteemed and honored by those whose part hee held Hee sought not ambitiously to haue commaundements and honours but shunning them hee was constrained to accept them by reason of his wisedome good gouernment in mannaging armes it might well be seene that hee had as good knowledge therein as any Captaine of his time and alwaies exposed himself couragiously in any dangers wise in counsell and valiant in fight in aduersities magnanimious and adorned with wisedome to auoydethem And to conclude hee was a man most woorthie and fitte to restore and re-establish a feeble and corrupt estate but it appeared in an vnfit time and that which after happened vnto him she weth an exterior apparance that vertue is but hardly assured heere on earth Peace concluded and published as it hath beene said the Admirall Teligny la Noue and diuers others withdrew themselues neare vnto the Princes in Rochel there with more securitie to attend the aduancement and execution of the Edict They put Garrison for the Princes in the Townes of assurance except in Rochell which was maintained in her auncient priuiledges The Emperour Maximilian the second not long after married his eldest daughter to Phillip king of Spaine his brother in lawe So that the vncle married the Neece The king married to Elizabeth of Austria Elizabeth his youngest daughter was after giuen in marriage to king Charles the ninth whom hee espoused in the Towne of Mezieres about the end of Nouember and the foure and twentieth of December going to Parris at Villiers coste Rez hee gaue audience to the Ambassadors of Almaine that desired vnto he made an answere that contented them wherewith they were honourably discharged About the same time the Princes exhibited sundrie complaints concerning the Edict by the hands of Briquemaut Teligny Beauuais la Nocle and Cauagnes Teligny was the chiefe Agent and seemed to bee highly in the kings fauour to whom he propounded the complaints of the Protestants wherevpon the king sent forth sundrie Commissioners throghout al the Prouinces of his kindome among other the Marshal de Cosse togither with Proutiere Maister of Requests who made a voyage to Rochel as well to conferre with the Queene and Admirall concerning some conuenient means to maintaine the realme in peace as for other matters that we will shortly speake of The first of Ianuary there beganne a conference betweene the Marshall de Cosse and la Proutiere with the Admirall and other Deputies for the Queen of Nauarre and the Princes at Rochel Proceeding with the Q. of Nauarre the Princes the Admiral and those of the religion in the second yeres of peace that the third edict of pacification continued touching the difficulties and interpretations of diuers articles of the Edict On both sides complaints were made touching the infraction thereof with long replies whereof ensued certaine resolutions that were to bee sent vnto the king I his assembly serued for a couerture to a parley of a marriage betweene Henry de Bourbon Prince of Nauarre and Ladie Margaret sister to the king as also to a conference with the Admirall touching the warre which the king said hee would beginne against the king of Spaine in the lowe Countries And all this propounded and deuised to drawe the Queene of Nauarre the Princes and the Admirall to the
Court of France with all their principall seruants and there to giue them that entertainment which after fell out In March the Romish Catholicques at Roane murthered diuers protestants as they returned from a Sermon and beate others shrewdly meaning to haue proceeded further had not Marshal Montmorencie whom the king sent made the more haste to suppresse the violence of the seditious who after many pursuites hanged vp three or foure the rest escaped albeit 400. were guiltie of innocent blood Sixe weekes before the protestants had been most cruelly murthered at Aurange by their enemies whom Berchon soone after made Gouernour by Countie Lodowic found means to intrap and punish accordingly Not long after by the kings consent those of the religion were taxed to paye the 5. part of their reuenue towards the payment of the Rutters which produced much discontentmēt About the same time the king and the Queene made their enterie vpon seuerall daies into the capitall towne of the Realme with great pompe The protestants also held a Sinode nationall at Rochel wherein they confirmed the articles of the confession of their faith and discipline of their Churches in the presence of the Queene of Nauarre the Princes and many other of the Principall among them The king hauing made his entrie the eleuenth of March the Queene beeing crowned the 25. of the same moneth at Saint Deunis and the 29. receiued with great magnificence into Parris hee went to sit in his place of iustice in the Parliament where hee made a long Oration to his officers of the Court for the obseruation of his Edicts In witnesse whereof in the moneth ensuing the people of Parris beganne to mutine against those of the religion sacked certaine houses and began to proceed further prouoked by their Preachers because of a certaine Crosse placed in S. Dennis street in a place where in times past stood the house of Phillip de Gastines rased to the ground because that certaine sermons and the Lords Supper had beene made and celebrated therein Gastines for that cause hauing been executed to death during the troubles that had beene carried into S. Innocents Church-yeard This mutinie appeased the king that shewed great fauor to Teligny his companions sent them to the Q. of Nauarre the Princes in Rochel to assure them that all his desire was to maintaine the peace that for his owne part he bare them great affection procuring that the Q. his mother the Duke of Aniou his brother should from day to day leaue off their rigors And at their departure gaue them diuers presents giuing them likewise to vnderstand that his minde was to proceede with war against the Spaniard in the low Countries and to marrie his sister to the Prince of Nauarre Biron was sent after to certifie the like and men began to speake of that marriage in diuers sorts their opinions being diuided some esteeming it to bee a snare to intrap those of the religion others deeming the contrarie The king caused certaine consultations to be made in Rome because of the alliance between both the parties Pope Pius the fist seemed to bee much troubled about the same for that effect sending Cardinal Salutati into France who hauing had certaine conference by word of mouth with the king returned satisfied The effect of that the king said vnto him was that the king would alwaies shewe himselfe to deserue the name of the eldest sonne of the Romish Church and that all his intents tended to no other end but only to the suretie honour and aduancement of the Catholicque religion whereof the Pope should receiue great testimonies before long time should passe But notwithstanding that diuers maruelled much at this suddaine alteration of the king the Queene of Nauarre much sought vnto by diuers great persons of both partes went to the king followed by the Countie Lodowicke great numbers of Nobilitie The king and the Queene his mother were at Blois where they receiued and welcommed her with great ioy and good countenance and after many disputations touching diuers particular poynts specially the cerimonies the agreement vpon the marriage of her sonne with the kings sister was concluded and the place of the espousals assigned at Parris Not long after the Prince her son accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen came to Blois where the marriage of Nenry de Bourbon Prince of Conde with the yongest daughter of the house of Neuers was agreed vpon During these parleyes of mariages with the Princes the Admirall that had buried Ladie Charlotte de Laual his wife a woman of excellent pietie that died at Orleans in the second troubles beeing in Rochel married the Counties of Ancremont in Sauoy and gaue Louyse his daughter in marriage to Monsieur de Teligny At the Court one named Lignerolles a simple Gentleman made knight of the Order Captaine of a company of launciers Gouernor of Bourbonnois and one of the Duke of Anious mignions was slaine openly in the Court for discouering certain of his Maisters secrets Lignerolles slaine by the D. cōmitted vnto him touching the enterprise that was ment against those of the religion On the other side Death of the Cardinall of Chastillon the Cardinal of Chast being readie to depart out of England to go to his brother the Admiral was poysoned by one of his Chamberlains and died to the great great griefe of all his friends and seruants The prisoner that did the fact beeing after taken at Rochel was executed Articles of marriage betweene the Prince of N. and the kings sister This is the yeare wherein is set downe the arriuing of the Queen of Nauarre the Princes and the Admirall in the Court the articles of the marriage of the prince of Nauarre and the kings sister were made at Blois the eleuenth of Aprill The Countie Lodowicke at the same time trauelled with the king touching warres to bee made in Flaunders to the which ende preparations were made at sea by Strossy and the Barron de la Garde but at the end of three moneths Flaunders was found to be Rochel Long before the king had caused the Admirall to bee solicited to come vnto the Court and to drawe him thither hee caused those of Guise to retire who thereat counterfetted to bee discontent The Marshall de Montmorency by letters assured his Cousin the Admirall that the king was fully determined to make them friends and to reconcile him with the Duke of Guise the better to be serued by him and his Councell touching the affaires of his Realme and beganne to fauour those of the religion and to put the Admirall out of all distrust the king sent him letters that he might bring fiftie Gentlemen armed with him vnto the Court whither in fine the Marshall de Cosse conducted him with diuers Gentlemen At his comming hee was honourably receiued and welcommed by the king that called him his father Welcomes to the Admirall and others of the religion in the Cout
time was Captaine Minguetiere sent away with a shippe well fraught and a Portingall an excellent Seaman Sundrie practises to discouer the landing places about Perou and to espie some meanes to molest the Spaniard But withall giuing notice of his voyage hee was followed and set vpon neare the Isle of Hispaniola where his men were slaine and himselfe put to the Gallies The Admirall himselfe was set on worke with the practising of a league with the Germaine Princes and the Duke of Florence was solicited to lend money to prosecute the warres in Flaunders for the which Saucourt Ienlis and la Noue leuied souldiers In the beginning of May the king desired the Queene of Nauarre to go to Parris there to prouide for all things necessarie for the marriage Where shee arriued the fifteenth day of the same moonth and the fourth of Iune fell sicke of a feuer proceeding as some sayde from her lights where of long time certaine impostumes had bredde which beeing mooued and stirred by great heates and by an extraordinarie trauell which shee alwaies tooke while shee was in health inflamed and bredde that feuer Death of the Queene of Nauarre whereof she died within fiue daies after to the great sorrow and extreame griefe of all her seruants Three daies after she fell sicke beeing in perfect memorie shee made a most christian testament and last will dying with the witnesse and testimonie of singular pietie and ioy in God She was a Princesse of great experience both by many aduersities wherein she shewed an inuincible constancie and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her religion very careful of the bringing vp of her children in the feare of God charitable towards them whom shee often aduertised of their duties in words most graue and full of motherly affection she had a readie wit and well aduised but indowed with great zeale and integritie pittifull and easie to bee perswaded no offender could auoyde her censure shee opposed her selfe against vices and liberally maintained that which shee iudged to bee good and conformable to the will and pleasure of God Prosperitie hindered her her mind much giuen to pleasant conceits being of a leane complexion and very agreeable with her ingeniositie hauing great viuacite to comprehend all things and grace liuely to represent them by writing or word of mouth with a iesture of all the bodie and a countenance well liked of all men shee died in the foure and fortieth yeare of her age vppon the ninth of Iune Some say shee was poysoned by the smell of certaine perfumes and to bereaue men of that opinion shee was opened and curiously visited by learned Doctors and Surgions that found all her noblests parts to bee very faire and whole onely the lights perished on the right side wherein had ingendered an extraordinary hardnesse and a great impostume a disease which they all so farre as lay in man iudged to bee the cause of her death They were not commaunded to open her braine where the mischiefe lay by which means they could not giue aduise but vppon the outward apparance Certaine daies after the king desired his brother in law the king of Nauarre to go to Parris there to solemnize his marriage as it had beene agreed betweene them While that at Blandie in Brie preparation was made for the marriage of the Prince of Conde that married his wife in the beginning of the moneth of August The Admirall at that time lay in his house of Chastillon sur Loing where hee receiued many letters and messages from the king The Admirall commeth to Parris and because he stirred not the king sent Cauagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him to determine vppon the wars of Flaunders and special commandement was giuen to the Prouost of Merchants in Parris other the chief mē to take order that not any noise nor rumor should be vsed or raised at the Admirals ariuall in the town who beeing prouoked by so many men and desirous to bannish warres out of France measuring the kings thoughts by his owne resolued to ride to Parris without staying at the many and diuers aduertisments of his seruants and other honourable persons most affected to his preseruation that both within and without the Realme desired him that seeing he could not conceiue any sinister opinion of the king Confidence of the Admirall his mother and the rest that at the least he would consider into what place he went about to thrust himselfe and among so many enemies but hee resting vppon the testimonie of a good conscience and the prouidence of God remitting those aduises as if they proceeded from men couetous and desirous of new troubles which hee abhorred woorse then death went with a small company and beeing in Parris to the great astonishing of all the towne was honourably receiued by the king his bretheren the Queene-mother and others A little before la Noue Saucourt and Ienlis accompanying Countie Lodowic into Flaunders had from the king receiued commission to finde means to surprise some frontier towne on the other side the Duke of Alue had intelligence of euery steppe that Countie Lodowic set which notwithstanding such was his diligence that hee seized vpon Monts in Hainaut Wherewith the Duke was so nettled that hee said that the Queene-mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but hee would returne her Spanish Thistles with many other threats which vppon particular aduice of the course of their affaires namely of Ienlis returne of his licence to leuie men for the succour of Monts of the time of their departure and of the course of their iourney were soone quenched The seuenth of Iuly the King published a proclamation tending to the impeachment of all quarrels as well in Parris as in his Court and commanded all straungers and men that had nothing to do within the Towne The Princes come to Parris to depart from thence After the arriuall of the Admirall at Parris so many letters and messengers were sent vnto the Princes that in fine they came thither almost at the same time that the king arriued who had before lingered thereabout Many Lords and Gentlemen of the religion accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whom in manner all the Court went to meete Further vnder pretence of the warres in Flaunders the king at the same time sent for other Lords and Gentlemen of the religion who otherwise would haue stayed in their houses Ienlis marched not into Flaunders notwithstanding hee were solicited thereto besides the solemnization of this marriage royall was for a time deferred by reason of the scruples doubts made by the Cardinall of Bourbon to celebrate the same without a dispence from the Hope that would bee prayed and intreated therevnto and in the end graunt a dispence but because it was not ample ynough to the Cardinalles minde counselled by men subtiller then himselfe they were forced to send to Rome againe Great was the expectation of
executed and yet desired the maintenance thereof and to that end sundrie commissioners did passe through al the Prouinces of the Realme as the Queene his mother could well witnesse And shee affirming it saying that the Admirall himselfe knew it full well It is true Madame quoth hee Commissioners were sent among the which there were some that had condemned mee to be hanged and promised fiftiethousand crownes to him that would bring you my head The king promised to send others with more oaths swearings that hee would doo iustice vpon those that hurt the Admirall Many other speeches hee vsed to assure the Admirall who in the end forgot not to put the king in minde to remember such aduertisements as hee had many times giuen him concerning the mischeeuous practises of some against his estate and Crowne withall exhorting him to thinke vppon himselfe so farre foorth as he loued his own life Soone after that the king departed from him Iohn de Ferriers Vidame de Chartres entered into the chamber that beganne to comfort him and in an assembly not long after holden in a chamber of the same lodging hee shewed the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde with others the chiefest Lords of the religion there assembled that their surest way was presently to depart out of Parris and to make their account that that blow was the beginning of the tragedie which would soone after bee performed but the aduice to staye and trust to the kings promise was determined vppon and the other reiected The same day the king by letters wrote to all the gouernours of Prouinces to the principall townes of France also to his Ambassadors with forraine Princes aduertising them of all that had happened withall promising to take such order that the authors and all that were guiltie of such a fault should bee known punished according to their deserts cōmanding them to make known to all the world how much he was offended there with the Queen-mother wrote the like And whilest the Secretaries were thus occupied the Dukes of Aniou and Guise late in the night consulted togither what they should do the next night following Saturday in the morning What happened vpon Saturday before the massacre a report was spred abroad about the towne wherein might bee a million of Komish Catholicques that those of the religion beeing but a handfull of men in respect of thē craued nothing but iustice in almodestie without outragious word or deed did mightily threaten those of the house of Guise whervpon the Duke of Guise and Aumale in a great rage as they made shew went to finde the king saying that they had well perceiued that the king bare but small fauour vnto them and that if they thought that departing home to their owne houses would please him they were readie to performe it The King seemed to shewe an angrie countenance and with sharpe words said vnto them that they might go whither they would and that hee would fetch them well ynough if hee found them culpable of the iniurie offered vnto the Admirall They departing from the kings presence well accompanied about noone mounted on horsebacke but not to go out of Parris where the Parliament spake as much as dumbe men Certaine were appointed to go from house to house and by writing to take the names of all such as made professiō of the religion deliuering the register vnto those that had set them on worke Not long after those of the religion beganne to discouer that some bloodie counsels were intended against the Admiral his friends For first the king caused a gard of 50. harquebusiers to be set at the Admirals gate vnder the charge of Cosseins dislodged all the Romish Catholique Gentlemen out of that street which done he commaunded the Admiralles familiar friends to lodge in that quarter that they might be neare about him caused great store of armes to be brought into the Louure and about euening all the people in the towne beganne to be in armes The Councell assembled for the last time in the Admirals lodging Vidame de Chartres held his first aduice and sought very earnestly that they should presently assay to beare the Admirall out of Parris and that his familiars and friends should presently dislodge hee shewed sufficient reason for the same which notwithstanding were not followed they stood to the first which importeth to craue iustice at the king hand vppon whose promise they were to relie Vidames de Chartres counsel was most assured but in mans iudgement as then impossible to be effected And yet after that men durst report and that openly that at that Councell where the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and diuers great Lords were assembled they had determined to kill the King the Queene-mother and all the principall of the Court a slaunder as false as falsehood it selfe About euening certaine Protestant Gentlement offered themselues the same night to watch with the Admirall which Teligny his son in law would not suffér them to do saying it was vnnecessary and so dismissed them with very good words for their good will so that there stayed no more with the Admirall but Cornaton from whose mouth I gathered the greatest part of this discourse La-bonne Yolet Marlin a Minister of Gods word Ambroise Pare a Surgean and certaine of his men In the Court there were fiue Switzers of the king of Nauarres guard Night being come the D. of Guises Lieftenāt in this action which at this present is to be declared vnto the Duke of Aniou sent for all the Captaines of the Switzers Description of the massacre of the Admirall and companies of strangers still entering into the Towne shewing him his commissions to kill the Admiral all his partakers exhorting thē to be couragious in shedding of blood and spoyle and appoynted their troupes to be placed where he thought meete About midnight an other assembly was made in the Towne-house where the Prouost of Merchants the Sheriffes Captaines of euery quarter were aduertised in like sort that throghout the realme the like shuld be done to all those of the religion that the watch-word of the general massacre should be the bell of the Pallace which should be rung at the breake of day and the badge of the executioners should be a white handkerchef tied vppon their sleeues a white crosse in their hats If the great personages were mooued the meaner sort were no lesse readie to exececute that cruel commandement presently watches were set in euery street the Duke of Guise beeing come to the Louure had charge with the knight of Angoulesme bastard to Henry the 2. the D. d'Aumale accompanied with Cosseins Goas Attin Besmes with some of the kings Harquebusiers and all the Duke of Anious guard to begin at the Admiralles lodging The noyse of armour and running vp and downe with so many torches soone after midnight made diuers of those of the religion that were lodged neare
courtelasses ponyards kniues and other such bloodie instruments ranne swearing and blaspheming the sacred Maiestie of God throughout the streets and into the houses where most cruelly they massacred all whosoeuer they met without regard of estate condition sexe or age the streets paued with bodies out and hewed in peeces the gates and enteries of houses Pallaces and publicque places died with blood A horrible plague of shoutings and hollowings of the murtherers mixed with continuall blowes of Pistolles and caliuers the pittifull cries of those that were murthered the bodies cast out at windowes vppon the stones drawne through the durt with straunge noyse and whistlings the breaking of doores and windowes with billes stones and other furies the spoyling and sacking of houses Carts carrying away the spoyles and others the dead bodies which were throwne into the riuer of Seine all redde with blood which likewise ranne out of the towne and from the kings owne Pallace The king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde being called to speake with the King and by his owne mouth were certified what had past adding The entertainment of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde that hee saued their liues vppon condition that they should renounce their religion and follow his otherwise that they should looke for the like punishment that their adherents had and should receiue The King of Nauarre besought the king to remember his promise of the alliance newly contracted and not to constraine him in his religion the Prince of Conde more feruent aunswered that the King had giuen his faith to him and to all those of the religion with so solemne protestation that hee could not be perswaded that he would falsifie so authenticque an oath In respect of the obedience which the King required of him hee had faithfully yeelded vnto him not minding in time to come to depart from it in any sort whatsoeuer But touching the religion wherof the king had granted him the exercise and God the knowledge to whom hee was to yeeld account for his bodie and goods hee left them to the Kings disposition to do with them as pleased him but for his religion hee said hee was fully determined to remaine constant therein which hee would alwaies maintaine to bee true although it were with the losse of his life This aunswere of the Prince set the King in such a chollor that hee beganne to call him rebell seditious and sonne of a seditious person with horrible threatnings to cause him to loose his head if within three daies he took not better counsell which was done in presence of the Queene-mother the Duke of Aniou Birague and others of his secret Councell whose other proceedings must bee set downe They perceiuing that the massacre of Parris would not quench the fire but rather kindle it more because those of the religion might assemble and vnite themselues togither as it happeneth in such miserable chances giue them new worke these Councellours made two messengers the one from the same Sunday to the Gouernours and seditious Catholicques of Towns wherein were diuers of the religion with expresse commaundement to massacre them The other message contained certaine letters to the Gouernours of Prouence by the which hee charged those of Guise with the murther committed vppon the person of the Admirall because of their particular quarrell and of the sedition happened in Parris ceased the same day it began as those letters of the foure and twentieth of August specified by the authoritie and vigilancie of the King whose meaning and commaundement was that his Edict of pacification should be holden as much as euer it was Strange deuises to roote out those of the religion and to couer the action of the massacre through all his Realme Wherevnto he added these words And because it is greatly to bee feared that such execution which by other letters was published to bee made vpon a very small number should cause my subiects to rise one against the other and that great massacres should bee committed within the townes of my Realme which would bee great griefe vnto me I pray you to publish and make it knowne in all the places of your Gouernment that euery man should liue in peace without raising armes nor offending each other vpon paine of death causing our edict of pacification to be carefully obserued and kept and to punish the contradictors and ouerrunne those that would seem to rise and bee disobedient to our will you shall presently assemble all the forces you can make as well of friends as of your ordinarie companies aduertising the Captaines of the Townes and Castles of your gouernment to looke well to the safetie and preseruation of the said places that no fault may bee escaped aduertising mee assoone as possible you may what order you haue taken therein and how all things passe within your gouernment Other notable practises but all to the eternall confusion and reproach of the authors The same day were likewise dispatched other pattents prohibiting the carrying of all forbidden weapons all fraudulent assemblies orrepugnant to the Edict of pacification vnder the benefit whereof the king commaunded all his subiects to liue in quiet and peace each with other The Queene-mother likewise wrote her letters to the Gouernours and Ambassadours in like substance as the king It was agreed betweene the King the Queen-mother his brother Birague the Duke of Neuers and the Countie of Retz and other the Guisians should auoyde Parris and immediately after the deaths of the Admirall and his partakers withdrew thēselues in some of their houses that so the French and their neighbours might the rather think it to be some particular reuenge that bred also the tumult in Parris Vppon this counsell the King had in his Sunday letters layd the whole rage vppon the Guisians who considering more deeply the inormitie of the act wherein they had not spared an infinite number of learned men honorable olde age honest Ladies chaste matrones women with childe young schollers virgins sucking babes but most cruelly cut their throates perceiuing that so they should bring vpon themselues their posteritie the indignation of all men indued with any sparke of vertue or that had any regard of humane societie and consequently make themselues the marke for euery man to ayme at as the sole authors thereof and men guiltie of the most wicked action that could bee deuised refused to forsake Parris But contrariwise insisted and most earnestly laboured that the king should aduow all that had beene done This did they and their Councell so cunningly mannage besides that they were very strong and greatly in the peoples fauour who had been followers of the Duke of Guise in this execution that the king with the aduice of his Councell soone after writ other letters to his Ambassadours Gouernours of Prouin ces and chiefe Townes of France wherein hee gaue them to vnderstand that whatsoeuer had fallen out at Parris was nothing concerning religion but
against the Priests and Fryers of Parris ayded by their seruants onely with fagget-sticks in their hands or how could hee haue leisure in so short a time or would haue bin so mad with his adherents vnwise onely in this that they trusted the kings word and beleeued not the aduice of those that counselled them not to put themselues into the Lyons clawes that watched for them vnder that great hedge to consult vpon an action so important execrable and of the greatest consequence that possible may bee Besides this after he was wounded the Phisitians and Surgeans had inioyned him silence and all the Councels holden in his chamber tended resolutely to expect iustice to be done vppon those that had hurt him as the King and the Queen-mother had sworne and promised The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were alwaies at those Councels and to conspire against the King was as much as if they had soght to stab thēselues to stain their house with the most detestable ignomie that could bee deuised And to be short it is as much as if they should transforme the Admirall and his friends into brute beasts as to attribute such consultations vnto them in such a time and place and against so many good Frenchmen and againe if he were suspected of such a crime was it not in the kings power seeing so many armed men about his lodging held him inclosed and at the first word could haue seized vpon him to cause him to bee poysoned presently vppon the suspition without daunger of tumult by those of the religion whose weaknesse was well knowne at the time of the massacre The number of those that were termed adherents to the Admirall beeing nothing in comparison of the murtherers and of women maides and yong children cruelly massacred that neither knew where the Admirall lay nor yet what hee said◠holding him prisoner they might without resistance or daunger haue made information and so haue proceeded against him according to the lawes of all Nations ... If there were witnesses they might haue maintained and affirmed their depositions before the Admirall and his adherents which by Pitrac is written to haue beene reported to the king further if it should bee so that the Admirall and his adherents after his hurt did vtter any angrie speeches hauing knowne the cause he might haue contented himselfe with his owne house and familie and not in a tumult and barbarous furie by sound of bell to mooue the people to assemble all the Towne hee ought to haue hindred the massacre of so many Ladies and yong Gentlewomen and of so many Gentlemen wise learned and reuerent olde men of so many little children that conspired not but against their mothers breasts or else to get out of the wombes It may bee asked of the Councellours of this inhumane iustice why so many women great with childe and halfe dead were thrown into the riuer wherin so many thousands of honorable innocent persons were massacred without inquisitiō cōdemnation forme or figure of processe which is more if the Adm. had neuer so litle attempted against the person or life of the K. and his two bretheren who is he that knoweth not that al the Prouinces towns to be short al sorts of people of all estates would speedily haue taken weapon in hand in a moment without difficultie had put the culpable and all his adherents to the swoord with all strange motiōs wold both approoue allow as most expedient and necessarie And touching the king of Nauarre euery man detested the imposture of the declaration Was he not in the Admirals hands for the space of foure yeares did hee not professe the like religion who is ignorant of the humble and sincere respect which the Admirall bare vnto this Prince and the great affection hee shewed vnto the Admirall could those of the religion get any thing by the death of the king of Nauarre was hee not loued as well of the Catholicques as those of the religion Could the Admiral hope for a Prince more fauourable then hee or that could better reuenge the outrage that had been done vnto him Other circumstances touhing the massacre Now let vs returne to other circumstances and the course of our Historie By an other declaration of the 30. day of August the king gaue to vnderstand to the Gouernours of his Prouinces that the Admirall and Gentlemen of the religion that were with him in Parris without expecting the iustice that he had promised to execute vpon the wonder of the Admirall had conspired against his Maiestie his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other the Lords and Princes about them and against the estate yea that some of the chiefest and adherents to the conspiracie acknowledging their fault had confessed it These principall adherent confessors hee nameth not as indeed there were none vnlesse he meanes Bouchauanes of Picardie who vppon Saturday had been present at one of the consultations wherein the Vidame of Chartres the second time with vehement speeches in the pesence of the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and many others had vrged the remooue of the Admiral out of Parris wishing his friends and familiars to follow after as hourely discouering many things that put him in more doubt Hee was in manner the onely man that was of that opinion for the rest they stood vppon it that so they should doo the king wrong in that they should call into question his faith and sincere meaning that it might suffice quietly and modestly to craue iustice at his hands that the matter was yet fresh and therefore it might bee feared least the king should bee offended if they proceeded so hotly Other report could not Bouchananes make in honour or with a safe conscience Concerning Briquemant and Cauagues whom they ment to vse wee will speake heereafter Onely I will heere adde one note taken out of the seuenth booke of the remembrances of Monluc one of the Marshals of France and a sworne enemie to the Protestants He speaking of the murthers saith Albeit I was then Maister onely of my owne house Monlucs testimonie yet the Queene did me that honour to write vnto me and to send me word that they had discouered a great cōspiracie against the king and his estate I wot what I beleeued but it is not good to anger a mans Maister The king neuer forget the chase that the Admirall gaue him from Meaux to Parris swifter then ordinarie Wee forget our selues when wee come to the pinch and neuer thinke that kings haue greater stomacks then wee and withall that they can sooner forget a good peece of seruice then any offence These bee Moulucs words who a little before had said that the Admiral was vnwise to thrust himselfe into Parris to the end to make the world to thinke that he ruled all I wonder how a man so wise polliticke in worldly matters could commit such a grosse ouersight But
hee payde well for it for it cost him his life and many more Why the defence of the massacre is here set down I haue drawne the declaration or defence afore saide out of diuers treatises at that time imprinted without ouermuch thrusting mine own iudgemēt into such discourses And also the innocencie of the massacred might wel maintaine it selfe and enioy an assured reward much better then the iudgement of humane sence can comprehend I thought it no preiudice to these recuiels to insert this extract of their defence Touching the particularities of the massacres in other Townes of the Realme they hauing beene set down and particularly noted in other books as yet extant I mean not herein to present this sea of innocent blood which beeing hidden in the ground and mixed with the waters hath cried vnto heauen and procured so many blowes from thence vppon the authors and adherents of so many murthers Diuers coūcels to surprise Roche Now there rested no more but one small moate within the eies of the king and his Councell which was Rochel to the Inhabitants whereof Strossy and Poulin surnamed Barron de la Garde wrote certaine friendly letters dated the last of August offering them men to keepe their Towne and asking them great store of victuals to furnish the kings Nauy by sea but the Rochelers hauing good cause to furnish themselues by a letter dated the second of September aunswered with all modestie that they had no neede of men to defend them desiring to liue peaceably in their auncient priuiledges and that they wanted victualles whereby it was impossible for them to helpe others Montpesac Seneschall of Poictou sent them a long letter wherein he mocked the Admiral and sought by long preaching to perswade them but by silence they abated his babling by letters dated three daies after they sought to pacifie Strossy perceiuing that the enterprise of Flaunders was found to bee but a smoke After the newes of the massacre they withdrew themselues into Rochel with their armes and furniture wherin after that they did good seruice Fiftie Gentlemen one thousand fiue hundreth souldiers fiue and fiftie Ministers as well of Poictou Xaintongne as of other Prouinces saued themselues therein and a publicke fast was solemnized among them vppon the ninth and eleuenth of the same moneth The Councellours of the massacre perceiuing that Strossy did nothing appoynted Biron Great-maister of the artillerie to bee their Gouernour by commaundement from the King vsing many faire speeches and promising much vnto the Rochelers to whom Biron that during the massacre had been in daunger wrote very fauourably The Rochelers spared neither paper nor Inke holding them close and in couert And against Sancerre An other Towne namnd Sancerre vppon Loire not farre from Parris serued also for retrait to diuers of the religion escaped from the sword of the massacres of Bourges Orleans and other places The Inhabitants behaued themselues with all good wil towards such poore fugitiues notwithstanding letters of the 3. of Septemb. were sent vnto them by the which it was inioyned them to receiue of their Captaine him that should bee sent them by la Chastre Gouernour of Berry and into the Castle such troupes as hee should thinke conuenient In the meane while the Romish Catholickes triumphed in Parris thinking to haue gotten al the world in the middle of their triumphs and feasts about the first of September certaine good persons by night went to the Gibbet of Montfalcon and tooke downe the Admirals bodie which they buried in so secret a place that what inquisition soeuer his enemies could make it could not bee found They neuerthelesse loth to loose such a Relicque which they daily visited very deuoutly whom the king himselfe went to looke vpon saying to a certaine Lord that wished him not to go neare that the sauoring carrion of a dead enemie was most sweet had rather hang vppe a bottell of haye in forme of a man then haue nothing at all A Minister named du Rosier a man of a readie wit but turbulent and insolute beeing cought as hee was flying from Parris began to halt and soone after reuolted from the religion which hee himselfe had maintained in his sermons and writings and seduced other prisoners for being brought to Parris he ioyned with sundrie Sorbonnists and beganne to oppugne the profession of faith of the king of Nauarre of the Prince of Conde and of diuers Ladies and Gentlewomen In the meane time in the prisons they murthered such as continued constant in their religion whose bodies they cast into the riuers by night I told you before that the king had sent a precept or large declaratiō to the Rochelers also that Biron their appoynted Gouernor The proceedings in the expeditions to catch the Rochelers had written to them very fauourable letters Audeuars the king of Nauarres Steward charged with such packets and very ample instructions ariued at Rochel the seuen and twentieth day of September where hee forgat no part of his charge as well to the Maior and other Magistrates as to sundrie particular persons for the most part of the religion and incouraged by a number of their bretheren commen to them for refuge A few daies after Audeuars comming hauing deliberately at large communicated of their affaires in ful assembly they made an ample answere to the commandement vnto them inioyned in the kings name concerning the admission of Garrisons saying that they could not aduow that commandement to proceed from the king to the testimonie of whose letters dated the 22. the 24. day of Aug. they appealed wherin he layeth the whole burthen of the sedition massacre vpō the house of Guise protesting that he had much ado to keep himselfe safe in the castle of the Louure with his guard Their defenses Further that they could not possibly beleeue that the K. shuld be so far deuoid of counsell as to cut off his own armes to pollute the sacred marriage of his sister with the effusion of so much noble innocent blood defame that French nation his royal name with so cruel an actiō either Minister an argumēt to al historio graphers to write so tragical a Historie as neither antiquitie of time hath seen that like or posteritie can hear of without horror That this cōspiracie was cōtinued in Rome hatred in Parris by the rage of the Guisians who pretēded to seize vpō the kingdome Withal they defended the Adm. innocencie craued to be permitted to liue in their priuiledges Other remonstrances they made to Audeuars cōcerning some poynts of his cōmission as that exercise of religiō c. and as he clawed thē with infinite flatterings so they returned him more Court holy-water then he was ware of in this necessitie wanted no polliticke wisedome Biron in the mean time gathered towards them and the Barron de la Garde beganne openly to threaten them which caused them to looke better to their
businesse The kings excuses to his friends The king sent his excuses to the Pope and to the Duke of Alue touching the rumor of warres in the low countries he called the Spanish Ambassadour and shewed him that all the former counsels tended onely to the rooting out of the Huguenots and that hee ment to continue in peace and good correspondence with the king of Spaine to whom he sent a Gentleman purposely with letters of his owne hand to assure him of his intent On the other side vpon the foureteenth of Septemb. there was a precept sent to the Gouernours of the Prouinces to inquire of al such protestants as during the troubles had borne any office in the armies or townes of warre In Prouence Precepts against the Protestants through the discretion of the Countie of Tende there was no murther committed neither in Bourgondy through the subtiltie of the Guisians who purposed to lay all the hatred vpon the king notwithstanding themselues were the executioners in Parris and that their seruants Troyes in Champagne had shed the blood of sundrie innocents as also in sundrie other Townes Some murthers but indeed but few were committed in Auuergne and Dauphine Picardie and Brittaine were reasonably quiet The two and twentieth day of September there was a new precept sent to the Gouernors and Lieftenants of Prouinces for the disgrading of all protestants from their estates and publike offices which they exercised notwithstanding they were content to renounce their religion except such as had inferiour offices whom the king permitted to enioy them in case they would abiure according to a forme deuised by the facultie of Sorbon and adioyned to the same precept .. Excusers of the massacre Besides all this they hired certaine writers to excuse the massacre and thereof to publish their bookes both in Latine and French Some Lawyers were dealers that way but they met with those that so tooke them vp that afterwards a hundreth times and a hundreth they condemned such purposes The Rochelers spent the whole moneth of September in consultations vppon new letters from the king the Quesne-mother the king of Nauarre the Duke of Aniou and Biron also vpon sundrie negotiations for the receiuing of the said Biron for their Gouernour who to that end was come within halfe a daies iourney of their Towne Their finall resolution was this not to accept of Biron before the whole armie at hand were cassuered and quite scattered retaining the free exercise of religion and that Biron should not bring them any other troupes In the beginning of October those of Sancerre were inuested by certaine Garrisons that beganne to molest them but they made so braue a sallie that hauing forced the barricadoes of their enemies slaine 45. of them in the streets and houses scattered the rest and taken some prisoners What entertainment the King of Na. the Prince of Conde had after the massacre they were released of thē for a fewe daies The Rochelers at the same time were sūmoned either to accept of Biron who wold haue entered with certain troups without causing the armie to retire or else to accept the war while they consulted therevpon Let vs see what entertainment the king of N. and the Prince of Conde had within Parris their enemies not cōtent to haue led thē to the Masse after abiuration of the religion made thē be assistant at the ceremonies of S. Michael published in their presence so many precepts and libels made and deuised against the innocencie of the massacred constrained them to heare the means deuised for the extirping of therest Besides their said enemies ayded themselues by the Cardinall of Bourbon vncle to those two Princes to induce them to acknowledge and do homage to the Pope in such sort that messages dated the third of October were sent in their names whereby they desired to bee receiued into the bosome of the Romish Church The Pope sent them his pardons vpon the first of Nouember To returne to the Rochelers that persisted in their determination About the beginning of October the enemie beganne by sundrie means to cut off their victualles and prouision vnder pretence of relieuing the Nauy that might depart farre ynough from them but they soone blew vp that myne Then was there an other aduise which was this Diuers Gentlemen and good souldiers were withdrawne thither for succour who purposed to set a large price vpon their skinnes to any that should assayle them and many others likewise were departed the Realme Heervppon the king by his letters pattents of the eight of October saith that as a good housholder he pittieth his subiects that liue in penurie out of their own houses and so emoyneth his Gouernors of Prouinces throughout their iurisdictions by publike proclamation to call home such as were absent whose goods hee decreeth to be confiscate in case they returne not within a certaine time limitted them The same day the Barron de la Garde intruding himself by letters to threaten the Rochelers had his aunswere That they were the kings faithful seruants though hee were none who wrongfully molested them with his Gallies and would not retire That they prayed God to mollifie the Barrons heart that hee might not trouble them but set them at libertie That they were resolued to maintaine themselues in their priuiledges to keep their towne safe from like murther as were committed in other Towns which they accounted innocent from the crime of rebellion wherewith the Barron charged them That so long as they heard and beheld such and so horrible nouelties and were by the Barron so boldly intreated as they had beene they might and would iustly poure foorth their complaints to God and the King Whilest Biron and others did thus but in vaine solicit the Rochelers there was at Parris contriued an Edict of the tenth of October in the name of the king of Nauarre wherein he prohibited all publike exercise of any but the Romish religion throughout his countries But his subiects of Bearne euen at the first discouering manifest falshoods in that writing withall knowing that their soueraigne was in his enemies hands neither had about him any seruants but such as were foisted in by the Queene-mother or the house of Guise made no account of that paper but vsing all lawfull meanes to auoyde surprises did with many difficulties beare themselues in that estate wherein the Queene had left them hoping if their king might once escape prison he would tell them another tale The one and twentieth day of October Troubles befallen the Rochelers and how they remedied the same Biron writ by du Vigean to the Rochelers who would not graunt this Deputie entrie albeit hee came vppon safe conduct to Tadon a village neare vnto the towne when he had his answere in like terme as the former He going the next day to lye at Sigongnes which was three leagues thence certaine souldiers of the companie of Saint Stephen forced his lodging slewe
three of his houshold seruants gaue him fiue woundes with their swoords in his bedde carried away his horses and best stuffe which the next day they sold to the most giuer in a village where Captaine Saint Stephen was lodged This scandall troubled the Rochelers who ended it thus That Stephen and Guymeniere should depart from Rochel Besides the aunswere expresly giuen to Biron the Rochelers by seueral letters did greatly excuse thēselues of this mishap which fell out without their notice and to the great griefe of their Deputie beseeching him as also they did du Vigean not to impute vnto them such an action whereto they had giuen neither counsell nor consent but were wonderfully sorrie that Vigean should bee so wronged at his returne from his Ambassage Many misliked that Vigean a Gentleman of the religion and a man of calling should take vpon him such a commission but his reward caused him to bee afterward better aduised Now the Rochelers beeing diuersly aduertised that shortly they should see an armie before their walles also that their Towne was the marke whereat their enemies aymed gaue a new onset vppon the Countrie of Montgommery the Vidame of Chartres and other Noble men fledde into England to craue some succour at their hands Their Deputies set saile in the euening the fiue and twentieth day of October Thus was it open warre for so many as were known to be Rochelers were euery where taken prisoners and put to their ransome all vessels sayling towards their hauen stayed all marchandize found to belong to any Rocheler seized and confiscate to bee short all actions of hostilitie put in practise against them Neither were the Sancerreans at that time much quieter for Cadaillet one of the Groomes of the chamber and the kings Hunter sometimes seruant to the Earle of Sancerre a man well knowne in the Towne was sent to confer with them Hee played the cunning Courtier setting debate among them that before were good friends wherof ensued a tumult whilest one would grant and an other would denie the comming in of the Lord of Fontaines who was sent to roote out the protestants Hereof grew murther and confusion wherof wee will speake heereafter For the aduancement of the Bishop of Valence Negotiation in Poland where the French name was miserably rent in peeces and to cut off the deuises of the protestants both within and without the Realme Diuers deuises to extirpe those of the religion and to roote out their memorie The king was perswaded that it would bee good to take some of them that were found to haue escaped the massacre and as then kept in prison and to make processe against them in forme of iustice and to put to the torture some of those that had escaped the massacre and beeing fetched out of their corners had beene committed to prison that they might be condemned by sentence of certaine Iudges appoynted for the purpose and so executed in the presence of the people and to the same to adde a sentence against the Admirall of whose bodie taken away as I said before they should make a similitude or image which the executioner should drawe along the streetes and then hang it on the Gibbet Then that there might bee published the kings letters pattents wherein it should bee decreed that the protestants should bee preserued both in body and goods and suffered to liue in all libertie of conscience so to allure them peaceably by this declaration that afterward they might speede as the rest besides to publish many bookes in excuse of all that was past and the same to dispearse in all places especially in Poland and Almaine and withall to charge the Ambassadours in England Suizerland and other forraine countries to iustifie the king and the Romish Catholicques All this was diligently put in execution Notable persons executed vnder colour of iustice Touching the first poynt Briquemant the father a Gentleman of the age of seuentie yeares one that had valiantly imployed himselfe in the seruice of the kings of France hauing beene found in the house of the Ambassadour of England wherein hee had saued himselfe while the greatest furies of the massacre were executed was put in close prison with Cauagnes Maister of the Requests These two bare great affection both vnto the religion and the Admirall and otherwise were of great reputation in France they were threatned to be torne in peeces vppon the racke if they would not write and signe with their hands that they had conspired with the Admirall to kill the king his bretheren the Queene and the king of Nauarre but they hauing constantly refused to auouch so horrible a lye against their innocencies and themselues they were racked and cruelly tormented by sentence of the Court of Parliament in Parris dated the seuen and twentieth of October were declared guiltie of treason and condemned to be hanged vpon a Gibbot which was executed The Queen-mother leading the king her two other sonnes and the king of Nauarre her sonne in lawe to see the execution Her Councellours thinking that at that last exployt it would bee wrought if Briquemaut in presence of all the people would aske pardon of the king sending some vnto him to certifie him that so hee might easily saue his life that the king was mercifull and that hee should haue pardon if hee asked it confessing this fact wherewith hee was charged Briquemaut aunswered boldly and with a good courage that it belonged not vnto him but to the king to aske pardon of God for such an offence that he wold neuer aske pardon for a fault wherin hee had not offended but knew himselfe to bee innocent whereof hee called God to witnesse desiring him to pardon the kings so great disloyaltie Cauagnes did the like vntill hee died in such sort that this execution serued to no other ende but more to publish theiniquitie of so many pernicious councels Asnare discouered and anoyded With these two notable persons they hung a man of haye made like the Admirall against whom also was pronounced a smal sentence of death Touching the declarations in fauour of those of the religion the Duke of Guise discouered the snare so that fewe of them were taken For that by letters sent by his mother the same day that Briquemaut was executed shee wrote vnto him that the king had the said day determined with his Councell wholly to roote out those of the religion whom hee termed seditious vermine not sparing the children nor straungers that had giuen them ayde therein discouering enterprises against the Prince of Orenge and others which vanished like smoke Among the Ambassadours that excused the king Monluc was one the easiler to aduance his affaires of Polonia whereof we meane not to recite any particularities as not pertaining properly to our intent The beginning of open war against the Sancerrans Yee heard before how Cadaillet had sowen diuision among the Sancerreans now shall you see the haruest of that graine
The ninth of Nouember the Lord of Fontaines brother surprised the Castle by intelligence with some of the Inhabitants that inclosed themselues therein with him albeit through the valour and resolution of the rest namely of the protestants he was forced to auoyde againe within foure and twentie houres after euen as Fontaines was comming with a strong succour After this the Sancerrcans beganne to stand better vpon their guard hauing about 650. souldiers vnder diuers Captaines and Lieftenants and Martignon Pilard Martinat la Fleur Chaillon Montauban Buisson Paquelon la Minee Doriual whose Generall was Andrew Ioanneau Bayliffe of the Towne They had moreouer one hundreth and fiftie labourours in their Vinyeards who vppon necessitie bare themselues very well either vppon the walles at the assaults and scalings or in the sallies with their slings which were termed Sancerrean Pistolles Neither were their women slacke during this siege which beganne about the twentieth day of Nouember but now for Rochel The seuenth of Nouember the Barron de la Garde sent two Gallies to take a view of the Towne vnder pretence of sending his letters But the Lord of Essars whom the Rochelers had made their Generall Also against the Rochelers sent the next night after the Barrons two Gallies whereof the one was taken an Inginer slaine and an other taken and the other hardly escaped Heerevpon ensued the publication of the Kings letters pattents dated the sixt of that moneth but not yet published wherein hee denounced open war to the Rochelers Howbeit before any defie there rested yet the last stratageme to bee put in practise because the king was loth to enter into armes as doubting least so hee might fall into new troubles which he hoped to bee now quite quenched The King the Queen-mother and others had earnestly sāluted la None whom the Duke of Alue after the taking of Montz in Henaut had sent backe into France to labor that the Rochelers who in regard of his vertues both loued and honoured him would grow to composition hee after many excuses as well in regard of the impossibilitie as also because in conscience hee could not counsell the Rochelers to yeelde their throates to their enemies vppon commandement accepted the message rather in purpose to serue the Rochelers as hee did and so to get from the Court then to hurt the professors of the religion which himself most constantly professed euen to the death For after he had performed his commission in the companie of the Abbot of Gadagne and giuen account of his Ambassage to the Lord of Biron who lay at Saint Iohn d'Angely hee returned straight to Rochel where hee so bare himselfe that he was one of the chief instruments that God vsed for the preseruation of the Towne during the siege Wheras contrariwise Captain Saint Stephen withdrew himselfe to his owne house and his Lieftenant Guymeniere who had a long time made profession of religion went to Landereau and others to helpe to warre vpon the Rochelers Sundry places of refuge for the Protestants Besides Sancerre and Rochel the Inhabitants of Montauban Nismes Milliaud Aubenas Priuas Mirebel Anduze with other hamlets as well in Viuaretz as in Seuenes began to helpe themselues yet not without many impeachments euen from those that ought most to haue encouraged them For at that time throughout all those parts it was a question whether it were lawfull for the subiects to stand vpon so iust and necessarie a defensiue Some wished patience others fight and the rather for that they could not possibly resist that euery thing seemed to bee past hope that there were not left either great Lord or famous leader to gather in the protestants also that there was not any forraine Prince that made any offer to stand in their defence Neuerthelesse the resolution of the two first named Townes drew diuers to breath vppon the matter namely those of Montauban who shutte their gates against the murtherers Nismes stood in a mummering but through the wisedome of Clausonne a man of great credite in those parts vppon summons to accept of a Garrison the Inhabitants with common aduice made answere that they would not open their gates vntill a more quiet season they were threatned and intimidated but that made them in the end but the more valiant Other Villages at the beginning diuersly espied were in great daunger but the carriage of some Captaines men of small account and many particular persons the king and his officers were brought into other conceipts Mombrun also a wise and valiant Gentleman of Dauphine was ridden vp and downe in diuers wise but he defended himselfe and afterward stood the protestants in good stead The ninth of Nouember there was a blazing starre seene in the ayre as great as the day starre hard by Cassiopee hauing a forme of soure corners like a lozenge A new and wonderfull starre in the ayre Cornelius Gemme other learned Doctors in Astronomie that imprinted bookes thereof said that it stirred not from the place for the space of three weekes esteeming it to be like the starre that appeared to the wise men that came to worship Iesus Christ in Bethlehem presently after his birth It continued in the ayre for the space of nine monethes togither or thereabout The ninteenth of the same moneth the king published an Edict repeating the former to reuoke his subiects to their owne houses vnder paine of losse of goods yet to small purpose for all men were before so scarred besides that they now saw such prouisions for warre that this reuocation was in vaine Such Cantons of the Switzers as made profession of the religion were solicited to bannish out of their Territories such as hadde there saued themselues but they would neuer consent to the Ambassadours petitions in that behalfe Sommieres besieged and yeelded Toward the end of the moneth Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc besieged Sommieres holden by the protestants and at foure moneths ende tooke it by composition hauing dispearsed an armie whereof men spake diuersly In the beginning of December Gordes the kings Lieftenant in Dauphine by friendly letters solicited Mombrun Mirebel Diguieres and other Gentlemen to forsake their religion and to turne to the Romish withall adding that the king was resolued to suffer no other within his dominions The fourth of December by the kings commandement Monsieur de Biron with seuen Cornets of horse and eighteen Ensignes of foote entered into the countrie of Onis to inclose the Rochelers and as then beganne open war All the rest of the month was imployed in skirmishes with some losse to those of Rochell onely in one wherein they lost Florac a Gentleman of Xaintongne much lamented for his valour 1573. The siege of Sancerre Most part of the yeare 1573. was imployed in the sieges of Sancerre Rochel and other places in molesting those of Languedoc and more and more to trouble the poore countrie of France The principall circumstances wee will set
The same day toward fiue of the clocke at night the Sarreant Maior of the Towne made a sallie and fired part of their wodden bridge and foure and twentie houres after returned to burne the corps degard that was hard by the sald bridge About this time at three seuerall courses certaine of the enemies horsemen sought to keepe the poore people of the towne after the tide from gathering of Muscles Shrimps such like but some of them lost their horses and Petronels and some were taken carried away prisoners as vnable soone ynough to get forth out of the bogges where their horses sunck vpto the shoulders The eight assault The sixteenth of May a little before day the enemie gaue the eight assault to the afore named bulwarke which was very sharpe yet had the repulse on both sides The same day and the two next follwing the Cannon playing vppon the Towne made no spare of powder or bullet The twentieth day came in a small vessell loden with powder and corne sent by the Countie Montgommery vnder the conduct of Captaine Arnaud who passed in spire of the enemies fleet and forces who discharged many a shot at him but hurt him not A notable sallie Three daies after some foure or fiue hundreth men after noone sallied foorth of the towne and surprised and mightily amazed the enemie that lay toward the Cognee gate whom they killed without resistance to the number of two hundreth both Captains soldiers besides a great number of wounded The whole campe taking the alarm many came in so that the Rochelers lost 20. of their men but carried into their towne eight Ensignes with many cuiraces Halbards Targets Harguebuzes guilt swords They did greatly bewaile Maronniere a braue Gentleman who died of his wounds within two daies after as a little before they had done the death of Vergerbeanlieu a Poeteuine Gentleman highly esteemed for his valour whereof be had made proofe especially in the eight assault where hee tooke his deadly wound The fiue and twentieth day of May the batterie beganne very furious and lasted till nine the reason was that fiue mynes which the enemie had digged were shut and readie to play The next morning by breake of day the batterie beganne againe as wel againe the bulwarke as against the defences and so continued vntill night The next morning about seuen of the clocke all the companies of the campe were mustered The Switzers being new come to the number of 16. Ensignes in a great battaillon were by the Rochelers welcommed with cannon short which fell so iust among them that they made a great lane and forced the rest to go further from the Towne About eleuen of the clocke the regiments of the campe beeing readie to the assault discharging their artillerie blew vp their mynes wherein rested their whole hope The ninth assault but all this stood them in no stead for some of their mines did greatly helpe to fortifie the besieged and to flancke the breach from the olde fountaine to the Gospel-bulwarke a fatall and vnhappie name for the enemie who were expected and repulsed by the women maides and seruants who that day did incredible things The assault was fiue times renued and lasted vntill sixe of the clocke at night alwaies more fierce and greater then any of the former And indeed the enemie lost foure hundreth men that stayed in the ditches and carried away sixe hundreth wounded The Rochelers lost thirtie or fortie souldiers and women and three or foure Captaines among the rest one very valiant named Blays who was slaine with a peece of a stone The Countie Montgommery did his endeuour to succour the Rochelers by sea but in vaine in that he was ouerweake both in shipping and men to fight with the fleet royall Murmurings in Rochell which was verie strong Towards the beginning of Iune victualles beganne to grow short with the besieged wherevppon some considering that the enemies cannon plaied continually also that some souldiers fledde the Towne began to doubt and haue some speech of composition so that some of the most apparant were imprisoned for that togither with some three hundreth they had signed a bill that imported the making of peace vpon whatsoeuer conditions for their parts they were weary of the warres and the great want of corne would shortly breede a famine Others had in open street consulted vppon taking of the gates whereby to go foorth at their pleasures Of these murmures ensued new parleyes which the Duke of Aniou solicited that so hee might depart thence for the newes was come that he was chosen king of Poland and that the Ambassadors were comming to him In the meane time vpon Fryday the twelfth of Iune the enemie gaue a suddaine escalado at the little breach neare to the old fountaine some hundreth or sixscore Gentlemen gat vppe and some vnto the Caualier where they stayed long ynough to take a view of the inward trenches and counterscarpe that was fortified within the retrenchment and so beganne to retire neither escaped they al the greeting of the smal shot which diminished their number and slew some fifteene or twentie in the place The next day they returned to their parleyes and because the Rochelers had counsell to send their Deputies to the Duke of Aniou at whose hands as they were told they might obtaine more then they demaunded they stayed for a pasport which they found so badly penned that they might well perceiue that it stood them vppon to beware and therefore they caused their Deputies to retire which so netled the D. that he resolued before the cōming of the Polonian Ambassadors to trie all meanes and to the same end came in person to take a view of the mine by the old fountaine The Duke of Anious aduentures where one of the Towne souldiers discerning him shot off a harguebuze charged with a bullet and some haile shot but his great Esquier named Deuin perceiuing the match stepped before him and was slaine the Duke reserued to an other end was slightly touched with some of the haile shot but not hurt After this notwithstanding their shooting and sallying on both sides yet was it nothing in regard of that which was past But vpon the 17. of Iune the Polish Ambassadors being arriued in France truce was made and lastly the articles of peace agreed vpon and sent vnto the king which hee approoued and framed them in manner of an Edict graunting to those of the religion Rochel Montauban Nismes and other Townes wherein the free exercise of religion was permitted and to others permission to liue without trouble in their houses An Edict of pacification for Rochell and all those of the religion therein to solemnize baptisme and marriage after their manner without greater assembly besides the Parents then the number of tenne except in the Court at Parris and within tenne leagues round about it hee restored those of Rochel to their rights and auncient
seruants In the Court there were some that reioyced at the dishonour hee had receiued before it others took his departure vnpatiently specially the Queen-mother and her most secret Councellours those of Guise and the spiritualtie All of them feared the king that began to change both countenance and speech specially hauing fully vnderstood the trueth of the resolution and meanes of those of the religion in Languedoc and the countries thereabout The spiritualtie had made a present of three hundreth thousand crownes to the king of Polonia for the good seruices hee had done for them against those of the religion and would haue done twise as much more if hee had ouercome the Rochelers The Bishop of Valence Lansac being in Polonia to obtaine that which they pretended graunted diuers articles touching those of the religion in France vnto the Nobilitie of that countrie wherevppon the Ambassadours made instant meanes and requests vnto the king touching the same which in effect were almost agreeable to the conclusion of those of Languedoc they spake likewise for diuers particulars many subtilties were vsed to diuert the Ambassadours from that pursuite busying them with bankets and shewes of no small charge and expenses Their new king was not greatly desirous to make that long perigrination and would gladly haue staed till the next Sommer and some of his most trustie friends assayed to cause some hard answere to bee giuen vnto the Ambassadors to the end that either they should returne discontented or that the time might by that means passe away But the kings seruants caused him to make faire promises to those Ambassadors that were remitted vnto the Towne of Metz there to vnderstand what or how much should bee done for them Among these serious matters the King could not content himselfe but twise or thrise cast out certaine threatning words against those that had abused him making him beleeue that after the foure and twentieth day of August hee should bee absolute king But to the contrarie hee perceiued his subiects openly to reproch him with the vnrecouerable wrongs that he had don both to himself thē To accuse him that in stead of being father of his people he had bin both the butcher the executioner or at the least had resumed the title by the induction of the principal authors of such confusions but his complaints and threatnings were but of hard disgestion for himselfe and in those troubles hee found not one faithfull seruant that taught him to bee patient and to content himselfe in time to find the meanes to execute iustice vpon such as had committed so many iniustices and furious executions vnder the title and pretence of his name The kings sicknesse whereby a strong feuer seized vpon him in Champagne in such manner that it was thought hee would haue died beeing at Vitry whither hee trauelled to bring his brother on his way to Polonia that could not dissemble the greefe hee had to depart out of France to go among such people as would preuent him from making any massacres and by the long delaies of his affaires made men to iudge that more then two expected the issue of the kings sicknesse whose seruants as then spake much against the Queen-mother that new king as also of their practises for the which some absented themselues from the Court and went into Brittaine But the kings sicknesse hauing taken other effect then was expected hauing by liuely force of his ardent youth repulsed and driuen out the disease at his head necke and face the report went that it was the small Poxe whereat most of the Courtiers smiled not daring to speake one word but shrinking in their shoulders And being somewhat amended and recouered of his strength he ceased not to procure and hasten his brothers departure that issued out of France about the end of October leauing all the charge vnto his mother who openly shewed to beare him greater affection then to her other two sonnes The King beeing doubted of by her because of his threatnings and alterations and the Duke of Alencon loued not the house of Guise The estate of France after the departure of the king of Polonia Presently after the departure of the king of Polonia new practises were inuented whereof I will make a briefe discourse because those of Languedoc daily strengthed themselues more and more to appease them an assembly of the estates generall was appoynted to be holden at Champagne and truce was made for two monethes with those of Languedoc with permission to assemble themselues to consider what could bee necessarie to bee propounded and agreed vppon in the estates for the good and profite of the Common-wealth and Realme of France Meane time an enterprise is practised to surprise Rochel and men were sent through all the Prouinces of the Realme secretly to discouer what friends and enemies they had to cal the particular estates to frame the bookes and to put their enterprise in practise with as litle rumour as possible might bee On the other side the Queene-mother fained to bee verie carefull touching the election of the Lieftenant generall of the Realme And beeing at Soissons desired the king not to graunt that charge to the Duke of Alencon his brother alleaging that that young Prince that would not approoue the massacres being followed by diuers discontented persons might mooue some troublesome matters if he once perceiued the forces of the Realme to bee at his commandement Therevppon newes came that the Deputies of diuers Prouinces came from many places to assemble the estates with notes and commissions to speake boldly namely against the Authors and Councellours of the massacres For which cause the estates beeing assigned to bee at Champagne was reiourned and yet diuers Deputies beeing come to Parris asked and obtained audience wherein after many and diuers earnest complaints and declarations made touching the publicque confusions of the Realme of France and particularly in the Prouinces they besought the king that in consideration of the mischiefes supported by his subiects for the space of many yeares by the euill gouernment of his principall Councellours it would please him to giue some comfort to his subiects and in the meane time to call an assembly of al the estates of his realm to foresee and prouide for those disorders otherwise it was to be feared the people would rise and breed some mutinie The Queene-mother and her adherents hardly pushed at by such complaints where with the king seemed to bee mooued sought by faire speeches to appease the Deputies and presently after changed countenance vsing threatnings in such sort that the Deputies returned without any reliefe but onely that the king would shortly take some order for them wherewith they were exhorted to maintaine the prouinces in peace permitting those of Languedoc whom they doubted to make new assemblies thereby to frame large articles which not long after they did in the assembly holden at Milliand in Rouergne where they forgot
not any any thing requisite for them and their associates The mischiefe by the which an entrie was made for the ruine and ouerthrow of those of the religion was that diuers Catholickes that termed theÌ„selues polliticques and discontented thrust themselues among them And comming in credite made themselues companions with them in such manner that if those of the religion had kept themselues a part the king had bin constrained to graunt them peace and by that meanes their affaires had fallen out happily which they did not by reason of this mixture whereof inuited by the course of yeares wee will now speake somewhat Certaine polliticque Courtiers to bring the matter to a better poynt esteemed it necessarie to haue a Lieftenant generall nominating the D. of Alencon as most fit for that place they set before him the little estimation made of him his small meanes the inquisitions made of his seruants the distrusts that were had touching his fidelitie the refusall of graunting him the Lieftenancie generall the kings sicknesse and the meanes that offered it selfe vnto him to restore the estate of the Realme counselling him to withdraw himselfe from the Court and so beginne to mooue the matter While this was doing where the Queene-mother was presently certified and could serue her turne thereby as you shall see the practises to surprise Rochel wherein Puigaillard Landereau the Barron de la Garde and others were dealers Enterprise vpon Rochel beganne to worke but in such sort that by little and and little the Rochelers discouered the deuise whereby they intrapped certaine principalles of the enterprise who about the end of the yeare they caused to be executed Presently after the king wrote letters vnto them saying that the execution pleased him well and willed them to looke vnto themselues which was the occasion that after many disputations to cause theÌ„ to enter into consideracie with those of Languedoc and others to defend themselues staying till some leaders were raised vpon vnto them as hope was giuen them That which made them stay was that they perceiued diuers men of good quallitie enemies to the religion to ioyne with them to aske reformation of thee-state which made many good men to presume that some peece of cunning was in hand to bee wrought and that the Queene-mother and her Councellours caused this tragedie to bee playde to entertaine a mutinie during the Kings sicknesse that they might crie hola when it pleased them and in time to ouerthrow the one by the other Those of the religion vnderstanding the deuise against the Rochelers and the practises inuented to surprise them in Languedoc and all the while the truce indured Beginning of the fift troubles in FraÌ„ce and the raising of men to runne vppon them suddainly determined truce beeing expired to prouide for themselues and first published an ample discourse of the causes and reasons that mooued them to defend themselues wherein they shewed an infinite number of wrongs done vnto them within the space of sixe moneths without any hope of iustice perceiuing a manifest apparance of their totall ruine and destruction if they opposed not themselues against it Further they set forth certaine aduises humble declarations vnto the Princes Nobilitie Parliaments and third estate thereby to stirre them vp The Duke of Alencon that had been solicited by his most faithfull Councellours to looke vnto himselfe was put in minde to seeke for the place of Lieftenant generall and if hee obtained it to keepe himselfe aloofe or if they sought to imploy him against those of Languedoc to thinke vpon the meanes to restore the affaires of the Realme to some better estate His mother was perswaded that the Marshals de Montmorency and de Cosse were dealers therin at the instance of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde wherevppon with her Councell shee determined to assure her selfe and to ridde her selfe of those that seemed to take other part then hers which was the entrie into diuers strange alterations wherin those of Guise holpe with both their hands wherevppon it happened that the Court beeing at Saint Germain in Laye the Duke Alencon made request vnto the king to graunt him the estate of Lieftenant generall to represent the kings person throughout the Realme Whervppon the Marshall de Montmorencie entering into speech thereof with the king and the Queen-mother shewed them that if they graunted not that request vnto the Duke they should do him wrong for that it would be an occasion for euery man to iudge of his vnsufficiencie for that the same estate had been giuen vnto the Duke of Aniou without his request alleaging other reasons as the desert of such a place might mooue him for the quietnesse of the Realme How the Lieftenants place was graunted to the Duke of Alencon This request was in maner graunted but in stead of letters pattents certaine priuate letters were made and sent vnto the Gouernrs besides a declaration made by the K. by word of mouth vnto the Deputies of the Prouinces The Duke of Alencon not content therwith pursued his request which made his aduersaries thinke that hee vnderstood somewhat of his mothers meaning which was to put the estate of Lieftenant into the hands of the Duke of Lorraine who not long after came into the Court whither hee had been sent for by expresse messengers They proceeded further for that at the same time a report beeing sowen abroad that the Duke of Alencon secretly held certaine men about him therby to effect some bad exployt the Queene his mother went personally to search within his chamber not long after putting I know not what feare and distrusts into the kings minde counselled him to approach nearer to Parris that hee might lodge in more safetie at Bois de Vincennes a strong and pleasant place Before hee dislodged happened an other matter the Duke of Guise making a quarrell in the Court yeard of the Castle of Saint Germain against one named Ventabran in time past one of his seruants layd haÌ„d vpon his sword Ventabran fledde and got to the staires running to the chamber of the Marshall de Montmorencic which beeing shutte hee ranne higher to the chamber of the Ladie widdow to the Constable and finding Monsicur de Thore the Marshaâ—s brother stayed there where hee got certaine blows but yet without hurt the Duke affirming that Ventabran had conspired to kil him and that hee would plague him for it This deuile thus wrought the Marshall being a wise Gentleman fought to finde out the trueth and caused Ventabran to be committed to prison who within two daies after was set at libertie which was the occasion that the Marshall by licence from the king departed from the Court This was done in the moneth of Februarie at the end whereof newes came to the Court that on Normandie side about a daies iourney from thence there lay two or three hundreth horsemen that were said to been assembled by the Duke of Alencon to
fauor his retire from the Court Others bearing him no great affection spred foorth a rumour that they were in armes prepared to kill the king the Queene and his Councell The first aduise tooke place neuerthelesse to make the latter seeme likely yet vntrue euery man except it were the king Praclises of the Court whereinto sundrie not able to penetrate at the first the gentry of Normandy found themselues deceined whereof ensued the destruction of the Countie of Montgommery perswaded to stay with his traine in great haste dislodging from Saint Germains where they stayed till the lodgings of the Castle of Blois Saint Vincennes were prepared and rid to Parris from nine of the clock till midnight with most great noyse and tumult I must tell you that the Duke of Alencon was in minde to haue departed from the Court and to take the king of Nauarre with him and that this troupe composed of the Gentlemen their seruants came to bring them to the places appointed by them but imagining many difficulties in the executiō hee tooke aduise of la Mole a Gentleman of Prouence that gouerned him who gaue him counsell with al speed to aduerise the king his brother and his mother what his meaning was which was the cause that the king remooued not neuerthelèsse the mother that had som greater matter in her head made that voyage by night and went to the house of the Marshall de Retz in the subburbs of S. Honore The Parisians beleeuing whatsoeuer was told them touching those horses in short time made a great and puissant armie as they said The next day the king went vnto his mother and within eight daies after they went to Blois Saint Vincennes hauing holden diuers councels to deuise the means to intrap the Marshal d'Anuille that gaue them worke to do in Languedoc Meane time the Duke of Alencon and the king of Mauarre vppon the foure and twentieth of March published a declaration touching the matter of Saint Germains protesting their good wils towards the king and that they were resolued to oppose themselues with all their meanes against such as would rebell against him which was an occasion to bring the Marshall de Montmorencic vnto the Court who being come was arested as also the Marshall de Cosse and both most shamefully led prisoners to the Bastille On the other side la Mole Coconnas Tourtay seruants to the Duke of Alencon were committed within Parris and not long after executed hauing onely confessed to haue been of their Maisters counsell to depart out of the Court Diuers Lords and Gentlemen intangled in this processe saued themselues as well as they could the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre were kept more straight and twise examined touching that action The estate of Dauphine Languedoc and poictou These troubles in the Court hindered not those of the religion their associates to looke vnto themselues In Dauphine Mombrun tooke Loriol Linron Alet Graue and Roinac and ouerthrew fiue companies of footmen that sought to impeach them Those of Villeneufue in Viuarais not long before had put certaine troupes to the swood that came against those of the religion without losse of one man and tooke Aubenas a Towne of great importance hauing cut the throates of all the Garrison for the most part composed of the massacres of Lyons The gouernment of Languedoc and Dauphine hauing bin committed to the Prince d'Auphine Monsieur d'Acier ioyned with him the Marshall d'Anuille by letters intercepted discouered what was pretended against him by which meanes hee beganne to draw to those of the religion consulting with Saint Romaine Gouernour of Nismes seized vppon Montpeslier Beaucaire Lunel and Pezenas In Poistou the Polititians ioyned with la Noue tooke Saint Maixaut Melle Fontenay Lusignan and other places In Normandie about the beginning of March What happened in Normandie to the Countie de Montgommery taken prisoner and after executed the Countie Montgommery accompanied with Lorges and Galardon his children departed from the Isle of Gerze and arriued at Rades where Colombieres de Fey with fistie Gentlemen came to meete him from whence hee went to Saint Lo and then with in three daies after assieged and took Carentan by compositiō Within a month after a strong armie of the enemie commaunded by Matignon and Feruaques set vppon him and inclosed him with a little weake towne and ill furnished called Danfrone accompanied with sixtie horse and eight harguebuziers conducted by Captaine la Touche the younger resoluing vppon a valiant defence euen in the beginning of the siege sent foorth siue and twentie horse and some small shot who giuing a sharpe onset slew seuen Gentlemen assaylants and nine horse and soretired with the losse of the Lord of Friaize who was slaine and two prisoners that they left behinde This was the eleuenth of May. The next day the besieged cut in peeces one Corps de garde but soone after some either for feare or won with faire woords forsooke the Countie and yeelded to the assaylants who in reward stripped and put them to their ransome The Queen-mother vnderstanding that the Countie whom shee hated to the death was in her nettes sent forces day and night to strengthen Matignon as also the armie that lay before Saint Lo was commanded with all speed to march to Danfrone where they had in the beginning of the siege six thousand small shot and fifteen hundreth horse The king being very sicke vpon the 23. of May the Castle was battered with six peeces of cannon that in fiue houres shot aboue fiue hundreth times and made a breach of fiue and fortie foote broad Then did most of the Counties men forsake him and in liew of entring the Castle with him fled out of the Towne into the campe where they receiued their deserued entailment as their former companions About two of the clock at after noone the assay lants came fiercely to the breach where they found the Countie on the right side with the lords of Brossay Chauuiny Cornieres Tere yong Touche Mahiliere Crosse Oulfe and others to the number of twentie On the left side were the Lords of Sey Hayes Vaudore Sanssaye Villenenfue and others in like number of twentie All togither fell vpon their knees to hear the prayer which one of the three Ministers there present made in the presence of the assay lants who when it was done came to handie blows in the order following Out of tenne companies of men at armes present at that siege Matignon the other Captains chose one hundreth Gentlemen even ten out of euerie companie well armed followed with 600. small shot with murrians 100. pikemen with their corselers These 800. men with some 200. voluntaries mixed among thē were led by the LL. of Fernaques Villermois S. Golombe Raberprey Lauerdin and others The fight lasted siue hours neither did the cannon cease which indomaged the defer dants with stones wherewith also the Countie was
by the marriages of daughters capable by succession to the kingdome of Nauarre And for such hee was esteemed and accounted vntil the death of the Duke of Alencon the kings brother VVhen presently the good olde Cardinall of Bourbon was titled in the head and made beleeue that in the age of sixtie yeares hee should liue and succeede a king who beside his yong yeares and strength of bodie liued not in any such disordered maner whereby hee should once haue occasion to thinke vpon his successor for it was shewed him that hee was the first Prince of the blood and that the right of inheritance and succession consisted in his person But when this deuise was found too weake and the absurditie too much discouered thereby seeking to impugne or deny the king of Nauarre to be the chief and eldest branch of his house in the right and title of his father who in a manner liued in him besides the reuocation by his vncle made vnto him of all rights names voyces and actions whatsoeuer both present and to come that might appertaine or belong vnto him as beeing issued from the house of Bourbon expresly acknowledging the said king of Nauarre his Nephew for the true sonne heire successor and representation of the chiefe branch of the said house they inuented other obiections and subtile pollicies that vnder those pretences they might bleare the eyes of the common and simple people affirming the Crowne of France to bee vacant and so belonged to the first Conqueror aâ—leaging for reason that as in the populer successions of common people such as are of the kindred and familie of any houses beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie cannot bee heires of their kinsmans lands so farre in discent from them and therby the inheritance falleth into the Lords hands and that so the house of Bourbon had no title or any right to the Crowne of France as beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie from it wherof they caused diuers discourses and whole volumes to bee written But that not beeing able to bee beaten into the heads of true Frenchmen nor once set footing or enter into the opinions of the commun people altogither incapable of such Sophisteries they beganne to enter into an other course of iniuries accusations and inuections wherein they contented not themselues onely to crie out and make war against the said king and to produce and cause to bee published a perpetuall incapacitie in his person and that without the Popes consent but they accused him of treason they condemned him they named him vnwoorthie and incapable to rule in France they assembled all the estates of France at Blois wherein a manner they vtterly reiected him euery man shewed to bee his enemie if not in his right and title yet touching the religion which hee then held and finally went about to frame his proces But to the contrarie those that pursued him were themselues executed before they heard their condemnation or iudgement In this maner the fire beganne to bee kindled in all the foure quarters of the realme and the blow was of such force that all neighbour Princes were mooued there at such as were offended arming themselues to bee reuenged and the people in a manner led by a furie helping them and with them turned their faces against the king whereof the Towne of Parris was the first and by example therof all the Towns in lesse then 6. weeks made that great strange coÌ„motion that continued for the space of fiue whole yeares ensuing Shee mooued them to this dissention by the smooth and speciall reasons by her alleaged against heresie periurie and tiranny coniuring them by dutie to their countrie and by the loue they ought to beare to the preseruation thereof to ioyne with her in so iust a cause and to passe one of these two waies hauing no other meanes either to bee vanquishers or die in the quarrell rather then to submit themselues to the king And among the rest the Cittie of Lyons neuer inferiour to any Cittie in the world touching fidelitie and obedience to their kings that had no other obiect then onely zeale of religion in the defence whereof it espied many euident and mortall signes suffered it selfe to bee borne away among this troupe not once considering or apprehending the multitude of miseries by her after that indured And in this manner the warres beganne with so straunge an alteration and motion of all estates yea euen of the very pillers of the land and the reuolt was such that in fine the royaltie of the king was reduced to a small corner of the countrie about Tours and Blois where without doubt the league had buried it if suddainly the king of Nauarre had not ayded him who therevpon tooke courage againe hauing on his side the Hercules of France scourge of rebels to their Prince but when this disordered and great mutinie beganne somewhat to decline and that the presence and authoritie of the Soueraigne Prince held the most assured within the bounds of their duties and that Parris perceiued it self in way and course of extreame desolation suddainly the king was slaine And then O the great and deepe iudgements of God hee that about three moneths before had passed ther riuer of Loire onely with foure hundreth horse a thousand shot and certaine pikes was presently made chiefe soueraigne and commaunder of a most faire and great armie to whom the Magistrates and Officers of the Crowne and all the Nobilitie yeelded their obedience thereby seeking to impeach the desolation and ouerthrow of the whole estate and to preferre the dutie of naturall fidelitie before the vaine hope of straungers and the last hazard of the rest and suretie of their liues and goods And so behold him king that not seuen moneths before had been depriued of the title of the first Prince of the blood and of the hope of the name Sacrying and Crowne of the Princes his auncestors that had so many times beene driuen from the Court that in foure yeares had seene tenne armies and tenne Generals to a king marching before the heads of the forces of the greatest Prince of the most warrelike nation in all the world against him that after the ouerthrow of a great forraine power had withdrawne himselfe into a corner of the Realme without land men or mony and a Prince altogither poore vnlesse it were in hope He that had been declared vnable for the Crowne that had beene made one of the Cardinall of Bourbons retinue that was no more acknowledged to be of the race or progenie of S. Lewis as beeing ten degrees in consanguinitie from it he that the countrie of Spaine esteemed the subiect of all our miseries who in the life of â—ur kings was the only argument of all the tragedies that had been acted in the countrie of France he that thought not to haue succeded a king being in the flower of his liuely and gallant youth that had bin an occasion to
resolution to abiure his former impostures He did it not at randon neither as constrained by necessitie by feare of forraine vsurpation for the onely inioying of a temporall peace or Crowne of Charles but of a holy and most diuine inspiration which entered into his soule from the day and time that the death of the K. left the Scepter of France and yeelded it vnto him from that time he made knowne to our holy father Pope Sixtus the fift by M. de Luxenbourg to Pope Gregorie the 13. by the Marquesse of Pisani and since that to him who at this day sitteth in S. Peters Chaire called Clement the eight by the Cardinall de Gondy that as he was lawful successor to the Crowne he desired also that the succession of the Catholicke Apostolicke and Romane religion be obserued in his realme submitting himself to his authoritie and instruction touching the saluation of his soule And perseuering in his so holy resolution he banished from the Court those that had made him beleeue that the world had continued in darknesse from the death of the Apostle S. Paul to the time of Caluin and that the splendant sunne of the truth had been eclipsed touching the preaching of the Gospell and shut vp within the territories of Bohemia and Saxony vntil the seditious preachings of Iohn Hus and Martin Luther caused it to shine with greater clearenesse being instructed in the truth of our religion by the most learned Prelates in all the realme of France he presented himself in the temple of the chiefe Apostle of France euen in the middle of the shadows of his predecessors ther vpō their Tombs detested his heresies the only causes of his troubles originall of our mischiefes There is no reason what soeuer to be obiected that can deny this action to be most holie most admirable and most miraculous whether you consider the happie disposition and aboundance of the yeare the victorie against the Turkes or the suddain conuersion of our rebels For first you haue seen how God guided this Prince through the middle of so many laborinths dangers of fire and flame to the throne of royall Maiestie how this Ioseph persecuted by his own kindred and familie triumpheth in Aegipt and how this Moyses exposed and abandoned to the mercie of ciuill tempestes becommeth not onely Coronel of an armie of 600000. men but king of a great Realme and of so many millions of people And the king to giue a taste and feeling vnto his subiects of the contentment quietnesse that his soule inioyed by his new cōuersion therof to giue euident testimonie to all the world graunteth a truce euen at the verie instant when his enemies were readie to yeeld and sendeth the Duke de Neuers to his holinesse submitting himself to his commandements and offering his conscience the subiect of a goodly conquest giueth him to vnderstand thot hee desireth but one religion in his Realme that he knoweth well that the Church is one that faith is not diuided and that as the bodie can indure but one head the heauens but one sun and religion but one God so the Realme of France ought to haue but one Church which cannot bee one where God is diuersly serued So if our miseries are not incensible vnto him if it pleaseth him not speedily to imbrace the occasions offered and mittigate the rigor of formes not onely our religion but also the estate will bee a pray to long and cruell diuisions which continually afflist the countrie of France It is said hee is one of the most woorthiest successors of Saint Peter that for the space of one hundreth yeares hath sit in his chaire which increaseth our hopes and lightneth our mindes in a maner cleane abated for that one of the best comforts that man can haue in the middle of the waues and surges of the sea is when he is assured that his Pilot is an expert man and knoweth what to do And so we hope that to preserue this French vessel from ship wracke he will rise vp against the tempest which daily threatneth the same we know what winds and waues do blow push it forward and that he will imbrace the conuersion of so importunate a soule for the preseruation whereof all Europe ought continually to wade in teares vowes and prayers But when the delaies of the Popes Consistorie were perceiued togither with the oppositions and trauerses made touching the Ambassage of the D. de Neuers when it was well wayed and considered that it were very hard and impossible for those in Rome to iudge of that which is done in France that their opinions and wils were forced and constrained and that it was knowne that in the extreame necessitie of taking order for the Cōmon-wealth in so vrgent a cause they must stay and attend vppon processe peace beeing broken and the people longing after the first morsels of the truce they ceased not till they were wholly franchised from the tirannie of wars specially the townes that at the beginning were the first that tooke weapon in hand and from thence proceeded the reduction of the Citie of Lyons vnder the kings obedience being not able any longer to continue in her vnconstant estate nor to subiect her selfe any more vnder her ruines fenses distrusts as things most doubtfull and mischiefes most vncertaine so that she opened and vncouered her eyes to know what shee should do and vnder whose protection she might best be preserued Shee knew that the soueraigne and last remedie of her calamities was to bee vnder one and no more to slote vncertainly in the waues of diuers protections which haue been causes of these ciuil warres Shee found that shee ought to haue a king of France and in the familie of Saint Lewis from whence descendeth Henry de Bourbon king of France and Nauarre whom she had sooner acknowledged if it had pleased him sooner to make profession of the Catholick Apostolicke and Romaine religion as at this day he doth Lyons resisted against her king and ramped against the gate and will you haue it still remaine couered in the brakes that she should alwaies be at the poynt of death in the middle of the waues of her rebellions it was at the poynt to become a desart and the fable common marke to be laughed at by al her neighbours and in the end their conquest alreadie her trafficke which is her Indes or Perou her rents her pensions her principall reuenues were cut off and taken away And no other occupation bare sway or was in request with her but the art of souldiers her Citizens were slaine before the gates and her naturall forces began to faile wherein she seeketh for redresse and knowing no better Phisitian then hee that loueth his Patient she cast her selfe into the armes of her king and drowning the remembrance of her follies past in the seas of his great clemencie she desired him from thence forward to accept and
receiue her Cittizens for his true faithfull and naturall subiects and not to put any difference between them and others vnlesse it were in this poynt to haue in remembrance that they were the first who without constraint acknowledged him for their king and by their example haue gotten vnto him the best part of his flowrishing Scepter Behold the iust reasons and causes of this so suddaine change if the obedience which the subiect draweth from the yoake of strangers to yeeld it vnto his owne superior may be called a change And the more commendable it wil be in so much as that the seruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God that religion remaineth firme within her franchises shining in her glorie inuiolable vnexpugnable in her forces As long as the wars were wholly for religion they contributed whatsoeuer they had but when they once perceiued that the holy conuersion of the king made this war no more war against religion but onely against the estate they could not longer delay nor withdraw out of their mindes the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God which is the king beleeuing certainly that those beare armes and fight against God that rebel against a most Catholicke and Christian Prince In this so great disorder great wisedome good order hath bin seene for that the most aduised and best experienced concerning matters of estate iudged this quotidian feuer could by no meanes bee healed but by some strong and violent remedie But by the prouidence of God the disease that in mans iudgement seemed incurable hath been healed without shedding one drop of blood by the constant and firm resolution of those that rather desire to die then not to see themselues franchised from this gouernment which is contrarie to the royall estate and losed from the middle of so many protections which how holy or iust soeuer they be are altogither dangerous and the best title they can bear is of no value To be short this towne which hath alwaies made shew of pure religion towards God and fidelitie to her Prince hath well shewed that the flower de luce which for the space of so many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens that she could not brooke nor once indure such Frenchmen as are transubstantiated into Spanish minds that gape onely to see this Scepter broken this crowne in peeces that they might gather the remnants and plucke off the flowers Thus much I thought good to speake before I enter into the Historie THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the last troubles of France vnder the raignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth now liuing M.D.LXXIIII I Am not abashed if such as at randon discourse speake of our great miseries do so oftentimes run into fond opinions A Historie ought to be without passion because that to get out of so great a laborinth they followe not the right way of the trueth but rather taking the crosse-path of their own passions they leaue the high-way and approache the ditches Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes which neuer appeare without some thunder of euill reports iniuries and slaunders Tables representing nothing but infamous pictures of Monsters and Arches of imperfections And when they enter into the deepe consideration of the Authors of our euilles they throwe the fault and mischiefes of these deuisions sometimes vppon one and some times vppon an other their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated or of zeale which transporteth their mindes Such people that like serpents nourish themselues by poyson The causes of the troubles of France imputed to diuers things and that are better pleased with the darke Eclipses then with the bright shining beams of the Sun and do more reioyce to shewe some execrable action then to speake of any memorable and woorthiething haue in this season raised most straunge mutinies mooued the people armed the greatest cowards with their seditious writings troden the Maiestie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote bannished modestie in her place established insolencie despigh and confusion Therefore to make knowne Against such as say that the King of France and Nauarre are the causes of the troubles through all the parts of the world the beautie excellency and woonders of the royall actions of their liues to drawe so many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle wherein by these diuisions they are compassed to shewe the Maiestie of our King to bee farre distant from the many vnworthy slaunders of those that affirme and accuse him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles to declare in this discourse the royall vertues that shine through the thicknesse and obscurities of impietie and rebellion and to disswade mens mindes from so many false perswations I haue drawne out of the most staied and certaine opinions the truth concerning the beginning and proceedings of the last troubles that haue vexed this Realme by the renewing of seuen most cruel bloodie warres a Frāce hath indured seuē warres and hath seene 6. Edicts of pacification God grant that the 7. peace may be the last and the end of ciuil miseries The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men then the opinion of religion by the hazard of so many battailes the ruin of so many people the taking and spoyling of so many townes and the death of so many Princes that the only remembrance taketh away my sences stoppeth my speeche and maketh my pen to stay◠therefore to begin this matter and to voyde the spindle we must first finde the ende of the third and by the ende of forraigne warres weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions All war is cruell and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand but those diuisions that happen in any estate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the spirits of men are more bloodie their beginnings more terrible and their endes more dangerous and the more the pretences are large and faire the more men enter into the sustaining and defending of them for there is nothing that doth mooue them more then the defence of their religion nor any thing that doth more animate nor sooner put them in obliuion of the consideration of respect dutie and obedience then the quarrell concerning the saluation of their soules and the manner of the seruice they ought to minister vnto God euery man esteeming that religion he followeth to bee the true and purest manner of woorshipping condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it n = b The Oracle of Apollo gaue answer to the Troiāt that their towne should neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars This is the Paladium of Troy our rest and welfare
consisteth therein and her assurance is our securitie hee that straineth this corde breaketh the hermonie of the Common-wealth and induceth the dissimilitude of religions which presently openeth the gate to murthers enmities and seditions and from thence to persecutions both publike and priuate for that neither the old can be reformed nor the new established without contradiction violence From thence it proceedeth that when in one Nation there are some that remaine constant and firme in the faith and tradition of their forefathers and that others do reprooue it and inuent certaine doctrine which they preach and affirme to be the pure true and onely rule for men to learne it cannot be remedied and of force it must be so that this diuersitie of religion bringeth with it a diuision of minds and of enmities which are not appeased but by the ruine of the one or the other part the triumph of Israel is the losse and hinderance of the Aegyptians The first motion of religiō in Bohemia by Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague France that had seene the strange furies which this apple of discord by the Hussites had sowne in Bohemia at Munster by the Anabaptists and in Allenmaigne and Suisse and that ought to beware by other mens harmes and looke that the fire of their partialities take no hold in her towe hath most miserably abandoned it selfe vnto this schisme and more overrun sacked and troden vnderfoote by the great faction of Catholiques and Huguenots in thirtie yerres then it indured The death of King Francis at Rombouillet in the space of 6. yeares vnder the long variable and cruell wars of the two houses of Orleans Burgonge factions more fatal miserable in France thē that in Italie of the Guelphes and Gibelins or in England of the long wars between the houses of Lancastre and Yorke It had the beginning from the death of King Francis the first which graine of diuision wherewithall the Prouinces of this Realme is sowen was bought in Geneue of such as brought it from Saxony where they had great store out of Luthers Warehouses Luther began to preach And the most curious who at the first thought to enter into those vesselles of new sects The assembly of Lutheriās dicouered in Parris in S. Iames street before the colledge du Plessis but onely to shake them were carried away by impetuositie of wind and the goodly apparance of her opinions which were said to tend onely to the reformation of the abuses of pride and luxurie in the Cleargie thereby to reduce it into the estate of the Leuites without lands or possessions France that at all times hath beene the nource of fine wittes both subtill and curious was the most fit and apt Prouince wherein to make this Noueltie spring and therein became so fruitefull that in lesse then two or three yeares there was found more Lutherians within the Capitall Cittie of Parris then Prelates or Doctors to oppose themselues against them The Duke of Saxon the Counte Palatin the Marques of Brandebourg the Duke of Witenbourg The marriage of the Dauphine with the Queene of Scots But the king that sought to quench this fire by the rigor of lawes at the first entrance of those Nouelties spared neither authoritie of Edicts seueritie of punishments nor executioners to extirpe them Whereat certaine forraine Princes beeing mooued besought him to moderate his publike persecutions and the great Potentates of the Realme rose vp and put themselues in armes and among the rest Monsieur d'Andelot a man whom the king loued both for the honour of his house and valour of his person and many Councellours of the Court of Parliament found to bee inveloped with this cloude wee cast in prison The Cardinall of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise his brother that practised the marriage of the Queene of Scots their Cousin with the kings eldest sonne and were the greatest next the king who for counsell put his whole confidence in the Cardinal and his forces into the Duke of Guises hands making him Lieftenant generall of his Realme that had all authoritie ouer the people that esteemed them no lesse faithfull to the Crowne then zealous and religious towards the Church that honoured them as the most affectioned to the Common-wealth that were his Druses Marcels Dions and Phocions mooued the king to the extirpation of those Heresies and without doubt hee had surely done it if the splinter of Mongommeries launce had not beene which although it brake not yet it stayed the furie of those publike executions The death of King Henry the second This great king that promised his people a long and continuall peace beeing dead his Scepter remained to Francis but the royall authoritie with them that as then had the possession and that vaunted themselues to deserue it in respect of their seruices done to the king their countrie and religion in such manner The sacring of Francis the second The Constable withdraweth frō the Court. that before Anthony de Burbon king of Nauarre first prince of the blood arriued at the Court his place was taken vp and the royaltie diuided and put into the handes of a king of fifteene yeares of age an Italian woman a Cardinall and a Prince of Lorraine The kings auncient seruants beeing separated from the Court namely the Constable Like as the sunne is in heauen the same should the king be on earth and what effect the sunne worketh with the Planets the same should the K. vnto the Princes of his blood the sun neuer withdraweth his brightnes That was ordamed at Tours Ann. 1484. and at the same time obserued by Charles 8. son to Lewis the 11. that raigned 14. yeares Malecontent in An. 1560. from them no more should the king deny this fauour to the Princes of his-blood that are about him Which not being don it cānot be but there must be disorder Eclipses obscure confusions The Princes of the blood perceiuing themselues debarred from their guard that the king was in the custodie of strāgers contrarie to the ancient priuiledges of France wich ordaineth that the minoritie of the K. shall be assisted by a councell chosen by al the Estates of the Realme wherein the Princes of the blood ought to beare the principall place and straungers excluded vnited themselues togither in the middle of a thousand deaths to preserue their degrees and dignities This discontentment opened the caracters of diuisions that after caused a deluge of miseries in the realme of France And the Malecontents eyther because they were excluded from publike charges or beeing tormented in the libertie of their consciences agreed togither to vnhorse the house of Guise that aspired so neare the king minding neuer to leaue armes before his Maiestie should be deliuered out of their hands and the estate reduced vnder a lawfull gouernment promising neuerthelesse not to attempt any thing against the person of the king his authoritie nor the
mother and his bretheren But the freedome of the Ministers being impatient to staye the resolution of a Councell made them to preach openly whereby they so much tempted and altered mens consciences that suddainly the ceremonies traditions of the Church were abated and the temples seased vpon destroyed And the Constable beeing descended of the first Barron and first Christian in France opposed himselfe against this diuersitie of religion in one realm The Edict of Iuly made at S. Germains in Laye 1561. The assembly at Poissy The murther of Vassy the 1. of Mars 1562. The battaile of Dreux the 19. of Decēber 1561. The Constable was first taken then the Prince of Conde The king of Nauarre was slaine at the siege of Rouē 1562. The Duke of Guise slaine before Orleans the 24. of Febru 1563. 1. Edict of peace Anno. 1563. Reconciliatiō betweene the D. of Guise and the Admirall 1566. Counsell of the Duke of Alue The enterprise at Meaux at the feast of S. Michael 1567. The battaile of S. Denis on S. Martins euen 1567. VVhere the Constable was slaine The second Edict of peace at Lōiumeau which from the time of king Clouis had bin holden maintained in paritie and integritie vnder the ancient faith of their forefathers The Cardinal of Lorraine on the other side tooke the matter in hand and counselled the king to make an Edict against those of the religion the presumption of certain men was such that they cōsented to the disputation at Poissy wher in place of remedie we found but an increasing of our miseries After that the Edict of Ianuarie so much renoumed in all the troubles and solemnized by the Huguenots folowed the breach whereof by the means of Vassy caused both parts to fall to armes vpon the plaines of Dreux which gaue the name to that me morable battell not onely for the number of men there assembled being 1900. foot 2000. horse for the kings part 4000. horse called White-coates 6000. foot of the contrarie as for diuers other accidents that therin were marked besides the taking of two of their chiefe leaders For the Prince of Conde that imputed the first motions of his imprisonmēt of his separatiō frō the fauor and presence of K. Francis the 2. to the practises of the Duke de Guise that euening of the battell was his prisoner accepted the halfe of his auncient enemies bed that was offered vnto him a right discription of this variable world wher you see one triumphing the other captiue Among so many prosperities that inuironed the Duke of Guise by the death of the king of N. Generall of the kings armie followed by all the Catholicque Nobilitie Tutor cōductor of the king Queen-mothers whole affaires death being iealous that the Capitall citie of the realme at his arriuall had cried Viue Guise Viue Guise with as great ioy gladnes as euer they cried Viue le Roy dispatched him out of the way by Poltrots means that slew him at Orleans therby finished the first ciuill war at which time the Prince of Conde was deliuered out of prison the Constable brought the first Edict of peace By this peace France had means to breath and her subiects to liue in some assurance but the corrupted humours that caused the disease of the estate were not so wel disiested but that ther rested some remnants whereby it might be feared it would fall into a much more dangerous sicknesse which happened 3. years after whē the most troublesome alterers of estate renued the fire which although it were not vtterly quenched yet it was half cōsumed The Queen hauing performed that generall visitation of all the kings Prouinces at Moulins taken vp the quarrel between the houses of Guise Chastillon and made thē friends caused 6000. Switzers to be sent for vndera fained sear of the D. of Albes passage throgh France with whom she had conferred at Bayonne wher they concluded that to liue in peace it was best for her to fish after great Samons to leaue the frogs The Admiral perceiuing it determined rather to saue himselfe by his armes then with his legs and went so near vnto the king that he had almost taken him at Meaux and so caused him to retire to Parris being conducted by Pfiffers regiment And the Prince of Conde tooke the town of S. Dennis assieged Parris burned the milles And in fine the two armies met fought before S. Dennis wher the Protestants retired the K. had the victorie but it cost him the life of the Constable beeing one of the valiantest Captains in al Europe who hauing commanded in 7. battels died in the sight of the citie of Parris and of his king at the head of an armie victorious by his cōduction hauing cut his enemies in the cheeks that had wounded him in the face he was by a Scot shot into the raines with a Pistolle so died of the seuenth wound he had receiued in that seuenth battel being of the age of 60. and 7. yeares This death procured an other little peace cōmonly called the lined peace which continued but 6. months and made a war that The Prince of Conde slaine at Bassac the 21 of March 1569. The battaile of Montcontour the 3. of October 1569. The 3. Edict of peace An. 1570. indured for the space of 2. whole years wherein the Prince of Conde died and where the Princes of Nauarre and Conde the Dukes de Guise and Maine were Captains the one of the protestants armie vnder the conduct of the Admiral the other for the defence of Poictiers vnder Monsieur the kings brother General of his Maiesties armie whereby the battell of Moncontour happened where all the protestants footemen were slaine and the Rutters spurs were not sharp ynough to make their horses flie but Monsieur not pursuing his victorie suffered his enemies to range meet togither again who in short time were foūd strong ynough to constrain him to the wars or else to make another Edict of peace with more aduantage then the two first This peace being sworned by al those that had any publike authorite therin caused the Frenchmen to feele the sweetnesse of tranquillitie to be much different from the sharpnesse and bitternesse of ciuill diuisions Therein the king the Queen-mother his bretheren and the Princes did nothing but breath and aspire vnto contentment nothing was spoken of in France but only assurance and of remoouing their wars vnto the frontiers or within the bowelles of forrain countries and euery place was filled with marriages bankets c. But this goodly shew was put only a presaging of the torment that ensued and Saylers iudged that those great calmes would in the end cause some great tempest For presently after ensued the great and terrible day so full of blood teares and sorrow where without respect The massacre vppon Bartholomewe day Ann. 1573. so many
shippe ingaging their liues and honours neuer to separate themselues for any commaundement pretence excuse The originall of the league in An. 1576 or occasion whatsoeuer Behold the conception of the league which will bring foorth most prodigious effects The Huguenots had wonne their sure for till then they were often accused of rebellion as hauing shaken off the yoake of Soueraigntie beeing separated from that faire and vnexpugnable maxime that the power of the Prince proceedeth from God and that it is not lawfull to resist against it for any excuse cause pretence or reason whatsoeuer Pardon mee I beseech you mightie Princes Prelates Lords and Gentlemen that are Catholicques if I tell you that this fortresse which you builde will bee your ouerthrowe this fire you kindle will burne you these kniues you forge will bee tempered in your entralles and that thereby you will leaue neither of your selues nor your league but a most pittifull and shamefull memorie What thinke you to do O you leaguer for God for the faith and for the king The league is not for God You vndertake armes for God who desireth nothing but peace you publish rebellion hee commaundeth obedience you trouble the rest and quietnesse of a Christian king hee willeth vs to indure at the hands of a Prince although he bee a Pagan You do it for God whose name you call vppon and deny his power you doo it for God that detesteth your actions and knoweth your thoughts and you do it for that God who will confound all those that breed confusion among his people You vndertake warres for religion and nothing hindereth it more then warres you fight for holinesse Nor for religion and your weapons destroy the Churches authorise blasphemers and plant Atheisme impietie and despising of deuotion in all places You march vnder pretence of the Churches cause and you ransome and spoyle the Cleargie by tithes and impositions If it bee for the spiritualtie wherefore do you bring in the Rutters that haue ouerrunne the Priests burned the Churches robbed the relicques Nor for the Church and polluted the Altars You said it is for the king so said the Huguenots at the enterprises of Ammboise of Meaux and of S. Germaine in Laye and you will not beleeue him for the king had disauouched them If it bee for the king where are his commissions If it bee for his seruice where is his commaundement If it be for him wherefore do dou it without him If it bee for his obedience Nor for the King wherefore sweare you to obey the Head of your league Can you bee bound by one oath to two cōtrarieties This new faith promise which you giue is it not to obey a new Lord seeing you cannot serue two Maisters If it be to maintain his kingdome in the Catholicque religion cannot hee doo it without you What shame will you procure vnto him to atribute the honour of the glorie of so happie a conquest vnto your selues and not refer the triumph vnto him What blasphemie reproach do you induce into his honour and reputation both among his owne people and with straungers Will they not say The subiect ought not to bind himselfe by oath of fidelitie to any but to his soueraigne that a great king a wise king with the aduantages of his Maiestie his powers durst not enterprise that which the subiects vndertake to doo Know you not that all leuying of armes is treason without the kings authoritie that the subiects cannot make any league without the Prince that leagues are not made betweeene Subiects or equall persons and that the Courts of Parliament are the foundations of the seueritie of lawes both humane and diuine But let vs heare what your pattents of the league containe The first league made at Peronne without naming the Head For religion For the seruice of the king IN the name of the holy Trinitie Father Sonne and holy Ghost the onely true God bee honour and glorie for euer The association of Princes Lords and Catholicke Gentlemen ought to bee and shall bee made to reestablish the lawe of God in her pristinate estates to retaine and holde the holy seruice thereof according to the forme and manner of the holy Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine Church abiuring and renouncing all errors to the contrarie Secondly to preserue king HENRY the third of that name by the grace of God and his Predecessors most Christian kings in the estates glorie authoritie dutie seruice and obedience that is due vnto him by his subiects as it is contained in the Articles which shall be presented vnto him in the Councell of estate which at his sacring and coronation he promised and swore to obserue with protestation not to do anything to the preiudice of that which shall bee ordained by the States of his Realme Thirdly to restore vnto the Prouinces of this Realme For the people and Estates thereof the auncient rights preheminences franchises and liberties such as they were in the time of King CLOVIS first Christian King and better and more profitable if they may be any wayes inuented vnder the protection afore said and if in case there happeneth any impeachment opposition or rebellion to the contrary of that which is aforesaid by any man or from what part soeuer it may bee the saide associates shall bee bound and holden therein to imploye all their goods and meanes whatsoeuer yea and their owne persons euen to the death to punish chastice and ouerrunne those that seeke to contradict hinder and resist that all the things aforesaid shall not bee really and effectually put in execution And if in case that any of the associates their subiects friends and confederates shall bee molested oppressed or pursued for the cause aforesaid by whomsoeuer it may bee the said associates shall bee bound to imploy their bodies goods and meanes to bee reuenged on them that shall haue done or caused the said oppressions and molestations bee it by way of iustice or by armes without exception of any man If it happen Against such as appose thēselues against the deuises of the league Against such as shall leaue or abandon the league that any of the associates after that they haue taken their oathes vnto the said associates would withdrawe themselues or depart out of the same vnder what pretence soeuer it shall bee which God forbidde such breakers of their consents shall bee hurt and offended both in their bodies and goods by all meanes possible as enemies to God and rebels and perturbers of publike tranquilities without reuenge to bee taken against the said associates either publikely or priuately The said associates shal sweare all readie and willing obedience and seruice vnto the Head and Geuerall that shall bee appoynted followe and giue counsell comfort and ayde as well to the entertaining and conseruation of the saide association as to the ruines and ouerthrowe of the contradictors thereof without acception or
exception of persons and the failers and delayers therein shall bee punished by authoritie of the General and as hee shall appoynt wherevnto his said associates shal submit themselues Practising with townes All Catholicques of Townes and Villages shall bee aduertised and secretly summoned by the particular Gouernours to enter into the said association and dutie to furnish men and munition for the execution thereof according to the power and facultie of euerie man That such as will not enter into the said association shal be reputed as enemie thereof be pursued by all means sorts of troubles molestations Contribution of men and mony and it shal be forbidden vnto the said associates to enter into debates quarrels one with the other without permission of the Generall at whose arbitrement the contradistors shall bee punished as wel touching reparation of honour as for all other causes If for fortification or greater assurance of the said associates there is any appoyntment made with the Prouinces of this Realm it shal be made in forme aforesaid vpō the same conditions whether the said associations be sought for by the said Townes or Prouinces or that it bee offered vnto them if it bee not otherwise ordained by the Generall I sweare by God the Father touching this Ghospel and vppon paine of cursing and eternall damnation that I haue entered into this holy and Catholicque association The forme of the leaguers oath according to the forme and manner of the extract that hath been presently read vnto mee faithfully and sincerely whether it bee therein to commaund or to serue and obey and promise both vppon mine honor and life to continue therein as long as one drop of blood last within my body without resisting or withdrawing my selfe from the same vnder pretence of any commaundement excuse cause or occasion whatsoeuer The instructions of the Aduocate Dauid About that time the Aduocate Dauid was taken with certaine aduertisements and notes about him concerning the meanes whereby to authorise this league and to breake the ordinary course of the succession of France by impossible meanes which ought neither to be known nor be beleeued and wherewith I meane not to dishonour this discourse Packets of the league of Peronne cast about the streetes Nature of the people Meane time Postes were sent into all places to spread the newes and first aduise of those pretences masked with faire and shining vizardes of holinesse thereby to bleare the eyes of the people and libels were cast about the streets diuers men of good account trauelling about the countrie to serue for bellows to this new forge made to kindle a great warre And the people that ranne from one extremitie to another which loue changes a troupe that followeth such as lead it a sea that neuer riseth without winde and a Monster with many heads suffered themselues to be borne away with the first waues of this tempest The Parliament at Blois 1576 Meane time the king minding to put cold water into the boyling pot and to cut off the meane to this new motion caused the Parliament to be holden which by the last peace he had promised thinking and certainly perswading himself that not any one in his Realme but loued rather to entertain a sworne and solemne peace then to seeke the continuance of warres the ouerthrowe of Townes and the desolation of the people or that the Rutter should once againe return to sucke the blood gnawe the bones and eate the marrowe of their childrē At the first assembly of the Parliament An Oration of Henry the third at the Parliament in Blois and after he had saluted welcommed all the Estates with a most heroyicall and Princely grace he made an Oration vnto them concerning the miseries and afflictions of his Realme and the hope he had that so great an assembly beeing the very quintessence of the finest wits in al France wold prouide some remedie therin shewing that the minoritie of himselfe his brother at the beginning of those ciuill wars was reason sufficient why they should not be esteemed or once thought to bee the causes therof commending the wisdome of his mother touching the gouernment of the Realme protesting that for his own part he had no other care desire nor intent then only to procure the rest welfare of his subiects whose miseries he wold be alwaies readie to relieu with the price of his dearest blood The Crowne of France layde to pawne for 100. millions of gold charging al the assembly to ayde assist him therein to deuise the means to release his Crowne at that time pawned for aboue the sum of 100. millions of golde to vnite themselues togither thereby to puck vp the seeds of partialities to reforme abuses and to restore iustice to herintegritie and to reduce it into the pristinate holinesse splendure That don Pierre d'Epinac Archbishop of Lyons rose vp and before them al declared his reasons touching the Clargie The Lord of Senscey with a militarie franke true French tongue spake for the Nobilitie and Versoris for the common The two first by a multitude of reasons and wonderfull speeches concluded that it was most fit and conuenient that there should bee but one religion in the Realme The third shewed that the people wholly desired the revnion thereof so it might bee done by peaceable and quiet meanes without warres But the Cleargie and Nobilitie after many difficulties caused the Parliament to breake vp so that vnder the ashes of the last warres which as yet were hotte there might be found the sparkes of a great fire For after many messages although in vaine sent by the king to the Protestant Princes Protestation of the Prince of Conde in Ann. 1577. vnder which was placed Deo victricibus armis the warre beganne againe For the Prince of Conde rose vppe in armes and swore not to leaue them vntill he had brought the realme into her pristinate splendure and dignitie restored libertie to the Estates eased the poore people of insupportable tributes inuēted by the Italians deliuered the Frenchmen from the seruitude tyrannicall infamie whervnto they were subiected not onely by their owne carelessenesse and disvnion but by artificiall practises of such as would rayse the foundations of their greatnesse with the blood of the true Princes of France and of the Nobilitie to the great disaduantage and ouerthrow of the auncient lawes and customes of the realme Wherevppon the king hauing enterprised those warres the rather because his Estates shewed him the reasons VVarre beganne about Easter 1577 necessities and commodities although of his owne nature he rather desired not to haue broken the peace but onely to abridge it of certaine particular articles by the Huguenots esteemed most aduantage for them caused two great armies to be leuied wherof Monsieur was Generall of the one that marched towards la Charite and Issoire and the Duke Demain commaunding
haue one eye thrust out the other the greatest Princes in the world are much troubled thereby and yet constrained to indure it The Princes of Almaine haue this diuersitie in one Towne yea in one Host and in one familie without either trouble or diuision The interim of the Emperour Charles the fist 1530. Confirmed 1555. The Emperour Charles the fift was constrainsd to passe that path and his brother Ferdinand a man most affected to the Catholicque religion consented to the same libertie in his kingdomes of Bohemia Hungaria and Austria Pietie is the foundation of all estates which cannot be in all places where God is diuersly serued It is so and you finde many that complaine thereof but fewe that seeke the remedie we knowe but two that is rigor and peaceablenesse either by a generall Councell or by armes For the first it needeth not because the trueth once knowne and determined ought not to be brought in question or disputed of againe The latter is altogither straunge and it was neuer heard that men were put to death to force them to beleeue To kill burne and massacre are words neuer vsed but in seditious enterprises those of the new opinion that liue among the Catholicques without preaching or open exercises are content to seeke no further freedome then the libertie of their conscience without being troubled A King cannot refuse his subiects the libertie of not speaking for that mens tongues and consciences are not vnder the Soueraigntie of his Scepter Tacere liceat Nulla libertas minor a rege Petitur Senec. O ed. Lictance li. 5. cap. 14. God is the God of mens soules Kings may constraine mens bodies and force them to say that outwardly which inwardly they deny For as he that is called the Cicero of Christians saith Who can constraine me not to beleeue that which I will beleeue or to thinke that credible which seemeth incredible there is nothing so voluntarie as religion but if the minde be separated from it it is no more religion but hypocrisie and dissimulation force will do that Purpure cultores efficies non Dei. which should be done onely by loue for by it men respect more the penalties of the lawe then the lawe it selfe they will reuerence the Iudges scarlet gowne not for the loue of the Iudge but for feare of the executioner that attendeth on him â—ides suadenda non imperanda Bernard and when they are gone their courages are found to be strongerthen their torments their constancie greater then their cruelties peaceablenesse is more conuenient and hath more force Faith commandeth not but is taught the strongest or roughest bits are not fit for good horses Our coÌ„sciences are the like for force breaketh sooner theÌ„ bendeth theÌ„ If the Lute bee not well tuned or if the Meane do not agree with the Base we must not therefore breake it About the end of Iune 1574. the king called him his father but winde it softly vp and you shall make them accord The Emperour Maxemilion that said that no sinne could be greater then to violate mens consciences answered the king of France returning out of Polonia proposing the ruine of the Huguenots the restablishing of the only religioÌ„ of his forefathers in his realm that those wich seek to rule ouer meÌ„s consciences supposing to win heauen do oftentimes loose their possessions on earth To obey God and serue the king Two religions cannot command in one Realme It is true but that is no consequent why there should not be two for the subiect is not bound to follow the religion of his Prince as long as he permitteth him the libertie of his own he must obey and serue hee giueth to God that which is Gods and to Caezar In the time of Clouis a Pagan there was Christians in FraÌ„ce that which is Caezars and confoundeth not the difference between those two seruices and duties He that hath one religion cannot haue two and hateth and detesteth that which is the contrarie Clouis our first christian King being a Pagan tollerated christians in his Realme and so did our King being in Polonia permit Latin and Greeke Churches with the confession of Ausbourg Lutherans and Caluenists to liue togither in Muscouia and other countries belonging vnto the Emperor the prince of Greece a great part of his subiects are different froÌ„ him touching religion And although the Turke receiueth not the Crowne yet he constraineth them not to leaue their christianitie The Frenchmen could not indure Iewes in France They bannished them not because of their religion but for their Barbarous cruelties wherewith they crucified young children in dispight of the sonne of God and for their extreame vsuries wherewith they consumed the common people The king suffering Heretickes doth wrong to the Catholicques The king is Common-father to them as well as to the others Iewes banished out of France and for what cause as there is no reason to prooue the ingratitude of the sonne towards the father so all lawes detest the inhumanitie and impietie of the father against the son Those whom the king so oftentimes proclaimeth rebelles and his enemies are his children his subiects and his seruants God neuer prospereth the enterprises of the subiect against his Prince very sildome haue kings had great triumphs by wars ouer their subiects It belongeth to a Vittellius and not to a king of France to walke along the fieldes his garments all died with the blood of his subiects Vitellius said that the body of the enemie slaine sauoureth well but that of the citizen beeing dead is better Tacit. lib. 17. Suet in the life of Vitellius Cap. 10. The people neuer die The 5. Edict of peace An. 1577. made at Poictiers in the moneth of Septemb. Conference at Nerac the last of Februarie 1579. The 6. Edict of peace in An. 1581. and to delight in the sauour of their dead bodies lying slaine vppon the ground VVhen the Huguenots shall be ouerthrowne and consumed the king shall liue in peace Suppose he putteth them to death and that at one time hee cutteth off a hundreth thousand heads The General seed is immortall by the succession of euery particular familie kindred and seuerall man which still increaseth one after the other although euery particular man of himselfe is mortall the bodie of the people in general neuer dieth The K. may wel destroy al the particulars of this new opinion but they will leaue as many children whose innocencie God and nature will not permit to touch that will succeed not onely in their goods but in the humors quarrels and passions of their fathers In fine those that perswaded peace by their reason alleadged got the vpper hand of those that desired warre and there vpon it was concluded with great concontentment on both both parts that the Prince of Conde the same night he receiued it caused it to be published by torch-light although with lesse aduantage on
Mauarre that hee should not mooue at those actions but content himselfe with patience the people might perceiue and iudge the pretences of the league and knowe on whom to laye the blame praying him to assure himselfe of his good affection with promise that he would not forget his interest more then his owne and that he would not be vnmindfull of him as being his good brother withall discouering vnto him the iudgement hee had conceiued touching those new troubles which was in these words That hee knewe that those of the league what shewe soeuer they made pretended onely against his person and his Crowne minding to rise and become great at his costs seeking nothing else but the vtter ruine and dssipation of his estate While the flame issued out of this fornace the league made warre against the Huguenots ceasing vppon the best Townes of the Catholicques in all the realme Religion was preached in Guyenne and they went to driue it out of Picardie Marceille taken the 9. of Aprill 1585. by the league but presently againe reduced to the K. obedience the Hugnenots were in Rochel and the leaguers armie marched straight to Parris they are at Montpellier and the league set vppon Marseille which by means of the second Consull of the Towne they tooke who afterward was hanged The taking of it againe out of their hands liked the king so well that as the messenger brought him news thereof into the Hall whereas then he was leauing his companie hee went vnto them and commending their resolution esteemed them for his faithfull and good subiects in that they had hanged the leaguerer Daries saying vnto them My good friends I am cōtent to grant to your request and more if need require assuring you that my liberallitie shal neuer bee wanting to acknowledge your great fidelitie But in the mean time he tooke no order for his affaires he was on foot and the leaguer spake on horsebacke he ware the Penetentiaries sack and they armour on their backes and leauing armes which nature and necessitie presented vnto him The K. zeale to religion cause of the peace in An. 1577. hee had recourse to penne and Inke and made his declaration but in such cold manner that you would say he durst not name his enemies and seemed like a man that complained hee had been beaten but shewed not by whom hee said that both before and since his aduancement to the Crowne hee had sufficiently shewed his zeale and affection towardes the Catholicque religion whereof the onely conseruation was dearer vnto him then his own life or royall Crowne That he had been constrained to make peace when he perceiued that hee wanted meanes to continue the warres Fruits of peace to all estates specially when he knewe and well perceiued that all his Realme was wearied with their continual calamities That peace was the readie remedie to bring his subiects to one religion to establish iustice to correct abuses reforme manners comfort the Cleargie and the people reuiue the qualities and horrors of his Nobilitie in a manner imbased by those diuisions That the peace being well holden and obserued it would procure an entire and ful contentment to al estates And thereby iustice would bee in force by authoritie of the lawes The Cleargie reformed and that in all places there was no other but learned and godly Prelates The Nobilitie reconciled leauing hatred distrust and the people deliuered from the insatiable troubles of warres That diuers neuerthelesse both impudent and bolde more hypocrites then religious had taken pleasure to interpret that peace to a secret fauour and loue hee should beare vnto the Huguenots thereby to aduance them a thing which neuer once entered into his mind That the feare of troubles the might arise after his death The disputation of the Princes succession is odious while the Prince liueth was not a sufficient cause to torment trouble him in his life and as it were to condemne him not to bee any more the person that God and nature had ordained him That he neuer fauoured the succession of a king that should be to the disaduantage of the Catholicque religion that it was in a manner to constraine nature time so much to distrust the goodnesse of God as to vndertake a quarrell touching the succession of the Crowne during his life beeing healthfull and strong of bodie his Queen the flower of her age This is spokē for Monsieur de Guise that was Great-maister of France euery man in hope that God would send them issue that the Princes which complained to bee out of his fauour had receiued as great fauour and rather more then euer they deserued hauing honoured them with the greatest and most honourable offices of his Crowne which in times past were not giuē but to the Princes of the blood And in fine hauing promised to restore the Church to her splendure the Nobilitie to their contentment iustice to her authoritie and comfort to the people hee prayed coniured exhorted and commaunded all Ecclesiasticall persons Gentlemen Parliaments and Townes to separate themselues from all such meanes as might impeach the effect of so holy an intent and to leaue all leagues and assosiations vniting themselues vnder his obedience as by nature dutie and their owne welfare they were bound The king of Nauarre who to obey the king had not as yet taken armes let passe all the occasions that might excuse him thought that of all insensible creatures he should bee most insensible The king of Nauarres declaration made at Bergerac the 10. of Iune 1585. presented to the king by Monsieur de Cleremont if hee should bee so simple as not to perceiue the many slaunders raised against him and that if seeing an arme lifted vp readie to strike the king hee would not stay it and shewe the generositie of the house of Bourbon vnder the promise of his Maiestie made a declaration which he presented and sent to all christian Princes and chiefe companies of France to make them capable of his actions Wherein hee fully discouered his religion and manner of faith shewing that hee had been borne during the Schisme and permission of two religions in France that he neither could nor would leaue that wherin he had bin brought vp and instructed if by a lawfull Councell hee were not otherwise conuerted and that still then they could not hold him for an hereticque much lesse as one that had fallē from the church affirming that he had neuer bin hereticque nor contrary to his first opinion and that they thought rather to destroy then instruct him and to ouerthrow then vnite him That euery man knoweth whē he yeelded to heare Masse after Saint Bartholomewes day That both age force and feare made him consent to that which in minde he neuer thought and that assoone as hee was at libertie hee returned to the exercise of his first religion That in all the warres which hee made hee neuer
had any other respect then only to God and seruice to the king And that assoone as his Maiestie by his Edicts had consented to the libertie of mens consciences he presently left armes and countermanded his troupes togither with the forrain aydes of his friends and confederates That for that cause hee is not enemie to the Catholicques as the report goeth That hee maintaineth those of Bearn in the small libertie they had when the Queen his mother died and so in all places of the kingdome of Nauarre then resting vnto him where hee found the exercise of Catholicque religion he neuer permitted any change That the consultation in Magdebourg which the league so much spake of that they caused it to bee preached openly in the Churches was an imagination and woorthie such reports for that it would be found that neither there nor in any other place it was euer holden And that in the extract of forces by them therein set downe they induce the Ambassadors of the Elector Palatin of the Prince of Orange the one beeing dead aboue a yeare before and had left a sonne within yeares vnder the wardship of the Duke Casimir the other about foure moneths before that was slaine at Delft by Balthazard Girad That the declaration by them made of his incapacitie to the succession of the Crowne was the thing that touched him most yet vntill then hee had least minde of it contenting himselfe with the hope that God would long time preserue his Maiestie for the good of his Realme and Common-wealth and would in time giue him issue to the great greefe of his enemies not seeking to iudge the king or Queene to bee barren in the flower of their ages That those which in their declaration and protestation named him to bee desirous of the kings death a perturber of the State and sworne enemie to all Catholicques had falsely wickedly lyed and therevppon besought the king that the quarrell might bee descided betweene him and the Duke of Guise one to one two to two or tenne to tenne without troubling himselfe or suffer the people to indure any longer vexation The Queen-mother that held with the Duke of Guise more to crosse and trouble him to make an entrie into the disorder and confusion of all affaires then to aduance him Princes fauourers of the league gaue the king to vnderstand what power the league was of shewing him that therein hee had to do with the Pope the Emperor the king of Spaine the Duke of Sauoy certaine Princes of Germanie the Catholicque Cantons of Switzers all the house of Lorraine and all the chiefe Towns in France that had entered therin al resolued to expose their persons in the middle of all perils as the last anker to preserue religion frō shipwracke And shee gaue him so hotte an alarme with those first assaults The surprising of the Citadel of Lyons the 2. of May 1585. and knew so well how to vse the occurrence of the taking of the Citadell of Lyons wherof the Captain had bin driuen out vnto her purpose that the more the king thought vpon it the more hee perceiued himselfe to bee weakned and the leaguers aduanced Hee thought that the ramparts defences of his Estate were alreadie abated hee beleeued that alreadie the Duke of Guise held him by the collor it seemed vnto him that his Pallace of Louure was besieged with great paine they could hardly make him come foorth of the Capucins sell it was no more he that wan the battelles of Iarnac and Moncontour generositie wanted and his heart began to faile Herein diuers Polititians noted a great fault in the Estate which after produced great accidents Many imbarked them selues with the league being made beleeue it was for the kings person but perceiuing the contrary left it Caezar onely opposed but the authoritie of his face against his mutinous legions but it was with a liuely and bolde assurance not doubtfull nor trembling If the king had shewed himself to the league not couered with a Penitents garment or habit of an Hermit not by faire and plausible meanes but with constancie courage and resolution woorthie a Maiestie royall hee had well made them knowe him to bee king the true and onely Image of God that had thunder readie in his hand to consume and confound such as rose vp against him the warre would bee ended The armie of the Duke de Guise which at his first rising and in the flower thereof was but a thousand horse and foure thousand foote had been dispearsed in lesse then a month and the Cardinall de Bourbon had confessed to the Queene-mother that if the king had banded his authorithie against him all his attempts had been cleane ouerthrowne Feare is a plague to valiant mindes but when the heart of the chiefe commander is possest therewith his authoritie is abated it dimisheth falleth and vndermineth it selfe for feare in flameth the courage and causeth men so much more boldly to enterprise their wicked actions as that they are assured they shal not be punished Also the king letting slip this reuolt rather speaking faire then commaunding and yeelding rather then opposing thereby drew all the mischief of those toubles vppon his owne head He desired the Queen-mother to beare some of his blowes This is the opinion of the Author that made the tiberal and excellent discourse fol. 22. The last request of the Princes of the league The Edict published in Parliament the king being present the 18. of Iuly 1585. The K. fearfull disarmeth himselfe to cause the league to disarm them selues and to procure the Duke of Guise to leaue off his armes and to assure him of his fauor and that he would giue him what part of his Realme soeuer hee would aske to let him liue in peace This Prince of great hope wise and valerous and one of the greatest Captains that France in long time had bred perceiuing that so hardy an enterprise had alreadie taken so good effect and made so great a change pursued it and perceiuing the king to yeeld vnto him hoped more then he either thought or ought to do And there vppon presented the king with another request wherein very wisely hee motioned his owne interest togither with the common cause signed by himselfe and the Cardinall of Bourbon tending to this end To desire him to make and sweare an vnreuocable edict for the extirpation of heresies To take by force the Townes holden by those of the new religion To reuowne the protection of Geneue to authorise their warres to reconcile them vnto him to be of their league and of a king to become a participant Therevppon with all speede the peace was made and cast into a mould the king suffering himselfe by that feare to bee so much carried away And by the edict hee prohibited the exercise of the new religion reuoked all other edicts that fauoured it commaunded the Ministers out of the land and all
of Nauarre would yeeld at the onely report of their enterprise They brought this poore king a sleepe with many chimers foresaying he should haue forraine ayde which was as true as the sea burneth It was tolde him that all Christian Princes would helpe him that the Queene of England should haue so many Chastillian forces against her Many chimeres that she should find ynough to do to defend her selfe that the Princes of Germanie would neuer stirre for the king of N. being a Prince poore both without mony and credite and that all would in a manner melt at the apparance of those new sonnes An army by sea prepared in Portugall of 30000. men against England An. 1587. So that the warre was sworne to bee made in all places of the Realme and as then there wanted nothing but mony To the which end the king in his Pallace of Louiene caused the principall of the Cleargie the Parliament and the Cittizens of Parris to bee assembled shewing them that as by their aduise hee had broken the peace so hee desired to bee holpen by their meanes to the maintenance of his warres the charges whereof hee said amounted to the summe of foure hundreth thousand Crownes a month The Kings Oration to those of Parris the eleueth of August 1585. for the entertaining of three armies one in Guyenne the second about his owne person and the third to impeach the enterie of straungers And speaking to the principall President he saide that hauing perceiued so much zeale and affection in him to haue the last edict of peace reuoked he doubted not but hee would bee able by sufficient arguments to perswade his equalles that as long as the warres indured they should not looke for any stipendes To the Prouost of Marchants in Parris hee said that seeing the Towne He commanded him presently to call the Towne togither to leme vpon them the sum of 200000. Crownes was so much affected to the breach of peace it ought to bee as well disposed to contribute to the warres And then turning to the Cardinall of Guise he said that as the heads of the Clargie were those that had most stirred and prouoked him to warres which could not bee made without great expenses they ought not to spare their armes to helpe him considering it was not reasonable that his Maiestie should onely beare the charge of that which would redownd to the benefite of the Common-wealth But when they made certaine difficulties and that alreadie euery one confessed that there is no peace how little aduantage soeuer it bringeth but is much better then any warre how triumphant and victorious soeuer it be Pax vel iniusta vuhor iusâ—â—ssimo bello Cic ad Artic that the apprehensions of publike calamities opened the eyes and mooued the sences of the most insencible that euery man would gladly haue warre without feeling the discommodities it bringeth with it With an angrie countenance hee said vnto them Then I thinke it had beene better to beleeue mee I am in doubt that in seeking to be ridde of preaching Speeches of K. Henry the third wee doo not greatly hazard the warre But the Cleargie whose hearts more then their purses were opened to that war and considering that all the aydes which the kings of France at other times had from the Spiritualtie Read the oration made by the Cardinall of Lorraine to Charles the 6. at Fontainebleau the 28. of May. 1573. The Clergie in lesse then 15. yeares furnished 60. milions of Frankes The Clergies declaration made vnto the King the 19. of Nouember 1585. in their greatest and most vrgent affaires was out of the tithes of their reuenues that since it had ingaged in the Towne-house of Parris the one hundreth thousand Frankes of yearely rent and thereby consented to the alienation of the free farme thereof That at the kings returne froÌ„ Pologne it had alreadie coÌ„tributed 60000000. Frankes that since that it was bound for the space of sixe yeares to paye yearly the summe of one million and three hundreth thousand Frankes for his seruice with condition not to bee charged with other tithes That now the king hauing declared that this warre mooued by the solicitation of the Cleargie ought to be followed and supplyed at the charges of the Church the ruine thereof was most euident they thought good to shew the king their impossibilitie to satiffie the same the iust complaint of the great charges it had borne in the last leuying of armes besides the loosing of their rights and franchises To the which end the Bishoppe of Brien spake for all them vnto the king shewing that vntill that time the Cleargie had not spared the riches of the Alter to maintaine the honour of the sacrifice but now that their meanes were so drawne out their rents ingaged and their free farmes alienated that they could doo no more That it would bee a most erreligious thing that religion should bee defended by people without religion and that the Church nourisheth and entertaineth such as committed so many rapines sacriledges blasphemies pollutions and vnreuerent dealings towards it They besought his Maiestie by the memorie of his father by the honourable name of most christian king the goodnesse of his nature and the liuely comiseration of his spirit to be protector of her priuiledges and for a time permit her to breath Meane time hee animateth him to the execration of the Edict of Iuly which could not bee done without warre the warre not without mony and the mony could not bee leuied but by suppression of the Church or of the common people But that serued not the league would haue warres and of force the foure elements whereof the Monarchie consisteth that is the king and the 3. Estates must bee reduced into the auncient confusion of a Chaos and that they whose fathers vsed to haue warres in Affrica Asia and in the furthest parts of all the world must entertaine and hatch it among themselues Meane time the King of Nauarre beeing aduertised that preparation was made Letters of the King of Nauarre to the King to war against those of the religion complaineth vnto the king touching the peace hee had made with the league shewing him that vppon commaundement receiued from his Maiestie to bee patient and not to stirre against those that had risen against him hee to shewe dutie had so much bridled his nature that in a manner it stained his reputation and according to his Maiesties pleasure reiected the occasions which from day to day presented themselues vnto him whereby hee might reuenge the leaguers attempts and that notwithstanding his Maiestie forgetting the consideration of the particular interest which hee had in his last raysing of armes had made peace with his enemies and armed them with his forces and authoritie against the Estate his blood and his own person And hauing repeated his offer in all his declarations for the ceasing of troubles touching the difference of
religion if there were no other passion that touched his enemies at the heart he added that if the king would not accept his fidelitie hee can do no more but content himselfe with his owne innocencie and affection towards his Maiestie and the State Declaration protestatiō of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde In his declaration hauing disciphered the cause of leaguers taking armes the vanitie of their pretences and the fruites that all the Estates of France may reape by the conclusion of the treatie of Nemours by breaking the peace and beginning warre Hee protesteth and with him the Prince of Conde his Cousin the Duke de Mommorency the Lords Gentlemen Prouinces Townes and common people as well of the one as of the other religion to oppose themselues against the Authors of those troubles in a lawfull and necessary defence therby to conserue the lawes which are the foundations of all families and to maintaine the estate and libertie of the King and of the Queene his mother Sixtus 5. excommunicateth the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde in September 1585. This Prince had need to bee a strong Bulwarke thereby to defend himselfe against so many assaults on all sides made vppon him For hauing both the king and the league as enemies on the one side on the other side commeth the Pope with his thunderboults of excommunication declaring him incapable to the succession of the Crowne of France abandoning his person and his countries for a praye to such as could obtaine it Touching this Bull many whole bookes both with it and against it were written and set foorth to the which I referre the curiositie of such as desire to knowe whether the Pope hath any authoritie ouer the estate of France for which consideration The King of Nauarres letters to the States the Court of Parliament would not allowe it Therevppon the king of Nauarre complained to all the Estates of France in that they had caused the succession of a king beeing yet aliue to bee decided in the Court of Rome made the title of a Prince of the blood to be iudged by the Pope and suffered the Consistorie to giue that which belonged not vnto them And hauing particularly represented vnto them the mischiefes which thereby might arise togither with the shame and perpetuall reproach vnto this Nation in hauing To the Clergie produced monsters into the world and rebelles among a most obedient people hee endeth his letters with reiecting the mischiefes of those miseries vppon those that are the authors In his letter to the Cleargie hee said If war bee so acceptable vnto you if a battell liketh you better then a disputation a bloodie conspiracie more then a Councell I will wash my handes and the blood that thereby shall bee spilt be vppon your owne heades I am assured that the maledictions of such as shall thereby indure great miserie will not fall vppon mee so that my patience my reasons and obedience are sufficiently knowne Meane time I hope God will blesse my iust quarrell to whom I commend you To the Nobilitie To the Nobilitie hee writeth and saith The Princes of France are the keyes of the Nobilitie I loue you all I feele my selfe perished and become weake in your blood The straunger hath no interest in this losse I haue good cause to complaine of some but I rather bewaile them I am readie to imbrace them all That which most displeaseth me is that those which I most esteem of whom I knowe haue been circumuented I cannot distinguish them being in armes but God knoweth my thought their blood be vpon the authors of these miseries to whom we praye c. To the Commons after he had deplored their woundes and scarres and assured them of his readinesse to shed his blood if his enemies would by a combat of two and two end the warre To the Commons which would be the death of so many thousands of men He saith I am a Frenchman borne I will bee partner of your miseries I haue assayed all meanes to exempt you from ciuill discordes and will neuer spare my life that they may be abridged I will not impute the fault vpon you you are Frenchmen but rather esteem of your good willes I demaund nothing else of all you that according to your vocations are most subiect to indure mischiefe then to doo it but onely your vowes prayers and good-wils But because hee feared the sword of Saint Paul more then the keyes of Saint Peter and that the Gold of Spaine is more daungerous then the Lead of Rome he sent his Ambassadors to the protestant Princes of Germanie to craue their aydes Which the king perceiuing sent the Cardinall of Lenoncourt and the President Brulart vnto him to assure him of his Maiesties good-will of the great desire he had to see him vnited to the Catholicke Church not onely for the safetie of his conscience but also for the easier establishing of his succession to the Crown to declare the causes that had moued him to breake the peace and to desire him to yeeld vp the Townes which he held for his securitie The king of N. hauing yeelded most humble thankes vnto them for his Maiesties good will in his behalfe aunswered that without instruction he could not change his religion for the which so much time and blood had been shed And that those of his side were so farre from yeelding vp the Towns giuen to them for their securitie that following the example of the leaguers they had cause rather to aske for more The Ambassadours perceiuing that neither the one nor the other poynt of their Ambassage tooke effect ended their commission by desiring the king of Nauarre to enter into a treatie wherein the Queene-mother would labour to his contentment Conference agreed vpon and trauell as farre as to Champigny if in the meane time it pleased him to staye the forraine armie Hee willingly accepted of the conference but to the other poynt he said that he neither could nor ought in any sort to stay or withdraw the good willes of those who in so much important an occasion yea and in so extreame necessitie had entered into the field that by restoring the authoritie of the king troden vnderfoote by the breach of his edicts they might defend him from the forraine inuation of the league The Electors Palatin the Duke of Saxe the M. of Brandenburg the D. of Brunswick the Lantgraue of Hessen sent Ambassadors to the king in Parris The Kings answere to the Protestant Ambassadors The Princes of Germainie that sought to ayde such as were of their religion perceiuing France to bee a bodie in a manner wounded to death thought good to procure the remedie thereof rather then to helpe to giue the mortall blowe and to prooue if by intreatie and faire meanes they might cease the causes of their diuision and procure the tranquillitie of the common-wealth by the obseruation
of the edict of peace To the which end they sent their Ambassadors to the king to desire him to open his eyes to the teares and his eares to the complaints of his poore subiects and to vouchsafe the hearing of the humble requests of his neighbours for his owne good and the quietnes and honour of his faith his Crowne and reputation But the king thinking it straunge that forraine Princes should deale with his affaires answered them that hee knew what was necessarie for his subiects and that according to the cause for their good and tranquillitie he had made and changed his ordinances as all soueraigne Princes in Christendome vse to do to whom he referred the care and charge to gouerne their subiects as they thinke good and that for his part hauing the feare of God and the loue of his subiects liuely ingrauen in his heart hee would do nothing against the honour of his conscience nor the fatherly care he had vnto his people With which answere the Ambassadors returned not well pleased and the king that had giuen sixe moneths respite to those of the new religion eyther to leaue it or depart out of the realm perceiuing that by delayes they had meanes to arme and put themselues in defence thereby at the end of the said terme to rise vp against him vnder the assurance of forraine ayde sent to the Gouernours of his Prouinces and the Ministers of iustice to execute the edict The king of N. for his part declareth thē enemies in whose townes the said Edict was published causing the goods rents reuenues and debts to bee ceased vppon and solde He lost no time all his friends were readie and the Sieur de S. Mesmes with standeth the Marshall de Matignon The Sieur de Laual had the charge of Xaintonge raised the siege of Taillebourg where the Ladies de la Trimouille both mother and daughter were assieged The Viscount of Thurenes with three or foure thousand Harquebusiers marched in Limosin and there had taken the Bishoppe of Tulles The D. of Guise being aduertised of the dislike the Ambassadors of the princes of Germanie had touching their answer counselled the king to set vpō the Huguenots before the Rutters entered into France So that in lesse then eighteen moneths the king of Nauarre sawe himselfe assayled by fiue campes royall vnder fiue seuerall Generals The Duke de Mercure in Poictou where the Duke de Mercure thinking that the conquest of the Huguenots in Poitou would bee as easily executed as enterprised left Brittaine not considering the common maxime that hee that will breake must bee stronger then the thing which hee mindeth to breake and that there must bee a proportion betweene him that inforceth and him that is inforced for if the weaker part bee his that will force his owne violence ouerthroweth him and spoyleth it selfe Hee thought with two thousande men to doo a great acte But the Prince of Conde meeting with him caused him to remooue not onely from Fontenay but cleane out of Poitou And from thence the Prince besieged Brouage and hauing reduced it to such necessitie that hee weakened the most hardie he receiued newes of the taking of the Castle of Anger 's The taking of the Castle of Anger 's vpon the Sieur de Brissac by three Captaines one named du Halot Parrisan to the king the second Fresne enemie to the Counte de Brissac and Rochemorte affectioned to the king of Nauarre that agreed togither to take the Castle of Anger 's one of the strongest places in France Brissac therein had a Lieftenant called Captaine Grec with twelue souldiers whither Fresne went to visite him and beeing inuited by him to dinner in company of Rochemort others went thither who wrought so brauely that as they entered they slewe all the souldiers that were not of their faction at which noyse Grec comming foorth was met by Fresne that stabbed him with a Poinyard Du Halot beginning to enter into the Castle and perceiuing the execution stepped backe into the Towne and protested that hee had caused the place to be taken for the king notwithstanding he was kept prisoner Rochemort presently aduertised the Sieur de Clermont who by post sent word to the Prince of Conde to certifie him thereof Those of the Towne besieged the Castle and all the countrie ranne thither in the euening they desired to speake with Fresne who minding to issue and being vpon the Drawe-bridge among diuers harquebusiers one beganne to discharge his peece and seeking to reenter Rochemort and his fellowes perceiuing the daunger drewe vp the bridge and Fresne being shut out hung vpon the chaines where the Townsmen cut of his hands in such manner that hee fell into the ditches where a Hart that was bredde vp in the Towne with his hornes made an end of his life by tearing his bodie in peeces Du Halot was presently executed in the Towne and Rochemort being demaunded for whom he held answered that he held for the king of Nauarre at which answere there was no need to bid them make trenches and to keepe watch attending the comming of the Duke de Ioyeuse that not long after arriued in the Towne Certaine daies passing in that order one day after dinner Rochemort leaning in a windowe of the Castle and falling a sleepe was shotte with a harquebuze wherein there was two bullets the one cut his throate and the other his tongue and so was slaine Whervpon 16. souldiers that were therein being deuided because there were but seuen Huguenots began to parley which indured certain weekes The Prince that lay before Brouage hauing about the beginning of October Anno. 1585. receiued newes of the surprising of the Castle and of Rochemorts answere not knowing what had happened since that time determined with all speede to drawe thither because that seruice would be a stay to the leaguers forces and a great meanes of aduantage for them against the league And hauing considered how it might bee possible for him to make that voyage being in those earnest affaires which as then held him in the end he ventured with 700. or 800. foote and 1000. or 1200. harquebusiers on horsebacke wherewith not without great discommodities he passed by boates ouer the riuer of Loire to Rosiers between Saumur Anger 's being as bold an enterprise as euer was in our time For the voyage in truth was enterprised with too much courage litle cōsideration to passe ouer a great riuer betweene two armies and to runne into a straight not knowing on which side to issue without any boates that stayed for him for that those wherewith hee passed lay readie by chance neuerthelesse hee entered into the Subburbes of Anger 's and within the Barricadoes where he spent a whole day in skirmishing and hauing prooued if hee could haue any newes from the Castle he vnderstood it was no place for him for they made him no signes although his trumpets sounded for the purpose for the
to Barbaste and held on his way towards Chastel-Ialoux and being about two myles neare the middle of the landes hee shewed his company what hee purposed to do and with twentie Gentlemen well mounted and tenne souldiers for his guard he rode towards Chaumont leauing the conduction of the rest of his troupes being about foure hundreth Argo litiers badly mounted and disarmed and about fifteen Harquebusiers of his guard to the Suur de la Raque to passe at S. Bazeille which hee did without resistance although the armie of Matignon lay not aboue three myles from thence The king of Nauarre beeing at Chaumont dined there at his ease and yet the Duke de Maine was not aboue two myles from the place where he pasted and after dinner hee went ouer without impeachment or losse of any of his men Arriued at Poictou vnder marshall Biron The next day going to Saint Foy with all his company where he continued for the space of three weekes hunting at his pleasure and from thence hee retired into Poitou where the Marshall Biron with a thousand or twelue hundreth horse and three or foure thousand foot besieged Marans but the agreement made betweene the king of Nauarre and him made him raise his siege and Marans continued quiet vsing both the one and the other religion the Duke Ioyeuse brother in lawe to the king brought a new armie and with it besieged Mexeut which hee constrained to compound And from thence went to Niort Exployts of the Duke Ioyeuse in Poictou battered Tonnay-Charente and set vpon the Rocheliers heeles but as then his armie was so afflicted with the plague that hauing made a little troupe vnder the conduction of Lauerdin he retired in great poste vnto Parris â—o prouide a new armie at the ouerthrow whereof he was despatched at Coutras as heereafter I will shewe you The Marshall Ioyeuse tooke Montesquiou in Lauragois and lost thirtie two Captaines and fiue hundreth Harquebusiers at the siege of Mas Saint Puelles The Marshall de Mommorancy caused the league to flie in many incounters in Languedoc as at Lodeue and Saint Pons the Sieur de la Valette aduanced the kings affaires in Prouince The Duke de Espernon Generall of the armie by the king sent thither arriued at Lyons with about eight hundreth horse to cause his foote to passe through the Towne but the Lord of Mandelot who from the first moouings of the league had alwaies bin vpon his guard to shew himselfe rather newter then participant fearing least with these troupes the D. of Pernon should take occasion to remember the throwing down of the Citadel was counselled by the Bishoppe of Lyons to looke vnto himselfe hauing both securitie and aduantage The Towne of Lyons being surprised in the first troubles by the Earle of Saux then Gouernour and yeelded vppe againe by the Edict of peace The last of April 1562 Peace in an 1593. K. Charles the 9. at LyoÌ„s 1564. A Citadell in Lyons After that the Duke de Nemours had vsed all the meanes hee could both by practise and armes to get it againe The king went thither and by his Enguiniers drewe out a goodly and strong Citadell by that bridle to restraine the ouer prompt and readie affections of the Cittie to those new alterations and would not depart from thence before hee had seene a great part thereof finished It being accomplished with all conuenient things belonging to such a Fortresse both for forme greatnesse Bulwarkes trenches munitions and commodities Hee made it the terror of the Huguenots while those that commaunded it affected the defence and protection of the Catholicques but after that in the said kings time the fauour of the Duke d'Espernon withdrew la Mante The taking of the Cuadell in Lyons therin to place le Passage Mandelot not beeing able to dissemble the disliking he had to the great aduancement hee had of that Duke deuised the means to cease vppon it and so thrust out the Gascons by him placed therein The newes of this surprising in so daungerous and suspicious a time abashed the king thinking it to bee one of the first effects of the league but beeing assured of the inuiolable affections and fidelitie of the Cittizens of Lyons that would neuer yeeld as long as his Maiestie liued Fortresse generally are more hurtful then necessary hee agreed to the throwing downe of the Citadell for the summe of fiftie thousand Crownes to him offered for the same But his Councell found that throwing downe of the Fort to bee very daungerous saying that a Towne composed of so many humours and seuerall motions inhabited by people of both religions stirring and desirous of change the keye and rampart of the Realme ought not to be without a Citadell Wherevnto the wisest Polititian aunswered that such fortifications serued onely eyther for the defence of the subiects or offending of enemies and that in the one they were daungerous and in the other not necessarie Meane time the king desired his mother to bee a meanes and instrument of a good and continuall peace in his Realme and shee beeing greeued that shee could not warme her selfe but with embers and sorrie that the miserie thereof surmounted the meanes that she could vse therein vndertooke a voyage into Poitou there to parley with the king of Nauarre who of his owne nature and by the aduise of his friends was more disposed to a good peace then to a simpletruce Meeting of the K. of Nauarre with the Queene-mother the 13. of December at S. Bris. And after they had both freely passed all the doubtfull scruples that could bee alleadged vnto them thereby to reuerse their good intents the place of meeting was appoynted at Saint Bris and truce agreed for fifteen daies whereat the Switzers and Almaines were much offended The first and second enterviewes were passed ouer onely in complaints excuses and goodly reasons The Queene-mother bathing them with her teares reproached the disobedience of the subiect to his Prince detested the stubburnnesse of newe opinions represented the necessitie that constrained the king to make peace and vndertake warres sweetly excusing the burning affection of the house of Guise that had raised the same thereby to preuent the mischiefe which the succession of an hereticke Prince wold bring into the estate besought charged the king to yeeld to the Catholicque Church and faith of his Maiestie to leaue his errors and not bee condemned Cause of the troubles Wherevnto hee aunswered that in his soule hee felt a most great torment of impatience in that the league made him the onely argument of those tragedies that his Maiestie esteemed him the subiect of his diuisions that all the mischiefe by the Realme of France indured and which in the end would ouerthrow it proceeded only from the breach of the Edicts of peace wherein depended all the welfare and felicitie of this estate Hee complained of the wrong that he himself in particular his house al
France in generall receiued by that bastard peace made at Nemours with the heads of the league of the good entertainment they receiued after they had been proclaimed rebels and traitors to his Maiestie Hee said that to strengthen the league the king had commaunded him not to stirre nor prepare himselfe to warre that the people might euidently see who were the first perturbers of the peace That the permission by him giuen to them to in croch so much vppon his authoritie was the onely continuall feuer of this estate That hee sawe no more but by the leaguers eyes nor vnderstood any thing but onely by the eares of his enemies Exhortation to the king of N. to become Catholicque And as the Queene sought to assure him of the kings and her fauour and that both of them had more desire to see him conuerted and protected vnder so faire and assured hope of the chiefe Crowne of all Christian Princes rather then any longer to shrowd himselfe vnder protections of warres dispised of the greatest part of France to be the principall occasion of his friends griefe He said againe that by the kings commandement not to arme himselfe against those the soght to fight with him he had hazarded his life to keep his promise to satiffie those that soght to reduce himto extremities neglected the care of his owne preseruation saying Madame you cannot accuse mee but of too much fidelitie I complaine not of your faith but of your age that doing wrong to your memorie hath made you forget what you promised me The sharpenesse of wordes was somewhat asswaged at the third meeting wherein the Queene-mother strained the corde that brake both the accord and harmonie of their conference for she tolde him that the last and onely resolution of the king was neuer to make peace nor take truce with him if hee became not a Catholicque Wherevnto hee answered that he would neuer haue thought that a Princesse of so good iudgement wold haue taken so much paine to come vnto him onely to propound that wherewith his eares were continually filled beeing meanes of more honourable troubles if it were not ended in manner by him required which was by a generall Councell to whose iudgement hee submitted himselfe promising also to cause all the rest of his friends to doo the like As they continued in this proposition euery man giuing his censure there passed many words whereby to perswade him happily to returne to the Church of God The Queene-mother shewed him how much that change would make his estate more free more assured and more conuenient for his It is said that the Duke de Nemours said vnto him that there hee could not raise any impost It is true said hee and so there are no Italians among vs. degree that his conuersion would drawe him into his Maiesties sauour without longer seeking to court the Maiors of Rochel where hee could not doo as hee would Wherevnto hee answered that the consideration of his particular contentment yea and the winning of thirtie Crowns should neuer cause him shamefully to leaue the religion which for the space of thirtie yeares hee had professed and that hee did what pleased him in Rochel because that therein he did nothing but what hee ought to doo In the end their discourse changed to the propounding of a truce that stayed vnresolued for diuers difficulties therein found as also because of the aduise the Queene had receiued that her presence was necessary in Parris to quench the fires which the Archleaguers wherof we spake in the first booke beganne to kindle grounding the alarme vppon conference had with the king of Nauarre Both of them agreed to a peace confessing that both the Catholicques and Huguenots were wette with the ship wracke they had indured that it was not conuenient to drawe them into it again that their wounds were not as yet healed that they ought not to bee set togither by the eares and that it was requisite to haue a peace The Queen-mother wold haue a truce the King of N. a peace The Queene-mother would haue no truce that should promise a peace vnlesse the king of Nauarre would assure them of his conuersion The king of Nauarre would haue no truce that produced not the effects of a peace and the ruling of his conscience by a nationall Councell She would no truce if the king of Nauarre did not countermaund his forraine armie Hee would not agree to the second poynt of a truce if hee were not assured of a good peace In respect whereof hee offered that great assembly and raising of Rutters and Switzers vnto the king to helpe him to recouer the obedience and authoritie due vnto him In this maner their interview ended without any resolution and the Queene-mother in all haste tooke her waye to Parris vppon the aduise giuen vnto her concerning the last poynt of dispaire that was to be executed therein For the Duke de Maine being aduertised that she went to the king of Nauarre to make peace made haste to Parris to shewethe king that her trauell to that end was against his edict that such peace could not bee good ingendring in religion the effects that are contrary to the tranquillitie of Catholicque consciences He found the Parrisians more mooued then euer they were to rise vp in armes he sawe the secret articles of the sixe Archleaguers to fight against heresie These secret articles were sworne in the house of Reims neare the Augustins to reforme the Court the insolencie of the kings minions They enterprise they sappe they myne they beate downe but all in words their counsels are euill grounded their daungerous attempts are more difficult to execute then to resolue The Rattes found it expedient that to preserue themselues from the Cat they must hang a bel at her eare but none of them durst vndertake to do it they must cease vppon the king but who would bee so bolde Read the Dialogue of Manant Maheutre Fol. 104. They sent vnto the Townes some of their consort who vnder certaine secret pretences went from Towne to Towne to see the leaders of the league and to discipher the secret meanings of his intents Manant saith that at that time among them they spake not of that enterprise but onely tending to their defence if in case they were assayled and that the inuention of Barricadoes was resolued vppon aboue a yeare before they The first resolution of Barticadoes about Easter 1587. tooke effect But hee that wrote the treatie of the causes of the troubles of the moneth of Ianuarie 1589. saith that the league perceiuing that if the Huguenots were driuen out of France and the onely Catholicque religion maintained therein it should haue no more cloaks to couer her shame they thought it good to let the Huguenots remaine on the one side and on the other to torment the king For said they if our ground bee the royaltie wee must
haue the place voyded and such as would place themselues therein before vs must bee remooued If warres bee continued against the Huguenots the end cannot bee but to our ruine it will in the end produce a peace which will send vs naked without armes vnto our gouernments liuing betweene feare and dispaire that the oppressed oppose not themselues against the oppressours that the offence returne not vppon the authors and that the king call not to minde the treaties of Peronne Nancy and Chalon If they be vanquishers their victorie is our losse their life our death their greatnesse our imbasing and their rest our torment The strongest support of their enterprise is vppon a piller of Castille olde and rotten that is not sustained but by hope of our ruine that feareth no other shaking but the ceasing of our ciuil warres which will not bee ended but by straungers from whence they are deriued This Prince knoweth well that as long as the diuersitie of religions parteth our mindes there will neuer bee peace among vs although the zeale of religion doth much trouble him that hee is the sonne of the great scourge of the Almaine Protestants and that he hath drowned heresie in his own blood yet hee desireth to inuade vs eyther by one means or other The Ramme desireth to eate the Bat whether it be because it is a bird or because it is a mouse If the Edict of Iuly bee put in execution if heresie be pursued in so many places it will bee very hard for it to resist the king will alwaies bee Maister hee will alwaies stand vpright hee will resume the authoritie and power that hee seemeth to haue left to retaine vs and perceiuing himself like Lewis the eleuenth vntangled from so many leagues and parties he would liue like a commander destroying both Huguenots and Leaguers take the raisor in hand to both their beardes and driue all partakings out of the Realme onely his owne The fiers made for ioy of his victories would bee the obsecquies and funerals of our partakers The king of Nauarre shall die or else hee must conuert or bee cleane spoyled and ouerthrowne His death will strengthen the first article of our league and the feare of altering of religion shall vanish away His conuersion will pull the weapons out of our hands and the wordes of faction and disorder Huguenots and Nauarrois will no more bee heard among vs. His ouerthrow shall not bee so much aduantage vnto vs as to the king he will haue the flowers and the fruites of this victorie and wee nothing but the leaues A great army â—â—dermineth it selfe and there is too grâ—â—â—â—â—â—ger to fight But to ouerthrow him will bee no small labour armes are not continuall We thinke to constraine them to fight they wil not but defend themselues they will shut themselues within their Townes that braue all our forces and make vs madde as if wee stood barking at the moone and fighting with the cloudes Many times men hazard all they haue in the strength of a battell and when it is lost to get a thing of no moment there is no meanes to raise it again To looke for it out of Spaine is to reckon mens charges of another mans purse Promises are feminine and effects are masculine this nation is vsed not to say what it will do nor to do that it saith it will do And further wee haue to do with a Prince that is alwaies first at giuing blowes and last in retiring it is not a hart that leadeth Lyons Hee sayeth not go thither but hee goeth himselfe like vnto Caezar hee heareth assoone of our discipation as of our comming hee hath learned to bee a Captaine at our costes hee holdeth thirtie Townes in France which to ouercome wee had need to haue the forces of thirtie leagues such as ours is and when he should haue nothing left but his sword it is very much with the lawful right he hath to the succession of this Realme Aut Caesar aut nihil Therefore seeing the die is cast that wee haue imbarked our selues in this rough sea that the end of our league is either to make vs a king or else nothing let vs take the shortest course There is no apparance to attaine to the royall seat before so many Princes of the house of Bourbon wee should neuer haue done he that wold rule ouer them all must first pull the king out of his chaire when it is emptie there will be meanes to sit downe if he raigne longer our winter is come the seruants of our hopes will withdraw themselues beeing deceiued The king is lustie and gallant of bodie if hee haue any children our sute is ended and not hauing any we are likelier to die before him wee must play open play let vs deale with him as his father dealt with our Grand-fathers and let vs do the like to the Capets as they did to the heires of Charle-Maine Of this ensued the conspiracie made at Parris about Easter in Anno. 1587. which was not executed by the vncertaine resolution of the heads that left the Parrissians in the middle of so daungerous an enterprise wherof the K. was aduertised and from that time determined to punish them But his authoritie was alreadie so much weakened and his Maiestie so much despised that but for feare to be reproued the hooker had taken drawn him through the myre of his infamous slaunders and mockeries The Preachers tongues serued for rules to these seditions they detested the life pleasure and dissolution of the Court and spake not of the King but in dirision publikely condemning his actions hee caused them to be counselled and diuerted from those passions and of a chaire of trueth not to make a place of babling but the more he sought to turne that chollor into fleame the more it increased and rose vp in the end hee was constrained to threaten them with imprisonment Whereof grew the meeting of Saint Seuerin where certaine excommunications were pronounced in S. Benets Church against the Commissaries and Sergeants that would haue layde handes vppon certaine Preachers Wedensday the second of September 1587. The bookes that were published at the beginning of these disorders were the wood strawe and brimstone that long time maintained the embers of those rebellions there was not any meane Fidlers boye but that like a crowe vpon a steeple pronounced the tempests and calamities of those furious mutenies Infamous libels There was nothing seene in the Hall of the Pallace but onely discourses aunsweres aduertisements and Apologies He fayled to surprise Mets the 26 of May. And in the meane time that warre was made with pen and inke within the Townes the Duke of Guise made it with Iron and steele in open field he held his armie in the frontiers of Lorraine and made warre vppon those of Iamets which hee had begun against the Duke de Bouillon from the first day of the birth of the
all the mutenous leaguers continually about his eares if hee made warre against the King of Mauarre he had fiftie thousand straungers vpon his backe that would constraine him to ouerthrowe the league Wherevppon hee desired the Duke of Guise to yeelde to a peace not to abandon the Estate of the Realme for a praye vnto straungers to procure the ease and contentment of his king the comfort of the people the freedome of the Cleargie and the dignitie of the Nobilitie by other meanes then by such as would ouerthrow the honour of his soueraigntie bring his subiects in dispaire robbe Churches and sucke the blood of those fewe Gentlemen which forraine warres had left within the Realme to desend it from ciuill warres To the which peace hee mooued him by honourable promises and aduantages both to his house and partakers but hee found his heart altogether resolued vnto warres rather desiring a battell then a disputation and neyther minded to indure miserie nor yet to procure the remedies thereof So that to conclude the Duke of Guise would haue warres and aunswered the king resolutely that hee was not in the minde to haue any peace adding further The Duke of Guise would haue warre that if hee were constrained therevnto it should alwaies bee done with exception of the religion and the assurance of him and his Whereby peace for that time was vtterly bannished yet Priam for all that issued not out of Ilion before hee sawe the Grecians vnder his walles and then hee beganne to stirre himselfe and to resume the generous courage which hee had lost among the pleasures of Vincennes The state of the Court in An. 1586. and 1587. at the marriage of Monsieur de Ioyeuse since which time the Courtier had not striken one blowe with his sword but onely in quarrell of Arioste and had rather spend one hundreth Crownes in dauncings and in Maskes then one one hundreth solz in powder and in flaskes The long rest had made the most valiant like vnto a horse whose warlike courage abateth by lying long vppon the litter but necessitie founded them an alarme and made them perceiue the blacke cloud that began to fall vppon the state For the King that should haue beene very incensible if hee had not had some feeling marched in proper person diuided his warre into three parts that is to Chaumont in Bassigny to Saint Florentins hard by Troye and to Guyen Foure hundreth launciers two hundreth foote all Italians The first armie beeing composed of fiue and twentie companies of men at armes twelue Ensignes of footemen of the Regiment of Escluzeaux sixe of Ioannes and sixe of Gie with diuers blankes for commissions at the Duke of Guises pleasure troupes of strangers sent vnto him by the Duke of Parma The second was ledde by the Duke de Montpensier and in the third that went for Guyen the king himselfe was in person which three armies in all might comprehend the number of sixtie eight companies of men at armes tenne thousand foote twelue thousand Switzers and foure thousand Rutters The Duke de Ioyeuse ledde an other armie into Guyenne against the King of Nauarre and the Duke of Lorraine had braue and goodly forces vppon the frontiers The Duke de Bouillon was Lieftenant for the King of Nauarre in the armie of Rutters and Almaines Duke Cazemire excuseth himselfe that were conducted by the Barron of Othna and composed of nine and twentie Cornets of Rutters three and twentie Ensignes of Switzers and fiue thousand Lansquenets armed with corslet and pike besides eleuen Cornets of French lanciers and tenne companies of Harquebusiers on horsebacke so that the armie might be in all about thirtie thousand men not accounting the fifteen hundreth harquebusiers foure hundreth horse brought by the Lord of Chastillon Beholde poore and miserable France couered with the haire of afflictions and charged with a heauie burthen Miseries of France vnder the which it must eyther languishor die Beholde it readie to bee a pray to a people different both in manners and speech all the furies of hell raunged in her fields and horrour confusion and impunitie thundered and battered in all places which euery man iudged to bee a scourge for the great and horrible crimes committed therein Hee that seeth France troubled and vexed in that sort may well say that the iust iudgement of God hath brought it to so great desolation through the aboundance of sinnes that fill vp the measure of her iniquities for which causes the scourge of God hath discipated and seduced into ashes many more flourishing estates then euer it was Lust and desolatenesse ouerthrew the first Monarchy of the world prodigallitie tooke away the life and force of the second ambition and discord dismembred the third The ruine of the 4. Monarches Assiria Asia Persia Rome impietie and iniustice vnfeathered the fourth and impietie iniustice and desolation will reduce France into a fatall and certaine destruction The Ministers of pietie are no more chosen as they ought to bee and it is no maruell why there are no more Athanasians and Hillarians therein seeing that the spirituall liuings which are the Schooles and fountaines from whence godlinesse should spring and examples of the true seruice of God are holden by men of armes or Courtiers and which is woorse by women childrē This impietie which hath slidden into religion hath formed many Atheists that speake disdainfully of godly prouidence that flatly deny it that by beleeuing ouermuch beleeue nothing at all whereby the souleresteth in their bodies without any apprehension either of the second life or of the latter death Others serue God but for a fashion and by maner of acquittance and curiously forge diuers sorts of errors and vnder I knowe not what kinde of hypocrisie and dissimulation suffer themselues to be borne away by superstitions which traungely abuse and offend the most holy Maiestie of God it is the monster with sixe hornes that hath gotten so much credite among the common people and that thrusteth it selfe into the Pallaces of Kings it is the means to trafficque and deale with the diuell to giue vs the detestable fruit of the Cupidits which torment those miserable Sorcerers who most easilie deface the diuine caracke out of their soules prostrate the same at the pleasure of the stinking gate of hell This vermine that remaineth free without looking into in the time of Charles the 9. had attained to the number of 30000. as their chief leader cōsessed but since that time it hath had so great ascope that such as deal with it in great houses are called Philosophers and Astrologiers and now Almanackes serue as rules and cannons for mens actions To this impietie we must adde the most execrable blasphemies which proceed frō the mouths of great men yea and from the poorest Pesants in France that haue euery day new words to spit out against the heauens and to despight the iustice and prouidence of
spoke openly in the pulpet and said that Saul had killed two thousand but Dauid sixe thousand the frends of Marcus Crassus could not indure that Caezar should bee beloued of the people this iealousie sought to eternise the Dictators office with his reputation in the opinions of the commons made it to be proclaimed in all places that the Rutter had beene raised payde and sent away by the King and that without the prowesse and constancie of the Duke of Guise the Arke had fallen into the hands of the Philistines that heresie had triumphed ouer Catholicque religion The Pope the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoye made fires of ioy and pronounced the praises of the Duke of Guise It is said that the Pope sent the Duke of Guise a sword ingrauen with burning flames All estates shooke and wauered the Prince of Parma had sent him his armes saying that among all the Princes of Europe it belonged only to Henry of Lorraine to beare armes and to bee a commaunder in the wars The league by this meanes beeing in so great appparance and likelyhood of aduancement pushed forward rather by insolencie of good fortune then of iudgement sailed in the maine sea of her pertences and imbraced the occasion for the which long since it had alwaies had the nostrelles open the eyes watchfull the eares hearkning and the foote stirring And to conclude it became very faire The Cleargie with full sayle pusht forward the intent of the Duke of Guise to bande against the Huguenots diuers Gentlemen wondring at his fortune vnder vaine hopes that hee would once bee king ranged themselues to his will beleeuing that most daungerous attempts and easiest to be achiued is vnder a Prince full of valour and courage The people that are not nourished but with the praises of the house of Guise and the disorders of the king held on that side which they esteemed most sure and strong The Towne of Parris that perceiued the king to haue forgotten the Edict of Iuly that he had returned to his first humours of pennance that he is iudged by Ioubert and Miron neuer to be a father that his fauour his libertie her heart and his soule depended but vppon two of his creatures and that the charges and impositions renued and redoubled began to dislike of things present and to imbrace all whatsoeuer offered it selfe vnto them how little apparance soeuer it had not to chaunge or decay Some of the busiest which after that time were named the sixteen beganne to vtter their deuises and secretly to vent their false monies filling the hearts and eares of the common people with feares by consideration of the vnrecouerable fall of the Church of secret fauours and intelligences with the King of Nauarre of despising the Catholicque Princes of aduancement of Migrons Murmurati on against disorders of desolation of lusts pleasures of hypocrisie in the Court and of the resolution of the Parrissians to reuenge the conspiracie of the yeare past This moued the most assured dimmed the eies of the most cleare sighted and heated the courages of the most lukewarme These consciences trembling more for feare to loose the bell then the steeple suffered themselues to bee ledde away without conduction or thread into his laberinth and most foolishly ranne one after the other into the preace of this furie The Duke of Guise that thought not of any tempest the shippe beeing yet in the hauen and feared not when hee perceiued it to bee in the middle of the raging seas imbarked himselfe therein in hope of those populer windes and built vpon the quicksands of Parris And if you would knowe what parts were in him to vndertake so hautie an enterprise hearken what a great personage of our time writeth thereof Hee onely is all the league the rest of his house are not like him and all of them togither cannot furnish the least part of that which by him is taken in hand The Duke of Guises nature in the liberall discourse a great dissembler well aduised very wise and wiser then all his faction which all the world well perceiueth by his actions I haue seene by writings vnder his owne hand in an enterprise of great importance where the greatest person of his house next after him without his aduise went about to commit a great and notorious fault Hee is indued with much vertue certain effects take good successe and with the name and memorie of his father by ciuill warre he presently became the chiefe commanmaunder of the Catholicque faction specially seeking to get the fauour of those townes that feared a Prince of the religion whom he flattered by many priuate meanes chiefe and cettaine signes of a minde aspiring vnto tyrannie Hee is diuers and corrupted without measure secret close craftie patient euen to the poynt of being blasoned dissembling proceeding in his intents with long detraction Seeing farre off and not enterprising any thing but hee is well assured to effect it His father and his Grand-father withstood the King of Spaine in Italie and hee will do it in France He saith it is the zeale of religion that prouoked him And God knoweth there are yet so many Turkes and Sarrasins in the world that withhold his inheritance of the kingdome of Ierusalem why doth hee not rather turne his pretences vppon them then against France When he perceiue the greatnesse of the soueraigne Maiestie decreased and imbaced that his enemies were retired vnto Rochel that England had a proude Spaniard vppon her backe meaning the great Spanish armie by sea hee assured himselfe to take the king without daunger hee leaned his eare to the aduise of the sixteenth Archleaguer of Parris he aduertised the Cardinall of Bourbon that went not but as hee was ledde not to refuse so good an occasion and passe so faire a time without some exercise gathered an assembly of his principall friends at Nancy there to aduise the meanes to passe forward constraine the king to make his will bannish his Mignions and to be content to bee ruled by his house And so that assembly concluded that hee should bee summoned to ioyne his forces vnto the enterprises of the league his authoritie to her pretences his fauour to their will leaue and refuse the counsell and amitie of such as should be named vnto him driue and bereaue them of their offices establish the Inquisition in euery Towne to publish the Councell of Trent The effect of the articles made in the assembly of of Nancy in Febr. 1588. touching the ordering of things that derogated the priuiledges of the French Church To consent to the restitution of the rents and goods that it had been alienated and sold for the charges of his warres To giue them Townes wherein they might place men of war and to make such fortifications as the necessitie of time and affaires would permit Ordaine the sale and confiscation of Huguenots goods also the disabling of their persons and entertaine
filthinesse of thy vilany nor wood ynough to burne the Registers and memories of this sedition But can we speake of the Barricadoes without remembring this incomprehensible motions of Gods prouidence which doth equally shine and appeare as wel in the establishing as pulling down of Empires dealetha swel with their fall as with their continuance And who will not say Read a notable discourse vppon this matter in the 2. Booke intituled the constancy and consolation of publicque calamities Henry the third a most religious Prince He led rather the life of a Monke then of a K. He hated the Huguenots that this great motion the spring of all the miseries ensuing was not a blowe of the hand of the inscrutable wisedome of God to punish the king and his Realm Hee that would debate this proposition by the circumstances of the kings person needeth not to seeke the causes thereof neither in the East nor in the West but onely to ground them vppon the eternall wheele of Gods iudgements What apparance was there for subiects to arme themselues and reuolt against a king what pretence could bee so close but in the end it would open and bee discouered The cause of religion which is one of the most violent passions of the people and the most assured meanes to alter an estate was so cleare and pure in him that many iudged his life to bee religious blamed his actions which was fitter for an Hermite then a Prince He kept more in a Monasterie then with his Councell he spake oftner with Iesuites Capucins and Fueillantins then to his Secretaries He detested nothing more then Huguenots and there was not any Huguenot in France that had receiued any commaundement at his hands he was more spoken and disliked of among them then any of the house of Lorraine they beheld him not but as the commet of their miseries and neuer remembred him but when they spake of S. Bartholomewes day that which they had indured at the hands of the duke of Guise was but roses in respect of that they had suffered at Iarnac And the Huguenots declared his life Moncontour Rochel and Parris in such manner that it were an extream absurditie to beleeue that he fauoured Hereticques and that hee would ouerthrow that religion whereof hee made so open profession He was assisted by the Princes of his house Therefore hee had no cause to feare any thing to bee done against him by the Catholicques and yet those are they that in the Capital Towne of his Realms Barricadoed themselues against him He had all the Princes of the blood for the defence of his Crowne for when the King of Nauarre for the libertie of his conscience had taken armes it was no longer but while they would constraine him and breake the decrees of peace that permitted him to bee free of conscience not to oppose himselfe against the Monarchie nor to an Anarchicall confusion of this estate The rest of the Princes that knew well that the reasons of the league were not so much to reforme the Realme as to ouerthrow it and therewith to bring them within the compasse of those ruines held themselues near vnto his Maiestie all the Nobilitie of France at the least nine of ten partes more particularly bound vnto his seruice for their honours dignities offices and benefiâ—s as also the iustices of the Realme not beeing of the minde to accomodate themselues to the humors of the Princes of the league and esteemed the essentiall forme thereof to be opposite and an ouerthrowing to the estate The GentlemeÌ„ of France foreseeing that the royaltie cannot be ouerthrown but that the Nobilitie must likewise beare the same burthen and that the subiect that refuse the obedience and faieltie of his Prince will not bee long before hee seeketh to free himselfe of the rents and reuenues hee oweth vnto the Lord of the soyle The greatest persons of the Cleargie consented not to those new mutinies acknowledging that their profession is more honoured and beautified vnder a King The chiefe of the Cleargie then by the confusions of a democration estate The king likewise had named and chosen them at his pleasure so that the obligation of his fauour retained them in his seruice Learned men published his prayses and in his raigne there were more bookes printed and dedicated to his Maiestie Learned meÌ„ then in the raigne of the great King Francis and his successors although most iustly hee was named the father and restorer of learning Some Preacher onely flattered sedition thereby to winne estimation among the commoÌ„ people desirous of a change In all the towns throughout euery Prouince there were officers who besides their naturall subiection were more bound to him by oath that he had taken of them giuing them charge of his treasures the power of his lawes and administration of his iustice with the order of pollicie they desired nothing more then the greatnesse of their King his rest and quietnesse beeing their onely preferment for that without libertie and peaceablenesse with his long life and prosperitie their offices were of little force as hauing exposed their fortunes to the hazard of the terme of his life I And yet he was not well assured in Parris n such manner that his Maiestie had not any thing more at his commaundement then men of that quallitie that only feared the perill of his holy and sacred person and the changing of this Monarchie Who would then beleeue that a king yea and a king of France in the middle of so many assurances in the brauest time of his raigne in the Capitall Cittie of his Kingdome among so many Princes Knights of the Order in the face of a Parliament the thunder against sedition and colonie of iustice and royaltie hauing in his power the Bastille and the Arsenal at his deuotion the Prouost of Merchants the Sheriffes and the Colonnelles and sixe thousand men of warre placed in the streetes and quarters of the Towne where hee desired should bee besieged in his Pallace of Louure by a people whom hee had so much cherished and inriched with the spoyles of his other subiects and by himselfe stirred vp vnder the false alarme of a Garrison sacking and spoyling constrained to saue himselfe by flight from the furie of his mutinous subiects Incluctabilis fatorum vis cuius fortunaÌ„ mutare constituit consilia corrumpit Velleius lib. 2. de Caesar es varo And can wee that haue seene and beheld it remember it without considering that the eternall power of him that ruleth all the world made the Spirits iudgements counselles and conductions of those that might diuert the mischiefes proper and fit to aduance them and suffered them to take effect to shewe his wrath striking the head to make members languish O fatall and once againe accursed day of Barricadoes the birth day of our miseries and funeralles of our ioys that vnloosed the windes to those stormes of blood
effect then see it runne into greater hazard and thereby receiue further displeasure hauing desired the Queene our deare Ladie and mother to stay there to see if by her wisedome and authoritie in our absence shee could pacifie the same tumult which wee beeing present shē could not do what meanes soeuer she vsed p p The king should not haue gone out of Parris a great light dimmeth the lesse those little facts had neuer shined in the darknesse of Parris if the sunne of the royall Maiestie had not bin eclipsed He ought to haue shewed himselfe among those madde people like ablazing starre like thundring Mars like him that obtained the victories at 16. yeares of age before Iarnac Moncontour at Rochel at the only word of king those strayed soules hadde yeelded themselues to the poynt of obedience the apprehension of the paine that followeth those mutenies the consideration of the Maiestie of the king the confidence of his mildnesse and the proofe of his pietie had dispearsed those disorders And the good Frenchmen that were in no small number that in their mindes lamented the iniurie done vnto the king the Realme of France and their posteritie would haue risen vp to maintaine his authoritie Those great blowes are not giuen without hazard and where necessitie presseth a great courage death is more acceptable then a shamefull flight And wee arriued in this towne of Chartres from whence wee thought it meet presently to certifie you by these our letters to desire you to consider of this action to iudge how much it preiudiseth disaduantageth the Commonwealth specially our holy Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion if it should passe further seeing that those which rose to fight for the aduancement thereof by this accident if it bee not repaired will bee separated to vse their armes one against the other wherein we desire you to be perswaded that for our part wee will vse all meanes we can not to fal into that inconuenience so much power hath the zeale wee beare to our religion ouer vs which vntill this time wee haue alwaies shewed q q The many words that end this letter issue from a trembling voyce vppon the which a great Pollititian in his discourse maketh this Apostrophe vnto the king Great Prince what haste thou done with thy wisedome who hath perswaded thee that those people that onely desire thy death or rather thy Crowne will laye downe their armes coniured and raised against thee onely to make thee more sharpe and to deale the hardlyer against those of the religion They haue driuen thee out of Parris which the Englishmen Spaniards nor Almaines neuer did vnto thy auncestors and by thy letters pattents thou shewest to thy people that in steed of being reuenged thou seemest to thinke the time long vntill they pardon thee thou commaundest that they should pray vnto God for that reconciliation thē there is no danger to lift vp the hand against the Prince Beleeue therefore that seeing it is so hee which hath this day made thee flye will to morrowe boldely vndertake to make thee die And is not this great king a hazarding of thy selfe to shewe vnto thy subiects that it is easie to attempt against thy person when in steed of reuenging thy selfe thou prayest that thy subiects would appease those whom thou oughtest to punish Who perswaded thee that the remedie of thy mischiefe is ciuill warres that by that meanes thou shalt recouer thy authoritie ouer thy subiects Alasse how thou art deceiued There is nothing woorse for a house then fire for a mans bodie then a continuall feuer nor for an estate then ciuill warres If thou wilt remedie these mischiefes quench the fire that burneth thy house driue away the continuall feuer from the bodie of thy estate and giue it peace for it is is the onely meanes to preserue thy Realme praying and exhorting you as much as possible wee may to pray in your Churches for this vnion and that the obedience due vnto vs may bee obserued as it ought to bee and suffer not that the Inhabitants of our town c. to stray out of the right way of the same but admonish confirme thē to remaine constant and firme in their loyalties towards their king and in vnion and concord to maintaine preserue themselues vnder our obedience and not to fall into the incōueniences prepared for them if they hold on their course And further if you do any other thing therin shewing your wisdomes fidelities duties for examples to all our subiects we will not be vnthankfull for it but haue it in remembrance Giuen at Chartres the day of May 1587. The phrase of the letters the Duke of of Guise wrote vnto the King is much brauer haughtier and bolder shewing the affection of a man that hath not faintly thrust his bodie into a prease to saue his life but that wil stand in the view and face of al the world he likewise sent his declaratiōs throughout all the Realme of France to iustifie himselfe concerning the commotion in Parris which I will orderly set downe and in the end shew you the common aduise leauing the Readers iudgement to himselfe The Coppie of a Letter vvritten vnto the King by the Duke of Guise the seuenteenth of May 1588. SIr I am very vnfortunate that those who of long time by many deuises haue sought to separate mee from your presence and great fauour haue had sufficient meanes wholly to frustrate all my good indeuours vsed to win your liking and by my seruices make my self agreeable to your Maiestie which not long since I haue well prooued to my no little greefe For that being wearie of so many false reports vsed thereby to make your Maiestie continually to distrust mee I determined with the hazard wherewith I was threatned to iustifie my life hauing resolued to come vnto you with so small a troupe and with free trust and confidence as I hoped by that meanes to let all the world see that I was farre from that whereof my euill willers sought by so many deuises to yeeld mee culpable But the enemies of publike quietnesse not beeing able to indure my admission to your presence esteeming that in short time it would soone discouer the impostures vsed to make mee odious and by little and little giue me place in your good fauour rather wished by their pernicious counsels to bring al things into confusion your estate and town of Parris in hazard thē to indure me near vnto your person Their euill wils is manifestly knowne in the resolution that without the Queen your mothers knowledge against the aduise of your wisest Councellors they causedyour Maiestie to take by an vnaccustomed means and in a time full of suspition and partiallities to place forces in your Towne of Parris to keepe the publicque places thereof and the commō speech giuen foorth that they hoped being Maisters thereof they should bring you to many other things
receiue them The Maister of the field and regiment of the guard and the collonels of the Switzers hauing commaundement to cease vpon all the places of the Cittie but the Inhabitants of one part of the Towne fearing some matter were appoynted to keepe their quarters minding to withstand them for the care they had of their wiues and children in such an accident while that was done I beeing a sleepe in my chamber with so small a company for that my houshold was not as then come from Scissons as God would when the said forces were diuiding in that manner about the cittie I was aduertised by certaine Gentlemen my friends that as then werein Parris about their affaires and which is more God most miraculously stirred vppe the people with one consent to enter into armes and without any conference beeing assured of my presence and of certaine order that I presently tooke among them of themselues they began to make Barricadoes in all places within ten paces of those fortaine forces that with such dexteritie and vehemencie that in lesse then 2. houres they certified the saide troupes that they wold presently haue them depart out of the Cittie and subburbes at the which time some one of the Switzers hurt an Inhabitant of the towne wherevpon they charged the Switzers and slew 12. or 15 hurt 20. or 25 and disarmed therest On the other side certaine companies of the kings guard were likewise disarmed sent into houses where with their Captains they were forced to saue thēselues which caused me to enter into the streets of the Cittie and presentlv deliuered 900. Switzers that were holden prisoners many of the guard which I sent safely into the Louure this day shining with that infallible protectiō of god being ended I went throgh al the streets vntill 2. of the clocke after midnight praying desiring and threatning the people in such sort that by the grace of God theresollowed not any murther massacre spoyle nor losse of any penny or drop of blood more then I spake of before although the people were most extreamly animated because as they said they vnderstood that there were 20. gibbets with certain scaffolds prepared and the executioners readie to execute and put to death 100. persons nominated by them whose names I had rather let gesse then set them downe You will not beleeue what great contentment this gracious goodnesse of God procured in my minde first in that I saw mine honour so clearly discharged of the suspitions of spoyle and massacre that had been put into the heads of many honest men against me for that hauing seene all the proceedings and so happily impeached the same I made all mine enemies mute Secondly hauing giuen proofe of my zeale to the seruice and honour of my king so far as to restore the armes that had been borne against me with the drumbs and fyfes conducting the prisoners sending them their colours deliuering the besieged and not omitting any respect which the most constant would haue done But they did so much that they perswaded the king to depart out of Parris 24. houers after that I would he should haue stayed But Cod defend that ever I should thinke it Since his departure his Maiestie hath had some other sharper counsell I haue receiued the Arsenal the Bastille and other strong places into my custodie I haue caused the coffers of his treasures to bee sealed to deliuer them safely and peaceably into his Maiesties hands as wee hope likewise to procure him vnto peace by prayers to God intercession to his holinesse and all other Christian Princes for the speciall not commō proofe of fidelitie he hath alwaies had of me but if the mischief cōtinue I hope by the same meanes to preserue religion and the Catholicques and defend them from persecution which the confederates with hereticques about the king had prepared for them Another letter of the saide Duke of Guise to the Lord of Bassompierre I Writ a lettervnto his highnesse which I pray you look vpō although the Baily of S. Michaels an eye witnesse wil iustifie all my actions whose presence vntill this time hath hindered mee from oftner sending beeing assured hee will not forget any thing the termes whereon we stand are that this morning we present our request which is directly against Espernon wherein all his perfections are well set down not omitting any thing Yesterday I was in the Towne-house to admit la Chapelle that hath bin chosen Prouost of Merchants and the Generall Rolland Compan and other persons and good Catholicques for Sherisfes the Prouost of Merchants Perreuze being in the Bastille and the traiterous Sheriffes fledde there was neuer seene so great an obedience of the people in such a commotion for it cannot bee said that there happened any disorder or wrong euen to the swords morions pikes caliuers of 1200. Switzers or Frenchmen taken away which I caused to berestored You neuer sawe stranger accident we were most wrongfully assayled and that by pernicious counsell couertly deuised by hereticques God of his grace hath preserued vs by the resolution obedience and courage of those of Parris which they continue more then euer they did with most braue resolution to shewe all dutie and obedience to the King but aboue all to preserue their zeale to religion and the suretie of their Towne The king raiseth forces and we also hee his at Chartres and we at Parris thus stand our affaires the Gouernour of Haure C'est brauely withstood Espernon and would not allow him the Gouernour of Caen would not receiue him specially into his Castle This is that which he hath done in Normandie from whence he is come without establishment of himselfe or any of his beeing yesterstay come to the king although hee had sent foure Posts to will him to stay as beeing abhorred of all the Princes and officers Those of Orleans Amiens Abbeuille Bourges and manygreat townes haue driuen the Pollititans out and taken diuers prisoners All the little Townes send hither to craue the ayde of vs and the Towne Iustice is peaceable and no mā can speak hardly of all these things You must make a voyage hitherto see your friends whō God be thanked you shall not finde vnprouided of meanes nor resolution wee must bee well aduertised out of Almaine least we be preuented we want neyther force courage friends nor means nor lesse honour respect and fidelitie to the king wherein we will inuiolably continue shewing the duties of men of honor and good Catholicques These are the termes wherein your friends remaine that commend themselues vnto you this 12. of May. L'Amy de Coeur Monsieur the Counte shall finde his most affectionate commendations His Highnesseshall see this word L'Amy de Coeur Come with speed If trueth bee alwaies found in faire words we need not seeke it in any other place then in these three letters but if wee take a spunge to wipe them cleane that wee may see the bottome
any man I sent to the Lords of my Court namely to the D. of Guise to the end they should giue me a roll of their domesticall seruaunts and to send the rest away whom I vnderstood to be in great numbers at the least fifteen thousand which I did for the preseruation of my good Town of Parris with sureties of my subiects And therefore I will haue them to acknowledge their faults with greefe and true contrition I knowe well that they are put in minde and made beleeue that hauing offended mee in that sort my indignation is vnreconcileable but I would haue you to let them know that I am not so disposed to loose them and as God whose Image although vnwoorthie I beare heere vppon earth will not the death of a sinner so I desire not their ouerthrow I will trie the gentillest meanes and when they shall confesse their fault and shew by effect what sorrow they haue I will receiue and imbrace them as my subiects shewing my selfe like a father to his children yea a friend to his friend I will haue them to acknowledge mee for their good King and Maister which if they doo not but rather feede me with delayes withdrawing my hands as I can well do I will make them know their offences whereof the memorie shall remaine to all posterities for it beeing the chiefe and principall Towne honoured with the Supreme Court of my Realme and other Courts Priuiledges honours and Vniuersities I can as you know reuoke my Court of Parliament Chambers of accounts aydes and other Courts and vniuersities which would turne to their great decay For that ceasing their trafficques and other commodities would decrease yea and wholly decay as it happened in the yeare 1579. during the great plague by reason of my absence and the discontinuance of the Parliament a great number of my Councellours beeing retired so that the same yeare many of the shippes stood shut vp and the people liued idle spending their time in playing and walking in the streetes I knowe there are many honest men within my Towne of Parris and that of foure three parts are of that number which are greeued for the mischiefe that is happened then let them with speede procure my iust contentment that I be not constrained to vse rigor which to my great greefe I would bee loth to doo You know that patience once mooued turneth into fury and what a king that is displeased may doo For surely I will imploye all my power not leauing any meanes vnsought to reuenge my selfe on them although my minde bee not reuengetiue but I would that they would know that both my hart and courage is as great as any of my predecessors euer was I haue not as yet since my aduancement to the Crowne after my brothers death nor my returne out of Polonia vsed rigor to any man which you both knowe and can well witnesse neither I will that any man should abuse my clemencie and long suffering I am no vsurper I am lawfull king by succession as you all can testifie and of a race that hath alwaies commanded with benignitie It is in vaine to speake of religion I must take another course there is no Prince liuing in the world more Catholicque and desirous of the extirpation of heresies then I am which both mine actions and life hath shewed vnto my people I would it had cost mee an arme that the picture of the last Hereticque were painted here vpon my chamber wall Now you may returne to execute your charges and alwaies be of good courage for you need to feare nothing if I stand by you and I commaund you to let them vnderstand what I haue said Not long after the K. determined to go to Roane where the Inhabitants receiued him with great ioy shewing so many signes of their great desires to liue in his obedience that their fidelitie and loue mittigated the griefe of the reuolt and murenie of others The king goeth to Roane and not long before the Town of Lyons had expresly sent vnto the king to desire his Maiestie to come thither to acknowledge that their long and continuall fidelitie should appeare so much the firmer as by how much the more it was continually sought to be detected When the Duke of Guise perceiued that Parris in great haste returned vnder the kings obedience from the which it had so suddainely reuolted that the shame to bee without him made the boldest of them holde downe their heads that the violence of rebellion beganne to lessen by meanes of naturall reason that the sonne of the kings authoritie beganne to waxe hotte and that there was not any desperate leaguer but acknowledged that the absence of the Court would bee a hinderance to his purse his shop and his affaires hee determined to winne the kings fauour The Nobles of the league findes the day of the Barricadoes very greeuous thereby not to loose the ayde of those that found the action within Parris to bee ouer hardie All his seruants himself beginning returned to the wearing of their old cloaks of the K. authoritie which by their Barricadoes they had wholly troden vnder foote the third word that issued out of their fained and dissembling mouthes was the seruice of the king the obedience of his Maiestie the preseruation of the The Nobles of the league finds the day of the Barricadoes very greeuous estate there formations of disorders and the reliefe of the people beleeuing that this second enterprise would succeede with as much contentment and impunitie as the first and in steed of maintaining himself in the degree whervnto by so many paines daungers and troubles hee had as then attained he descended of a suddaine and went to finde the Queen-mother and with her to make some euill shapen coate the king reapeth more profit by his enemies then hee looked for Plutarche saith there was one that giuing a thrust with his sword into his enemies bodie by chance pearced an impostume therein which without doubt had killed him shortly after if that new Surgeon had not brokē it And so if the great mutinie of Parris had not suppressed the great aboundance of colde and heauie humours that long rest and pleasure hadde bredde and constrained the king to rise and bestirre himselfe hee had returned to his solitarie life and so most certanly had lost his Crowne before he could perceiue it The boldnesse of this enterprise filled his courage and from that time forward hee determined either to liue like a victorious king The profit which he hath of his enemies ordie vanquished But hee perceiued himselfe to bee reduced into two extremities both very daungerous in the middle whereof there stood a deep and profound pit the anker of his safetie is peace he could not make it both with the league and Huguenots togither if hee turned to the one side hee was assayled by the other if hee stayed in the middle hee was charged by them
good then possession of euill The difference in religion should mildly be agreed vpon Hee is not euill instructed in the principals of faith but hee is not sufficiently informed touching the Ceremonies he beleeueth constantly in the onely word of God contained in the booke called cannonicall the Catholicque taketh the interpretations of the word of God made by the Church for an infallible rule of his saluation and not like the Huguenot by the particular sence but by the vniuersall consent of the Church assembled togither vnder a legitimate head which is the Pope accord these two tunes make them beleeue in the traditions that since the time of the Apostles haue beene brought into the Church our Ceremonies in the administration of our Sacrament and in the election of Ministers and they are pleased and wee shall haue no more neede of warres If they say they will haue no other Iudges to determine their differences but the holy Scriptures which of it selfe is easie ynough without interpretations or Commentaries and that if it bee darke in one place it is opened in another tell them that it is not so easie plaine nor open but that diuers men do stumble in the vnderstanding thereof that it is not so cleare as that without interpretation it can discide all the controuersies of our faith that as God in the old lawes would haue a Moyses to iudge the law so he wold haue Ministers his successors that they shal determine difficulties of the doctrine of the Gospell Make them to agree with vs therein your difference will soone be ended and you shall bannish wars schismes in France To those reasons the league opposed theirs and said Your arguments are of no consequent you say that the Huguenot is not to bee pursued by armes because hee is not declared hereticque by cannonicall proceedings that hee is no hereticque because hee is not stubborne that hee is not stubborne because hee desireth instruction turne ouer the lease and you shall finde that the Huguenot ought to bee pursued by armes in that he hath beene condemned for an heretique by all the Councells specially of that of Trent that all nouelties are odious to the Church that he is an heretique for that knowing as it wer with his finger touching his error he staÌ„deth stubbornly in defence Obstinacy sence reprooued is the punishmeÌ„t of his infidelitie it is then to no end that he should aske instruction when there is no hope of amendment it is a tree without fruite and good for nothing but to bee cast into the fire To this poynt those that loued peace The warres for religion consâ—steth of a great number of Catholiques how deare soeuer it were cried out and said Will you then haue a new recourse to fiers punishments and remedies which wee haue alreadie tried to bee more proper to kindle and spread abroad then to quench and stop the euill Do you not as yet perceiue that God detesteth the terrible persecutions vsed against them in all the Courts of Parris that the Princes Gouernours of Townes Magistrates and officers of iustice haue with their owne bloods payed vserie for the vnmeasurable shedding of Christians blood that since the Magistrate left punishing and that the Prince hath pursued them by armes there hath died at the least a thousand Catholicques to kill a hundreth Huguenots The king is become a Captaine at his owne costs in the battels of Iarnac and Moncontour hee hath continued for the space of tenne or twelue yeares togither to make warres against them and in the ende after hee had vsed all meanes and attempted all extremities hee perceiued it was in vaine for him to kil to make men beleeue that the Gospel is not planted with other tooles then the word and peaceablenesse that it increaseth by suffering and not by persecution Iesus Christ planted his Church by miracles Mahomet by force and violence Religion is not the cause but the pretext of the warre The Talmud with her toyes and the Alcaron with her impostures detest the Christians furie that kill each other the first saith that Iesus Christ increased the Church by vertue of miracles and Machomet by force of armes Wee know well and if wee confesse it not wee are traitors to our countrie and of all others the most incencible that religion is not to be preached by drumb and fyfe and that of a hundreth that beare armes there is not tenne but haue an other intent then onely religion We know that this warre is a meere war against the estate that nothing was said touching the king of Nauarres conscience vntill it was euidently seene that by the death of Monsieur the kings brother hee was the next in succession to the Crowne and that it is most certaine that the League buildeth the assurance of things present by those that are to come that vpon the imaginatiue feare and of the succession of a Prince of an other religion the king beeing in the flower and strength of his age they dispute of the right possession and establish their vsurpation The Monarchie passeth to an other branch of the blood royall The Cardinall of Bourbon because the king hath no children because we should haue some they present vs an olde Prince an olde tree without fruit a hollow oake which serueth but for a support to the iuyce of the League and to the hopes of the Duke of Guise that climeth vnto the royaltie by his meanes Duke of Guise who vnder colour to powre water vppon those flames to place order in disorder and reformation inabuse suffereth men to burne in flame and ouerthrow all things Wherefore from hencefoorth the king must looke vnto that which as yet resteth whole and intire within his Realme that hee should make peace with the Huguenots that he should help himself with their forces which are Frenchmen against those Hispaniolized mindes that will eyther vsurpe the Soueraigntie of this estate or else conuert it into cantons like the Switzers To giue peace to the Huguenots to ayde himselfe with their forces to ouerthrow the Catholiques to stirre vp the Pope the king of Spaine and all Italy and in a word to constraine France to reuolt The king ought not to doo it and it is too much perill for himselfe Obiections against the League too much miserie for his people too much iniurie to the Church whereof hee is the eldest sonne hee should call wolues to helpe which in the end would deuoure the sheepe hee should serue himselfe with foxes that in fine would kil thee geese the king should bee Lent and the king of Nauarre the enterance into Lent or as we say Caresme prenant and then Huguenots would be ledde in triumphs through the Realme If the king should do it it would bee openly said that hee supporteth and aduanceth hereticques that seeking to do for himselfe hee doth for them hee will put Catholicques in dispaire and his crowne in hazard
Venceslaus King of Bohemia and Emperour was exposed only because he suffered the Hussites to haue the free exercise of their religion Defence for the Edicts of peace The league was deuised only to breake the Edict of pacification which don it left armes when it saw it should haue bin subdued it rose vp againe and made that commotion in Parris The Kings Edicts of pacification concerning the libertie of conscience are not made but with prouiso this age is so full of all corruptions that whosoeuer seeketh to purge them the healing would be more daungerous by the remedies that should be ministred Medici plus interdu quiete quà m moriendo atque agendo prosiciunt Tit. Liu. then the paines and langures of the disease it selfe God will raise some great Monarch that will vse remedies altogither different from those which passion vengeance and chollor putteth into our hands We must let this fistula remaine for a time within the bodie if you stop it the vicious humors that abound therein will sufferate choake it vp The disease must haue her course and in the end it will cease this heresie will vannish away as all the rest haue done whereof by the grace of God there resteth nothing but the memorie the question is to thinke vppon those that seeke to sucke the sap of this estate and vnder the ruines therof to ouerthrow the pietie and the Monarchie The leagues answere In the affaires of the K. of religion all delay is daungerous To feare the mischiefes and chances that may fall out on both sides or to stand with armes crossed attending till God lendeth ayde from heauen is temerite foolishnesse and crime In rebus fide periculosa cunctatio Catholicque religion is sicke it is in great extremitie and the Phisitian stayeth to consult of her disease and to apply the remedies while she is readie to die it is great foolishnesse not to cut off inconueniences at the beginning but much more folly to neglect the mischief vnder pretence of hauing taken too deep roote it is better late then neuer it is a kinde of desperation not to know the disease and a franzie knowing it not to seeke a remedie You haue been so oftentimes tolde that two religions cannot be suffered in one Realme that this diuersitie causeth quarrels in particulars then seditions mutinies and ciuill warres which neuer end but with the subuersion of the estate This diuersitie neuer suffereth the estate to liue in peace and alwaies furnisheth sufficient courage to the most busie and troublesome vnder that large pretence to mooue their ambitions Religio timor dei solus est qui custodit hominum inter se socie tatem Lactant. Alcibiade serued his turne there within Grecia Sertorius in Rome Ennus in Siria and Selurus in Italie The tranquillitie of the Common-wealth consisteth in the vnion and accord of the Cittizens take away this concord and it is but a piracie and a retraict of robbers and theeues the strongest band that vniteth mens minds is religion it is an adament that draweth a ring and that ring draweth an other vntill at last your chaine is fully accomplished it is the wood that entertaineth the fier of our amities it is the ciment that ioyneth the peeces of the building of our estate it is the heart of the Common-wealth take the brandes out of the fire and it will bee quenched the morter and stones from a house and it will fall vnloose the boordes of a ship and it will sinke into the water take the heart out of this bodie and it dieth And God who is trueth it selfe saith that kingdomes diuided shall be desolate dispearsed and ouerthrowne This ciuill life will sooner leaue the most necessarie elements fire and ayre and liue rather without life then voyde of religion Thr first foūdation of the estate and ciuil societis hath bene religion inuiolably obserued We finde people that neuer had kings and can well liue without them there are some that haue liued without lawes without warres and without learning but there is not any people that can maintaine or continue their estate without a certaine rule of the seruice of the God whom they adore the first foundations of Townes were placad vppon this rocke of religion and the Pagans with it had not had one foote of land therein to establish their lawes if religion had not first beene harboured among them In vaine Deucalion had planted his ordinances among the Grecians Licurgus among the Lacedemonians Yon and Solon among the Athenians and Romulus and Numa among the Romanes if they had not made the people beleeue that they came from heauen and that the Gods had written them and Moyses had neuer retained the people in their duties among so many trauerses and changes if he had not spoken of Ego Dominus and therefore Princes that desire to liue in peace and cause their estates to flourish neuer feared any thing so much as that their people should leaue their opinion once conceiued of the seruice of God He that remooueth this stone shaketh all the building An answere to the reasons of the league This is good before the people haue entered into a doubt of the religion which they followed but after they haue taken more liking in the new then in the olde what will you do There are certaine things that neuer go without shame and disorder that is naturally in them there are others which neuerthelesse are tollerable and reputed for iust because of the miserable vtiliue they breed to the Commōwealth adulteries periuries thefts and oppressions are things that are alwaies euill These euils causeth common bordels to be permitted within Townes to obey tyrants to contribute to the enemie to receiue such lawe as pleaseth them to suffer iniuries and consent to robbings ransomings and yet either not to falcifie our oathes promises vnder the which those things are permitted or to shun and auoyde greater dangers and inconueniences men allowe commend and authorise them It is well knowne why the Curtizans vnder the Popes nose are so great profit to the Cittie of Rome sinne or the nature and fragilitie of our sences doth push vs forward and that it is not so execrable as their brutish horror that filled the hospitall of Saint Iaques with incurable people at such time as the Pope Pius Quintus sought to put downe the bordell in Rome To shun the renuing of massacres whererin pesle-mesle the fury killeth destroyeth both Priest Minister and to restore quietnesse to France which after two or three droppes of colde sweate which shee is readie to yeeld with her last effects for a peace for a Common-wealth a Prince may permit the diuersitie of religiō which without these considerations would not bee tollerable Iustin draue the Arians out of Constantinople and all the East parts but Theodoric king of Italie sent Ambassadors vnto him to shewe him that if he restored them not
the light of the pietie of France son of that victorious Henry whose memorie shall liue for for euer and brother to those two Catholicque Princes Francis the second and Charles the ninth whom God hath taken to his mercie But But yet againe that which toucheth you nearest remember that you are that renowmed Henry that being but Duke of Aniou and brother to the king did so valiant an act in the defence of the Church wonne so many great battels and so many times daunted the enemies of the Catholicque faith that you haue filled al Christendome with the wonders of your victorious name And we think if that like your Grace that your M. hath not so soone forggotten that great and solemne oath that you made at your coronation not onely to maintaine christian and Catholicque religion but to aduance it as much as possible you might without tollerating any other And if euer any oath lid binde a Prince to maintain keep his faith this hath so straightly bound you to the defence of this religion that you cannot permit any other without breach of conscience and paraduenture make a doubt of the right you haue vnto the Crowne For you know well that you haue agreed and contracted with Iesus Christ that you accepted the Scepter vppon this condition to be defendor of his Catholicque religion and in that solemne oath as a gage and earnest-penny you receiued his holy bodie and dranke his precious blood And now fayling in this religious oath thinke you he hath not good cause to be offended against you knowe you not that all the euils wee haue suffered proceeded onely from his iust wrath and see you not that hauing giuen you this Scepter vppon such conditions hee threatneth to take it from you if you keepe not the holy promise you made so solemnely vnto him And euen as God summoneth you to the obseruation of the faith that you haue giuen him your subiects by the same meanes solicite and inuite you to obserue the conditions wherevppon you were made king and which you cannot infringe breaking your oath but if you must also loose the title of most christian King and wee doubt not that setting these things before your eyes that reuiuing the memorie of your predecessors continuing the first prudence and vertue but you shall haue that great good fortune in your time to see your people reduced to the sheepfold of the holy and Catholicque Church whereof you are as a father and protector By this meanes those great Kings of Ierusalem Dauid Salomon Abis losaphat Ezechias and Iosias obtained the blessings of God and a happy successe in all their affaires hauing with so great care dilligence restored the puritie of religion and reeftablished diuine seruice that was neglected And wee also hope that following their steppes you will reduce all France to the Catholicque religion and for the recompence of your holy intent you shall haue that blessing of God in your time to behold your Realm as flourishing as euer it was And as it shall bee most acceptable vnto God so will it be most honourable to you and to your Crowne and you shall sufficiently perceiue that at this day there is no King Prince Potentate or Common-wealth I except certaine Barbarians and the Turke whose detestable manners and customes ought to bee so odious that the onely name should bee a horrour vnto vs that suffereth their subiects to liue in any other religion then that which the Magistrate by the disvnion of the Church holdeth for onely good and holy And surely such are not woorthie to bee heard that will so much restraine the power of the Prince or Magistrate to say that hee cannot constraine his subiects to the faith but that hee ought to suffer them to liue in libertie of conscience as they say for this opinion hath alwaies generally been condemned and reprooued by all Christians but only by the Manickiens and Donatists that were of opinion that wee must not constraine any man for his religion but suffer euery man to liue in libertie and after his owne santasie and those which at this day in a manner by force pull from you this libertie of their religion permit it not to others For in the places of Christendome where God permitteth that they should bee Maisters and hauing the authoritie in their hands they are so farre from permitting Catholicques freely to liue in the libertie of their consciences that to the contrary the diuers sects that are among them for that alreadie they are banded and diuided among themselues an euident signe of their ruine at hand cannot indure each other And there where the Caluenist is Maister the Lutheriau dareth not liue freely yea and when they change Magistrates of diuers opinions religion changeth according to his pleasure as we haue seene sufficient of such changes in England and in many places in Germanie And what should not this bee a shame and too great a slaunder to a good christian and faithfull Catholicque to bee found lesse affected in his religion that is approued by so long and continuall succession then these new christians in their opinions that are as it were but one night olde It is then a generall and certaine maxime and approoued by the Church and by all Common-wealths that the Magistrate ought and may continue his people vnder one faith as it is sufficiently seene by so many godly lawes and constitutions of Christian and Catholicque Empires and by the kings your predecessors whose examples ought to bee holy and inuiolate vnto your Maiestie Such were the reasons of the League by the vehemencie whereof the king disposed himselfe to warre reseruing alwaies a continuall thought to rid himselfe thereof But the Queene that sawe so many accidents to hang like leade ouer his head that thought the great and proude Spanish armie would land in Brittaine and that all the territories of Italie would fall vppon him to defend the Catholicqueleague did so much that the king dissembled the wound in his heart and said that hee had no more remembrance of the hard dealings that had past that he had no other intent but that of the League which was to extirpe heresie Vppon this assurance the Duke of Guise caused his merchandises to bee liked and to bee more esteemed then they were woorth or then hee hoped Wherevppon hee entered into a treatie with the Queen-mother and with her resolued vppon certaine articles vppon the fifteenth of Iuly which the king approoued receiued and signed within three daies after which were as followeth THe Articles agreed vppon and signed at Nemours the seuenteenth of Iuly 1585 the kings edicts made touching them and the declarations his Maiestie hath since made vppon the edict shall inuiolably be kept and obserued according to their forme and tenour And to cease and for euer to take away the distrusts partiallities and deuisions betweene the Catholicques and the Realme there shall bee a perpetuall and vnreuocable
Edict made whereby the king shall ordaine an intire and generall revnion of the same with his Maiestie where hee shall bee and remaine the head for the defence conseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion by his said Maiesties authoritie To the which end by the said Edict it shall bee promised and sworne as well by his said Maiestie as by his said vnited subiects to imploy their treasures and persons yea and their proper liues wholly to extirpe the heresies of this Realme and of the countries vnder the obedience of his said Maiestie Not to receiue nor shew obedience after his Maiesties descease without children to any Prince whatsoeuer that is an hereticque or fauourer of heresies what right or pretence soeuer hee may haue To defend and conserue the person of his Maiestie his estate crown and authoritie and of the children which it shal please God to send him with and against all men none excepted To protect defend and conserue all those that shall enter into the said vnion and namely the Princes Lords and other Catholicques heeretofore associated from all violence and oppression which the hereticques with their fateurs and adherents would vse against them To leaue all other vnions practises and intelligences leagues and associations as well within as without the Realme contrary and preindiciall to this present vnion and to the person and authoritie of his Maiestie his estate and crowne and the children that it shall please God to send him His Maiestie shall promise and sweare the obseruations of the said Edict and cause it to bee sworne and obserued by the Princes Cardinals Prelates and others of the Cleargie Peeres of France Officers of the Crowne Knights of the holy Ghost Councellours of his Maiestie Gouernours Lieftenants Generall of Prouinces Presidents Councellours of Soueraigne Courts Bailiffes Stewards and other his Officers Maiors Sheriffes and bodies and communalties of Towns of whom oathes acts and verball processes shall be taken made and registred by the Clarkes of the said Courts Baliages and bodies of Townes that when need requireth they may bee seene And to execute the said Edict and proceede to the extirpation of the said heresies his Maiestie with all conuenient speed shall raise two great and strong armies to send against the said hereticques one into Poitou and Xainctonge that shall be ledde and commaunded by whom soeuer it shall please his said Maiestie the other into Dauphine which hee shall commit to the charge of Monsieur de Maine The Councell of Trent shall bee published with all speed without preiudice neuerthelesse to rights and authoritie of the king and the liberties of the French Churches which within three moneths shall bee more amply specified and layde open by certaine Prelates and Officers of his Court of Parliament and others whom his Maiestie shall appoynt therevnto It shall bee agreed for the suretie of these present articles that the keeping of the Townes graunted by the Edict of Nemours vnto the said League shall yet continue for the space of foure yeares longer and more then the two yeares that rest to bee expired of the time agreed vppon before and likewise of the Towne of Dourlans The said Lords Princes and others that shall haue the custodie of the said Townes shall promise vppon their faiths honours and losse of all their goods altogither and euery one in particular to deliuer into the hands of his said Maiestie or to whom hee shall appoynt within sixe yeares without delay or excuse staying ordifficultie whatsoeuer for what cause or pretence soeuer it may bee the said townes and places that are giuen in keeping for the suretie aforesaid Further his said Maiestie for the saide securitie of these present articles and the said time of sixe yeares that if the Captaines and Gouernours of the Townes of Orleans Bourges and Monstreuil die during the said time his Maiestie during the said time of sixe yeares shall commit the gouernment of the said townes to those that the said Princes shall appoynt But the said time beeing expired the said townes shall no more remaine ingaged for the said securitie but shall bee left off and maintained in the same sort and manner as they were before The Towne and Citadell of Valence shall bee deliuered into the hands of the Sieurs de Gessans therein to commaund for the seruice of his Maiestie as it did before The Sieur de Belloy shall also berestored to his charge and Captains place of Crottoy to enioy it as hee did at other times His Maiestie shall cause le Bernet to issue out of Bullen giue the charge to a Gentlemen of Picardie such as hee thinketh good which being done the said Princes will cause their forces to withdrawe themselues from about the Towne and wholly dispearse their souldiers that are there and as touching the Townes that are declared and shall declare themselues before this present conclusion to bee vnited with the said Princes they shall continue in the protection and sauegard of the king as other townes and left in that estate wherein they are without any innouation nor putting of Garrisons or surcharges in considerations of things forepassed The Captaines and Gouernours of the places that haue beene dispossessed of their places since the twelfth of May shall bee reftored to the same on all parts and the Townes shall bee discharged of men of warre that haue bin placed in Garrison therein since the said day Processe shall bee made and executed touching the sale of hereticques goods and of those that beare armes with them against his Maiestie by the best readiest and certaine meanes that may bee deuised to the ende that his Maiesties meaning and intent may in that poynt bee executed according to the edicts and declarations aforesaid and that hee may bee better ayded with the monies that shall proceede thereof to make war against the hereticques then it hath beene heeretofore The Regiment of footemen of Saint Paul and of Sacremore late deceased beeing in armes shall be payde like others that shall serue and when they are in Garrison within the Prouinces assignation shall be giuen to the Treasurer of the warres from the beginning of the yeare to paye them for foure months at the least which may not bee denied The Garrisons of Thoul Verdun and Marsal when they are imployed for the kings seruice shall bee vsed as well for musters as for leadings in the same sort and like to those of Metz. When the king shall imploy his companies of horsemen hee shall imploy those whom the said Princes haue required to bee vsed and payde as others are Those who at this present execute the charges of Prouost of Merchants and Sheriffes of the Towne of Parris shall presently remit their said charges into the hands of the king who hauing regard to the declaration made vnto him touching the necessitie the said Town hath of their continuance in the seruice of the same shall ordaine that they shall bee reestablished and
M. de Chiuerny M. de Beliure M. de Villeroy Ad consilium de rep dandume capite est nosse rem public in that cloudenesse of his affaires and whereof hee had most need In the middle of those treasons of the league hee dismissed those that neuer gaue peace to any passiō against the course of publike vtillitie that had nothing in their minds which age had not made rich graue constant and quiet that could yeeld firme and infallible resolutions that knew the present estate that foresawe what would happen that followed not opinions but reason and that haue stayed long in the sterne of the French ship had fought against the waues windes and first troubles of the torment of the League Then the seales were left in the hands of Monsieur de Monthelon Aduocate of the Court of Parliament an honest man and one that had no other passion that draue him forward but onely religion The Duke d'Espernon although hee stayed so long from the Court that it could not be said The Duke d'Espernon Gouernour of Aniou and Poitou that he rule the voluptuous minde of the king his Maister could not so much absent himself but that the cōspiracies of the league made him apprehend the greater mischiefes they would breed in a contented estate and hauing receiued the power from his Maiestie to command in the Prouinces of Aniou Thouraine Poitou Angoumois and Xaintonge road from Loches to Angoulesme vppon aduise giuen him that the League had conferated with certain of the Inhabitants thereof to deliuer the towne vnto them there hee was receiued with all the honor that the people might giue to the Lieftenant of a King and with as much ioy as if the King himselfe had been there but those faire daies continued not long without cloudes this goodnesse was soone followed with a terrible torment this publike reioycing with a straunge trouble for although hee shewed sufficiently both in words and effects that he had nothing so deare as the conseruation of Catholicque religion and the excution of the Edict of vnion which hee had caused to be published the people neuerthelesse were perswaded by the impostures of certain leaguers that his intent was to cause certaine troupes of Huguenots to enter into the Castle and to surprise the Towne A tumult in the presence Chamber of the Duke d'Espernon The Maior of the Towne beeing altogether a Leaguer conspired vpon Saint Lawrence day to take the Duke of Espernon and to kill him and for that purpose vpon the same day they entered into the Castle vnder pretence to present certaine Posts vnto him that came from the Court and therewith entered into the high chamber where discharging two Pistolles they cried kill kill but the Gentlemen of his traine put themselues in defence and presently draue the traitors backe their leader beeing hurt with a Pistolle that gaue him but seuen houres respite to take order for his affaires with that an alarme was giuen in the Towne and presently the people made Barricadoes rose in a mutinie raged and stormed but they were like prisoners kept in a strong Tower for the Duke d'Espernon held the Castle and had the Citadell at his commaundement whereby both through the one and the other hee could let as many forces enter to relieue him as hee should need A vainte mutenie made by the people Captaines for the league summons the Duke d'Espernon The people perceiuing that he held the Castle and that the Lord of Tagens came in all haste to help him that the Lord of Bordes their prisoner Captain of the Citadell would not redeeme his libertie at the price of his place that the Sieurs de Mere dela Messeliere de Marquerolle Desbouchaux sommoning them had found them resolute rather to diethen yeeld they determined to fall to an agreement Which Nonsieur de Tagens Cousin to the duke d'Espernon agreed vpon which appeased their strife and therewith they layde down their armes the dead bodies were honourably buried and the prisoners on both parts released The Duches of Espernon who before the commotion was gone out of the Castleto heare Masse in the Iacobins Church had beene stayed in the Fryers Couent and threatned to serue for a Gabion if shee caused not her husband to yeeld vppe the Castle was by the Lieftenant generall of the Towne Tumults appeased ledde to the said Castle because the gate was as yet rampierd with stones shee was constrained to go vppe by a lather and to creepe in at the window The second day after this reuolt beeing the twelsth of August one thousande fiue hundreth eightie and eight they proceeded to the election of a new Maior who with the Sheriffes presented himselfe vnto the Duke d'Espernon to excuse the folly of the people and hee as if hee had not been offended thereat receiued them with the best countenance he could and sent them away well pleased onely that hee would not suffer the body of the Maior principall of the rebellion to be buried with the state that belonged to his office The Historie of Gauerston printed at Parris in the yeare 1588. About the time that the Maior made the first tumult in his vtter chamber he was in his own chamber staying the time to go to Masse shewing the Abbot of Elbene and Monsieur de Marimon a most infamous libell printed not so much against him as against the honor of the Ma. of the king Which was the Historie of Pierce Gauerston whose life and fortune was therein compared to the life of the Duke of Espernon and the conclusion thereof was that as the Gascon Pierce Gauerston loued and onely fauoured by Edward the second king of England preferred to all offices in the Court inriched with the treasures both of the king and of his subiects at the peoples request was bannished and exiled out of England and after that beheaded so the Duke of Espernon would play the like tragedie in France vnder Henry the third king of France This libel was answered by a discourse imprinted at Parris which the Lord of Mandelot would not suffer to bee solde in Lyons because it did liuely describe the tragicall actions of estates made a most odious comparison of a good and religious Prince with a bloody hypocrite and tyrannicall Prince saying that Edward and Henry were all one Hee said that Edward a man of no gouernment Hist Angl. subiect to his pleasures of a vilde mind litle caring for the affaires of his Realm spent and prophaned the treasures of his country appoynted for the preseruation of religion and gaue them to Gauerstone his Mignion oppressed his subiects with great and excessiue exactions solde and ingaged part of his lands and demaines vsed his Nobles vnwoorthily not caring for men of good reputation beeing a great hypocrite thinking to couer a great number of inormities by building and erecting a Couent of Iacobius his Barrons constrained him diuers
in Citties and Townes in which cases they are vnited by well gouerned lawes and ordinances euery one according to his charge and necessary function but that the mischiefe was that in these daies lawes are nothing else but written papers hee set downe the vnexcusable faults committed in obseruation of lawes pollices and ordinances made for the punishment of swearers blasphemers players idle persons vsurers vnlawfull exacters cousoners wicked liuers men vsing prohibited and vnlawfull places with all such kinde of vices Idle Schollers the libertie of liuing idlely and desolutely without pollicie or gouernment but only by bad and disordered meanes causes and originalles of troubles and seditions which ouerthrow and subuert all kingdomes and good Common-wealths adding therevnto a most earnest exhortation to seeke remedies to all those michiefes The kings debts Lastly hee shewed the great debts the king hadde fallen into his great diligences and hazards by making warres against the hereticques his pietie religion and deuotion to the Romish Church with the rare behauiour actions and counsell of the Queene his mother Ending his Oration with the vnitie and concord that ought to bee as a most necessary thing in that assembly thereby to holde the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane Church with general and particular estate of all that are comprehended therin in true obedience to the king in all vnion and concord which doing this Monarchie would bee found to be inuironed with all happinesse vnder the authoritie of the most christian king and to the contrary dooing otherwise they should feele a continuall greefe and remorse of conscience within their mindes for disobeying God their King and countrie The Archbishop of Bourges Oration The Archbishop of Bourges Patriarch and Primate of Aquitaine thanked the king in that it pleased him to shewe his great good will towards his subiects saying that thereby the poore and miserable countrie of France which for the space of eight and twentie yeares hadde beene so much tormented beganne to receiue some strength and to take courage hearing the sweete and pleasing voyce of her king witnessing his more then fatherly affection towards his subiects which would cause him to bee honoured and belooued within his Realme as much as in auncient time the world worshipped Herculus Theseus and other valiant men that eased and relieued them from the burthen of oppressions and violences vsed in those daies by Tyrants and monstrous Gyants Saying that as God when his people were afflicted raised Moyses Iosue Dauid Manasses Iosaphat Ezechias and other good kings so by his prouidence hee hadde sent into this desolate kingdome a King who from his young yeares hadde beene guided by the Spirite of the Kings beloued of God wisedome of God to gouerne his people and as the young Eagle a celestiall bird comming out of her nest his Maiestie pricked and prouoked by the vengeance and generositie of his Predecessors hath throwne the thunder of the eternall GOD vppon the faces and heades of the enemies of his diuine Maiestie not once sparing his owne life for the honour of God and tranquillitie of his Realme who in his voyage to Polonia His voyage to Polonia passing and repassing through so many and diuers Nations hath hadde and gotten so much experience in all actions that by the onely wisedome and eye of his vertues hee hath dispearsed a great and puissant armie of straungers Rutters and Switzers A happie houre of his raigne Concluding therewith by so certaine a hope that vnder so good and so mightie a king they should see heresie suppressed and repulsed peace assured the seruice of God established all the Churches restored and reedified Townes franchised and freed from caliuers and drummes the Temple of warres closed and shutte vppe and that of peace opened vnto all men iustice and peace imbrasing each other lawes flourishing charitie abounding among men and by one consent and vnion of religion vnder the obedience of God and the King who representing the person of GOD beareth the sword of Gods iustice heere on earth the kingdome of Christ would thereby beginne to flourish as an example of all goodnesse in the world to come wherevnto wee all aspire Great ioy made by the estates And therewith in the name of them all adding this exclamation Viue Rex in sempiternum Liue King liue and liue eternally and for the gracious vertues and notable inspirations wherewith God hath touched your Princely heart all your Realme of France singeth Benedictus Deus qui misit talem voluntatem in cor regis Blessed and praised bee God that hath inspired so good and notable a desire into the heart of our King which wee beseech his diuine Maiestie to assist fortifie and conduct to a most happie and prosperous end for his honour and glorie The Earle of Brssac his OratioÌ„ made in â—ame of the whole Nobilitie After the Archbishop of Bourges sat downe the Earle of Brissac stood vppe and for a congratulation of those of his order hee shewed the King that the Nobilitie in generall hadde giuen him in charge to thanke his Grace for the good and honour they receiued beeing by his commaundements called and conuoked togither by an assembly of the generall estates and in his royall presence there to heare and vnderstand his holy and good resolutions assuring themselues that the effects would bee as prompt and certaine as it was a naturall and iust thing in him to be a true king acknowledging that by that meanes onely it would make them such as they ought to be The affectioÌ„ of the French Nobilitie in the seruice of the king and state touching the reestablishing of the honour of God the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane religion and of other things profitable to his estate and necessarie for his poore people Promising for their partes to vse the fidelitie zeale affection and generositie that hath allwaies beene naturall in the Gentlemen of France towardes their Kings and soueraigne Princes Offering vnto his Maiestie the most humble seruice of their armes persons and liues to cause him to bee obeyed honoured feared respected and acknowledged of all men as both diuine and humane lawes haue constituted and appoynted And withall to restore his Realme purged of heresies the spring and cause of all diuisions to her first and ancient dignitie wherevnto they would expose themselues freely generously and liberally vnder his authoritie euen to the last drop of their blood The Crati of the third estate The Prouost of Merchants within Parris President for the thirde estate fell on his knees and for those of his degree spake and sayde That seeing it had pleased his Maiestie so to open his minde and to declare his holy intents vnto his people thereby assuring them of his great charitie truely named most fatherly in their behalfes his most humble most obedient and most faithfull subiects of the third estate first praised God that it had pleased him to cast the eyes of his mercie
vppon them in the extremitie of their afflictions and then yeelded most hartie thankes vnto his Maiestie who shewing his power ordained from aboue to rule and gouerne this Christian Monarchie with all courtesie and princely inclination hath not refused to bend his royall eares to their most humble petitions to heare their greefes and complaints and withall to shewe a most singular and speciall desire to restore his people to their auncient force to whom as then there rested but the onely libertie of speech and that very weake and feeble to reestablish holy religion in her pristinate estate by the extirpation of all errors and heresies to rule and remit all auncient orders altered by the iniurie and alteration of times vnto their first forme and manner of beeing and to comfort his poore people protesting that therein their most humble and most faithfull seruices should neuer bee wanting euen to the last gaspe which Oration beeing ended the assemblie with a maruellous contentment ended the first day of their meeting The second day of meeting vpon Tuesday the 18. of Octob. 1588. The second day of their meeting beganne vppon the Tuesday after in the same manner as it did vppon the first day and because the King had been mooued by the Archbishop of Ambrun the Counte de Brissac and the Aduocate Bernard Deputies for the three estates to renue his oathes of vnion and perceiuing their pursuite to proceede from the distrust they had in him seeing that hee hauing once sworne it within the Cittie of Roane it was as then needelesse to renue his oath againe hee went neuerthelesse to satisfie the importunitie of the League and so beganne that seconde meeting with the same action The Kings proposition made to the Senate at their meetings Silence beeing commaunded by a Herault his Maiestie saide that at their first meeting hee hadde shewed what great desire and care hee hadde that in his raigne hee might see and beholde his subiects revnited in the true Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane religion vnder the obedience which it hadde pleased GOD for their partes to giue vnto him and for that cause hauing made his Edict in the moneth of Iuly last ordaining it to bee confirmed and holden for a The Edict of vnion made a lawe fondamentall law of his Realm therby to binde both himself and them with all their posterities his meaning was as then to haue it redde openly before them all which done euery man should sweare to obserue it accordingly And with that hee commaunded Monsieur de Beaulieu his principal Secretarie to read it togither with the declaration made vpon the same so to giue it the force and authoritie of a law of his Realme and yet without derogating the liberties and priuiledges of his Nobilite The reading thereof with the declaration beeing ended the king desiring that the woorthinesse of the cause should bee preferred with as much Maiestie as it deserued thereby to mooue the whole assembly better to consider the importance of the contract which as then they were to make with God crauing his horrible and most fearefull vengeance might fall vppon all those that disloyally should falsifie their faiths therevnto giuen as assurances of the obseruation of his said Edict of vnion he commanded the Archbishop of Bourges to make an Oration vnto the states concerning the same The oration of the Archbishop of Bourges touching the Edict of the vnion This learned Prelate saide that seeing it pleased his Maiestie that the instruction of so solemne an oath should bee giuen vnto the people by the mouth of the Prelates hee exhorted all the assembly appoynted for that great and solemne actions to humble themselues vnder the mightie hand of God and to acknowledge his Maiestie togither with the effect and quallitie of the oath which they were as then to receiue considering that God is trueth it selfe and all oathes whatsoeuer which are not grounded vppon that trueth are false and vniust That the cause of the oath as then presented was for the Church the onely spouse of God The Church is visible Vniuersall Catholicque visible heere on earth because it comprehendeth all the faithfull that are the christian communaltie Inuisible in heauen where it is said triumphant vniuersall for that it maketh no distinction of persons nations quallities conditions or sects One without diuision or schisme One for that of Alexandria Ephese Ierusalem Affrica and Aegipt are but one Church and her doctrine is one Romane doctrine not in regard of the walles of the Cittie of Rome but by reason of a speciall nomination and demonstration that is saide of it that therein Saint Peter and after him Saint Clement and others their successors haue preached and announced the word of God witnessing the true christian doctrine and many other Martyrs with the price of their blood which they haue freely shed for the name and honour of God The vnion of the Church That the vnion of this Church is so strong that it cannot bee broken nor separated in it selfe beeing placed vppon the firme rocke which is Iesus Christ so that the gates of hell cannot preuaile against it it is called the Lords vinyard and the Gods sheepfolde vnder one head and shepheard of our soules That to preserue the vnitie of his Church it is conuenenient that all the children thereof should be vnited vnder Christ their Sauiour and vnder the king whose faith hath continued from posteritie to posteritie euen vnto his person and neuer separated it selfe from the vnitie of this holy and christian religion Let vs vnite our selues then said this Prelate let vs vnite our selues togither as true faithfull Catholicques let vs renue this great and solemne oath due vnto God let vs ioyne our vowes and hearts togither and so yeeld them and confirme them vnto God Obedience due to the king Let vs sweare vnto our Prince the obedience submission due vnto him by all lawes diuine and humane let vs imbrace christian charitie let vs abandon hatreds rancors both open and secret with all suspitions and distrusts which hitherto haue troubled and diuided vs and which haue hindered yea and broken so good intents and had it not beene for them France had long since enioyed a happie peace Let vs lift vp our hands to heauen to yeelde vnto that great God the oath wee owe vnto him that it may bee a memorie for euer vnto the world that our posterities may beholde our faiths and constancie in our oathes and not our periurie by the good and holy effects that shall insue And seeing it hath pleased your Maiestie most noble Prince to bee the first that heere in presence of vs all shall performe this oath for an example to all your subiects all wee with one accord will lift vp our hands to heauen and sweare by the liuing God to serue and honour him for euer to maintaine his Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane Church to defend your
profit and commoditie of their places and those specially that concerned the receit of treasures made a great and goodly declaration to the king to mooue him to the contrary to hold thē in their places which they possessed vnder the title of officers for his Maiestie shewing him that the good and comfort of the people which was thought would bee procured by the suppression of their offices is the greatnesse glorie and riches of his Crowne and of his people which is alwaies oppressed and troden vnder foote by such as are mightie if there bee not some that like a barre interpose themselues betweene the power of the one and the weaknesse of the other which is specially done by the offices as well of iustice as of his Maiesties treasures that the erection of offices rather wanteth ayde and profit then oppression and wrong vnto the people for that without them the people must of force haue beene constrained to helpe the King in his warres with their owne goods The decree of Charles the fift dated the 28. of May. 1359. That it is a vaine thing to seeke to make those offices that ought to bee perpetuall to become annuall and so to be exercised by Commissaries for that is not to bee indured in any estate or Monarchie and Charles the fist seeking to erect that order during the prisonment of king Iohn perceiued so many discommodities discontentments and seditions therein that hee reuoked the suspencing and depriuation of such offices and himselfe in person pronounced the decree thereof in open Parliament That it is easie to iudge by the passions and instant pursuites of the greatest of those that demaund commissions that they haue a most extreame enuie to confound the order principal supports of the royal estate so to transferre it to the occupation and mannaging of a small company of men or else to put the rurther of this Monarchicall shippe into the hands of the common people and such as haue least skill knowledge to rule it and by that means to bring the head vnder the foot that diuers of those earnest petitioners had not solde their offices which they had likewise obtained by the same means for the most aduantage they would thinke themselues most happy at this day to ioyne with 80. or a 100. thousand officers whereof that body is composed which at this present imploreth iustice due and woorthie the desert of their cause That the suppression of so many estates and offices which at this day are the chiefe most orient brightnesse of the honourablest families among his subiects would vnfainedly drawe on the desolation decay and totall ruine of the best Townes in all this Realme wherein the youth for want of good exercise should easily throw themselues headlong into vanities and follies whereof idlenesse onely is the cause and therefore they most humbly besought his Maiestie to maintaine them in his seruice suffering them to continue therein and to enioy their offices as they had vsually done The billes of the three estates Which allegation beeing ended the complaints and petitions of the three estates were read in such large ample discourses that the least towne in France had matter sufficient to make a long and tedious declaration All of them in generall complaining besides the excesse of tallages of other subsidies impositions customes furnishings of fiftie thousand souldiers tallies augmentations and increasings of new forces impostes vpon wines lendings of mony both generall and particular subsidies of one hundreth soules for euery processe redeeming of their commons new inuentions touching the pauing of walled Towns the raising and calling downe of monies the surcharge of two three and foure soules vpon euery franke the vniuersall number of tallages The common peoples complaints the fourth and eight part of wines that are solde by retaile with other superfluous impositions and to conclude the people complained of the publicque calamities and oppressions which made them as bare and naked of ease and fatnesse as the body of a man that is appoynted for an anatomie The Nobilitie complained of their seruices done without recompence and of the indiscrcet distribution of the kings liberallities and rewards The Cleargie made a greater noyse and found themselues greeued that neither the summes of mony nor yet the great charges leuyed vpon them had not in any thing aduanced the seruice of religion Wherevppon the King supposing to sustaine the golden world and thereby to restore and procure great rest and quietnesse to his people almost spoyled and vtterly ouerthrowne hee commaunded the Deputies to inuent all the meanes they could for their comfort And from thence sprang the Edict of the suppression of offices newly erected and the ouerture of the discharges of talliages but with a most industrious stratageme of the League They mooued the king to reduce the talliages of the yeare 1576. which they did to this end that if the king agreed therevnto hee should perceiue himselfe bereaued of the meanes to pay his souldiers to content his seruants and to maintaine the greatnesse of his royall estate and if hee refused it it would bee an euident occasion to make the estates fall in a mutenie and so to effect their secret determination which was to appoynt a Protector ouer the King and to driue his faithfull subiects from him Read the kings declation vpon this poynt The Duke of Guise perswaded the King not to graunt it to the ende that thereby hee should not imbase his authoritie at the states pleasures on the other side hee prouoked and incited the Deputies which daily repaired to his lodging there to conclude their propositions and aunsweres to continue their pursuite But the king to shunne their fury consented to the reduction of tallages hoping neuerthelesse by that meanes continuing the Parliament he would shewe them that with so small summes of mony hee could not maintaine his royall estate nor yet proceed in warres against the Huguenots which all of them had so solemnely and faithfully sworne vnto Meane time they beganne to enter into the depth of their pretences A proposition made before at Mallet and Bobier and sought to haue pursuits made against such as had beene appoynted the kings receiuers and thereby abused his liberallitie that they should be constrained to yeelde account they shewed the king what losse hee had sustained by his carelesse contract made touching the farming of salt for the term of sixe yeares then ended in the month of September 1588. to the great deminution of his treasure and oppression of his subiects for that the losse thereby sustained did yearely amount vnto the summe of a hundreth thirtie sixe thousand Crownes and for the other sixe yeares foure millions and eight thousand crownes by not rating the farme of the imposts of salt at as high a price as they should bee This aduise beeing great and very important for the increasing of the Kings treasures was giuen by the Presidents Mallet
and Bobier that had laboured for the space of sixe yeares to discouer the same couered and disguised with the Sophisteries and subtilties of their participants Meane time that the estates were busied in the Parliament let vs see what the kings forces did against the enemie The Duke de Neuers led one armie into Poitou and the Duke de Maine conducted the other into Dauphine The armie of the Duke of Neuers in Poictou The Duke de Neuers with a great and strong armie passed into Poitou promising not onely to reduce the whole Prouince vnder the kings obedience but to restore the losse hee had sustained by the battell of Coutrus by some profitable and woorthie exployt hee beeing assisted by Monsieur de la Chastigneraye Maister of the Campe of a Regiment of footemen Monsieur de Sagone Marshall of the light-horse Monsieur de Lauerdin and Monsieur de la Chastre Great-maister of the field the armie being composed of Frenchmen Switzers Italians and diuers voluntary Gentlemen The siege of Manleon The Towne of Manleon was the first place which they pretended to besiege and to the same end it was presently inuironed with great numbers of horse and footemen It is the lawe of armes to punish such as seeking to striue against the streame some to oppose themselues by rash and vaine resolution to hold a fort which of it selfe is wholly weak vndefensable And for that kinde of foolish hardinesse Anne de Monmorancy Constable of France hanged such as hee found in the Castle of Villane and all those that were in a Tower standing in the subburbes of Saint Anthony of Pauie Yet the Garrison of Manleon although they well perceiued both want of amunitions and weaknesse of their walles would neyther parley nor yet yeeld vntill they sawe the last extremitie but when they sought by articles to compound the assaylants vsing all inhumanitie against them beeing disarmed bathed their victorie in the blood of naturall Frenchmen Montague taken From thence they marched towards Montagu where Monsieur de Colombiere Gouernour of the Towne issued and skirmished with the Duke de Neuers forces with equall losse on both sides which done after some resistance made and certaine Cannons shotte against the Towne the souldier fearing the euent of cruel assault not long after drew to an honourable composition and so yeelded the Towne When Montagu had yeelded the armie went to batter la Ganache a Towne with a Castle lying betweene Poitou and Brittaine as I will shewe you heereafter The Duke de Maine at Lyons The Duke de Maine beeing at Lyons and from thence minding to passe into Dauphine found his affection as much cooled as at the first it had beene greatly inflamed and knowing such pretences to bee daungerous and ouer lightly grounded vppon the mutenie of the people hee stayed his proceedings expecting the issue of the Parliament and while hee continued at Lyons Monsieur de Mandelot died beeing in great feare to bee displaced from his gouernment by the Duke de Nemours that had the graunt thereof and for the same cause hee doubted the comming of the Duke de Maine to bee to that end Hee fell sicke about the end of the moneth of October troubled with a windie colicque The sicknesse death of the Lord de Mandelot and certaine fittes of an ague the goute likewise ceasing vppon him and all at once Yet hee seemed not to bee in any great daunger till Sunday the thirteenth of Nouember when hee changed in such sort that on wednesday after in the morning feeling his forces to decay hee began to thinke vppon his end and comforting his Ladie hee besought father Edmond Auger to shewe the king that hee died poore and indebted by reason of his Maiesties seruices Hee recommended his wife and children to the Sheriffes and Magistrates of Lyons desiring them not to shewe themselues friends to mutable fortune that they would not suffer him to die like a â—ancrout and that his goods and mooueables might be openly solde he made the like declaration to the Straungers in the Towne And vppon Saturday at night hee receiued the extreame vnction which done hee besought God that it would please him yet to giue him life for the space of two yeares longer if hee thought it good for the profit of the Church the seruice of the king and the commoditie of the Cittie of Lyons Presages of the leaguers affaires The next day the Duke de Maine went to visit him where for a certain time hee had some conference with him And this Gentleman that had alwaies had a great insight into the affaires of the League by a spirit although not propheticall yet prognosticating said vnto him that the end of the Parliament at Blois would not bee so agreeable as the beginning that the wound of the Barricadoes of Parris was yet bleeding and that the taking of the Marquisat of Saluces had much increased it that the Duke of Guise should neuer finde the meanes to pacifie the sea by him so much troubled and tormented and that the supposed ayde of straungers which hee expected would fayle him hee died the foure and twentieth of Nouember and was buryed vpon Saint Andrewes day at whose funerall the Ladie his wife shewed both by her apparrell honour and order that amitie continueth as well after as before mans death Father Edmond Auger made the funerall Sermon in presence of the Duke de Maine and among other things commending his person saide that hee had neuer subscribed to the League and that hee died constant in religion and the seruice of the King But now let vs returne againe vnto the Parliament where the king laboured with great paine to procure the remedies which hee expected from the wholesome counsell that should bee giuen vnto him and like a wise Pilot that scoureth and maketh clean the plankes of his shippe thereby to clense it of all filth that might hang vppon it and so to hinder the like fish from catching holde thereon which in the middle of the streame vseth to staye the course of the greatest shippe that is hee sought to cutte off all the difficulties that hindered his Realm from passing out of the troublesome waues of long and continuall warres Remore a fish stayeth a shippe and thereby could not arriue at the hauen of happie peace but as hee continued in his great labour and holy desire that goodly harmony of the assembly of the estates beganne to iarre vppon the newes of the taking of the Marquisat of Saluce Newes of the taking of Carmagnoles by the Duke of Sauoye and of Carmagnoles the Frontier-Towne of France and Italie The estate of the Duke of Sauoye I must heerevnto adde this discourse which of force I must declare at large the better to make it knowne first shewing the estate of the Duke of Sauoy then what were the principall causes of this enterprise the right and reasons wherewith hee defended
himselfe and the meanes hee vsed to attaine vnto the same I will put this proposition that this Prince is bound and a neighbour vnto France and in that case neither ought nor may bee an enemie vnto it Hee is the sonne of that great and polliticque Prince Charles Philebert duke of Sauoy who so wisely found the means to recouer that which his father had lost The praise of Charles Philebert Duke of Sauoy The principall glory and truely as I thinke the most necessary for a Prince of his quallitie was that among so many troubles and betweene two great Monarchies striuing togither hee could behaue himselfe so well that neither the one nor the other once touched him maintaining his countrie in peace affectioned to the seruice of our kings as hee that had receiued that honor to marrie the sister of king Henry the second a friend to the King of Spaine in whose Court hee had passed ouer the most part of his greefes for his forepassed losses a good neighbour to the Switzers and other Princes of Italie to liue in peace hee permitted the free accesse of Huguenots into his Townes of Thurin and assured them a retrait into the vallies of Angrongne Lucerne Saint Martin Pragela and la Perouze without constraining them as hee might well haue done to vse the Catholicque religion and looking into the depth of diuers things hee made meanes vnto the king of Nauarre for a match to bee made betweene the Lady Margaret the Kings sister and his sonne and what hee practised for his owne benefite the same he counselled vnto others for when hee perceiued that Henry king of Polonia threatned to renue the warres assoone as hee should set foote within his realme hee disswaded him from that resolution setting before him the incertitude of warres which most commonly are sweete in the beginning but difficult to bee pursued and most bitter and hurtfull in the ende See the order of Montagu Hee desired rather to leaue some parte of his Landes vnto the Switzers then to seeke to winne them by armes Hee behaued himselfe so well in his counselles which our kings reiected and imprinted such an opinion of his wisedome greatnesse and felicitie within his subiects mindes that the Sauoyen not knowing nor beeing able to imagine any greatnesse more eleuated or happyer then that of their Duke that they said that if the king of France could haue guided his affaires in as good sorte hee hadde beene man sufficient and fitte to haue beene Great-Maister of the Duke of Sauoyes house Charles Emanuel Duke of Sanoy Charles Emanuel his sonne perceiuing that the wisedome and pollicie of his father had left his estate in good securitie with a reasonable great quantitie of treasures and yet not so much as would suffice to make any forraine warres determined to imploy that generositie naturally ingraffed in him in some goodly enterprise hee threatned Ceneua and made shewe of doing some great exployt against it but acknowledging the insufficiencie of his forces for his so high an enterprise they determined vppon a marriage and married the King of Spaines youngest daughter and with her the passions of his father in lawe The Duke of Sauoy cannot liue in peace if the king of Frāce be his enemie At the beginning it was thought hee would haue contented himselfe to haue beene friend with France allyed vnto Spaine that vppon the apprehension of the fall of our estate he would neuer pretend any thing against vs that hee would staye himselfe more vppon thinges certaine then vppon vncertaine and variable that knowing that vppon the one side hee hadde the Almaines on the other the Switzers on the third the Venecians and on the fourth the Princes of Italie hee would become friend to the Frenchmen their friends It was thought that if hee had ambition in his minde it would vanish vnder a more iust title that feeling himselfe weake hee would enterprise any thing against a mightie King nor would not breake the bond of amitie for his part due vnto him holding his estates from this Crowne which of late of meere courtesie hadde restored Sauignan and Pigneroles vnto him yet without apparant necessitie and without any reason whatsoeuer hee vndertooke the vsurpation of the territories of France bordering vppon Piedemont And yet it was not done without pretence declaration and excuse for first hee wrote vnto the Pope that the feare hee had least Monsieur de Desdiguieres should cease vppon certaine of his Townes and so in the middle of his countrie make a retraict and refuge for the Huguenots had constrained him to diuert that mischiefe generally from the Church and particularly from his owne estate which hee desired to continue in the puritie of the auncient religion vnder the obedience of the holy sea of Rome The duke of Sauoyes pretence why he inuaded the Marquisat of Saluce Hee excused himselfe vnto the King touching this breach of peace saying that the onely zeale of religion togither with the feare of the contagious neighbourhood of hereticques had constrained him ther vnto sending an Ambassador to giue him notice thereof and so to disguise that iniurie with the fairest and most counterfeit hee could deuise At the first he made shewe as if he would not hold those places but vnder the kings authoritie and by little and little he vsurped all soueragne power degrading the kings officers erected the Sauoyan crosse and threwe downe the flower deluces of France Ann. 1481. His officers couered this vsurpation with an other title and maintained that the Marquisat of Saluces is holden infest of the Duchie of Sauoy and that one of the Marquises thereof beeing a braue and valiant Gentleman disdaining in person to doo homage to Charles the sixt Duke of Sauoy being very young was for his misprision declared a traitor driuen out of his Countries and his Marquisat confiscated The Marquesse of Saluce infested into the countrie of Dauphine But the truth is that this countrie hath alwaies been infest to the principalitie of Dauphine contained in the gift that Prince Humbert made vnto the Crown of France namely that the Marquesse of Saluce had recourse vnto the king of France who receiued homage and fidelitie of him and euer since his successours did continue the dutie of vassalles vnto the Kings Charles the eight Lewis the twelfth and Francis the first From thence it proceedeth that hee which enquired and gathered into a great volume the causes and reasons of the raising of armes in the moneth of Ianuary reporteth this surprising of the Marquisate of Saluces to bee deriued from principalles of the League that dismembreth thier Crowne and Common-wealth perceiuing that neither of them could preserue it whole and intire and these are his words ABout that time the Duke of Sauoy supposing the king by reason of his departure from Parris to bee wholly ouerthrowne sent to speake with Monsieur de Guise minding to enter into League with him vppon
Ecclesiasticall persons opened their intent vnto the Nobilitie and the rest of the estates who altogither entered into conference touching the waightinesse of that action and conforming themselues vnto the first aduise of the Cleargie they appoynted twelue of each degree to giue the King intelligence of their determination and the Archbishoppe of Ambrun in the name of all the estates opened it to the King But his M. remeÌ„bring that the king of N. had often shew'd him that he had bin born bred vp in that form of religion that in conscience he could not leaue it without instruction that if he did it in hope or dispaire of enioying a kingdome hee should thereby reape the blasone of inconstancie infidelitie and hypocrisie thereby not to make himselfe capable to be a king but rather vnworthie for the place that hee was readie and alwaies will be to bee instructed by a free and lawfull Councell and to leaue his error truth being made known vnto him found this proposition very strange and passionate wherwith he rested wholly vnresolued Such as preferre the hopes and right of succession in this Prince shewed him that the submission he had made The king of Nauarre in hope of a Crowne wilt not be instructed A discourse taken out of an answere made by the king of Nauarre The Edict of the libertie of conscience in an 15â—1 which he still continued to make during these troubles are full of iustice all good consideration because he doth not willingly defend any thing but that only which honor zeale of conscience forceth him vnto that the law of this Realm depriueth not a child of a direct or collaterall succession because of religion why then should it depriue a Prince The law admitteth all persons indifferently into any office why shuld it not do the like in an estate The law permitteth euery man the exercise of his religion excludeth no man why then shuld the Prince be debarred from this priuiledge and the Prince that maketh it why shuld he be burt hened in his conscience in the thing specially that toucheth him most neare it being he that giueth libertie vnto others I say the law of this estate for it is the law whereby we liue in peace that is to restore this estate vnto her first being thereby to withdraw it from continuall miserie A law made determined at the Parliament holden in Orleans not a forced Parliament not suspicious not leagued by the deuises and subtill practises of such as at this day trouble the Realme of France and which is more a Parliament summoned by themselues in the time of their greatest credite and namely at their instance which from that time hitherto wee neuer desired to infringe vntill we were constrained to enter into ciuill warres and when I speake of ciuill warres vnder that word I thinke may well comprehend all sorts of calamities and confusions a lawe that is very iust as beeing most necessary a lawe which at this Parliament is not allowed for that the reuocation thereof is our destruction a law iudged a lawe sworne vnto by all the Princes Gouernours Lieftenants Councellours Courts of Parliament Presidents Townes and communalties of this Realme and by those namely who at this day would protest against it And yet hee remitteth mitteth the deciding of the cause of religion to a free Councell and til then no man in this estate can bee esteemed or holden an hereticque and whosoeuer submitteth himselfe vnto it by all right cannot bee said or reputed for an obstinate or schismatic que person The king wold they should summon the King of Nauarre The King prouoked by these reasons thought it vnreasonable to condemne the king of Nauarre before hee aunswered for himselfe and therefore made aunswere vnto the Lords and other Deputies that it should by to see if that were good and expedient to summon him once againe to sweare vnto the Edict of vnion and so to declare himselfe a Catholicque The League would not heare of that aduise This aunswere made by the King was shewed vnto the estates and by them a collection was made of all the means that had the king of Nauarre vnto the Church the absolution which the Cardinall of Bourbon his vncle had obtained for him his Relaps into his errors that he had abiured the voyages made by the Queene-mother to seeke to win him the Doctors whom the king himselfe desirous of his conuersion and his good had sent vnto him and the excommunication pronounced against him in the Consistorie of Rome They set downe the paines due vnto hereticques as also to such as are relapsed they accused this Prince to bee both the one and the other nourished and brought vp from his infancie in that new and erronious opinion and that beeing such a person hee was not woorthie eytherof respect or obedience no not of so much honour as once to bee saluted that they might not communicate with him by any meanes that there is an eminent daunger of the losse of religion and that it would bee put in great hazard if once they should acknowledge him for their king who both by his power and example might easily compel his subiects to yeelde to his religion finding nothing more assured nor certaine in all auncient Histories then the decay and ruine of religion when the chiefe Magistrate sought not to preserue it in all puritie Hereticum ho minem deuita Nee aue dixeritis illi 1. Tim. 3. Iohn 2. They said the King of Nauarre held the same opinon that had alreadie beene condemned in the Councell of Trent and by other Councelles that hee perseuered therein and that hauing oncereiected it hee receiued it againe and thereby constrained the holy Sea of of Rome to declare him a Relaps excommunicated and vncapable of the succession of this Realme concluding thereby that hee ought by that assembly to bee declared such a person and to leaue this lawe for a perpetuall memorie vnto the Realme of France that an hereticque may not enioy the Crowne of France and that it is a thing wholly against his sacrying and the oath which at his coronation hee should make but much more preiudiciall vnto the honour of God and the good and quietnesse of this estate The lawe to heare such as are accursed is not ciuill and particular nor obserued in one or two Common-wealths it is a lawe drawne from nature it selfe and the common consent of all nations practised by those who for their guide haue had a true and perpetuall reason in all their actions and it seemeth that God himselfe to whom all the secrets of mens consciences are open that knoweth all things that hath no need of humane witnesses nor yet to follow the order or manner of a Parliament would not pronounce his definitiue sentence against the ingratitude felony disloyaltie pride and presumption of the first man Adam before hee had called him to iudgement examined confirmed
and such as made no account of him the Duke of Espernon by letters assured him that a great conspiracie was intented against his person The Duke de Maine commaunded a Gentleman to shewe the king that the Duke of Guise sought most ambitiously to climbe aboue the degree of a subiect that hee practised some secret matter contrary to his Maiesties seruice Al this agreeth with the Kings authoritie and that the execution thereof would shortly bee performed The Duke of Aumale sent Madame d'Aumale his wife to shew the king of a secret Councell holden vnder a prodigious attempt against his person The King determined to put the Duke of Guise to death The kings heart by these aduises beeing stirred vp with a newe force and liuelier courage and minding to preuent the Duke of Guise discouered his intent to foure of his friends whom hee knewe to bee as much affected to the suretie and welfare of his Maiestie as wholly estranged from the pernicious Councell of the League and shewed them that he was fully resolued to quit himselfe of the Duke of Guise who as a new world was alreadie worshipped of all the people Introductiō◠against the duke of Guise They set before his eyes the register of this Princes actions those specially that offended the king and his estate namely the edict of vnion wherwith hee armed himselfe as with a target made of Diamonds That the Duke of Guise holding no other quallitie in France then onely of a meere subiect had erected a League raised men of war practised with straungers without authoritie aduise or permission from the king enterprised vpon townes and troubled and broken publike peace That by the Edict of vnion hauing sworne to leaue all leagues and associations as well within as without the Realm he ceased not to continue his practises and deuises with the Cardinall Morosin and the Ambassadour of Spaine assuring them that hee ment not to leaue off the good intelligence hee had with their Maisters That hee had not broken but rather confirmed and continued the particular confederacies sworne with the Gouernours of the townes of France and others therby still to maintaine the souldiers on his side against the seruice of the king That by his billes hee had declared that he had not taken armes but for the seruice of God and of the King and yet by the surprising of townes in Picardie hee had impeached the aduancement of the armie that should haue passed into Guyenne against the Huguenots and in all places exclaimed against the Kings actions esteeming him fitter to were a sacke then a Scepter That hee had declared that hee bare no armes but for the assurance of the Catholicques in France and of their religion and to impeach the succeson of the king of Nauarre to the Crowne and yet the King had beene aduertised by the saide King of Nauarre that the Duke of Guise had sought his fauour so farre as that hee offered him his sonne in hostage and that he with seuenteen Princes of his house would come to visit him as farre as the riuer of Loire to doo him seruice and to make him the greatest and peaceablest king of France that euer was the Bailiffe of the Mountaines of Dauphine and Monsieur de Bethune beeing imployed in those affaires and a great person of estate that neuer could indure such Petti-Maisters after the king of Nauarre hauing discouered that this practise could not bee for the good and quietnesse of this Realme aduertised the Queen-mother That after the pardon of his treasons for associating and practising with the enemies of this Realme graunted vnto him by his Maiestie many letters had beene intercepted tending to great purposes to trouble both the King and his estate That the taking of the Marquisat of Saluces was done by his aduise and that then when his Maiestie complained of that iniurie and that it was requisite to continue peace in France and to make warre against straungers who in a brauado sought to dismember the estate hee stood against it and saide they ought rather first to heale the interior vlcer then to enter into warres that any waye touched the superficiall euill That his participants publishing his praises aboue those of the King caused it to bee sung about the streetes and in the Townes that helde with the League that the Duke of Guise had constrained the King against his will to make waarre against the Huguenots and that hee had solde the Marquisat of Saluces to the Duke of Sauoy to the end that vnder pretence of recouering it againe hee might diuert the warres from Guyenne That in stead of ayding his Maiestie and to imploy their liues and meanes in reducing the Townes holden by the Huguenots his Captaines and men of warre stayed at Blois vppon assurance giuen them of a commodious change That hee had caused bookes to bee imprinted thereby to breake the lawfull succession of the Crowne in fauour of the house of Lorraine That his seruaunts vppon the day of the Barricadoes in Parris perswading themselues that as then hee hadde mounted to the highest degree of his greatnesse saide openly throughout his lodging that it was no time to make any more delaies for such were their proper termes and that there rested nothing to doo but to conduct their Maister to Reims That hee caused triumph to bee made in Parris as if it had beene in a Towne new conquered that his Lacqueys had more credit with the people then his Maiesties principall seruants that hee boasted both by word of mouth and writing that it was in his power to hold the king that is to stay him prisoner or else to vse him woorse That he boasted to haue stayed the sacking of Parris and that he could arest the king beeing in the middle of fiue or sixe thousand men and all of them the kings friends and yet hee entered into Parris but with eight horse hee was so well assured of the good wils and mindes of the Inhabitants that receiued him with the cries and open reioycings which onely belong vnto a soueraigne Prince That the king had no meanes to appoynt a Knight of the watch within Parris nor to dispose of the Bastille at his pleasure That hee had so intised the states to fauour his ambition that the Deputies spake nothing but what pleased him and had no other billes nor petitions to present but such as had been first examined and perused by his Councell and that it seemed that this assembly at Blois was wholly made to seale a contract of some new royaltie and that alreadie diuers said that he made too long delay to execute his intent That hee spake not but with authoritie like a king vsing words full of brauadoes disdaine and threatnings against his Maiesties subiects That hee spake in all affaires as if hee were chiefe soueraigne that hee had constrained the king to prouide a succescor as if hee lay at the poynt of death That hee had
sent his letters pattents sealed with the great seale vnto the Inhabitants of Romorantin forbidding them not to administer victualles nor amunition to the company of Monsieur de Souuray and they had expresse commaundement to send vnto him That in presence of the Queene-mother hee had refused his Maiestie to subscribe to the ordinance which hee ment to publish concerning certaine treasons as then practised and pretended That his only intent was in his person as a supposed branch of the house of Charlemaine to reestablish the greatnesse and vsurped authoritie of the ancient Maiors of the Pallace to the ende the king should onely beare the name and that hee might deale with him as Charles Martel did with Chilperic Some that were present at this Councel the more to stirre vp the kings minde by the auncient perill of an vnrecouerable fall from his authoritie to shewe him that his Maiestie was to remember the dreame he had before the League beganne which was that the Lyons and wilde beasts by him nourished in his Castle of the Louure deuoured him The kings dreame or vision and that beeing mooued with this vision hee had caused them to bee killed and among the rest one Lyon being the most furious beast of them all Lastly they put the King in minde of Salcedoes processe which had discouered all the pretence of the Councell holden at Nancy the first article whereof was to cease vpon the Kings person of the Councell of fiue persons holden at Parris in the time of Lent in An. one thousand fiue hundreth eightie seuē wherin the Duke de Maine couertly inuayed against his Maiestie Of the memorials taken about the Aduocate Dauid of the letters sent by the Queene of Denmarke to her sonne the Duke of Lorraine which were found about the Abbot of Billy comming from Rome and withall the attempt of the Barricadoes was not forgotten therewith to end their Councell Considerations that stayed the kings minde But three things caused the kings minde to wauer and to staye long before hee resolued vpon it one the respect of the Pope the second his oath made touching the protection of the states and the third the troubles that this execution would breed by their meanes that fauoureth the Duke of Guise Touching the first it was shewed him that his holinesse beeing aduertised of the Duke of Guise at the erecting of the Barricadoes had ceased vpon the Bastille and Bois de Vincennes hee said vnto the Bishop of Parris that the enterprise was ouer bolde that it touched the estate and that the offence would prooue vnrecouerable That his holinesse had often written vnto his Maiestie that hee should assure himselfe of the estates what meanes soeuer hee made and that in these so apparant daungers there is no remedie whatsoeuer but it may bee vsed that hee needed not to inquire if it were lawfull to be done and that it was for the same cause that his Maiestie had obtained a Confessor by him to bee resolued of all things touching or concerning the holy Sea of Rome That the heads and authors of factions are so odious vnto Princes iealous of the quietnesse of the estate that therein they pardon not their owne blood as king Philip that pardoned not Charles his owne sonne that sought to surprise the low Countries And the Duke of Guise when speeches were vsed touching the disobediences of the Duke of Aniou deceased had alwaies this example of extreame iustice readie to produce It is knowne why the Cardinall of Caraffe was strangeled Pope Sixtus at this day liuing in the first yeare of his pontificates put to death the Counte de Pepoly one of the most famous families in all Italie because hee kept certaine banished persons his kinsmen secretly in his house In this Realme of France Iohn Earle of Harcourt of the blood royal of Scotland Lewis de Luxembourg Constable of France Iaques Counte de la Marche issued from the house of Castille diuers others of as great quallitie and estate as the Duke of Guise haue indured shamefull ends because they practised and made secret leagues with forraine Princes and kings The Pope thoght that the Duke of Guise had borne armes for the religiō but after the Barricadoes once erected hee beleeued it not and although religion were the cause of the warres yet should it not bee lawfull without the kings authoritie The example is both good and memorable in the Historie of the king of Spaine called Leoncilde both an hereticque and an Arrian This Barbarian pursued the Christians and pardoned not his owneson that had bin instructed and conuerted vnto Christian religion by Leander Bishop of Tolede hee banished him out of kingdome This young Prince being mooued at the miseries and persecutions of the Christians in his countrie Qui contra genitorem quamuis hereticum talia cogitarer didtwise raise armes against his father at the first he was ouerthrowne and sent into exile at the second time he was put to death and slaine vpon Easterday S. Gregory Archbishop of Tours in this example noteth the effects of the iudgements of God condemneth the boldnesse of this Prince that The king is not bound by oath nor obligation vnto his subiects rebelled against his father and his king although both an hereticque an Arrian Touching the oath which is the second consideration that stayed his Maiestie and which is neuer broken nor neglected but repentance followeth it was tolde the King that euen as betweene the bond-man and the Lord there is no obligation to bee made that there can bee no strickt promise betweene the subiect and the Prince that the promises made are not to bee obserued that if faith bee not to bee holden with him that cannot iustly bee called an enemie and that hath no authoritie to make warres who by the lawe is termed a theefe or a rouer the Prince is not bound to keepe his promise with a meane subiect who by his rebellion hath first violated his owne faith vnto his Prince Necessitie hath no lawe wee must vse time as occasion serueth that is when necessitie compelleth and when men break their faith and promise In great assemblies great examples of punishing rebelles are done and executed as at the marriage of the Emperour Zeno with the daughter of Ardaburis where the Bridegome was slaine Balisene and the Emperours father in lawe committed prisoners The kings of England and Polonia haue often summoned Parliaments therein to take and surprise the Lords that had rebelled against them Our kings haue arested them beeing at their bankets These great motions haue alwaies some extraordiry event but necessitie and publike vtilitie doth authorise them A league grounded vpon the good will of the people The third obiectiō of this vnresolued resolutiō was the great credit which the Duke of Guise had gotten among the people wherevpon it was shewed the king that as the said Princes part had no other credit but among the multitude
and of the Huguenots and to conclude so much despised all things which neuerthelesse within one moneth after hee was constrained to do that within sixe weekes hee perceiued himselfe to bee reduced onely to the Realme of Tours Blois and Baugency The fourth of January 1589. And so after the death of those two Princes of Lorraine and the imprisonment of the rest that were most suspected despising all the aduise giuen him to enter first into the field and that doing so hee should haue a great aduantage vppon his enemies hee commaunded the estates to proceede with the Parliament They presented him the billes of the three estates and againe the third time the Edict of vnion was published by Monsieur Ruze and sworne by his Maiestie with most solemne protestation to obserue and cause it to bee holden for a lawe of the Realme The king of Nauar vnderstandeth of the death of the Duke of Guise the 26. of December Lachrymas non sponte cadentes effudit genitúsque expressit pectore lato His Councell besought him to reiourne the Parliament vntill an other time but hee was so much affected to heare and determine vpon their billes that hee forgot both the care of his person and estate and would not leaue off the assembly vntill hee heard that the Duke de Maine was alreadie before the subburbes of Parris and that hee went to ayde Orleans with all those with whom hee had practised to reuenge the deathes of his two bretheren The king of Nauarre receiued the newes of this execution beeing at Saint Iohn d'Angely by two Postes expresly sent from Blois on horsebacke to certifie him thereof And he that was neuer found to be voyde of great modestie in his most haughtie enterprises nor yet without constancie in all the greatest crosses which both time and men had wrought against him bewailed not so much the death as the euill fortune of the house of Guise it is the nature of those that are most couerteous not to behold the head of their enemie but with a sad and sorrowfull eye Antigonus bewailed Pyrrus Caezar Pompey Rene duke of Lorraine Charles Duke of Brurgongne and the Earle of Montfort Charles Earle of Blois It is true that hee knewe this accident would bee a great helpe touching his iustification that thereby hee was discharged from beeing cause of the mischiefe of ciuill warres and that the king hauing iudged and found the Duke of Guise to bee most culpable touching the troubles of the estate had punished him according to his desert He said that al the world he onely excepted imagined mischief of the house of Lorraine and would bee glad to see the indignation declarations and forces of the king his Lord bent against them But for his part hee could not doo it neither yet doth it but only that of two euils he is constrained to chuse the least Yet did he not refraine to pursue his enterprise against the Towne of Niort which was in this maner The troupes that were to execute the same vnder the conduct of Mousieur de S. Gelais giuing foorth that they went for Congnac by night marched within halfe a myle of the towne the lathers and other warrelike amunitions passing about a bowe-shot from the walles and because the moone shined very bright they were forced to stay till it was downe least the assaylants should be discouered who in the meane time slept vppon the Ice wearied with long trauell and troublesome way The taking of Niort The execution being followed in conuenient time Messieurs de Ranques Valiers Gentil hauing founded the ditches caused their lathers to be broght other instruments Wherein valour consisteth neare vnto the gate which they ment to assayle I would desire such as shall read this poynt to consider and note that notable enterprises are not executed without good order and discretion and that the honour of armes consisteth not in strength wherein many beasts haue great aduantage ouer vs nor in that kinde of furious assault which is more naturall to beastes then men neither yet in the hearts of the Actors which go where blinde conductions leadeth them but in the good order and pollicie established by the Leaders The approaching of those that bare the lathers was not so secretly done but that the Sentinel heard some noyse and presently cried Quivala Whereat if the assaylant had either beene fearefull or troubled the enterprise had bin discouered and so haue lost their labours But they stayed and stood so quietly that the Sentinell himselfe answered to the Corporall and saide I heard a noyse but I perceiue it is nothing and vppon that the lathers beeing artificially made to ioyne togither were raised against the walles about sixe and thirtie or fortie foote high Scaling Lathers set vp Galeati lepores Liuius 28. By this escalado the Sentinell was surprised and throwne ouer the wall and then the Court of guard wherein they found but seuen or eight poore artificers for that commonly within Townes the rich do watch by the eyes of the poore that saued themselues because they should make no noyse And although it had been determined to let as many of their men mount vp by lathers as possibly they might it chanced neuerthelesse that one of the small number that had entered perceiuing himselfe in some perill cried vnto the engenier and thought to spoyle all their enterprise for that crie made an alarme among all the Inhabitants and serued to the engeniers for a watch-word to play with their Ensignes being before the Rauelin which made an ouerture of the gate and at that instant the Engin wrought against the bridge of the Towne which brake but two plankes of the bridge and so the gate opened in two parts the entrie of the bridge was very straight where one man alone could hardly get in and yet hee must descend by one of the lathers into the ditch and then with the same lather go vp to the entrie of the bridge two men well armed had beene sufficient to haue kept it against them all In the end by meanes of that entrie and by their escalado the first that entered were Messieures de S. Gelais de Rambures and de Parabieries who with their companies met hard by the Towne-house where they beganne to crie Viue Nauarre and there among the people being in feare surprised and abashed they found so small resistance that in lesse then three or foure houres the assaylants entered vanquished became Maisters of the towne being put to the spoyle and yet without murther violence or iniurie done vnto the Cleargie that were not once touched the king of Mauarres intent beeing not to constraine them in their religion Hee receiued the newes of this surprise at S. Iohn d'Angely whereas then he remained the gouernment whereof he committed vnto Monsieur de S. Gelais Monsieur de Parabieres commaunded in the Castle wherein hee found fiue peeces for batterie and two long coluerins
in that imbarking he thought not vppon the stormes and tempests how hee might shunne them hee would thinke vppon them but too late when they might not bee auoyded when all the owers would bee broken and the waues strike against his vessell when danger shuld vanquish his art and necessity force his wisdome that of the wind of the peoples fauour which of long time hath bin disposed vnto rebellion and troubles maketh his sayles blow full that furiously he would thrust his pretences into the maine sea that neuerthelesse he oght to consider the vncoÌ„stancie lightnesse of the people who hauing shakeÌ„ off the yoak of the Vulgus infidum bonis Horat. Vnum imperij corpus vnius animo regendum videtur Tacitus kings obedience would do as much vnto a Prince to whom it shall not be bound but as to Proctor of their mutenie That there is nothing more vnconstant nor more disloyall then the common people traiterous to the good and dutifull to the wicked and that rewardeth those that do it good with ropes exiles and publike execration that in the ende after many attempts prooues of all sorts of principallities it wil alwaies return againe vnto the royaltie France not beeing able to indure the gouernment of two kings no more then the body two heads nor a ship two Pilots that France no more then the whole world without a generall consuming cannot indure two sunnes that the people continueth not long in their furie it loseth breath in the first setting forward Si duo soles velis esse pericuâ—um â—e in cendio omnia perdantur Serenus like a reed that beginneth with a long and straight pipe and suddainly it windeth and is crooked loosing the vigor that it shewed in the first part thereof The Duke de Maine beeing as then Maister either of his good fortune or ouerthrow held the conduction of the Leaguers affaires at his disposition and by a good resolution could revnite the Catholicques by his brother led astray but his passion leading him at her pleasure and that it represented vnto him the aduantage hee had to succeed in the fauours credite and authoritie of his brother and by consequent vnto his hopes hee reiected the aduise of good counsell and thinking that they sought his life determined the same day in all haste to depart from Lyons and went to Mascon and from thence to Chalons where hee assured himselfe of the citadell from thence he got to Dyon where he receiued letters from the king by the which the king assured him that hee desired to continue him in his fauour staying the punishment of things past vppon the death of his bretheren whom hee had put to death to saue his life whereof hee had aduertised him The Duke de Maine attributing the clemencie and fauour of the king to an affection languishing feeble and faint and to a feare he had to haue him for enemie or to loose his friendship not beeing able to moderate his chollor nor to incline himselfe vnto a generall and good ende hardened himselfe in his resolution receiued the pestilent breath of those mindes that bad framed themselues to tyrannie feared not the king and made lesse account of him then of the chaine of Tartaria While hee continued at Dyon he gaue out commissions to assure himselfe and to seize vpon diuers places and among the rest one of the Messieur de Rosne and de Saint Paul to commaund in Champaigne and Brye He had no great trouble to constraine them of Dyon to reuolt against the king bridling them by the Castle there was none but the Court of Parliament who perceiuing that they could not shine without the light of the authoritie royal that would not consent to that rebellion therfore the principal officers were driuen from thence the rest imprisoned some poore people fearefull for the discommodities they might reape remained in miserable slauerie vnder the confused and disordered democratie The kings Letters to the Duke de Maine From thence the Duke de Maine went to Troye a Towne long time before spoyled and corrupted by the participants of the Duke of Guise where hee was receiued with honours due vnto a king The king perceiuing that the league caused al the townes beyond the riuer of Loire Chalon sur Saone Dyon Troye Parris and Orleans to rise against him and that if hee sat with armes crossed it would not ease him was constrained to leaue the affaires of the Parliament vnperfect to prouide for the safetie of his person and to remedie the violent intents of his enemies and before the Parliament brake vp vppon the fifteenth and sixteenth daies of Ianuarie he heard the declarations of the Deputies of the third estates wherein may bee found the examples of the disorders which at this time trouble the Realme of France The Oration of the Archbishop of Bourges The Archbishop of Bourges President for the spiritualtie in the Parliament after the death of the Cardinall of Guise made a long discourse of the miseries and calamities that had continued for the space of eight and twentie yeares within the Realm of France touching the causes thereof assuring them that the despising of the name of God is the cause of our euil hauing broken the band that tyeth and vniteth vs vnto God that is religion which is the signer the band and foundation of all Monarches and Common-wealths Difference in religion That the diuision happened in the vnitie of this religion separating the hearts and minds of families and then of communalties hath produced this disorder that thereby they should haue seen nothing but fire and weapons throughout France nourisheth this long ciuill warre which to entertaine hath beene the meanes to seeke out so many prodigious inuentions to ouerthrow and spoyle the people by so many subsidies sale of offices belonging to iustice and treasures with the alienation of the sacred patrimonie of the Church The kings zeale to his religion That the king in his youth being adorned with so many victories obtained against schisme and heresie had giuen to vnderstand that the honour and glory of God and his religion was dearer vnto him then his own life ought not to permit that heresie should oppose it selfe against the true religion of him and his forefathers a new against the true alter and a king against his authoritie royall That hauing reestablished the assurance of the franchises of religion he ought with a care woorthieof a royall name to purge the disorders and the abuses which the corruption of this world hath induced into all estates Abuse in the Church in the house of God in the church in the Nobilitie in armes in Magistrates in iustice and in the people and on the one side shewing the disorders on the other hee applyeth the remedies and because the libertie of these last troubles hath increased them wee will present them like euill vlcers which spoyle this polliticque bodie and that will
and obedience made to Henry the third That the same people might lawfully and with good conscience arme and vnite themselues raise money and make contributions for preseruation and defence of the Romain Church against councels replenished with all flagition and the force of the king or his adherents whatsoeuer In that affirmed they hee had violated publike faith to the preiudice of Catholicque religion the Edict of sacred vnion and the naturall and proper libertie of the three estates of the Realme The king first imployeth his pen before he draweth his sword The king perceiuing that the greater mildenesse he vsed in reducing these errants into the right way the more they took bridle in mouth to run whither soeuer their violent passions would transport them scoffing at him and attributing that affection which he bore to revnite them to himself rather to a feare he had of either retaining them as his enemies or loosing them as subiects vsed his authoritie publishing throghout all the Prouinces diuers declarations of his intention as well against the Duke de Maine the Duke and Cheualier d'Aumale heads of the rebellion as likewise against the townes of Parris Amiens Orleans Abeuille and other their adherents He therefore accused them of attempt against his person of fellonie and rebellion hee denounced those heads and members all disloyall rebellious attainted and conuicted of the crimes of fellonie rebellion high treason to their chiefest head and disgraded them togither with their posteritie of all honours if within the space of one month they rendred not thēselues vnder his obedience The terme set downe was the beginning of March but seeing that instead of repenting themselues they committed so many the more outrages taking vp armes on all sides and that they practised out of the land seized on his treasure vnder colour of Lieftenants general of the estate cōfirmed pattents commissions vnder a new seale oppressed by incredible violatiōs diuers prouinces stript into their shirts many of his most faithfull subiects which would not adheare vnto them without intreating much more graciously others who had so greatly desired and laboured the league In briefe that they had vsurped all poynts and prerogatiues of his royall Maiestie except the name and title of king which they reserued to an other opportunitie He then resolued also for his part to put in readinesse an armie to suppresse these insupportable attempters And for performance of this he dispatched letters pattents for conuocation and assembly of his Nobilitie and martiall power Not long after ensued an other Edict of the kings by which he translated to the towne of Tours such exercise of iustice as was wont to be performed in his Court of Parliament of Parris inioyning them of that Court to repaire incontinently to Tours there to execute their offices He made the like transportatiō of his chamber of accounts to the same place and depriued Parris with the other townes of all offices charges dignities and priuiledges whom he would willingly haue made afeard and won vnto himselfe before comming to armes But all this was but a casting of oyle into the fire Exployts of the king of Nauar who came afterwards to be king The king of N. recouered of a daungerous disease hee had a little after the death of the Queen-mother determined for testimonie of his fidelitie towards the king to crosse as far as in him lay the diseignments of the leaguers hindring them from defacing any thing in those places which hee had meanes to assure as well for seruice of the king as for the reliefe of those of the religion Thus therfore he receiued into his protection those of S. Maixent Millezay he safegarded against the league Chastelleraut Loudū I le Mirebeau Viuonne other places adioyning Afterwards he set forward euen into Berry and tooke ouer the leaguers head the Towne and Castle of Argenton And beeing returned to Chastelleraut hee writ in the beginning of March ample letters to the three estates of France full of serious admonitions that they should giue ouer the League and aduertising them that if they proceeded in their euill counsels and determinations he was minded if the king so commaunded him to take the field with his friendes and followers hoping that God would giue him the grace to breake many of their deseignments and to cut them off from their affaires inuentions He took into his protection and safegard all such towns personages as would ioyne with him against the league promising that in the townes he would suffer nothing to be innouated neither in pollicie or church-affairs except on such considerations as shuld touch the libertie of euery one hauing learned said he for conclusion that the true and onely meane of revniting people to the seruice of God and establishing pietie in an estate is mildnesse peace good example not warre nor disorders through which wickednesse and vices spring vp in the world At the same time the Towne and Castle of Angiers were assured to the king but the Duke de Mercoeur brought almost all Brittaine in subiection to the partie of the league with which Roane Thoulouse Lyons were now ioyned and Bourdeaux wanted not much of doing the like but Marshal de Matignon was faithful to the king so that the leaguers and Iesuites were constrained to remooue from thence During these commotions debatement was made of a truce between the king Nauar to the ende they might more commodiously make head against the league Debatement of truce betweene the two kings which augmented euery weeke more more The K. minding to vse Na. forces without which hee could not doo much of himselfe offered and yeelded into his hand Saumur for securitie of his passage ouer Loire by means whereof in attending ratification of the truces the king of N. caused all his troupes to passe ouer on this side of Loire to ioine with the forces of Normandie Maine and other places which attended him with intention to approach the Leaguers and thus to ease them of the labour of comming any more to find him out in Gascon and Xaintongne as before they had don Afterwards the 18. of April he proclamed wars against them if they deferred any longer to lay aside armes But they shewed themselues as little moued with this as before by the kings letters patternts by which he translated the iustice iurisdictiō of the Great-maisters Inquisitors and Reformers generall which was wont to be held in the Pallas at Parris at the bench of the table of marble to his Court of Parliament not long since established at Tours An enterprise on the kings person by the league frustrated by the king of Nauars presence About the end of the same month he published an Edict declaring that al the mooueable immoouerable goods of the Duke de Maine of the Duke and Cheualier d'Aumale and of those which voluntarily dwelt and remained in the Townes of Parris Thoulouse Orleans
Chartres Amiens Abeuille Lyons Mans and of all other maintaining their partie forfaited coÌ„fiscated minding that the mony rising of the sale therof should bee imployed in the charges of the war Notwithstanding all this aboue declared the D. de Maine and his confederates hauing their armie in readinesse made a selection of their resolutest men and marched into Vendosmois with an intentioÌ„ to surprise the K. in Tours were he was weakly ynough garded besides this they had secret intelligeÌ„ce both in the court town The king of Nauarre beeing aduertised that this armie was in Vendosme and in the confines thereabout determined to go to see them and for this purpose departed the eight and twentieth day of Aprill with 400. Maistres and a thousand Harguebuziers on horsebacke going ten long myles at one march But beeing in the way to haue gone further forward hee receiued newes that the king called him backe to his owne succour wherefore with all speed hee turned head and came to lodge at Maille vpon Loire two miles from Tours after hee had remained by the space of 24. houres on horseback A peculiar order of Cauallere The king presently hearing of this arriual was much eased at heart for it was mightily seared least the Duke de Maine hauing taken S. Ouyn near Amboise which he battered with two coluerins wold haue come to ledge in the subburbs of Tours the which so falling out the K. had bin in euident danger of his person On Sunday being the last day of the month the two kings viewed each other in the passage from Plessy Parke to Tours with mutuall demonstration of all contentment Free resolution of the K. of Nauarre The K. of Nauarre this day shewed a free and absolute resolution which was wont with him to bee ordinarie For Marshall Hautmont being come to finde him out and exhort him in the behalfe of the king that he would come to him incontinently he determined to go laying aside all suspition and reiecting diuers adnertisements which had been giuen him for slacking of this enterview thrise pleasing to the people profitable to the king Truce between the two Xings After that the two kings had for the space of some daies coÌ„municated togither Vauar returned ouer to Loire lodged himself in the subburbs of Saint Saphorin afterwards the truce accorded betwixt them was published throughout the town of Tours after it had bin promulgated in the Court of Parliament as was also the second Edict or proclamation of war against the heads of the league and their adherents who in the beginning retired themselues towards Vendosme afterwards iudging the the K. of N. was far off about the 8. of May they set euen vpon the subburbs of Tours drawne therevnto by their intelligence fastned skirmish their suddain arriuall made an alarme in the twon wherin there was great trouble at the first and with all speed they sent toward the king of Nauarre who was somewhat remote willing him to make haste Cheualier d'Aumale arriuing there after the skirmish lodged himselfe neare the Prouost hard by S. Simphorian where in searching throgh the house three or foure houres after they found certaine souldiers which they broght vnto him al whom before his own eyes he caused to be stabbed Acts and Catholicke carriage of the leaguers At the same instant wer 40. or 50. womeÌ„ maids fouÌ„d hiddeÌ„ in a caue who were all forced as like wise they were in the rest of the subburbs yea euen within the Church of S. Simphorian som womeÌ„ yong maids fled thither as to a place of securitie were violated in the presence of their husbaÌ„ds fathers mothers whoÌ„ these Catholicke leaguers caused to be assistaÌ„t to so horrible spectacles the more to outrage oppresse them The day following vpon the pauement of the Church were seen the beds wheron the Vicar protested to haue seen theÌ„ hale womeÌ„ and virgins They broke opeÌ„ the chests defaced the windows of the temple stole away whatsoeuer there was after they had beaten flatling with their swords the Vicar chaplain whom they kept bound all night they cut the cord that sustained the pixe to see whither it were siluer and gilt or no but finding that it was but brasse they threw it in despite against the ground In pilling stealing they light vpoÌ„ two chalices whereof the one was of siluer the other of copper the of copper they left saying in mockerie that it belonged to the league or vnion made a conscience so much as to touch it but that of siluer was denounced royall or appertaining to the king hereticall and therefore consequently of good price The Church-boxe wherein there was some siluer the Copes and or naments of the Altar with the Vicars robes and vestments were also found hereticall and in this nature were carried away This Knight tooke for his spoyle a verie young virgine of an honest sâ—â—â—lie which was scarcely eleuen yeares old being found within a barne whom hee forced holding continually his poniard at her throat by reason of her resistance sending her afterwards to his officers to bee abused in the like manner The day following in the morning these leaders perceiuing that some bodie would quickly come to vnnestle them that the kings succors approached made themselues readie to dislodge and euery man to pay his Hoste set fire on his lodging so that all the whole subburbe had been brought to dust and ashes without the present succour that thereto was giuen Other stimulations of the leagues exploits against Romain Catholicke religion where of they termed themselues to be protectors Now seeing I am entered into this discourse I will yet make a step or two out of the way and returne afterwards to the prosecusion of this my collection It is therefore to bee obserued that after the taking vp of armes the league shewed no violence but against the townes and boroughs of their owne partie wherein persons Ecclesiasticall noble and vpright men suspected to fauour the king neuer so little were in all sorts offered violence that is to say at Thoulouse they cruelly killed the President Duranti and Dafis the kings Aduocate both of them well affected to the Romaine Church Those of the religion in Guyen and other places had neuer more peace then during these outrages of the League And it was then a common prouerbe that the sheepe then fed most securely when the wolues were at warres amongst themrelues It is impossible to set downe the sacriledges violations blasphemies against God mockerie of all religion but namely of the Catholicque Romaine perpetrated in the leaguer Townes and in the countrie by their troupes their souldiers wherof a part were Priests and Monks all the time of Lent in contempt of the Popes ordinances whom they call the holy father eate flesh yea euen in those places where they had aboundance of fish Diuers of them constrained Curates and
the Switzers armie ranged in battell and would needs passe through all the squadrons with so great demonstration of contentment ioy and entertainment to the heads as that all of them likewise made manifest vnto him the great affection they had to do him seruice Hauing all his forces togither which made a bodie of 45000. men he marched presently towards Parris and with shot of cannon made himselfe Maister of S. Clouis bridge Attempts by the heads of the League against the kings life The Duke de Maine other heads of the league with their most confident friends to the number of 46. within Parris beganne to renue their concels and seeing the king so neare them either to vrge them to battell or else straightly to inclose them and constrained the people to acknowledge him iudged by that in this progression of the kings affaires their own went to ruine and that there was no other means left to stād out being proclaimed guiltie of high treason against their chiefest head then by executing some notable villanie in procuring the death of the King their Maister Benefactor their Prince and soueraigne Lord. Some certaine weekes before a young Iacobine Monke called Fryer Iaques Clement borne as men report in a village called Sorbonne neare Seins a man drowned in all wickednesse hauing passed through the handes of certaine confessors and conferred with some Iesuites others was for a kind of dexteritie obserued in him found meete to strike so great a stroke The murther entended of long time He was vrged and put forward therein and in the end the Duke de Mayene the sister of Montpensieur and others had conference with him in diuers places they requested him to perseuer in this good determinatiō which they knew to rise in him by extraordinarie inspiratiōs to performe so renowmed a feruice to the holy vnion the Catholicque Church and his countrie They promised him Abbotships Bishoppricks whatsoeuer he would desire He remained for certain daies one whiles with the Duches Montp Who amōgst the Parisiās was termed the holy widow other whiles with his Prior sometimes with the Iesuites This Monke drunk in his own furie with so many aluremēts entertainmēts promises protestations of felicitie tēporal eternal resolued with himselfe and promised to kill the king The people who thought nothing nor knew not of their cruel practises talked of yeelding themselues had greatly rebated their spleene and collor Surce Duke de Maine and those of this complot caused the most zealous Sorbonnists Iesuites to preach that they should yet haue patience for seuen or eight daies they should perceiue some wonderfull matter come to passe that should make well with the vnion The Preachers of Roan Orleans and Amiens preached the like at the same time and in semblable termes The Moonke hauing taken order for his complot departed from Paris went towards S. Clou. So soone as hee was departed the Duke de Maine caused more then two hundreth of the principallest Cittizens and other rich men whom he knew to haue friends and credite with the kings partie to be taken prisoners for a gage to the end to saue his Moonke if after hee had attempted or executed the fact he were stayed or arrested The Monke being presented to speak to the king the first day of August saying that he had letters from the President of Harlay and credence on his part the king caused him to be called into his chamber where there was no other but the L. of Bellegarde chiefe Gentleman of the same and the Procuror general whom he procured to retire apart more priuately to giue eare vnto him which addressed himself as it seemed with a countenance very simple demure It is affirmed that in the selfe same chamber the Councels of the massacres in the month of August the year 1572. were surprised wherin the king that then was D. of Aniou was one of the chiefest The Moonk perceiuing himself alone opportunitie put into his hād cōfirming his countenāce more more drew out of one of sleeues a paper which he presented to the K. out of the other a knife with which violētly he sheathed a thrust within the kings smal ribs he being attentiue to read who perceiuing himself woūded plucked the knife out of the wound wherwith he strooke the Monke aboue the eie thervpō some Gentlemē came rūning in who moued with the indignitie of so execrable a fact could not contain but killed the murtherer with their swords who went to the place appointed for him was cannonized adored by the league but on the contrarie detested of those the cleaued to the dignitie royal partie of the religion In the annagratisme of his name Frier Iaques Clemēt were found these words in so many letters C'est l'enfer qui m'acreè which importeth It is hel the created or brought me forth For so it seemed that after this fact the furies themselues were come out of hel to ouerwhelme topsie turuie al France The King being caried to his bed the Phisitians and Surgions applied vnto him his first dressing and iudged that the wound was not mortal by means wherof the same day he procured writing and aduise to bee giuen of this attempt as also of the hope of his healing and recouerie as well to the Gouernours of Prouinces as to Princes straungers his friends and allies But the soueraigne King hauing otherwise disposed of the life of this Prince took him out of the world about 3. of the clock in the morning the day following A litle before his departure hee spoke with a moderate and confirmed mind named the King of Nauarre his good brother lawful successor to the Crowne exhorted his good subiects to obey him to remaine vnited and to referre the difference of religion to the conuocation of the Estates Obseruations vpon the life of king Hienry the third generall of the Realme who would thinke vpon conuenient remedies for the same to haue a care of religion and pietie and to pray to God for him vpon these words he gaue vp his ghost Touching the insolencies of the league within Parris and elsewhere after the kings death an other Historie shal declare the same for our intention is not to proceed any further in these collections In this Prince failed the Kings of the race of Valois which had raigned in France from the yeare 1515. to the yeare 1589. vnder their dominions almost all the wonders of former ages had been renued This last king was little bewailed of his subiects by reason of many faults he committed in his gouernment and administration The occasion of them without touching in any sort either his conscience or affaires of instice and pollicie was that in his polliticke gouernment hee could neuer well discerne except too late his friends from his enemies and the desire he had to lead his life in pleasure made him let slippe infinite exellent opportunities
a good harguebuze shot in length the heads of the fugitiues was seen floting vpon the riuer This vanquished armie consisted of 600. horsemen and 4000. foote togither with 1400. lance-knights which was a part of a greater number that was raised in Almanie by the Emperors commandement as it appeared by the original of the commissions which were found after the discomfiture By the confession of the vanquished they lost at that time about 3000. men three cannons two coluerins They also had from them 22. Ensignes carried from thence 43. prisoners They on the kings side lost only ten men foure of the which being not very well known were for want of heed slain by their own fellows The town of Villemur hauing indured 2000. cannon shot saw themselues finally deliuered hauing in all lost but 17. common souldiers The body of Duke Ioyeuse was the next day drawne out of the water and carried into Villemur there to bee interred The royall armie consisting of fiue hundreth horsemen and two thousand fiue hundreth hargue buziers beside those that were within the Towne of Villemur withdrew themselues in good order into their Garrisons after they had giuen thankes vnto God in all the Churches neare adioyning for so miraculous and prosperous a victorie Now although the leaguers affaires were in great disorder yet did not their principall Captaines cease to make many reports before the people wherewith they besotted the most subtillest assuring them that shortly they would so prouide by the assembly of the estates at Parris that they would proceede for the election of a newe king adding that as for him whom in disdain they called the Bearnois that raigned partly by those named Catholicks was not to bee receiued or suffered any longer and to this effect was their counsell published according to the affection of the new made Pope the King of Spaine The peoples complaint in open Parliament And whilest the Spanish king made payment of their pentions by a day assigned many of the Moonkes being of one opinion left the Duke de Maines affaires perceiuing that in the end his pretended Lieftenantship would intangle and bring them from the greatest to the least into a pitte of vtter subuertion and confusion beganne to lift vp their heads and to seeke after conditions of peace At length in the open Parliament of the Leaguers at Parris they cast in many billes of complaints and the principall of the Cittie cried out in such sort that an assembly of the Citizens was held in the beginning of Nouember where they spake so openly for the ending of their troubles that the Duke de Maine beganne to shake But in the end to strengthen his affaires hee came into the lower house desiring the assembly to commit the deciding of that poynt to the estates conuocated for that month And hee added in the end of his Oration these words staying for the Estates I pray them that haue set things so forward that they would send to the king of Nauarre to intreate with him that hee would depart vpon this proposition if hee will not do it I shall haue occasion to beleeue that hee is euill affectioned to our side and well pleased with those that are enemies to our religion Notwithstanding these threatnings it was agreed vpon in the said assembly that they should send toward the king staying for the renuing of the Estates to the ende agreement might be made that traficque and marchandize might be free as well for Parris as other Cities of the kingdome The Duke that could not resist their wils in this matter fained to giue his consent therevnto In middest of these matters the Popes Legat strengthened by the principall leaguers and according to his intelligences with the Spaniards whose Pentioner hee was continued the troubles of France by his bulles so that it prouoked the Parliament of Paris sitting at Chaalons to proclaime an edict the 18. day of Nouember which was published euery where among them the which for a remembrance to all posterities I haue here in this place set down at large An act of Parliament made at Cha alons against the Popes Bulls and the assembly of the Leaguers Estates Vppon this which the kings Atturney generall hath declared to the Court that the rebellious and seditious to execute their euill and wicked purposes which they haue of a long time attempted to depriue the lawfull successors of this kingdome from the Crowne not beeing content to fill this Realme with murthers massacres robberies and spoyles but haue aboundantly brought in the most cruell and pernicious Spaniardes enemies to this Realme perceiuing the Inhabitants of the rebellious Townes to beginne as from a long lethergie and trance to come againe vnto to themselues and to enter againe into the way of obedience wherein God and nature both binde them towards their lawfull King thereby to kill and mortifie all poynts of loue and charitie that should bee working in them and to bring this Realme into greater trouble and diuision then before by proceeding to the election of a new king And to giue some colour to the same they haue published a certain writing in forme of a bull giuing power and authoritie to the Cardinall of Plaisance to assist and authorize the said pretended election wherein the rebellious and seditious sort discouered openly that which till then they had kept close All which they did vnder pretence of religion to couer their wicked and damnable enterprise This is a thing that all good Catholicque Frenchmen ought to detest and abhorre as a matter directly contrary to the word of God holy decrees Councels and liberties of the Gallican or French Church the which openeth a gappe to all ruine and subuersion of all humane societies and pollicies instituted of God namely in this renowmed and flourishing Monarchie the ouerthrow of the ground of the law wherein principally consisteth the true order of the lawfull succession of our kings For the preseruation whereof all good and true borne Frenchmen ought to spende their liues rather then to suffer the same to bee altered or violated as the foundation on the which the certaintie and quiet of the estate is builded The Court in allowing this request made by the kings Atturney generall hath and doth receiue him complaining of the abuse committed in the obtaining of the said bull the contents publication and execution thereof and all the rest that should follow the same and hath and doth holde him well relieued and doth order that Philip by the title of S. Onuphrius Cardinall of Plaisance shall bee assigned in the same to aunswere to the said appeale and the decree made in the Cittie of Chaalons by publicke proclamation shall haue as full strength and effect as if it were done on his owne person or in his owne house And in the meane while the said Court doth exhort all Prelates Bishoppes Princes Lords Gentlemen Officers and all the kings subjects of what estate condition or
quallitie soeuer they bee not to hearken to the poysoning inchantments of such rebellious and seditious persons but to continue the dutie of good and naturall Frenchmen and alwaies keepe and hold the loue and affection due to their king and countrie and not to holde with the deceits of such which vnder pretence of religion would spoyle the estate bring in barbarous Spaniards and other vsurpers Giuing most straight charge and commaundemen vnto all persons whatsoeuer neither to receiue nor keep in their houses or about them the said bull or to publish the same neither to assist or fauour the saide rebelles nor yet to assemble themselues to any Townes or places which might be appoynted or chosen for the foresaid pretended election vpon pain to the Nobilitie to bee disgraded of their honours and to bee proclaimed infamous both they and their posteritie for euer And to the Clargie to bee depriued thrust out of their possessions and benifices and to be punished togither for this their offence as traitors and disturbers of the publicke quiet and royall prerogatiue of their countrie without all hope to obtaine in such a case any fauour or pardon whatsoeuer And the like paine we pronounce to all townes that shall receiue the said rebels and seditious persons for the making of the said assembly or that doth lodge retaine or succour them And the said Court doth further ordaine that the place where the said deliberation shall bee kept togither with the Towne where the said assembly shall bee made shall bee raced and destroyed from the toppe to the bottome without all hope to haue it reedified or builded any more for a perpetuall remembrance to all posterities of their treason disloyaltie and vnfaithfulnesse joyning all persons to assault all those which shall repaire to the saide Cittie to bee present in that assembly And there shall be commission deliuered to the said Atturney generall to informe against all such as haue been the authors and procurers of such monopolies and conspiracies made against the estate and that haue fauoured or assisted them And this present Edict shall bee published by sound of trumpet and publickly proclaimed in all places of this Towne and sent to all places of this precinct there to bee red published and registred by the diligence of the substitudes belonging to the Atturney generall whereof they shall certifie the Court within one moneth on paine to loose their Offices for the contrarie The leaguers despising the kings authoritie flowted at the Edict of this Parliament and called the Deputies from all parts of the Prouinces and confederate Townes to bee present with the estates at Paris As for the chiefe and principall each one had a seuerall purpose beeing desirous to bee seated in their Soueraignes chaire without hauing any minde to bee seruants or fellows in this Anarchie maintained by them with the helpe of the double Pistolles of Spaine It came to passe in the moneth of Nouember that the Lord of Vaugrenan commanding for the king within the Towne of S. Iohn Delaune in Bourgondie ouerthrew seuenteene companies of footemen hard by the Towne of Diion wonne their colours weapons and other furniture Amongst the packets and coffers of the Barron de Tenissé who was a great leaguer and chiefe commaunder of these troupes were found certaine instructions and commissions which were sent from the Duke de Nemours to the said Barron to conferre with the Duke de Maine to this ende that Nemours might bee elected king by the estates of Parris This young Prince aymed at no other thing but soueraigntie and beeing misled by certaine euill Councellours which hee kept planted at Lyon and thereabout the foundations of his loftie purposes for the accomplishing whereof an hundreth yeares would bee farre too little but hauing builded vpon sand in fewe moneths his edefices fell downe wherewith he was confounded Now as the leaguers were promised great thinges by their estates of Parris and the partakers of Spaine held it for a most certaine troth that the Duke of Parma would returne yet the third time with puissant forces to doo some notable exployt thereby to couer the shame of his two former voyages and so to assure the Crowne of France to king Philip or to the Princesse his daughter The death of the Duke of Parma But death cut off the thrid of his life togither with his enterprises the second of December 1592. Many men thought that this blowe would rent those patches wherewith the league was attired But the Duke de Maine beeing deliuered of him of whom hee stood in doubt supposed that now the time presented it selfe wherein hee might bring his long desired purpose to effect heerevpon hee raised his Cornets of horse and did more mischiefe to Paris then before A little before these newes came hee gaue some eare to the conditions of peace which had beene happie for him if some euill counsell had not turned his mind from the same But the decease of him by whom he was ouer awed caused his humour to bee changed imagining that hee should shortly haue the title to bee Lieftenant generall to the King of Spaine in the conquest of France Therefore one of his attempts was to create the Lord de Rosne one of is chiefe familiars Marshall of France and Gouernor of the Isle of France constraining the Presidents and Councellors inclosed in Paris to receiue this Rosne into two offices which appertained to a Lord of a higher blood and estate The Parisians which before spake openly of peace and agreement durst now speake no more thereof except in secret In the feast of Christmas the Duke de Maine caused those decrees which were lately made at Chaalons against the bull of the Popes Legat to bee openly burned vpon the steps of his Pallace the Citie beeing all in armes Also the Dukes of Guise of Maine of Nemours of Sauoye the Marques of Pont wrought diuers slights to bee aduanced in the election The King of Spaine by his Agents did as much on the other side asuring himselfe that as hee had made many of the Leaguers his Pentioners so also knewe hee well that in time hee should finde opportunitie to ouerthrow and bring them all to destruction one after another and to make himselfe the absolute and supreme Lord. During these practises the king was fully resolued to assemble the principall Peeres of his Realme at Chartres to prouide and thinke vpon remedies against those euils which now beganne to present it selfe The warres continued in diuers Prouinces but slowly except in Lorraine where the Marshal de Bouillon tooke by plaine force and by a maruellous incounter the strong Towne of Dun vppon Meuse a little aboue Stenay and droue thence those of Lorraine The Duke de Maine publisheth a proclamation against the king Now for the closing vp of this yeare in the same moneth of December the Duke de Maine published a great writing intituled A declaration for the vniting againe
of all the Catholicques of the Realme This was an invectiue against the King couered vnder colour of religion and a summoning of all those which profest the Romaine religion to withdraw themselues from the obedience of their lawfull and soueraigne Prince and a conuocating of his partakers into the Cittie of Paris on the seuenteenth day of Ianuarie next insuing that they might determine togither without passion saide hee and without respect of any mans interest such remedie as they should in their consciences thinke requisite for the preseruation of the religion and the royall estate But while the Cardinall of Bourbon named by the League Charles the tenth was prisoner they vsed other speeches but after his death they not daring to deny but that the Crown appertained to king Henry the fourth vsed the colour of religion to blinde the simple And soone after by this meanes there arose other changes notwithstanding the king of Spaine gaue not ouer the prosecuting of his enterprises in France As for the warre of Sauoy and Piedemont wee will speake briefly about the ende of the yeare following Against this declaration made by the Duke de Maine The kings answere to the Duke de Maines declaration the king published an other wherein he discouered the deceits of his rebellious subiects namely of the chiefest sort also the fâ—lonie committed by the Duke de Maine in assembling the estates of his kingdome wherin he manifestly vsurped his royal authoritie confuting his excuses and vaine coulour to the same maintaining his right in claiming the Crowne And for the state of religion hee declared that if without the conuocating of a Councell there might bee found far better and easier meanes to come vnto that instruction or admonition which they pretended to giue him to withdraw him from the exercise of his religion to that of the Romaines hee was so farre from reiecting such a meanes that to the contrarie hee did desire and imbrace it with all his heart As wee suppose said hee that wee haue sufficiently witnessed by the permission which wee haue graunted to the Princes Officers of the Crowne and other Catholicque Lords which do follow vs to send their Deputies to the Pope for the more easie and speedie performance of the said instruction or admonition Beside the K. doth accuse the leaguers that they had hindered the said instruction or admonition Hee doth largely discourse of the dutie of true Frenchmen promiseth to receiue the said instruction and for answere to the chiefe poynt of his aduersaries declaration he doth on the other side declare that this pretended assemblie of Parris is enterprised against the lawes the good and publicke quiet of the Realme and that all which shall bee therein concluded is meere abuse and of no effect or force Hee likewise pronounceth the Duke de Maine and all that should therein assist him guiltie of treason in the highest degree Hee doth furthermore offer pardon to the Citties Communalties and persons which haue beene seduced by the Captaines of the League And hee doth exhort them to acknowledge their dutie A declaratimade by the kings Councel to the estates of the League The Princes and Catholicque Lords who were of the Kings Councell published the same time a declaration and sent it about the end of Ianuarie to the estates of the League By the same they required that Deputies might be assigned on both sides to determine togither of the most readiest means for the asswaging of the troubles and the preseruation of the Romaine Catholicque religion and the state The Duke de Maine and his adherents answered that they were readie to send their Deputies so that they on the Kings side would with a good conscience ioyne themselues to the Catholicke Romaine Church vnder which cloke of reconciliation they did carefully hide their furious actions and former rebellion The Popes Legat made on his part an exhortation to the Catholiques fraught with reproach against the King who was on euery side defamed and euill spoken off by his enemies All his discourse beeing imprinted tended all to this poynt to perswade all Frenchmen that the king beeing of long time cut off from the bodie of the Church had bin most iustly pronounced vncapable of the Crown Soone after they did disanull those acts of Parliament that were made at Tours and at Chaalons against the monitaries of Landriano and the assembly at Chartres which they called a conuenticle they sung their Maisters praises damned the Parliament of Chaalons which had condemned their bulles magnified the estates of the League which wholy reiected so obstinate an hereticque with full purpose neuer to bee subiect vnto him declaring that in deed the Pope had so commaunded it to be In this assembly of Parris appeared the Duke of Feria for the King of Spaine who also made an Oration exhortarie to elect a new King then presented he his Maisters letters tending to the same effect with promise to aide and succour the Leaguers by all meanes possible For this had hee great thankes giuen him in the name of all the rest by Cardinall Pelué Archbishop of Reimes who was a slaue to the house of Guise While the Spaniards and their Pentioners indeuoured with all their power to continue France in her miseries hoping by meanes of these estates of the League more and more to intangle the affaires of the Realme yea to throwe them headlong into such confusion that in the mean space they might haue leisure to set forward their purposes against the Lowe Countries England and France it selfe the king was solicited from diuers places by Councellors both neare about him and farre off openly to forsake the profession of the reformed religion and to imbrace from that time forward the Romaine ceremonies The summe of their solicitations was that to expulse the Spaniards to recouer Parris and the other of the leaguers townes he must be inforcst to take away from the chiefe of that side the onely colour of Papisme by meanes whereof they would continue their rebellions And while the king openly imbraced his accustomed religion those of the contrarie side an hundreth times in greater number might follow the house of Guise and other chiefe Leaguers who by meanes of the Spaniardes and the Pope might well finde means to maintaine and augment the discentions through all the corners and in the middest of his kingdome the which was well woorth a Masse and that it were not good to let it bee lost for a few ceremonies nor to bee subiect to so many censures and to bee couerted by euery bace person that would controll the kings pleasures and hinder his recreations after so many troubles And for as much that such a voyce was spredde abroad by the notable aduertisements of other Councellours Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall it seemed to them that the king would incline therevnto and the Deputies of the Princes and Lords of his Councell communicating with those of the League to preuent the election
of a new king gaue some hope thereof On this report the Frenchmen in diuers sorts suspended their iudgements according to their seuerall affections Those that desired to see a change which came soone after did carefully keepe the Protestants from comming neare the king to shewe him by word of mouth or writing reasons of diuinitie pollicie for which it was not lawfull or conuenient to change his religion on the other side they did daily driue this counsell into his eares that hee must needes espouse the Crowne of France to the Masse and not otherwise These men followed this matter so much that at last they procured diuers learned Prelates to bee assembled which were the Popes subiects in whose presence the state of the reformed religion should bee ouerthrowne heerevpon diuers Archbishoppes Bishoppes and Doctors of Sorbonne were appoynted to meete at Mant the fifteenth of Iuly without any mention made of the protestant Ministers which were before clapt vp The Leaguers deuices against these solicitations The Deputies of the leaguers fearing this blowe deuised a new shift to thwart the kings affaires and to set forward the Spaniards they first complained of these suddaine changes declaring that they could not put any trust therein also that it appertained to the Popes holinesse both first and last to haue his hand therein That the king ought to shew all submission to the sea of Rome and to attend for a declaration from thence if he would be found meete to gouerne the Realme of France That vnderstanding the Popes pleasure they would determine on all things that were reason Moreouer they condemned the voyage made by the Marques of Pisani whom the kings Catholicque Councell had sent toward the Pope thinking it very ill that the king should giue vnto him any charge at all who would beleeue these were their words that they would proceed in an other sort afterward and with more respect to the Popes dignitie and their dutie toward his sea They added moreouer that it was impossible to determine any further with the kings Deputies before that the change of religion which the king was to make was receiued and approoued by the Pope of which matter they pretended to take further counsell as it was requisite for the onely conseruation of the Romaine religion in France They left also in suspence the surcease of armes because of their other troubles Now while the Romaine Cleargie which were appoynted to dispute of their religion in the Kings presence assembled togither and that the states of Parris followed to conferre of their affaires where the principall leaguers especially the Duke de Maine the Popes Legate the Duke of Feria a Spaniard and others still practised for the bringing in of a new king continually standing vpon this poynt to maintaine the warres in France vpon expence of the Indian golde the Parliament of Paris assayed to hinder part of these practises and to driue the Spaniardes home againe Means made by the Parlament of Paris against the League the Spanyard By an act made the twentieth eight of Iune they ordained that declarations should bee made the same day after dinner by the President the Maister assisted with diuers Councellours to the Duke of Maine in presence of other Lords to this effect that no act might bee made to set the Crowne on the heads of any forraine Prince or Princesse ordaining moreouer that the auncient lawes of the Realme should be still kept inuiolate That the decrees giuen by the Court for the declaration of a Cathoclique King a Frenchman borne should bee executed That the Duke de Maine should bee exhorted to imploy his authoritie of Lieftenanshippe to prouide that vnder colour of religion the Crowne should not fall into the handes of straungers contrarie to the lawes and statutes of the Realme And to prouide speedily for the peoples quiet declaring ouer and aboue all manner of acts made or pretended to bee made for the establishing of a forraine Prince or Princesse to bee of no strength force or effect but to bee as deeds preiudiciall to the Salicque lawes and other ancient lawes and prerogatiues of the Realme of France The Duke de Maine beeing extreame wrath at this Edict grew to very hard words with the President who confuted all these houe speeches vsed by him and certaine other of the leaguers which held with him At last after much conference commings and goings letters and answeres The K. changeth his religion from the Deputie on each side the supplications of those which desired that the king would make profession of the Romaine religion preuailed in such sort that the king who since he withdrew himselfe from the Court of France for fifteene yeares before had made open profession of the reformed religion contrarie to the aduice of his Ministers went to see and heare Masse sung in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Dennis the fiue and twentieth Sunday of Iuly where hee was receiued by the Archbishop of Bourges and other Prelates lates with certaine peculiar ceremonies peculier to this receiuing which was incontinent published throughout the Realme with diuers censures as well of the Catholicque Nobilitie as also of those of the religion whereof not one followed this example As for Courtiers there were a very small number or other particulars in seuerall parts of the Realme which shooke at this change but men made not thereof any account for they were all speedily suspected And as for such as went about to gratulate the kings conuersion as they called it their recompence was only to bee mockt and soone after the most part of them perished in miserable sort A generall truce practised The Duke de Maine and his greatest fauourites seeing their intended enterprises preuented by that which was now come to passe and on the other side that the practises of the Spaniardes was still to maintaine the fire of discention by meanes of the election of a newe King which should bee married to the Spanish kings daughter to the ende they might giue some hope to haue at length a day for their turne and to frustrate the Spaniards practises began in Iuly to treat a general truce and after much adoo made therein the articles were agreed vpon the last of Iuly Notwithstanding this truce the chiefe of the league with their estates of Parris gaue not ouer the following of their purposes New deuices made by the Leaguers to hinder the king And as they had before opposed themselues at Rome by the meanes of the Spanish Ambassadour against the suite of the Marques of Pisani and the Cardinall of Gondy Deputies to the Kings Cathonique Councell toward the Pope before the foresaid ceremonie the fiue and twentieth of Iuly also they resolued to hinder the king of whom they spake most odiously from being receiued and to withstand him as much or more then before by the Sermons of seditious Preachers by declarations to the contentment of their adherents by secret
a litle Towne of his owne name Aneci scituat in Sauoy in the Countie of Geneuois During this generall truce many matters were intended for the establishment of the affaires of the kingdome The king which desired the agreement of his subiects and the abolishment of the pernicious league assayed by faire meanes to winne the Duke de Maine in making him offer of charge and honourable assurances of preferment The Duke which seemed yet to haue two strings to his bowe bargained promised refused aduanced gathered and stretched these matters to the length procuring vnder hand that the decision of the Sorbonnists in the yeare 1590. might take place that is to say that Henry of Bourbon was declared vnworthie of all right or pretence to the Crowne although hee made profession of the Romaine religion The Spanish Agents in France set this matter forward working with all their power for the preferment of the Duke of Neuers On the other side they induced both great and small to continue their accustomed request for the abolishing of one of the religions in France many other were of this opinion that the king could not be receiued except hee first promised expresly to driue away all those of the reformed religion or at least to abolish and put downe their publicque exercises This counsell did hatch or breed infinit vniust matters in the rest of the yeare through diuers parts of France where they of the religion could obtaine no true rest but in promise and papers being molested in effect with all reproaches that might bee imagined wherevnto they opposed themselues in nothing but in peaceable complaints and humble supplications Notwithstanding they obtained nothing the deuices of their enemies beeing such that all their forepassed and faithfull seruices were disdained and contrariwise the most part of the chiefe Captaines and leaguers Townes receiued into fauour cherished and raised vnto honour Briefly all the kings good and faithfull seruants were cast into the lake of forgetfulnesse and the enemies and conspirators of the estates set as it were in a chaire of triumph before whom iustice was so shamefully abused that the wronged cried vengeance from heauen to fall vppon their detestable dealings There were also at this time other deuices against the king There was also at this time an other sort of Courtiers that greatly fauored the League and yet notwithstanding fained to bee fauourers of the Commonweale and quiet of the Realme who daily spredde rude reports of the kings insufficiencie saying that all meanes failed him to make him be obeyed that his enemies were of two great a number and too mightie for him yea inuincible that they would ouerthrow him in short time That France vnder his raigne beeing scourged with so many warres then falling into a new sicknesse of desolations and shamefull deceits it could not but languish and that it would come to passe after once it hung the wing that she should remaine a pray for a greater Maister This was by their account the king of Spaine of whom they made great bragges of his honour reputation and greatnesse His double Pistolles had so bewitched their thoughts that they also supposed to make the Frenchmen afraid with the very name of this Prince remembring not at all that an hundreth yeares before Philip Artch-Duke of Austrige great Grandfather to the king of Spaine made homage within the towne of Arras to king Lewis the twelfth in the person of his Chancellor the Earles of Flanders Artois and Charrolois where on his bended knees hee called him his soueraigne Lord swearing to become true seruant vnto the said king Lewis promising to bee faithfull all daies of his life and in his behalfe to stand against al other to procure his welfare to preuent his harmes and in all things to behaue himself toward him as to his soueraigne Lord and Maister of which the Histories of these times do make true mention While yet this truce indured the king deliberated to assemble at Mante certaine of the chiefe Nobles of the Realme to take counsell on diuers matters at that time needfull The Deputies of the reformed Churches were there present about the end of Nouember whom the king caused to be called togither the twelfth day of the moneth following and hauing giuen them audience and heard the great sorrow which they made vpon the infinit contradictions of his decrees and their complaints of the greeuous wrongs done vnto them through all his Prouinces hee aunswered that the change of religion had not any whit changed his affection from thē that hee would redresse their greefes and make peace and concord among his subiects He receiued their billes of complaints to haue them perused But these affaires were drawn to such length that the distance of many yeares hath buried all And the Captaines of the league hauing plunged the Realme into new miseries those of the religion almost in all parts of the kingdom continued as greeuous vnder the crosse as before The war of Piedmont As for the warres on the other side of the mountaines their affaires fell out in this sort About the ende of the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth nintietwo the Lord of Diguieres beeing entered into Piedmont had taken there for the king Briqueras Cauours and three or foure other little townes hauing ouerthrowne the Duke of Sauoy in diuers incounters as hee did also in Prouence and on the frontiers of Dauphine hee chased them out of all these Prouinces and droue him to his owne house in such sort that if hee had beene strengthened in the yeare following with men money and munition hee had inforced the Duke to giue ouer all that which hee vsurped from the Crowne of France But the Duke who was not ignorant of the estate and affaires of France assayed to couer and hide the shame he had gotten in so many iournies as in the plaine of Pontcharra at Espernon de Pallieres and otherwise in so many incounters in Piedmont where hee had lost in two yeares as also about Geneue many of his best approoued good souldiers and a great number of Captaines hauing also consumed a maruellous heape of treasure and munition in these continuall warres Hee did then through his father in lawes fauor who furnished him with a new masse of money besiege batter assault and take by composition the Townes of Briqueras and Cauours beeing content to keepe them to himselfe without seeking any further in Prouence where his Garrisons could not long remaine without chase of the enemie the Towne of Berry onely accepted Thus did the Frenchmen loose in small time that which they had gotten in Piedmont whereof men do write in diuers sorts In these sieges the assayled did their duties maruellous well but being ouerwatcht by the multitude of the assailants and depriued of the principall commodities to withstand a siege destitute of succour and the passages stopt they were of necessitie constrained to yeeld while the said L. of Diguieres was as it
resolue on nothing till first he had taken aduice with the king of Spaine for the most expedient meanes to maintaine the Catholicque religion in France Leaguers receiued into grace thorow the mercie of their gracious soueraigne The Duke of Neuers was most royally receiued at Florence at Venice and at Mantoue from whence hee came into France Many memorable things came to passe in the month of Februarie On the one side the King cōstrained those of Milon and the Castle of Thierri to acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord on the other he receiued into fauour the Cittie of Orleans Lyon Roane Poictiers Bourges Haure de Grace Ponteau de Mer Vernueil at Perche Pontoise Riom in Auuergne Peronne and Mondidier in Picardie agreed that they of Amiens and Abbeuille should remaine newters which shortly after acknowledged him because they would not open their gates to the Duke of Aumale one of the Captaines of the league nor to his troupes The Bishop of Orleans for his better obtaining of the kings pardon for al the Cittie procured that certaine mutinous persons of the league should bee whipt and the rest banished As for the Duke de Maine they tooke a packet of his letters that was sent to the king of Spaine containing a complaint of his miseries Hee sent Zamet his Agent to the king to vndertake his affaires but the kings aunswere was that hee would not deale with the Duke of Maine as with the chiefe of a faction That if he wold craue pardon of his soueraigne Lord he wold receiue him as his kinsman and allie The leaguers townes made their seueral intreats each one vpon their declaration obtained of the K. much more fauour then they looked for as much may be said of all the rest in particular which in great numbers submitted themselues to the king whom he receiued in gracious sort giuing them for the most part authoritie charge and was himselfe most liberall vnto many while his faithfull subiects and seruants of the religion were most hardly vsed and spightfully intreated in diuers Prouinces of the Realme Now resteth the Principall Cittie to bee spoken of that is the faire Cittie of Parris which was brought to the kings obeysance by meanes of the intelligences which they had within with the Lord of Billin their Gouernour the Earle of Brissac and others the two and twentieth of March The Duke de Maine had trust vp his baggage certaine daies before to be packing to Soissons There was once resistance made at the New gate by certaine Lance-knights who were torne in peeces and a Court of guard of the Leaguers toward the Pallace whom the Cittizens soone put to flight The Neapolitans made shewe as if they would proffer fight refusing to agree except it were by the consent of the Duke of Feria and Don Diego d'Euera their Generall They accepted soone after without resistance whatsoeuer it pleased the king to offer them as vnto their Captaines to witte that all of them should enioy their armes and so depart with bagge and baggage out of the Cittie from thence to haue safe conduct out of the Realme toward the borders of Picardie after they had promised the king neuer to beare armes in France against his seruice Heere was a thing woorthie to bee noted that foure thousand men on horse and foote entering armed into this little world of Parris should put the league to silence keepe so well the order prescribed vnto them and be so obedient that no souldier left his rancke to commit any outrage or violence That no Burgeous or Inhabitant was indomaged nor so much as wronged in his reputation person or goods that all the people mingled themselues presently with the men of war and other that entered with the king in such familiaritie as if they had alwaies dwelt togither filling the streetes with ioyful applaudes and maruellous reioycings euen as if they had escaped the hands of the hangman to beholde the face of their deare father or best beloued friend The Kings troupes entered the Cittie about foure of the clocke in the morning and within two houres the shoppes were all set open the Citie appearing so peaceable as if there had neuer been any change The most paine which the kings seruants had was to keepe the people with faire intreaties who required no other thing then to bee medling against the Spaniardes Neapolitans and VVallons who were in number nine hundreth men or thereabout to bee reuenged on them calling to minde the great iniuries which they had receiued by their meanes in times past All their Churches and Temples were filled soone after with praiers and songs of thansgiuing to God according to the order and custome of the same Cittie which was newes most pleasing and agreeable to the Inhabitants As much was done in all other places of the kings obeysance and namely in diuers parts out of France In short time after Bastille was yeelded and hee which commanded there for the league sent away with his souldiers The Cardinal of Plaisance the Popes Legat being sick at Paris had his safe conduct to bee gone who died soone after and so likewise did the Cardinall of Pelue This was the cause that other dispearsed Leaguers and seditious Preachers fled away some heere some there vnder the wings of the king of Spaine or toward the Duke de Maine who was gone to Soissons The most part were confounded with despight and sorrow The other do as yet bite on the bridle in Spaine and the lowe Countries and from one moneth to another followe their companies There were some found that hazarded themselues to enter into Parris but it was to be drawne to the gallowes where they receiued the guerdon due to their villainie The Parliament of Paris beeing established soone after this yeelding published a decree the thirtieth of March in these termes The Court hauing the twelfth day of Ianuarie last required the Duke de Maine to acknowledge the king whom God and the lawes hath giuen to this Realme for the establishing of peace and vnitie whereto hee would giue no eare through the deuises of the Spaniards and their adherents and God hauing since of his infinit goodnesse deliuered this Cittie of Parris from the hands of straungers and brought the same to obedience of her true naturall and lawfull king after solemne thansgiuing to God for this blessed successe would imploy the soueraigne authoritie and iustice of this Realme for the preseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion to see that vnder the false colour and pretext of the same straungers do not possesse the estate Calling all Princes Prelates Lords Gentlemen and other subiects to the grace fauour and clemencie of the king and to a generall reconciliation and to repaire that which the libertie of the warres hath altered or taken from the authoritie of the lawes foundation of the royall estate rights and honours of the Crowne These things hauing beene in deliberation all the
Saylers cappes to beare pikes and so to march with this mutinous companie that constrained two brethren called Messieurs de Saulx one a Captaine of the Towne the other of the Castle called Trompette to bee their Leaders and to assist them at the spoyling and robbing of diuers houses of the Cittizens their friendes whom they massacred before their eyes Tho sacking of the towne-house and massacring of the Gouernour The Towne-house wherein there laye great quantitie of armour was sacked and Monsieur de Monneins beeing so ill aduised to leaue the Castle of Du Ha where he was in safetie to go out to intreat perswade the people was cruelly murthered with diuers wounds both before and after his death a Locke-smith giuing him the first blowe and the Fryers that within 3. houres after in the night-time sought to take vp his bodie all filthie and moyled with durt and lying in the streets with a gentlemen called Monteluen were in danger of massacring because they buried them within that Temple But the principall Leaders of this mutinie longing to put water into their wine and such as had made their pray by spoyling houses Execution of iustice against the mutinous hauing withdrawne themselues some in one place some into another the parliament beeing strengthened and assisted by honest and peaceable Cittizens beganne to shewe his authoritie and caused some of the notablest companions amongst them to bee taken whom they executed namely La Vergne that was drawne in peeces by foure horses The Constable with all rigor punished those of Burdeaux The king beeing certified thereof wrote vnto the commons assuring them with all speed to take order therein commanding them to laye downe their armes which was the cause that euery man withdrew himselfe But in the meane time an armie was prepared to enter into Saintonge and Quiennie Monsieur de la Deuese ceased vppon the Castle Trompette and put out l'Estonnac and his adherents The Constable had commissiō to punnish those of Guyenne followed by Francis de Lorraine Counte d'Anmalle after Duke of Guise much renowmed in the raignes of Francis the second and Charles the ninth This Earle conducting 4000. Lansquenets and great numbers of French Horsemen entred into Saintonge which hee pacified without resistance not punishing them for their offences past minding to obtaine the name of a milde and gentle Prince and leauing the report of crueltie and seueritie vnto the Constable who being accompanied with all the forces and both the armes ioyned in one entred into Bourdeaux all armed giuing most hard speeches vnto the Captaine of the towne that at his entrie presented him with the keyes of the towne that at his entry presented him with the keyes of the Citie beseeching him to be fauourable vnto the citizens but he being master of the town without blow giuen bereaued the citizens of al their titles registers priuiledges and franchises depriued them of all honours burnt all their priuiledges caused the Court of Parliament to cease wholly disarmed the citizens pulled downe their belles and constrained the principallest of the citie to the number of seuen score to goe to the Fryers there to fetch the body of Monsieur de Monneins and to conuey it to the Church of S. Andrewes where it should be buried each of them with a waxe candle lited in his hands hauing first before the Constables lodging asked mercy both of God and the king and Iustice Estonnoc the two brethren du Saul and others had their heads striken off He forgot not likewise those that had bene assistant at the murthering of the Gouernor and the sacking of the houses a Prouost Marshall with a great number of souldiers went through Bourdeaux Baradois and Agenois executing such as had rung the belles and in the ende he tooke the two chiefe Leaders of the Commons named Talemagne and Galaffie who were broken vpon a wheele hauing first bene crowned with a Crowne of Iron burning hot for their punishment in vsurping the soueraigne Maiestie Pastime in the Court. This Tragedie ended in Comedies at the court for Anthony de Burbon Duke de Vandosine espoused Ieane d'Albert Princesse of Nauarre and Francis de Lorraine Duke d'Aumalle the daughter of the Duke of Ferrare But among those sweete and pleasant conceits they mixed a most rigorous bitter ordinance establishing within Parris an extraordinary chamber Persecutions against those of the religion therein to proceed against those of the religion as then called Lutherans whom they burnt to death if they remained constant in their profession The coronation of the Queene The pleasures of the Court increased more by the deliuery of the Queene of a young sonne and great part of this yere was passed ouer in playes sumptuous sports The Q. being crowned at S. Dennis vpō the 10. of Iune the 16. of the same month the king made his magnificall entry into Parris there ran at tilt to showe some pleasure to the Ladies and Gentlewomen which being ended he sat openly in the Court of Parliment where in presence of the Princes and Peeres of his Realme he gaue iudgement in diuers causes according to the auncient custome of his predecessors Difference betweene the kings in times past those of our time For the auncient kings of France were carefull and vsed ordinarily to hear the complaints of their subiects but of late yeares they referred that maner of exercise vnto the consciences of their Officers seeing by other mens eyes almost concerning all their affaires which is neither good nor comfortable for the people nor yet any meanes to further Iustice And since this carelesnesse hath entred into the maiesty of our kings the estate of the realme hath bin weakned and the maiestie royall imbased so that in the end the peple haue not refused to rise against the person of the king and sometimes to murther him But remedy herein wil be had when our kings abstain from shameful actions and only do that whervnto God hath called them A generall procession After many sports and deuises the king caused a generall solemne procession to be made in the moneth of Iuly wherein hee was present assisted by the Queene the Princes of the bloud Lords Cardinals Orders Estates and dignities of Parris and at his returne from the Bishops Pallace where hee had dyned hee would see and beholde the burning of certaine Christians detesting the errours and abuses mainteined and holden by the Papists and their Doctors Among the which was a Taylor where not long before A notable Taylor by the force and vertue of the spirite of God had made answere and giuen notice of his saith and religion in presence of the king and diuers Courtiers where hee sung a wonderfull lesson vnto the Duches de Valentimois of whom I spake before saying vnto her that she ought to content her selfe to haue so much infected France without mixing her venome and filthiniesse with so holy
Tombe for the Kinges of France Of person hee was a goodly Prince courteous milde The description of king Henry the second louing his seruaunts and men of valour Much addicted to his pleasures and to beleeue such as knewe how to please his humour who many times caused him to vse muche rigour which hee could not so soone discouer the ambition and auarice of certaine men that prouoked him forwarde were the principall causes of the continuance of warres which heretofore we haue noted specially after the breache of truce set lawes Iustice Offices and benefices to sale diued into and emptied the purses of French men by infinit exactions whereof ensued most great mischiefs The estate of France vnder this Prince Two great sinnes raigned in France during the time of this Prince that is Atheisme and Magicque Whereunto may be added the corruption of learning For that the knowledge thereof induced by King Francis the first chaunged into diuers wicked and curious mindes cause of all mischiefe specially in the forme and phrase of French Poets who in the raigne of Henry by their impure rimes filled with all maner of blasphemies conuerted an infinit number of soules These sinnes and others in great abundance still increased drawing vpon both litle and great within the Realme of France the straunge punishments which in the raignes of the successors to this Henry full well appeared Fiue sonnes and fiue daughters By Catherin de Medicis his wife married in Anno. 1533 he had fiue sonnes and fiue daughters The eldest Francis the second borne the 20. of Ianuary 1543. The second Lois the Duke of Orleans that died at the ende of certaine months The third Charles Maxemilian borne the 20. of Iune 1550. King after the death of his brother The 4. Edward Alexandre after King and called Henry the third born the 19. of September 1551. The fift Hercules after called Francis Duke of Alencon Aniou and Berri and Counte du Maine borne the 18. of March 1554. The eldest daughter was Elizabeth promised to Edward the sixt King of England but marryed to Phillip king of Spaine borne the 11. of Aprill 1545. The second Claude maried to Charles Duke of Lorraine bonre the 12. of Nouember 1547. The third Margaret married to Henry de Bourbon King of Nauarre borne the 14. of May 1552. The fourth and fift named Iane and Victoire borne at one burthen vpon the 24. of Iune 1556 and died presently after In this Historie you may behold the successe and estate of the successors to this Henry beeing his sonnes with the first whereof I meane to begin Heere endeth the troubles that happened in the raigne of Henry the second Francis the second M.D.LIX. The intent of King Henrie KING Henry by the counsell giuen him touching the rupture of the truce and by that which after ensued hauing somewhat discouered who and which they were that gaue him euill aduise concerning his estate was minded and fully resolued after the solemnization of the marriages to looke more particularly into such men therby to retaine some and send the rest vnto the places frō whence they came But the wrath of God lay vppon the Realme hauing striken the head pursued the members as heereafter it appeareth Francis the second yong in aduise The state of France vnder Francis the second The Nobilitie The Courtiers much more in yeares was wholly left to the gouernment of his mother and the vncles of his wife that ruled the land as you shal heare Part of the Nobilitie wearied with the troubles of so long warres desired nought but peace leauing all care of publike charges and casting their eyes vppon the surest side thereon to lay hold The Courtiers went which way the winde would blowe as touching the officers of Iustice most of them were friends or subiects vnto diuers Lords some good and vpright men yet resting in the Court of Parliament durst not almost proceed in any thing as beeing abashed at the suddaine blowe giuen vnto the chiefe and principall Court of Parliament the last Mercurialist The Ecclesiasticall persons The Ecclesiasticall persons held and accounted them for principall Pillers of the Church that were the greatest burners As touching the third estate the great charges and troubles of warres forepast had wholly bereaued them of al liuely feeling and moouing Two parties In the Court were two parts the one those that held with the Constable the other the Guisians The Princes of the blood had almost no care of the Common-wealth nor yet of their owne affaires The Queene-mother an Italian Florentine of the familie of Medicis and one that in 22. yeares wherin she had continued in France had some good time to knowe the humours both of the one and the other and behaued her selfe in such sort that shee onely ruled Those of Guise Which to attaine and desiring wholly to driue away the Constable whom shee did most suspect shee held on the other side and placed seruants about the King of Nauarre by them to know and vnderstand his minde Assoone as king Henry was deceased the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine led the King and his brethren with the Queenes vnto the Louure leauing the Prince of the Blood the Constable the Marshall the Admirall with diuers other knights of the Order and Lords that held with the Constable to attend vppon the dead body The beginning of the raigne of this young Prince promised much when suddainly they beheld Francis Oliuier a man of great reputation Francis Oliuier restored to be Chancellor restored againe vnto his place of Chauncellor that had been put out of the place by meanes of the Duches of Valentinois that wholly ruled the deceased king they were in further hope whē they perceiued this Duches to be wholly out of credit for that assoone as he was dead they caused her to yeeld vp the keyes of the kings closet with all his precious Iewels that then were giuen vnto the Queene Regent But this was onely a particular quarrell betweene women for in truth the Duches during king Henries life had been in all mens sight as Queen of France The Queen-mother that hated her extreamly was very glad to see her wholly dispoyled and driuen out of the Court contenting her selfe therewith not to leese the fauour of those of Guise who although they onely had their aduancement by the Duches meanes perceiuing her to bee as a rotten plancke left her to pleasure themselues another way They sent Bertrand from whom the seales were taken vnto Rome and tooke from d'Auancon the ruling of the Treasures Bertrand keeper of the Seales discharged of his office neuerthelesse hee continued still in the Court as beeing too well acquainted with their affaires and as yet it was not necessary to compell him to accept of any new partie The Marshall of S. Andre aduanced by the fauours of King Henry to whom he was a secret seruant and wholly
many prosperous sallies beeing alwaies prouided of a neare and sure retrait In the beginning of Februarie the Duke of Aniou Generall of the armie royall beeing come to Saint Maixant sent his letters to la Noue to summon him to deliuer vppe Rochel with promise of life and goods withall importing that if within three daies after his appoynted arriuall in his campe this were not performed he was resolued with his whole forces as well in camped as to come after him not to linger any minute but to besiege the Towne to force it and so to punish those that should be taken that their execution might bee an example to all others Now did the Rochelers beginne better to consider of the defensiue and to labour about their fortifications but because the campe vsually hindered their men from cutting and bringing in of faggots and other conuenient stuffe La Noue informed of their roâ—des vpon the sixt of Februarie layd an ambush both of horse and foote so fitly that suffering their skirmishers to come well forward hee inclosed them between his troupes and the towne and then cut in peeces all that were so insnared Besides not so content hee set vppon the lodging of Captaine Portes companie where he slew sixtie souldiers without losse of any more then one that day he returned with fortie prisoners who the next day were sent backe without ransome in regard that al the mony that wold be made of theÌ„ would neuer counteruaile their expeÌ„ces for a few daies yet such as were found to be murtherers were woorse entreated In the towne there were at that time a good number of Gentlemen horsemen eight companies of the Inhabitants nine of strangers besides the Maiors companie and one of Voluntaries formed by la Noue and consisting of twentie Muskettiers fiftie fiue Pike-men each in his corcelot at proofe and 30. harguebuziers of this companie two parts were Gentlemen and such as had born office in the wars The D. of Aniou arriued within 7. leagues of Rochel wrote vnto the Nobilitie Inhabitants two letters dated the 10. of Feb. wherin he exhorted theÌ„ to yeeld A notable skirmish The Duke of Aniou his letters with their answers threatned theÌ„ in case they refused Herevnto did the Rochelers answer in al humilitie declaring the necessitie of their defensiue intreating the D. to prouide for the tranquilitie of the realm to take such order that they might serue God in the exercise of their religioÌ„ As for the gentlemeÌ„ their answer imported that albeit they were affected to the kings seruice yet that through the malice of flatteres as could brooke no peace they were brought into his disgrace withall they shewed a reason for their taking of armes which was not voluntarie but necessitie that inforced them thereto as finding no better meanes to preserue both spirituall and temporall but to retire into the Forts places of defence their liues vntil it might please the king to take some order by a lawful assembly of the Estates and generall Councels They also besought the Duke of Aniou to consider of their iust complaints and not to impute vnto them that which proceeded of other mens faults and so offered to the king and him all obedience and seruice The next day the Duke arriued in the campe accompanied with his brother the Duke of Alencon the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and Dauphine the Dukes of Longueuille Bouillon Neuers Aumale and Guise the young Countie of Rochefaucaut the great Prior and other great Lords who tooke their lodgings at Nieul a long league from Rochel where they remained vntill the peace This one thing stood the Rochelers in good stead that in the enemies Councell they had many heads that shewed as many and diuers imagations and purposes Monlucs iudgement of the siege of Rochel Heereto will I adde the same that Monluc toward the end of his remembrances hath written to this purpose and of this whole enterprise in these words See all the world is come to Rochel my selfe among the rest am bidden to the banquet but when I resolued to go I made account to die and there to take my graue Beeing come I wondred to finde there so many people of so diuers humours that would haue been loth it should haue been taken The siege was great long and gallant well assaulted and better defended I will not stand to write all that was there done for I was but one neither will I speake hardly of any Monsieur who after was king and was General in that siege so far honouring me as to vse some conference wherby to gather my aduise knoweth well ynough I told him frankly what I thought This siege may teach all that were then present or that shal come heereafter that in those daies Towns of such importance must betaken by famine and inclosing by little little One great ouersight was there committed and that was the aduenturing of so many men in the assaults and a greater in keeping so bad watch to keepe the towne from succour of powder which came in by sea For to say my minde as others whatsoeuer shift the Rochelers could haue made wee had had them they cannot denie it I say with the halters about their neckes for the succours that the Countie Montgommery brought was retired and wee readie to buckle with them for all things failed them but at the same time my brother the B. of Valence was in Poland to procure the election of Monsieur for their King which hee archieued and the glorie thereof I thinke due to him alone but that caused all men to thinke vpon capitulation which at the last was compassed The Polonians Deputies came thither to salute him for their king All the troupes retired and leauing many dead and the Rochelers Lords of their Towne prepared to come to the feast of this new Crowne By Monsieurs speeches at his departure it seemed he had no great liking of this kingdome yet do I thinke it was a great honour to him and vs that so remote a kingdome should seeke a king from vs. This is Monlucs iudgement Now let vs coÌ„sider some particularities of this siege ContinuatioÌ„ of the siege of Rochel so far as the purpose of these collections may bear The town besieged both by sea land about the middest of Februarie continued her skirmishes vntill all was readie for the batterie â—he assailants from the Carraque discharged many cannon shot into the Towne and straight in case any vessell offered to passe in the night or mistes but of many hundreths none took either to kil or hurt except some two or three persons The 23. day of February after many consultations and messages the Lords of Byron Strossy Villequier and the Abbot of Gadaigne held a parley at Coignes gate with la Noue the Lieftenant generall Mortiers and Morisson Deputies for Rochel The Abbot discoursed of the kings intent and clemencie alleaging that heereafter
there would bee no hope to mooue him by any intreatie or praier that hee had done more then beseemed his greatnesse that all other his subiects of the religion would thinke themselues happie if they might obtaine but halfe of that hee offered to the Rochelers and so exhorted the Deputies well to consider of it and not to let slip such an occasion La Noue and the other three giuing their aduise as particular persons answered that as concerning their commission it extended onely to receiue such articles as the king should send to take notice of Gadaignes authoritie and to referre the whole to the Councell of the Town which was composed of one hundreth men Sheriffes and Peeres whereof the Maior was chiefe The same time the Duke of Aniou caused Captaine Cadet a Turke by nation to be executed at at Nieul for the manifold robberies and spoyles whereof hee was conuict albeit many great Lords and Captaines laboured mightily for his life whom the D. denied and therefore of all good men was well thought of and feared of the wicked The articles which Gadaigne deliuered in number seuen and twentie conuined a protestation of the kings sinceritie both in the olde and new profession against the Admirall whose remembrance written with his owne hand neuer before spoken of were then alleaged Next he summonned the Rochelers to open their gates to Biron or any other that should haue commission to enter their Towne as they ought that is to say with such troupes as hee should thinke sufficient to maintain the authoritie royall and to take order that it might come no more in the hands of seditious persons In so doing they should enioy the exercise of their religion in like libertie as was graunted by the Edict of pacification without alteration or diminution and to that end should haue whatsoeuer letters they should thinke good Withall hee cut them off from all hope of succour out of England The Rochelers declaring the equitie and necessitie of their defensiue the iniquitie of the Barron de la Garde others do like of the kings declaration concerning his Edict of pacification and desire that the same may bee maintained not onely to them but for the ease and quiet of all other protestants throughout the Realme Three daies after this parley the Rochelers vnderstanding of two and thirtie battering peeces within halfe a league of them withall that their enemies ment to skirmish after dinner and to emptie their forces resolued also to do somewhat and so sallied about noone This conflict continued aboue sixe houres and la Noue had two horses killed vnder him besides some small shot that light vppon his cuirace but hurt not his bodie hee lost one chiefe Captaine two Captaine Ensignes and fiue souldiers and brought home twentie wounded The dead hee also carried away and buried in the towne In the campe were slaine and wounded some hundreth and fiftie among them diuers Captaines The women that day bare themselues wonderfully in carrying wyne and comfits to the souldiers relieuing the wounded and putting themselues very forward in the fight Among the rest one aduentured to strip one of the dead enemies whose harguebuze and swoord she carried away and made thereof a trophee The baâ—â—ell begunne the last of Februarie with eight cannons and two coluerins seemed to haue heate and incouraged the besieged who most chearfully followed their fortifications About three of the clocke after noone the batterie ceased and they made a sallie wherein Captaine Normand slew a great number of assaylants with the losse of one souldier and two that he brought home wounded In the beginning of march for three or foure daies togither they had many parleyes to the end to get the Towne without fight They offered the exercise of religion in the Towne which was abolished in all other Townes of France and the Duke of Aniou conceiuing the succour out of England to be but a vaine imagination spake more sharpely then euer before The day before Claud of Lorraine D. de Aumale and the Duke of Guises vncle beeing behind a Gabion was slaine with a shot from a peece planted vpon the Gospell Bulwarke which pierced the Gabion the Duke who looked for nothing lesse then what befell him Hee was greatly bewailed in the campe but the besieged praised God who weakened their enemies and in him punished the other murtherers that expected their course The fift of March the whole Councell of the Towne was assembled wherin after sundrie opinions it was resolued that they shuld abide al extremities rather theÌ„ to yeeld to any vnreasonable demand also that they shuld send no more Deputies but returne their answere by a drumme The whole beeing imparted to the people The resolution of the besieged assembled to that end they wholy answered that a iust warre was to be preferred before a shameful and suspected peace that yet they had meanes ynough to hold out and that one day of parley did them more hame then tenne yeares of warre Sixe or seuen daies after the batterie beeing againe begunne and continued la Noue finding his presence to be vnprofitable to the Rochelers vppon diuers occasions withdrew from them and departed to the Dukes campe with Champagny la Roche Esnard la Salle The retrait of the Lo. de la Noue and diuers souldiers As his presence had hitherto stood the Rochelers in great stead so beeing without did hee continue with great pollicie and did them better seruice farre off then nearer at hand as the besieged afterward verie well perceiued In this months space the enemie discharged aboue thirteene thousand cannon shotte besides sundries skirmishes and surprises wherein the assaylants still had the woorst who in a few weekes lost aboue twentie Captains The 16. day of March towards euening Captain Fond standing at watch at a Casemate without the gate chose aboue a dozen of his souldiers and marched straight to the Spittle-house where hee surprised nine or tenne Gentlemen and Captaines at the table that were all slaine Foure daies after about tenne of the clocke at night the Townsmen made a sallie passed euen to the enemies Gabions ouerthrew all wonne the first trenches slew some sixtie men wounded twise so many put the rest in disorder had done more had not succour come in of all sides The batterie hauing continued the sixe first daies of Aprill the seuenth day about six of the clocke in the morning beganne more fierce then before and with such violence that along wall from the olde fountaine to the Gospel bulwarcke was layd flat the bulwarcke dismanteled the Cognee tower the assaylants came to the assault cast a bridge ouer the ditch which they stretched euen beaten downe The first assault Towards fiue of the clocke at night against the bulwarcke and tooke two Casemates which they held but a small while for with one cannon shot into the Casemates some were slaine others being speedily charged by resolute souldiers were in part
his side then the first For it restored the exercise of the Catholicque religion in the places where it had been prohibited continuing and commending it to bee vsed in all places it suffered mens consciences to bee free yet without publicke exercise but onely in the Townes and places where as then it was openly preached and to Gentlemen of quallitie degree in their own houses yet there was some difficultie in the execution and obseruation of this peace which the conference at Nerac betweene the Queene-mother and the King of Nauarre soone auoyded but the wound not well healed did still bleed by meanes of the furious disorders of those that were his chiefe doers but in the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth eightie and one it was wholly ioyned and drawne vnto a scarre Peace being made what became of those that desired nothing but warre Monsieurs voyage into Flaunders The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde withdrew themselues And the Queene-mother caused her title which she pretended to the Crowne of Portugall as onely heire of the house of Boulongne to be discided And Monsieur the kings brother after the example of the Arch-duke Matthias went into Flaunders there to make worke for the king of Spaine where he made a goodly entrie but an euill retrait Mean time what did the king he to ouerthrow impietie by godlinesse and heresie by trueth and to shew by all his actions that he desired nothing more then the ending of all diuisions in his Realme and knowing that the Prince is as it were a spring from whence there issueth either vice or vertue that the people follow his steps that they do more by example then by commaundement hee shewed himselfe the mirrour of deuotion and christian reformation Institution of the order of the holy ghost 1579. hee ordained many holy Congregations true Schooles and Gardens of pietie he built Monasteries he frequented religious persons he ware the order and by the example of Lois the eleuenth to vnite great persons in concord and inuiolable amitie both for the benefite of the estate and Countrie he instituted the order of the holy Ghost as an authentike declaration that he neither could loue nor do good to hereticques binding al the knights of the Order by a solemne oath vnto such conditions as only pleased Catholicque mindes hee esteemed that by spirituall remedies hee might heale the disease of the spirit and frenzie of new opinions that force or mans pollicie could not constraine mens consciences that we must not kill to make men beleeue that the conuersion of such as are strayed out of the way is the onely worke of the hand of God and that the wisest Princes had bin constrained to giue ouer violence and terrour of warres and haue recourse to catechisings for the reducing of the consciences of their subiects hee bestowed Bishoppricks and spirituall promotions vpon such as hee knewe to bee no lesse learned then religious hee caused all sorts of bookes of pietie and deuotion to be printed forbidding and defending the impression of heretickes writings And to conclude he liued more like a Capuc in theÌ„ a King he desired no more war his Diana was the singing of the Foueilantins his Campe-royal a Cloyster his armour Maners fashions of Henry the third An Anagramme made of the king Henticus terâ—ius inte vere Christus a Penitentiaries sack he liued continually with a Crucifix in his hand and if he liued it was no more he but Iesus Christ that liued in him Such witnesse of his actions was giuen by the Capucins of Parris such was the commendation he had by Father Bernard Fueillantin and Father Edmund Anger that had well searched tried sounded and tasted the conscience of this Prince both publikely and priuately assured and perswade euery man that France in long time before had not any Prince more religious nor more humble as hauing no other care then onely to keepe and maintaine his subiects first in their obedience to God and next vnto himselfe Neuerthelesse he that in a litle booke intituled Francophile sheweth the greatnes of his spirit as the common Prouerb is maketh the Lyon known by his feet writeth cleane contrarie of the actions of this king while he led that sollitarie life Whose proper words I will rehearse and ioyne them to this treatise either in trueth they are of greater eloquence copiousnes of matter then mine own which areas followeth He was soon wearie of wars as of nature he was sost delicate his spirit weak Francophile imprinted at Chartres Anno. 1591. Fâ—l 31. and 32. lowe impatient to indure trauel or paine all his complexions vnequal differing too base for a souldier he sought a peaceable quiet life And so hee soone turned to delight in weddings dauncings and all ordinary pastimes which procured long peace But the Queene and those of the house of Guise perceiuing him to take that course thoght to vse him as a sipher and while hee busied himselfe with deuising of measures and concordes of dauncings to hold the rule of the Common-wealth and to dispose the gouernment thereof but they found themselues soone frustrate of their intent for as a fore eye desireth shad dowe and cannot indure the light so the spirit of this Prince alreadie molten and in a manner mollified in this profound rest and quietnesse could not indure the presence of great persons whether it were because in his delights hee feared their checkes or that hee more desired the priuitie of meaner men in such maner that finding themselues farre out of their accounts they had recourse to wicked practises and inuentions wherewith in time they filled all the countrie of France Meane time certaine yeares past ouer wherein to furnish the superfluities of the Court the Commons of France were so straungely oppressed that they knewe not what course to holde wherein those of Guise were not ydle And as the hunter watcheth in narrowe places for the Quailes which the rigor of winter season driueth into more temperate and pleasant countries so among so many publike disorders they were alwaies watching in the Court to take vp and entertaine male contents where no houre in the day passed ouer their heads but they cought a new Pigeon And this hunting was not only holden in that place but in all the Townes of France where the people were so hardly pressed and beaten down with the waight of those burthens that all the hopes and comforts of better intertainment by the Guises offered they presently imbrased without iudgement or discretion And among all these discontents of the subiects oppressed with great taxes of the Clargies impatieÌ„ce at the increasing of their enemies and of the Princes of Lorraine The faith obedience of the people began to decline 1582. restrained from the kings fauour it was an easie matter to renue the league of Peronne and to animate their hearts that were disposed to reuolt
in disobedience to maintaine religion the easing of the people Nor better nor fairer pretence to open the eies hearts and purses of such men to enterprise warre could not be found At the same time the king had sent vnto the Princes for the restitution of the Towns which they held for the obseruation of the last edict of peace which they were to yeelde vp at the end of 6. yeares But because the king of Nauarre sent word vnto his Maiestie Prolongation of the time of the townes of assurance 1582. that the peace hauing so often been broken by surprises and open warres the termed of 6. yeares was too short a time for the execution of the Edict and abollishing of wars he agreed to the prolongation thereof Wherevpon all the Princes of the league tooke occasion to say that the king fauoured Hereticques and that he would indure heresie and considered not that those Townes were inhabited by Huguenots strong of scituation hard to be won by force When the king of Nauarre perceiued those motions and that some matter was breeding he foresawe the tempest wold light vpon him what pretence soeuer was made therevpon he besought the king to call to minde the intelligences hee had giuen him in Anno. 1576. sent expresly by a Gentleman concerning the treatie and handling of the league in Spaine and Italie that he shuld looke to the profite of the myne seeing it was discouered And perceiuing the enterprise euery day more and more to proceed he began to take care of himselfe sent the Lord of Pardillan to the Queen of England the king of Denmarke and the Princes and Electors of Almaine to renue amitie with them desiring their aydes touching the preuenting of new troubles that began to rise in France against the edict of peace to appoynt a good sum of mony to bee sent vnto some Towne in Allemaine to bee imployed for the leuying of certaine forces against the enemie In the mean time for the aduantage of the league but to the great trouble and mischiefe of all the Realme of France The death of the Duke of Alencon in Iune 1584. Monsieur the kings brother eyther by his riotousnesse in the lowe countries for greefe of the hard successe of his affaires by hazard or by Salcedas means that was executed died at Chasteau Thierry His death awakened the most drousie heads it brake all the bandes that stayed the proceedings of the league and caused it presently to roare at Chaalons Rheims Troye Dyon and Mezieres It had alreadie found credite ynough in all the other Towns specially at Parris wherein they were diswaded from the yoake of the Huguenots and the hope of the king of Nauarre to rule ouer them The first point of the loue to the king was alreadie foundred in her hart she spake not of him but with al kinde of disdaine euery day presented him with the opinions and censures of Pasquils indiscreet ieasts and libels without names wherein corrupt minds alreadie stuffed with the disorders of the Court swallowed vp the poyson of their mutinies vnder what pretence I knowe not speaking of the king as of a Sardanapalus or one that did nothing The kings deuise Manet vltime Coelo Qui dedit ante Duas vnam abstulit alcera nutat Tertia tonsoris nunc facienda manu of a Prince drowned in his pleasures and delights whom alreadie they placed like a Chilperic in a Monastrie and in stead of the third Crown which by his deuise was reserued for him in heauen they promised him one made with a raisor in a Cloyster But hee that would knowe the first conception birth and infancie of the league within Parris hee must beleeue that which Manant saith to Maheustre that speaketh like a wise man and by the propositions and answeres representeth all those that deale therein and for the first hee nameth him that was the secret Minister of the leaguers intent to make it known to three Preachers that tooke seuen or eight Coaintors with them thereby to make a small Councell which was oftentimes holtors within the Colledge of Forteret where they beganne to chuse sixe others of the most faithfull The Colledge of Forteret was the cradle of the league The sixe first confederates of the league to watch at all the sixe quarters to report what was done in those places to sowe this new graine within their heads to sound the affections of the most feruent Catholicques and to dispose them to a resolution against the king the world and death Those sixe Arch-leaguers in the beginning made a faire and great Haruest and as with the number courage increased The principall leaguers were assured that those new confederates would ingender others presently therevppon the two pillers that sustaine and vphold the Prince which are the most faithfull Archers of his Court of guard that is good will and authoritie were thrown downe hatred and despight entering into their places Of those two plagues as of a monsterous blood was conceiued and brought foorth most disloyall rebellion and the despising of the lawe and the authoritie of the Prince mixed with the euill minde which the people bare to their king his Councell and his fauourers hatched this great Erynnis and furious mischiefe in France that hath entered into all the vaines of our bodie But alasse poore people what will you do what example what commandement what iust reason mooueth or assureth you to arme your selues against your king What lawe approoueth the rebellion of the subiect against him whom God hath appoynted your king If there be any imperfection or disorder are you to correct it or can the foote ordaine a lawe for the head It is no more lawfull for you to resist against the faults or imperfections of your Gouernours then to despight God and aske him the cause of the frosts and hailes that beat spoyled your vines Stay you little snayles within your shels come not foorth you torteaux out of the cases vnder them you are assured for you shall no sooner put forth your heads nor stretche out a foote but presently be assayled lie opē to your enemies readie to receiue the first blowe that shal be giuen Assoone as the league perceiued that diuers townes had made great fires for ioy of her birth it was presented to the Pope that he might giue it his blessing auouch it for his and declare it to bee for the Catholicke Apostolike and Romish Church But Gregory the 13. desiring to shewe himselfe to bee the common father of all Christians and Pastor not dispearser of his flocke Pope Gregory would nener consent to this raising of men The answere of the Pope vnto the league considering that the raising of armes against a most Christian and Catholicque king was wholly contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospell the examples of Christ and his Apostles and the lawes of pollicie and state certified the leaguers Deputies that he