Pope the said truce to begin the third day of Aprill and to continue a whole yeare The conditions of the said truce are as followeth First that the King of Nauarre shall not during the time of the said truce employ his forces within nor without the realme but for his seruice and at his commaundement and direction Secondly that wheresoeuer the King of Nauarre shall come he shall alter change nor innouat nor interrupt the exercise of the romish religion nor shew any displeasure to the Priests nor to the places of their deuotions Thirdly that whatsoeuer place Towne Citie Castell or Fortresse he shall take by any meane whatsoeuer immediatly deliuer the same to the Kings pleasure Last of all the King graunteth to them of the reformed religion the liberty of their consciences wheresoeuer within his dominions and the exercise of the same in places were it was exercised at the time of the concluding of this truce also that they all shall enioy their goods wheresoeuer so that likewise they shall suffer the Catholikes to enioy the freedome of their religion and goods in places which are in their power This was proclaymed and recorded in Parliament the thirtie day of Aprill at Tours the day of theyr interuiewe About the same time in like manner the king of Nauarre did set foorth a declaration of the causes of these truces wherein first he doth protest that in all these ciuill warres he hath armed himselfe and his friendes against his will nature and necessitie enâ—orcing him so to doe and sheweth that his warre of the League began vnder a pretence and shadow of religion but in very deede is found a war of estate Protesteth that his great desire hath beene alwayes to doe some good and acceptable seruice to the king Complayneth of the malice of his enemies disguised and coloured with fauourable pretences to ouerthrow the State Commendeth the king who at length hath with a good iudgement discerned his innocencie from their malice through so great and thick mist of colours and calomnies of his enemies Secondly he sheweth that the Leaguers making the world beleeue to warre against the reformed religion whome they doe cal heretikes neuer went to seeke them out where they were but abusing of the kings authoritie and power which they had â—â—il in hand to that end haue by the said forces surprized the townes and fortresses which were furthest and least suspected of religion Thirdly he sheweth that they haue not vsed their preachers and Iesitites to conuert the pretended hereticks as they should haue done but in all places where they haue borne the sway haue made them serue for trompets of sedition and firebrands to sound the alarum and to set the whole Realme on a fire and miserable combustion to rayse the subiects against their prince to seduce them from the obedience of their magistrats to dispose them to tumults alteration and noueities whereby they haue procured an horrible deformitie in the Realme a generall and incredible rebellion by the which they haue banished all pietie and iustice out of all Cities and places which are vnder their tyranny Fourthly he sheweth the causes of this their reconsiliation and interuiew to haue been no respect of religion at all But that he for his parte pitying the miserable state wherunto the enemies had reduced the realm when he mought haue vsed the publike calamities of the saide state for to doe well and assure his affayres forgiuing all iniuries and discurtesies receaued vnto the realme hath offered to the king his life and meanes to assist him to restablish his authoritie which proffers the king of his clementie and goodnes accepted And vpon that acceptation that hee might the better haue meanes to doo him good seruice the sayd King bath conciuded a generall truce throughout all his Dominions for a whole yeare including therein the Countie of Venisse and state of Auignon Last of all hee chargeth and commandeth all them of his side and religion to keepe the conditions of this truee inuiolable forbidding them to enterprise innouate or alter any thing either in religion or policie in any place of the Kings dominions And as the King of his gracious goodnes had giuen libertie to them of the reformed religion to enioy the freedome of their consciences goods he willeth also the like libertie to bee giuen to the Catholikes who are in the Prouinces Townes or Cities holden by them of the reformed religion so long as this truce shall endure Among all other Prouinces which through rebellion had forsaken the Kings obedience Picardy and the I le of France had waded most déepely in that rebellion hauing generally reuolted Calis and Boloigne excepted In the I le of France there is a small Towne named Seulis in the way bewéene Champaigne and Paris that Towne also had rebelled and ioyned to the vnion of the League a Towne of no strength neither in fortifications nor situation About the beginning of Aprill the Lord Thore of the house of Mommorency went vp and downe in the Towne of Seulis conferring with the good and faithfull inhabitants of the sayd Towne who with his good and graue reasons reduced them to the Kings obedience About the beginning of May the sayd Lord Thore within the space of three dayes made a choyse and muster of able men out of the villages of the Dutchy of Mommorency so that as well of his companies as of the inhabitants of the Towne he made a sufficient number of resolute men to the number of two thousand able to stand against any forces that should seeke to assault the Towne furnishing the same aboundantly with victuall and munition and all necessary things for the kéeping and defence thereof This he did not that the place was of any such strength but reposing his trust in God who is a defender of a iust cause and in the courage faithfulnes of the inhabitants and souldiers there The Parisiens amazed to see the sâ—daine reducing of the sayd Towne to the Kings obedience did all their diligence to put out that fire kindled so néere them The Lord of Mayneuile whom wee haue sayd the Duke de Mayne had left gouernour of Paris in great hast with a company of Parisiens well armed came to besiege the sayd Towne of Seulis The Duke d'Aumale with a braue companie of horsemen and a sort of footemen arriued incontinently there after the Lord Mayneuile so that on a sodaine they besieged the Towne being at the dash to the number of foure thousand men The fourth day the Parisiens and other partakers and fellowes of the vnion came posting from many places being well horsed and furnished and found themselues that day before that Towne to the number of sixe thousand men The fift day they sent to Paris for Ordinance whereof three were sent them to wit two Canons and one Culuerine and because none would enterprise to conduct the sayd Ordinance this way was deuised In the alteration which
away they would burne the Papistes houses afore their departing more for feare then for loue were content to admit 4 of them of the Religion into the Cast I whom they did choose from among them that were altogether vnskilfull in warre But afterward the Foriners which are all for the most part of the religion desired to bee admitted into the keeping of the said Castell and at length it was agreed that a greater number of them of the Religion should be admitted to the keeping of the said Castell but alwayes notwithstanding the greater number was of Catholikes yet it was so kept vntill the 20. of Iuly next following About the 5. day of Iune the King sent the Lordes Claimant and Chassincourt to the King of Nauarre willing him to do nothing against the edict of peace and that his pleasure was the sayd edict to remayne irreuocable About the same time the Leaguers perceiuing the iudgements of the King and of his Courts of Parliament pronounced agaynst them the executions done vppon the persons of diuers their partakers the declarations and detections of many Gentlemen by their writinges their formeâ— cruelty vpon the Kinges subiectes misdemeanors toward their Prince might procure the hatred not onely of the people but also of their owne fauorers did set forth an Apologye such as it was to wash away their traiterous blemishes and spots in the which they do labour to make men beleeue that they are honest men and good Subiectes and that they seeke nothing but the preseruation and defence of the Romish Religion agaynst the heretikes as they tearme them First they say that they can not be attaynted nor touched of treason without condemning many Noble men with them and that the former Kinges wisedome and sufficiency of the Caâ—dinall of Bourbon were such as could haue perceaued their driftes if they had béen tending to any such thing Secondly they do disalow the déedes of Rosier for drawing theyr genealogy from Charles the great Thirdly they reckon their kindred and aliaunce with the house of Bourbon Fourthly sua quae narrant facinora quae ostentant vnlnera Fifthly they do all that they do least that France should bee reduced to that extremity that England is now in Last of all they counsaile the King to ioyne with them because say they they are armed with God his owne hand Now let the Reader consider what necessary conclusion may be inferred out of the reasons aboue rehearsed The 9. day of Iune from Chalons a towne in Champagne situated vpon the riuer Marne the Leaguers sent a supplication to the King in the which they shew their last resolution to be that they will make him condescend to these articles folowing whether he will or not First that according to the supplication presented by the states assembled at Bloys the yeare before to wit 1584. representing the whole realme he will forbid the exercise of the reformed religion throughout the whole realme Secondly that all men be compelled to professe the popish religion and that such as haue heretofore professed the reformed religion may bee enforced to abiure the same and in case they will not to be exiled out of the realme for euer Thirdly that all heretikes for so they tearme them which will not consent to their treasons or idolatrous superstition bee declared vncapable of any office dignity or publike charge Fourthly they require the townes geuen to them of the reformed religion to be taken out of their handes Fifthly that the King shall geue ouer the protection of Geneua against the Duke of Sauoye Last of all that the King shall sweare before his court of Parliament of Paris the contents of this their request reduced into the forme of an edict to be perpetually and inuiolably obserued and likewise shall cause all the Princes Peeres officers of the Crowne Senators Gouernors Magistrates to sweare to obserue and defend the sayd edict To be short they aduertized the King that they haue refused all manner of conference except it bee vpon these conditions and in case he will not do this they will make him do it whether he will or not But for the right vnderstanding of this supplication the Reader must marke that it is not Religion which they care for for their driftes are onely to spoile the King of all authoritie and power that they may at length robbe him of his royall estate therefore these thinges following are to be obserued There were there in France thrée sorts of men who as the Leaguers thought would marre all the playe to wit the Princes Nobilitie and People Of the first they feared greatly the forces the valour authoritie and fidelitie knowing very well that they were able both in power and credite to minister them play long enough to weary them and by their valour able to encounter with them euery where and that through their fidelitie they would neuer forsake the King in his néede although that otherwise they were deuided in religion considering also that they haue the chiefest interest to the Crowne As for the Nobilitie they considered that they were of thrée sorts Leaguers Catholikes and Protestants The Nobles and the Commons which doo professe the reformed religion they knewe by long experience to bee so skilfull and experienced in warre as thereby to bee inuincible and that by all their fayre promises proffered vnto them they could not bee remooued from their alleagance to their soueraigne King and Prince whom God had ordayned ouer them By this their supplication therefore couered with the hypocriticall cloake of Catholikisme they would fayne to bée rid of the Princes and Nobilitie reformed or els to deuide them a sunder that the more easily they might make them giue roume or els roote them out As for the common people reformed they suppose that they being scattered into diuers popish Prouinces could bee so vsed as that they might not flocke together but euery man in an imminent danger would bee carefull how to saue himselfe in some place of safe exile That is the cause that they crye out in their supplication banishment and exile As for the Catholikes both Noble and Common they are in hope that superstition it selfe would win them on their side But if the riddance of them of the reformed religion out of the Realme might not bee throughly done yet the King and the Catholikes being bound with an oth to execute their demaunds would at the pleasure of the Leaguers nourish an immortall warre by the which the King should consume his subiects and the subiects their King with mutuall blowes vntill the roume being either made voyde or weakened they hauing that thorne which so sore prickt them out of theyr foote might vprightly without any halting eyther set themselues in place or els easily shoulder him out who had right to it The 10. of the sayd moneth the King of Nauarre being at Bergerack a great Towne in Perigord situated vpon the riuer of Dordonne answereth vnto y
vicar of Rome against the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde therewithall and with the sedicious inuaighing of the Iesuits and Friers to make them odious vnto the people whose liues they could not touch neither by violence nor by any haynous act It is sayd also how the Senat of Paris gaue their iudgement by the way of admonition to the King against the sayd excommunication the Pope himselfe and the procurers of the same The sixt day of Nouember the King of Nauarre answereth to the said excommunication of that beggerly Frier Sixtus and caused the same answere to bee set and fixed vpon the corners of the streates in Rome where publique writings are wont to be set First he doth hold the sayd excommunication false wrongfull voyd and doth appeale from him as no Iudge vnto the Senat of the Péeres of France whereof he is the first Secondly whereas the sayd franticke Sixtus dooth lay heresie to his charge and presumptuously calleth him hereticke the sayd King in one word doth answere that he maliciously and most impudently with reuetence of his goose cap be it spoken doth lye Thirdly the sayd King doth charge the beggerly Frier Sixtus to be an hereticke himselfe and doth proffer to prooue him so in a generall Counsell lawfully assembled Fourthly he doth declare him Antichrist and as vnto such a one he doth denounce a perpetuall and irreconciliable warre vntill that the miurie done to the house of France be satisfied Fiftly he assureth himselfe in God that as he hath assisted his predecessors and made them able to chastize such sawcie companions as he is when they haue forgotten their duetie and passed the bounds of their vocation confounding the ecclesiasticall power with the ciuill So he trusteth in God that being nothing inferiour vnto them God will make him able to reuenge the iniurie offered to the King Crowne State and Parliaments of France Last of all hee dooth implore all Christian Kings and Potentates all States alied and confederated with the Crowne of France to assist him to represse the raging tyrannie and damnable vsurpation of the sayd Frier Sixtus and of all Leaguers and conspirators agaynst the Crowne of France So much also doth protest Henry of Bourbon Prince of Conde This answere of the King of Nauarre being fixed as is sayd in the ordinary places of Rome where such writinges are wont to be set did not moue Frier Sixtus to repentance but as being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did cast him into feare so deeply that he sendeth not long after a Coriero to the Duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one that putteth me together by the cares then runneth his way Momorencye to excuse the matter and to remoue the fault from himselfe and to lay it vpon the Leaguers who as he sayth had deceitfully induced him to do what hee had done praying him to smooth the matter with the King of Nauarre and to pacify his displeasure About the 11. of Nouember the King sendeth forth an iniunction to all his officers to seaze vpon the persons and goods of al them that haue born armes with the Prince of Conde who after the breaking of the army at Saloune had returned to theyr houses or returned to their friends and to proceede agaynst them according to the edict of Iulye and the declaration thereof vearing date the 6. of October Also that such as will be reduced to Popery he is willing to pardon to giue them his patents for the same conditionally that they shal be without armes and horse and also that they shall put in good suretyes to persist in the profession of Popery The 19. of Nouember the Shauelinges Cardinals and Bishops made a long exhortation to the King by Sir Emare Henekin Bishop of Saynt Bryen a citye in Britayne In the same long and tedious oration Sir Henekin first did shew him the duty of Kinges toward the holy Church to wit to magnify it to the vttermost of his power Marke this Christian Reader that by the name of Church he meaneth Note the shauelings and by the duty of Kings toward the Church he although in other wordes goeth about to perswade the King to yeeld himselfe prisoner to their willes and affections and to make it short to let them haue what they would haue and to approoue whatsoeuer they would doe Secondly he teacheth the King that it is the holy Ghost who hath inspired him to make the edict of vnion To make the edict of vnion was to replenish his kingdome with bloud Note murther and desolation and to yeeld his authority into the handes of traiterous conspiratours of the League this is a worke of inspiration of the holy ghost by Sir Henekyn his diuinity Well sayd Sir Henekyn goe too this is good stuffe Thirdly hee blameth the King that heretofore he hath not shewed cruelty ynough agaynst them of the reformed but hath suffered them to haue the liberty of theyr religion by his edictes of peace but now he trusteth that hauing reuoked the edict of peace he would play Pyrgopolynices in Plautus Here Sir Henekyn sheweth whose sonne hee is breathing nothing Note but murther and whose scholler to wit Antichrist of Rome which is the trompeter of all mischieues in Christendome Fourthly after breach of the edict of peace Henekyn hopeth that the King will play the man and that all thinges shall goe well Here Sir Henekyn dooth suppose that all thinges shall goe well Note when the King hath throwen himselfe his Nobility his Kingdome and Subiectes into a heape of miseryes and hath opened the dore to desolation and desperation most miserable this is to haue a new heauen and earth to Sir Henekyn Fifthly he assureth the King that he shall haue power ynough to breake the forces of the Heretikes Here Sir Henekyn knowing not that there is neither counsell Note nor power against God to resist his will warranteth the King like a good diuine that he shall performe what Sir Henekyn wisheth Sixtly hee willeth the King to vse such discipline among his Souldiers as that the Priestes be not molested by them Here Sir Henekyn foreseeing what euilles the breach of the edict of peace would breede is well content that other men perish so that hee Note and his fellowes may liue in all pleasures and voluptuousnes without any molestation Sir Henekyn is a good reasonable and kindly fellow Seuenthly hee willeth the King to publish the counsell of Trente and to reforme the Priestes and to cause them to be good and vertuous The King hath resigned into the handes of the Leaguers a great part of his roiall authority Now Sir Henekyn will haue him to publish Note the counsell of Trente that is to resigne the rest of his royall authority to Fryer Sixtus I thinke that his minde is in plaine tearmes the King to become a begging Frier and to goe to Fryer Sixtus to haue a dispensation to forsake his wife and to
out of a good and sound iudgement free wil without any compulsion He willeth them to remember also how on a sudden all these thinges haue béen chaunged and the kinges will not chaunge but partly enforced and partly by the craft of the enemies with ill counsell induced to contrary actions Fourthly he complayneth of the iniuries done to them of the reformed religion who heretofore had béene suffered with liberty of the free exercise of the same without any offence by them geuen and armed by the kinges authority against the Leaguers now to be condemned in respect of their religion as guilty of capitol cryme Fiftly hee declareth how for the auoyding the calamities incident to warre to satisfy vnto the Leaguers he hath debased himselfe so farre vnder his degree as to proffer to the heads of the League the combat to be performed by himself in person or by more number to number as by the aduersary it should bee accepted Sixtly he letteth them vnderstand that hee feareth not their armes whereof he hath had the experience so long time whereby he knoweth well what they are able to do Last of all hee cannot but lament their bloud which they haue and do spill against him for whose seruice they should haue reserued it in stoare But specially this doth greeue him that in the lot of the battell he may not discerne them whom in mind hee discerneth from his enemies Vnto the third estate he writeth to the same purpose as he hath done to the Nobility and besides sheweth vnto them first the horrible miseries which they haue sustained by the ciuill warre and what confusions are like to ensue of these troubles He sheweth also how the end of all the former wars hath béene a peace Secondly whereas they meaning the Leaguers do pretend to ease the people of taxes and charges hee aduertyzeth them that by this warre the taxes impost and subsidies must needs to double and that their rysing in armes hath done already terrible hauocke and wast He warneth them also to consider how that the reformation of impost taxes subsidies they haue turned to their priuat commodity hauing done nothing but enforce the king to deuide his realme among them and to weaken his authority without making mention not one word of the easing of the people Hee writeth the same effect to the inhabitantes of Paris but surdis narrat fabulam The contempt of the Gospel the innocent blood of the Saintes which they haue spilled like water must be better reuenged The wrath of God must walke now beyond Loyre to execute his iudgements vpon these nations that lye betweene the low countrey and Loyre because they haue not repented at the former scourges but haue hardened their hartes and haue blasphemed the God who liueth for euermore The dispersing of the Princes armie and declaration of the edict of vnion dated the seauenth day of October did cast a marueilous amaze and dread vppon all them of the religion generally but specially vppon them who were left through the Popish countreys in France hoping for a better time There were also many of the contrary religion who being louers of the State and wishing well to the house of Bourbon and to the right of the cause began to wauer and to alter their minds according to the vnablenes of fortune and the nature of the euents There followed after in December the bloudie procéedings of Ruze Bishop of Anger 's and the Kings Iniunction to his officers to execute his edict with the allowing of y e abiuration penned by rauening Ruze These things made a great dissipation in the families of them of the religion For by these meanes the rage of the Papists encreased agaynst the reformed religion and emboldened to attempt any violence and iniurie agaynst them For the enemies supposing that the Prince had béen lost for it was very long time afore it was knowne what was become of him they iudged also that the faith and hope of them of the reformed religion had béen buried with him The inconstancie of many of them who had remayned in France after the declaration of the edict of Iuly did appeare For many estéemed more the commodities of their houses and the pleasures of their countrey than the quietnes of their consciences and the keeping of those good precepts which they had learned in the schoole of Christ which is rather to dye vnder the Crosse than to liue in committing Idolatrie The Papists on the contrary side forgat no meanes to throwe downe them that stoode on slipperie places for beside the rigour of the edict which had abridged the time of anoydance to fifteene daies with dreadful threatnings the Iesuites Friers Massing and parish Priests and other firebrands of the Romish route thundered agaynst them whom they tearmed hereticks in their bloudie and sedicious sermons And if they could not disswade them from their religion then they stirred vp the people to murther them or els pursued them before the Magistrates who were eagerly set against them being for the most part of the League They who had béen of the religion or had béen suspected to haue fauoured the same persecuted them who remayned constant thereby to terrifie that they had neuer béen of them Their friends on the other side had no small power to trie the constancie of those simple soules who before had fastened too much the aâ—cker of their safetie in the forces of man There were also which did great pleasure to their friends and kindred in obtayning to them prorogation of time to giue order to their affayres and after to retyre some where Many remayning constant in the trueth estéeming more their faith to God than worldly goods foreseeing also a more stormie tempest than that which was past would ensue without any further bargaining left al and retyred some to the principalitie of Sedan some into Germany great number to Geneua great multitudes to Saint Ihan d'Angely Rochel and England It was a lamentable thing to see the wofull vanishments and dissipation of so many families without any succour or comfort They which were touched with a greater zeale would not leaue their children behinde them in daunger to bee throwne into the myre of Idolatrie which they detested esteeming of the conscience of their children as of their owne knowing that they should answere before God for the same This caused many of them to carrie their children vppon their shoulders for lacke of other meanes God shewed in such a stormie tempest that he hath hauens of safetie alwaies in store for them who being tossed and tormoyled vnder the heauines of the Crosse doo cast as children vpon their fathers their eyes vpon him For this is a wonderfull worke of GOD that for the space of thrée whole yeares the pestilence had so afflicted Rochel that there was no part free of the same Saint Ihan d'Angely also when this persecution waxed so violent was so beaten with it that the towne was almost destitute
white staffe in their handes and they of the countrey to remayne vpon discretion The tenth of October the Castell of Quyras besieged since the 25. of September was surrendred to the Lord Diguieres assisted with y e Lord Brikmaut and Morges where is a thing worthy of remembrance that the wayes being so high and difficult for the artillery to be caryed ouer the mountaynes contrary to the impossibility which wee thought to be and the expectation of the Papistes yet it passed ouer They were sixe hundred Souldiers 15. hundred Pioniers in drawing the same ouer the mountaynes but foure Leagues in the space of 15. daies At the same tyme the Lord Diguieres knowing that the enemy fortifyed a temple in the towne of Saynt Peter in the Marquisat of Saluces sendeth thether y e Lord Brikmaut with his companies who forced that place in the middle of the day the twelft of October tooke the captaine prisoner and cut to pieces the rest this was the first exployt beyond the mountaynes The eight of Nouember the Lords Ramefort Espornakes and Signak through intelligences which they had in Ionquieres had seazed vpon al the towne saue one tower onely the newes were brought to Orange to the Lord Blacons the which three howres after the taking thereof appeared before the towne with 30. horses This his sodaine and vnlooked for comming did so terrify the footmen who were within the towne calling to remembrance the entertaynment which they had at Montlimart that they sorsooke the place the captayne being not able to hold them although they were in number foure hundred footmen and sixe score horses which were not yet entred into the towne whom the Lord Blacons let goe without any pursuing content onely to enter into the towne for to chastize the traytors In the moneth of Aprill the States of the countrey and Senate of Grenoble had some speeches of peace as is aforesayd but it was delayed Decemb. from tyme to tyme the people being not willing to conclude any thing without the good will and aduise of the King of Nauarre knowing him faythfull to the king louer of the good and prosperity of the realme and that he desireth nothing more then the wealth and quietnes as well of the State in generall as of their prouince as also to be a true Prince of the blood a Prince true and faythfull in his word hauing neuer altered his word in respect of any person whose singular valiantnes mildnes and gentlenes if there were no other thinges in him might mooue the people to honor and acknowledge him according to that degree which he hath in the realme of France These were the causes which moued the States people of Daulphine to conclude nothing without his direction The Articles proposed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine were three First that protestation be made to the obedience due to the King and to the issue male which it shall please God to giue him And that for lack of yssue the king of Nauarre be acknowledged as head of the Princes of the bloud first successor of the crowne and after him the other Princes according to y e primâ—geniture of their degree with detestaon of the manifestes and other such libels whereby they of the League haue gone about to alter this succession Secondly that the reformed religion be receaued throughout all the Prouince of Daulphine indifferently and that they of the reformed religion shall permit the Romish and suffer the church men to enter and enioy their goods and liuinges on both sides they do promise to acknowledge the court of Parliament of Grenoble and to obay the Lord Maugyron that whatsoeuer alteration may happen to the State the king of Nauarre shall imploy his authority present and to come to the obseruation of the agreement namely in that which doth concerne the dignity of the court of the Lieutenant of the King and of the church men Thirdly that in expecting a peace in more ampie maner euery one shal keepe that which he holdeth shortning notwithstanding the garrisons as much as shall be possible This was concluded and agreed in the prouinciall States of Daulphine with an agreement vppon their common defence about the 20. of December Although the Lord Espernon be a most zealous and deuout Catholike that he did agaynst them of the reformed religion all that euer he could yet with some moderatnes he had committed the gouernmeÌ„t of his charge to the Lord Valete his brother which vsed the same valiantnes with the like modesty God did so blesse the good intents of these two noble Catholikes indeede as issued out of an ancient and noble stocke without any degenerating that hauing well rid that Prouince of Daulphine of seditious and factions Leaguers afterward the Catholikes and reformed haue fallen to a good and peaceable composition by the which they haue entertayned themselues in amity and kept their countrey from ransacking and subuersion So wee see now these two great and large prouinces Languedock and Daulphine the one through y e sauage cruelty of Ioyeuse the other through the faithfull seruice and modesty of the Lords Espernon and Valete bretheren to be set in good peaceable state It is sayd how the king of Nauarre had certaine meetings and parleys with the Q. Mother and how the last parlâ—y appoynted was interrupted by the conspiracies of the Leaguers seeking to lay the foundation of their greatnes vnder colour of defending the Romish religion after the which interruption the King of Nauarre retyred into Rochel where he continued vntill the end of Aprill Now let vs lay downe what the sayd King of Nauarre did from this time to wit the latter end of Aprill vnto the end of December and then we will take the course of those things which haue passed in other countreys and by the setting downe of other men About the ende of Aprill the King of Nauarre departing from Rochel with certayne péeces of ordinance tooke Chizay by composition and Sassay by assault where he commaunded certaine robbers of Niort who had obstinatly resolued to withstand him to be hanged From thence he went to S. Mexent which yéelded vpon composition after they had seene the Canon From thence fayning to goe somewhere els departed in the euening and in the morning earely was before Fontenay and on a sudden without great resisting tooke the Suburbe called Loges and at the same instant compassed the towne on euery side least any succour should enter in But seeing that he had neede of more ordinance than he had speedily departed to Rochel to haue more which thing the Rochellers did very willingly and speedily graunt so that within lesse than fiue dayes he returned and began to batter Fontenay with nine péeces The Prince also brought certaine peeces from S. Jhan d' Angely so that Captaine Rossiere who commaunded there ouer the Albaneses and inhabitants were enforced to yéeld by composition almost at the discredition of the said King of Nauarre who
haue mee on your side I will you to let them vnderstand all that I haue tolde you During these practises of the Leaguers and their running to an fro to amend their errour to fortifie themselues to make a way to reconsiliation they stoope to the Q Mother who was left at the Loure there they cap and crouch vnto her they kisse her hands and giue her sugred words excusing the matter that they meant no hurt but were put in some feare by the kings forces being lodged and placed in Garison before their doores they were all the Kings most obedient and faithfull seruants they require nothing else but that a Catholick successe be nominated an immortall warre denounced against the hereticks vpon that condition they are ready to bee sacrificed at his feete that she would be a meane to pacifie his anger and displeasure she had been hetherto the onely vpholder of the state against the hereticks now she may shew a notable proofe of her great wisdome and do great seruice to the holy Church By these and such like perswasions she was easily wonne to bee a mediator yet once for them to the King The Q. Mother was as deeply fallen into the crime of treason as they saue onely in one degree for they had conspired the kings death and vsurping of his kingdome Shee was not desirous of the kinges death nor that his kingdome should be taken from him but she was glad and sought all meanes to keepe him wrapped in troubles during her life though it should cost him at length his life and state that shee might alwayes wrest the rule and gouernment out of his hand by throwing him headlong from time to tyme into troubles and dangers This accursed woman therefore seeth here an occasion proffered her to nourish still her ambitious humor to bind both the king and his enemies vnto her by the meanes of reconciliation She from tyme to time sendeth vnto the king maketh him beleeue that there is not so much fault in the Leaguers as it outwardly seemeth to bee they tooke armors to defend themselues standing in some feare and mistrust of his forces disposed in the streetes at their dores and that it was rather a fray which happened by the prouoking of some vnaduised persons then any intent of rebellion and that the people once mooued ranne somewhat rashly and inordinatly as the maner is in such a case shee warneth him to take heede not to kindle a new ciuill warre farre more dangerous then the former with the heretikes stronger in forces wealth and partakers if all the power of the realme had not béene able to extinguish the former it would bee an endles worke to bring this to an end which could not bee done without the subuerting or at least the renting of the kingdome that in tyme he may well be reuenged of the iniuries of some of whom hee feeleth himselfe greeued It is best to dissemble and winke for a time then by a precipitation of counsell to hazard life and state By this Cup which shee borrowed of Circe her countrey woman she transformed the king from a man hauing a Lyons hart into a sheepe cast him in a sound and vnsensiblenes whereby after he could not feele the good counsels of his faithful subiects who proffered him their help to reuenge such notorious and publike contumelies vntill that at length necessity enforced him to do it The rumor of such a notable treason attempted and performed by the Leaguers in expelling the king of such an ancient race out of his imperial Citty spread abroad there repayred vnto the king two maner of people to offer him their help in the reuengement of such an iniury to wit some Leaguers which seeing that the Lorreins had proceeded so far as to attempt agaynst his person and state now do change their minde do pitty their Prince so much abused vnder colour of Catholicisme The Catholikes both noble ecclesiasticall and commons the better sounder part of them come in post to the King exclaiming against the Guyzes and against their presumption requiring the K. to take punishment equall to the greatnes of the offence do counsell him to let alone the King of Nauarre and all the heretikes who neuer enterprised such a thing and to turne his forces agaynst such notorious offenders They prayed him to ouergoe his greefe they proffer him their seruice their liues goods and meanes for the performance thereof The King despiseth not their good counsell and affection toward him but being bewitched by the sorcering of his mother as is abouesaid answereth them quietly that he wanted neither courage nor force to reuenge his priuat iniuries sayth that he will not kindle a new ciuill warre in his realme thanketh them and sendeth them home intending already reconsiliation with the Leaguers It is sayd before how the Leaguers and the Parisiens leagued with them perceauing that the missing of the King might turne to their shame and vndooing tryed to iustify their actions by letters solicited other townes and citties to the like rebellion fortifyed themselues seazed vppon as many holdes as they could surprize and in the meane time searched and viewed the Kinges mynd by their secret spials sounded his mind a farre of by the hipocriticall Capuchins whether these vngratefull actions had any thing mooued him to disoaine poperie and to seeme to encline to them of the reformed religion but specially by them of the court of Parliament whom they sent to him to know his disposition to peace and how he digested the contumelious iniuries It is sayd also that in the meane time by the means of his mother they extinguished that Nemesis which is in great Princes and turned it into pusillanimity and how bee shewed some tokens of that basenes of hart in his speeches with them of his court of Parliament Now the Leaguers perceiuing by all these meanes that the Kinges heat was cooled more inclined vnto impunitie which he calleth clemencie then vnto punishment and reuenge Before they enter into treaty of peace they goe about to temper him somewhat better yet by a forme of petition and to giue some authority to the same they borrow both the person and the name of the Cardinall of Bourbon whose authority from the beginning they had made a couering of their negotiation and conspiracies This Cardinall being one of the first Princes of the blood was not ignorant long time before of all these cōmotions of the old hatred which they of the house of Guyze haue borne to the Princes friends and seruants of the house of Bourbon and that in seeking the decay and fal of thē they procured also his own But through a certaine vnhappines he had suffered himselfe to be possessed and handled by them of the contrary part and following their counsels they had made alwaies a buckler of him considering his qualitie and degree which he hath in that realme as well among the Princes as among the priests So
the Kings gardes seazed both vpon the Towne and Castle the which Towne notwithstanding it was without walles yet being situated on high and in a strong place by nature hee vndertooke to fortifie the same by the helpe of them of the religion who did so resort thether from euery where daily that the sayd Lord Requien waxed strong there as hee is a valiant man employed himselfe with them of the religion to make warre against the rebelled Leaguers for the Kings seruice About the 23. of February the King of Nauarre being at Chastelerault tooke occasion to seaze vppon the Castle and the Towne of Argenton in Berry by the meanes which followe That place doth pertaine to the Lord Monpensier but it was graunted to the Lady Dwager of Monpensier sister to the last Duke of Guize by her contract of marriage hauing that honour shewed her to haue married the Duke of Monpensier Prince of the bloud and father to this Duke yet liuing In the beginning of this last warre of the League the castell of Argenton strong and well furnished was made sure for the League the towne remayned at libertie as being not strong and commaunded by the Castell But after the death of the Duke of Guize the garison of the Castell was increased double intending thereby to assure the towne also the garison vnderstanding of the taking of Chastelerault which is not farre of by the King of Nauarre fearing that which afterward happened vnto them they sent to the Duke d'Mayne for succour who sent certaine Captaines with their companies from Orleans They of the towne refusing the association of the rebellion of the Leaguers and willing to remaine faithfull to the King doo aduertise him of all their estate and good wil towards him doo require succor of him as well against them of the Castell as others which did approach to seaze vpon their town The dispatch could not bée in so short space but that in the meane time they of the towne and of the Castell fell at variance vppon the matter each party trusting in the succour which they hoped for The King of Nauarre aduertised of al this and of the succour sent they there by the Leaguers nigh aduaunced with certaine troupes of horsemen determined to make them agrée and vsing his accustomed celerity it fell out with him so happely that hee preuented them in a moment who were sent from Orleans sending before some of his gardes who entred on a suddaine into the towne to the great amaze of the garison of the Castell At the ariuing of the gardes of the king of Nauarre there was a hot skirmish and some were killed on both sides few of the King of Nauarre his gardes but many more of the garison but when the Leaguers of the Castell saw the companies of the King of Nauarre first they were amazed and shortly after conceauing a great terror yéelded the place After that the King of Nauarre had taken possession of that place he appoynted the Lord Beaupre gouernour there where he established the exercise of the reformed religion with liberty and safety in stead of the romish religion as in other places The King of Nauarre returned to Chastelerault where considering how the King was in great danger both abroad and at home how hée had euill counsell giuen him pittying his estate and considering that hee could not bée moued neither to make nor to accept of his seruice for his defence considering also that the Leagued rebels waxed strong and the King weake he putteth forth a protestation bearing date the fourth of March wherein he sheweth that notwithstanding his affaires and estate of them of the reformed religion was neuer stronger who within thrée yeares hath borne the fury of ten mighty armies whereof some had béen beaten to cloutes the others haue béen scattered as dust in the ayre hee doubteth not but the same God will strengthen him with the same force and will defend alwaies hereafter his iust cause and innocency yet hee dooth proffer them that if the King will hearken vnto peace hee was neuer so willing to imbrace it Furthermore hée proffereth himselfe to heare reason and to bée taught by a conference and a counsell promising that if he be conuicted by the word of God to be in any error he will reuoke it and bring all them of the reformed religion to doo the like But to bring him out of that religion wherein he hath béen borne and brought vp euen from his cradell with the dint of the sword he warneth them that therein they haue taken a contrary course by which they will neuer preuaile Last hee dooth adiure all the states by the name of God by the ashes of their ancestors by the loue of their natiue countrey to counsell the King to this ordinary course or else to deuise some better if they can by the which they may stop the subuersion of their countrey About this time came the excommunication rowling from the capitall and thundering like vnto a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the olde Comedy pronounced against the King for the execution done at Bloys vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize the Popes champion and the Cardinal the saide Popes Chapline and the imprisonmént of the Cardinal of Bourbon and the Archbishop of Lyons shot out of the belly of Frier Sixtus at the sute of rebels With the stinke of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Frier Sixtus came forth out of the bottomles pit of hell a number of Iesuites and Friers and such misbegotten monsters to raile to accurse defame their lawfull and naturall King and Prince ordained of God without any remorse of conscience Many of the Leaguers who after the death of their Captaine had hanged downe their heads had retyred to such places as they thought sure far them some other who had forsaken their faith their promise and oath giuen to the League now considering foure accidents which had happened and seen to fauour the affaires of the rebels doo rebell a new doo forsake their King whom God nature thankfulnes and nobility commaunded to dye at his feete First the vnseasonable lenitie or rather pusillanimitie of the King who had stated the execution of iustice for such notorious and hainous treasons committed not against him but against GOD in his person whome God had consecrated to that high dignitie vpon the heads onely of Guize and the Cardinal his brother and in the imprisonmēt of six of the chiefest without proceeding any further Secondly Fryer Sixtus his excommunication by the which they supposed though not in conscience but in passion onely themselues to be set at liberty to doe whatsoeuer without any grudge of conscience Thirdly the beating away of the kings garisons and forces out of the citadell of Orleans by the Duke de Maine therein supposing in a manner for so is the blindnes of mans passion to haue conquered all France Lastly the euill counsell of leagued dissemblers and dissembling traytors whom
others who were taken prisoners And because the night drew neere apace the Prince thought good with all speede to assault the other companies of rebels who were at Commeaux who were about a thousand or twelue hundred men conducted by the Lord Beaulieu This company had trenched and fortified themselues and therefore the most part of thē were y e cannons priests monks fryers Iesuites of the Citie of Sees and many persons of the countrey round about who would shewe some proofe of their valour and how they could fight better with a Caliuer then with their Portisse but at length it was found that they had more skill in iugling a Masse and making of Gods then in handling their weapons among them was the Parson of Vimonstier a desperate and sedicious Priest The Lord Beaulieu was their captain who at the first onset the sayd Lord Beaulieu was taken among the first in the forcing of the Fort who being carried away by the Captaine Chauuayne before the Prince sayd that there were within that Fort at the least seauen hundred well armed and appoynted The Prince vnderstanding that commanded the Lords Bakqueuile Archand to get into the Fort and for that purpose he left them the Culuering and went that night to Escouche where he arriued about eleuen of the clocke in the night And assoone as he was gone the rebels of Comeaux vnderstanding how their fellowes had sped yéelded with their liues onely saued who were immediatly disarmed and brought to Escouche to the Prince There the Duke soiourned all the next day being the 21. of Aprill to take the view of the prisoners who were in great number of all qualities of persons The same day the Lords Hallot Bakqueuile Beuil Bellefontayn and Archand went abroad with their companies to see if they could méet with any ranging Rebells where they mist not much to haue taken the Baron Vernier The sayd Baron and Brissake with the rest of their complices retyred in great speede to Argenton fearing to be as kindly hit on the hips as their fellowes had béen The 22. day the Prince leauing the Lords of Harcourt of Saint Mary Venoix and Sassay at Escouche went to Courcy where hee vnderstoode that the Lord Pierrecourt was lodged with some Launciers not farre of he mounted straight on horsebacke and went to finde them out but he had dislodged a little before they came to the place Here Christian Reader marke the presence of God in the assisting of a good cause and handled by persons of lawfull calling First thou seest how the King heretofore in the warres against the K. of Nauarre had not prospered but all things haue fallen to his owne charges dishonour and shame because he persecuted him without a cause and such persons were put in trust of his affayres and aduanced themselues forward intending vnder that colour to supplant their master Now when the King hath a iust cause in hand and put men in trust that are lawfully called bearing a true and vnfayned heart to the King kingdome Crowne and Countrey such as bee the Princes of his bloud and other of the true Nobilitie of France the Lord also is of his side and fighteth for him maketh him victorious and restoreth to him his authoritie by steps as it shall appeare hereafter Secondly here is a notable thing happened which neuer did happen vnto any Captaine that euer I haue read saue vnto that noble Athenian Conon that a Captaine had obtayned three noble victories in one day but vnto this noble Prince of ancient and noble rase Thus the Prince Montpencier by these victories gaue a tast vnto the rebels of the cup of their treasons and so did driue them into Townes and Holds that afterward it was rare to see any rebels abroade except it were when they had neede priuilie to steale out to robb their nigh neighbours of their goods Hauing done this exployt he purposed to bring the artillerie from Courcy and returne to the Citie of Caen intending shortly after to be in the field agayne and to carrie by it vntill he had subdued the countrey to the Kings obedience agayne By a pertinent digression I haue shewed what noble and profitable exployts the Prince Montpencier hath done in Normandy against the Rebels now we will returne to continuance of the narration interrupted It is sayd before how the King seeing himselfe in extreame danger made truces with the King of Nauarre and deliuered him the Towne of Saumour for his safe passage and repassage ouer the riuer of Loyre which he committed to the Lord of Plessis Marline Few dayes being expired after the deliuering of the town of Saumour the King of Nauarre went thether to the great contentation and reioysing of all the inhabitants and of all the Nobility round about well affected to the Kings seruice and good of the realme Liberty was geuen by the K. of Nauarre to all the inhabitants concerning religion indifferently as hée had done in other places The King of Nauarre hauing ordered all things at Saumour about the 17. day of Aprill went foorth and besieged the Castell of Brissak the Lord thereof beeing a traitour and a rebellious Leaguer and tooke it by composition The 18. the King of Nauarre passed all his Forces beyond the riuer of Loyre ouer the bridg of Saumour and within few dayes ioyned with other forces which stayed for him gathered out of Normandy Mayne Anjou Perche Beausse and other countries beeing betweene Loyre and Seyne intending shortly to see face to face the army of the rebels conducted by the Duke de Mayne Thus the King of Nauarre greatly iniuried and offended so often and at the request and for the pleasure of the Duke of Guyze assaulted now commeth to rescue out of danger captiuity and death him that had persecuted him so long with all the forces of a mighty kingdome he commeth I say with a chosen army not onely great in number but also in valour so that euery common souldier might haue supplyed the roome of an Officer Goe on O great King put on the armor of God follow his calling this day thou hast obtayned a greater and more famous victory then at the day of Coutras in ouercomming the desire of reuengement which vpon diuers occasions might haue risen by the frailty of mans nature The 21 the King of Nauarre hauing passed ouer the riuer Loyre and ioyned with his forces gathered out of the Countreys abouesayd setteth forth a declaration shewing the causes of this passage First hee sheweth that hee is called to enter into this action by God by nature by the lawe and by the iust approbation of his Prince which causes do moue him to determine to imploy his lyfe his meanes power for the reestablishing of y e Kings authority restoring of the realm and for the defence of good Subiects within the same decayed and oppressed by the treasons of the Leaguers vnder the colour of godlines and iustice Secondly he protesteth
the Sonne of God So the Lord knoweth who are his Herein also appeareth euidently the mercifulnes of God who worketh all things to the best and comfort of his children For when as the Rebels and murtherers supposed that by the Kings death they might easily make an alteration of the state and transferre the Crowne vpon the head of the Duke de Mayne and so disappoynt the Princes of Bourbon of their right of succession the Lord turned al their counsels vpside downe For the Lord mooued the King lying on his death bed when he was in perfect memorie and farthest as the manner in such a case from all manner of affection and parciality to pronounce his sentence and decrée or rather supplying the person of God to proclayme the King of Nauarre right heire and successor of the crowne and by the inuocation of the glorious name of GOD bâ—und the Princes péeres Nobles Captaines and Souldiours to yéeld him dutifull obedience so that God himselfe hath béene the iudge of his cause giuing sentence on his side by him whome he appoynted his officer in that behalfe It will stand Thus much of the vnworthy death of so great a King in whom ended the issue of the noble house of Engolesme according vnto the fatall period of great Noble and mighty families which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein we haue to note the whole family excepted onely Francis the first as Henry the second Francis the second Charles the ninth Francis Duke of Aniou and this last King Henry the third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per sanguinem ruit and haue died of an vntimely or violent death because they were polluted with that accursed woman Catherine Medicis Pope Clement his sisters brothers daughter And so making an end of the Epitasis of this vnnaturalltragedie played by leaguers we will make an end likewise of this 6. Booke Here endeth the 6. Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE NOw we will follow the Catastrophe and last act which although it be full of Calamities yet it is like to bee ended with a ioyfull and happie successe The King beeing dead great heauines and sorrowe seazed vppon men of all degrees the Campe was full of sorrow and lamentation the wise saw this to be new seeds of a world of euils which wil worke the vtter subuersion of France On the other side great reioysing was seene among the rebels and traitors authors and procurers of the murther their ioye they shewed diuers waies but speciallie with contumelies and sarcasmes demaunding one of another whether the Friers knife was sharpe enough or not The rebels in Paris certified of the assured death of the King and supposing that the army had béen greatly dismayed replenished with teares and lamentation conceaued a good hope to do some great and notable exploit and imagining that it were easie in this mourning of all men to defeat the Kings forces all that night the Duke de Mayne did muster and prepare a mighty army and early in the morning issuing out of the Suburbs was so receaued by the Kings forces that he was enforced to retire within the Citie with blowes and dishonor That morning being the third of August but by the right calender the 23. of Iuly the King of Nauarre who was appointed the Kings Generall lieutenant by the King after that hee had receaued the wound assembled the Princes Lords Nobility and Captaines to deliberat how to remedy those great euils and to put out that combustion which the rebels had kindled in all partes of the realme First there was a capitulation made and concluded betweene theKing and the said Princes and Nobles Lords gentlemen and souldiers that there should be no innouation made in the Romish religion but the same should stand and be exercised peaceably without any interruption And that the reformed religion should be contained with all liberty in the exercise thereof within the places where it was then at that present time established prouided that the Romish religion should bee there exercised also without any disturbance And that men professing these two religions liuing peaceably like good subiects should be protected by the Kings authoritie in their liues goods liberties and franchizes vntill that by a nationall Councell some good and peaceable order should bee taken for some reconsiliation or vniformitie touching religion Which thing the King promised by the faith of a Prince to kéepe inuiolably and with as much speede as might be to prouide that a Councell and méeting of the learned might be assembled This order being concluded and the obseruation thereof promised by the King all his Princes Nobles Lords Gentlemen and Captaines promised vpon their othes all duetifull fidelitie and obedience vnto the K. and to assist him with their liues goods and meanes as well in the defence of his royall authoritie agaynst all traytors rebels and Leaguers which goe about to vsurpe the state as in the execution of the exemplary punishment vpon them who haue procured or committed that haynous disloyaltie felony and treason vpon the Kings person last deceased and all others who shall be knowne consenting knowing or accessarie to the same This order being taken as the readiest and most expedient to vnite the subiects with the King being promised and sworne the King of Nauarre was saluted declared proclaymed and crowned King of France and Nauarre by the name of King Henry the 4. And whereas in this historie hée had béen discerned from the King of France by the title of King of Nauarre now in the course of this historie following he shall be simply named King without any other addition or title This noble King being proclaymed King is crowned and put in the possession of the Crowne of France due vnto him by right not with triffling childish and Monkish cerimonies with holy oyle holy water holy toyes and holy trashes but after the ancient manner of the Emperours of the Romanes in the Camp by the whole army Princes Péeres Nobles and Captaines of the kingdome Here Christian Reader is to be noted Gods most gracious fauour toward France and prouidence toward this great King for except the Lord had prepared this heroicall Prince to restablish this decayed state which was cast downe headlong into such a depth of miseries by the Leaguers as in mans iudgement it was impossible that it could euer haue been vnited againe but rather reduced into a lamentable desolation But the Lord in his mercie beholding from heauen his holy habitation with his lightfull countenance after so many tempests hath raised vp lead by the hand and placed by his own authoritie and power this great Prince on the Throan of that state whom hee hath endued with wisedome prudence fortitude moderatnes modestie iustice and pietie to bee able to heale the deadly wounds of that sickly state to pacifie the controuersies of religion to lodge therein iustice and iudgement so long exiled out of that common wealth and to restore peace so long wished and desired Againe
him nor good for his master to meddle with the Kings affayres we sayd the Lord Byron hold the King for the true and naturall heire of the Crowne of France That the King maintained their lawes and liberties inuiolable and had none for enemies but fewe straungers thrust forward by ambition who vnder y e pretence of religion sought to ouerthrowe all good lawes to lay downe the foundation of their tyrannie to giue entrance to the Spanish King and for religion to bring in all Atheisme The Frier protested that his master was free from medling in any such enterprises But his doings his practises his ministring of money to the Rebels his conuersation and familiaritie with Bernardine Mendoza was so auerred to the foolish Friers face that he was proued a lying false flattering Frier Thereupon master Frier his stomacke being not yet satisfied would haue a saucie Frierlike fling against the King and demaunded the Marshall Byron how they being professors of the Catholike religion made so light account of his masters holines and purposes to carrie armes against the Catholikes their brethren The Lord Byron answered that they carried armes agaynst rebels and traytors and told him agayne that it were very wisely done for him his master to looke somewhat neerer to his owne estate For if he so encroached and medled with them they would quickly excommunicate him And that there were diuers Bishops in France as good Catholikes as his master who would bee glad to bee made Patriaches in their seuerall Prouinces and would finde as good Scripture to maintaine their authoritie as his master had any to defend his Some reasoning being vpon this poynt Frier Paniguerola was found to be so great a Clark that he could answer little or nothing But at length to conclude the talke he shewed the somme of his Ambassage to wit he desired a good peace to be concluded and some paynes to be taken to bring the King to be a Catholike But he shewed not his intent which was to delay the siege of Paris if the king had intended to besiege it out of hand The other Ambassadour to wit Vileroy was sent by the King to the Lord Plessis Morney a noble man of great wisedome and profound learning who handled the sayd Vileroy very plainly and roughly reproaching vnto him his vnfaithfull and treacherous seruice to his old master Henry the third And when he had denyed these things wherewith he was charged the Lord Beaulieu both condemned his fayre flattering wordes and promises which he brought now full of dissimulation and verified his olde trayterous practises agaynst his olde master it was thought that iustice should haue been executed vppon him for his treasons according to the Kings edicts The King hauing soiourned at Mante fewe dayes tooke his way to Vernon which lyeth between Mante and Pont de larche which also yéelded vnto him From Vernon the Gentlemen of Normandy to the number of fifteene hundred horses retyred to their home about the eight of March The Lord Chartres gouernour of Deepe returned to Deepe sicke in whose absence certaine Leaguers inhabitants there went about to haue seazed vpon the towne for the League who being detected and preuented at his returne were exiled out of the Towne to the number of sixe score among whom were many of the richest sort of all the towne About the same time that the King soiourned at Vernon the Duke of Longueuile the Lord of Tinteuille arriued to the King with eight thousand Rutters The King hauing seazed on Vernon and Mante and stopped the traffique of that riuer with the Citie of Paris on that side and prouided for the safetie of the sayd Townes concluded in his counsell to besiege Paris the principallest Citie of the Realme where it was considered that the Citie being populous and great would easily be woon by famine which would eschewe slaughter both of his owne Souldiers and Citizens whome hée would by all gentle meanes bring to their duetie of obedience and therefore it was thought good to stop the passages of the riuers Oyse Marne and Seyne aboue Paris For in stopping Oyse the Towne of Pontoyse also should bee distressed Therefore the King deuideth his armie as followeth The Duke of Longueuile should haue part of his armie to besiege Beaumont vpon Oyse He sent the Marshall Byron with another part of the armie to scoure the riuer Marne where he tooke Cressie a towne situated in Brie betweene Meaulx and Corbeil where a Parisien named Peter was Captaine for whose raunsome was proffered eight hundred Crownes but the King for some speciall causes commaunded him to be hanged and fiue and twentie of the chiefest of the towne with him The sayd Marshall Byron immediatly after the taking of Cressie layed the siege before Lagnye vpon the riuer Marne right agaynst Corbeil The Citizens required space of time to send vnto the King which was yet in Normandy to craue his gracious mercie which they obtayned The King about the 21. of March hauing receiued certayne munitions from Deepe and taken order for the safetie of Normandy with part of his armie coasted betweene the riuers of Seyne and Eure and tooke the townes of Possie and S. Germain and the Pont S. Clow and marched toward Corbeil to seaze vpon the riuer of Seyne on that side It is said before how the Leaguers had compacted with the King of Spayne vpon some conditions of receiuing a certaine somme of money to haue deliuered the Citie of Marsels a great strong Citie in Prouance vpon the Mediterran Sea but being disappoynted of his purpose as is said in the first Booke that Citie continued faithfull vnto the King vntil the Duke of Guize his death The King of Spayne had corrupted aforehand the chiefe gouernour of the Citie by giuing him pay to the summe of fifty Crownes a day he had also drawne to his faction three score of the chiefest Citizens paying to some forty crownes some more and some lesse a day Thus the hearts of a great number of Citizens being disposed the death of the Duke of Guize was bruted euen to the coast of the Mediterrane Sea The gouernour and his complices hearing of that began to â—nuaigh and bring the City to a wauâ—ring and inconstancy of wills counsels some would haue the Towne to yéelde to the League and some would not so the Citie remayned as neuter hanging neither to Spayne nor to France In the meane time the Lord Valete as is said hauing made peace with the Lord Diguieres and considering the wauering of that Citie had prepared a nauy of Galeys on the Sea before the said City to controule such Ships or other vessels as might come or goe that way to benefit the said Towne whome he molâ—sted as Leaguers The gouernour and the rest of malcontents hired by the King of Spayne practized that the said King of Spayne and the Duke of Sauoy should send Galleys thether in shew to clense the Seas but in déede
the said congregation confessed that for feare of death he had consented to the abominations of Poperie and with many teares very feruently prayed to God to forgiue him exhorted the Church to take heede not to followe his frailtie willing them not to be offended with his fall and with an earnest inuocation of Gods most holy spirit promised euer hereafter by Gods grace constancie and stedfastnes in the confession of the trueth After a long and wofull warre the particular accidents whereof I here omit as hastening to my purpose and referre the reader in that respect to such treatises as are of purpose written concerning those matters at length a peace was concluded about the 27. of Iuly 1576. which was sworne vpon by the King by the King of Nauarre Monsieur the Kings onely brother the Prince of Conde and Casimire other Nobles with the lifting vp of their hands The King to wit Henry the 3. to shew how well pleased he was with this peace willed and commanded that it should bee called his peace because he had graunted it with his owne will and proper motion The King of Nauarre then had not onely a iust cause but also opportunitie to complaine of diuers iniuries done vnto him at and after the murther of Paris and also to demaund amends for his great losses yet he neuer mooued one word least by any priuate commodities of his owne the peace should haue béen hindered By that conclusion of peace the King graunted eight Townes beside them which they held before vnto them of the reformed religion to bee gouerned vnder his obedience by the King of Nauarre for the space of sixe yeares It was agreed also at the request of the reformed religion that the King should call the States of the Realme to confirme this peace and to restore the ancient dignitie of that kingdome These States were so cunningly handled that it did almost fall to the vtter vndoing of them of the religion For the Guizes with the collusion of the King made such meanes as none other might be admitted to the same States than the professed enemies of the Gospell For they caused conuocations to bee assembled in the seuerall Prouinces who appoynted such as were farre from peace with secret instructions to bee presented at the saide States without making the Townes Cities or Commonalties priuie to the same They also caused infamous Libels to be printed and proposed in their seuerall conuocations denouncing open warre vnto them of the reformed religion and vnto all that would not consent to the vndoing of them Furthermore they deuised also the meanes to interrupt that peace which of late concluded by their consent and yet so politickly that the causes should not bee founde in themselues but in the professors of the Gospell For they procured infinite iniuries and violences to be done vnto them of the Religion by their partakers hoping that through dispaire and impatiencie they would breake the peace and so the King would arme the Duke of Guize against them that in the meane time hauing the Kings power in hand he might growe in authoritie and the King decrease Immediatly after the conclusion of peace made the Guizes perceiuing that these three noble Princes had auoyded their clawes for the King of Nauarre was gone into his kingdome the Prince of Conde had auoided into Germanie Monsieur had bin set at libertie without any hope to bring them againe within their reach and that not onely they were a terror but also would be great lets to their drifts and that they were able to cut them out more worke than they would be able to patch as long as they should liue considering the name roome authoritie and power that they were of both in France and with forraine Nations To the ende that at the States appoynted they might oppresse these Princes with the rest of the Nobilitie which would not take part with them to ground a sure foundation vpon a strong Councell then sent they their agent the Bishop of Paris and the aduocate Dauid a worse man did not liue then vpon the earth to Rome the holy Citie to take good aduise and spiritual counsell of their ghostly father The Bishop of Paris and Dauid with him came to Rome the Schoole of all murthers treasons poysonings and slaughters against all the Princes and States of Christendome There assembled all the schoolemasters and teachers of the Sciences aboue saide I meane the Cardinalls among whome Sir Hugh bon companion Vicar of Rome for so was his right name afore he was Pope was the forman There was great complaints framed against the King Monsieur his brother the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde against all the house of Burbon and the Nobilitie of France The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were heretickes and relapse The King and his brother with a great number of the Nobilitie if they were not heretickes yet were they fauourers of heretickes they caused heresies to grow and to take roote by making peace with heretickes to the vtter ouerthrowe of holy Church of Rome And that it was high time that Sir Hugh Vicar of Rome should prouide for some speedie remedie to preuent the mischiefe There it was shewed to render the King and all the Princes odious how the house of Capet had alwaies withstood the holy Church of Rome and that they had supported in old time the Valdenses and Albigeoys and now that either they are ioyned with the Hugonets or els are fauourers of them But on the contrary side the house of Charles the great which was wrongfully dispossessed of the Crowne by the Papall blessing had a speciall grace giuen them to helpe holy Church and had left yet some lustie buds which are they of the house of Guize in whom is all the hope of holy Church to roote out the hereticks and to restore all things The fable of this Popish blessing heere aboue mentioned is in the Chronicles of Rhegimon a Monke of S. Benet In the time of Pipin father to Charles the great Stephen Pope of Rome being a factious and turbulent man through his ambition did trouble Italy And when Arstulphe King of the Lombards a nation not vsed to bee controulled by Priests went about to chastize him fled into France to stirre Pipin which a fewe yeares before had vsurped the Crowne of France by the helpe of Pope Zachary against the sayd Arstulphe This Pope being at S. Denis nigh Paris fell brainsicke and in his sicknes the diuell deluded him with an entusiasme making him to see in a vision Peter and Paule before the high Altar in their Surplesses by the which as he sayd he knewe them Then came in S. Denis with a leane face hauing a Censor in his hand whom Peter and Paule sent to the sayd Stephen to heale him who charged him to hallowe the sayd Church Pope Stephen could this vision to them which were present there and being about to rise out of his
Masse of that Holy ghost which appeared to your predecessors at the Councell of Laterane in the visible forme of an Owle goe againe to schoole with your Chaplaines and let vs knowe of you what the Hugonets will dóo all that while or els seeing you haue that power to binde and to loose I pray you binde them hand and foote that we may make quickly an end of them or els euery one will say to the great slaunder of holy Church that Sir Hugh is a great Pazzo for not being able to performe all that he taketh vppon In Italiō a Sot him to doo And of all loue be good to master Francis of Lorrayne deuise some good meanes that when the Crowne is set vpon his head the heauines thereof should not put him to paynes and perhaps breake his necke And then what would the world say beshrew you Sir Hugh for in following your counsell we haue lost a great Captaine and a newe King and then be sure that you will neuer be good after But now to speake in sadnesse by these instructions according to the which all the ciuill warres haue been directed euer since the yeare 1576. vntill the death of the last Duke of Guize we may iudge what wisedome and blessings are to be expected from Sir Hugh and his Chaplaines Whilest these things were at working in Rome the Guizes followed diuers wayes to interrupt the peace but now by the returne of Dauid from Rome with these aforesaide instructions they went to worke substantially and by the collusion of the King they made such meanes as none might be admitted to the States but the professed enemies of the reformed Churches For they caused priuate conuocations to be assembled in the seuerall Prouinces which appoynted such as were farre from peace were of the conspiracie of Guize hauing their secret instructions to be presented at the States without making priuie to their counsels any Townes Cities or Commonalties They spread abroad that the Edict of peace could not bee published nor admitted in Townes and Cities than the which nothing was more desired of all sorts of men except onely them of the conspiracie They caused also infamous Libels to be printed and proposed in their seuerall conuocations being of such men as knowing the reports to bee most false yet were readie to make themselues to be true As that they of the reformed religion requested the exercize of the same not for satisfying or contenting of their consciences but for the maintenance of factious and practizes against the King and to fortifie themselues that vpon opportunitie they might shake off the yoke of obedience due to the King They spread abroad also that they of the reformed religion had surprized Lachorite and many Townes and Forts in Poytow Xainctonge Guyen Languedock and Daulphine and that they had committed sundry murthers and cruelties vppon the Catholikes and therefore in the same assemblies they did denounce warre vnto them of the reformed religion and to all them which would not consent to their vndoing They procured infinite number of iniuries and violences to bee done by their partakers euery where to them of the religion hoping through impatience to cause them to breake the Edict of peace so that the causes being found in them the King arming the Duke of Guize should encrease his secret enemies authoritie and decay his owne Notwithstanding these manifolde iniuries proffered vnto them of the religion and the breaking of the peace they of their part obserued the Edict of pacification without molesting the Catholikes but stoode onely vpon the defensiue The Guizes hasting so much as euer they could their enterprizes by their partakers procured many Townes and Prouinces to rebell and to breake the peace pretending that they of the religion sought the oppression of the Cleargie Besides the practizes afore mentioned these good husbands being loth to leaue any stone vnstirred that happily might any way further their deuised plot did not sticke to attempt euen contrary meanes For in like case they followed the olde tricke of Barcocab they went about closely and vnder hand to drawe into their League them of the reformed religion promising them the exercize of their religion according to the Edict of peace and more if they would They solicited also Iohn Casimier Prince Palsgraue to enter in league with them promising to doo nothing against the reformed religion and to deliuer him Townes in their gouernments for pledges And herein if they could haue effected their desire happily they would not haue pretended so rigorous a course against them of the reformed religion as afterward they did when they perceiued that they of the reformed religion did smell detect and abhorred their treacherous ambition and that they were taken forbeu cozba If they might haue preuailed with the reformed they would haue stoode vppon some plausible Common-wealth For their intent herein was not that they cared or regarded any religion but to bring the King and the Princes of the bloud into hatred and the people into a mistiking of the gouernement And seeing their offers were reiected by the reformed they determined to roote them out assuring themselues generally of the Catholikes vnder colour of zeale of Poperie which they fayned more and more And to begin the Q. Mother according to the Gospell brought from Rome by Dauid as is aboue sayd was sent to bring Monsier her sonne to the States at Bloys which she performed Many fayre words were spent many fayre promises giuen and many sore threatnings were vttered either to entice or els to enforce the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde to the States at Bloys But they refused their companie knowing well what their meaning was During this time they were very busie to make Leagues and confederacies and to erect euery where fraternities which they called of the holy Ghost by such meanes to fortifie themselues as they pretended against the Heretickes but indeede to conspire the subuersion both of the King and of the Burbons which could not bee done as they thought without the rooting out of the professors of the reformed religion The secret Councell of Rome could not bee kept so close but that the King of Nauarre had intelligences what was passed at Rome and therefore sendeth a Gentleman of his to the King with remembrances to aduertise him of the conspiracie already concluded at Rome against him and his estate Monsieur his brother in like manner informed him that there were things passed at Rome against him his Crowne and state Iohn Casimier Prince palatine out of Germany sendeth in like manner aduertisements vnto the King about the same matter and besides by Praillon giueth him notice of the drifts of the Leaguers which were to let the free holding of the States by corrupting of the Deputies and by letting that none of the Princes of the bloud or any that haue cause of complayning might appeare with free accesse Thus the Guizes furthering their busines by all
meanes as is aboue sayd in the Prouinces for the making of a strong league with as many as they were able they procured the towne of Montmarsan in Gascoyne to rebell against the King of Nauarre which he shortly after surprized in one night and brought the inhabitants to their duetie without any bloud shedding By their meanes also the Towne of Rause in the Countie of Armignake belonging to the King of Nauarre as the sayd King had entered into the Towne without any mistrust with eightéene Gentlemen the partakers of Guize there let the Percullis fall at his heeles and setting vppon him one offered the Caliuer at his breast But the sayd King neuerthelesse seazed vppon a Tower with his companie and made way to the rest of his traine to enter into the sayd Towne not suffering any of the inhabitants to be put to death buâ— onely him which had leuelled the Caliuer at his breast and that at the earnest sute of the Magistrates of the Towne accusing him with diuers other crimes In Ianuary the King sendeth an Ambassador to the Prince Casimier Palatine of Rhine named Vilaquier to excuse his doings with lyes surmizâ—s and slaunders as that they of the reformed religion had seazed vppon diuers and had committed murthers and cruelties vpon the Catholikes and that they required not the exercize of the religion for any conscience but for fashion sake only and that his States will not suffer him to execute the Edict of peace Vnto this message the Prince Casimier answered as shewing how the King was abused by the States which were none other but such as were enemies of his estate and perturbers of the peace vnder the name of the States and lastly willeth him not to cast his Realme into a miserable flame of ciuill warres for other mens pleasure The Prince Casimier also sendeth Butrich his Ambassador to the King to perswade him if possible were to entertaine the pâ—ace which was made so solemnely which he also willed to be called his peace The sayd Ambassador had audience at Bloys the 23. of February The 7. of March ensuing the sayd Butrich Ambassador surrendred in his Masters name the lands Lordships pensions and offices which the King had giuen him at the concluding of the peace For as much as the Guizes had spread abroad both through France Germany and other countries that the said Prince in consideration and respect of his particular profite was preiudiciall to the publike commoditie of his Souldiers The parish Priests about this time tooke the names of able men Souldiers were euery where secretly mustered according to Sir Hugh his counsell as is aforesaid The Iesuits also began to take the matter in hande to further conspiracies by rayling Sermons who by these meaues crept so deepely into the Kings fauour that he preferred the sawciest of them and them who could thunder most furiously against the reformed religion to Bishoprickes Abbeyes Prebends and other fat Benefices nourishing in his bosome from time to time the firebrands to set him and his Realme in combustion at the first opportunitie The Guizes seeing they could not win them of the religion to fauour their doings but rather that their agents were taken forbeu cozba considering also that they were not able to haue their desire vpon them fearing greatly the King of Nauarre whose wisedome vertue and valour they knewe well goe about to make him to some hatefull and to others contemptible Therefore the Admirall Villars father in lawe to the Duke de Mayne raised vp vpon him the old lye and flander reported of the Christians of the Primitiue Church vp the Pagans to the end that Sathan might bee like to himselfe to wit that the sayd King being at Agen in the night the candles should be put out That false report was spread abroad throughout France afore that any man had heard of it in the Citie of Agen. It was also reprooued for a most false lye by many Noblemen and Ladies of both religions which were then present Now the conclusion or rather collusion of the States was that they required the Edict of peace to bee reuoked the exercize of the reformed religion inhibited and Poperie to be set vp euery where The King was as desirous to graunt them as they to require the breach of the peace wherevpon fearefull persecutions were raised vp euery where great cruelties effected in diuers places vpon them of the religion and open warre denounced And for as much as the condemnation and execution of Monsieur could not be brought to passe as yet for many coÌ„siderations it was kept close and deferred to a fitter time But specially for that he might be a good instrument to be occupied against the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion Therefore they thought good to make him and the Duke of Guize Generall ouer the Kings forces Him I say to giue the more authoritie to the actions and enterprizes with greater terror The other was ioyned in Commission to preuent what might happen that Monsieur should not in any wise fauour the King of Nauarre nor his partakers any whit at all The King of Nauarre hauing such power as he could make in Guyen prepared himselfe vppon the defensiue and hauing a mightie power of Germaines readie to enter into France his enemies hearts were somewhat cooled and began to faint On the other side the King wanting money nothing was done By this expedition a great terror of the Germaines hauing seazed France the King now sheweth himselfe as desirous of peace as he was not long before of warre and sendeth his Mother to the King of Nauarre to treat for peace Now old Catie must shewe some Italian iuggling or els farewell Poperie After much chopping and chaunging of words the bargaine was made The King of Nauarre being at Nerack in Gascoyne receiued the peace with some restructions of the former Edict abhorring the slaughters of the Nobilitie and oppressions of the people This peace being concluded at Nerack the Guizes tooke it very grieuously as vnprofitable for the aduancing of that mysterie which did lye hidden in their braine and also for that the King went about to reforme many abuses brought in by warre and to restore the Nobilitie to ease the people of diuers charges For the Guizes would haue all these abuses to continue that in time it might serue for an olde cloake to couer withall their treacherous drifts as they did afterward at the rising of them in armes 1585. Diffidence and iealousies therefore did growe daylie betweene the King and the Guizes But the King to obtaine his intended purpose thought good to pacifie them calleth them to the Court dooth assigue them great pensions bestoweth great gifts and honors vppon them Yet they hauing alwaies a hartburning tickled with their accustomed ambition watching for the death of Monsieur determined to hasten them forasmuch as they feared him more than the King In the yeare 1579. the Guizes sent Frier Claude Mathew
abusie Iesuite of Pontamosson in Lorrayne to Rome to put Sir Hugh to worke and to lay downe some newe direction to execute the secrâ—t Councell of Rome seeing that the former deuises had failed Friâ—r Claude from thence tooke his iourney into Spayne to giue some ghostly counsell to Dom Philipporey despagna Out of this voyage came the expedition of Italians and Spanyards into Ireland vnder the leading of Captaine Saunders which there dyed mad wandring in y e woods From thence also came the lustie flight of Locusts the Iesuits into England vnder the banner of their Generall Campion to roote out the Gospell and to plant Poperie if it could be done But if not to worke some busie peece of worke to her Maiestie that the Guizes in the meane time might work more surely in France without hope of any help out of England to the King and to the King of Nauarre or to them of the reformed religion if they should stand in any neede The Guizes of their part were not idle but by sundrie practizes had renewed the ciuill warres and by the Kings consent Monsieur his brother and the Duke de Mayne were in Commission for the conducting of the Kings Armies which thing they did as well as they could with as great preparations as might bée but yet without doing any harme But because the common report went that Monsieur should passe into England and from thence should go take possession of the Dukedome of Brabanâ— which was offered him by the States of the Lowe Countrey they were content yet once againe to winke at peace that they might be rid of him hoping that he would neuer returne into France to trouble them Therefore in the yeare 1580. Monsieur before he tooke his iourney was sent to the King of Nauarre which both met at Fleyx a Towne in Perigord situated vppon the riuer of Dradogne where they concluded a peace not much varying from the former Which thing being done Monsieur hasted to his iourney Now this being done Frier Mathew the Guizes Pursiuant of méere deuotion must needs post to Rome yet once againe to visite the Stewes and to aduertize Sir Hugh what was past in France to knowe of him how the Guizes should worke vppon this present occasion There Sir Hugh stayed somewhat his wisedome afore hee would giue answere knowing not well what counsell to giue or to followe because his Armado in Ireland vnder the conduct of Captaine Saunders Doctor of Militarie Discipline and his Locusts vnder the leading of the lustie Campion had sped but so so and had a very hot entertainment His brains therefore was driuen to peruss his Christerosse so that in this dumpe Sir Hugh must take counsell of Dom Philipporey despagna Therefore master Frier must trudge ouer the world Haue with you master Frier into Spayne to eate a peny worth of Raphams Vpon this hard mischances of fortune Sir Hugh thought good that Dom Philippo should play Xerxes and whilest he is a preparing the inuincible Arinado meanes should bee made to doo away both Monsieur and the Prince of Orenge that by the death of the one the Low Countreys should be left headlesse vnable to resist the petie Duke of Parma and by the others death the drists of the Guizes might be easily executed in France The procuring of y e death of the Prince of Orenge was committed to the petie Duke of Parma petie sonne to the holy man Pedro Aloisio who for his religion vz. his abominable and monstrous whoredomes was hanged at the windowe of his owne house a holy Martyr and bastard sonne to Sir Alexander Farneso Vicar of Rome called otherwise Paulus tertius This Duke of Parma acquitted himselfe pretily well of his charge as shall bee sayd hereafter The death of Monsieur was vndertaken by the Guizes that that if GOD himselfe would not kill him they would doo it which they also performed in time Frier Mathew Iesuit carrier of the Court of the Guizes returning out of Spayne fell sicke at Barbaste in Gascoyne not for any surfet which he tooke in Spayne except it were for eating too little The poore Pardoner there was so sicke that he would haue eaten any kinde of meate if he could haue had it But his good Masters did so diet him that according to his profession he afflicted his bodie with fasting out of measure to pull downe his courage least when hee should come into the Stewes to giue ghostly counsell to the Curtizans he should doo any thing to the discredite of holy Châ—rch and to the slaundring of the holy order of Iesuits for such fasting as he vsed in that iourney would doo greater miracles in keeping a Frier chaâ—â— than all the weeping which the Iesuites doo vse can doo The King sending his brother into Brabant determined to appoynt him a Counsell But the Kings Counsell being in a manner all Leaguers appoynted him two manner of men one to accompanie him and the other to counsell him They therefore prouided that such counsell should be giuen him as either should altogether nousell him in all filthie life or els should worke such meanes as might dishonor him or put him in danger of his life Another companie was appoynted him of vertuous Noble men of both religions onely to accompanie him to countenance the matter but not to counsell him Monsieur therefore in this equipage of men of so sundrie colours and qualities taketh his iourney first into England and from thence into Brabant the yeare 1582. there to bee inuested of that Dukedome of the holy Empyre which was duely and sumptuously performed Whilest Monsieur soiorneth in the Low Countrey the partakers of the Guizes thinking y e time long were very importunate to set the Duke forward about the busines which he knewe considering the good opportunitie of the absence of Monsieur For if he should returne sayd they and finde all things peaceable it would bee hard for them to worke any thing for as much as Monsieur had knowledge of their drifts who assuredly would seeke to ouerthrowe all and being in France of such power would goe nigh to doo it To these and like perswasions the Duke of Guize was wont to answere that hee will enterprize nothing openly whilest the King had any brother but if he could see one day the last of the house of Valoys to sit vpoÌ„ the Throne he promised them with a round oath to set his hand to worke so surely that if he did not carrie away the whole yet he hoped to haue a good part of the cake In the meane time the Guizes began to sell the most part of their offices and to gather great summes of money making their reckoning shortly to haue all and to dispose of all But thinking the time long that neither sicknes nor the fortune of warre had shortned the life of Monsieur which greatly they desired they determined to do that which God would not do and to execute Sir Hughs spirituall counsell There was
him for his sonne and true heire of the Crowne in France in case he doth decease without issue But to come to the matter now here is a blessed daies worke for the Guyzes and holy Church Vp master Frier and get you to Rome the holy Citie once againe to Sir Hugh to shew him what good lucke wée haue and that all thinges do happen as wée would haue them but that we haue néede of his ghostly counsaile Whilest Frier Mathew carier of the Guyzes goeth to do his message as well as he could they of the Guyze with their partakers do dispearse themselues into all partes of the Realme to allure Townes and Cities but especially them that were Malecontentes to their deuotion after the which progresse of theirs with importunacy they do procure the King to call the assembly of the states of the realme at Bloys to the which they had altogether laboured their fauorers and such as did desire nothing more then the decay of the King and increasing of the Guyzes In the same assembly that the King might haue the blame himselfe of the breaking of the peace it was requested First that the edict of pacification should be reuoked and the exercise of the reformed religion forbidden Secondly that the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and all the nobilitie professing the same religion should be exiled out of the realme all others of the same profession should be enforced either to abiure or els to depart forthwith out of the Realme Thirdly that the 8. townes which were giuen them for 6. yeares should be put into the kinges handes alleaging that the time was expired The king being desirous to entertaine his subiectes in peace knowing well the frutes of ciuil warre dissolued the states promising shortly to assemble the best wisest and most experienced of his realme to haue their aduise for the reformation of all thinges About the same time of the states beeing at Bloys the king of Nauarre sendeth new aduertisementes to the king about the intent and open practises of the league willing him to haue some care of himselfe and sheweth him the present danger that he stood in After the returne of Frier Mathew from Rome the Bariesuits in the latter end of September held a certaine Synode or Clandestine conuenticle in Paris in the which the said Frier Mathew as president did rule the rost hauing receaued direction of Sir Hugh vicar of Rome where according to the said directions they lay downe the methode to stirre vp the coles to raise vp seditions and rebellious in all partes but especially to increase the hatred of all men against them of the religion but namely against the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde and for that end they forged an infamous libell as more amply shal be shewed The king according to his promise made to the States at Bloys in the latter end of the yeare 1584. called at Saint Germayn in Faye his chéefest and best learned Senators of all his Parliamentes there to shew him the best and readiest meanes to ease the people and to restore the realme to some good state On the other side the king of Nauarre considering that the time appointed to surrender the 8. townes committed to his custody was expired and that the rage of his enemies was rather increased then diminished and that their meanes their factions and their furie was now greater then euer it had béene and that imminent daungers were at hand assembled a méeting of the Nobilitie which professed the reformed religion at Montaulban a strong City in Quercye where Monsieur Belieure one of the kinges counsaile was present to prouide for their common affaires And whereas the king of Nauarre his enemies had spread abroad both by false rumors and libels that immediatly after the death of Monsieur he was returned to the Catholike religion and was gone to Masse the said king of Nauarre therefore to satisfy all men against that false rumor and slaunder protested openly that he knew the truth to be on his side and that by Gods assistance he would stand to the profession and defence of the reformed religion vnto the end and that hée would acknowledge none other fortune but onely that There by the common aduise of all that assembly it was thought good that considering the great daungers which seeme to threaten them of the reformed Religion and generally all France a supplication should bee presented to the king that of his méere fauour clemencie be would continue the kéeping of the said Townes to the king of Nauarre for certaine yeares more Vpon this conclusion the Lord Laual with other deputies were sent to the King at the assembly which was at Saint Germain and shewing the cause of their comming to the king and complaining of diuers iuiuries daily done to them of the reformed religion by the leaguers the 11. of December 〈◊〉 the king granted them the keping of the said townes for 2. yeares longer charging them that for iniuries done to them they should not séeke to reuenge their owne cause for breaking of the peace But that they would shew their gréefes to the King of Nauarre who thereupon should make meanes to him for amendes Whilest all these thinges were working on euery side the king of Nauarre séeing that neither so many aduertisementes from euery part of France geuen to the king neither that which hée himselfe saw namely the partialities societies fraternities leagues confederacies and preparations of the house of Guyze did any whit moue or warne the king to looke to himselfe and to his affaires which thing he might easily haue done in time The said king of Nauarre had sent the Lord de Segur Pardillan superintendent of his house to the Quéene of England the king of Dēmarke the Princes electors the Lands-graue of Hessen and to other States of Germany for thrée causes first to compound the controuersies about certaine articles of religion not as yet agréed vpon in the reformed Churches y t the enemies of the commō cause might not distoine them by that occasiō Secondly to renue the ancient friendship and aliaunce in that sort as it had véene of old Thirdly to dispose a summe of money in Germany in such order that therby he might there prouide succour if he were assaulted by his enemies The said Lord Perdillane returned home to the king of Nauarre in December 1584. when the king did hold his counsaile at Saint Germayn The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE NOw when the Guyzes do draw néere their time to bring forth that monster of treason which they had conceaued they haue many secret conferences with y t Duke of Parma pety sonne to Peter Aloyse Pharnese the Popes bastard hanged at his windowes by his owne subiectes for his execrable life Also with Bernardine Mendoze Giouan Bardachino the king of Spaine his Coriero the Bishop of Cominges bastard sonne to the Lord Lansake playing Dromo betweene them
For a Stage play can not haue good grace to make the people laugh except there be a popish Priest to play the Deuils part All this whispering among them was about a great summe of money which the king of Spaine should lay out for to beginne the play and least the sayd king of Spaine should be cosened of his money the Duke of Guyze to deliuer him the dukedome of Britayn y t Cityes of Bourdeaux and Marseilles and for the performance thereof he should send some of his children to the Duke of Sauoy in hostages Therefore now the Guyze is as full of Spanish pistolets as a Dogge is full of Fleas as the Prouerbe is when wee will signify great aboundance of thinges He geueth great summes of this Spanish liberality to his partakers but specially to discontented persons He profereth also of this Spanish money to many which neither require it neither would haue of it But all men did excéedingly wonder whence should come this plenty séeing that it was well knowen that he was déepely indebted Now when all thinges séemed to be in a readines to begin the tragedie the Fryers of the society of Bariese the sorcerer named by cutting short Iesuits do play the prologue for they steppe vp into Pulpits euery where whom they haue turned to trompets and drommes of the Deuill to blow and sound the alarme of sedition and rebellion There they do shew the decay of popery which they call the Catholike faith they do vrge the miseries of euery degrée to procéede from the Hugonoets and their fauorers meaning and in a maner openly declaring the king They do propound y e great dangers which did hang ouer the heads of the Catholikes There they did tell how that there was a certaine confederacie of the Hugonoets with the heretikes of Germany England Denmarke and Swisserland to oppresse the Catholike Church It is said before that in September last there was holden a certayne conuenticle of conspirators against Christendom in Paris by the Bariesuits commonly called the Iesuits where they forged a certaine infamous libell to serue them for a firebrand of the sedition There they say and lye all at once that the 14. day of December 1584 ther was concluded at Magdebourge in Saxonie that the kings of Nauarre and Denmarke the Queene of England the Princes of Germany the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge the Landsgraue of Hessen they or their Embassadors should appeare at Basill the next moneth of May following Where is to be noted the impudencie of these lying Fryers For the Princes Palsgraue and Orenge were dead the one a whole yeare before the other they had procured to be murthered in Holland by one of their owne Iesuits 6. moneths before But these two Princes they should raise vp by the Boriesu their master whom these Coniurers founde in their Pamphlets to appeare at Basill They affirmed also in the said infamous libels that the King of Nauarre should haue taken armes the 18. of Aprill the yeare 1585. which in déede was the time appointed for the League to rise vp They affirmed also that the king of Nauarre had promised in the assemblie of Montaulban that in case he should suruiue the king and that hée might attayne to the Crowne he would roote out of France all Popish religion and depriue them of the said religion of all state dignity and autority They said also that the ministers had perswaded the king of Nauarre to reuenge the murther of Paris and that it was concluded that out of euery towne and citie 3. of the chéefest Burgeses should be deliuered to requite the said murther They did reade these forged lyes in their Pulpits where they omitted no point of Monkish railing rhetoricke in their sermons to stirre vp the people to sedition and warre against them of the reformed religion They crye out they rage and fume saying that now the time is come that holy Church for by this word they meane the pride pompe and voluptuous life of Bishops Cardinals Monkes Fryers and Priestes do craue their helpe or neuer They do exhort the people both in their Sermons and prinate confetence and in their shriuing of the people to ioyne with the Leaguers made them great promises of heauenly rewardes they extolled the noble buds of Charlemaigne meaning the Guyzes which haue vndertaken the defence of holy Church against the force and attemptes of heretikes and fauorers of them They preached also their valure their wisedome their woundes and noble feats for the defence of the realme and holy Church They shewed how easie it would be to roote out the heretikes out of all France hauing such Captaines to manage the warres About the beginning of this yeare 1585. there was a Bachiler or rather a lodger of diuinitie in Sorboune which dyed a holy Martir in this wise let good men iudge This Diuine had holden in disputation publikely in the Colledge of Sorboune this Theologall proposition ful of Iesuitical diuinity which he dedicated to the Abbot of Cluny bastard sonne to the Cardinall of Lorreine that was to wit That it was lawfull for any man priuate or otherwise to depose or kill any King or Prince which were wicked euill men or heretikes The king hearing of this new and strange kinde of Diuinitie aryued now of late into the land was greatly offended and intended to call this Bachiler to accompt but he was preuented by these meanes For they which had made him so speake with Pistolets of Spaine hired a good fellow likewise with Pistolets which slew this diuine with all his diuinity in the court of the Colledge which act done fled auoided least he who had set both of them to worke for Pistolets should be disclosed Thus the Prologue being so well played and the hartes of the beholders so prepared the Duke of Guyze also with his Pistolets hauing drawen the Malcontes to helpe to playe the rest and the principall Authors themselues almost readie to come forth There rested one practise more to be set downe before the entrance which was as followeth Betwéene the riuers of Charante Botonne and the townes of Niort Fonteney and Ralmond cituated vppon the Ocean sea lyeth a Countrey called Annix pertaining to the gouernement of Rochel the Riuer Seure comming downe from Niort afore it falleth into the sea méeting with an other riuer running from Fontency deuideth it selfe into many channels which do make diuers Ilandes commonly called the Ilandes of Maran by the name of the chiefe towne there called Portmaran At euery accesse into those Ilandes there are fortes builded vpon the channels of the sayd riuer The third day of February the Minister of Maran being at Rochel was aduertised by the letters of a friend that there was greater and more cruell preparation of warre against the reformed religion than euer had béen afore time and also that there were drifts to seaze vpon the Iles of Maran the Castle and other Forts if it were not looked to For the Guizes
rase but to shewe the vnaduised facilitie of that man who suffered himselfe to be so abused as to become a slaue and a Geta vnto the ambition of other men and by the same meane hath set his Countrey in the which hée did beare so many honors his naturall and lawfull Prince his house his kindred and familie so honorable ancient and famous in a miserable combustion and daunger to be rooted out for a vayne imagination to become a King But to returne to the purpose First they make him require the abolishing of the reformed religion and that the stablishing of the Catholike religion may not bee interrupted hereafter whatsoeuer alteration may happen in the succession of the Crowne they all of them I meane the Leaguers naming themselues falsly only except the Cardinall Bourbon Princes of the blood doo require that a Catholike successor may be nominated which to bee the Cardinall himselfe because he had as they supposed but few yeres to liue and therefore was not like to stand long in their way Secondly they doo require that the K. of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and their heires may bee declared incapable to succeede to the Crowne in case the King should dye without issue alleaging that they are heretickes and relaps And note that for the rest of the Princes of Bourbon to wit the Cardinall Vendosme the Earles Princes and Countie of Soyssons they doo exclude them from the succession of the Crowne because they are sonnes of an hereticke or otherwise contemptuously passe them ouer as not able to buckle with them The house of Monpensier is beyond the x. degree of aguation The King himselfe cannot liue long for they will prouide for that therfore the conclusion is easily to be inferred The Crowne is fallen in the laps of the Péeres of France they must procéede to election of a newe King And who should bee elected I pray you but Master Francis of Lorreyne Thirdly they do quarrell with the king for fauouring the Duke Espernon as though the king may not fauour but whom the Leaguers shall appoint him The cause they do pretend is that Espernon is a fauorer of heretikes that is to say he is too faithfull to the king for their turne Fourthly they do alleage that the Clergie Nobilitie and Commons are charged with intollerable bondage and exactions whom they would restore to their old dignity and liberty The king had geuen the gouernment of Prouance to Monsieur the great Pryor who had published the edict of peace according to the kinges commaundement and caused it to bee precisely obserued in his gouernment of Prouance But the Leaguers had drawen to their conspiracie a great number of that Countrey with Spanish pistolets and specially among others two noble men to wit Monsieur de Saultes and Vines These two applyed the market for the League in Prouance with Spanish Pistolets and woon on their side the Consul of Marseilles named Darius and a Captaine of the towne named Boniface The 9. day of Aprill these two heads of sedition came in the euening to the doore of one Boniface brother to this Captayne aforenamed who was the kings receauer in y t countrey with fained letters from Mōsieur great Prior which was at Aix the head towne in Prouance The said Boniface the kinges receauer came to the dore his owne wife carrying the Candel before him who was immediatly slaine by the said Captayne his owne brother the Consull Darius and their company at his owne doore and in his wiues presence This exploit done the Parricide himself with few of his owne company went vp to ransake the house and rifled all that was there to their lyking From thence with a company of seditious people armed they went to the houses of them of the reformed religion whom they lead with great violence and a great number of prisoners into the tower of Saint Iohn afterward made great hauocke of theyr goods The 10. day they tooke 4. of them more manly one named Chiousse and the other Antony Lambalent which they cruelly murthered and after that their bodyes had béen drawen through the stréetes at length they were cast downe ouer the walles into the towne ditch before the face of them who were detained prisoners in Saint Iohns tower intending to dispatch the rest in like sort the morow or shortly after The 11. day the seditious seaze vpon y e fort of Nostre Dame de la garde and wrote letters to Monsieur Vines praying him to come in all hast with some fortes to take the towne to the vse and kéeping of the League promising him their assistance The Duke of Neuers a man of his owne Countrey to wit an Italian did then lurke in Auignon and had procured 4. Galleyes of the Duke of Florence to be in readines in the hauen vnder the colour to goe to a maryage into Italy at the first newes to haue hasted out of Auignon and with his companie ioyning to Monsieur of Vines to haue made that towne sure for the kyng of Spaine according to their agreement when they cosened him of his Pistolets or else to some pety Duke of Italy There was a certayne man in the City of great wealth credit power named Boukier for feare of this man many of the chiefest citizens by reason of some particular displeasures standing in great distrust of him supposing that now he would take occasion to be reuenged of them fledde into the Abbey of Saint Victor But Boukier considering the daunger that the towne stoode in and the common perill of them all sent to them that had fled into the said Abbey aduertysing them that the time did not require to call to remembrance priuat iniuries assured them of his good-will and safety of his part and required their assistance in kéeping the said towne in the kinges obedience and to looke to the common preseruation of themselues These fearfull Citizens being so reconcyled and encouraged by this waighty occasion and ioyning together went to know of the said Consul Darius Captaine Boniface by what authority they did that which they had done And when they answered to haue done it by the commaundement of the grand Prior and could shew nothing for it they were apprehended and the same day letters were dispatched to the grand Prior being then at Aix to aduertize him of the intended and attempted treason and what had passed there The 12. day the graund Prior came from Aix to Marseilles with 2. hundred horses and a Chamber of the Parliament of Prouance who do hold their court there The 13. Day the said Chamber after due examination of the fact and euident knowledge and proofes of the offences there committed pronounced sentence of death against the said 2. heads of the treason to Darius Boniface which out of hand were executed Also they set at libertie them of there formed religion with commaundement on both sides to kepe the kinges edict and so by these meanes
the towne was deliuered from danger of changing of mastery the people from death and vndoing and the tumult ceased This spéedy execution did greatly weaken and preuent the monopols of the League in the countrie of Prouance About the 15. day the Leaguers hasting to seaze vpon as many townes and houldes as they could in all France to make their part strong as well by force as faction but speciaily in Belgik where they could do more then in any part of France there they committed great cruelties in many places where hauing the vpper hand they were withstoode namely in the towne of Chastilion vppon the riuer Marne in the countrey of Brie they murthered as well the Catholikes as the Hugonets because they made resistance against them About the 20. day the Leaguers did present their association which they had set forth in writing to many Noblemen and Gentlemen vnder the name of the King requiring them to allow of it and subscribe to it But contrary to their expectation many refused so to do and diuers who had allowed it considering more déeply in the matter perceiuing their intentes abiured and forsooke it with protestations set forth in writing printed wherein they do open the secret thoughtes of the Leaguers and Leagued First they do protest that they do acknowledge none other faith then that in the which they haue béen baptized which then they did promise to beléeue and defend and to that promise they do stand still Secondly they do refuse and condemne all manner of associations vnder what soeuer color which binde them to obay any other then their Soueraygne Thirdly they do shew the League to bee nothing else but the circumuention of the king the confusion of the State a dangerous alteration of y â— Realme the bringing of a new Prince of a strange blood and finally caryeth with it selfe a proscription hauocke and bondage of all good men in all degrées About the 22. of Aprill the King of Nauarre in silence beholding the rage of this League and their declaration published in the which they had made him the obiect of their insurrection sent the Lordes Clairuant and Chassincourt with letters to the King in the which he complaineth of the iniuries of the Leaguers proffered vnto him in their declaration requiring iustice to be done for the sayd iniuries done vnto him He offereth also his seruice power to the King for to represse the traiterous intentes and attempts of the said Leaguers About the 30. of Aprill the King willeth the said Lordes Clairuant Chassincourt to giue this gentle answere to the King of Nauarre from him That he doth hold the sayd King of Nauarre as his sonne and heire of his crowne willeth him also to arme himselfe with patience to cause the edict of peace to be obserued by them of the reformed Religion Furthermore that hee acknowledgeth the driftes of the Leaguers aswell against his own person as against the said King of Nauarre but hopeth that he shal be able himselfe alone to represse their furies and to punish them wel for their desertes The second day of May the King by edict and proclamation doth condemnethe Leaguers and Leagued guilty of high treason commaundeth his edict of pacification to be proclaimed a new in all partes of the realme charging all men vpon paine of death to obay and kéepe it inuiolably At the same time also the King answered to euery point of their declaration of the said Leaguers whereof the summe followeth First the King protesteth of his Catholike Religion and calleth to witnes his actions victories daungers and labours taken for the same Secondly he sheweth that the peace was made and approoued by the counsell of the Cardinall in whose name they do séeme to autorize their rebellion and of the rest of the Leaguers not to fauour heretikes as hee tearmes them but to restore the decayed state of the realme to assault them of the reformed religion in conuenient time with greater forces Thirdly he declareth how he hath fauored the Cleargie in giuing them liberty to call prouinciall counsels and to refâ—rme such abuses as the ciuill warres had brought in how he hath also preferred the woorthiest sort to the best Ecclesiasticall liuinges and hath restored to their liuinges them who were dispossessed thereofby the former ciuill warres Fourthly that the Leaguers haue no cause to complaine for the geuing of offices For his predecessors and he after them haue bestowed vpon the Guyzes the best sort and most honorable dignities and that in great number when the Princes of his blood haue béen neglected Fiftly that it is to force nature and tyme to compell him by violence of armes to appoint a successor hée being aliue in strength health and flower of his age and not out of hope to haue issue Last of all he complayneth that this new commotion is very vnfit and out of season considering that he was now earnestly bent and occupyed to restore the Nobilitie to their ancient honor and dignity and the people to their due liberty But by this leauie of armes they haue stopped his godly procéedinges and haue taken the way to oppresse and root out the Cleargy nobility and people About the same time also the King sent Ambassadors into forreine countryes and commaunded his ordinary Ambassadors in the courtes of forreine Princes to geue them knowledge of the wicked intentes and trayterous attemptes of the Leaguers The Leaguers in a short space had scattered abroad the Pistolets of Spaine and about the beginning of Iune they began also to take money and therefore thought good to supply the want of Pistolets with French crownes which is somewhat purer gold for they exacted in diuers places great and excessiue summes of money vpon the townes and cities which they had either seduced to their faâ—â—ion or otherwise surprised As by one we may gather the rest Bourge being a small towne in Xainctonge situated vpon the fall of the riuer Dordonne into Garomne a towne leagued and extreamly addicted to the Leaguers was by them raunsomed to ten thousand crownes and afterward the inhabitantes so cruelly intreated that in leaping by night ouer the walles were enforced to steale away for feare of worse supposing them selues to haue sped well in escaping with their liues About the same time the Lord Saint Luke gouernor of Browage sent a certayne Captayn into the Iles of Maran vnder colour to buy Oates for his prouision to see whether hee could worke some surprizing of the Castell But the Captayne was so roughly shouldered and coursed that he was glad to retire with his whole skinne And after that least the Papistes should put some into the Castell euery night 6. or 7. of the reformed religion with Caliuers conuayed themselues priuily in the darke of the night into the gate of the Castell vntill day The Papistes vnderstanding this and also hearing the threatnings ofthem of the Religion to wit that if they should bee driuen
e first declaration of y e Leaguers which he sent to the King beseeching him to reade the said answer and also to shew him y e fauour as to commaund the same to bee read openly in the Parliament Wherein first hée protesteth that hee holdeth the true Christian Catholike and Apostolike religion contayned in the sacred word of God both of the olde and newe Testaments and also doth embrace the symbols or abridgements of the Christian doctrine And that he is ready to bestowe life and goods in the defence of the same Abhorreth holdeth accursed any kind of doctrine diuers or contrary to the same words Secondly he sheweth that he was bred borne and brought vp in the same religion which they call heresie and that he neuer learned nor knew any other and that he beléeueth in his heart to righteousnesse and confesseth with his mouth to saluation that the same doctrine which he doth professe is the infallible trueth of God yet he refuseth not to be taught better if better they can teach him out of Gods word in a generall or nationall Councell duely assembled Thirdly in that which he doth in repurging and sweeping away the errors and abuses brought in by long continuance of time therein he followeth the examples of many Kings and Princes of many godly learned men who for these fiue hundred yeares haue desired and attempted the same Fourthly whereas his enemies doo charge him to be a persecutor of the Catholike religion he will bee iudged by all men voyde of passion who hath greater cause to complayne in that behalfe he or his enemies Last of all after a long consideration of the miseries which fall vpon the heads of men of all degrees and the oppression of the poore people which infallibly will followe these attempts of the Leaguers he doth wish seeing the enemies haue made him partie the quarrell which they haue to him might bee ended with a Combat And debasing himselfe from that high degree of a King in the which God hath placed him for an abridgement of all miseries the sparing of Christian bloud for the ease and quietnes of the poore people doth proffer to his enemies to trie the matter by a Combat betwéene him and the Duke of Guize or two to two ten to ten or more to more in like proportion It is reported how the Duke of Guize after the fight of this challenge being vrged to accept it excused his cowardize by the example of his father which in like case excused himselfe vpon the inequalitie of the persons To wit that it was not lawfull for him to accept that challenge at the hands of one of the Princes as being after the royall house in degree aboue all the rest of the Nobilitie But rather and more truely may it bee sayde that he who being not a Prince did reckon and write his name among the Princes or rather preferred himselfe before the Princes of the royall bloud did refuse this proffer not of any dutifull affection as he pretended whereof hee had broken before the bonds of lawe but rather vpon base cowardize for lacke of fortitude and courage as euer caring not what he spent of other mens bloud so that he might spare his owne These things passing to and fro many exploytes of hostilitie were done and executed on euery side rather to the losse than the aduauntage of the Leaguers being crossed euery way by the true subiects of the King Wherevpon considering that the worlde frowned vpon them so that if they had not the King on their side to salue the sore they were like to haue a great fall therefore they must followe some other course Hetherto the Guizes haue couered themselues vnder the Cardinals hat hauing deriued all the hatred so farre as they might vpon that old man whom they greatly abused Now when the Cardinals hat would not serue the turne they doo put in practise the other part of their dilemma as the Cardinall or the King must couer vs or els we fall but the Cardinall cannot ergo the King must And that the King may doo it we must set Achitophel to work therfore let him come vpon the stageto play his part The Kings Counsellers were eyther seruants to the Guizes or els alied or otherwise deuoted vnto him except the Dukes Espernon and Ioyeuse whereof the last afterward was woon to the Leaguers side Espernon remayned alwayes more faithfull to the King than the King to himselfe For the which cause by the meanes of a Curtizan in Paris named Sainte Beufue they hyred Villeroy one of the Kings Secretaries to haue murthered him so to haue béen eased of that heauy burthen These Counsellers must play Achitophels part they must helpe vp with the packe by the meanes which followe They in the middest of these broyles did of purpose attenuate the growing and forces of the League as a thing weake of it selfe rather to bee despised than regarded as not able to continue long but that it would decay of it selfe and that some certayne inconsiderate zeale of the Catholike Religion had made them somewhat passionate and for to make him more secure on y t side they deriued his thoughts from the Leaguers with a but. But if he would once shewe a token of displeasure towards them of the reformed religion or would onely fayne to intend warre against them the Leaguers of themselues would fall downe vpon their knees before him therefore it were better to let them alone for as much as they would bee ready to be with him whensoeuer he would employ them Also that it were better for him to warre against them of the reformed religion in Poytow Guien Gascoyne Languedocke and Daulphine than against them of his owne religion For although the Protestants were dutifull and obedient enough yet were it better to haue them for enemies being the weaker side than the Leaguers and Catholikes which were the stronger part of his Realme Beside that if he should deuide the Catholikes with an vnseazonable â—issention they all would become a scorne and the pray of hereticks their common enemies The King carried away by this counsell and otherwise inclining to attempt against them of the reformed religion ordayneâ— the Lord Ioyeuse his Generall for Languedock Espernon for Prouance and he in his owne person would assault Poytow Therfore the 18. day of Iune partly for hatred which he bare to y e reformed religion partly already inclining to the League partly not knowing what he did for y e great dangers that he saw himself compassed in by the perswasions of such Counsellers as had blindfolded him according to the saying Si non sua sponte insanit instiga For being in the Citie of Paris he taketh order how to victuall his Armie in Poytow for the which thing he appoynted certayne Townes in Poytow Xainctonge to wit Chatelerault S. Merxent Niort Fonteney Towars Engolesme Xainctes and Coignack there to haue alwaies in store a certayne quantitie of
Corne Dates and Wine as in store houses which order he sendeth to the sayd Townes to be put in execution The King being thus deluded by his Counsell and busying himselfe about these matters of warre agaynst them of the reformed religion whether it were in earnest or by dissimulation God knoweth but at length it turned to earnest he giueth leaue and time to the Leaguers to grow greater in strength and number and forgoeth the occasions and opportunitie to prouide for necessary remedies agaynst them These Counsellers at length when they saw time came once more vpon the stage And on a sudden they terrified the King agayne as of a thing happened beside their expectation with the great strength of the League shewing what great danger might insue if he should seeme to saile against that violent tempest Considering that the resolution of restoring the Catholike religion and of the suppressing the reformed had possessed generally the mindes of the people So that if he should seeme to withstand the zeale of the Leaguers for their treason was with them zeale of the popish religion he would be commoÌ„ly thought to be a fauourer of heretikes and thereby an vniuersall rebellion of his subiects might ensue to the vtter vndoing of him and his estate Therefore that as a good Pilot he must obey the weather and seeke for some reconciliation and make peace with them as much to his aduantage as the necessitie of the affayres may suffer him And that in such an extreame case hée must holde with the strongest side These and many other considerations propounded vnto him which had lost his authoritie and that by them which wholly ruled him through a iust iudgement of God for despising the voyce of him and for persecuting him by whom he raigned and from whom he had receiued all royall authoritie and soueraigne maiestie he began to wauer and hearken to some spéeches of vnion Thus the King through Gods iust iudgement and the pernicious perswasions of his vnfaithfull Counsell bewitched doth determine to make peace with enemies as good cheape as he may and for that thing he must seeke out some good chapman skilfull and practised in olde Italian trickes Therefore he thought that his Mother was most fit as most skilfull in such markets This accursed woman as she had alwaies an ambitious and busie soule so she had also a double mind by the which she studied to haue great thanks for doing no good and to kéepe her selfe in authoritie and in the possession of the gouernment thought it should cost her the subuersion of her owne house and children and the vtter desolation of the Realme For the which cause she thought to kéepe the King alwaies busied hampered in trouble vexation and daunger that she might alwaies haue thankes for her bad seruice The King as a naturall sonne put her alwaies in great trust iudging of her naturalnes and loue towards him as he did iudge of his towards her The Leaguers on the other side were assured that she would doo nothing for the Kings aduauntage and ease for feare she should bee no more employed Therefore she was well liked on both sides Up then old Medea you must shewe yet once againe some of your olde Italian trickes Old Catie must bee the market woman she shall make the bargayne But for as much as two eyes doo see more than one she shall haue some counsellers appoynted her in that negotiation such as would not suffer her to doo any good vnto the King and the Realme if she had béen willing so to doo for they were al the Kings enemies addicted to the Leaguers and such as would haue taught Italian trickes the busâ—est head of all Florence yea such as would haue sent the great Prophet of Italy Machiuell with all his diuellish Prophecies to his Christcrosse Now we will leaue the Q Mother with her counsell to doo their market as well as they can whilest wee discourse of some other matters incident to the cause and the time About the beginning of Iuly the King of Nauarre hearing of the Kings wauering and what was like to passe betwéene the sayd King and the League writeth a letter to him from Nerat the 10. day of Iuly in the which hee repeateth the Kings procéedings against the Leaguers as the condemnation proscription and execution of some of their partakers hée aduiseth the King that if hee make peace with the Leaguers hee armeth rebells agaynst himselfe his state and Crowne he doth lament the miserable state of him and of his Realme comforteth himselfe in his integritie and innocencie referreth all things to Gods diuine prouidence reposeth himselfe in the Lord and trusteth in God that he will assist him in his iust defence But this good counsell of the King of Nauarre will not serue his turne the King must followe the streame and will bee shortly promoted to a higher degrée For he shall be one of the fellowes of the League who shall pay for all and haue least to doo in it It is sayd before how the Papists and they of the reformed religion consented ioyntly to keepe the Castle of Marans Now about the beginning of Iuly the Lord S. Hermin had gathered together some thrée hundred men of the Leagued in Poytow to bring them to the Lord S. Luke into Browage as he sayd but indéede it was to seaze vpon the Castle of Marans and other Forts in the Iles. The sayd S. Hermines with them would haue passed through Marans but they of the religion withstood his passage and began to fortifie the Fort called Alowete so that hée was enforced to take his iourney through Maillezais and Ronde and in that iourney shortly after they were discomfited and slaine by them of S. Ihan d' Angely The night following the comming of S. Hermin nigh Marans there was a great alarum in the Towne and the Papists which were in the Castle to the number of fiue and twentie supposing that S. Hermin and his companie had entered the Towne began to reioyce sing and daunce at the sound of a bag-pipe which they caused to play the most part of that night threatning them of the religion who were but foure in number But these foure standing on their warde charged them not to make any innouation with them of the League so that not onely they kept the Papists in feare but also at length with a certayne amazement of them caused their pag-pipe to cease About the same time the Prince of Conde vnderstanding how things were like to passe betwéene the King and the Leaguers departed from Rochel to repayre to the King of Nauarre and leaueth the Lord Rohan in Poytow to ouerlooke and withstand the attempts of the Leaguers there The sayd Lord. Rohan about y t 12. of Iuly departed from Rochel with foure score horses and rode to Marauns to assure those Ilandes The Papistes had already seazed the fort called Brune where through the sayd Lord should passe but their hartes so
assure themselues of those prouinces townes cities and holdes as had not in a maner one of the reformed religion left among them but they either had béen murthered or else so vexed and disquieted by the continuall dangers which euery day compassed them that they had retyred most into those prouinces in France which were safer from the violence of the Leaguers or into forreine Countries So they warre agaynst the heretikes by subduing the Catholikes to their deuotion They warre against the heretikes where none were to make them resistance and dare not looke on the prouinces where the heretikes as they tearme them were in great number But to the matter Although the vniust and inconstant dealinges of the house of Valoys had empayred greatly their honor and renowne and that this king by his own actions at the massacre of Saint Bartholemy had greatly stayned his garments with a spot that would neuer be washed yet did hee alwayes retayne the authority and reputation of a Soueraygne Prince vntill that for hatred of the Gospell hee suffered the ambition of the house of Guyze to encroch too much vpon his royall authority and prerogatiue vnder colour of Catholike zeale Thus hee weakened his royall authority by following the counsell of Italians thrusted into his seruice by the cunning of the Guyzes for that intent These Italian scholemasters did endeuour alwaies to rule him by the preceptes of Machiauell the Italian prophet so that after he came to the Crowne the Guyzes with their adherents interrupted diuers times the peace made with them of the religion made continuall monopols and secret practises and associations with his subiects to the great empayring of his royall authoritie as is afore sayd and still vnder colour of Popish deuotion so that at length hauing by the means abouesayd seduced the harts of the Priestes Monks of many of the Nobillity and people hauing specially woon his Senators and Counsellers and robbed him of the good will and loue of his subiects in the end by this market they haue made themselues equall to him they haue set their seat as high as his so that now the king is nothing which they are not except onely that as yet they do not take vpon them the name of king but suffer him for a while to enioy the same So that the king now hauing not onely lost part of his Princelike strength which consisted in his townes cities and holds but also part of his authority which lyeth in commaunding alone as a soueraygne is become a fellow of the League If you demaund why the question is soone answered because he set himselfe agaynst him of whom he had receaued all power and authority Hee which had giuen him tooke it agayne for his vnthankfulnesse But now let vs returne to the League These articles called the holy League being concluded to the kinges great disaduantage and dishonor the edict must be made thereafter which was published the 18. day of Iuly and is commonly called the edict of vnion wherein the king doth all that it pleaseth the Leaguers to commaund him to do as a good obedient fellow of that holy association Fyrst hee forbiddeth the exercise of the reformed religion throughout all his Dominions commaunding the ministers of the Gospell to depart the realme out of hand Secondly he commandeth all men to professe the popish religion and that the professors of the Gospell without any respect of persons either shall beleeue poperie or else within sixe moneths shall depart out of the Realme with licence in the meane time to sell their goods to their owne vses Thirdly that as many as haue been infected with heresie for so hee calleth the Gospell of trueth or are knowne to fauour it shall bee incapable to be are any office within the Realme Fourthly he dooth dissolue the bipartit and tripartit chambers of iudgements which were ordayned for the indifferent ministration of iustice in respect of religion Fifthly that the townes graunted to the keeping of the King of Nauarre at Saint Germane the yeare 1584. shall bee surrendred into the Kings hands Sixtly that all whatsoeuer offensiue actions haue been committed by the Leaguers their adherents Townes Cities or comunalties of their association shall be hereafter iudged as lawfull good and acceptable seruice to the King done for the defence of the holy Catholik Romain Religion And that all declarations proclamations iudgements prescriptions condemnations and executions whatsoeuer against the Leaguers or any of them for the said offences pronounced shall be voyd as vniustly wrongfully pronounced against them Where note gentle reader that the King is come to that bondage that hee is perswaded to alowe and approue all the murthers exactions spoylings excorsions treasons rapes whoredomes blasphemies and sacriledges as done for his seruice the defence of the Church and aduauncing of Gods honour Will not the Lord reuenge this pusilanimitie in such a great Magistrate with some notable example of his iustice according vnto his threatnings woe be to you which call euill good Last of all he commaundeth all manner of officers and the Nobilitie to sweare the obseruation of the said edict which he caused to be published and sworne in the Parliament of Paris hee himselfe sitting in iudgement the 18. day of Iuly The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde vnderstanding the conclusion and publication of the edict of Iuly appointed a certaine meeting with the Duke of Monmorency at Saint Paule de cadioulx in the Prouince of Albigerys to take aduise together what were to bee done in those extremities They therefore the tenth of August concluded a certaine protestation in the which shewing what the intents driftes and demeanours of the Leaguers haue been also what the Kings iudgement was of them not long since what meanes the King of Nauarre hath sought and what hee hath proffered for the preseruation of the state What his behauiour had been euer since the League did rise how hee hath kept himselfe quiet and vnarmed to the extreame danger of his person when he had great occasions to doo great exploites At last they protest that they are not the cause of al those miseries which are like to ensue out of those troubles and seeing that no reason will take place committing their innocencie and equitie of their cause vnto God doo resolue vpon the defensiue This resolution being made the King of Nauarre returned to Nerak the Prince of Conde to Rochel and Monmorency to Languedock to view the attempts and expect the euents of this new and strange vnion This vnion being concluded the King considering that in some manner hee had been enforced to breake the edict of peace and that it was not the proclayming onely which would cause the edict of vnion to be obeyed but that a certaine cauell warre would ensue and that there must be some sâ—newes to holde it Therefore hee turneth all his thoughts to make some preparation for the warre for the which cause the 11. of
August he calleth to the bowre which is the Kings house the first and second presidents of his Parliament of Paris the Prouost of Paris the Deane of our Ladies Church and prayed the Cardinall of Guize to be present Who all being come in his presence hee made vnto them a short declaration of his will wherein he sheweth himselfe glad that at the instant request of his good and faithfull subiects he hath reuoked the edict of purification and yet cannot beleeue that at this time it will bee easier to execute this last resolution then the former Yet being incoraged and assisted with so many and so good men of all degrees he conceaueth some good hope which makes him enter into these actions And first to come to that which is expected of all men he dooth intend to haue three mightie armies the one for Guyen the other by himselfe the third vpon the borders of Germanie to let the passage of strangers which will amount to foure hundred thousands crownes a moneth Secondly that hee dooth not meane to vndoo himselfe alone but seeing that he hath admitted other mens counsell against his owne in breaking the edict of peace they must help him in maintaining of the warre Thirdly for that the first president of Parliament was one of the chiefest who procured the peace to be broaken neither he nor his felowes may looke to be paied of their stipends during the warre Fourthly for that the people of Paris had shewed so great reioysing at the breaking of the peace he commaundeth the Prouost of the Marchants to leuie vpon the inhabitants of the saide Citie the summe of two hundred thousand crownes for the charges of the warre Fiftly the King beholding the Cardinall of Guize somewhat with a stearne countenance he let him vnderstand that forasmuch as the heads of the Cleargie had chiefely cast him into this warre for his part he is content to beare the charges the first moneth but that the rest should be maintained at the costs of the cleargie and for that hee would neuer expect the Popes license When the King had staied in silence to heare what they would say they began to finde the matter strange Then the King with a token of indignation cried out it had been better said hee then to haue beleeued mee I feare me that when we goe about to put away the preaching we will hazard the Masse I were better then to make peace and I know not whether they will accept it when wee will proffer it so the meeting was ended The Priests being well stoared be like prouided within few daies voluntarilie yet more willing to haue paied nothing one milion of frankes for their portion Whilest these things were a dooing the King had sent three Noble men to the King of Nauarre to wit the Lords Leuoncourt Poigny and the president Barlart to trie their cunning whether they might induce the said King of Nauarre to ioyne with him both in forces and religion These Lords came to the King of Nauarre after his returne from S. Paul de Cadioulx to Nerak greeting him in the Kings name declared to him how the King did hold him as his sonne and heire of the crowne in case he should decease without issue And after they shewed the causes which moued the King to ioyne with the League which was the diuision of the Catholiks which would redound greatly to the preiudice of his estate and the vnquietnes of his Realme Thirdly that for the loue hee bare to him hee wisheth him reunited to the Catholick faith both for the good of his soule and also that hee might the more easily by the meanes of the Catholicks be established in the kingdome which otherwise would be hard for him to bring to passe Fourthly they goe about to perswade him to cause the exercise of the reformed religion to cease during the tearme of sixe moneths perfixed Fiftly they required him in the Kings name to surrender the townes which he did hold for the King The King of Nauarre with like courtesies answereth to the first that if it had been his Maiesties pleasure to haue vsed his seruice in the suppressing of the Leaguers he would haue shewed a proofe of his duetifull obedience towards him To the second he answered that from his cradle he hath been brought vp in the reformed religion in the which hee neuer knew any errour and yet hath and dooth proffer himselfe to bee taught by the word of God in a lawfull councell To the third demaund hee answered that the reformed religion was established by a solemne edict confirmed by an oath and that it was not in his power to let the exercise of the same therefore purposed to deale in that matter To the fourth hee answered that considering the mallice of his enemies towardes him he hath more neede to require others then to surrender those These Ambassadors also mooued the King of Nauarre that if he would conferre with the Q. Mother she would aduance as farre as Champaigne in Toureyne The King of Nauarre answered that he would goe as farre as Bergerake in Perigord Whilest these things passed to and fro many Nobles Gentlemen and others of both religions euen of the Kings companies retired from the Court home and among others the Prince Monpensier But the raging of the League and persecutions which encreased daily caused Henry de la tour Vicount Turenne to assemble some Forces in Limosine Perigord to whom many Captayne 's repayred out of the Countreyes about Limosine and Perigord and Quercye as the Lord Meriake with his regiment The selfe same causes enforced many Noble men and Gentlemen about Paris Niuernoys and all the countries betweene Seyne and Loyre many also out of Bourbonnoys and Berry being at the South side of Loyre accompanyed with many men of sundrye qualities and degrees to forsake their houses and take armes and the field and to repayre to these Prouinces that were of sure accesse vnto them These companies assygned the rendes vous in Berry intending thence to ioyne to the king of Nauarre in Gascoyne They were all Gentlemen Hargebusiers on Horsebacke betweene two or three hundred The men of Marke in these companies were the Lord of Pueilles Fort Laborde Landes Tauennes and others These companies of France marching toward Gascoyne ioyned with the Vicount Turenne about the end of August who within a litle space of time did encrease to the number of fiue or sixe thousand men About the same time another company of Noble men and Gentlemen likewise retyred out of their houses accompanyed with great troupes of souldiers and gaue the rendes vous in Berry among them these were the chiefest of name the Lords D'ouant Roysdulie Sauiere Campoys and diuers others which ioyned with the Prince of Conde being then at Pons in Xainctonge The Lord Montgomery with his company went as farre as to the king of Nauarre into Gascoyn his brother the Lord of Orges went to the Prince
immediatly began to make Trenches both to force the said castel and also to let succour from coÌ„ming in Companyes do arriue from euery where The Lord Bocage is sent by the king with commaundement to defend the trenches without enterprising any thing but onely to besiege the castell vntill the Lord Ioyeuse his comming who shortly after came thither with the Lord Chastres In meane time Rochemort and his companions rifled the chestes and treasures of Brissak and other which had conueyed their goods into that fort There was a great Bootie in plate and Iewels Neither could it be knowen what he had done with the greate horne of Unicorne which was kept there of old Certayne dayes being spent about the 29. of September in an after noone Rochemort leaning vpon one of the windowes of the Castell and there slumbering receaued two pellets of a gunne shot whereof the one cut his throat and the other his tongue and so dyed shortly after without speaking so by his death the castel was left without a guyd There were 9. Papistes and 5. of the reformed Religion within which could neuer agree but were still in disorder and confusion which caused that after the comming of the Lord Ioyeuse they within began to demaund parley which continued for certayne dayes Whilest these thinges so passed at Anger 's the Lord Clermont not knowing the death of Rochemort who was the ground of his drift had assembled in Normandie and in the countrey of Perche about sixe hundred men and sendeth a messenger to the Prince at the siege of Browage to aduerâ—ize him how the affayres do goe The 3. of October newes were brought vnto the Prince by expressed messenger of the taking of the Castell and how the inhabitants had trenched and besieged it with the forces of Brissak and of the countrey of Suy and after by the Lord Bocage sent by the King This newes caused the Prince to leaue his footemen before Browage and hee with his horsemen and certaine number of Harquebusiers on horseback to passe ouer the riuer Loyre to succour them who were within the castell and kept the same for the King of Nauarre being thereto encouraged by the appearance of the great aduauntage which seemed to consist in it for the aduauncing of the affaires of them of the reformed religion considering also that Brissack who by the partition of the League had obtained the gouernement of Aniow â—s is afore saide was one of the busiest Leaguers he waighed wel the dangers which might ensue as to draw al the Kings forces vpon himself and the difficulties of repassing the riuer Loyre he considered also that the remnant of his armie lest at Browage might bee discomfited by the Marshall Matignon Bellegarde gouernour of Xainctonge who might ioyne their forces together But on the other side hee hoped that being strengthened by receauing the companies of the Lord Clermont which hee had gathered as is afore said to the number of sixe hundred he would be able to fight against whom soeuer Also that by that new supplie of the Lord Clermont and by the fauour of some Castles which fauored him vpon the Loyre he might passe well enough and so returne with greater forces to the siege of Browage God had determined that no consideration nor counsell might disswade this Prince from this iourney to the end that he might shew in the beginning of this perilous warre how mightie his arme is in the preseruing of his children and how able hee is to weaken and dissipate the strength and arrogancie of his enemies who fret and fume take counsell and conspire together against his anoynted sonne That by this example all the children of God may learne not alwaies euen in a good cause to promise themselues victorie but to assure themselues that God will defend the iust cause alwaies and preserue them that call on his name whether they bee few or many The same day ariued from Rochel before Browage sixe pieces of batterie conducted by Mounser Personne who followed the shippes of warre which few daies before had ariued as is afore said About the 6. of October there was a great stur in the campe before Browage by reason of the Princes departing to Anger 's For in his absence there was no way to assure the Ilands nor the remnant of the armie which remayned there at that siege For the inhabitantes saw a manifest danger to themselues which thing made many of them resolue to giue ouer all and to repayre to Rochell whereby the souldiers there appoynted to remayne were greatly discouraged At length the Lord Saint Mesmes gouernour of Saint Jhan D'Angelye an aged man famous and of a long continued experience a man of great authority and welbeloued of the countrey was requested to take the gouernement of the companies appointed to continue the siege which thing after many wise declarations of the dangerous euents which he did foresee might happen both to them that went and also to them that remained at the siege yet hee did accept the charge with the great contentation of all men Monser Personne was made gouernour of the Nauie the Lord Ranques remained gouernour of Oleron Captaine Belon was appoynted to gather them of the Ilands and to commaund ouer them The chiefest regiments which remayned for tâ— continue that siege were the companies of the Lord Orges Saint Seuerin and Boysrond with whome were many voluntarie Souldiers beside them of the Ilands and two hundred Harquebusiers sent by the towne of Rochel On the 7. of October some captaines shewed themselues vnwilling to remaine considering the euents and inconueniences which might befall in the absence of the Prince so that the affaires were in greater trouble and the mindes in greater perplexitie then before But the Prince remedied all these things as well as hee could to strengthen the siege and sent to the Uicount Turene who was in perigord with great forces praying him to draw neere to fauour that siege But hee could not doo it hauing some occasions in hand and waiting for the comming of the King of Nauarre out of Gascoyne as it shall appeare hereafter About the same time the Senate of Paris hauing considered vpon the Popes excommunication giueth answer to the King in the which they grieuously condemne the Leaguers doo blame the King for hauing broken the edict of peace doo shew it to be impossible to bring to passe their enterprises doo reprooue the Pope for vsurping vpon Princes authorities and the liberties of the Crowne of France doo condemne the excomunication worthy to be burned counsell the King to pursue them who haue procured the same and to execute iustice vpon them as vpon traitors About the same time the King lead by his counsell who for the most part weare of the League and seruants to the Guyzes by them was borne in hand that they of the reformed religion had to great aduauntage by the edict of Iulie and that many both of the religion and Catholikes
had flocked together to the King of Nauarre Therefore he setteth foorth a declaration of the edict of Iuâ—ie by the which hee dooth admonish them that haue borne armes against the League of whatsoeuer religion they bee either to lay them downe or else to be taken for Rebells and their goods to be sould for the maintaining of the warre Hee commaundeth them of the religion which haue not borne armes to doo with their goods what they will and to depart the Realme within 15. dayes after the publication of the said declaration charging his officers to make diligent enquirie for the performing of the premises by the said declaration hee giueth libertie to women and children according to the former edict It is sayd before how the Prince notwithstanding all counsell and aduise to the contrarie determined to passe the riuer of Loyre all difficulties therfore set aside the eight of October the Prince departed out of his camp with his companies to Taillebourg appointing the rendes vous at a place nigh S. Ihan d'Angely His forces did consist of the companies of the Lord Rohan who were aboue sixe score braue Gentlemen the companies of the Lords Nemours Laual who had much nobilitie with him There were also the companies of the Lords Trimouille and Boulay his own companie which in number and nobilitie passed all others The Harquebusiers on horseback were they of his garde the Regiments of the Lord Aubigny Ousches Campoyse Touche Flesche others with many Gentlemen of Xainctonge and Poytow who were sent for by the Prince and put themselues vnder Noble men as they would themselues The whole of his forces came to the number of eight hundred horsemen and betweene one thousand or twelue hundred Harquebusiers on horsebacke There was a great deale more carriage than was expedient for a voyage to bee done with celeritie and diligence The 9. day the Prince being at Taillebourg the Artillerie which was sent from Rochel to the stege of Browage arriued in the riuer Charante to be brought againe to Rochel by Captaine Bordeaulx For the Prince at his departing from Marans had taken order to retire the Artillerie to auoyd what might ensue not intending to occupie it at Browage but onely to keepe the Towne blocked vntill his returne which hee hoped to bee shortly The same same day the Prince from Taillebourg went to lodge to Villeneufue la contesse where he vnderstood that the Ladie Trimouille was at S. Stephen about a league from thence where he went to salute her and after many spéeches about his marriage with her daughter the sayd Ladie vsed many perswasions to make her sonne the Lord Trimouille to breake his resolution in the which she sawe him to embarke himselfe on the side of the king of Nauarre threatning him of her accurse if he procéeded further But the sayd yong Lord shewed her with much submission and obeisance that if she would weigh the reasons which mooued him so to doo grounded vpon iustice and honour and on the contrary side the vniust cause of the League he was assured that she would turne her cursing into blessing so that he remayned resolute both to followe that part and also not to forsake the Prince in that voyage The tenth day of October all the companies tooke their way toward Niort Baesuiere Argenton Viers and Tence There the Lord S. Gelayes Marshall of the Princes campe with the companie of the Lord Boulay with a certaine number of Harquebusiers on horsebacke departed to goe before to get the bancke of Loyre and following the side of the riuer vpwarde to search some occasion to passe the riuer eyther by surprizing of boates or milles met with a certaine companie of Gentlemen of the League very well appoynted with armour and horses going to the succour of Anger 's whom they tooke and all their carriage The 11. day the Lord Aubigny and Bouet tooke the strong Abbey of S. Maure vpon the riuer of Loyre where was a garrison of the League There they did no violence to the Monkes but licensed them to depart whether they would They tooke the Prior and sent him to the Prince at S. Gemes who courteously entertayned him in his owne house and safely sent him to Anger 's The 14. day Captaine Flesche being of that countrey had aduaunced and began to passe at the towne of Rosiers for there were no companies of the enemies on all that coast For as much as it was thought incredible that without any other intelligences the Hugonets durst passe so great a riuer in a manner in the sight of two great townes to wit Sanâ—â—re aboue where they had retyred all the boates thereabouts and Anger 's beneath where they had forces both of footmen and horsemen greater than any the Prince had so that many seeing such silence suspected y t there was some lying in waite And as for the Lord Clermont whom we haue sayd to haue left the Prince at Pons to passe ouer Loyre to gather the forces of them of the reformed religion scattered in those popish countreys there was no more newes of him than if he had not béen in the world and indeed then he was aboue thirtie leagues from them But Captaine Flesche had seazed vppon three boates laden with wine which after he had caused to bée landed vpon the water side he prepared them to carrie the armie ouer The 15. of October he passed first and lodged at Rosiers and after him passed the Lord Aubiguy with his Regiment that day the Prince arriued at S. Gemes with his troupes which lodged in the villages about The same day also arriued the Lords Saint Gelayse and Boulay to the Prince they had been scouring the wast of the riuer For the right vnderstanding of this voyage the situation and places of the countrey is to be noted In all this discourse we will make mention of three riuers the Loyre Lolion and Loir On the South side of Loyre there bee two townes Samur and Pont de sell betwéene these two townes there be foure other litle townes the Abbey of Planpierd S. Gemes the Abbey of S. Maure and S. Mathurine On the North side of the riuer Loyre right against S. Gemes is the towne Rosiers and betwéene these two townes in the riuer is an Iland in this place passed ouer the Prince and his armie The next riuer on the North side of Loyre is Lolion a little riuer but very déepe and running slowly it washeth part of Vandomoys and Anjou and falleth into the riuer of Loyre at Pont de sel On the North side of the riuer Lolion in the middle way betweene the sayd riuer and Anger 's is situated the towne of Beaufort The third riuer is Loire falling from the countrey of Beause through Vandomoys Anjou receauing 2. other riuers comming from the countrey called Perche which are Sarthre and Huyne and a little aboue Anger 's do fall into the riuer Loyre and somewhat beneath Anger 's
for the which cause he had ordayned aforehand prouisions of corue and wine to be set vp in certayne townes and cities among others the Duke de Mayne was appoynted to that warre not as one who was thought fit for that charge but for the causes which do follow As the Guyzes to wit the Dukes Guyze Mame Cardinal bretheren Aumale cosin vnto them did consent in these three points to wit in altering the state by transporting the crowne from the true owners and haires into their familie in killing degrading or at least disinheriting the house of Bourbon and destroying the auncient nobilitie whom they knew would resist their atempts and beare vnpacientlie their vsurped tiranny The Priests were the fire brands to kindle this ambitious rage and by their money to aduaunce the same So they all did prouide to bring this treason to effect that of all things the kings forces should not fall into any other hands then in to their own or of their partakers but specially that none of the Princes of the bloud should by any meanes be armed with the guiding of the Kings power Wee see then how they all did agree to vndoe the King with his owne forces But herein they did vary for euery one had particular fetches and drifts which did swim in their braynes whereby they went about to aduaunce their particular affaires by the Kings forces for the Duke of Guize did determine to stay nigh the Kings person and not to goe farre from Paris and Belgike where he had gotten great fauours and many partakers there expecting either fit oportunitie to strike the blowe which he had long afore hand purposed or else at the least hee bearing the sway about the Kinges person and counsell might both spy and preuent the Kings driftes and policie if he should seeme to wauer neuer so little and keepe of the Princes of the bloud and Nobilitie from entring into fauour with the King whereby they might disapoint his driftes He also imagined that whatsoeuer might happen Paris and the Belgike being at his deuotion either were able to defend him againstthe Kings attempts or else if the King might be cut off by any misfortune the saide citie and countrey would be able to lift him vp into that roome whereon he did so greatly desire to sit euen against the consent of the rest of the realme and against his owne brother the Duke De Maine whose emulation hee not onely alwaies suspected and desired to preuent but also endeuored to send him farre from the said King citie and countrey beside that he knew to be a fit instrument by skilfull entising and policie to seduce their great and populous cities of Poytiers Limoges Perigueux Bourdeaulx others where he should come regarding not at whose deuotion those cities might bee so that they were not in the power and fidelitie of the King or of the King of Nauarre that by so much they might be weakened The Duke De Mayne being appointed for Guienne not to subdue it but to haue the Kings forces in the hands and at the deuotion of the League and farre from him if at a pinch he should haue neede of them was very vnwilling to depart from Paris to his iourney aleaging alwaies some excuse The causes of his vnwillingnes were loue ambition and feare the obiects of these affections were Masters Saint Beusue and other Courtesans in the towne of Paris where he walowed himselfe in filthie pleasures and whoredome as the Boare in the myre his owne brother whome hee would haue preuented what occasion might haue happened by keeping Paris ouer his head for he was acquainted with the intents and driftes of the League as one of the chiefest of them yet vncertaine of the euents and what in his absence being so farre from Paris might happen vnto the King he would faine haue kept Paris still in possession so that if either nature or violence should bereaue the King of his life â—e might haue that capitall mightie rich and factious citie in his owne possession by whose helpe hee supposed to ataine to his long wished desires and become his eldest brothers master The third cause was feare and the obiect thereof the King of Nauarre for knowing that the said King of Nauarre was priuie to their driftes not onely by his deepe and princelike prudencie many euident tokens and their own too manifest attempts but speciallie by their inticing him and them of the reformed Religion to their conspiracie and faction knowing him also to be a Prince most faithfull to the state Crowne and Realme of France a Prince of great valour and implacable to traitors thus hauing a conscience which is more then a thousand witnesses guiltie feare made him continually to enter into such apprehensions that he thought certainly to goe into Guienne was to goe to a most assured death Thus these two bretheren aspiring both to the crowne yet did varie in thoughts as the auncient saying is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Duke De Mayne would faine to keepe the possession of Paris and therefore maketh many excuses hauing not sometime money enough another time hauing to weake forces sometime aleaging health sometime the vnseasonable weather The Duke of Guize was greatly desirous to haue him out of Paris supposing that there his shadowe did infect the citie and therefore to take away all excuse least he should aleage his forces not to be sufficient to march with the King of Nauarre he caused the King to adde vnto him the regiments of Swissers So the Duke De Mayne hauing eight thousand Swissers twelue regiment of French footemen twelue hundred horsemen French Forces sufficient for a good Captaine to subdue the whole countrey receaued eight and twentie thousand Crownes which the treasorer of the Cleargie deliuered him and shortlie after eyght and twentie thousand more and not long after his departing sent him foure and fiftie thousand more Yet the King could by no meanes perswade him to take his iourney for the Kings commaundements he regarded not vntill the newes came to the King that the Prince of Conde had passed Loyre out of Poytow into Anjou so that at length with great importunacie being perswaded by his brother that in the absence of the Prince being as if it were inclosed in he might easily subdue all that countrey and that it was neede with his armie all by one voyage to goe to the other side of Loyre to let the repassing of the Prince if he should atempt it about the 23. of October weeping and wayling as a child he went out of Paris assured of stripes if he should come within the reach of the said King of Nauarre And wher as at his departing he had opened his timerousnes to euiuently he thought good to couer it with the cloake of vanitie for want of a better in breathing bloud slaughter and fire in words and bragges which at length were turned into a blast of colde winde yet fully resolued
and that his enemies should not haue the praise nor triumph ouer them For afterward it was confessed by the enemies which were in the armie of Ioyeuse and the League that this handfull of men wearied scattered amazed and alreadie ouercome was to all those troopes who would haue swallowed them vp such a terrour that if they had offered to set vpon them they might happely haue found them easie to bee dealt withall For the enemies were perswaded that the Prince would neuer haue enterprized such a iourney vnlesse he had béen able to beate downe all that had come before him All that night in the which they lodged at S. Arnol there was great reasoning among them of the Counsell what was expedient to bee done The Lord Rohan with many Gentlemen of his company sayd that the further they should goe that way the déeper they should sinke in daunger that the best part of their forces had passed ouer Loyre with the Lord Laual and that the armie did slide away daily they that had friends in Vandomoys Beause Mayne Perche did steale away the enemie being fresh and strong did approach on them on euery side and that the further they went vpward the néerer they did drawe to their misfortune Let him carrie his head to Paris who would said he for I will carrie mine into Britaine and fight with him that will let me So vppon these spéeches seeing not the contrary reasons of any force tooke his leaue from the Prince his iorney toward Britaine whether he came through many difficulties and dangers and in time notwithstanding the endeuour of the Duke Mercure with safetie he passed the riuer of Loyre beneath Nants and repayred to Rochel with great ioy and contentation of all men for his safe returne This separation was as a second thunderboult from heauen vpon this armie which is no more to bee called an armie but a small companie for there was no more but the companies of the Prince and of the Lord Trimouille whereof some had forsaken him There were also left some companies of the Harquebusiers on horseback of the Lord Clermont of whom many had alreadie retired to their houses then they began to looke euery one vppon his fellowe shrugging with their shoulders euery one did beleeue that if there were any safetie it must miraculously come from heauen and many which before in matters of prayer and conscience had giuen themselues to great licentiousnes began to enter into consideration and to reforme themselues The Prince remayning so with these few companyes had a number of carryage wherewith he was so hampered that he could not rid himselfe of it He sent the Lord Saint Gelays with some gentlemen of Poytow to the number of 30. horses to ryde toward Vendosme and some where to take loginges commodious for the companies which followed But in the way they heard newes that the Lord Lauerdine with some number of men had entred into Vendosme to cut that way from the Prince and that the night before some Souldiers of the company of the Lord Clermont tooke prisonners some of the company of the Lord Benhare gouernor of Vendosme who brought some store of armor to theyr master The 30. of October the rest of the companies arryued at Saint Anne nigh Vendosme where they thought to haue departed logings but for the pouerty of the place they stayed not there In this wandering through the countrey of Beause some of the company of Captayne Bonet tooke the Lord Rosins who comming from Paris with a Pasport from the King which he shewed them not supposing they had béen of the religion was going to the King of Nauarre This Lord had foure notable great horses The Dragons for so were called the Harquebuziers on horsebacke weary of their tyred horses chaunged with the great horses of the fayd Lord Rosins and with great ioy carryed him away with them But he being knowen by the Lord Saint Gelays hee caused them to restore him his horses and to take their tyred horses agayne The sayd Lord Rosins was conducted to the Prince and shewed him the rage wherewith his enemies prepared themselues to compasse him about and besides hee told him many thinges sufficient to make him take some resolution But it was nothing to the aduertisements sent him from diuers places as that he was inclosed on euery side and that shortly he should haue the enemy to come vpon him with forces farre vnequall to his and that it was high time to handle his affayres wisely without delaying till tomorrow On the other side he was aduertyzed that the meanes to repasse Loyre toward Bloys were cut off by reason that the enemies nigh at hand had preuented it The Prince arryuing at the towne of Salowme a league beyond Saynt Anne gathered his counsell and all reasons wayghed on euery side he was earnestly requested by all them that were present to prouide for the safety of his person the which being conducted in a safe place the rest by Gods helpe would in time find out some way of deliuerance The reasons whereby hee was perswaded to take some resolution were these First that his retire would be more honorable to him and more shameful to the enemy then to hazard as if it were through dispayre vpon a battell whereof the issue could not bee but very perilous both to his person to the whole estate of the reformed religion Secondly that in such extremity and disfauour there was gotten honor ynough by a singular grace of God to haue auoyded the rage of so great forces of his enemies who did hold him as if hee were enclosed and compassed round about and to snatch from them the glory which they had promised to themselues already of his death before that euer they durst looke him in the face and that the valoure of noble courage was shewed as well in auoyding an euident danger as in the exploits of battell Thirdly that the passages were not so closed vp but that there was meanes to escape to some safe place It was hard to make him condiscend to these reasons yet at length conuicted by the way of intreaty and necessity hee concluded to retire But afore he would depart that night with his constancye accustomed hee tooke order for the parting of his companies euen of his owne household The Lord Saynt Gelayes with some of the companies and part of his Gards should goe toward Loyre to ioyne with the Lords Aubiguy and Brisduly who were gone to search passage towardes Loyre and such of his houshould seruantes as would not or could not follow the Lord Saynt Gelays he directed them to retyre to some friendes of his in the countrey Furthermore that the Lord Clermont should retyre some where with his companies This being done about 11. of the clocke at night he departed with a smal company with the Lords Trimouille and Auantigny and other gentlemen with few of his chiefest houshold seruants The waies which he tooke
Nauarre ioyned themselues with the Lord Turenne who within a short space grew to the number of sixe thousand With this power the Vicount Turenne kept the field in Limosin Perigord and about the time that the Prince departed from Browage to his iourney to Anger 's letters came vnto him from the Prince by the which he willed him to drawe néere Browage to fauour the siege thereof Vppon the receipt of these letters the Lord Turenne called his counsell together to knowe what was to be done There was then reasoned among them of the necessitie of his presence at that siege On the other side aduertisement was giuen that the armie of the League vnder the conduct of the Duke de Mayne was drawing nigh toward Guyenne although it was not yet scarse out of Paris and that the same was beaten with diuers disseases and among others the Swissers which made them conclude that occasion might be giuen to worke some good exployt vpon that armie and if not discomfited yet greatly it might be molested Agayne he had receaued letters of the King of Nauarre who aduertized him that he was at the poynt to depart out of Bearne to Bergerake ward in Perigord and therfore warned him to be in a readines that if néede should be he might ioyne with his Maiestie So that considering all these waightie occasions hée could not succour the siegr of Browage staying for the Duke de Mayne and expecting the King of Nauarre his comming He had many good occasions to enterprize vpon certaine Townes in Limosin as vpon the Citie of Trile Brune la galiarde and others in those quarters Trile is a Citie in Limosin a Bishops seate situated in a valley compassed about with high hilles which doo commaund the Towne It hath thrée fayre Suburbs about it and there is a little riuer named Vestere which washing the walls passeth by the Suburb which is greater than the citie Therein is a Frierie of the Franciscans which is inclosed about with a strong wall and for that cause the inhabitants had retyred and committed their goods to the Friers keeping which thing fell out very ill for them The high suburbe is like the first in greatnes the third is lesser than the other twaine The 8. day of Nouember the Lord Choupes with a great number of Gentlemen and Souldiers set on the lowe Suburbe The Lord Turenne who commaunded ouer the Harquebusiers which came out of France staying at the Franciscans house which is situated at the ende of the Suburbe set the gate on a fire and vppon occasion entered further euen to the Trenches which they of the Towne had made and after long skirmishing and killing of some of both parts wonne the same The high Suburbe at the same time by other companies as they were appoynted was also assaulted which they of the Suburbe did resist at the Trenches but at length enforced did retyre within the Towne They of the Towne being besieged all round about defended themselues vpon the walls without issuing out at all for the space of sixe daies The 13. day of Nouember were applied two péeces at the gate which made some way to enter in but they of the Towne did their endeuour to defend the breach which being not assaultable the assault was giuen ouer The siege continuing many of the Towne were slaine which caused the rest fearing to bee forced not to refuse the perswasions of Amaury who counselled them to capitulate Hostages being giuen of both sides the Kings Lieutenant with some of the chiefest Citizens came foorth to the Lord Turenne who was lodged at the gray Friers the agréement was long debated and at length concluded The 16. day of Nouember they of the Towne consented to redéeme the Towne and the ransaking of their houses with a certaine summe of money Furthermore it was agréed that a Captaine stranger with such as were left of his companie for most of them had béen slaine should goe foorth out of their Towne and they should receiue Captaine Amaury This Captaine Amaury was he of all the armie whom they feared most and yet did they requested to haue him whom they receaued for their gouernour and there he remayned in that charge vntill the comming of the Duke de Mayne About the 10. of December considering that the place was not sufficient to resist such an armie he gaue ouer the Towne into the hands of the Citizens and within fewe dayes after was slaine as followeth Within a while after the taking of this Citie the Lord Turenne retired his companies in garrisons in places of greater importance The 25. of December Amaury was aduertized that the Lord Sacramore of Birague this is that Sacramore whom after the Duke de Mayne killed in his anger with his owne hand one of the Leaguers was not farr from Turenne with a companie of Harquebusiers to lay in ambush and as he aduaunced himselfe one of his owne Souldiers too hastie to shoote with his péece hit him by misfortune and killed him and after they retyred to Turenne The Duke de Mayne sporting himselfe made good théere at y e Priests costs but it was no matter for holy Roode did pay for all and doth conquer Kingdomes in Perigord and Limosin and about the 27. of December tooke Montignake le conte an olde Towne and ruinous Castle belonging to the King of Nauarre He tooke also Beaulieu such a Fort as no man which hath any skill in warlike affayres would make any accompt of And ten daies after the inhabitants who were al of the reformed religion redeemed their Towne with one thousand Crownes which were payed to Antefort About the 17. of December the Duke de Mayne recouered Trile which the Lord Turenne had caused Amaury to surrender into the hands of the inhabitants about ten daies before because that place was not defensable The D. de Mayne at length perceiuing y t his practises against the Cities and Townes of Limosin Perigord would not frame determined to passe the riuer Dordonne at Souliake into Quercy leauing behind him Monfort a strong place and many other Townes and Holds because hee could not carrie them away with him It is sayd before how that the King of Nauarre in August last went into Languedock to S. Paul de Cadeioux where he met with the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Monmorency to aduertise them of their defence The sayd King remayned afterward in Bearne in great silence and quietnes viewing how farre all this league and vnion would proceede expecting the producing of some lamentable euents and as if it were out of his watch would become of the thrée great armies prepared for Guyenne Languedock and Daulphine and being hidden vnder the wing of the most high mused what would bee the end of the fierie threatnings and bragges of his enemies bearing patiently their insolencie euen to the danger of his owne person It is also sayd how that the Leaguers had procured an excommunication from Frier Sixtus
enter into a Fryery But if the king would follow good counsell he should keepe himselfe as he is For the eight point he praieth the king to geue ouer the preferring and placing of Abbots and Bishops to their liuings but to referre that to the Priestes themselues to the Chapters of Canons and Monkes and to leaue the disposition of Bishoprickes and Abbeyes to their elections and discretions Here Sir Henekyn is very carefull for the king he willeth him to forbeare to swallow such big morsels as Bishopricks and Abbeyes for the Note daunger which may ensue which is choaking but to leaue such fat morsels to them that haue throats big ynough to swallow down whole Stéeples The king hath resigned part of his royall authority to the Leaguers now to do well he shall resigne another part to Frier Syxtus and the third to the Priestes and then let him walke carelesse Ninthly he prayeth the king to take some good order that the Priests may be honoured renerenced and capped and that their iurisdiction may be restored to them and not interrupted hereafter Dixi. Here is the fourth part of the kinges authority which Sir Henekyn Note would fayne to wrest out of his hand that the Priestes may execute an infernall tyranny ouer the soules and bodies of men And to conclude his chattering hee doth promise to the king great blessinges here vppon earth and afterward the kingdome of heauen so that he will roote out and destroy them whom hee calleth heretikes Note here that Sir Henekyn doth call them heretikes who doth distroy their vngodly lewd liues and filthy pleasures as dronkennes glottony whoredome and worse then that Also he would haue the King to roote out that is to kill all whom these ghostly fathers shall appoint him Last of all to play the Turke to make hauock of all things to fill the earth with bloud is the way to ascend vp to Heauen quoth Sir Henekin well said sir Henekin by Saint Mary you haue said as well as euer I heard any of your occupation About the 30. of Nouember the King of Nauarre being at Bergerak and vnderstanding that his paâ—iencie had kindled the rage of his enemies and his moderatenes had increased the insolencie of the Leaguers and that after the dispearsing of the Princes armie the crueltie of the edict of vnion and declaration thereof the 7. of October was euery where executed with proscriptions murthers losses of goods dignities and honours dooth make an edict throughout his gouernement of Guienne to be executed wherein hee sheweth that whereas his silent patience and moderatenes had serued nothing but to increase the outragious excesses and cruelties of the seditions and rebells he is inforced to folow the course and order folowing First that all the goods lands rents fruites debts actions and accounts of all the inhabitants of those townes and places where the edict of Iulie and declaration thereof hath been published and executed and also of all Gentlemen or others bearing armes with the Leaguers and their partakers also of all Ecclesiasticall persons wheresoeuer who are contrarie vnto his part and of all whatsoeuer who are contributaries vnto his enemies within the Gouernement of Guienne to bee seazed vpon stayed and put in the hands of his commissioners to bee sould or farmed to him that will giue most Secondly forbiddeth all manner of persons who are indebted vnto such to pay them or their assignes or partakers any debt but commaundeth them to repayre vnto his Lieutenants generall or officers of his receites to declare and reueale al debts vpon paine of death and to pay fourefold that the said goods may be employed to the vse of warre al graines and fruites to be put in such places for store houses as shall be appoynted by his officers Thirdly he commaundeth the like to be executed vpon them who shall refuse to pay the contributions or the worke men at the fortifications and also that shal refuse to be contributaries in the deuiding of their fruites for the prouision of stoare houses which shall be conueniently made for the sustaining of the warre Fourthly the like intertainement to be done vnto the aboue said as the enemies shall intreate them of the reformed religion or Catholicks who haue ioyned themselues to him in that iust cause and necessarie defence charging all officers both to publish and execute the same edict without delay About the 25. of December the King as a man that studied nothing else but onely how to vexe molest trouble torment and vtterly euen with the losse of his realme and estate to roote out them of the reformed religion setteth forth an order of persecution which he commaundeth to be published at euerie court and in euery market wherein to help the memorie of persecutors he commaundeth then to haue books deuided in fiue chapters The first of them that hauing borne armes haue retired back and meant to be conuerted to poperie The second of them who haue or doo beare armes The third of them that according to the edict haue departed out of the realme The fourth of them that haue not departed out of their houses but are returned to poperie The fift of them that haue remained in their houses and doo persist in the reformed religion which he calleth heresie All the penaltie came to this that they shall bee persecuted all to death except they will abiure and all their goods seazed vpon and imployed to the vse of warre Furthermore he dooth promise a certaine forme of abiuration to bee sent into the countrey and willeth the Bishops to appoint in townes of their dioces their vickars generals to receaue their abiuration and to giue them absolution About the same time one Sir William Ruse Bishop of Anger 's did set foorth in his dioces vnto al Priests a forme of abiuration which the said Priests should enforce vpon them that had professed the true religion and had obeyed or would obey the Kings edict Wherein first hee dooth propound vnto them the Nicen simbole Secondly they shall allowe all the traditions of the Apostles and of the holy Mother Church of Rome By the traditions of the Apostles and holy Church hee vnderstandeth Note all the intusiasmes and dronken dreames all the sottish and heathenish devises of the phantasticall frantick dronken Popes Cardinalls Bishops Monkes and Friers which wee must needes to holde for articles of the faith because sir William hath said so Thirdly they shall beleeue that there is seauen Sacraments And why shall we not beleeue seauen thousand as well as seauen seeing Note that the seauen thousand are as well proued by the worde of God as the seauen Fourthly that all rites and ceremonies vsed in the ministration of the said seauen sacraments are good Al the crossings charmings duckings kissings howlings chauntings Note mumblings iuglings coniurings blowings slomberings gaddings turnings moppings c. Are either articles of faith or else as good as the articles of our
beliefe Fiftly they shall beleeue that in the transubsâ—antiation the bread and Wine are chaunged into the bodie bloud soule and deitie of Christ Sir William Ruze either is an asse who knoweth not what he saith or else a false Prophet which leadeth men to a strange God for such a paradoxe Note was yet neuer heard in Christs Church that the Bread and Wine was changed into Christs deitie Sixtly he saith that wee must beleeue the Masse to be a sacrifice propiciatorie for the sinnes of the quick and the dead What proofes hath Sir William Ruze to shew out of Gods word that the Masse is a propiciatorie sacrifice for sinne more then the sacrifices of Note the heathens Last of all the fire of purgatorie the hauing and worshipping of their Images the adoring of Reliques and praying vnto them and also that the counsell of Trent is to be receaued as good Catholick and an article of the faith of the Church of Rome All these things are articles of faith which they that will goe to the diuell must needes beleeue but cleane contrarie vnto the faith of the true Note Catholick and Apostolick Church The persecutions imprisonments seazing of goods and abiurations had begun and went forward in diuers places but especiallie in such as were addicted to the League long before and had receaued the last edict set forth by the King And among other places there is a towne in Poytow called Niort great and rich where the faires and martes of the countrey beyond Loyre are kept This towne had béen seduced of long time and of all townes in France most earnestly adicted to the League there of all places and in the townes there abouts they began most cruelly to persecute the Church which was assembled at Saint Gelays in the which persecution many bowed downe the knee to Baall Therefore about the 20. of December Lewis Blachiere Pastor of that Church hauing retired to Rochel and vnderstanding the fall of many in that heate of persecution writeth a letter to raise them that are fallen and to binde that which was broken In the which first hee sheweth the vse of persecution that is to discerne the true Disciples of Christ from false bretheren and hypocrits who yeeld and turne after euery winde of doctrine Secondly hee dooth terrifie them that are fallen by the threatnings of Christ against them that shall denie him before men Thirdly he detecteth the subtiltie of the enemie in the forme of his abiuration in that he hath made a doore of golde to enter into a priuy or dongeon full of filth stinking and poysoned ayre placing in the beginning the Nicen simbole afterward patcheth to it all the filthie abominations of Antichrist Fourthly hee sheweth to them that are fallen the gate of mercie to remaine alwaies open to them which seeke the right meanes to enter in and that repentance is neuer too late Last of all them who doo stand he doth encourage to preferre the confession of the son of God wherein doth consist eternall life before this present life or the commodities and pleasures thereof Thus wee will make an end of this second Booke of this Tragicall Historie raised vp in the Kingdome of France by the Leaguers The end of the second Booke THE THIRD BOOKE IT is shewed in the former Booke how the Leaguers after hauing long vnder hand practised the supplanting of the house of Valoys at length did burst out into a manifest rebellion I haue shewed what pretence coulour and buckler they tooke to wit religion iustice the Cardinall of Bourbon Thou hast seene gentle reader how the King tooke them for enemies rebels and traitors and some of their partakers were condemned and executed for such Also by what meanes practises and wicked counsell the King was drawne to ioyne friendship and armour and to deuide his kingdome with them whome hee a little before had declared rebels and traitors What edicts declarations iniunctions the King afterward set out in fauour of them against the reformed religion The atemptes of Merceur in the Lowe Poytow the exploytes done by the Prince of Conde in Xainctonge Poytow and his voyage beyond Loyre to Anger 's and the successe of that voyage the exployces done by the Vicount Turenne the comming of the Duke De Mayne with his armie and all his conquest in Perigord and Limosin Now will we begin the third Booke with the beginning of Ianuarie The first day of Ianuarie the King of Nauarre being at Montoban a citie in Quercie wrote letters vnto all the states of France and first of all vnto the sacrificing Priests commonlie called the Cleargie in the which he protesteth first of his moderatenes which he hath vsed toward all men euen in the middle of warre and that hee hath often times remitted sundrie and great iniuries done to him in respect of the publick peace Secondly he complaineth of them that they doo assist with their power and meanes them who making their ambition a zeale to holy Church and the reuenging of their priuat discontentments with a publick warre haue set the whole realme in a miserable cumbustion Thirdly hee letteth them vnderstand that he feareth neither their money their names nor the armes of his enemies but pittyeth the state of the poore people who doth suffer all the oppressions and miseries which will ensue these enterprizes of his enemies Fourthly he threatneth them that they who should be the vpholders of peace and the support of the poore people shall answere before God for all the bloodshed confusions vices and miseryes which the warre caryeth with it for entertayning with their meanes and norishing with their goods this vniust and damnable warre with the disorders which insue thereof Fiftly hee protesteth that hee hath proffered himselfe to be tryed by a conference and distentation in a free counsel but they haue preferred war fire and sword before these good lawdable and ordinary meanes of conference which is most worthy of man Last of all he sheweth them that this warre is most vnworthy of Christians but specially of such as do pretend to bee teachers and Doctors of the Gospell and committing his innocency and iust cause to God warneth them that the dangers of warre are common as well to them as to him and his so maketh an end with them Vnto the Nobility hee rehearseth the summe of all thinges passed euer since the raising vp of the League First how that in the middest of peace these sturres are bred and borne Secondly he reciteth with what patience he hath borne all the iniuries proffered vnto him by the Leaguers who haue made him the subiect and scope of their warre Thirdly he putteth them in remembrance of all the Kings actions before the edict of vnion how the King declared them rebels and perswaded them as such in all his courtes of Parliament And how they to wit the Nobility haue béen armed agaynst the Leaguers and that all these actions of the king did proceed
Chaumont and Nerake by the Duke de Mayn The next exployt done by this victorious Captaine was at Castets This is a little towne and a Castle belonging to the Lord Fabas which place the Marshall Matignon had besieged before the space of ten dayes before the Dukes comming and had made a sufficient breach The Duke de Mayne to defraude the sayd Lord Matignon of that little honour compounded secretly with the sayd Lord Fabas thus That the Lord Fabas first should haue twelue thousand Crownes for the losse of the house and of the goods which were in it and so should surrender the same Castle to the Duke de Mayne to be rased which was performed so Castets was wonne with an assault of money the Lord Matignon was defrauded and the Duke de Mayne had the glorie and if it pleaseth him he shall be called Castensis of Castets as Scipio Carthaginensis of the winning of Carthage The next place was Meylan an olde ruinous Towne wherein was Captaine Melune with a small garrison who considering the weaknes of the place gaue it ouer supposing that it was more profitable to let y e Duke de Mayne to haue that place for a while than to defend it There the Duke with all his armie tooke great paynes to beate downe old ruinous walles which no man did defend least it should be sayd that he had done nothing From the rasing of the walles of Meylan he went to Saint Bazeile a towne situated vpon the riuer of Garonne hauing like ruinous old and decayed walles and forts as the aforesaid townes had There were fewe of the religion in garrison who after hauing sustayned certayne shot of ordinance and assaults they considering that it was not a place to obstinate themselues therein compounded to their great aduantage Amorith did neuer so reioyce at the winning of Constantinople as this Duke did for Saint Bazeile By by the Lord Saisseual the Dukes Curiero was sent to the King in post with hast hast hast to aduertize him of these great conquests and to fetch money to conquer more This dispatch done he marched with this armie to Monsegne This is an old Towne decayed in Bayadoys where the exercize of the reformed religion had béen appoynted to bee had by the edict of peace so chosen not for the strength thereof but for because it was thought most commodious for the whole countrey there to assemble This towne was kept by fewe of the religion These fewe made so little account of that armie and of the Captaine thereof that after they had caused him to bestowe two thousand and some hundred shot of ordinance with certayne weekes of siege and certayne assaults which were deare vnto the enemie they yéelded themselues with conditions very honorable but pernicious to them For the Souldiers comming foorth with their armes agaynst faith and promise were slaine for the most part of them in the middest of that cowardly army part of them notwithstanding saued themselues and retyred to Chastilion where afterward they had their penyworth of the enemie for that treacherie and the death of their fellowes The towne was giuen to the spoyle but there was nothing found but the bare walles When he had done these conquests and exploytes vpon the riuer of Garonne he went to rest himselfe at Bourdeaux for the space of two moneths to wit Aprill and May and part of Iune as though he had wonne Carthage where he practised the citizns to the League and when he was wearie of his conspiring allured by the pleasantnes of the place and felicitie of the Countrey he putteth off the person of a Captaine and played the Poet in writing such riming verses as he could of his loue And while this great Captaine was thus occupied they of the religion fortified Meylan and many other townes vpon the same riuer of Garonne and made them stronger and better furnished then euer heretofore they had been so that the traffick of that riuer betweene Bourdeaux Thoulouse was stopped more straightly then euer it had been before Whereupon many who had commerce vpon that riuer being greatly decayed and some hauing broken their credit and other which were in danger to doo the like did agree with them of the religion for the opening of the traffick blessing with many bitter curses the League the Captaine and the armie which had bragged and promised much and done nothing but onely prouoked them of the religion and wasted the countrey The Duke de Mayne hauing recreated himselfe so long was vrged by the King who expected dayly to heare miracles wrought by this captaine and his armie to lead the same out of that citie to doo some exploite more moued by the earnest sute of the Lady de Mayne his wife which had a stomack to them of Chastilion at length hee determined to besiege the saide Towne Chastilion is a little town vpon Dordonne three Leagues aboue Liborne and three Leagues beneath Saint â—oy hauing Montrauell on the one side about a League and Gensak another towne on the other side so much distant of this towne the Duke was Lorde it was almost forsaken of the inhabitants Therein the King of Nauarre had placed the Baron Saliniak with a small Garison not to obstinate himselfe therein but to minister some play to that armie that weary with doing nothing at length it might be reduced to nothing Captaine Alen Coronnean with some other gentlemen and others had folowed of their owne motion the said Baron there they were in all to the number of nine hundred Souldiers About the 18. of Iune at the first approache of the enemie they issued out with such courage that their sallie cost the liues of a great number of their enemies They within the towne had made a barticado at the ende of a suburb which they defended ten daies against all that armie and all the shot of their Ordinance But at length being inforced to retire into the towne out of the which they issuing oftentimes gaue many fearefull alarums and hot skirmishes vnto the enemie with the losse of the liues of many During this siege of Chastilion the Lorde Saissiual returned from the King and brought letters of credit of thirtie thousand Crownes but no man was willing to buie so deare a piece of paper Yet the Duke gaue not them ouer so hoping that the priests would haue him in their memento at Masse and would blesse him yet with some more money but to satisfie his wiues stomack he would venture that little remuant of credit of his which rested wherefore hee caused many great rampiers of earth to bee made as though he had to besiege Ierusalem The siege continued seauen weekes in the which space the Vicount Turenne with a few notwithstanding that great armie victualed the Towne and fortified Montrauil a towne situated vpon a hil and Gensak on the other side each of them distant from Chastilian a little League On another side Captaine Beutune a man of
great valour went forth out of Saint Foy to attempt vpon that armie and in the conflict the said Beutune and the Lord Maligny a valiant young Gentleman Sonne to the Lorde Beauuoyr with two Souldiours more were slaine and the Lord Piles hurt On the side of the Leaguers were slaine three men of armes Charles of Birague and Grimaldie were taken prisoners Monardy was wounded During this long siege the plague waxed so hot within the towne that of nine hundred there remained but two hundred a liue whereof many were infected other were wounded their Chirurgions were dead medicines to heale with powder and shot fayled them there was left but two old women which serued them in steade of Chirurgions and cookes So that God disposed of those inuincible hearts that were almost destitute of force meanes of defence after the discharging of sixe thousand shot of ordinance seauen weekes of siege at length hauing lost but sixe skore persons onely by the lot of warre and among them but sixe Gentlemen onely Chastilion was surrendered by composition In the surrendring they that were whole did escape away they that were sick were sent forth The Duke to please his wiues minde would neuer consent that the inhabitantes should bee comprehended in the capitulation because they were his tenants yet at the instant request of the Vicount of Aubeterre they were promised to receaue no hurt but notwithstanding contrarie to promise most of them who were found in the towne were executed the spoyle of the towne was giuen to the Souldiours but there they found nothing but few raggs infected with pestilence The Lorde Salignak Captaine Alen and Coronnean with thirteene Gentlemen more were taken prisoners and sent to the Castells of Bourdeaux and Blaye to be safelie kept whence not long after they were deliuered by exchange for Popish Gentlemen who were prisoners at Bergerark Saint Foy and Rochel The follie câ—wardlines leaud and voluptuous life of this conquerour his traiterous intent which was that vnder colour of conducting the Kings armie sought nothing but to make himself strong against the King by seducing his people vnder colour of the Catholick religion being spied of the most part of the captains but especially by the Swissers and Colonell of the French footemen also the small gaine which they haue had for the space of a whole yeare and the little seruice which they had done to their Kings intollerable charges and the small reputation which they had gotten by seruing vnder such a Captaine caused many to disband themselues some for lack of paie refused to be any longer imployed In Aprill last while the Duke was wallowing in filth in the citie of Bourdeaux the Duke of Guize vpon aduertisement of his brother who greatly feared the Vicount Turenne which watcht for him vnder euerie hedge came to Paris to shew the King that if his brother the Duke de Mayne were not assisted it were impossible for him to withstand the forces of the hereticks in Guienne which did ioyne to the Vicount Turenne out of euerie prouince of the realme to oppresse his brother he prayed therfore his Maiestie to prouide some speedie remedie which might not be done otherwise than by diuerting their forces he shewed also how that might be done by sending diuers armies into diuers countries and so set vpon them on euerie side This policie being approued now they began to please themselues in their owne conceites whereupon the Marshall Byron was appoynted to leade an armie into Xainctonge the Marshall Ioyeuse was appointed for Languedock the Lord Ioyeuse his sonne for Auuergne the Duke of Espernon for Prouance The Lord Chastre should haue a nauy in a readines on the coast of Britayne so that at the Leagues commaundement like mad men they ran to it by land and by water The brute of these new armies being noysed abroad made the Captaynes of the Duke de Mayne his army to be lesse willing to remayne in his seruice and more willing to serue others vnder whose conduct they hoped to speed better and do seruice with more credit These new armies a preparing were as the rockes vppon the which this Sardanapalus army was cast and broken to pieces The souldiers therefore first and then the Captaynes began to slyde away after they had the spoyle of Chastilion which was iust nothing but the plague and such as continued with him were imployed yet once more as you shall heare There is a litle towne in the way to Chastilion to the City Perigueux named Puynormand in the which there is an old Castell belonging to the king of Nauarre wherein the sayd King had put a Captayne of the Catholike religion named Captayne Roux not to make warre but to kéepe the Castell as his house The inhabitantes except a few were all of the popish religion The person himselfe did neuer depart from thence knowing well that for the number of them of the Religion hee needed not to feare The inhabitantes brought dayly victuals and the artificers of the sayd towne necessary wares to the Dukes armie at the sieg of Chastilion Into the sayd Castell the Countrey had sent their goods to bee safely kept The sayd Captayne Roux had in the Castell a prisoner named Cussel who had confessed that the Lord Lansake had hyred him to kill the Marshall Matignon which Cussel during the abode of the Duke de Mayne in Bourdeaux the sayd Lord Matygnon had determined to put to death for some offences but at the request of the Duke de Mayne his life was spared and he set at liberty such a one by the meanes of the Lord Lansake the Duke had procured to murther the Marshall Matignon that he being made out of the way his faction in the city of Bourdeaux might haue surprized the same with the castels The Duke de Mayne to be reuenged of Captaine Roux for giuing notice to the sayd Matygnon of the enterprise confessed by Cussell layd the siege before the said town and castell which within few daies was rendered with these conditions that the Souldiers should goe forth safe with their liues goods that the goods of the inhabitaÌ„ts should be preserued There went foorth sixteene Souldiers and foure countrey men for the most part all catholikes the castell contrary to promise beyng ransacked was set on fire and burned The Duke de Mayne being at the siege of Puynormand sent Saisseual to the king to aduertise him of his great conquest of Chastilion but specially to haue money and within few dayes after he followed his messenger to do his message him selfe From Puynormand the rest of that armye fel to pieces and within a while became inuisible That army I say that had boasted within sixe moneths to roote out of Guyenne Oastroyn all them of the reformed religion or else to force them to a perpetuall exile without hauing any more liberty not so much as to turne their forces toward their countrey This valiant warryer had bestowed a
day before what way he would take vncertaine whether it would be through Caumont or Saint Bazile or through the Mas de verdune but they coulde know nothing at all vntill they came within two leagues of Castâ—lialoux For then being in the middle of the heath he declared the way and order which would be kept in his passing ouer the riuer hee seperated the men of warre who accompanyed him he kept with him about 20. gentlemen well horsed and 10. Souldiers for his garde with whom he went toward Cammont He appointed the Lord Roque for the conducting of the rest which were two or 3. hundred horses among whom there was but 15. or 16. wel armed and horsed and about 15. Harquebusiers of his gard hee commaunded the said Lord Roque to passe at Saint Bazile which thing he did without any let although the marshall Matignon was but at 3. leagues from thence The King being ariued at Cammont although he knew the Duke de Mayne to be within 2. leagues froÌ„ that place notwithstanding there he dined with as much leasure as any man could doe in the greatest and most assured peace and after dinner passed the riuer without any let or hindrance of his men The King of Nauarre came the morrow after to Saynt Foy which is a towne vppon Dordonne The Lord Roque also with all them which had followed him aryued there about two houres after His Maiesty soiorned there and at Bergerak a whole moneth These bee two townes situated vppon Dordonne Bergerak is great and rich Saynt Foy is lesser a great deale yet very riche because of the traffike vpon the sayd riuer S. Foy is beneath Bergerak three leagus Chastilion beneath Saint Foy three leagues and aboue Liborne a great strong and rich towne about three leagus of Bergerak and Saynt Foy receaued the Gospel aboue fifty years ago by the man of God Edmond Lauoy who suffered at Bourdeaux for the testimony of Christ These two townes haue alwayes euer since persisted in the confession of the Gospell in these 2. towns the King of Nauarre remayned as is aboue sayd a whole moneth expressely to see the countenance of his enemies All that while his enemies were within 3. leagues of him hee went dayly to hunting and none of his enemyes that euer durst shew their faces which thing did shew euidently that de Mayne had so litle corage in him that hee durst not let him to take his pleasures when he was willing so to do much lesse to execute his enterprises and proued for wayghty and necessary affayres It is sayd before how that by the aduise of de Mayne Guyze came to Paris to require helpe for his brother For as a conscience guylty of greeuous crimes is alwayes timorous and suspecteth all things so the woorm of the conscience gnawed these men and feared them so that hee apprehended Gods iustice and supposed that all them of the reformed religion in France out of hand would oppresse the Duke de Mayne his Brother Therefore hee perswaded the king to diuert theyr forces and to assault them in all quarters of the Realme Whereupon dyuers armies were prepared for diuers countries and namely the Marshall Biron was appointed for Guyenne The Leaguers vnderstanding that the King of Nauarre had passed Garonne did greatly hast the voyage of the sayd Marshall Biron The inhabitantes of Niort hauing sold themselues to the Leaguers to worke iniquity made great sute to haue that expedition performed out of hand to the end that the townes and countries of Marans Annix Rochel and other partes of Xainctonge and Poytow might bee spoyled and wasted before the ariuing of the king of Nauarre into that countrey whom they knew by his valour and wisedome was able to disappoint al their attempts The king of Nauarre vnderstanding of these new preparations and knowing yea seeing with his eies that the most miserable vilages of Guyenne were good ynough to occupy that army and that the tyme of the infallible dissipation was at hand hauing prouided for the principall places sufficiently and vnderstanding of the readines of the army which was to be lead by the Marshal Biron the said king of Nauarre would rather shew a proofe of his valour and courage in opposing himselfe to that valiant old and experienced Captayne then to seeme to striue with that effeminate and slauish army Therefore departing from Saynt Foy in the end of Aprill and passing through Perigord Engomoys Poytow Landimoys went to visit the places of his gouernement vpon the riuer of Loyre Whilest the army for Guyenne is a preparing and the king of Nauarre maketh his progresse into Poytow and the townes vpon Loyre the King vnderstanding that in the execution of the edict of October and of the declaration thereof giuen in December last touching the seazing on the goods of them of the religion and others which did beare arms against the League many creditors others which pretended right in the goods made claime to theÌ„ so that the officers could haue no gayne thereof to the kings vse and aduantage Therefore the king about the 26. of Aprill setteth forth an edict that the sayd goods shall be seazed and sould or geuen to farme to the kinges vse and that after such as did pretend any tytle to the same goods hauing prooued theyr right they then to bee satisfied vppon the fruits of the yeares following And for asmuch as some were returned home from the countries where they had repâ—yred according to the edict of Iuly last past the King the thirtéenth of May sent commaundement to all his officers that such personnes bee apprehended and their processe made and executed also that theyr goods mouable and immouable bee seazed vpon to the kinges vse for the charges of the holy warre During the preparations of this warre the Pirats of Browage with theyr courses did greatly hinder the traffike vpon the Sea which caused them of Rochel to barre their hauen in sinking old ships in the mouth of the riuer replenished with great stones for to make them sinke in the bottome of the water For the performance of this the Rochellers prepared a nauy of twenty ships well furnished three Galiots with other small vessels to the number of 35. or 40. in all Ouer this army commaunded the Lord Saynt Gelays assisted with Captayne Gardeleau and a number also of Gentlemen and Captaynes aswell strangers as inhabitants of Rochel The Lord Saynt Luke vppon the aduertizement which he receaued of this enterprize with all diligence prepared himselfe and would haue stayed all the Galleyes which he had before receaued from Bourdeaux but few remayned there notwithstanding hee made a Fort vpon the banke nigh the place where they would barre the sayd hauen which thing profited him a little for in the keeping of the same hee lost a great number of men Whilest this was a dooing at Browage the King of Nauarre returned from Poytow and fro the Coast of Loyre and entered
into Rochel the last day of May being the Lords day with a marueilous reioy sing of al men which receaued much comfort of his presence there for the sayd King had alwayes no lesse vertuously than happely opposed himselfe to all the attempts and endeuours of all the armies of the enemies which had béen sent against them The same day the sayd King of Nauarre embarked himselfe to goe to visit the Nauie which was before Browage where he soiorned some dayes In the meane while there had arriued certayne shippes to the Lord S. Luke gouernour of Browage who with them went about to let that enterprize but all was in vayne so that without any great losse all the ships appoynted for that exployt were brought in and suâ—ke in the mouth of the Hauen according to the deliberation taken So the chanell by these means was barred in such a sort as the Hauen hath béen in a manner rendered vnprofitable Notwithstanding that the Lord S. Luke hath bestowed much labour to open it and at the charges of the inhabitants of the Ilands he hath drawne out foure or fiue vessels Yet is that Hauen alwayes suspected vnto ships and they néede to set markes to the ships that will enter in least they take hurt This being done the Nauie returned to Rochel without any losse except of one Captayne named Mercur and fewe Souldiers which were taken in the skirmishes that were made at the Fort aboue mentioned About the fourth of Iune the King being returned to Rochel with this Nauie and vnderstanding that the Marshall Byron with this armie approached and that Lusignen Mele and Chizay Townes not defensible had yéelded themselues tooke his iourney to Marans to consider the places whether théy were able to make head against that armie The armie lead by the Marshall Byron did consist of twelue hundred horsemen and foure thousand footemen with a conuenient furniture This armie was very small the cause was that the King at the commaundement of the Leaguers had deuided his forces into sundrie armies for sundrie Prouinces to diuert the forces of them of the religion from the Duke de Mayne as is afore said The King of Nauarre hauing well viewed the Forts of the Iles of Maran concluded to defend the places agaynst that armie The 7. day of Iune came two sorts of deputies appoynted to require of the King of Nauarre two contrary things namely the â—â—putie of Rochel required his Maiestie that hee would cause the Castle of Maran to bée rased for the reasons which they then alleaged On the other side the Gentlemen of Annix required him not to doo so for as much as the Papists would take occasion to doo the like to their houses The King of Nauarre answered to them both that thereupon he would take aduise Whilest these things were a dooing the King of Nauarre had aduertisement that the Duke de Mayne distressed Chastilion whereupon he assembled as great a companie of horsemen as he could and with the Prince determined to rescue that place which he could not bring to passe by reason of the aduancing of Byron and his armie For the armie of Byron was alreadie aduanced to Niort and hauing no néerer place than Maran to assault made his reckoning not to besiege it but onely to fright the inhabitants and about fiftie souldiers which he knewe to be lodged in the forts and in the greater of the sayd forts there was not aboue nine or ten Souldiers the sayd forts being very ill furnished which made him beléeue that such a small companie would not withstand him but surrender the sayd forts The feare indéede was great among many whereof some of them had alreadie retyred to Rochel But the Lord Iarry gouernour of the place and his Souldiers with some of the inhabitants tooke courage many did despayre of the succour of the King of Nauarre whom they thought to haue passed into Gascoyne They resolued notwithstanding to hold against that armie And on the monday the 7. of Iune at night they sent messengers to Rochel to demaund succour both of men and munition of warre and of certaine péeces They of Rochel answered that they could not conueniently spare men as for munition and peeces they would willingly let them haue so that they might haue securitie to be payed the price that it cost them This refusall of men did so feare the inhabitants that euen that night many did retyre and carried away the rest of their goods But on the Wednesday morning about foure of the clocke arriued from the King of Nauarre two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Fouqueroles and Valiere whom he had sent in great diligence they calling the gouernour the Minister of the place and some of the inhabitants assured them that the King of Nauarre was comming in great diligence for to succour them and that he would arriue euen the same day and after they had rested a while the sayd Lords went to view the Holds and entrings into the Ilands and so likewise the day following The 12. day of Iune the King of Nauarre came with fewe in companie but his troupes followed him apace The 13. 14. and 15. dayes of that moneth there entered braue companies of Souldiers as they of the Lords Puelles Granuile Drakuille and S. Foy Normands There entered also Barache the regiment of Sorlus the Lord of Neufuy vnder fiue Ensignes for the most part Perigordins and Limosins yet very well trained in Military Discipline All these companies were placed in the forts by the King of Nauarre namely the Lord Puelles was in the Bastile Drakuille in Beauregard Barache at Barnay Granuile with Saint Foy were put in the Brune and Repentne on the way to Rochel Captaine Plaune with his companie of Poytiuines was placed at Poyneuf Captaine Saint Ihan at Clousie Captaine Treille in Brault there was a company of Rochellers few in number but men resolute vnder Captaine Mot they were put to keepe the entrey of the mill in the Marsh The Lord Iarrie gouernour of Mans vndertooke to keepe the Forts Paulee Allowete and Botsblauk with his companie and some of the inhabitants The King of Nauarre commaunded all to obey the Lord Fonquereles who shewed a marueilous care and diligence in the same siege The 10. day of Iulie the Marshall Byron with a companie of horses came himselfe to view the Bastile but approaching a little too nigh he was saluted out of some small forts which the Lorde Puelles had placed vpon the high way hee had his thumb and some other fingers taken off with a shot the same shot did greatly as it was reported hurt a Gentleman who was by him All that weeke the enemie did none other thing but aduaunced himselfe toward the Bastile set his gabions nigh the farme of Angle there to place three pieces to batter the fort of Bastile In the mean time the King of Nauarre did shew a wonderful diligence as wel in fortifying the Iland as in bringing companies
day of the same August So that the night following the enemy began to draw pieces out of their fort and at the breaking of the day put fire to it which there continued the space of sixe moneths hauing caught vnder the earth to those great pieces of timber wherewith it was made euen from the very foundation The composition was very honorable and to the great aduantage of the king of Nauarre for it was first agreed that the Marshall Biron should lead away his army beyond the riuer without attempting vppon Tonnay Charante a place very weake which hee diâ— hold for the king of Nauarre Secondly that Marans should remayne free for the traffike Thirdly that the king of Nauarre should haue a Gentleman of his in the casteâ—l with certayne number of souldiers to hold the inhabitantes of both religions in the same liberty which they had before the warre This agreement they of Fontenay and Niort would not hold and neuer ceased to make warre vntill that they were well punished for wicked robbers did continually issue out of Fontenay Maillezayes Niort hauing for their Captayne a certayne Masse Priest named Sir Merye parish Priest of Ronde who did dayly robbe Marchants and trauellers of their goods and often times of their liues vntill they were reduced vnder the handes of the king of Nauarre The seuenth of the same moneth the king of Nauarre came from Rochel when it was very late entered the Iles of Maran by the fort Brune and from thence to the Bastile viewed all the fortes and trenches on that side and about ten in the night did suppe at the signe of the Moone The eight day hee deuided his companies sending some into Poytow other into Annis to refresh themselues whilest the L. Byron lead his army into Xainctonge so that armie began to bee broken agaynst Reeds and Rushes of Marans doing afterward nothing but within a while after by litle and litle it was scattered and reduced to nothing The Papistes spake diuersly according to their passion as though this armie had not done what they might haue done But the truth is that the king of Nauarre had prouided such a good order within the Iland and that there was such a number of men of valour that the Lord Biron could not do otherwise then he did except he would haue thrust his meÌ„ to the slaughter without endomaging much his enemy Secondly the marishes which at that tyme were wont to bee drye were yet full of water euen a foot high for the causes aboue recited Thirdly the men of warre haue made fortes at euery entrance into the Iland furnished with good and resolued men for they were about one hundred of braue and 〈…〉 gentlemen making about two hundred good horses aâ—le to oppose themselues agaynst the enemy if he had attempted to enter Also the enemyes had to goe aboue fifteene hundred paces in the Marsh not aboue fiue in a ranke all discouered to our men who were in the forts Fourthly the Marish was full of steppes which the Cattell made in winter so that if the horsemen had waded the one foote had soonke very deepe and the other would haue stayed vppon the firme ground with a great number of Galthrops which were cast in diuers places Such was the state of Maran when the composition was made The king of Nauarre left the Lord Iarry gouernor there as before with charge to warre agaynst no man if they should not warre agaynst him The Lord Nemours whom the King had sent thither to commaund ouer the men of armes stayed not there long for hee was commaunded by the king of Nauarre to retyre in Poytow and after went to Bruant Few dayes after the distributing of the companies out of Marans captayne Lommeau discouered the money of the tributes Impost of Poytow conducted toward Loyre by certayne Albaneses and some gentlemen with Popish souldiers of the countrey whom they set vpon but they saued them selues in a Priory Not farre from thence he compassed them immediatly with certayne companies The king of Nauarre being aduertised thereof at Rochel departed speedily and caused the great Culuerine of Marans to bee brought before the Priory which was strong without canon they within yeelded themselues by composition which was that they should goe away safe leauing behind them six thousand crownes which was the charge of their conuoy As the king of Nauarre vsed a wonderfull diligence in going thether so was his diligence no lesse in retyring thence and commaunded all the companyes to do the like knowing well that y e enemie which was yet at Morye and about Fontenay with his armie would not faile to set on him which thing did happen But the sayd king of Nauarre had already repassed the fort of Brault which thing all his companies did not for many remaining at Lusson to refresh themselues and to fare French-like were charged and put to flight some were slaine some taken prisoners most of them saued them selues leauing behind them their stuffe and baggage and among them captayne Lommeau It is sayd before that by the aduise of the Duke of Guyze diuers armies were appoynted for diuers prouinces and namely the Duke Ioyeuse for Languedock where he entering with a power tooke the Cities of Lodeue and Saint Ponce hée tooke also Montesquion but Marueiolx hee tooke by treason In all these places he committed incredible cruelties and such as it were needfull to find out new wordes to describe them But as God is a iust reuenger of wronges so did he not suffer these crueltyes long vnpunished but shewed tokens that his iustice is neither fayned nor idle nor his hand shortned in punishing such insolent Tyrants For after diuers and manifold excesses and iniuries done in the countrey he besieged the mas Saint Puelles the weakest most miserable and least defensible of all the places of Loragoys there was he so shamefully beaten put back that after they had slaine him thirty Captaines and fiue hundred Harquebusieres they scattered his regiments and so leauing his credit behinde him cracked among men of valour was faine to returne home as well as he could well chastized to tell newes of his good speede to his Master Shortly after the Nobilitie of Languedock aduised better by the proud and insolent outragiousnes of the man and of his companies and taught by the execution of Gods iustice vpon that rabble of sauage robbers assembled the states of that prouince at Castelnawdarry where they concluded neuer to meddle anie more with the leaguers neither to proceede any more by the way of warre and vyolence agaynst them of the Religion It is sayd before how the Duke d'Espernon was appointed for Daulphine and Prouance and the sonne of Ioyeuse for Auuergne The Lord Espernon therefore entring into Daulphine with his power had better successe for first he tooke Valance Tallard and Guileslie from the league and reduced them to the Kings obedience He tooke also many townes from
them of the Religion as Sorges and others hee was more moderate and voyde of crueltie and sauagenes yet at length seeing that as he had taken one place he left andther and that warre was an endlesse thing there and that with long toyle of warre and lack of money his army was scattered as at length it went inuisible leauing his brother the Lord Valete there with such forces as he had left to doe what he were able so he went to the King againe and not without cause considering he was one of his most faithfullest about his person The young Ioyeuse in Auuergne walked at liberty tooke his pleasures spent the Kings money francklie and when that was done for lacke of more returnd from whence he came as wise as when he went out Thus we see that within the compasse of a yeare 6. armies haue beene sent with great preparation of all necessarie things into seuerall prouinces to warre against heauen and earth and to oppose themselues against all that is good and godly and how they are all fallen to pieces as though they had been smitten downe by the hand of the God of armies as the Lapithes and Centaures are reported by the Poets During these lamentable tempests the which did so tosse France with these sixe armyes in diuers prouinces The Princes and certaine cities in Germanie moued with compassioÌ„ pittying the miserable subuersion and ransaking of France their next neighbours sent an Ambassage to the King to perswade him if it were possible to extinguish that coÌ„bustion raised by the league by peace to restore the state of his Realme to some good stay The Ambassadours were sent by the Princes Electors of Saxony Palatine and Brandenbourg and by other Princes of the sacred empire as the Noble Princes Ioachim Frederick Marquesse of Brandenbourg and administrator of Magdebourg Iuly of Brundswik and Lunebourg William Lewis and George Landgraues of Hessen brethren Ioachim earnest Prince of Chatten with the foure principal imperial cities Strasbourg Vlmes Mersebourg and Frâ—nckefort with the ambassadours of Vtten and Issenbourg they al came except they of Vtten Issenbourg which vpon certaine vrgent affayres went back deliuering their coÌ„missions to their fellowes to Saint Germain in Laye had audience the tenth of October First they offer the commendations and seruices of their Princes and commonwealths vnto him Secondly they recite how they had beene aduertized euen by the letters of Mandolet gouernour of Lyons for the King that his Maiesties intention had been to preserue the edict of pacification stablished vpon the faith of the Maiestie of a Prince Thirdly that they vnderstand that hee had beene enforced contrary to his godly intention to reuoke the said edict of peace and by way of armes to persecute his most faithfull subiects euen the chiefest of the Princes of his blood which thing they would hardly haue beleeued if it had not beeâ—ne made knowne by his owne letters sent vnto some of the said Princes by the Lord Schemberg hearing daâ—e the 22. of October 1585. Fourthly protesting of the good affection of their Princes and common wealths toward his Maiestie they doo in their names in most humble wise beseech him that considering into what pitifull state France had beene reduced by the former warres and the good benefites which haue ensued the last peace he wil not be induced by the perswasioÌ„s of the Pope to bring in againe blood shed hatred of the Crowne of France losse of so many Princes Lords and Nobilitie and of so many his faythfull subiects which haue done to hâ—m and his predecessors so many notable seruices which thing vndoubtedly will ensue if not worse if he do not defend the edict of peace considering that by his owne declaration he confes seth that the reformed Religion will not be rooted out by the sworde Fiftly wheras he had shewed by his declaration that the edict of peace was made by ripe deliberation and counsell and published with all soleÌ„nities requisite thereunto and that the sayd edict was sworn by his brother of happy memory Duke of Alançon by the Princes and Lordes in lifting vp their handes to heauen and that hee himselfe would haue that peace to be called his peace which he made as he said voluntarily without any compulsion for that would haue it kept inuiolable there was no reason why the benefites of that peace should bee cut off by raysing warre at the Popes pleasure Last of all they doo shewe that there will ensue of the reuoking of this edict of peace a most certaine and assured subuersion of the state and Crowne of France And by the way of conclusion they beseech his Maiestie that considering the reasons by them shewed taking some pitie of his poore Realme it may please him to reiect the perswasions of the Pope and Leaguers and to preserue the edict of peace offering vnto him in the names of their Princes and Commonwealths that if there bee any meanes in them that may further a good peace and restablish his estate his Maiestie shall vnderstand how they are affectionate to procure all things which pertaine to his honour and greatnes and if it pleaseth him they will employ all their faithfull seruice in the assuring of his dignitie and royall Crowne and to the benefite of all Christendome but specially to suppresse this warre whereunto in their iudgement he had béen enforced Hauing made an ende of their ambassage they deliuered him their instructions both in Dutch and 〈◊〉 The King giueth answere the 11. of October but such an answere as he seemed rather to be offended with them for their duetie and good will of their Princes Commonwealths than to be mooued to any moderate counsell It is sayd before that in Aprill of this yere 1586. the King made great preparation of warre in prouiding fiue armies all at once at which time also they made a motion for peace vnto the King of Nauarre By this it was an easie thing to iudge that they who disposed themselues to warre so furiously could not bee brought to condescend to any moderate counsell or reasonable peace But whilest al these armies were readie and marching to doo some great exployts and to inuade the Prouinces whereunto they of the reformed religion had retyred and were strong the Q Mother also marched toward Guienne in hope to obtayne a greater victorie in assaulting the King of Nauarre with a parley than al those armies with force For she tooke with her out of the stoare of Italian trickes temptation disuniting and weakening For first she will trie the tricke of Sathan in the 4. of Mathew when he tempting Christ proffered him all the kingdomes of the earth So shée thought to win this godly and noble Prince in shewing him that if he would forsake the Sonne of God he should be declared the right heire of the Crowne in case the King should decease without issue otherwise it would be impossible to him to attayne vnto
that Crowne considering the great strength of the Catholikes and how eagerly they are bent agaynst the reformed religion If she heareth the same answere of him which Sathan heard of Christ then will she take the second weapon of her warre in hand which is Disuniting for if the sayd King will not consent vpon the proffer of peace to abolish the exercize of the reformed religion then she will render him odious with infamous Libels throughout France both to them of the reformed religion and also to the Catholikes for both were desitous of peace so she imagineth that by these meanes she might disunite them from the King of Nauarre laying to his charge that it rested but in him that France was not at rest If this would not serue neither then she thought sure that the third would doo the feate which was to abuse the true intentions of the sayd King of Nauarre that holding him long about the hope of peace and whilest he should labour about it he might be surprized by some poynt of Italian valour and if not his partakers would bee so weakened in the Prouinces with these armies that either he would not be able hereafter to defend himselfe or withstand his enemies or els that hee would bee inforced by this weakning to accept at their hands a most disaduantagious peace And to begin withall she sendeth to the Lords Monpensier and Monmorency willing them to dispose the heart of the sayd King to peace as she sayd which thing was diuersly taken For the Leaguers feared the authoritie of the Prince Monpensier mistrusting that by these meanes the Queene vnawares would vnite him to the head of his house They of the religion feared his facilitie that he was made a meane for peace least hée should ioyne himselfe to the King of Nauarre in this quarrell and warre raised by the Leaguers to destroy the house of Bourbon so that by one thing both parts tooke occasion to distrust this message Assoone as the negotiation of peace began the practizes of the Leaguers began also to interrupt the peace which they greatly feared For after the message of these two Lords the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to the King of Nauarre for no Tragedie can be wel played without a Priest who being wel entertayned at Rochel by the sayd King euery man began to hope well of that thing which was so greatly desired But when the Q. Mother came to Cheuonceau a towne lying vpon the riuer Chere which falleth in Loyre beneath Tours all this hope vanished away like a lightming For then the hatred and deceitfull meaning of the Q. Mother was discouered which had lien hid vnder those courteous messages For the Abbot of Gadaigne was sent to Browage there to play Symons part if he could but his going thether was much suspected of the Rochelers The victualling also of Browage was taken for a stoare house against their Towne There was a Gentleman named la Roche the lesser who went many voyages betwéene the King of Nauarre and the Q. Mother to agree of the place and other meanes of the interuiew The Q. by little and little did draw nere to Xainctonge the King of Nauarre would haue aduaunced as farre as Champaigne in Tourene so that the Marshall Byron who had passed Loyre to assault Poytow would retire beyond Loyre and that thing he required for his securitie The Queene would that he should trust in her the King willed her to trust in him she aleaged her good will he aleaged his fidelitie innocencie who did neuer breake his word toward any person Shee did lay to his charge that he was the cause that the parley could not be brought to passe He answered that it did stay but in her that France was not in quietnes that he was ready to see her so that it were in a sure place and that his way might be sure Whilest these thing passed so betweene thē by messengers some counselled the King of Nauarre to help Chastilion which was then besieged by the Duke d'Mayne others willed him not to take heede to her deceitefull words and to expect the same courtesies which he had receaued heretofore at their hands It is saide before how that among those fiue armies which were prepated in Aprill and May the commaunder Chastre was appoynted to furnish a Nauie in Britain well prouided And in August as they were taking order for the place and manner of the interuiew this Nauy on a suddaine came before Rochel which thing was the cause that all was on the point to bee broken The King of Nauarre complained to the King by the Lorde Riaulx beseeching his Maiestie to call back that armie shewing that hee could not leaue a towne of such importance as that was in that state without seeking for the quietnes and safety thereof The armie notwithstanding remoued not thence as long as they had any prouision of victuals whatsoeuer meanes the King of Nauarre made for it but at length in the moneth of Nouember the famine made them hoyse vp sailes and not the Kinges commaundement The selfe same day that the Nauie tooke vp ancker Captaine Arman was taken with letters of the Queene to the commaunder Chastre by the which hee was commaunded not to depart or else not to goe farre from Rochel these letters fell into the hands of the King of Nauarre Hee notwithstanding ouercomming with patience all these occasions which hee might take to refuse the parely he offered to see the Queene vpon the conditions aboue said requiring that in the meane time there should no act of hostilitie be done of either sides The Queene required a truce to be taken and published The King of Nauarre answered that he could not consent thereunto for as much as hee had promised to his partakers to enter into no agreement of peace without their aduise and consent shee found to her thinking that answer very strange Thus like the Carthagenians who wept when they should pay tribute to the Romans but were not moued at all when they yéelded themselues tributaries to them For when the King of Nauarre answered to the Kings messengers that he would stay yet sixe moneths for the Kings succour afore hee would employ his friends and that he would first be demaunded of peace before he would resolue himselfe to warre Now when shee findes that hee hath giuen his word she weepeth it had been better to haue wept when the edicts were broken the innocent iudged guiltie the obedient rebels and the iust malefactors After much a doo the Q. Mother graunted certaine pasports which the King of Nauarre demanded for to aduertise his friends what he was in hand to doo At the selfe same time shee caused the truce to be proclaymed which almost mard all for the King of Nauarre suspected that vnder colour of that truce shee would stay the leauie of the Germanes Thereupon the King of Nauarre shewed vnto her that this truce had a respect vnto a
common securitie and that it should haue been done by the common aduise so he caused the publishing to be called in yet was it secretly printed and sent into Germanie As they were about to conclude the saide truce certaine of the companies of the Lord Neufuy were charged which did greatly offend the King of Nauarre Thus this negotiation of peace going forward by messengers to and fro the Duke d'Mayne in the meane while supposing that the Q. Mothers absence from the Court might bee a good helpe to doo some good exploit hasted his iourney from Puynormand where his army partly weary and ashamed to obey such a cowardly Captaine partly for want of money was scattered euery man repairing where hee thought to speede best the Duke de Mayne I say came to Paris where hee and the rest of that house began to make new broyles But to returne to the matter at length after many voyages to and fro la Roche brought an order both for the place and manner of the interuiew and also of the truce graunted of both parts For the accomplishment thereof therefore the King of Nauarre came to larnak a towne situated vpon the riuer Charante betweene Coignak and Engolesme the 11. of December so the 13. day he want to Saint Brice with a good companie At the first meeting there were many complaintes of both sides the Queene reproached him of his disobedience passing ouer the former actions she stayed vpon the present calamities which doo afflict Fraunce she letteth him vnderstand that the King was enforced to make peace with the League to saue his estate and that without that remedie all was lost Secondly that the pretence of religion ought to be taken away to take away the warre out of the realme The King of Nauarre on the other side answered to the first complaining that he had none other way been damnicted or endaungered but by obaying the King for the League was waxed strong because he remained so long feeble and that hee had hazarded his life to keepe his faith Furthermore reducing all the present calamities to the head spring hee imputed all the miseries wherewith the realme is afflicted to the peace made by the League hee shewed also that the King was rather deceaued with ill counsell then forced to doo that which he did Thirdly he shewed that the preseruation of the Kings estate depended of the intertaining of his edicts and that they were his edicts in deede which he had voluntarily sworne Also that they were edicts of peace which chased away warre and not they which for to satisfy certaine seditious persons raised in some prouince replenished the realme with sedition Madam said he you cannot accuse me but of too much fidelitie I doo not complaine of your faith but of your age which dooing wrong to your memorie hath made you to forget what you had promised me This was the end of the first interuiew The summe of the principall articles of this truce was that it shoulde indure vnto the sixt of Ianuarie that shee might aduertise the King what was done and that the saide truce if the King dooth not agree to it shall be prolonged fifteene dayes for euerie one to retire or else to take further aduise Secondly to auoyde the disorders the impostes subtilties and other payments shall not be gathered by neither side and that within the first of Ianuarie next comming fifteene thousand crownes shall bee deliuered or leauied vpon the places which they of the religion holde for the maintaining of the Garisons of the reformed religion Thirdly that the Protestants shall cease to leauie the tenths goods and rents of Priestes where they haue heretofore leauied them and as for the goods of the Catholicks seazed on by them of the reformed religion they shall not meddle neither of the one side nor of the other Fourthly the men of warre of both sides shall make no roades oppressions nor any act of hostilitie during the saide truce Last of all the Q. Mother shall graunt passeports to the King of Nauarre his seruants friends alleyed and partakers through the realme and out of the realme to aduertise them of that which he is about and also that he may send to the King to let him knowe what endeuour the saide King of Nauarre hath vsed to bring all things to a good peace This was concluded at Tours the 19. of December in this truce were comprehended Poytow Xainctonge Engomoys Lodumoyes Mirebaloys The Vicount Turenne was sent to Coignak a Towne vpon the riuer Charante betweene Xainctes and Iaruk to agree vpon the particularities of the truce with the Q. Mother There the Q. hauing agreed to these articles some other depending of these gaue him to vnderstand that for to haue peace the king of Nauarre must needes cause the exercise of the reformed religion to cease in the townes which he did hold and gaue him a speciall charge to declare to the sayd King of Nauarre that this was the kinges will The King of Nauarre being in the way to come to see her was met by the sayd Vicount who declared vnto his Maiesty what he was encharged by the Q. Mother to shew him Whereupon the king was about to turne backe but supposing thaâ— shee had sayd so by the aduise of the Counsell hee determined neuerthelesse to see her and to satisfy his mind in answering her When he had kissed her handes with a sad countenaunce she asked him whether the Vicount Turenne had spoken with him and assured him that it was the kinges resolution The king of Nauarre answered that hee mused much that shee would take so great paynes to tâ—ll him that whereof his eares were already weary to heare and that she being so wise went about to resolue a difficulty by the selfe same difficulty Also that she proposed to him that thing which he could not would not nor ought to do For first if he should forget himselfe so much as to goe about to do that which shee required of him yet were hee not able to reduce all them of the religion nor to cause them to leaue the exercise of the same Secondly he himselfe would not for then should hee greatly hurt his conscience and honor and for the one hee hath God onely for iudge His honor he should greatly empayre doing iniury to himselfe when he should seeme to yeeld more to the armes of his enemies then to the commaundement of his Lord and King Thirdly he answered that he ought so doe for if he should seeme to allow of that which was proposed to him he should seeme to allow the colour which the Leaguers haue pretended in whose pretences doth consist the strength of their armes and in the strength of their armes the decay and vndoing of the state And although he knew well that in so doing he should approach neere the fauors of y e king yet should he geue theÌ„ opportunity to take from him both the right which
to him appertayneth and to bereaue the king of the faythfullest friend and seruant hee had But they will not haue such men as I am aboue the king sayd he for thereby they should be miserable he should be better serued and all his subiects better gouerned To this answere the Queene replyed nothing but went about to make himselfe feele the discommodities which hee suffered by meanes of that religion which hee professed I beare them willingly said hee when you haue layed them vpon me as it seemeth to ease your selfe Atlength she reproached him that he did not in Rochel what he would Yes Madam said he for I will nothing but what I should The Duke of Neuers tooke the word that he could not set an impost in Rochel True sayd he for wee haue no Italians among vs. After these speaches shee opened vnto him agayne a generall truce for a yeare on that condition that there should bee no exercise of the reformed religion within the realme and within that time the states should be called He answered that if they of y t religion should so lightly geue ouer their holdes that the League would bee stronger the king weaker and the states more vnprofitable Also that it were impossible to cease the religion in France except it were by a counsell duly assembled So he taking his leaue of the Queene she oftē tymes repeated the same speeches which she had with the Vicount Turenne willed him to let the nobility which folowed him vnderstand of it which thing themorow after he did with great griefe fearing to cause some alteration in theyr mindes After that hee sent two noble men of the mildest spirites in all his troupes to wit the Lords Mauguyon Force to witnes vnto her what sorrow euery one of them had conceaued to see things reduced to such an extreame resolution and also to knowe whether they had any other thing to hope of the power which the king had giuen her The Queene seeing that all was vpon the poynt to be broken said that shouee wld send the Lord Ramboullet to the king to know his last determination She after told the Prince Monpensier that all which she had sayd to the Vicount Turenne was but by the way of discourse dissembling to haue had such speeches in playne tearmes to the king of Nauarre and willed the sayd Prince to let the king of Nauarre vnderstand that shee had a great desire to see him agayne and also prayed him to make meanes of some prorogation of truce which thinge the sayd Prince shewed to the king of Nauarre when hee went to take his leaue from him These double dealings of the Queene was diuersly spoken for some thought to content the League she would not open the meanes topeace Others thought that her Counsell being Leaguers fed her with new hope grounded vpon the afflicted affayres of the religion promising her at length to obtaine a peace to the kinges contentation so they lead her closly to entertaine a warre profitable for the League The Lord Rambouillet returned from the court brought the oth which the king had sworne in the solemnities of the order of the holy ghost neuer to consent to the exercise of the reformed religion at whose returne the Q. Mother was very important to haue a third parley with the king of Nauarre geuing forth that the returne of the Lord Rambouillet should be agreeable to him to the which thing hee was very vnwilling to condescend supposing the hope which he had conceaued of that interuiew would be if not lost yet farre wide out of the way They of his side discouraged him fearing that he would not only continue the speaches which shee had vttered before and also to reiterate often times the truce hauing aduertizements that the truce was sent into Germany and Suisserland Others aduised him that she held him in hand about a treatie of peace in the meane time to prepare warre against him That shee proposed him of hard conditions to induce him to breake off and by that meane to make him hatefull to all France as the onely hinderer of the peace thereof Some others gaue him notice that she solicited the next townes and cities to execute the kinges last edict and that fayning to seeke the common benefit of the state she did much hurt in particular to the state of Rochel Vppon this earnest sute of the Q Mother in Februarie the Leaguers tooke by force the Towne of Vouans and fayre Montau the which being places of no importance caused men to suspect some treachery The K. of Nauarre also thought that hee might not expect y t they would giue him any good thing which tooke so great pains to take away so litle from him notwithstanding the Queene did so presse him that hee graunted the third interview either to make the world know and see that the fault was not in him if they did not obtayne peace or else that he perswaded himselfe that the Queene would not take so much paines to bring him ill newes Shee therefore tooke her iourney to Fontenay The 20. of February the king of Nauarre came to Marans accompanied with many noble men and company of Rochelers about threehundred men guyded by the Lord Gargoleau and other Captaynes hauing the Colonels ensigne of Rochel his comming thether was to parley with the Q. Mother which was already at Fontenay But for because the interuiew was to be made first in the I le Ellen and after for her ease at the Fort Veluyre the Lordes Biron and Sarisack with many other came to the king of Nauarre to agree of the place As the will to see one another did encrease so the mistrust did growe in their counsels For the Q. Mother or rather some of hers did feare to goe to the place where the Rochelers were stronger And for as much as it was reported that the Ensigne Colonell was at the foord Veluyre they made as though they did feare to approach considering also that the Rochelers had set vp strong Barriers for the safetie of the King of Nauarre These things she pretended to bee the causes that she would not come thether But in very deede she and hers sawe not there the commoditie how to execute that which they pretended to doo The King of Nauarre did feare the entrances and turnings of these Marishes for the naturall situation of that countrey is such that a man may doo a feate without great hazard Whilest these going too and fro were betwéene them the League tooke the alarum by these actions of the Q. but partly to let the peace which they did greatly feare and partly seeing some occasion to execute their intended purpose did conspire against the Kings person The Q. Mother perceiuing that she could not execute that for which she was sent for no doubt she neuer entended to make any peace but to commit some treacherie vpon the King of Nauarre his person and by the iust iudgement of God
by time with a good will the meanes thereof then to take the same enforced by necessitie The Queene said that they should then stay the armie of strangers and did much braule about the forme of pasportes Then the Vicount replied Madam if yee bee so vnwilling to giue vs good wordes we are not come to that passe to expect good effects for the which we should stay the longer if we should stay for the meanes whereby to enforce you thereunto Madam the time is no more that we will assure our selues vpon a single promise seeing that the edicts haue fayled vs. The Queene did so giue eare to these reasons that shee seemed to haue her minde occupied more vpon the aduertisements which were giuen her on euery side for they set before her face the apparance of a great rebellion and the King was ill prouided of companie The Duke d'Mayne was in Paris practising against the Kings person the Duke of Guize was about to put himselfe into Paris also They made her see in their aduertisements the occasions which the heads of the League had to giue the last blow of dispaire they did shew her that the hope which the Leaguers had of England was dead with the Quéene of Scottes and that the deuotion of the Cleargy did coole as fast as the ambition of the League did heate They shewed her how the sixe armies alreadie were spent and consumed without dooing any thing that they of the reformed religion were growne strong so that there was no more hope for them to build out of the ruines of them whereby it appeared euidently in what daunger of them the King stoode All these things being set before her eyes made her to take her iourney in haste from Niort to Paris fearing least these seditious persons who had left nothing more to enterprise would execute their mischieuous intents vpon the Kings person therefore at the same time the mistrust did greatly encrease at the Court where there were diuers factions for the King mistrusted the Leaguers and the Leaguers the King and among the Leaguers one mistrusted another Euery one going about vnder the colour of defending the Romish religion to lay downe the foundation of their greatnes by rebellion murther and particide which sturring of rebellion caused also that this generall truce which was in hand was not brought to effect It is saide before that the 13. day of December 1586. the Q Mother required of the King of Nauarre that a truce for a whole yeare might bee taken which the King of Nauarre graunted so that it might be by the consent and aduice of his friends seruants and confederats and such as had elected him for their protector and defender whome the King had forsaken by his edicts ploclaiming warre against them and also to certifie the Germans thereof which were his friends and alyed whereupon shee agreed to giue passeports that with safety of the messengers they might be aduertised thereof Vpon this promise of passeports the 29. of December the King of Nauarre to omit nothing which might shew the desire hee had to pacifie the miserable troubles of the realme and for to dispose as well them of the religion as his friends confederates and seruants he sent forth notable gentlemen into diuers countreyes as well of the realme as out of the realme with letters of credit and ample memories to informe them of all that had passed in the interuiew betweene him and the Q. Mother to that end that nothing should be disguised and falsified to them as it had chaunced often times in the former ciuil dissensions by them who doo watch nothing more then to disunite the heartes vnâ—ted to so good a worke as is the quarrell debated so many yeares against the Romish League enemie to al quietnes these were the contents of these letters of credit The King of Nauarre sent to them to whom he directed his letters this Gentleman N. carrier of the said letters to visit them and to let them vnderstand the state of the common affaires and how all things had passed at the meeting of him and the Q. Mother hee praieth them to beleeue the messenger as well about the particularities of the meeting as about all those things which he had to tell them from him he praieth them also to be of good courage and not to bee wearie because of the good hope which hee hath of the blessed issue of so many labours and for his part he will omit no point of his duetie touching the preseruation of the common cause As touching the memories the write inclosed in the letters contained the summe of them The King of Nauarre protector of the reformed Churches in France supposing that to bee the charge of his duety after so many stormes passed to visit and to confirme the remnant of the dissipation hath sent this the Lord N. to represent vnto all them of the religion in the Prouince N. what the estate of the common affaires is And to this effect the saide Lord shal repaire to the Lords Gentlemen other persons of meaner qualitie who haue retired to their owne houses or vnto other places of the said Prouince for the rigour of the edicts if it can be possible that he may find them and shall certifie them how that after so many lettes and delayes which mistrust bringeth hee hath seene the Q. Mother nigh Coignak that hee hath entred into no treatie of peace but onely hath hearkened vnto all that should be proposed to him touching the attaining to the same that he hath promised to doo nothing therein without the aduise of the Churches kinsmen friends confederats and seruants And that acknowledging the honor which the sayd Lady hath done to him considering the labour which she had taken at that tyme of the yeare and in that age that she is of after many discourses which she hath made of her desire and inclination to peace he hath consented to a truce of two moneths in the prouinces of high and low Poytow Laudonoys Mirabaloys Angomoys Xainctonge as well on this side of Charante as beyond as also in the towne and gouernement of Browage and Aluert the countrey of Aunis the town and gouernment of Rochel in the meane tyme to send for the deputies as well of the churches of France as of the conâ—ederats out of the realme for to intreat of the peace by theyr common aduise But hauing sent the Lord Turenne with six men of honor with him to Coignak for to agree vpon the conditions necessary for the entertaining of the sayd truce The sayd Q. mother among other discourses had declared vnto him that the king would suffer but one religion in the realme to wit his owne which determination of the King she saâ—d shee would playnely shew least any man should bee deceaued therein commaunding him to declare the same to the king of Nauarre to his partakers Which message the sayd Vicount reported vnto the king
of Nauarre as hee was vpon the way to goe to the place appointed for the second interuiew The sayd Lady also had made him more particular declaration and also commaunded him to make acquainted the other nobles and gentlemen which were with him and to send her answere the morrow after Which thing the said king of Nauarre shewing her to be impossible to graunt after hauing supported for so many yeares the weight of armes for the defence of the selfe same thing onely and that if so it were indeede that there was no neede to take so much payns as she did to loose it She persisted therein notwithstanding so that thereupon the sayd king of Nauarre tooke his leaue of her And the selfe same day at night the sayd king of Nauarre geuing notice to the sayd Lordes which were there at Iarnak of the kinges determination all answered with one mind and consent that it was impossible the said determination to be obeied and performed The morrow after by a common accord they sent to her the Lords Montguyon and Force to desire her most humbly to declare again whether that was the last resolution of the king For as much as they were all resolute after hauing shed their bloud and fought for so iust a quarrell to liue and die yet for the defence of the same and vpon that to finish the truce which was to end six dayes after Vpon that occasion shee sent the Lord Monpensier and the Marshall Biron to excuse her selfe that shee had not spoken so rawly and that her discourse about that matter was of aduise and not of resolution desiring that they would stay vntill the sixt day of Ianuarie next whilest she sendeth the Lord Rambouillet to the king to knowe his answere and expecting the kinges answere the truce hath béene continued according to the articles agreed vppon for that purpose Since the K. of Nauarre returned from Rochel whens he had likewise sent a gentleman to the king to notifie vnto him what was passed in that interuiew to the end that he might also know the dutie of the king of Nauarre therein Which thing likewise he hath done to the churches and to the chiefest who make profession of the religion to let them vnderstand in what maner he hath proceeded least the aduersaries should giue out thinges otherwise then they are as their manner is to doo for to sow hatred and dissention among vs to deuide vs by such crafty meanes The selfe same message hath the King of Nauarre sent to other prouinces and Lords strangers our partakers of whom wee do expect succour Now therefore knowing the state of the affaires the king of Nauarre prayeth them to giue him their aduise what is expedient to be done greatly desiring in that which concerneth the honour of God and the common quietnesse of his whole church to proceed as he hath done before not in following his owne opinion but by the common aduise and consent of all He willeth them to know that as partaker of the miseries of the griefs vexations which so many persons do suffer in their soules bodies goods being partaker of so many gronings and teares of so many poore families scattered and depriued of their commodityes he hath alwaies desired that for their deliuerance it might please God to giue vs a good peace But perceauing the crafts and deceites of our aduersaries and their hardnes of heart hee hath bent himselfe to patience finding all his paines and labours whatsoeuer light and easie in the defence of so good and iust a cause wherein hee hath felt in himselfe a wonderful great fauour and assistance of God hauing seene that which he durst not haue thought on and done that which he would neuer haue beleeued Whereupon he exhorteth them that haue remained constant expecting the goodwill and pleasure of God to perseuer and hope shortly of a good issue And them which through feeblenes or heauy burthen of euils haue fallen to keepe their hartes to God and that they will not suffer that fire of zeale whereof they do feele yet the heat to be cooled and quenched hoping for their deliuerance that by the meanes thereof and the grace of God they may reunite themselues and ioine to that body where from they are gone That they will assure themselues both the one and the other that there shall neuer be peace before affaires be established as wel beyond as on this side of Loyre and that the said king will prouide for necessarie safety in case of imminent danger for their safe retire otherwise there should be nothing done As the king of Nauarre beareth to them and all that concerne them a singular loue and affection that they would render vnto him the like that Godblessing such a correspondance of good willes we may all enioyne to his honor and glorie the fruit which such vnity and concord would bring to the confusion of Gods enemies Also other particularities necessarie to this Argument the said gentleman N. shall shew vnto them of the Religion following what he hath seene and heard by the course of the affaires being otherwise impossible to reduce them all in writing And aboue all thinges hee shall assure them of the good firme and constant resolution of the said king of Nauarre and of them who do assist him to employ their liues and meanes for the glorie of God and deliuerance of his Church At Rochel the 29. of December Henry below Berzeau The end of the third Booke THE FORVTH BOOKE IT is sayd before how the Duke of Guize in the apprehension of a great fright in a great heate went both to complaine to the King how all the heretickes of France had conspired to ioyne their forces together to oppresse his brother the Duke de Mayne almost destitute of defence and also to giue him counsell how to let such a dangerous association of them to wit by diuerting their forces And that could not be done but by sending seuerall armies into seuerall Prouinces where they of the religion were strong It is also sayd how vpon this aduise the King prouided sixe armies whereof be sent one into Poytow and another into Languedock the third into Daulphine the fourth into Auuergne and the last was a Nauie conducted by the Commaunder la Chastre and the sixt most daungerous was lead by his Mother agaynst the King of Nauarre vnder the colour of parley of peace hauing with her a legion of Italian wrenches and figges which did her no seruice Whilest the King was left alone and his forces scattered farre wide from him the Duke of Guize aduised himselfe of a dilemma that either he might easily oppresse the King or els at least might worke iollily the seduction of the people Therfore he called his brother the Duke de Mayne began to complayne greatly of the King and to impute the ill successe of his brother in Guyenne to him to wit how his brother was forsaken destitute of
vsed them very courteously performing inuiolably whatsoeuer hee had promised them From Fontenay the King of Nauarre sent the Prince of Conde to Manlion a little towne with three peeces of ordinance which notwithstanding was taken with ladders before the ordinance had played The morrowe after the King of Nauarre arriued thether who had retyred to Lusson after the taking of Fontenay fayning to retyre to Rochel The King perceiuing that his Mother could neither execute her secret practizes nor bestowe her Italian figges vpon the King of Nauarre nor the Prince of Conde immediatly after her returne to the Court to please the Leaguers and to entertayne their fauour for that he was so much beholding to them immediatly he determined to send a mightie armie into Guyenne against the King of Nauarre and of them of the religion And supposing that the Marshall Byron had gone too slowly about his matters in the last armie he was desirous to trie what another Captaine of a hotter spirit could doo And because the Duke Ioyeuse the Kings brother in lawe was somewhat famous not for his valour but for incredible monstrous excesses of crueltie which he had shewed the yeare before at Lodeue Saint Ponce and Marueiolx and other places in Languedock for the true description whereof newe tâ—â—rmes and words had néede to bee deuised The King I say supposing him a fit iustrument to execute his choler vppon them of the religion which so valiantly had heretofore resisted the iniuries of the Leaguers and despised their forces for the great wrongs proffered to his Maiestie by the Leaguers sent him with a mightie armie to passe ouer the riuer Loyre The King of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde were in the low Poytow with their companies very braue and lustie though very small in comparison of the multitude of the enemies And as some companies of the Duke Ioyeuse had passed Loyre and aduaunced themselues vpon the King of Nauarre his men the said King of Nauarre wholly discomfited a band of the enemies which thing being done he caused his companies to retyre some to Saint Mexent others into Xainctonge to employ them as occasion might serue to the ouerthrowing of that newe mightie armie But not long after it happened I knowe not by whose fault committed that two regiments to wit the regiment of Charboniere and of Captaine Debory were left within the towne of Mote Saint Eloy nigh Saint Mexent being not assured of the Castell but only by the promise of them who did hold it Which afterward seeing the enemie assault the said Charboniere and Debory did not fauour them but tooke part against them and that more is deliuered two pieces of ordinance to the enemie wherewith they brake the Barricadoes of our men so they were discomfited by the Lord Ioyeuse Debory was taken prisoner Charboniere was then at S. Mexent where hee did good seruice at the siege which the enemy shortly after laied before the saide towne Among other examples of barbarous and sauage crueltie in diuers places by the said Ioyeuse executed deserueth a speciall note of infamie that the posteritie may discerne men from monsters The Souldiours of the said Charboniere and Debory to whome vpon his faith he had promised safety of life yet contrarie vnto the same hauing caused them to be stripped starke naked and so they falling vpon their knees crying vnto God for mercie and vnto the enemie for compassion without any pittie or feeling of humanitie commaunded his Souldiours to trie their strength of their armes and the sharpenâ—s of their swords vpon those naked bodies destitute of all defence After that he besieged Saint Mexent which resisted the furie of his armie and of all his ordinance for the space of 15. dayes and about the 22. of Iune the towne was surrendered by composition which the King of Nauarre did greatly mislike because that L. Iarriete being knowne and stayed at the gate as he went forth among the rest was brought to the Lord Ioyeuse which committed him to the hands of the Marshall with commaundement to put him to a shamefull death This learned and godly man had faithfully and vertuously executed the ministery in that towne and there he confirmed the doctrine which he had preached with a most constant and Christian death which was vnhappie to them who without a cause put him to the same For they themselues who executed that vniust commaundement would not dissemble to say after they had heard the earnest confession of his faith and praiers which he made in the end of his life that certainely God would reuenge the death of so good and godly a man in whome there was found no cause of such punishment and in deede the Duke Ioyeuse and his armie did not suruiue him long After the taking of Saint Mexent the Lorde Ioyeuse came to Niort with shew to sease vppon Marans as well to cut the way into Poytow to the King of Nauarre as to shut him vp into Rochel and by these meanes to besiege Fontenay with lesse danger which as yet was but slenderly fortified also to sease vpon Talmound hauing al the rest to his deuotion which thing seemed to him easilie to performe For although the King of Nauarre fayned that he would defend Maran against that armie as he did the yeare before against the Marshall Byron at the selfesame season yet notwithstanding hee had not determined so to doo as also it was a thing impossible to defend it for the Marishes and ditches and channels were so dried vp and the earth so hardened that the footmen could easilie goe thorough euery where there was some more discommoditie for horsemen by reason of the steps but yet it was accessible euery where In the meane time the King of Nauarre sent in the regiment of Captaine Preau with some other companies who shewed great diligence in fortifying the holdes of Bastile Brune Poyneuf and Clowsie as for the Fort Brault the King made it in forme of Sheeres on the side of the land and had determined to defend that onely and the Castell The others were only to holde the enemie in hand and in the meane time that this resolution might be stayed the heads hauing commaundement to retire into the towne and not harden themselues obstinately in the defence of the said Fortes After that the Castell was furnished with necessaries Captaine Preau should retyre to Fontenay the Lord Iarry with a number of Souldiours should retyre into the Castell when he should be enforced to forsake the towne and there to abide the force of the enemie for eyght dayes which thing he could doo well enough In the which space the King of Nauarre and the Prince hauing assembled their forces woulde haue giuen so many crosses to the Duke Ioyeuse that perhappes he should not haue needed to take the paine to goe to dye at Coutras notwithstanding for these considerations or other the Duke Ioyeuse set not on Marans but at the request of the
they were not able to withstand so great a power and that they might be vndone ere euer they should perceaue it vseth two shifts to auoide the tempest hee sawe comming First writeth a letter full of flattering prayers protestations and feare for he with an humble stile endeuoureth to make the king beleeue that he had been gentle and tractable neuer refusing the means of a good peace Thē he prayeth the King to thinke no hurt in that which they had done as not proceeding from any malice but rather frō zeale of the Catholike Religion and inflaming him to oppose himselfe and all his forces against the Germanes the auncient enemies of the Realme promiseth him for that purpose a strong ayde and succour against them Last of all hee fayned himselfe his partakers and all the Catholikes to stand in great feare of a successour vnknowen and like to be much inferiour vnto him and an enemie of the Catholike Religion and that if hee would resolue his subiects in that matter doo assure him that all things would prosper and succeede after his owne wishing The King with his armie of Catholikes should stay for them in Berry and keepe their passages ouer the Loyre but should suffer them to goe forward betweene the riuers of Sene Loyre that at length when they had gone forward in that sliue betweene the said two riuers the Catholikes on the one side and the Leaguers on the other side following after them either should enforce them through difficulties to retyre homeward the selfe same way that they came or else by some occasion or surprize should oppresse them The Duke Ioyeuse with his armie should goe to get the aduantage betweene the K. of Nauarre and the Germanes Upon this occasion the Duke Ioyeuse as is sayd repayred to Paris there to haue his instructions to receaue the Kings commandements According to this orer the Duke Mercure almost then king of Britaine taked out of Britaine as many Leaguers as he could and being sent vnto the Duke of Guyze vnder the conduct of the Lord Hautboys they miscaried by the way for about the beginning of September they were met and slayne by the King of Nauarre being then at Monsorean During which time of the soiourning of the King of Nauarre at Mōsoreau the Duke Mercure tooke his iourney out of Britaine to ioyne with the armie of the Duke Ioyeuse his brother in law who hauing encreased his armie with a new supplie of men of armes artillery and inunicion stayed at Tours to march against the King of Nauarre The Vicount Turenne hauing intelligence thereof set vpon him and tooke his rich carriage nigh Saumur and shortly after the sayd King of Nauarre hauing receaued the County of Soyssons with his French companies returned to Xainctonge and so went to Rochel where after he had remayned some dayes at length he departed thence the tenth of October there he tooke some peeces of artillery and going through Taillebourg repayred to Pons where hauing assembled and mustered all his forces determined to passe into Gascoyne partly to gather more forces in going partly to ioyne with his army of Germans which were already farre entred into Bourgundy passing through the Prouinces which were fauourable to him For to execute this determination it was needfull for him to passe the riuers Droune and Lisle which were the nearest with resolution to fight with Ioyeuse if neede were The Duke Ioyeuse had aduaunced already to Saint Mexent when the king of Nauarre departed out of Rochel and knowing the intent of the said King of Nauarre thought to cut his way and with great iourneys passing through Poytow Engomoys came to Barbesieulx so to Rochechalays in Perigord with commaundement as he sayd not to spare the extremity of the battayle if other meanes would not serue concluding that by the ouerthrow of the king of Nauarre which hee made sure in his conceit the army of the Germans would not bee able to continue The chiefest aduantage in this exployt was to passe ouer the sayd riuers for it seemed that hee who first might goe ouer these two Riuers would haue great aduantage vpon the other for the which cause the king of Nauarre vsing that prouidence and accustomed diligence which doth render him admirable accompanied with the Princes of Conde and Soyssons the Lords Trimouille and Turenne and others taketh his way to passe the riuer Droune and lodged at Archiak and Montlieu and other places thereabout The Marshall Matygnon had geuen counsell to the sayd Ioyeuse to seaze vpon Coutras a towne and castell situated somewhat aboue the meeting of the sayd riuers Lisle and Droune a place of importance Both the King of Nauarre and Ioyeuse did striue to get that towne the one did striue to passe ouer the riuer Droune the other to stop the passage thereof The Lord Ioyeuse caused his light horses to aduaunce to the place who arryued there one hower sooner then he could haue done himselfe But as they were taking theyr lodginges there they found the companyes of the king of Nauarre which came thither also to whom the enemy gaue place quickly as beyng the weaker The king of Nauarre therfore passed his forces ouer the foord of Droune but the Duke Ioyeuse hauing great desire to do some great exployt and considering that the king of Nauarre was inclosed betweene two great riuers he promised himselfe an assured victory of him as not able to auoyd any way Therefore he giueth the rendes vous the morrow morning after beyng the 20. of October to a certayne place betweene Rochechalays and Coutras The day being come he tooke his place for the battayle with as much aduantage as he could choose within halfe a league of Coutras Here is the place the persons the causes and euentes to be consideres The place is in the very edge of Xainctonge where he had committed horrible and sauage cruelties and other excesses against them of the reformed religion which haue no names in any language The persons were Leaguers for the most Atheistes walking among them vnder colour of zeale of popish religion men besides polluted for the most part with the bloud of the Saynts which they had spilled like water vpon the earth and other abominations which follow treasons Idolatry Atheisme they were more in number without comparison better armed and furnished with all necessaryes The causes were that after they had for these foure yeares refused all reasonable offers of the king of Nauarre they hated him without a cause they did draw theyr tongues and swords agaynst the God of heauen and his Gospell with a Ciclopicall rage Therefore Adrasta did stay them in that place swolen with pride arrogancie contumelie vaine hope and confidence in the arme of flesh which could not deliuer them There they do◠prooue the force of the God of Battels and drinke a harty draught or rather a carowse of the Dregges of Gods wrath and iustice least that theyr abominable
which pleased him so that euery one in his owne person did some honorable exployt in this victorie This victorie was the more honorable vnto the sayd King of Nauarre that it was not bloudie to him For so great number being slaine on the side of the enemies he lost a very small number of either horsemen or footmen of his own And among that small number there was not found one of marke or commandement On the other side all the chiefest were slaine wounded or taken except Lauerdine who saued himselfe with much a doo Captayne Mercure while they were in battaile ran to Contras to seaze vpon the king of Nauarre his baggage supposing that the Duke Ioyeuse had gotten the victorie But when he heard the crye of victorie for the King of Nauarre he went out in hast and following the bancke of the riuer Droune toward Rochechalays saued himselfe by flight and shame The victorie was pursued three houres and more in the which pursuing were slaine and taken a great number the ordinance was carried away and the baggage lost After the returne from pursuing of the enemie thankes were giuen to GOD vpon the place of the battell the wounded were taken vp the dead buried the campe of the enemie burned vp But that which filled the measure of the King of Nauarre his vertue and honour was that hee shewed himselfe no lesse courteous and gentle toward the prisoners and wounded than hee had shewed himselfe valiant in the fight Let them who haue tried him by experience giue the testimony thereof who also haue acknowledged by effect y e good affection which he beareth to good French men discerning by a wise prudence all good men from the conspiring and traiterous Leaguers enemies of the state He commaunded the wounded to be diligently dressed and attended he sent away almost all the prisoners without any raunsome he gratified many of the chiefest to some he rendered their Ensignes namely vnto the Lord Montigny If he could haue guided the lot of armes in the battell many were left there vpon the place to whom he would haue willingly forgiuen For there was seene in him in this prosperous successe not one token of insolencie or passion which is commonly the mother of crueltie Here foloweth the names of the most notable men who dyed in this battell The Lord Ioyeuse general of the army and Saint Suuer his brother Bressay Roussay County of Suze County Ganelo County Aubjyou Fumel Neufuy in Perigord the elder Rochefort Gurat Saint Fort. Vaulx Lieutenant of Bellegard The Ensigne bearer of the Lorde Montigny Tierceline master of the Campe. Chesner Valade Baculard Champel the younger Pluuiault Brangerie Al these were lords hauing charg in y e army w t many other men of Mark. These folowing were taken prisoners and wounded Bellegard taken wounded and afterward dyed Saint Luke The Marquis of Prennes County Monsoreau Sansak Cipiere Saultray Montigny Villecomblin Chasteaurenauld Maumont Parriere Chasteauuieulx Chastelou Auuerdiere All these were men of commaundement Beside these were a number of Gentlemen Captaines and other men of name part of them slaine part taken The body of Ioyeuse was embaumed and brought to Paris God in that day and place rained from Heauen his fearefull iudgements and made them of France who loue the bloud of ciuill warres to knowe that in the end the losse is common and that such pestilence destroyeth the authors thereof The King being at Gien vpon Loyre aboue Orleans with his armie to withstand the Germans at the passage of Loyre receaued newes that the two armies had met and it was first reported that it was but a little skirmish where the King of Nauarre was put to the worst But the trueth could not be hidden long for at length it was knowne to all men that the King of Nauarre had obtayned the notablest victory which was yet in all the ciuill warres of France for the defence of the religion with an irrecuperable losse of them who would haue it rooted out The Court kept a great mourning thereof which qualified well the great ioy that they had for the ouerthrow of the Germanes which they had promised to theÌ„selues After this victorie the King of Nauarre folowed his purposed iourney into Gascoyne for the causes afore said he brought with him the best part of all the companies hee was accompanied with the Prince of Soissons The Prince of Conde repayred into Xainctonge for to assemble moreouer al that he might and to be at the appoynted rendes vous when they should take their iourney toward the armie of the Germains vpon the riuer of Lisle and afterward willing to goe further for to haste with great diligence his way he left the bodie of his forces with the Vicount Turenne who loosing neither time nor occasion tooke many places vpon the said riuer and in the rountrey round about which hee reduced vnder the power of the King of Nauarre Here foloweth the names of the places taken by force or composition after the battell of Coutras The house and mill of Auber demont nigh Coutras was rendered by composition there were garisons placed The Mill of Penot beaten downe The Mill of Cause taken and the fortifications destroyed The Castell and Mill of Saint Seuerine forsaken by night of them who did holde it Captaine Roux commaunded there for the King of Nauarre The new Mill giuen ouer and burned to the very foundations with all the moueable goods and victuals which were within whereby many men were vndone hauing lost their euidences The Mill of Coâ—y put vnder the protection of the King of Nauarre with the condition to make no warre there The Uicount Miles answered for it The Mill of Meneplet did the like vpon the same condition so did the mill of Vauclere The house of Captaine Fay. The Abbey of Vauclere The Church of Saint Laurens The towne and Abbey of Guistre taken by force and a Garison put there Saint Denis was forsaken and a Garison put therein Lapalays taken by assault after threeskore and fiue shot of Ordinance there were about 31. persons killed and 32. hanged for the great outrages and violences committed therein and many other reasons which were found worthy of Iustice the strong holde the Church and the towne wholy consumed with fire with all the fruites and goods which were within for that it was a very den of theeues and robbers The Castell of Vigneron rendered by composition and a Garison put therein The towne and Church of Puisiguin sustained the siege a day and a halfe was rendered to diseretion there were some executed iudicially for the great iniuries and complaints laide against them The Lord Semens who was wont to be one of the pillers of the League in that countrie brought the rest there abouts to the seruice of the King of Nauarre and did shew himselfe more adicted to the said King of Nauarre then he did euer to the contrarie side The fort and towne of Lussak forsaken
after they had stayed for the cannon It was vtterly destroyed Montague abandoned by night ransaked and destroyed The house of Mondesier rendered and after put in the hands of the Uicount Myels who gaue his word for it Monpaun forsaken by night and the wales destroyed no liuing soule left dwelling in They did fortifie it againe The 4. of December the strong hold and towne of Sorzack was rendered by composition after sixe dayes of siege the cannon could not ariue sooner by reason of the foule weather and foule waies The Castell of Greenholds one of the strongest places of all the countrey was surprised and Garisons put therein The house of the Lord Oulmes giuen ouer The Castle Franckes forsaken the fortresses were rased The Castell of Mussidan a strong hold with the towne were put in the protection of Salignak who answered that they shoulde make no warre thence The houses of Herbasses Gaudilak and Mazeroles were put in the protection of the King with the house of the Lorde Brouillet with the house of Viuant and the noble house and auncient Castell of Marsilak The Castell of Saint Pardoux which was belonging to the Lorde of Neufuy was put into the hands of his brother the Lord Foillons The 10. day of December the armie departed from Sorzak to goe to besâ—ege the towne of S. Astier and Bishops Castell distant two Leagues from Perigeulx These Leaguers about the Kings person did cast forth their forcering perfumes to wit if his Maiestie should accept the King of Nauarre his offers first he should put the holy Catholick Romane faith in daunger to be wholy subuerted in few yeares and at length he should be by the Hereticks supplanted deposed and displaced Secondly that there would ensue an vniuersall rebellion of the Catholicks so that the hereticks themselues if they would which thing they woulde neuer carrying alwaies in remembrance the iniuries and massacars by him committed vppon them bee able to keepe him in the possession of his estate Thirdly that the holy father and all other Catholick potentates of Christendome would take it in very ill part and would bend their forces against him so that Iupiter himselfe woulde not bee able to defende him Last of all that it would dot be honorable for him so to doo for it would be thought that after the fresh losse at Coutras feare had compelled him to yeeld to dishonorable conditions and to receaue law of his subiects and so against the honorable actes of his auncestors hee should seeme to haue ioyned himselfe though not in opinion yet in societie with the hereticks and so thought not to haue forsaken yet to haue been himselfe against the Catholick religion Furthermore the heathens did neuer giue so much credit to the oracles of Apollo as this besotted King whome God had endued with good partes if hee would haue vsed them with libertie did attribute vnto his mother being vnto him as Vates fatidica and a shee Priest of Apollo a snare confusion and shame Shee therefore at the request of the Masters of the League sendeth her Oracle ex aurcatripode that by no meanes the King should accept the offers of the King of Nauarre Fearing that if the King had receaued the offers aboue saide hauing the Princes of the bloud about him to helpe by their counsell and wisdome the establishing of the decayed state shee should haue been turned out of gouernement and de Ponte Deiecta commaunded to sit at home to mumble her beades So this great King yet once more traiterouslie was be witched and by the abouesaid counsellers and Mother was sold to his owne ruine and wofull fall The King of Nauarre after the victory obtayned at Coutras became not insolent of the victory but mooued with compassion for the miseries which afflicted France submitted himselfe and searching out the means to pacify the troubles sent Ambassadors to the king theÌ„ being on the South side the riuer Loyre in Berry to require him yet most earnestly and humbly to consider the pitifull state of his realme and to pity and remedy the manifold oppressions of his people And although they might haue considered his good successe for the space of three yeares in beholding so great forces and strong armies prepared and sent agaynst him partly to haue vanished away as dust blowen by the wind and partly ouerthrowen by the singular assistance of the mighty God of battels yet doth proffer with many humble prayers and submission not onely peace to his disaduantage but also his forces with the army of the Germans if it pleaseth him to vse theÌ„ to take reuengement of the iniuries so often reiterated rebellions of the League But the Duke of Guyze head of the League hearing of this message seeing himselfe his practises hope and all that euer he had with his fellows followers and companions to be in a dreadfull precipice like to be thrown down into a miserable headlong downfall taketh order by pollicy to deuise some meanes to auoyd the danger that is to worke by all means possible to let the accomplishing of this ambassage And that this thing may be brought to passe the king is to be enchaunted with that kind of sorcery which in old tyme was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a â—eluding of mans reason as to make a man thinke to see that which he seeth not Two sorts of witches are to bee employed to wit the Leaguers of his counsell as Villeroy Rets and others but specially his mother whose deuillish and factions craftines was admired of him as a most perfect wisdome These persons must vphold the League or else all wil be spilled It is said before how the King with all the forces he could make gaue his last indeuour to oppresse the King of Nauarre and with him them of the Religion for the which purpose he â—et vp three great mightie armies the one to abide vpon the passages of out of Germanie into Lorreyne there to stoppe the entring the sayd Germanes into France The second the king himselfe should haue about him in his owne person to let the passage ouer Loyre least the sayd Germanes should ioyne with the King of Nauarre The third was conducted by the Lord Ioyeuse into Guienne where we shewed the same to haue beene buried in perpetuall infamie at the battel of Coutras Now remayneth to speak of the other two what they did and what became of them The King had in deede gathered mighty armies but he had no money to maintain them for the Priests would haue no more warre so costly as they had two yeares before the Parisiens would heare no more these words da mihi affer mihi The Kings money either was intercepted by the way in diuers chances or else his Taliages Tributs or subsidies were not payed either by some for lack of good wil or else by some for lack of money Therefore in the latter end of August hauing foure thousand Swissers at Estampes and eight
thousand more entring already into France with foure thousand Rutters which were euery day expected he must needes prouide money for them For these shameles Mercenaries who sell themselues to dye at other mens commaundement neuer considering the iustice of the cause will make no warre longer than they are fed with money Considering the great charge which he through euil couÌ„sell had drawen vpon his armes he gathered a great summe of mony vpon the Courts of his Parlâ—aments wherewith he payed those Souldiers But whilest the K. was so busie to fight against the God of battells his Sonne whome he had anoynted vpon his holy hill Sion and pollâ—d his iudges and Magistrates that they might recouer money with aduantage by peruerting indgement Beholde a preamble of that rebellion which followed against him in Paris the moneth of Maie next ensuing There was a certaine Masse Priest Parson of Saint Seuerine at the lower ende of Saint Iames streate named Preuost who preached most seditiously against the King and certain other Lords who were his faithfull seruaunts without any respect of persons degree or dignitie This Priest being threatned to be had before the King a certaine notarie made a great assembly both of armes and men for to defend the Priest The King being aduertized of this misâ—emeanour commanded one of the porters of his chamber accompanied with two Archers of his garde to goe to the sayd Notary to bid him come to speak with the King They which were assembled in the Notaries house seeing the sayde company to enter into the house set vpon them with great violence and enforced them to saue their liues by flight â—rying arme arme and so put al the side of the Vniuersitie in such a wonderfull commotion that there was nothing else to be hoped but a tragicall euent and afterwarde vntill the 8. day of the sayd moneth the whole Citie was in an vprore keeping watch al night at the corners of the streates Now to returne to the course of the history The King hauing three great mighty armyes and no money to entertaine them turned himâ—elfe to the olde shifts broughâ— into France by the Cardinall of Lorreyne and paltring Italians who came with the Q. Mother and gouernd King Henry the second father to this King at their pleasure when they were disposed to make him a slaue to their passions For the ninth of September the King went to Parliament for to establish fifteene Edicts among the which there were three notable the first was of the establishing 27. Secretaries The second was to choose the sixt chamber of enquests consisting of twenty counsellers and two presidents The third was the creation of the Masters of accounts with two presidents out of the which estates he made his reckoning to pluck two Millions of golde Where thou mayest see gentle Reader in what miserable state France was then from the highest to the lowest The Leaguers secretly agaynst the king They openly made warre agaynst God distroyed his subiectes to bring to passe his owne subuersion and to hide the treasons of his enemies refusing to harken vnto any motion of peace proffered him by the king of Nauarre or to any good counsels and for to maintayne this his enterprises iustice must be peruerted by plurality of offices which is one of the principallest pillers of kingdoms by the which magistracy is vpholden mans society entertayned As concerning the armies which were in hand that which should bee lead by the king himselfe consisted of foure score and eight companyes of men of armes and ten thousand footmen twelue thousand Swissers 4. thousand Rutters he caryed twelue double Canons and two thousand Pioners and about the 1. of September the companies began to repayre to Montereau faut Yoynne with commaundement to stay there abouts about Sens in Bourgony vntill his comming and then to repayre all to S. Florentine there to be mustered The king sent to Marshal Biron to Montereau to view the place where they should campe for the king had determined to campe alwayes and for that cause all the Lords had prouided tentes He tooke for his counsel the Lords Villeroy and Bruslard secretaries the Dukes Espernon Danuile Retes and the Marshals Biron and Aumont The Prince Soyssons was with the king of Nauarre and the Prince County was in NormaÌ„dy Mayne Aniow to gather as many companies as he could to ioyne with the Germans knowing well that these great armies were specially prouided to destroy the house of Bourbon vnder the colour of defending the popish religion The Duke d'Aumaule was appoynted Colonel of the Swissers this armie went not further Eastward then Sens from thence turning South and West ward and crossing the Countrey of Auxeroy and Gastinoys passed Loyre into Berry after the determinatiun of the Germanes was knowne As for the third armies thus is it the Duke of Guize Lorreyne at the beginning of September were at Nancy there they had between 20. and 25000. men among them were many horsemen there they receaued 400. Launces of the Duke of Parma all olde Souldiers 2000. footemen Italians and betweene sixe or seauen hundred light horses they made no great account of the Italians the sonne of the Lord Antragues gouernour of Orleans about the 15. of September brought vnto the Duke of Guize beside horsemen about 700. footemen when a little before all the companies of the Leaguers of Britayn sent vnto him by the Duke Mercure vnder the conduct of the Lord Hault Boys were discomfited by the King of Nauarre nigh Monsoreau vpon Loyre as is before reported The army of Germans for y e king of Nauarre when it departed out of Germany was of fiue thousand Rutters fiue thousand Launceknights armed with corsâ—ets and launces sixteene thousand Swissers foure thousand harquebusiers on horsebacke and about thre hundred horses of French men But after they had passed the mountayne of Sauerne the further it went forward the more it did encrease for the Lord Mouy brought two thousand Harquebusiers French men on horsbacke The L. Villeneufue Cormon one thousandand the Lord Lours one thousand The Lord Chastilion the 22. of September brought to it fifteene hundered Harquebusiers about 200. horses so that the totall summe myght amount to 34. or 35. thousand besides the companies which the Prince County brought afterward They had 16. pieces of ordinance to wit foure great culuerines eight field pieces and three peeces which were taken from Salabrine The Lieutenant of the King of Nauarre was the Prince Bullion assisted with a counsel consisting of these which follow the Lordes Guitri Oneaulx Cleruan Beauuoys la Nocle Vezins Digoyne Louet Ramboillet Laube Cheuorles Huguery and Beauuieu This army was the terror of the one side and the hope of the other and yet both were disappointed of their expectation For God shewed to the one part that he hath means ynough to chastife whom and when he pleaseth to the other part hee shewed that they are not safe who do
trust in man and make their force the arme of flesh Beside these three mighty armies and the armies of the king of Nauarre and Ioyeuse whereof it is spoken before The Lords Mommorency and Diguieres had the fifth in Daulphine agaynst the Lord Valete beside the armes and assembled forces scattered elswhere Such was the state of miserable France which had great cause to grone vnder the heauy burthen of so many so great and mighty armies This tempest was very blacke and thicke and at length thereout issued dreadfull thunder clappes But now we haue to speake of these three armyes conioyntly to wit of the Leaguers lead by the Guyzes of the Catholikes conducted by the king himselfe and of the Germans guided chiefly by the Duke of Boillon Here we haue to consider the iudgementes of God which were powred vpon these armies First y e Leaguers by the K. forces did work y e K. vndooing y t by his fall they might be lifted vp on high The king in pretending y e defence of the Catholike religion which no man did oppugne by violence but the Leaguers went about to root the Gospell of Christ out of France The Germans for the most part were mercenaries who regarded not the right of the cause neither came to serue him who procured them but did in mynd swallow downe the spoyle of France And some among them who were lead with an vpright mind yet being mingled with prophane and irreligious men and trusting in the outward apparance of that army turned theyr confidence from God to the arme of flesh therefore all were disappointed of theyr intents for neyther of them all had any benefit by this great warre but blowes slaughters and calamityes About the latter ende of August after this great armie had passed the mountaine of Zauerne and began to enter into Lorreyne the Dukes eldest sonne with certaine regiments approached so nigh them at Salabrine that 3. of his companies were discomfited and six Ensignes sent to Strasbourg and proceeding further they tooke Blasmond The said army drawing neere to Nancy about the beginning of September certayne seruantes going about to forrage with their cartes were set on by certayne companies which issued out of Nancy when they had seazed vppon some cartes were pursued and beaten into the very gates of Nancy This army of Germans being about Nancy there was a counsell holden to wit agaynst whom they should first turne theyr armes The French men were of that aduile to make warre in Lorreyne and that it was the pleasure of the king of Nauarre that they who had of lustines kindled that miserable warre in France might first of all feele the heauy burthen of the same but specially the Duke of Lorreyne who was one of the heads of the League The Germans in taking a certaine summe of money which the Duke of Lorreyne proffered them were at length content to passe by as neighbours and friends yet notwithstanding they concluded warre did there many acts of hostilitie such as warre doth commonly drawe after it This armie being yet newe and lustie did neglect a notable occasion to oppresse the enemie at the bridge S. Vincent vpon what occasion that opportunitie was neglected it is vncertaine But it is confessed of all men that if they had come to hands that day they had seene the end by the iudgment of men of that warre assoone as the beginning Thus some exployts of warre being done there the scarcitie of victualls beginning to growe they determined to goe foorth out of Lorreyne But vpon the determination of the way which they should followe there was great difficultie found For the Germans desired to passe toward Sedan from whence they might hope of many good commodities and if néede should be they might haue a newe supply of forces out of Germany which thing could not bee if they enclosed themselues among so many riuers which are on the South side of Seyne Some French men on the contrary sayd that they should turne right to the riuer of Loyre for to ioyne with the King of Nauarre The Lord Boillon desired greatly that they would approach to Sedan as they had as he sayd promised him and that in hope of it he had made great preparations of powder and artillerie which hee had made of purpose Considering also that he had to prouide for the securitie of his places which might incurre some daunger if they were not prouided for All reasons debated and weighed on both sides the course to the riuer of Loyre was concluded Whilest these things so passed in Lorreyne the Lord Chastilion the 22. of September came to the armie with his troupes he had much adoo to passe and was as if it were enclosed in the towne of Gresille but was rescued by the Countie de la Mark yonger brother to the Duke of Boillon The armie drawing néere to Chaumont in Bassigny there it was put in deliberation to execute a certaine enterprize which the Lord Chastilion had in hand but it could not be done The armie came to Chasteauuilaine where they soiorned some dayes and in the meane while they tooke a Gentleman named Viliers comming from Rome his iourney to Rome was to solicite the Pope to helpe his master with money to make warre against them of the reformed religion and also to pray the Pope Frier Sixtus to name the King head of the League assuring him that it would greatly mooue him to warre and roote out them of the religion whom he named heretickes The answere which the Pope made him as it appeared by his words was that they should liue in peace with their neighbours and that hee could not furnish them with money being not willing to make warre against any man who desired peace among all men The sayd gentleman carried a letter very ill written which he sayd to be the hand of the Duchesse of Lorreyne mother of the Duke contayning thus much I am very glad to vnderstand the state of your affayres and I aduise you to goe forward for neuer a fayrer occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crowne vpon your head This letter gaue occasion to them of the Counsell to agree that this Gentleman should be kept carefully and brought to the King of Nauarre The armie soiourning at Chasteauuilaine the King with his great armie stayed about Montereau faut Yonne and Sens but vnderstanding the determination of the Germans retyred with his armie into Berry beyond Loyre there to stop the passing ouer to the King of Nauarre and to giue them freer accesse betwéene the two riuers of Seyne and Loyre where hée thought either to weary them or by ioyning his with the armie of the Leaguers at the tayle of them easily he might oppresse them During this soiourne the Baron Oneau brought the artillerie before the Abbey of Cleruaulx which compounded to giue a certaine summe of money and some quantitie of wine and meale notwithstanding that capitulation
which is in the middle of the Towne where was great confusion in going ouer The Lord Chastilion was commaunded to goe to trye the passage at Gien but many inconueniences let that enterprise although he had gone part of the way In the meane time the enemie aduaunced in such sorte that the forerunners did charge the Launce-knights and vnarmed about one thousand or twelue hundred did hurt a great many tooke the artilterie and munition About 25. horsemen did all that The Launce-knights did retyre in good order toward Buissiere as also the wagon men with their horses and other such stuffe as they could saue The Lord Chastilion went also to the sayd Buissiere who did incontinently sende to the horsemen on euery side for to take aduise what was to bee done for they were like to haue the enemie very shortly on their backes but the companies went to the rendes vous which was appoynted at Bouuy The Lord Chastilion hauing stood in battell aray at Buissiere to receiue the Launce-knights who did passe in order made the retraite hauing not with him aboue three score armed men and sixe score harquebusiers on horsebacke at the most The same long soiorning which the Lord Chastilion made at Buissiere gaue time to the enemie to followe him so that in marching the high way to Bouuy the enemy appeared marching along the parke at whose discouering hee put his companie in battell aray foure and foure by reason of the narrownes of the place The Lords Morinault and S. Albine did leade the forerunners who discouering that the enemie was of more then two hundred horses sent word to the Lord Chastilion who strengthened them of ten men of armes which were with the Lord Byramont and willed them to march a small pace after the companies But a little after they were so pressed that they turned their faces against the enemie with sword in hand who then staied and after in that manner followed the Lord Chastilion more than three leagues The said Lord Chastilion geuing to vnderstand to the Prince County that the enemy was at hand the Duke Boyllon went backe to the said Lord Chastilion with 2. hundred horses and going backe to a litle brooke which they had left behind thought good to stay there for the enemie but the Lord Monluet who alwaies had remained behind gaue to vnderstand to the Lord Chastilion that he doubted somewhat and for to know better what it might be they went toward the enemies and at the discouering of them began to speake either to stay them or else to make them come nearer but at length the enemy began to retire vpon which occasion the Lord Monluet and Chastilion pressed them so farre that they pursued beating them beyond the Brooke where they left dead of the enemie seuen or eight vpon the place The Lord Chastilion pursuing the disorder of the enemie was aduertized by the Lord Boillon that the Rutters were more then fiue leagues before with the rest of the Frenchmen that the companies which he pursued was the whole power of the enemie where were the Lords Espernon Nemours and Mercure that necessity required to march forward without any further delay which thing staied the Lord Chastilion who in returning passed by a little wood where he spied about foure score Harquebuziers of the enemie who hid themselues in the said Wood whom the said Lord Chastilion made countenance to charge that in the meane time hee hee might retire his forerunners whom the said Harquebuziers made their rekoning to surprize in theyr returne but they came againe without any damage The truth is that there was in all those troupes but onely the Dukes Espernon Nemours and Mercure who were greatly amazed when their forerunners so fearefully did cast themselues in their armes That same day they went to lodge fiue leagues from thence and the next day they began to enter into Moruaut which is a wood land and so thicke that with much adoo they could not goe aboue two and two They appointed the rendes vous for the chiefe of the army to heare what commission the Lord Cormon had brought which was that the King would geue such surety vnto the Germans as they would to retire into Germany and to the French men Papists who would liue Popishlie in their houses safetie with their goods Others of the religion which would retire out of France might enioy their goods so that they would beare no armes against him requiring furthermore in token of their obedience and good intentes by the which they had declared to haue borne armes onely for his seruice that all the French men should surrender him their Cornets and Colours All these thinges being debated on both sides it was aduised not to dispise these offers but for the sureties and ensignes to take further aduise The reasons which induced them were the great amazednes wherein the whole armie was and to that feare there was such negligence ioyned that there was no more meanes to keepe any order neither among the Germans nor Frenchmen Many French gentlemen had and did dayly resort home there was no assurance that any great number would stay any longer There was no resolution to fight against the enemy the wayes were full of stuffe and armes as well of Germans as Frenchmen the Horses were weary they had to make long iourneys to goe farre from the enemy when they came they found no guide to lead them the way to the Vilages so that they trauelled some time one or two leagues after they were arriued at the rendes vous for to take their lodginges The most part of them remayned either in the woods or else in the first houses which they met men without bread horses without fodder many horses were tyred for lacke of shooing There was foure daies iourney to goe through woods The Harquebuziers and footmen did diminish on both sides all the regimeÌ„t of the Lord Villeneufue had disâ—anded themselues not passing thrée daies before because the master of theyr campe was prisoner there was almost no men left in the regiment of the Lord Mouy They whom the Lord Chastilion had brought out of Languedock for lacke of horses could not follow or else for to follow in so long iourneyes were inforced to cast away their armors most of them had no powder nor meanes to recouer any Their Peeces were either broken or vnprofitable for lacke of workemen to mend them There remayned not aboue two hundred Harquebuziers They which rested of Launce-knights being about two thousand were vnarmed all these reasons made them conclude that it was better to saue the men to do seruice another time then to loose them and geue the praise to the enemy to haue wholly destroyed that army Vpon these deliberations they dispatched to the king the L. Cormon In the meane while the army went forward followed still by the Lord Espernon accompanied with seuen or eight hundred horsemen and with as many Harquebusiers as he could put
on horsebacke and was then with in a league of the army The Armie marched fiue daies iourney vnto the towne of Lancy in Masconoys where the rendes vous was geuen The Rutters and Frenchmen assembled themselues the 6. day of December The Lords Cormon Lisle and Moriuault came from the Lord Espernon there the heads and the troupes being assembled conferred together of the things which were to be entreated The king fearing greatly that the remnant of that army should escape into Viuarets and Languedock so into Gascoyne to the king of Nauarre Therefore they inuented surmises to increase the terror and impossibility to diuert them if it were possible from going that way which they saw was the easyest and safest to escape the danger into the which they did cast themselues and to cause them to accept of disauantagious offers The Lord Lisle Moriuault being sent by the Duke Espernō opened a rowle in the which was read how many companies of armed men and regimentes of footmen were in the forrest countrey to stop the way to the armie if they should take their iourney to Viuarets he reported also how Mandelot was enforced to retire his armie by reason of the great Snowes which were fallen there so that there was no meanes for them to passe this thing discoraged the army greatly Vpon this deliberation appointed to determine what was to bee done the Lord Chastilion shewed that the hardest most dangerous part of the Forrest was past alreadie that within foure daies they could bee in a place of safetye and shewed them to the eye the mountains of Viuarets where within 24. howers they might haue the Lord Chebault with fifteene hundred Harquebusiers that he knew well the meanes of Mandelot how that he could not gather such companies as could be able to stop their way he warned them to take heed of rumors which were spread abroad by the enemie to terrify them offered vpon his life to conduct the companies into Viuarets without danger The meanes which he proposed were to deuide the army into two partes to put one halfe of the Rutters and Frenchmen in the vaungard with as much of the stuffe as was necessary that which they could not spare and to cut off all the rest but specially all the tired horses which serued for nothing but for lets The other halfe of the armie should march after and that they should resolue themselues to fight against whomsoeuer would oppose themselues in their way either afore or behind And that in so doing he trusted by Gods power that they might ouercome all impediments which might be proffered considering that God had plucked the armie as if it were by the hand out of more and farre greater daungers then they which remayned behinde Thereunto he added that the Lord Espernon was left a long dayes iourney behinde the armie Guize thrée dayes iourney the King was beyond the riuer Loyre and that before the armie there was nothing which might doo hurt He shewed furthermore that there was no cause to accept the disaduantagious and vnhonest conditions which were offered vnworthie to bee accepted of them who professed the true Christian reformed religion On the other side he shewed the small assurance which they might haue of the Kings proffers and the impossibilitie to returne home in safetie the way which they determined to take For first the King did offer safetie to retyre wheresoeuer they would with assurance of enioying their goods as well to them who would repayre to their houses and liue according to the Romish religion as to others who would retyre out of France to liue in freedome of conscience without bearing of armes He did offer also safetie to the straungers to repayre to their countrey with their Cornets and Ensignes requiring onely the Colours of the Frenchmen But now he altereth these conditions and will giue no suretie to returne home nor libertie to enioy their goods but onely to them who will liue after the Popish manner or would promise neuer to beare armes except by his expresse commandement and beside asked all the Cornets and Colours indifferently as well of the Germans as Frenchmen This alteration made him thinke that there was some false dealing euen in the armie it selfe which gaue occasion to the King to reuoke his former proffers and to offer harder considering that it was not vnknowne that the Lord Espernon hath not at this present time fiue hundred horses and not so many harquebusiers on horsebacke so that if he would stay for them which be had on foote he would neuer ouertake the armie going forward But if he should come with them which he had he would be still the weaker and himselfe as wearie as the armie in danger still to be well beaten hauing no reason that hee should doo so now seeing that hee durst not doo it when he had greater forces néerer the armie and in a countrie fauourable to him euery way He concluded therefore that there was nothing so sure for the armie as to passe the Loyre He shewed also that it was impossible to returne into Germany safely for to goe thether they ought to passe the riuer Saosne and that still vpon bridges because it cannot bee passed by foor◠any where He shewed that the bridges and boates were in the power of the Duke de Mayne and that if the Saosne might be passed yet must they go through the enemies lands so that they must needes commit themselues into the Leaguers mercie whose crueltie he knewe the King himselfe were not able to stay Many Germans and others shewed that they approoued well this aduise as the surest way But this is to be confessed that God would not vse the means of this armie and that he would wholly scatter it For although they sawe and approoued the most expedient reasons yet they could not follow them Others thought that they who would returne into Languedock would haue others to followe them for to assure their way Others alleaged the impossibilitie by reason of the Snowes others the barrennes of y t countrey where they should finde foode neither for men nor horses The Rutters thought vppon the losse of their horses when they should passe the downefalls of the mountaynes of Viuarets where the countrey men alone were able to resist them so that easily they were withdrawne from that voiage For then the common sort of them without their Colonels flocked together to heare what the Lord Lisle mariualt would say who perswaded to diminish somewhat of the conditions proposed vnto them or els to carrie away their Cornets and sweare neuer to returne into France except it were for the Kings seruice or the Emperour or els to surrender their Cornets and to goe with libertie and to returne when they would Upon this proposition the Lord Chastilion breaking through y e preace shewed that the Lord Lisle mariuault had no authoritie nor writ to treate with them nor that could binde the King to
entertaine that which he proposed he shewed also how in all that there was no securitie and that the Kings offer was as good as nothing in offering to men of warre Souldiers conditions shamefull and vnreasonable and such as could not bee accepted without forcing both their religion and honour But the tumult encreasing as is commonly seene in such diuersitie of opinions the Germans concluded to accept one of the two proffers and that same day at euening they would shew which of them Upon this resolution the Prince County with his white Cornet separated himselfe and went to lodge at a Castle not farre off They made some proffers to the Lord Chastilion to disswade him from his returne into Languedock amplifying the great daungers which did attend him if hee should hazard that voyage Notwithstanding he went to the Lord Boillon and hauing made a discourse of the dangers whereinto he did cast his life and state vpon the feare which he conceaued shewed him â—ow this delay of resolution would giue leasure to the enemie to stop his passage and taking his leaue from him tooke his way to his troupes which stayed for him This being done there came 25. or 30. Rutters after him to call him saying that they had somewhat to say to him Then hee began to mistrust them as that they would arest him and being in the middle of them vnderstood that they talked among themselues that they had no securitie for their payment that the French men should giue them assurance There some of the princiâ—allest of them sayd vnto him twise in the eare my Lord goe your way fearing the mutinie of the common Souldiers The Lord Chastilion then speaking to the companie of the Rutters it is reason said he that you should haue securitie of your paiment and for my part I am ready to bind my selfe to de what you will But said he I must haue the Lord Boillon whom I goe to fetch to you And vpon these words â—urned bridle and making roome tooke the galop to the forefront of his troupes the which with sword in hand tooke their way with a soft pace about two miles and thence got easily to S. Laurence where was the rendes vous The said L. Chastilion through great daungers with his company arriued the 11. of December at a Castell in Viuarets called Retortou where was a garrison of them of the Religion the fift day after his separation from the army The Lord Chastilion so retired from that armie the Rutters and others who remayned among them concluded the capitulation with the Lorde Espernon as appeareth by the articles which were brought to the King and afterward by his commaundement sent into the Prouinces and gouernments of his realme whereof the tenor followeth Articles and capitulations concluded by the Lord Espernon with the Lords heads and guides of the armie of strangers Baron Oneau Colâ—nels Captaines Writmasters Lords and Knights c. The Frenchmen who are in the armie shall render their Cornets into the hands of the Lorde Espernon to bee sent vnto his Maiestie to whome the King giueth libertie to enioy their goods in safetie in their houses so that they obey the Kings edicts They also shal make promise to him signed and sealed with their hands neuer to beare armes except it bee for his seruice and by his expresse commaundement except it be out of the realme They of his said subiects who will retire out of the realme without obeying his edicts and yet will make the said promise the King doth graunt them libertie to inioy their goods and securitie to returne with the strangers out of the realme but they who will promise nothing at all they shal only haue safety to retire out of the realme with the strangers without inioying any of their goods And for as much as some of the Captaines may make doubtes to surrender their Ensignes the King will that such shall not at all enioy the benefit contained in these Articles As for the strangers the King dooth graunt them passeport vnto the Frontiers of his estate on that side where they are now nearest vpon condition that the said Colonels Captaines Writmasters shall promise to the King neuer to carrie armes in France against the King being thether called by his subiects without his expresse commaundement and shall lap vp their Ensignes in returning to their Countrey Also they shal not take nor carrie away any prisoners of the Kings subiects without his expresse licence neither shall commit any act of hostilitie in his realme in which dooing the King shall prouide them necessarie things for the performing of the premises the 8. of December This was the end of this armie by the which God did euidently shew to his children that it is hee onely vpon whome they ought to cast their eyes in their afflictions that other meanes are altogether vnprofitable except that he will further them neither will he further them except they be well vsed with an vpright minde and intent This separation of the army tooke away from the enemies of Gods people all occasion to swell of the victorie which they may not attribute to their valour who durst neuer looke them in the face and in skirmishes the enemy had alwaies the worst except at Aulneau onely where through their negligence they were surprised Now Christian Reader consider well the vse of this dissolution of the Army The King prepared great power to oppose himselfe to it vsed great pollicy to drawe it into that straight whereinto they wilfully did cast themselues for not following the good counsell of the K. of Nauarre who would haue them to passe aboue the head of Loyre But as men destitute of vnderstanding heedily went into a manifest mishap and knew not wherefore as to close vp themselues betweene so many riuers whose passages they knew well to be holden by the enemyes And as the king vsed great pollicie in snaring them that way so he tooke great care labour to disunite them that without blowes he might throw them downe and at length beeing by themselues weakned sent them away to the slaughter vnder the shadow of a pasport If the King had béen so long at schole with Salomon as he was with his mother the onely furie that hath beene these many ages hee could haue learned that it was an vnseemly thing for a king to speake a lie But marke the fruit that he receaued thereby all this redounded to his vndooing for of euill can no good bee done by man The Duke of Guyze as he had turned all his actions heretofore to his viscredit so did he this for he caused certaine horses which he had taken of the Rutters at the skirmish at Vimory in Gastinois at the surprize at Aulneau to be lead some into one City and some into another almost through all France by his horsecorsers and riders with this song Saul hath killed a thousand and Dauid ten thousands as it shall
be shewed in his place So he made the world beleeue that he had been the onely instrument by the which that armie had receaued all the harme which they receaued And whereas the Kinges onely pollicy had vndone that army yet made he the world beléeue by his horsecorsers whom he sent to walke the said Dutch horses whom bee vsed for sowers of false rumors that not onely the king had willingly let them to escape but also had geuen them the meanes to retire some into Germany and some into Languedock and from thence to the king of Nauarre so that the pulpits of Fryers and Iesuits in Paris and other cities did sound nothing else but of these newes extolling the valour wisedome and glory of the Duke of Guyze with procuring to him much popular authority and good will and making the King hatefull among the Catholikes for glosing and dissembling with them and fauouring the heretikes to that end that when oportunity should be offered the sayd Duke of Guyze might easily bring to passe his enterprizes and the king should not be able to let him Now let vs know what became of the fragments of this armie First the promise was not obserued to them for a great number of theÌ„ were slaine robbed and spoyled in dyuers places The Duke of Lorreynes eldest sonne called Marthuis de Pont accompanyed with the forces of the League set on them in diuers places and enuaded the county of Montbeliard where hee committed horrible cruelties putting all to the sword with execrable whoredoms and abominations Many dyed in the way many dyed when they came in place of safety euen of the cheefest noble men The Lords Boillon Cleruaut and Vau with many other noble men retyred to Geneua where after so many labours and greeues they dyed in the Lord. The like happened to the Swissers whose Colonels and Captayns who were the authors of the first parley and capitulation with the king were punished by their seignories so that few either of the Germans or Swissers returned home or escaped vnpunished It is said before how that France in this yeare was groaning vnder the burthen of seuen great armies besides many particular assemblies wherof it is said how Ioyeuse and his armie was made sure at Coutras and their reduced carkasses were left in perpetuall infamy not for their death but for the causes of it The Germans haue made shipwracke vppon the Rockes of Lancy in Mosconoys the eight of December and after The kinges armie was broken against the banke of Loyre and from thence scattered euery man home The Leaguers are excluded out of Daulphine where the Catholikes and they of the reformed religion after much bloodshed at length agreed to liue like good fellow cityzens vnder the lawful gouernment of theyr king and so the yeare is ended and Christ raigneth for euermore The end of the fourth Booke THE FIFT BOOKE THis yeare is notable not so much by reason that it was holden by the Mathematicians to bee fatall to the world as by reason of the great and tragicall euents which happened to many great and Noble personages For this yeare dyed the Duke of Boillon and other Nobles at Geneua The Prince of Conde at Saint Ihan d'Angelye The Duke of Guyze and some of his partakers The inuincible armado of Spaine intending to haue inuaded England was beaten both by God and man And last of al the famous enterprize atchieued by the French King Henry the third with the famous victories of the Church of God in the principality of Boillon against the conspirators and enemies of mankind of the League It is said before how after the capitulation of the King with the army of Germanes at Lancy in Masconoys the Duke of Boillon the Lordes Cleruaut Vau and others retired to Geneua where these three especially dyed Not long after their aryuing there the Prince of Boillon fell sick the 27. of December feeling in himselfe his end to be at hand that he had to passe to a most blessed life carefull for the state of the Church of God gathered in his Soueraigne principalitie of Boillon disposed of his affayres as followeth He made his soule heire generally of all his goods holden as well in Soueraigntie as otherwise the Lady Charlote de la mark his sister vpon condition y t she shal neither alter nor innouate any thing in the state nor in ReligioÌ„ the which there she shal maintaine as it is established Also that she shall not marrie without the aduise of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Prince Monpensier her Uncle vpon paine of forfeiting the right of those Soueraignties from the which in case she should otherwise doe he vtterly excludeth her And in case the said Lady of Boillon should decease without heires the Prince of Monpensier her Uncle is substitute as next to inherit and after him the Prince Dombees his sonne conditionally that they shal change nothing in the state nor Religion vpon paine of the like forfeiture And in case the said princes should make there any innouation he doth substitute the King of Nauarre and in like case the Prince of Conde in case the first should fayle in the performance of the premises The said Lord Boillon made executor of his Testament and the Lord la Noue the which done the first of Ianuarie he was deliuered out of this mortall liâ—e to enter into the full enioying of the societie of God being the day of his natiuitie and the 25. of his age This was a Prince of great auncient and famous nobilitie issued by the father side out of the stock of that renowmed Argonante Godfrey of Boillon who was crowned King of Ierusalem a noble and vertuous man his Mother was one of the most vertuous women of our age daughter vnto the Prince Monpensier and sister vnto this Prince now at this yeare liuing her vertue godlines and constancie in the confession of the true doctrine shall be in an euerlasting remembrance For shee being very oftentimes requested by her Father a great deuout Catholick to forsake the Gospell and to returne to poperie at length she agreed vnto him with this condition that if the popish Doctors could bring better proofes for their religion then the ministers of the reformed would for hers shee would fulfill his will Whereupon a disputation being obteyned at the hands of King Charles the ninth and the matter being reasoned betweene two Doctors of Sorbonne and two Ministers of the Gospell for many dayes in her presence her owne husband sitting as moderator it fel out that in stead of that which her Father looked that she should haue been conuerted to popery she was confirmed in the trueth by whose singular wisdome and speciall care afterward the Churches of the Soueraigntie of Boillon were reformed This Principalitie of Boillon is a small countrey holden in soueraigntie yet commonly vnder the protection of the Crowne of France between the riuers Mose and Moselle a
part of the auncient Nation called Eburones hauing on the East side Lorreyne and Ardenues on the West Henault on the North Liege on the South Baroys and Champaigne it hath two strong places Sedan and Iamets and many other strong holdes and Castels the Countrey is Woody Moorish and strong lying altogether vpon the banck of the riuer Mense This Countrey since it had imbraced the Gospell and become the Garden of Eden hath been the place of refuge for them of the reformed religion of the Nations which doo lie betweene the riuers of Marne Seyne Mosselle and Saosne a place most fit to retire vnto in time of persecution There were two bretheren the Duke of Boillon and the Countie de la Mark two Noble young men of great vertue valour and godlines who had from their cradle as if it were sucked the true religion and vertue with the milke of their vertuous and godly Mother They ventured all that they had liues goods and state for the defence of the Crowne of France and true religion and opposed themselues against the conspiracies of the Leaguers not as Merceuaries but moued with a true zeale and loue toward both These two noble men were called out of this life vnto that which neuer decayeth and to inioy the inheritance of the Saincts in light whose names shall be in the euerlasting remembrance of the righteous The one to wit the Countie de la Mark dyed at Lancye about the beginning of October as is said before but the eldest to wit the Prince BoilloÌ„ at Geneua the first of Ianuarie as is said It is said before how the Duke of Guize set vpon the Rutters at Vimory where many were slaine and taken on both sides and the Duke of Guize tooke also about three hundred wagon horses and in like manner tooke some more in the surprise which he did enterprise vpon them at Aulneau in Beausse This man being possessed with a legion of vncleane spirits named Ambition this vncleane spirit did so torment him that it made him to thinke an houre a day a day a yeare and a yeare an olde mans age so he longed to see the royall familie rooted out and the crowne of France to fall to his lot hee aduised therefore himselfe of this point of policie to make his name ring ouer all France his victories sung out and to store vp the loue and admiration of the people toward him and to procure hatred and enâ—ie to the King He deuyded these horses and armour which hee had taken from the Rutters at Vimory and Aulneau into sundrie companies of horsecorsers and riders transported with affection and factious malcontents and vnquiet to make a progresse through the realme into those Prouinces whereunto they durst venture and into those Townes and Cities specially which were fauorable to him There these horsecorsers carried as if it were in a triumph through the cities the Germaines spoyles horses weapons and all other aray And when the people were flocked together in great troupes to see these new showes there were the Orators ready among them The number of the dead horses and Ensignes taken were increased by the figure of multiplication one killed a hundred and a hundred ten thousand as Pyrgopolinices in Plautus the manner of the fight was made very difficult and dangerous for the conquerours They shewed also how not one of the Guizes Souldiers were found wanting to be short vanitas vanitatis Then they applied their showes how that the Duke of Guize had atchiued himselfe all the difficulties of the warre and either slaine or taken the chosen and valiant Captaines and Soulâ—iers thereof and if hee had been assisted by the King he would haue gotten such a victory as neuer the like had been heard of in France For hee knew the meanes how to haue made such a slaughter of them as not one had been left to tell the newes in Germanie all the realme might haue inioyed the commodities of such a victorie But the King he retyred beyond Loyre as though he had beene vnwilling or afeard of them for he would or durst neuer shew his face or draw his sword against them and for to shew some outward countenance or for shame when the enemie were alreadie vanquished and that the Duke of Guize had left the small remnant who were but pages and scullions so hurt wearie and sick that they could not flie trusting that they would haue been dispatched by the King they were followed so slackly that not onely he gaue them leasure to escape without running but also helped them to ouercome so many distresses wherunto they were driueÌ„ by the said Duke of Guyze also vnder colour of a counterfeit yeelding and submission he granted vnto them their liues horses and furniture and to some of them their goods and by these meanes they came all to their iourneys end and safely arryued to the King of Nauarre Now the conclusion of these infamous reports was left to euery man to inferre that eyther there was not in the King such princelike vertues as should be in him or else that hee was a fauourer of heretikes and a dissembler with the Catholikes Then what should wee doe with such a King Let vs haue another And whome should we haue but him that hath done such exployts and deliuered France from so manie daungers and terrors By these deuises hatred and contempt was no lesse procured against the King as gloria in excelsis prayse loue fauour and authoritie to the Duke of Guyze The Iesuites and Friers on the other side tooke these lyings and slaunderous reportes for a theme to discourse vpon in the pulpits he that was of a timorous minde cryed that the King was a betrayer of the Catholikes he was become either a close and desembling heretike or a fauourer of heretikes and that it was to be feared ere long hee would forsake the catholicisme and ouerthrow the Catholike Religion in France Others which had a more warlike stomack discoursed vpon the other common place that the K. had a timorous mind durst not look few Pages and Scullions halfe vanquished in the face and that was the cause that many attempts vpon the heretikes had come to small effect because the warres were not pursued by men neither of courage nor wisedome But the Duke of Guize that noble branch of Charlemaigne the deliuerer of France the onely protector of the holy Church was the onely man to whome they owe their religion their liues and goods the onely hope of the Realme Thus the frogges that rose vp out of the bottomelesse pit did dayly in their pulpits crie croake croake croake There was great hope that the sundry lamentable euents which did beate the one and the other part in France by the scourge of warre and execution of armours as well in the losse of the battell at Coutras in the death of notable men as in the oppression and hauock which the armies did cary with them would haue
asswaged the rage and passion which caried away many would haue stayed the persecutions against them of the reformed Religion and would haue made a way to some reasonable agreement but the Leaguers and other enemies without any remorse of conscience without feeling of their owne priuate or publike griues so much the more made hast to worke the vtter subuersion of the sayde religion oppressing with greater crueltie the professors thereof than they did before Sathan therefore the captaine of murtherers of the Saints deuided his forces one part to assault the remnaunt of the Church left in the popish prouinces of France and the Churches of the principalitie of Boillon which we will in order recite As after the breaking of the armie of the prince of Conde in Vandomoys in the yeare of our Lord 1585. they thought that with the same Prince al their hope had been gone which thing made them increase their crueltie euen so did they after the dissipation of the armie of the Germanes supposing that they should shortly see the end thereof The authors of these persecutions were the King the Leaguers the Bishops the Iesuytes the Fryers the Monkes the parish Priests and Magistrates In these assaults appeared the cowardlines of a great many of them who had professed the true religion who looking more on the euents and present dangers than to the end of such skirmishes where we ought to shew a proofe of our fayth and with pacience to expect an happyend for feare were caried away to vnlawfull things against their conscience But the Lord as at all other times left not his truth without witnesses for many in diuers parts of the Realme being cruelly persecuted shewed their constancie in maintaining their faith and religion whereupon it seemeth me not to be out of purpose to make mention of the constancie which God gaue to a man of base condition in defending of his religion who in this respect shewed the way to many which in the sight of the worlde had greater meanes to doe it than he had There was in the towne of Marchenoyre in Beausse a poore man borne in Boysgencye vpon Loyre named Francis Tixier as if wee shoulde saie weauer this man by his occupation was a maker of packsaddles who by reason of his family had not departed out of the Realme according to the Kings Edicts neither had obeyed the Kinges commandement in conforming himselfe to the Popish religion but had alwayes constantly remained in the profession of the true religion praying dayly in his house often times ioyning himselfe secretly to others to the same effect and to sing Psalms as it is vsed among thē who do professe y e reformed religion He visited also them who were sicke and strengthened them and if any were which stoode in neede by the meane of some small collections which was made among them secretly hee helped them as he was wont to doo when the reformed Church did assemble at Orges in the which he did beare the office of an Elder God blessed that zeale in time so hard and difficult for some of the villages thereabous by the meane of that small exercise without feare of the persecution forsaking the Romish Church ioyned themselues to the pure religion But this course was not continued long for by the watches and searches of them who in the former assaults alarumes could get nothing vpon this man he was at length discouered and complained off to the Magistrate So that the King passing through Marchenoyre the accusers addressed themselues to one of his Aulmoners and instructed him of certaine accusations against that poore man to wit that hee had not obeyed the Kings edict but on the contrarie did perseuer in his heresie and dogmatize so they kindled the Aulmoner in such a sort that they agreed altogether to put a complaint to the King they made also a booke of others of the religion which they caused the sayd Aulmoner to present to the King For his custome belike was so to bestowe the Kings almes The King commaunded that they should bee apprehended Tixier as the most hatefull was first taken and with great solemnitie brought before the King who was desirous to see him for he was informed that hée was a Minister The King himselfe examined him when he had appeared with great assurance When the King had asked him whether he was an Hugonet and wherefore he had not gone out of the Realme being one as he did confesse and whether he would goe to Masse once or twise and so to escape from punishment The poore man answered that he had not the meanes to auoyde and that he would not goe to Masse nor alter his religion which he knewe to be the trueth When the King perceiued his constancie he sent him to Bloys with letters to his Iudges there commaunding them straightly to make his processe according to the rigour of his edicts There in the Kings presence he was greatly reuiled by the Lords Courtiers and Clawbackes Being carried to Bloys there he was assaulted by three manner of enemies the Iudges his friends and the rest of prisoners First the Iudges had him in hand and after they had gone about to withdrawe him from his religion to Poperie with such bald reasons as they could affoord he made them a plaine answere that he knewe the true Catholike and Apostolike Church and that hee was one of the fellowe citizens of the same but for the Romish Church he neither knewe it nor cared to knowe When these great Deuines had spent all their reasons euen to the bottome they began to drawe out their threatnings to hang him and to giue him opprobrious words The poore man despising their reasons and the dregges thereof made them a flat answere that as he had liued in that religion which they call heresie so was he readie to dye for it if so it were Gods will And after many examinations all about on thing to wit whether hee would goe to masse one asked him of whom he held his religion and who had taught him he answered that hee held it of God who had taught him by his holy spirit Vpon this answere one Saint Seuerine an Italian replyed my frend thine holy spirit will hang thee if thou come not to thy selfe The Lord reproue the spirit of blasphemy This was the miserable state of that realme then that the most vile saucy blasphemous Atheistes were raysed vp by the Q. Mother to high and honorable dignities Saynt Paul had learned the Pharisaisme at the feete of Guualiel but this lewd Italian had learned Atheisme at the Popes feete in Italy and is welcome in France by them of his religion to teach Atheisme and to shew the way to the Frenchmen how to blaspheme a l'Italiane Many other such like trifling talke they had with the pore man more fit for gatherers of old shooes and ragges vppon the dunghil of Bloys then for magistrates The Prisoners did greatly afflict him
with their continuall brabling and brawling with him with few popish vnreasonable reasons which they tooke out of certayne Sermons of popish Frierly Doctors which they had among them and not onely did daily complaine vppon him to the magistrate but also were some time ready to set vppon him to murâ—her him and the more hee was feruent in prayers the more they did moiest and vexe him The third sort of enemies who did assault him were they which professed friendship who oftentimes came to aduertize him in the prison that the Iudges had concluded to condemne him to die and that it were high time to looke about perswading him to auoid the danger to goe to Masse once or twise and after he could make some shift to get him out of the way but he refused all that counsell So he made his will fully determined to die which hee sent to his wife yet the Iudges must haue a fling more to trye what he would do or otherwise resolue to condemne him made him sit vpon the stoole whereupon they that are condemned of capitall crimes are vsed to sit when they do receaue sentence of condemnation But behold on a sudden they changed their mynds and sent him againe into prison The King had written and set his owne hand to a letter commaunding them to make his Processe with all â—igour of the lawe The Iudges were cruell Papists and Leaguers the Italian was an Atheist contemner of all religions but a notorious blynd enemy of the trueth The opportunity of the time might haue encouraged them to vse all extremity But the Lord to the comfort of his children did put a ring in their Nostrels and after a long imprisonment the eight of Aprill they pronounced sentence agaynst the sayd Tyxier by the which they banished him out of the realme for euer and commaunded him vpon paine of death within two moneths to auoyde his goods were forfaited to the King Which sentence was signifyed vnto him the same day by the secretary of the same Court of Bloys It is sayd how the two noble Princes of Boillon and his brother the County de la Mark dyed the one in the Moneth of October at Lany and the other in Geneua in Ianuary The death of this noble Prince being published abroad the Leaguers tooke it for a presage of their good successe and occasion to encrease their power As for to enterprize any thing against Guyenne or the king of Nauarre the bad successe of de Mayne and the death of Ioyeuse at Coutras did not counsell them There was as little hope in other Prouinces where they of the reformed were strong in armes and fortes as in Languedock and Daulphine where now of late an assotiation vpon the defensiue was made betweene the Catholikes and them of the Religion To attempt the old plat agaynst the kings person the time was not yet come On the other side they did greatly feare the tempest which did threaten them on the side of Germany by reason of the fires which they had kindled in the County of Montpeliard and the execrable outrages by them there committed where as is aforesayd they charged the Rutters in them retyring homeward This feare caused the Duke of Lorreyne to send to the king for succour for they thought that it would be greatly for their aduantage if the King in defending them on that side might haue procured the hatred of the Germans and with all consumed his forces in defending and iustifying theyr vilanies and so all by one meanes should spoyle himselfe of the amity of his neighbours and of his owne forces in being after more easy to be oppressed by them Therefore among so many difficultyes nothing seemed vnto them more commodious to bestow and exercize their forces and by little and little to encrease their power then to inuade the said principallity of Boillon supposing that to be of an easy executioÌ„ considering the opportunity proffered it selfe thereby preparing the way by easy thinges to harder and more difficult matters The oportunity seemed vnto them very fit to wit the death of the two bretheren the amaze which fell vpon the subiectes in the territory of Sedan and Iamets The weakenes of the yong Princesse fatherles in tears and mourning by reason of the death of her two brethren a mayd euen vnder age destitute of men armour and Captaines and as if it were disdayned of the world forsaken of her friends not through vnfaithfulnes but being themselues hampered and busied in the selfesame daungers that shée was in Other friends of the contrary profession durst not shewe her any fauourable looke for feare to be heretikes or fauourers of heresie and so to prouoke agaynst themselues the bloodie power of the League And that which is more she being accounted an hereticke for professing of the trueth and therefore accursed by the Pope proscript by the League and as it were dead to the world by the articles of Nancy whereof it shall be spoken hereafter at large And to that ende they might the better both to inuade that yong Princesse and resist the Germans whom they feared by reason of the villanies wherewith they had prouoked them as is aboue sayd they had succour of the Duke of Parma Italians Spanyards Wallons Legeoys Germans vnder the conduct of the Baron of Sarexenbourg to the number of ten thousand men in all All these occasions opportunities causes forces mooued the Duke of Lorreyne to lay the siege before the Towne of Iamets next of the principalitie which lyeth nigh the borders of Lorreyne about the 20. of Ianuary In the meane while the Princesse caused the inhabitants to sweare fidelitie to her and gaue the gouernment of her affayres vnto the Lord Nueuile vntill she might vnderstand of the Prince Monpensier her vncle appoynted Warde and of the Lord la Noue executor of the Will of her brother but specially of the King of Nauarre whose counsel she desired greatly to followe The companie which she had were the Princesse her selfe the Princesse Bourbon and the Lord Laual a young child the heire of the Lord Laual who dyed at Taillebourg the yeare 1586. in Aprill as is aforesayd The forces were the inhabitants of the countrey and a certaine number of Frenchmen exiled out of their countrey by reason of the persecution of the League The Duke of Boillon being dead the King of Nauarre was certified thereof from Geneua and also from Sedan an expresse messenger was sent to the sayd King to let him vnderstand the state and necessitie of the affayres The King of Nauarre vnderstanding the state of Sedan the iniuries and violences of the League sent thether the Lord Reaulx and from thence to the King to put him in mind of the protection which he did owe to the sayd Princesse and of the seruices done by her predecessors to the Crowne of France but specially to shewe him the importance of the places which the Leaguers did intend to inuade
to make much for the safetie of Mets. She sent also to her vncle the Prince Monpensier who promised her all assistance to his power The Dukes of Sweibrook sent her word that they would doo what lay in them to diuert those forces from her The King not greatly regarding the suit and protection of the sayd Ladie for hatred of the reformed religion sent backe againe the Lord Reaulx to the Duke of Lorreyne where he taried so long that all things were burned and spoyled before he returned to Sedan And at his returne he deliuered a commission from the King to be receaued as Lieutenant generall for the King and protector of the Princesse and that after being receaued when they had giuen their oth then he would declare what order should be taken They made answere that it was a newe thing and that the soueraigne Lords of Sedan had neuer receaued such charges and therefore they could not accept them considering that they had giuen their oth vnto the Prince Monpensier her vncle and Warden to doo her lawfull and faithful seruice and to keepe the places against all men vnder the protection of his Maiestie who would as he hoped bée contented with the assurance which the Prince Monpensier would giue him About the same time the Lord Nueuile gouernour of Mezieres came to Ioram nigh Sedan seeking by fayre promises of friendship to haue that Lieutenantship and propounding certaine captious articles was so answered that if he had come into Sedan there was not of his kinne enough for halfe the women of Sedan for euen they who mooued the matter first stood in some danger The Prince Monpensier sent diuers times to visite and assist her and went to the Court to obtayne the continuance of her protection But nothing was obtayned for the King sought nothing els but to put in such as he thought would fulfill his desire to oppresse and scatter the Church and to haue in his possession that Princesse to nousse her vp in Poperie that there might not be any hope left hereafter to restore the Church Whilest the Duke of Lorreyne besieged Iamets the Duke of Guize sent to Sedan to proffer them great friendship and to preserue them in all libertie of conscience and religion if so that there might a mariage be made betwéene the Princesse and his sonne The Duke of Lorreyne vsing all manner of hostilitie and villanies that could be possible made suite to haue the sayd Princesse in marriage for his sonne the Lord Vaudimount both with flattering words also by thundring of the double Canon The weaknes of this Princesse caused the enemy to be very secure and carelesse which encouraged them which were besieged at Iamets dayly to make sturdy and stout sallies vppon the enemies geuing them no aduantage not so much as to approach to place their peeces and compelled them to trench themselues in the Vilages where they were charged by them within the towne dayly and this continued vntill the beginning of Aprill next following During these two Moneths of February and March and the continuance of the siege of Iamets the Lord Resne with certayne troupes of Italians Germans Wallons Legeoys and Lorreins to the number of 7. or 8. hundred horses with certayne regiments of footmen did scowre the countrey about Sedan where they fired all thinges so that in all the principality of Boillon there remained in a maner but ashes and calamity besides Sedan and Iamets Their outrages and cruelties were such that the like were neuer heard of For all maner of whoredome rauishments violences and woorse were committed by those infernall helhowndes villaines and sauage robbers besides they put all women maidens and children to raunsome as many as they could take such violences they continued vntill the latter end of March thereby to terrify this yong and desolat Princesse Whilest the Leaguers as fire brands blowne out of hell subiect vnto no law gouernment nor power do proffer iniuries vnto all maner of persons without any respect about the beginning of February while they tryed by al means possible both by faire words open violeÌ„ce to seaze both vpon the person and state of the Princesse of Boillon the chiefest of them assembled at Nancy in Lorreine where they continued in counsell vntil the middest of Februarie in the which assembly they concluded many articles against the Kings person and state also they tooke order to continue the eiuill warres which they had kindled and that still vnder the â—olour of popish religion they might win by little and little and so make themselues way to the state by the vndooing of whome soeuer And for as much as they were out of hope to preuaile against them of the reformed religion in Guyenne or other where they aduised themselues by policie to giue the King no rest by hampring him into new troubles in proposing to him vnreasonable requests and still vnder colour of Catholickisme For there they framed articles which haue three principal finall causes to destroy the King the nobilitie and to saue themselues The first is either to shorten the Kings life by some lot of warre or else at the least to weaken him and make him odious to the Church-men The second is to kindle and entertaine the warre immortall that the nobilitie may be destroyed by mutuall blowes and woundes Thirdly to saue themselues from blowes and charges and to keepe themselues in authoritie vntill the opportunitie which they watched for should proffer it self these things are euidently seen in y e articles following But here first before wee come to these articles marke well Christian Reader the turkish hearts who contemning all that is named God and Iustice they haue extinguished in themselues all humanitie and reuerence of superioritie For contrarie vnto all humanitie they went about to rauâ—sh away that noble Princesse issued of noble race left desolate fatherlesse brotherlesse and friendlesse and also to lay hand vpon her state Now haue they despised the superioritie ordayned of God when they desperatly and imperiously dare giue lawe to their Soueraigne euen such law as is altogether vnreasonable contrarie to the duetie of subiects But now let vs come to the articles First they say the King shall be requested to ioyne himselfe more openly to the League and shall put away from him and out of his strong holdes and out of all states and offices of any waight such as shall bee named vnto him Here first they will haue the King to take vpon him all the shame dishonour and hatred of their detestable actions and iniuries which they doo intend Note to proffer to all manner of men vnder the name of the League which they will the King to take vpon him in these words that they wil haue him to ioyne with the League Secondly whereas they seeke to displace from about him such as they would their intent is to depriue him of his authoritie forces and faithfull friends to put him vnderward that he
all impost now three years after they are taxed to pay y e 10. part of all their goods vntil they be discharged of all taxes and impost And if they should complaine of it no doubt they should heare the answere of the Wolfe to the Crane goe thy way thou maist be glad that thou hast not lost all Secondly they will not put in trust about their tirannous deuises none of the kinges faithfull officers and seruants whom they suspect but such Commissioners as be of theyr owne making of their owne qualities and such as will say to all their dooings Amen The ninth article is that the friendes of heretikes which are of their associate shall be enforced by all meanes possible to buy their goods in abating vnto them the fifth part of the value and when they shall be sold to others vpon their refusing they shall not be receaued afterward to haue any action to recouer them Here be two thinges full of wrong and Turkish oppression First that any man should be compelled to buy other mens goods standeth Note vppon no reason Secondly that the ancient law of aguation grounded vpon the ciuill law of the Romanes and vsed in the Realme aboue one thousand yeares by the which the next of kindred might recouer the land of his kinsman alienated in repaying the money within a certayine time should be altered by new men who within a mans age had no more to do in the realme then they haue this day in Turkie that law I say that the Kinges of France neuer sought to alter neither had been able to do it if they would The tenth article is that the first summes of money that shall be made of that sale shall be bestowed to pay the most needfull debts of the heads of the League and the ouerplus shall bee put in the handes of such as shall be named with condition that they shall not be emploied otherwise In this Article wee may obserue two prety shameles tokens for first these beggerly Lords issued out of the cauerns of the beggerly mountains Note of Lorreine do imitate the beggerly Friers in their Sermons who do exhort their good Dames to geue to their couent so these Lordes being 12. in number hauing spent their goods and other mens also partly in practising conspiracies against the state partly in riots whoredoms and excesse now put vs in remembraâ—ce to fell our landes and goods at what price soeuer for to pay their debts for these good lawes which they send vs out of their vilage of Nancy Secondly order is taken that the ouerplus of the sale of our goods and landes be put in store in such hands as they shall appoint for them least they should lacke to finish their course which they haue begun But what shal we do when y e is done for all wil be but a gnat in an Elephants mouth wee must begin to sell againe and for lack of goods and lands to sell wee must sel our own bodies to be slaues in the Galleys least these men should lack money The tenth article is that the life of any prisoner of the enemie meaning the hereticks as they tearme them be not spared except he wil abiure and put in good sureties to liue Catholickly in paying presently the iust value of his goods if they haue not been sold alreadie And in case they haue béen sold he shall renounce all right which he may pretend hereafter and shall binde himselfe to serue three yeares and more in any seruice that he shall be imployed without receauing any wages or paye This is the law wherewith Mahomet the false Prophet did strengthen his tirannie and superstition for thus hee speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Note if any man shall speake against Corran either the sword or bondage The only difference is that Mahomets lawe is somewhat more fauourable in as much as it is but onely against the speakers against his religion but not against them who shall be taken in warre But this dooth violate the lawe of Nations and right of suppleants which alwaies haue been kept inuiolable and the violating thereof had been alwaies accounted among all Nations worthie to be reuenged with fire and sword By this lawe of Nancy they will make this Nation so famous in the praise of humanitie more sauage than the very barbarous Nations Secondly life here is redeemed onely with abiuration and violating of conscience which is more than the Turke or any other Nation on the earth dooth practise At last followeth bondage which must indure as long as it shall please the Lords and Senators of Nancy This is the nature of this monstrous lawe borne at Nancy The effects of this strange new law were to roote out the Frenâ—h Nation For it maketh the Catholicks without any hope of remission to murther the Hugonets contraius gentium supplicum and it inforceth the Hugonets lege talionis to destroy the Catholicks for the violating of the right of Nations and Suppliants And thus we shall be well recompensed for the selling of our goods lands These articles be such as if a Lord should offer them to his slaues it were lawfull for them to vse all meanes possible against him But these new Gods on earth dare present so vniust so vnreasonable so vnreuerent conditions and lawes vnto one of the greatest Monarkies in the World but what is it that these shameles men dare not presume for aduauntage These articles agreed vpon by these wise Senatours and Law-giuers in Nancy the Metropolitan vilage of Lorreyne were brought to the King to be approued by him but there was some delay in the approbation And as for such as made for the suppressing of the reformed religion hee did accord with them but to the rest he could not by any meanes condesend knowing with a good iudgement that they tooke religion for no other pretence but to couer their ambition and by these meanes to weaken his authoritie and to rid him out of the way by whatsoeuer meanes and also all them whom they knew were able and willing to hold plea for the Crowne against them which thing caused that these articles of Nancy but specially such as touched the Kings strong places and holdes to bee deliuered to them could not be approued by the King It is saide in the first booke how the Guyzes making all hast that they might to vsurp the Crowne thought good to rid out of the way Monsieur the Kings only brother and how at Nancy the shop of al the treacheries in these perilous dayes they hired one Salcedo a Spaniard to haue dispatched him one way or another and for to bring that to passe they deliuered him for an earnest at the beginning 6000. Crownes Now in like manner these Senators of Nancy doo propound in their counsell to search out and how to take away the impediments which may let them to come speedilie to their intended purpose it was found speciallie to
the premises are according to trueth and for the certitude of the same wee haue sealed this report with our hands andseales at S. Ihan d' Angely the 6. day of March 1588. Medicis Bontemps Pallet Poget Mesnard Chotard About the same time the King of Nauarre came out of Gascoyne who being aduertized of his death commaunded that such as were suspected of that villanous fact should be pursued Whereupon a page suspected saued himselfe by flight many more were apprehended The processe was made vnto many with all the solemnities requisite thereunto whereof within a while after the condemnation of one Brillaut ensued the page also was condemned vpon centumacie executed in Picture Brillaut was drawne vpon a hurdle through all the streates of S. Jhan and in the chiefest place of the sayd towne was torne in peeces with foure horses Now we see how the Leaguers when they haue not been able to destroy the Princes by valour haue vsed treacherous procéedings For first hauing treacherously shortned the life of the Duke of Alençon by poyson as it is saide in the first booke and seduced the Cardinall of Bourbon making him dreame of a kingdome in his old doting age and to oppose himselfe to two Kings to wit the King and the King of Nauarre and to all the house of Bourbons out of which God had made him that honour as to haue issued one of the chiefest as is sayd in the second booke They also haue condemned the King of Nauarre to dye by their Italian figges and there uppon proclaymed his death which they had promised to themselues both in Lorreyne and in the Court and in Townes and Cities of their fauourers but God hath disappoynted them of their murtherous purpose At length by the long suffering of God to plague France they haue preuayled agaynst that good godly vertuous famous Prince of Conde and that vpon such a day as hath béen fatall to the house of Guize to work mischief murther and rebellion The death of this noble Prince amazed all men in Xainctonge knowing that God had some heauie iudgements to execute vppon France and that GOD had taken that noble Prince least he should see euill dayes as the Prophet Esay saith It is sayd before how the Lord Lauerdine who was master of the Campe saued himselfe by flight out of the slaughter of Coutras betooke himselfe to the towne of Niort to the Lord Malicorne his vncle where hée soiourned as his Lieutenant Here Christian Reader wee haue to obserue that although the King and the Leaguers hated in wardly one another and in outward appearance did deepely dissemble their affections yet wee doo see that as Herode and Pilate did excercise priuie hatred betweene them and at length in persecuting Christ did well agree as friends so in men of like degrées and in like actions the like affections are boyling in their hearts For the rumour of the death of the King of Nauarre and Prince of Conde which the Leaguers hauing set some secret price vppon their heads had promised vnto themselues did cause the King and the Leaguers in outward apparance to be great friends and to promise vnto themselues an vtter rooting out of them of the religion and a sure subduing of all things beyond the riuer of Loyre With speede therefore they sent eight or nine regiments conducted by the Lord Courbe to the Lord Lauerdine Lieutenant of his vncle the Lord Malicorne at Niort in Poytow who with al the forces which he could gather both in the lowe and high Poytow the 16. day of March about two a clocke after midnight descended into Marans by boates through the marishes of Beauregard and with fiue hundred footmen seazed vppon the house and farme of the sayd Beauregard hauing found no resistance but onely of two of the inhabitants of Marans with a little boate who were gone to discouer the Iland Cicoigne these two discharging their peeces vpon the enemies retyred to the trenches of Beauregard there they found but fiue or sixe Souldiers as well of the inhabitants as others who also discharged certaine shot vpon the enemie who notwithstanding aduanced and came to land The cause why the Lord Lauerdine subdued these Ilands so easily was first the certayne newes of the death of the Prince of Conde and the rumours bruted abroade touching the supposed death of the King of Nauarre which thing caused great amaze and discouraging among all men Secondly the ill order and prouidence of the gouernour for if he his troups and inhabitants had done their duetie Lauerdine had not entered that Iland at that price or els had been chased out to his dishonour and losse The Lord Iarry had béen aduertized three dayes before of the enterprize of Lauerdine and might haue put into the Ilands forces sufficient to resist the enemie for the companies of the Lord Trimouille conducted by the Lord Boysduly returning from Cotaudiere were very nigh him to wit at S. Radagond Champaigne and Puyreneau who desired nothing more then to enter into Marans But the gouernour and the inhabitants fearing the preace of Souldiers which was excessiue indeede would not admit them but sent to Rochel the Captaine Plaute Lieutenant of the Gouernour to request them of Rochel to send them about fiftie Souldiers whom they would entertayne vntill they might see what the enemie would doo which thing they of Rochel could not doo for that time Notwithstanding this refuse and that the gouernour was well aduertized that he had not sufficient forces to let y e enemie to take land yet the companies of the Lord Boysduly passing through the Brault were sent further as farre as Esuand through foule wayes ouerthwart the Marshes whereas they should haue been stayed to be vsed as the necessitie had required They sent notwithstanding the same day at euening to the said Boysduly but arriuing not before ten or eleuen a clock in the night was the cause that succour could not come in time although that the diligence of the sayd Boysduly and his companies was wonderfull for without any leasure to lodge and without any respect of the indignitie proffered him and his troupes the day before they departed presently and repayred to the fort Brune one houre and a halâ—e before the enemie tooke lande at Beauregard But whilest the gouernour and the inhabitants made some difficultie to let in all his troupes being not willing to receaue aboue 50. or 60. the enemie on the other side entred at Beauregard as is sayd so that the entrie into Brune was not opened to the sayd Boysduly nor his troups afore that the enemy had already gotten the farme house of Beauregarde There had beene meanes to driue back the enemie if speedely the troups who were entred at Brune about three a clock after midnight had gone to meete the enemie as some did giue their aduise to doe For the L. Lauerdine was not yet well accompanyed and it had beene an easie thing to cut the way to the
of Guyze sent his horse coursers and riders with his Oratours to bring in triumph and to shew the horses armor and spoyle of the Rutters taken from them at Vimorye and Aulneaâ— by Montargis and Chartres not onely with amplifications of his victoryes and great valiantnes but also with deprauing and debasing the Kinges dooings with calumnies lies false reportes and slanders into such Prouinces and Citties where these sycophants did venture to goe for such were the graces and ornaments of their rhetorike wherewith these Oratours did beautify their demonstratiue orations It is sayd also how the King of Nauarre after the prosperous iourney at Coutras sent Ambassadors to the King to search the meanes of peace offered him his and the Germans forces to be reuenged of the Leaguers his secret enemies Also how by what pollicy the good hope of this Ambassage was preuented and made of none effect by the Leaguers seeking to nourish dissention and warre in the Realme Furthermore it is sayd how after the dissipation of the Germans the King retyring to Paris and hearing of the proceeding of the Duke of Guzye against his person and honour and what great discredit he had procured him among his subiects too late hee saw his error in hauing reiected the proffers of the King of Nauarre and neglected opportunity of reuengement which he doth purpose to dilay and referre it to another time supposing this to bee his best course first to repayre the fault committed For seeing the communalty addicted altogether and affectionated to the Duke of Guyze hee determined to doo some thing plausible to the Commons to recouer their good wils and affections In the twelfth Chapter of the Actes there it is shewed how a King killed Iames seeing that it pleased well the people to get their loue to the vttermost tooke Peter also intending to kill him like wise so this King with dutiful reuerence of the soueraigne power be it spoken in comparing the counsels and actions not the persons determined to recouer the loue of his subiects by the slaughter of the King of Nauarre Nobility and people which follow the example of Peter and imbrace the same forme of doctrine which he hath deliuered Hee concludeth therefore to make warre agaynst them of the reformed religion The King therefore passing the latter end of Winter in the meditating of these enterprizes in repairing and renuing his forces an expedition was published abroad agaynst them of the reformed religion whereunto the K. in his owne person would go the next Sommer The Iesuits fearing least the colde of the Winter and the sweetnes of the spring next following would both coole and quallify that heat and bitternes which did so boyle in the Kings minde importunatly by their outcryes and tumultuous Sermons did presse him forward their Pulpites ringing of nothing else but fire fire burne burne kill kill the heretikes to sharpen and flesh him to goe about his businesse more eagerly They daily assured him and shewed him certayne argumentes of Gods wrath against the heretikes as they tearmed them promised him an assured victory and blessed issue descanting specially vpon the fatall yeare 1588. so much spoken of by the Astronomers Yet for all these hellish Frogges crying croak croake the King made no great hast to his voiage in Poytow either doubting of some new rebellion of the Leaguers or else mistrusting the euents But whilest the thinges abouesayd do so passe in the Soueraignty of Sedan the king hauing opportunity geuen him by the death of the Prince of Conde and the good successe of Lauardine in subduing so speedily the Iles of Marans which he thought to be a good beginning to bring vnder his obedience the rest of Poytow and Xainctonge and at length to force Rochel began earnestly to resolue himselfe vppon his expedition of Guyenne and thought good to vse some speede and celerity in inuading Poytow and Xainctonge as the neerest of them which did embrace the Gospell Therefore he prepareth all things and deuyseth all the means possible to destroy the King of Nauarre to take the I le of Rhe to Blocke in Rochel to get the towns of Talmond Ganach and Fontenay and gyrdeth about his loynes to goe in his owne person to that voyage there to fill the measure of his prayses and victories hoping thereby to winne agayne the harts of his lost subiectes On the other side the master of the league perceiuing himselfe to haue crept deepely into the hearts of the people and to haue dislodged the K. from thence forgetteth the heretikes and the defence of the holy Church which he had heretofore pretended and beginneth to discouer the haâ—red against the King which had lyen hidden in his brest a long time cryeth out that the warres so often times mooued against the king of Nauarre had vanished away without profit the onely fault is the kings intelligences with the heretikes but the supporter of the king of Nauarre being once dispatched with lesse labour shall he be ouerthrowne hee dreameth that Germanie and England are so angry with the king of Nauarre for the dissipation of the Germane armie that he can hope for no more ayde nor succour from thence As for the K. he is weary of warre his good Souldiers are spent worne out the residue weary of the tediousnes of this war or else for want and neede doe onely desire quietnes and peace Hee doth enholden and incourage himself vpon the fauours which he had at the court of the chiefest about the kings person concludeth that the king may easily be oppressed and the king of Nauarre cannot defend himâ—elfe long and in the meane time he determined to try what miracles the slubbersawce figges of Italy can doe as is afore sayd Of all the armies which were prepared the yeare before against the K. of Nauarre remayned none but onely the Leaguers companyes such as were together were occupied at the siege of Iamets and in wasting the teritory of Sedan who in token that there they had been they left their accursed carkasses for gage for the most part The masters of the League hauing receiued the foyle before Iamets and at Douzie in the principalitie of Boillon as is afore said considering that their counsells succeeded not their forces were greatly diminished and that they had opened diuers wayes at diuers times but nowe specially their intents too euidently and considering also that a small hole in such a dangerons conspiracie would in a little space turne to a great breach which bloweth abroad the counsels weakneth the authority mollifieth the courages tooke aduise to remedie speedily those daungers which might ensue thereof for their goods their honours and liues stoode thereon They knew also that their counsells and treasons had peareed in-into the kings closet who might dissemble but neuer forget it First therefore in hasting the execution of their conspiracy necessitie compelled them to put feare aside and respect of all authoritie vnder foote Secondly
that in such extremiâ—ie none but a violent remedy would serue Thirdly that the execution could not much increase the punishment of such a dangerous conspiracie Last of all Fortune would helpe their valiaunt courages and that high enterprizes could not be brought to passe but by diligent exploytes These are the reasons which made them haste the execution of their enterprize The meanes to exempt their purpose was to seaze vpon Paris the cheâ—fest towne in the realme and there with the helpe of their partakers to kill or take the King therein and by the selfe same meanes to destroy the Pinces of the blood as many as should come within their reach and all other the Kings faithfull seruants and officers of the Crowne with all others as should oppose themselues to their purpose As for the prince of Conde they had dispatched him out of the way by their paltry pills The Cardinall of Bourbon was the Tree vnder whose shadowe they did worke all their conspiracies The King of Nauarre they made no account of assuring themselues of his life by one meane or other To bring this proiect to a perfect wished and blessed end they needed two things to streng then themselues and to weaken the King Their forces were diminished greatly by reason of the Bastinados which they receiued at a maidens handes at Iamets and Douzie in the teritory of Boillon yet was it easie with a short warning to repaire them sufficiently Therefore the Duke of Guyze sent into those countries and Prouinces which fauoured him to warue his partakers to bee in Paris with horse armour and furniture at the beginning of May and there to attend vpoÌ„ his Mastership for he had a mistical may-game to play wherin he had neede of their seruice For the weakning of the king they vsed this Dilemma we will so work that the king will send his fores into Picardy whereby he will weaken the safety of his owne person and so shall he be easier to be surprized or hee will not send If he send and recall them to Paris to preuent the danger which we will prepare him then will it be a good occasion to the factious citizens to pick a quarrell and to make an vprore against him and so by open violence of many against few he may easily well be dispatched If the King send not his forces from about him into Picardie it may be wrested out of his hand and in course of time the next Prouinces will followe and yet will wee so prouide that in Paris he shall be able scarse to defend himselfe Now let vs consider how they executed euery part of this dilemma The Duke d' Aumale with all theresidue of the forces which suruiued their companions at Iamets and Douzie with other complices of y e Guize who were in the countrey of Pycardie were sent into the sayd countrey of Picardie to make warre not against the Hugonets for there were men to oppose themselues agaynst the Leaguers but agaynst the hereticks of the Romish Church who will remayne faithfull to their King they therefore most furiously did warre against the Kings Cities Townes Forts all was reduced from the Kings obedience saue Calis and Boloigne which was besieged greatly distressed They in Boloigne were worse hereticks then Rochel although they did worship our Ladie with all the Saints and the Saints of heauen and some diuels also among them with greater deuotion then euer they did worship God The like did he in Normandy and in all those countreys the Catholikes without changing of their olde superstition were on a sudden become heretickes the King by many degrées worse then an hereticke The King of Nauarre had béen of good religion if he would haue cast his lot among them and haue had a common purse with them and gone with them to shed innocent bloud About the beginuing of May by the secret aduertisements of the Duke of Guize there repayred into the Citie of Paris out of diuers parts of the Realme Gentlemen and of all qualities beside men light headed rash malcontents and desirous of nouelties aboue 15. thousand Besides this great number of strangers in Paris most part of the citizens and an infinite multitude of sottish and rash people desirous of nouelties who had most villanously conspired the kings destruction and to that intent secretly had giuen the hand of association and oath of obedience to Guize great master of the League in France This accursed multitude was greatly incouraged by the straungers who altogether would haue made a mightie armie and had béen able to match with the Turke both in number and qualities All these were swimming in that citie as in a large and wide sea being not perceaued nor knowne but by their partakers On the other side the King liued in securitie voyde of any suspition of treachery of the people of Paris who made his right hand of theÌ„ as whom he had alwaies cherished loued as himself and more regarded in a manner then all the rest of his kingdome But as counsells which doo drawe after such haughtie euents cannot long bee kept close but doo take winde so the déepe prouidence of the masters of the League could not take so good order being not able to execute any thing alone but distrust began to rise in the hearts of many men who were faithfull to the King so that after diuers mutterings sundrie aduertisements were giuen to the King that there was some great matter in hand against his person and estate And although they could not tell him expressedly that which happened afterward yet experienced of long time in the anatomie of the hearts and counsels of them of Guize began to mistrust the matter determined to remedie it by all gracious waies grounded vpon reason The King in the latter end of Aprill hearing of the commotions of the Duke Aumale in Picardie and Normandy sendeth the Duke Espernon into Normandy with part of his forces and some part into Picardie there to defend his authoritie The Duke of Guize hearing how he was expected in Paris both by the mutinous citizens and straungers who vpon aduertisements giuen them had flocked thether out of diuers parts of the Realme and vnderstanding that the King had sent his forces into Picardie and Normandy resolued himselfe to goe to Paris with a small companie for to auoyd suspition yet assured to finde there as in a little world a number of partakers prouided of all necessarie things and in readines sufficient to surprise a great King The King informed of this deliberation of Guize to come to Paris and desirous as is sayd before to preuent all their attempts by gracious waies about the eight day of May sent the Lord Belieure to the said Duke whom he met at Soyssons to informe him of his will that his comming to Paris would not bee agreeable to his Maiestie willing him in the Kings name for that time not to come to Paris and beside
had retyred after hauing taken prisoners the Kings forces to do her best endeuor to passify the commotion but it was without any effect for they who heretofore had in admiration her deuilish craftines as a diuine wisedome did now when they had the vpper hand account it a deceitfull Italian dissimulation So that old Caâ—ye is no more regarded then she deserued For shee her selfe with much adoo could passe through the streates so thicke trenched with Barricados that shee was enforced to forsake her Coach and be carryed in a chayre and euery varlet would presume to bid her stay what will you haue whether goe you and opening the way only for her chayre did bid her goe her way As the seditious made all thinges in a readines to besiege the King in the Loure the next day the Duke of Guyze went out of his house to purchase to himselfe some good will of the Master by shewing some curtesy to the seruantes and came to the place where the Kinges forces were stayed and vnarmed in the euening caused theyr armes to be rendered them He sent one Saint Paul who had growen from a latrey to be a great man and greatly fauored by the Duke of Guyze to go before the Kings gards leading them as captiues in a tryumph and commaunded them to be turned out of Saint Anthonies gate and to shift for themselues The night following the Rebels besieged the Loure where the King was set their Barricados nigh the gace stopped the issues skirmished with them that came foorth and yet all thinges are so disguised that to besiege the King and kill him in his owne house to execute it dilligently and that without sparing the life of any man at the commaundement of Guyze is to obay the King to defend the King and the countrey to fight for liberty to expose valiantly their liues for their tempels their altars theyr wiues and children The morrow after as the tumult increased the King had aduertisement from two seuerall places the first by one who was familiar and houshold seruant to the Lord of Guyze the second by a gentleman of good calling that the sayd Guyze and they of Paris his partakers had determined to bring foorth the night following fifteene or sixteene thousand men by the new gate and other gates of that side of the Citty to besiege him without there to stop all passage and to force him in his house The King receaued confirmation of the same determination by one of his faithfull seruants a man of honor and vnderstanding who labored much to cause one of his seruantes to step to the Loure for that purpose who could not haue brought it to passe if it had not béene by the helpe of one of the Captaynes of the wardes of the City who conducted the messenger to the Loure The King did step asyde to receaue this message by the mouth of him which brought it which when hee vnderstood iudged the mischiefe and daunger to be greater then hee had thought and began to be amazed seeing that which hee would neuer haue expected of the Parisiens without shewing any token of dismay He was also aduised at the same instant to get him out of Paris though he should goe foorth alone if not he would be vndone and that when his person should be without he might find many seruaÌ„ts faithfull subiects The K. did not refuse that counsell for he saw the danger to encrease euery moment and yet he made no great shew to follow it But on y e contrary encreasing the assurance of his countenance did seeme to promise shortly to remedy it He sent the Q. Mother to the Duke of Guyze once again shee with much a doe hauing accesse to him exhorted him to bring of his owne so much as he could to pacifie that commotion prayed him very instantly to come to the king with great protestation of assurance that he would bee well pleased thereof protesting of his good will and confidence which he reposed in him The King delayed his departing out of Paris meditating reuengement vpon the head of this rebellion and had sent his mother to the ende to haue drawen him within his reach supposing that the head being off the members would coole and waxe weake The Q. Mother hauing done all that euer she could with her Italian Rethorick could not perswade the Duke of Guyze hauing learned by tâ—e simplicitie of them of the reformed Religion and by the tragedies which through his counsell he had caused the King to play vpon them of the religion how little credit was to be giuen to Kings faith and to her fayre promises but shewed himselfe very cold in that matter and contemptious towards her person for he feared that he should not be able to execute his enterprize within the Loure so well as without mistrusting to be preuented if he had entred therein The Q Mother seing that he was not moued by her wordes sendeth his answere to the king by the secretary Pinart The King being aduertized of the hardnes of the Duke out of hope to execute his will vpon him To preuent a farther mischiefe which hee saw to be at hand commaunded his companies to retire and determined to goe out of Paris and to take his farwell of the Loure at the perswasions of many officers of the Crowne who gaue him counsell to giue place to that desperate conspiracie and to retyre into a place of safety he sent his household to the place called the Tuilleries and leauing the Q. Mother there in the Loure went foorth out of Paris on that side which was most sure for him to wit through newgate with a walking staffe in his hand as though he went according to his custome to walke to the Tuilleries with as ioyful countenance as in the most ioyful day that could shine vnto him When he was out of the gate he turned his face toward that citie casting foorth certaine speaches of indignation with protestation against their ingratefulnes treachery and treason When he came to the Tuilleries he tooke his horse with them of his trayne who had meanes to get horses they who had none either stayed behinde or else followed him on foote Many great Lordes went after him on foote vntill they had the meanes to get horses Many great Lordes and gentlemen of the Kinges side went out of Paris in great haste some without bootes some destitute of all things euerie one vnder the shadowe of some friend such as they met withall in the middle of the confused prease The King that night went to Trappes and lodged in the house of Danuile brother to Mommorency and alyed to the Duke d'Espernon The flight of such a great King so vngratefully dealt with all by them whome he had so greatly fauored was lamentable The Duke of Guize hauing remoued the Kings power from him partly by killing and partly by sending others another cleane contrary way from the King supposing that the said King
vttered to them as followeth The Queene my mother hath geuen me to vnderstand that you were all assembled and will repayre to me whereof I am well pleased being assured that you would not offend in such force being the first company of my Realme I haue promised to my selfe of you alwayes all faithfulnes and obedience such as you haue shewed heretofore to my predecessors Kings as vnto your lawfull and naturall Princes And I know that if it had beene in your power to let thinges there passed that you woulde haue done it I am sory for that which hath happened to the city of Paris notwithstanding I am not the first to whome such misfortune hath happenned And the more I am displeased that the spare of these foureteene yeares that I haue beene king I haue alwayes honoured it with my abode shewing all gentlenes and goodnes to the inhabitants and they haue alwayes found me a good king gratifiyng them in all that euer I could I know that in such a Citie as that is there be good and bad when they shall make their submissioÌ„ will acknowledge themselues I will be readie to receiue and imbrace them as a good father his children and as a good King his subiects Your dutie is to labour in the matter for therein consisteth the preseruation of the Citie of your selues your wiues and your familyes Furthermore continue in your charges as you haue accustomed the Queene my mother shall certifie you from time to time of my will In the after noone the King sent for them againe and vsed these speaches following I haue sent for you before you goe hence to let you vnderstand besides that which I tould you this morning that I was aduertised of certaine reportes giuen out that I would haue put Garisons in the Citie of Paris I doo greatly â—â—use that euer such a thing came in their mindes I knowe that Garisons are set either to vndoo a Citie or for the mistrust of the inhabitants They ought not to thinke that I would destroy a Citie to the which I haue shewed so many tokens and witnesse of my good will which I haue so much benefited by my long abiding therein for to haue remayned there more then ten of my predecessors before me had done which thing hath brought to the inhabitantes euen to the simplest sort of artifficers all the commodities which there doo appeare this day whereby ten or twelue other Cities might haue been made rich And when my officers or Marchants haue had neede of me I haue done them good and I may say that I haue shewed my selfe a good King towards them And therefore it was farre from me to conceaue any diffidence of them whome I haue so dearely loued and of whome I ought to assure my selfe for the friendship which I haue witnessed vnto them was enough to take away that opinion from them that I should bee willing to giue them Garisons neither can it in trueth bee said that any man of my gardes or Garisons hath put his foote in any house or taken from any man a loafe of bread or any thing else but contrariwise haue at my prouision been furnished of all needful things neither should they haue stayed there aboue foure and twentie houres but the morrow after without lying in any other place should haue been appointed to their charge as if they had been in the campe I intended to haue made exactly a search of many strangers who were within my Citie of Paris and desirous to offend no man I sent euen to the Lord of Guize and other Lords to that end they should giue me a booke of the names of their houshold seruants and to cause the residue to auoyde Whereof I was aduertised that there was a great number no lesse then fifteene thousand men which thing I did for the preseruation of the Citie and safetie of my subiects This is the cause that I will haue them to acknowledge their fault with sorrow and displeasure I knowe well that they are made beleeue that hauing offended me in such a sort as they haue done mine indignation is irreconsiliable I will you to let them knowe that I haue not that humor nor will to vndoo them and that as God as whose Image I am here vpon the earth though vnworthie desireth not the death of a sinner so doo I not desire their vndooing I will alwaies prooue the peaceable way and when they shall shew their duetie and confesse their fault and testifie in deede the sorrow which they haue of their offence I will receaue and imbrace them as my subiects in shewing my selfe as a father toward his children I will haue them to acknowledge me as their King and Master if they doo it not but delay the matter in drawing my hand as I may doo I will make them feele their offence so that the marke thereof shall remaine for euer For being the first and principallest Citie honored with the first and suprem court of my Kingdome and other courtes priuiledges honors and vniuersitie I can as you know reuoake and remoue thence all my courtes and vniuersitie which would turne to their great displeasure for these things ceasing all other commodities and traffick will diminish as it fellout in the yeare 1579. during the great plague by reason of my absence and ceasing of the Parliament a great number of my officers being retyred thence young Children were seene that yeare to play at the nine pinnes in the streates I knowe that there is a great number of good men in my Citie of Paris and that of foure parts three are of that number who are very sory of that which hath happened Let them therefore so deale that I may be content let them not inforce me to shew them what I may doo more to doo that which I am able and will not You knowe that patiency prouoked doo turne into furie and you knowe also what a King offended may do if I list to employe all my power and meanes to bee reuenged And although I bee not of a vindicatiue spirit yet I would that they should know that I haue courage as much as any of my predecessors I haue not yet since the time that I came to the Crowne by the death of my brother vsed any rigour toward any man yet will not I that they should abuse my clemency I am not an vsurper I am a lawfull King by succession and of a race which hath alwaies commaunded with clemencie It is a tale to speake of religion they must take another way there is not a Prince in this world more Catholicke which desireth more the rooting out of heresie then I my actions and my life haue giuen sufficient witnes in that behalfe to my people I would that it had cost me an arme that the last heretick were in picture in this chamber Goe home to your charges and bee of good courage you ought not to feare any thing while you
that many of them to serue their turne did not feare to affirme that he was the eldest of the house of Bourbon and that if neede were hee was capable of the succession to the Crowne This man therefore serued much to their faction him they thrust forward for the negotiation and aduauncing of their affayres according to the occasions So that hauing determined to send a supplication to the King to asswage his displeasure while they aduise vpon other wayes to entangle and entrap him yet once more They prepose the said Cardinall his name in the said petition that the greatnes of his name onely of that faction of all the house of Bourbon may serue as a vayle to the affections of them who were more watchfull in handling of their affaires theÌ„ the said Cardinall was in the gouerning of his owne They doo present this supplication in the name of the Cardinall of Bourbon and of the Masters of the League who would faine becalled Princesse and in the name of the Citie of Paris and of the other Cities of their confederacie In this supplication they make a low coursie and al contemptious capping with an humble submission and protestation of their good willes with a proffer of their seruice and of all that they haue for the defence of his estate and of the Catholick religion so that the Duke of Guize may haue the leading of his forces and managing of their affaires Secondly they charge the Duke Espernon and his brother the Lord Valette to be fauourers of the hereticks to haue betrayed y e kings forces in hindering all good exploytes to bee done against the hereticks and the King of Nauarre To haue fauored the armie of the Germanes in their retiring home to haue beene the cause by his counsell of the vprore happened of late at Paris To haue wasted the Kinges treasure to be the author of all the disordeâ— which is in the gouernement Thirdly they purge themselues of any priuat inimitie or affection towards him in this accusation and for proofe of the foresaid offences doo referre themselues to the testimonie of the Queene Mother and of the officers of his Crowne if it pleaseth him to examine them vppon the saide crimes and giue them licence to speake their mindes with libertie Fourthly they demand of him instantly with prayer to put the sayd Espernon and Valette his brother and their adherents from his person and fauour and to discharge them from all charges and gouernements which they haue in the Realme that the king will prouide them of some small charges of no importance at all They also doe assure the King that in so doing he shall greatly please the people in deliuering them as they say from that feare which they haue conceaued of the power of the said Espernon These lets being taken away they require him to make warre in Guienne in his owne person to whome they doe promise their ready will courage and assistance against the heretikes and in the meane time to appoynt his mother to gouerne Paris Fiftly they require that the Duke de Maine may haue an armie to goe into Daulphine against them of the Religion they tell him that hee may make a great booty of the spoyle of Espernon his brother to maintaine the warre and that hee will abolish all new subsidies and charges layd vpon the people Sixtly they doe require that he will name a successor Catholick fearing it greatly to fall into the hands of them of the reformed Religion Seuenthly they of Paris as partakers in this request doo faine and glose with the king and pray him most humbly to beleeue them that all which had happened of late at Paris was not that they thought to do him any harme and that it was done by their Magistrates and that onely they doubted least the authors of the counsel in bringing extraordinary forces into the Citie would haue abused his authoritie in oppressing them They fayne themselues very sory that hee went foorth of their Citie in displeasure and mistrust praying him to giue them leaue to liue in rest vnder his obedience Last of all they require that the Lord d'Ho be discharged hereafter of his charge which he had to commaund in the Citie and that he will allow the deposing of the Prouost and Escheuins and approue the new election which they haue made of others and that hereafter it be lawfull for the Citizens to choose their owne officers Also when it shall please him to returne into the Citie hee will not bring within twelue leagues thereof any other forces beside his ordinary guards This supplication was presented to him the eight and tweÌ„tith of May. The King hauing receiued this suplication answereth it the nine and twentith of May at Chartres wherein first hee rehearseth the zeale which he hath to the Catholick religion the great and dangerous warrs which he had done the great charges which hee hath beene at for the same the famous victories obtained by him against them of the reformed religion and how he hath pacified the troubles raysed by the Leaguers and vnited the Catholicks which were by the Leaguers deuided Secondly he sheweth himselfe willing to put vp all iniuries passed against him in Paris when the inhabitants shall behaue themselues hereafter as it becommeth them to doe and in so doing hee proffereth them to preserue them in their liberties as his predecessors haue doone before him Thirdly hee wisheth nothing more than that all the popish Princes Lords and subiects may be reunited againe to warre against the King of Nauarre Fourthly he greatly desireth the reformation of his Realme in al his partes and for because it is a publike contagion he supposeth that it can not be well done without the assembly of the States which he intendeth to assemble in the towne of Bloys the fifteeneth of August where he promiseth to satisfie them in warranting them from falling into the handes of the king of Nauarre or any other hereâ—ick As touching the complaints against the Duke Espernon he promiseth to them iustice therein It is sayd before how the King after the retyre of the Germans returning to Paris intending to make a voyage to Guienne agaynst the King of Nauarre with all his forces and in his proper person had prepared the way to doo great exployts by sending forces vnto Lauerdine Lieutenant of Niort immediatly after the death of the Prince of Conde and how the sayd Lord Lauerdine with those forces seazed vpon the Iles of Marans and tooke all the Forts within the Iland Which exployts being done the Lord Cluseaulx otherwise called Blanchard obtayned the gouernment of the sayd Iland where hee determined to settle himselfe and after many extorsions ransackings and robberies done during and after the siege of Marans to them of the reformed religion who had abandoned all things to saue themselues at Rochel he promised to himselfe to fortifie and kéepe well the sayd places in hope shortly after to
meanes of reuenge and let the heretikes alone for a time The King whom Gods iustice did vrge and pursue for the hardnes of his hart in so obstinating himselfe against the Gospell and other offences which do issue out of that spring seemed to be touched with the readines of his good Subiectes but not to any purpose moued to follow their good counsell but thanketh euery one as though hee had no neede at all of their counsell and ayde The Leaguers now vnderstanding by their spials the pusillanimity of the King and his inclination to some composition and peace with them though disaduantagious by his slender and fearfull answere to their vnreasonable demaunds in their supplication do now conceaue a good hope not onely to amend the former fault but also to make themselues a way more plaine and easier then euer they had before to performe shortly their enterprises And as they haue had recourse alwaies to the Q. Mother by whose meanes they haue found a present remedy in all faultes committed and offences geuen to the King but now y t at their request she had besotted him by her sorceries shee must make an end of her good worke begunne This accursed woman hath béen the dishonor of womankinde the subuersion of the whole kingdome the slaughter of the nobility the butcher of the commons and the vndooing of her owne children The Leaguers then hauing such an intercessor who vnder colour of a motherly counsell will bring them neerer to execute their rage vppon the Kinges person and to vsurpe his estate do send this old Medea to make a negotiation for them as much to their aduantage as shee can Therefore that they may strip the King cleane out of authority they do thrust in their demaundes the articles concluded at Nancy spoken of before She must vrge the Kinges consent to these articles following for which intent shee went to Nemours a towne in Gastinois In these demaunds they woulde faine make the Kinge beleeue howe all that they doo is for the preseruation of the popish religion and that they desyre greatly a reunion of the Catholiks whereof he should be the head First they doe demaund that all generally shall promise and sweare to imploy their persons goods and meanes for the conseruation and defence of the king of his estate and authoritie and of the children which it shall please God to send him and that against all manner of men By this demaund they lull the king asleepe They shall sweare also the rooting out of heresie and doe require prouision to be taken that no heretike Prince or suspected of heresie or fauourer of heretikes may enioy the Crowne whatsoeuer right he may pretend thereunto and that this may be confirmed by an oath of all men Also that the king shall sweare to defend the Leaguers who doo call themselues Princes against the heretikes and their fauourers By this artcile they will exclude if they may all the Princes of the house of Bourbon whome they will easily finde either heretikes or fauourers Note of heretikes Secondly they demaund that it may please him to sweare to the obseruation of those demaunds and that hee will permit in their custodie the townes and Cities which are graunted them during six yeares and that in all other townes which shall ioyne themselues to the Leaguers nothing be innouated and that they may not be punished for any offence or rebellion committed Furthermore they doe demaund that if during the six yeares there should happen any vocation of gouernours and Captaines in the saide townes and Cities that then the Leaguers may name such as they think good and that the king shall stablish such at their request This is to dispossesse the king of his holds towns and cities and therin to place such as shall bee at their deuotion whome they may trust Note Thirdly they doe require the publishing of the councell of Trent and the obseruing of the same and that the King shall forsake his aliance which he hath with princes and nations heretickes and that hee shall giue ouer the protection of certaine townes knowen to bee the receptacle of heretikes By these they meane the Germanes the kings of Denmarke and Scotland Note the Queene of England the cantons of Swissers the townes of Geneua Sedan and Iamets that of one side he might be destitute of friends to defend him against his enemies and that the one of these Cities might be the more easily subdued by the Duke of Sauoy and the other two by the Duke of Lorreine Last of al that the goods and lands of the heretikes be solde and to imploy the mony to make warre against the heretikes but specially to maintaine one armie in Poytow vnder the conduct of the Duke of Guyze and the other in Daulphine conducted by his brother the Duke de Maine The king knew very wel except he had been talpacoecior y t these articles were against the dutie of faithfull subiects and that of the princes mentioned in the said articles there was but one to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon that all the others being strangers did handle him cunningly at will vnder faire colours and made him their mouth to speake for them He knew very well that all that which they say in their articles of the preseruation o◠his person crowne and estate were but wordes and a couering of their trayterous drifts he perceiued well that the desire which they pretended to haue of the ease and preseruation of Cities was but a flattering bayte on the one side to alienate them from his obedience and on the other side to make them affected ready to the execution of their enterprizes As for the nomination of gouernours and captains in the sayd townes which they would haue to be reformed to them to place therein such as they would think good he vnderstoode well that in plaine tearmes they meant to abridg y t small store of authoritie which they had left him and to make him their inferiour He saw well enough that the degraduatiō and disheriting of the lawfull Princes from the succession of the crowne vnder the colour of heresie or fauouring of heretikes was but a meane to put the Crowne vpon their owne heads Also that to breake the aliances which he had with the forraine Princes and nations whome they called heretikes was a thing no lesse vniust than pernitious to his estate whome by such means they wrapped into a heape of newe troubles and that such a demaund was arrogantly to command their King and Soueraigne To be short the king knew very well that in all these things they sought but the easier way to their greatnes and the means to debase his authoritie and to hasten the fall of his estate Yet as a man bereft of wit destitute of wisdome and courage and bewitched with the pernitious and poysoned counsells of Circe his execrable and accursed mother without considering any thing the greatnes of the
things will befall which they greatly desired The feare of these thunderclaps was great euery where the forces in number and furniture were inequall therefore in France many not considering that God may defend his people as well with few as with many and that hée hath Legions of Angels to fight at his commaundement for the defence of his Elect yéelded to the time and reuolted made their abiuration and followed the world The Duke of Guize was the Northen Star by the which all this Nauigation was guided so that it was perceaued that neither all this preparation and stoare neither the Prophesies and visions of the rauing Prophets could assure the happy successe except the Duke of Guize might be in court nigh the Kings elbow Therefore the Q. Mother she must be set to worke she with other Leaguers which were about the Kings person tell what a great wise man the Duke of Guize was and that hée could not bée well without such a counseller hauing such great waightie things in hand The King thought it was a dangerous thing to haue such a guest so nigh him yet supposing that it would be the néerest way to surprise him and that at some occasion he might rid his hands of that perilous burthen consented thereto All caueats and prouisions which the prouidence of man could deuise for his safetie being prouided and made sure he purposeth to depart out of Paris to goe to the court He tooke in his companie the Q. Mother and raigning w t a great traine of the inhabitants of Paris the Lords Byron and Neuers who had béen alwaies with the King the one as a faithfull seruant to the King the other as a secret fauourer of the League went to meete the said Duke At his comming to the Kings presence what welcomes what complainings what excuses what praiers what promises what gréetings and what dissimulations there was betweene them to wit the King Guize euery man of iudgement may consider The Duke of Guize caused his table of great master of France to be established and good and assured meanes for the maintenance thereof he obtained also a patent of great Master of men of war in France which is a â—iminiâ—iue title of Constable for an earnest and in hope shortlie to haue all And whereas in the request presented to the King it was demaunded that he should be the Kings Generall of that armie which should bee sent into Guienne Now he dooth recant and vpon the push doth refuse to take that charge but willeth another to be appoynted and that for two causes he would rather venture another mans skin then his owne knowing well that hee could neuer repasse Loyre without a broaken skin which thing he loued not the second cause was that he would not go farre from the King and from Paris there to be at hand vpon all occasions to take opportunitie to execute his enterprise In his roome therefore the Duke of Neuers is appoynted to conduct the armie into Guienne against the King of Nauarre he maketh his excuse fearing the whip as the other did of his indisposition and offereth to mainetaine one hundred Gentlemen so that he might be excused which charge notwithstanding at length he accepted The wisest sort feared in general that this wound could not be closed vp and healed without some fowle scarre remayning or that hee who had once presumed to beat his Prince out of his imperiall citty should not want audacity to attempt further matters All these vprores being now pacifyed and all these great preparations vrged with great courage they of the reformed religion all ready proscript all things threatning death and desolation by land and by water a parliament of the States is appointed by the King to be holden at Bloys the 15. day of August next following there to determine vpon the affaires of the land according to the said edict of reunion and not otherwise and about the reformation of the State but specially for the disheneriting of the Princes of the bloud that they should not succeede to the Crowne In this Parliament the King and the Duke of Guyze had diuers and contrary meanings and neither of them both did intend to do the thinges aboue sayde touching the affaires of the land and reformation of the State But the Kings purpose was that now hauing recouered as he thought part of his authority hee might bridle his domesticall enemy to wit the Duke of Guyze whose practises and attempts had béen so euidently shewed to the eie of all men agaynst his person and estate and there either to haue had him condemned and executed by the full assembly of the states or else by surprising to haue dispatched him out of the way as hee at length performed The Dukes meaning was either to exclude the King from all gouernment or else to haue condemned him by the authority of all the states or if opportunity might serue to do him away by some violence and after to haue tryed how to bring his intent to passe Euery one of them therfore hauing his contrary thoughts in his mind yet they in common do prepare all things for this assembly of the Parliament they make the ouerthrow of the King of Nauarre and the rasing of the Blockhouse of Rochel as they tearme it very easy While they keepe this great adoo and replenish the world with cruell threatnings and are in hand both by land and by water to aduance the treasons of the Leaguers which cannot be done without the rooting out of the true Religion Therefore it is assaulted on the South syde by the Dukes of Sauoy and Mayne with two mighty armies on the West by the omnipotent Armado on the North by all the forces of y e low Countryes in the middle of France by the Duke of Neuers with a mighty army behold God who holdeth the stearne of the whole world doth produce euents all contrary vnto those which men had promised to themselues For in the meane time God doth execute his dreadfull iudgements against the inuincible as they did call them but in deed barbarous and sauage nation of Spaniards partly beating them out of the narrow Seas with a notable slaughter and shame of them by that nation which they had so deadly hated for the Gospell and so arrogantly despised and partly God sent his messengers the wind storme and tempest with the rocks in their waies that by shipwracke thirst famin and pestilence and other calamities of the Sea they might be drowned in an euerlasting obliuion lyke Pharao his horses and horsemen In August the Kings writtes are sent into all prouinces and citties to send speedily their Deputies so that they were catholikes Romans and not otherwise and in the meane time doth fortify himself but not mistrusting the practises of the Leaguers in the Prouinces he gaue them leaue to do all by partialities in the Prouinces in choise of the Deputies For they gaue order that their partakers might come
strong not so much with the outward force as with plurality of suffrages which in all places they had secretly suborued by premises and corruptions And so it came to passe that there came but few to that assembly but they which were of the Leaguers faction Here Christian Reader wee may see Gods iudgements calling this great King as it were by steps to a miserable and shameful fall for his vnthankfulnes He hath forsaken one part of his subiectes and that the best part though not the greatest in number holdeth them for enemyes and wil haue none of their counsell and by the selfe same means hath opened a dore to weaken himselfe in his Parliament and committed his person into the hands of them that were assembled to dispossesse him out of his kingdome either by murther or by captiaitie making the way plaine before his enemies to rule the matter as they would without controulement Now we will leaue the King with all his courtand traine with his Leaguers to goe soft and fayre for feare of sweating too much to â—loys there to take order for their Processions Massing and other solemnities And vsed by men of that religion and there to stay for the arriuing of the deputies while we do see what things had happened in other places While and after the Edict of reunion was a casting in Iuly and the States appoynted all meanes were sought out to vndoe the King of Nauarre and with him them of the Religion The sayd king of Nauarre of his part did make himselfe ready vppon the defensiue grounded vpon all his reasons propounded often times by his declarations and vpon the grieues and iniuries proffered vnto him and vnto them of the religion It is said before how the Lord Colombieres had brought certaine companies out of Normandy vnto the King of Nauarre and in Iune before had seazed vpon the towne of Montagne This was a towne belonging to the Prince of Conde which had beene miserablie defaced in the former ciuill warres The wall and the castell being one of the strongest places in all that countrey had beene beaten downe But the ruine of the towne was not so great but within few dayes it was reasonablie repayred and made defensible by the said Lord Colombieres and other Captaynes with him The companies of the said Lord Colombieres out of that towne made dayly long roades and courses toward Nantes and against other places holden by the papists whereby dayly they greatly molested them After the Edict of reunion Duke Mercure gouernour of Britaine and others of the countrie who did holde with the League but specially they of Nants who could not away with such neighbours gathered certaine regiments of the Leaguers to make certaine roades into the lowe Poytow as well to let the enterprizes of the king of Nauarre there as to prepare the way to that armie which should folow shortly after vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers but specially intending to lay the siege before Montagne to gett that place out of the hand of them of the religion The Duke Mercure therefore with as great forces as hee was able to make went in person to lay siege before the said Montagne abouâ— the eight of August and lodged the regiment of Gersay at Saint George And sending from thence to view the towne a hot skirmish was begonne against them of the towne in the presence of the sayd Mercure who stood in battle aray with two hundred horses on the side of Barrillery so called because there they make barrels tubbes and such like stuffe They within the towne at the discouering of the enemie issued so furiously and did so beat them back that many men and horses remained slaine vpoÌ„ the place among whom were some of the guards of Mercure who seing that it was so hard for him to lodge his men of war in y e suburb of Saint Jamets as he had determined to doe sent them againe to their lodgings at Saint George As for himselfe in the euening hee retyred to Elison hauing sent downe the riuer Loyre from Nantes three double cannons to pont Rosseau which is a towne situated on the fall of the riuer Seuie into Loyre The King of Nauarre aduertized of Mercures inuasion into Poytow gathered such forces as he could and vpon some other occasions also departed out of Rochel the ninth of August accompanied with a hundred horses onely and the harquebusiers of his gardes and taking his iorney toward Loyre went that day to lodge at Lusson The Duke Mercure being lodged at Clisson the tenth day of August vnderstoode that the King of Nauarre was gone foorth out of Rochel and vpon the shadow of his owne feare he perswaded himself that it is to raise vp the siege of Montagne so that hauing represented vnto himselfe the accustomed diligence of the King of Nauarre in his exployts of warre he imagineth to see him alreadie whereupon he determined to retyre before he had planted his siege and returned to Nantes the 11. of August two daies before the comming of the King of Nauarre he left the regiment of Gersay to make the retyre and lodged the 12. day at Mounieres a towne situated vpon the riuer Seure The King of Nauarre at his departure from Lusson went to lodge at Bourneueau where the Lord Boulay with his companie of armed men well appoynted and a companie of harquebusiers on horseback commanded by Captaine Nede ioyned to him From Bourneueau the King went to lodge at Essars where he was aduertised that the Duke Mercure was departed and retyred to Nantes and that the regiment of Gersay was lodged at Mounieres These newes did cause him to dislodge the day following very earely least he should lose the occasion to ouertake that regimeÌ„t he went through the Towne of Montagne with much toyle and there tooke the garrison commanded by Luzerne eldest sonne to the Lord Colombieres and with extreame diligence in a little space of time came to the riuer Seure which he passed ouer speedily on foord there he found that the regiment was parted from Mounieres purposing to retyre to Pilmil Suburbe of Nantes The garrison of Montagne being forerunners to the sayd King followed with diligence and ouertooke them in a way hollowe and couered very aduantagious for the enemie by reason of three little houses wherein they had put men to flancke them There the skirmish did continue about halfe an houre vntill the sayd King of Nauarre had arriued with all his companies at whose comming the enemie was discouraged begaÌ„ to faint and flée away in disaray and there was wholly ouerthrowne The King of Nauarre tooke to mercie as many as were taken prisoners to the number of foure hundred and fiftie and suffered none to be killed but such as were slaine in the battell The master of the Camp Gersay saued himselfe by flight by the meanes of a fayre Ienet of Spayne yet hurt with a shot There were eight Ensignes taken great number of carts
horses of carriage the onset was giuen within two leagues of Pilmil suburbe of Nantes The King after giuing of thankes vpon that place where the skirmish was fought for that prosperous successe and victorie made a light dinner vnder a tree and after retyred to his lodging at S. Georges where hee soiourned the whole day following for the long daies iourney which he had made the day before notwithstanding that day hee went a hawking for Partridges and in the euening viewed the towne of Montagne to take order for the fortifications and garrisons of the sayd towne and purposed to haue layed the siege to the towne Clisson not farre thence The King being yet at S. George was strengthened with foure regiments of footmen to wit of Charbonieres Sallignak Preau and the regiment of his gardes commanded by the Lord Querine there also he receaued the light horsemen of the Lord Trimouille who had discomfited the regiment of Lestele and taken foure Ensignes which they presented vnto the sayd King The selfe same day being aduertized of the daunger wherein the Duke Espernon stood within the Towne of Engolesme besieged there within the Castell by a conspiracie of the Leaguers caused him to giue ouer his enterprise vpon Clisson the day following being the 15. of August departed from Saint George purposing to make toward Engolesme to succor the saide Lorde Espernon but hearing by the way how the tumult there was pacified went not so far as that place It is saide before how that the Leaguers in their request presented vnto the King made a great complaint against the Duke Espernon charging him to haue intelligences with the King of Nauarre and them of the religion to haue been the cause that their armies had heretofore small successe and that if he should grow to greater authoritie it were danger that in time he would deliuer the places of his gouernement to the King of Nauarre that he is the onely cause that the politick state is so corrupt and out of frame and therefore the King must needes put him from about his person and fauour This Lord Espernon of the auncient house of Valette grew in great fauour with the King through his faithfull seruice a man altogether sold to popery yet a louer of the Kings person crowne and state a louer of the realme and peace of the same a hater of conspirators and perturbers of the quietnes of the King and his subiects who neuer could bee drawne to the conspiracies of the Leaguers neither by faire promises nor other meanes whatsoeuer which thing was the cause that the Leaguers hated him as the onely man about the Kings person who did hinder the execution â—f their enterprises that man therefore must not be about the King nor be admitted into the assembly of the states The King to giue place to their hatred for a time and to auoyde the inconueniences which through y e malice of his enemies might befall to such a trustie seruant determined to send him out of their sight and where hee thought that they should be least able to practise against him And giuing him a very great power and commission in a most ample manner to commaund in the Prouinces of Aniou Toureyne Poytow Engomoyes Xainctonge commaunded him to depart the Court about the same time that the edict of reunion was made by the Leaguers who hauing soiourned a while in the Tower of Loches situated in Toureyne vpon the riuer Vndre which falleth into Loyre betwéene Tours and Samure to fortifie and assure the said place to the Kings obedience against the practises of certaine Gentlemen of the League made against that place From thence he tooke his iourney to Engolesme where he vnderstoode that many enterprises were a working by the League against the Kings seruice There commaunded the Lorde Tageus his kinseman vnder the charge of the Lord Valette his brother The saide Lorde Espernon arriuing at Engolesme accompanied with a great number of the nobilitie was honorably receaued by the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie by the officers of iustice policie with great numbers of people who went to meete him at the gates of the Citie hee was likewise receaued by the Bishop and his Priests at the doore of Saint Peters Church where they sung solemnly a great te Deum laudamus in the worship of him Not long after the said Lord Espernon called together the Bishop and his Priestes the Maior and the Escheuins the Kings officers and other chiefe Citizens to giue them notice of the occasions of his comming which was first to preserue them all in the Catholicke Romane religion for the which and for the Kings seruice he would willingly aduenture his life against all manner of men Exhorting them to aduise what was requisit for their conseruation and that they would propound the same vnto him All answered with one consent that they would dye vnder his authority in the same resolution and for to testify their willes the better they would haue his authority from the King printed read and published as the manner is through all the towne The said Lord hauing many companies both of horsemen and footmen yet would he innouate nothing not so much as to change any part of the garrison of the Citty and to testify vnto them more apparantly of the confidence which hee had in the promises and fidelity of them he would not lodge in any stronger place nor more aduantagious for his preseruation but in the Castell which is called the Kings house wherein he found his Cosin the Lord Tageus lodged as the gouernours heretofore had accustomed to do This Castell hath no strength which is any thing worth nether in Ditches nor in any handy worke except some great Towers of stone very olde but otherwise very commodious for the store of chambers which are therein The said Lord had brought his Lady with him and had also lodged the Lady Tageus there Hee went the same day into the Citadell wherein he commaunded the Lord Bordes with all the nobility which accompanied him could euen then haue lodged there if he had had any diffidence of the inhabitants for the keies were presented to him by the Lord Bordes That Fortresse was sufficient to haue bridled the inhabitantes considering the strength and great store of Munitions of the said place as well in Ordinance as in other necessary things But specially hauing a gate to get out of the towne whereby may be let in as many men as one would But the sayd Lord in stéed of mistrust kept an open house as well for the nobility of the countrey as for the inhabitantes of the citty without any respect of persons whereof a great number but specially the Maior of the town with his conspiratours sat ordinarily at his table with great curtesy and welcome shewed vnto them by the sayd L. Espernon He walked familiarly with them through the citty and suburbs with a small company of his
without any other care then to conferre louingly with them about the necessary thinges for the preseruation of their Cittye The Maior had in his possession all the keies of the Cittie the inhabitantes made their accustomed watches and by halfes with two companies which were vnder the commaundement of the Lord Bordes whereof the most part were inhabitantes of the Citty Vppon request made vnto him by the Maior and Aldermen concerning the necessary fortifications for the safety and increasing of their Cittie the said Lord promised to lend them to that effect such a summe of money as they should thinke good And to aduaunce the worke the said Lord commaunded the Maior and the Lieutenant Nesmond to make the proiect by the counsell of Captaine Ramel son of Augustine mayster of the Kings workes In the meane while the said Lord caused the edict of reunion to be published in the Cittie and according to the same did prepare to war agaynst them of the religion to let them from gathering subsidies and tallages to represse their courses furthermore had made an enterprise agaynst one of their best places And for a beginning of y e performance of these things had commaunded his cosin the Lord Tageus to take with him all the companies of his light horses and the companyes of the Lords Sobelle and Cadilan with all the footmen and troops which he had brought with him And besides all this for to win the hartes of the inhabitantes he caused euery day all sorts of publike exercises of Romish poperie to be done in all their chiefe Idoll Temples in the Cittie He had also promised to the gray Fryers to helpe the reedifying of their couent and temple of the same For the warre defensiue and offensiue agaynst them of the religion hee obmitted no meanes he had no indsturie nor diligence For his pastimes he would go euery day without mistrust of any man to the Tenis court situated in one of the furthest partes of the citty Euery morning he would get vppon his horses himselfe to exercise them in the sight of great assembly of people with a very small company of his men about him It is sayd how the King to conuay the Lord Espernon his trusty and faythfull seruant out of the ielousies dangers of the Leaguers haâ— sent him into Guyenne to keepe such townes there as did wauer into his obedience The towne of Engolesme was aboue all the townes of that Countrey inclyning to the League so disposed by many Gentlemen therabouts who were leagued and deuoted to the Duke of Guyze The Duke Espernon as it is sayd went thether to make it sure to the kings obedience The newes comming to the towne of the determination of the saide Duke the complices of the conspiracie of the League considering that neither to admit him nor to exclude him was a safe way for them considering that the King might recouer the town at all tymes by the citadel which was kept by the L. Bordes a faithfull seruant to his Prince did immediatly send one who was y e Maiors brother to the court to know by the Oracle of the Leaguers what was to be done in such a doubtfull matter The Duke of Guyze with his counsell to wit his brother the Cardinall the Archbishop of Lyons did sit vpon the death of the Duke of Espernon they did condemne him to die They answered to their partakers to admit him and bid him welcome but to rid him out of the way if it can bee done by any meanes the reuenge they neede not to feare for they are in good hope that the master shall followe him shortly and if not yet they wil finde out some shift to excuse the matter and will find him guiltie of his owne death else they will so worke that the King shall haue little leasure to thinke vpon the reuenge They writ also to their complices gentlemen of the countrey as to Mere Massilieres Maqueuile Boucheaulx to the Baron Tonnerak Caze and Fleurak They caused also Vileroy the Kings Secretary to write his letters to the Lord Aubeterre to repaire to the Maior of Engolesme with al his power at such time as they should haue warning by the â—aid Maior in the meane while they expect the Oracle of the Leaguers the Duke Espernon is lulled a sleepe and cast into a dangerous security by the Maior and the rest of the conspiratours they make him beleeue that they loue him as their owne soule by the which dissimulation hee vnarmeth himselfe sendeth his forces abroad to warre agaynst Christ At length Souchet long desired commeth from the court geueth the answere that Espernon must die by all meanes possible biddeth them to put asyde all feare of reuenge for the causes afore shewed Now then it must be executed out of hand afore the returne of the Lord Tageus with the Dukes forces for then shall they not be able to put in execution y t iudgement hauing any forces about him or else because he will goe forth to war agaynst the heretikes according to his deliberation The tenth day of August the Lord Espernon very early got him on horsbacke to goe to his ordinary exercises with few of the nobility with him The maior with certaine of the inhabitants of the cittie were all that morning with him The sayd Lord lighting downe of his horse embraced the Maior and with great curtesy asked him whether hedelighted in horses Thence the sayd Lord returned to his lodging and went into his closet to change his shirt intending to goe deuoutly to Masse in the Chappell of Saint Laurence in the church of Saynt Cibert where his Almoner had prepared all the tooles ready to finish that misticall play this was about 7. a clocke The Maior on the other side with his complices who were gone to see his riding onely to spie what strength he had about him went home to put on his armour to charge his pistoll to take order about nine of the clock that the toxin should be rung and to appoynt at the same time certaine firebrands of sedition to goe about the streates crying that the Hugonâ—ts had seazed vpon the Castell The Maior also did craftily entice the Lord Bordes gouernour of the Citadell into his house vnder colour to discouer him a certaine enterprize against the king and when hee had him in his house kept him as prisoner Betweene eight and nine a clock the Lord Espernon being in his closet and knowing that the Abbot of Elbeue and the Lord Mariuault were in the next wardrobe staying there to accompany him to Masse sendeth a Page to call them to him into the Closet which when they had done hee â—hewed them a place in a booke sent him from Paris full of defamations against the honour authoritie of the King lamenting the vnbridled licence of this age hee prayeth them also to sit by him to vnderstand out of his own mouth his resolution and platforme of war against
the Lord Argence As they were all ready there to signe the agreement behold a new commotion of the people who will not compound the reason was the arryuing into the towne of the Baron of Tonnerak with diuers gentlemen of the League also of captayne Caze Marshall of the lodgings of the L. Aubeterre who do assure them that the sayd Lord of Aubeterre will come with succour to them the next day morning with three hundred horsmen and fiue hundred footmen The Abbot by these occasions was enforced to get him to the castle agayne with greater danger then at the first by reason of the raging of this Leagued people For they brought him by force before the Citadell to forbid the Souldiers to discharge the ordinance agaynst the towne which thing notwithstanding in a while after they continued to do because that the people assaulted the castell continually vppon a vayne hope incited by those leagued gentlemen newly come The chiefest officers of the King and Bourgeses of the Citty hauing duly considered in the Bishops house the danger wherin their citty stood if so many strangers on euery syde should come in ioyned themselues with the cheefest Gentlemen agaynst the rest who were stubburne They sent agayne 2. of the chiefest Bourgeses to the Lord Espernon to beseech him that it may please him that the Lord Tageus his kinsman newly arryued in the Suburbs with his companies might signe and seale the agréement to the which they added onely that they who were detayned prisoners in the castell should be comprised therein and set at liberty according to the fayth which he had geuen them promising of their part to do the like to them whom they did detayne and all that which had been taken in the houses should be restored The Lord Espernon graunting vnto them their demaund sent againe the Abbot who went forth with them of the towne to the Lord Tageus to make him seale the composition which was done about foure a clocke in the euening Within a while after the trenches were broken the people went away the Lady Espernon was conducted by the sayd Abbot into the castell with all the prisoners detayned in the towne The Lord Bordes entred the Citadell the conspiratours and Maiors fellowes who were prisoners in the castell were set at liberty Mere with his complices went forth out of the towne and retyred into theyr houses vnder the conduct of the Lord Maumont captayne of light horses The dead on both sides were quietly buried and namely the Maior whose corps with the corps of his brother were freely deliuered to their friends to be buried When the agreement was concluded it was nine and thirtie houres that neither the Lord Espernon nor any of his had eate nor dronk There was no more powder for the shot he had determined the night following to issue forth vpon the enemies for to seaze vpon the well hee also looked that night to be rescued by his men to be short by the singuler goodnes of God he escaped a perilous snare of the Leaguers a marueilous great danger for the which to auoyde hee shewed himselfe both valiaunt and watchfull and if he would be thankfull to God for so great deliuerance and consider from whence for what cause these blowes came he should doe the part of a right noble man About the selfe same time that these things were done at Engolâ—sme against the Duke Espernon the Lorde Autragues gouernour of Orleans sent to the King to protest obedience with excuse that the things which he had done in fauour of the League had been for none other cause then for zeale of the Catholick religion but perceiuing that the chiefe Leaguers passed further then he thought he wholly doth renounce detest y â— League and vpon that protestation he was receaued in fauour by the King Whilest the King after hee had sent his writtes to the Prouinces Townes and Cities to make thoyse of their deputies men of wisdome discretion and louers of peace to send with speede to the States preparing all things to resort with a soft pace to Bloys to the States It is said also how the Leaguers peruerted all things suborned all the most vile and accursed traitors that could be picked out in all France It is said also how least that execrable company might be spied or crossed they had obtained by the edict of reunion that none of the reformed religion or suspected to fauour the same and that none of the Princes of the bloud shoulde bee admitted to that house least they shoulde bee spyed when they should go about to make processe against their lawfull King and naturall Prince The King considering the shortnes of the time reiourned his estates vntill the beginning of October following whatsoeuer other causes did moue him so to doo But toward the latter end of September he and his mother accompanied with the Duke of Guize with all their traine ariued at Bloys The Princes of Monpensier County and Soyssons did appeare at Bloys and for because the Prince County had ioyned himselfe to the army of the Germanes the yeare before his company was greatly suspected and many of his friends went about to perswade him to send to the Pope for an absolution but in that following the counsell of his best friends and seruants he did it noâ— The Prince of Soyssons had alreadie obtained a Bull of the Pope containing a pardon for hauing followed the part of them of the religion with a Renuoy for his absolution to the Legat of Venise who was also at the States hee made great difficulties in the matter so that they of the assembly had once resolued to require the King not to suffer the saide Prince to bee admitted but at length it was found good to stay their sute for that time Whilest these things aboue said do passe so diuersly in sundry places the great and mightie armie appoynted for Daulphine vnder the leading of the Duke d' Mayne dooth march and at length arriued in Liomoys there continued long daring not enter far into the Prouince of Daulphine for feare of scalding but soiourned vpon the borders betweene Liomoys and Daulphine as a man that came onely to see whether he could make the hereticks afraide or not The King arriued at Bloys with all his traine maketh readie all the solemnities fit for that assemblie whilest the deputies and assignes of the Prouinces doo make readie their instructions and hast to the place appoynted The King hauing more trust in his subiects then his subiects were to be trusted of him doth expect honest wise and indifferent deputies such as would seeke onely the good of the Common wealth But the Duke of Guize had so laboured of long time and so reduced the people that there was almost no citie towne nor prouince in all France but the complices of the Leaguers vnder colour of zeale of religion preuailed in sending such as were altogether factious and desirous of innouations
the Kings secret enemies and most false traytors to their king and countrey hyding al their intended treasons vnder the old gabardin of the Catholike religion These conspirators against God their King and their Countrey being come at length from euery part of the realme the second day of October being the Lords day the King caused a generall procession to bee made with great solemnitie from the Temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castle vnto the Temple commonly called our Ladie of helpe in the Suburbe Vienne on the South side of the riuer Loyre There was in this procession great magnificencie and outward apparance of deuotion but as little godlines loue as could be The King the Quéenes the Princes and Princesses Lords Ladies which were at the Court generally all the people as well strangers as inhabitants of that place were at it there they offered vnto their gods which did stand gazing in their temples with great store of dissimulation and hippocrisie They carried in great pompe that Idoll which commonly they doo call the corpus Domini through the streates which were decked with tapistry and other such things as they are accustomed to bee done that day which they call corpus Christi day In the saide procession the King with all the States marched in this order following The formost of all were the Frieâ—s Monkes and Abbots like a swarme of Locusts after them followed y e deputies of the third estates foure foure They were followed of the nobilitie and after them marched in battaile aray the deputies of the Clergie in long gownes and square caps onely next after them went the Archbishops and Bishops with their rochets after the Bishops went their God otherwise called by the Prophet Idolum vastans by some Corpus Domini and by some Corpus Christi by some the Sacrament of the Altar It was the same God by whome the King with all his Lords and traine did dayly and at euerie word sweare by That God was arayed in pure beaten Gold and had beene so beaten and turmoyled by the hereticks these 27. yeares before that he was gone so weake that it could not goe but was carried verie demurely by the Bishop of Aix in Prouance vnder a Canapie This Canapy could not goe neither no more then their God but was caried by foure Knights of the holy Ghost they sung continuallie so many gaudeamus so many salue fest a dies and so many aleluia and so many ora pro nobis and so many black sanctus that it was too bad and that with such melodie that a man would haue thought that all the Cuckoos of the spring and all the Owles of winter had mett together to try who could make the pretier noyse The King followed that company with the Queenes and Princes and other Lords of the court After they had walked their God through the streats to take ayre and to recreate him a little hauing beene kept so long in very straight and close prison at length in that order they came all to the Temple of our Lady of help where the Archbishop of Bourges iugled and charmed the Masse plaied with his God as the Cat with the mouse and at length eate him vp The Bishop of Eureulx babled out a Sermon as well as he could And that done haue with you to good cheare This was such a painfull iourney to those ghostly fathers but specially for the Bishop of Aix to carie all the way such a heauie fardell that S. Christopher was neuer more combred with his burthen than this piller of the holy Church was with his They would do nothing all that weeke but eate drink sleepe and doe worse as these ghostly fathers can doe that well The 9. day of Octob. the K. the Lords deputies of y e three estats were housed together at the Friery of y e frantick franciscaÌ„ Friers There they did eate so much raw flesh that the canibals of y e west Indies might haue surfeted with one halfe of that which was spent there Blood they dranke none hoping shortly to fill their bellies with the blood of Saintes Such as was the beginning of this assembly such was the end thereof as you shall see hereafter in the sequell It began with heathenish superstition and Idolatry it ended with heathenish murthers and disloyall rebellion As this was done to confirme the vnion and correspondence which was betweene them for performing of their enterprize of which thing by the meanes of this vnion euery man conceaued so good hope that nowe they made no doubt but all would goe well This done the K. delayed the proposition of the States to the sixteenth of October willing in the meane time the officers of the assembly in euery order to be chosen For the Priests in the absence of the Cardinall of Bourbon the Cardinall of Guyze the Archbishop of Bourges was chosen president The County Brissak and Mignade were chosen Presidents of the Nobilitie The Prouost of Paris was for the third estate But the headlings of the League had greater things in their brayne than all this for they were day and night consulting how to make an end of all their labours The sixteenth day of October all the deputies of the States being assembled in the great Hall of the Castell appoynted to that vse their places taken according to their order The King followed and accompanyed with his court maketh an Oration to the assembly by a long doubtfull speach paynted with diuers tearmes of sorrow by the which he sheweth that his minde caried a remembraunce of the iniuries receiued by the Leaguers from time to time by the which he coÌ„playneth his authority to haue decaied and vniustly to haue beene debased And first proposeth the things which ought to be done in that assembly to wit the establishing of Popery the rooting out of heresie the setting of good order in the gouernement the ease of his people and restoring of his authority protesting that he is their lawfull King giuen to them of God and that he will not be but that which he is neither doth he couet greater authoritie or honour in this Realme than hee ought to haue He protesteth also of his great sorrowe which he hath felt in the miseries and oppressions of his subiects acknowledging the same to bee procured by his and their offences in generall Also he sheweth the care which hee hath had to take away the causes of the sayd miseries and how he hath tryed all the wayes that euer hee could dâ—uise and following the auncient manner of the Realme accustomed in such a case had assembled his estates for that intent but that he hath been interrupted alwayes by new vprores stirred vp to hinder his good mind and purpose and to ouerthrow his good indeuours And also complayneth that to bring to passe these things and to make his labour in that behalfe taken frustrate they haue peruerted by false
saide nor done any thing began in that kinde of rhetorick which hee was wont to vse among the seditious of Paris when he sharpened them against the King at the last rebellion in May of the same yeare onely altering the name of King into the name of hereticks So that as there was that day many good words cast away without dooing any good so there was many cruell bitter and seditious words vttered in the Kings presence to prouoke him to crueltie and slaughter by it to lull him asleepe to cast him into securitie to take away from him all mistrust the more easily and at some conuenient to oppresse him The 18. of October the King came into the hall with the body of the States for the second session where he began to say as followeth Sirs I haue testified vnto you on Sonday last the desire which I haue alwaies to see during my raigne all my faithfull subiects reunited in the true Catholick Romish religion vnder that authority which it hath pleased God to giue me ouer you and hauing to the same effect made my edict of Iuly last past that it might be holden for a fundamental law of this realme to binde both you and your posteritie to the intent that now the same may be confirmed before me as made by the common consent of you al and that no man may pretend ignorance of the nature and ofspring of it and that it may haue the marke of a fundamentall law of the realme for euer I will that this edict bee now read with a loude voyce and bee knowne of all and after that sworne vnto by all the States to the which thing I will sweare first of all that my holy intent may be knowne both of God and men The King hauing ended his speach commaunded Ruze one of his Secretaries of estate to reade with a loud voyce the declaration which he had made the same day vpon his edict of reunion Wherein he first sheweth his great and feruent desire which hee hath had from his youth and the noble acts which he hath done for the rooting out of heresie also how he hath vsed all gentle waies to call the hereticks to the holy Church againe But considering that all this would not serue but onely to make them more obstinate he dooth declare himselfe to haue made the edict of reunion for an irreuocable lawe of the realme condemning already by this his declaration all such as will not sweare nor obey the same as guiltie of high treason This declaration being read then followed the edict of reunion by the same Secretary which being done the Arshbishop of Bourges made a long exhortation to the States vpon the solemne oath to be taken by the King and required also to be taken by his subiects for the obseruing of the saide edict This faire and learned sermon about a naughtie matter and to couer their dissembling heart First did speak of the truth and of lying then shewed the vse of an oath the necessitie the forme and qualities thereof Secondly he speaketh of the Church which he saith in some respect to be visible and in some respects inuisible and that it is gathered of diuers nations and degrees of men without acceptation and distinction of persons He saith that it is called the Church of Rome in none other sence then that it imbraceth the word of God and true doctrine which S. Peter there taught to the which all other Churches haue vnited themselues by a generall and vniuersall consent hee saith that the triumphant and militant Church is but one in effect And that this Church is grounded onely vpon the stone which is Christ the true foundation and head corner stone thereof and that it hath sustained many assaultes which haue not preuailed He saith also that out of that Church there is nothing but death and that hee who will not holde the same for his mother cannot haue God for his Father Out vpon the heretick â—â—e vpon fowle hereticks so many words concerning Note the Church so many heresies or else they make great iniurie to the Hugonets whose death they doo conspire here in this assembly for holding so much in a manner as this saucie Bishop dâ—re speake here before one of the greatest Potentates of the world I lictor colliga manus caput obnubiâ—o quadrupedem constringito c. Loe the omnipotent power that shauelings haue they can make heresie good doctrine and true doctrine heresie when they list These things being spoken by an Archbishop are no heresie being spoken by another man as Theodorus Beza or some other which they doo not fancie there will bee picked out nineteene heresies a quarter and a halfe Thirdly he sheweth what a great matter vnion is but specially in the Church therefore hee exhorteth them being of one faith lawe and beliefe vnder one Sauiour in one and the same Church of one nation and tongue to vnite themselues for the defence of the same holy Church Fourthly he preuenteth by an obiection that whereof they may be charged saying we meaning the Priestes doo not proclayme waâ—re no no saith he the Church dooth not thirst after bloud but we doo desire them who are out of the way to returne into the right way and if they bee obstinate wee doo desire that they may be cut off as gangrâ—ned and putrified members See here godly Christian reader what hipocrisie goeth about to doo this Bishop would faine see the Kings horses to swim in the bloud of them Note of the reformed religion and bloweth the trompet giueth the watch word to the onset vnder the colour of reuniting the Catholicks yet hee would not for all the goods in the world that men should thinke that it were done by his approbation consent and counsell and therefore he saith that the holy Church seeketh not to spill bloud but that they that are in error may be coÌ„uerted into the right way Now my Lord shall I bee so bould to speake one word to your Lordship what way will you follow to conuert them from their errour as you say they are in my Lorde Bishop will answer that hee will first shewe them their errour and then teach them the certitude of his doctrine Then my good Lord I pray you be not angry why haue you denied this way to the King of Nauarre to the reformed Churches of France which onely thing they haue desired When once you haue followed that way and haue conuerted them of errour and taught them a better way if they shew themselues obstâ—â—at cut them off as rotten and gangrened members in deed But belike this is the methode which you will follow against them you will drawe a forme of aâ—iuration in the first part you will make them to abiure and renounce that forme of doctrine which they say is grounded vpon Gods worde the infallable rule of veritie then you will lay downe your fantasies traditions flowing out of the darke
siege two Gentlemen to wit the Lord Drow one of his house and one Villebeau Captaine of one of the companies of the Lord Salignak The inhabitants of the Iland Bouing had promised to the King of Nauarre who had vsed them very courteously that they would suffer none of the enemies to enter their Iland which promise they kept not The Lord of Guize though very busie at the States at Bloys yet ceased not but as he was very busie to supplant the King at home so was he very diligent to prouide for the affayres of warre and for to crosse in this siege the King of Nauarre if he could He sent to the Duke Mercure the regiment of S. Paule the fayrest and most dreadfull of all the companies of the League The 22. of October and the morrowe after the rendering of the Castle of Beauuoyre the inhabitants of the Iland Bouing against their promise receiued two of the fayrest companies of the sayd regiment of S. Paule But they had not so soone entered into the Iland but that immediatly they tooke such dreadfull feare that without any shame they sent a Drumme to the said king to beseech him to giue them safe conduct to retyre into a place of safetie They had some reason so to doo for the feare of his sworde put them in a fearefull apprehension For he had so prouided that they were at his mercie hauing sent his nauall armie to a place called Collet aboue Bourgneuf of Rhe which was the place where of force they must needes passe by But the accustomed clemencie of that Prince sustayned and eased the feare of these two companies who trusted that he would be no lesse fauourable to them then hee hath accustomably béen vnto others who did submit themselues vnto him Whereof they themselues among many other examples are and ought to bee hereafter witnesses for although hée might haue cut them in peeces yet of his good will leauing a marke of heroicall humanitie vnto the posteritie he gaue them their liues armour with a pasport for their safe returne so that they should retyre the selfe same day He forgaue also the Iland men who had falsified their faith and had rendered themselues worthie of sharpe punishment This clemencie to them shewed did so touch them that they haue remayned euer since most faithfull being otherwise most deuoted and addicted vnto poperie The saide King being desirous to passe into the Iland to sée it could not doo it for the contrarie windes hee left there for gouernour the Lorde Quergroy a Gentleman of Britayn of great reputation with a necessarie Garison And vpon the aduertisements which he receaued of the great preparation and marching of the royall army vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers who descended into Poytow he departed thence the 24. of October with all his army taking his way to Montagne where hee left the regiment of the Lorde Preau ordering all necessary things for the defence of that place which as was thought should be the first place where to that army would lay siege which also hee determined to rescue in conuenient time he deuided his garisons in the places which he iudged necessary and among the rest he put Garisons in Mauleon Ganache Talmond Fontenay and other places That being done he tooke his way to Rochel to be at the assembly of all the reformed Churches of France which hee had called thethere for diuers and notable considerations The deputies of all the Churches of all sorts and qualities stayed sometime in Rochel for him where the said King being ariued receaued them with great contentation and according to his naturall facility and mildenes to the great reioysing of all men which hoped for much fruite of this assembly for the preseruation of the realme of the Kings authority against whome the Leaguers vnder colour of the States at Bloys did worke dangerous conspiracies and for the iust defence of them of the religion so long time so cruelly intreated in all partes of the realme The said King being certified of the comming of all the deputies of this assembly of all degrees and conditions Lordes Nobles Iudges Kinges officers Maiors Aldermen and other notable men of the Prouinces gaue an opening vnto the saide assembly by the inuocation of the name of God the 14. of Nouember in the towne house of Rochel assisted by the Lordes of Turenne his Lieutenant general in the prouince of Guienne Trimouille Colonell of the light horses and many other Lords Barons Vicounts Gentlemen and other his counselers The same day were called all the deputies for the assembly the authority which euery one had of the Prouinces for whome they were sent There was almost no Prouince in France which had not sent their deputies to wit deputies were sent out of Gascoyn Amignak Albret and other places from beyond the riuer Garonne out of the Prouinces of Britayne Anjou Tourene Berry Lodunoys the I le of France Normandy Orleans Picardy Champaigne and others beyond the riuer Loyre out of the Prouince of high and lowe Languedock Daulphine Rowergue Mountalban and out of the gouernement of Terrides there were also out of the gouernement of Xainctonge on this side Charante out of all the Iles of Xainctonge other deputed for Rochel for the Prouinces of Limosin Perigord Agenoys for the towne of Bergerak in particular for the Prouinces of Poytow and Engomoys for the principalitie of Orenge and many others for the baily weekes townes and comunalties with sufficient shew of their charges and commissions The 16. day of Nouember after publick inuocation of Gods name the King of Nauarre accompanied as is aboue said represented to the whole assembly the chiefest causes of their conuocation the great necessities which should moue euery man to oppose himselfe to the enemies whose intent was too apparant for they went euen against the King and the whole estate he shewed that hee had hetherto in so iust and godly a cause spared neither goods nor life as his former actions could testifie and that if these mischieues should growe to the worst he for his part felt his courage to be increased of God in the resolution which he had long agoe taken to spend therein euen the last drop of his bloud and the last pennie of all his goods and desired onely that the world would iudge in this his resolution of his good intent as indifferently and truely as himselfe sincerely had walked before God and determined to doo hereafter He shewed how the long continuance of war and lisence of armes had to his great griefe bred and brought in many disorders to the which hee required them as well it might bée to prouide both in respect of the glorie of God of the King of the realme and in respect of all priuat men Prayed them that were of that assembly to bring with them cleane spirites voyde of all passion endued with the loue of the common wealth which thing if they did hee assured
himselfe that God would blesse their counsell and woulde make them to reape much fruite to his glory and the deliuerance of his children Hee represented vnto them the good and prosperous euents which might ensue vpon their firme and fast vnitie in a cause so iust and holy as this that presently was in question by establishing of all good order towards the whichâ—ause hee exhorted all the assembly to continue as well affected as they had done before and to bring so much the more aboundantly as the nouelties and late alterations happened by the malice of the enemies did most euidently require Aboue all things hee willed them to prouide for that which imported most of all the glorie and seruice of God the good order policie and Discipline of the Church And to auoyde the prouoking of Gods wrath by swearing blasphemies rapes whordomes robberies forbidden games and other disorders who had crept among many by the vnhappines of war the required that the lawes made for repressing of such things might bee straightly enioyned commaunded and obserued by the Magistrates without any dissimulation support or respect of persons commaunding also the Magistrates to assist euery one in his behalfe vppon great paines that the Discipline of the Church may haue a due authoritie and execution He willeth them also that the poore may bee assisted with certaine ordinary summes of money which should be dedicated to the same effect according to the forme of the books that should be made for that intent with the authority of certaine chiefe officers magistrates consuls or commissioners appoynted for that purpose Also that charges and offices bee giuen to men capeable and sufficient for the due execution of the same to the ease contentation of euery one and as for other orders it should be ordayned as the sessions and propositions should be made in order All the assembly gaue most humble thankes to his Maiestie for the care which it pleased him to haue as well in particular of the said Churches as true and lawfull nurser protector and defender of the same as also in respect of the publick peace welfare and preseruation of all with proffer of their most humble seruice and obeissance for so good so holy and so lawfull puâ—poses protesting with a most constant resolution to employ their persons their liues their goods to fauour so good and rightfull a cause with praier vnto God to continue in him his blessing and fauour for his honor and glory for the preseruation of his Church for the good and quietnes of the publick estate The Sessions propositions resolutions and ordinances were afterwarde made and continued in good order in the presence of the said king vpon the diuers arguments which were there to be handled And first they entreated of the glory and seruice of God next of iustice of a good counsell and good ordering of the same then afterward of the mannaging of the treasure gifts pasports officers order of warre commissions bootyes prisoners of warre protections â—taking of townes and places of the safety of husbandmen and many other statutes as euery one of the deputies of the Prouinces was seuerally charged by their remembrances and instructions Many such things were there determined vntill the dissolution of the sayde assembly which was made the sayd King sitting accompanied as aboue in the presence of all the deputies on the Lords day being the 17. day of December after the preaching of the worde and inuocation of Gods name with the vnitie consent voluntary approbation of al men to the glory of God and for the Kinges seruice the preseruation of the Crowne and Realme restablishment of the State and for the defence of all faithfull Frenchmen against all enemies leagued mutinous and seditious persons who directly or indirectly would seeke the trouble and euersion of the same Whilest these things did passe and so contrary assemblies did take contrary counsells and resolutions to worke so contrary effects for at Bloys counsell and deliberation was taken to destroy the K. the Crowne the Realme the State the true Church of God In Rochel they went about to saue the King to defend the Crowne to preserue the Realme to vpholde the state to maintaine the true Religion the Duke of Sauoy after great preparations of warre made the Duke de Maine being as then at Liomoys and about the borders of Daulphine inuaded the Marquiz at of Saluces and by treason and intelligences of the Captayne surprized Carmagnole one of the Arseuals of France he tooke also Rauel and Chasteaudauphin with some other holdes These newes brought to Bloys did greatly trouble them who coulde take no pleasure therein But the Leaguers did greatly reioyce thereat For they thought that â—his increase of miseries would further their enterprizes and that the sire being kindled in diuers places that which they did blow in the middest of France would not be either quicklie or easily put out This enterprize of the Duke of Sauoy was by the practize and counsell of the League which was that the armies of these two Dukes of Sauoy and Maine should respectiuely fauour each other each keeping his entent seuerall to himselfe For the Leaguers and the Duke of Sauoy did agree in this to wit in hating the true religion and the professors thereof and in making against them cruell warre to roote them out if they could doe it But the particular thoughts of the partie were kept incommunicable within the heart of them both of them reseruing to themselues the meanes to worke their affayres according to the opportunitie and occasion And in this respect as it commonly falleth out among them who doo aspire to any Soueraignetie there was neither societie nor saith betweene the Duke of Sauoy and the house of Guyze each of them enuying his fellow in that which he wished for himselfe The Duke of Guize with his partakers intended to raigne and to stablish his authoritie in France and would not admit any fellow neither the Duke of Sauoy nor any other The Duke of Sauoy on the other side thought himselfe so well descended in blood that he might claime to haue a good part and thought it very conuenient for himselfe to enlarge his dominions and that being Sonne to a Daughter of France he was nigh enough to possesse all and would haue beene very sory to haue had any companyon either of the house of Guyze or any other whatsoeuer These diuers drifts did lurke close hidden in the hearts of both parts being holpen and aduanced mutually by the common pretence which they tooke on both sides to wit the rooting out of the reformed religion which tearmed heresie and to that end in open words they agreed together did helpe and ayde each other reseruing to the craftiest the beguyling of his felow or to the strongest to preuaile Fryer Sixtus Vicar vnderstanding of this inuasion of the Duke of Sauoy fearing least the King should suppose that to haue beene some of Fryer Sixtus tricks
and vpon a sodaine desire of reuengement would haue his peniworth vpon the Countie of Veuese and Auignon which is a part of the de Mains which Saint Peter purchased with his penie that the Fryers might liue like kings after him to wash his hands and to make the world beleeue that hee saw nothing first beganne to chide and brawle with the Duke of Sauoy and findeth great fault in him reprouing him for such an enterprise The Duke of Sauoy playing falshood in good fellowship faineth although that Fryer Sixtus had no finger in that pie goeth about to excuse the matter and did colour this action specially with Fryer Sixtus saying that hee had done all thinges for the aduantage of the holy church of Rome because he vnderstood that the K. had determined to put those places which he had taken into the hands of the Lord des Diguiers and other heretikes which thing would be very daungerous both to him being nigh neighbour as also in tyme very domageable to the holy church and the county of Veues Some of his counsellers also did greatly mislyke his enterprise foreseeing that it would be in tyme as pernitious vnto him as it had béene to his father in tymes past for not knowing the measure of his forces Whilest the King of Nauarre did holde the assembly of the reformed Churches at Rochel as is aboue sayd and that the Duke of Sauoy inuaded the Marquesdome of Saluce the States did continue at Bloys with strange mistrust which did spring from hower to hower among the partakers The pretence of Religion did continually rowle among the Leaguers and Leagued Their liues and state sayd they did hang on a rotten threed In December two great alarums and pannick terrors were raised within the castell of Bloys who did put the whole court in armor and made them stand vpon their guardes The cause of the first was a quarrell which arose betweene the pages and lakeys who did hold with the Bourbons and them which did hold with the League The commotion and the feare was such that the Duke of Guyze tooke the alarum ranne into his chamber shut vp the dore with Cofers and other such like things as were at hand The second alarum was geuen by a souldier hurt which saued himselfe in the chamber of the Duke of Guyze into the which hee was pursued by some of the Kings guardes who went vp with sword in hand whereupon once agayne all the court was in an vprore About the same time also there were great enmities and seedes of quarrels in the court besyde the vlcer of ambition desire to raigne betwéene the Lord of Guyze and many other Lordes of the court by reason of loue for as the Duke of Guyze in the middest of those waighty matters which he went about to compasse was greatly in loue with a Lady of the court there were some Lords also who pretended the like affection to her whether it were that they did so of purpose to pick a quarrell or otherwise but so it was that there passions of loue were openly perceaued The Duke of Guyze about the middle of December did shew himselfe a more contemner of the Kinges authority then euer he had done before for there was seene after him in great security following his trayne and lodged euen in the Kings house a great number of ruffiens and malefactors condemned in diuers places for diuers crymes and executed in picture for contumacy euen many of them which in August before had raised vp a sedition in Engolesme agaynst the Lord Espernon they were in such security vnder his wing that no magistrate durst say any thing to them The said Duke also had shewed himselfe more saucy and malapert in his words and behauiour then euer hee did before For the King hauing intercepted many of his letters by the which hee did shew in open tearms the vilanous intent which he had purposed in his hart called his Nobles willed them to sweare to him that they would neuer consent nor practise any thing agaynst his person he most arrogantly and contemptuously denyed so to doo euen in his presence saying he will not do it and if hee did it there was good lawes to punish him spare him not let him bee punished bould and arrogant speaches were geuen dayly by him and his partakers The Duke of Guyze considering that by these fresh iniuries the King could not be much prouoked calling to remembrance his former attempts and that the stroke which he had long before intended was made knowen to the King began to enter a great fearfull apprehension that the King would not delay his reuenge but will goe about to preuent him And now considering that all his partakers had bent their eyes vppon him and expected some great atchieuement which should farre exceed the former attempts seeing also how the K. of Nauarre by the edict of reunion sworne by the assembly of the States was condemned and disherited that there was nothing left in the way to hinder him of his enterprise and that hee himselfe was now vpon the last step of the stayrs either to be King or first commaunder vnder the name of King of France so that nothing was wanting but either quite to dispatch him or else to take him prisoner Hee resolued himself therefore to hasten one of these two executions least perhaps he might bee preuented hee vndertooke himselfe to do that feat and layed that burthen vpon his shoulder And that such disorder might bee done orderly he called the chiefest of the conspiracy to counsell The chiefest of this counsell and conspiracy were Fryer Ladouik cardinall his brother and Fryer I. Archebishop of Lyons with few other to whom he shewed in what state his matters stood and that all thinges are brought to some good effect that nothing is obstant to obtayne the thing so long and so greatly desired but the person of the King and that their counsels beeing come to light hee was driuen to such extremity as that â—ither he or the King must needes perish Hee propounded vnto them therefore whether the King was to bee dispatched out of hand or else to bee imprisoned till all thinges were confirmed and established for a new gouernment They answere that this matter is not to be delayed but that the King was to be made away and dispatched out of hand their reasons be these for say they fetters and prisons are altogether vnprofitable that no dungeon how deepe soeuer could be able to keep close so great and mighty a Potentate and that so long as he should liue hee would couâ—t alwaies for reuenge If hee were kept in prison it would seeme cruell and strange to the common people and intollerable That they of late after the Kings fleeing from Paris had found and learned by experience that pitty preuaileth more then fauour But assoone as he should be dispatched new deuises should bee practised new counsels taken and that euery man would fall
alley which was betweene it and the kings chamber encreased his mistrust and would haue gone back yet neuerthelesse he did not He had beene perswaded long before that the Lorde Loignak had vndertaken to kill him so that of all other he hated him most and mistrusted him greatly and entering into the kings chamber he saw the same Lord Loignak sitting vpon a coffer hauing his armes a crosse and supposing that he stayed there to set vpon him for he shewed that hee was touched with a violent apprehension of mistrust although the said L. Loignak did not stir yet the Lord Guize notwithstanding did set vpon him setting his hand to his sword did draw it halfe for he had his cloake as commonly he was wont to haue in scarâ—e wise and vnder the cloake his sworde which was the cause that he could not draw it cleane out of the sheath before that some of them who were there seeing him to enterprize such a violent fray at the Kings chamber doore preuented and killed him there Beholde thou vngratious man thou hast hidden all thy conspiracies vnder a cloake of religion and so hast prophaned a prophane religion say then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou vnthankfull slaue of ambition hast thou thought to murther thy naturall prince ordayned of God to commaund thee Say then or if thou wilt not I will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It could not be done without some rumor which was heard out of the counsell chamber whereupon the Cardinall his brother entred into mistrust and conceauing a great feare made haste to get out but he met one of the skottish guardes who had charge to arrest him He tooke that arrest very straunge and made shew to resist but seeing the rumor and daunger hee ceased from his resistaunce and yeelded The Archbishop of Lyons at this alarum went forth furiously and would know more and as he said would succour the Duke of Guyze but he was arrested by some of the guardes and his fury was so cooled that from a woolfe he was turned into the forme of a lambe yet retayning still wooluish conditions so these two Fryers the deuills ghostly fathers remayned both prisoners The graund Pryor was gone very early to awake the Lord Ianuile to to play the match which they had made the day before and found him in his bed and after he had made himself quickly ready but whether it were that he saw the graund Pryor followed incontinently with some of the guardes or some other matter hee began sodaynly to mistrust and went about to slip into a doore of his chamber and to make some resistance seeking to get forth with his sworde in hand against some of the guarde but considering the danger he yeelded him selfe to the sayd guard The graund Pryor seeing that by these new euents the match was broken off went his way At the same instant one Pellicart secretary vnto the Duke of Guyze was taken with al his papers writings by the which many secret counsels of the sayd Guize were discouered to the King with the names of the chiefest of the League as wel of the princes and Nobles as of the priests and townes The king of the Fryers to wit the Cardinall of Bourbon who was at bed was desired by a captayne of the guarde to rise and so was his person made sure The Marquesse d' Albeuf likewise and many other of the partakers of the Lord of Guize were taken and put in places of safety That day the king made a fayre hande for he caught a number of cruell beasts and vncleane foules as Woolues Foxes swine wilde Boars Apes and such like But the loosing of some of them afterward was the cause of his vndooing and death For either through feare of the Popes excommunication or to asswage the displeasure of his subiects or some other cause â—lse he did set at libertie the Archbishop of Lyons which was one of the chiefest counsellors deuisers and procurers of his death These exployts being done at Bloys a gentleman was speedely sent into Poytow to the Lord of Neuers with commaundement to seaze vppon the Lord Chastre gouernour of Berry who was greatly suspected by reason of his great familiaritie with the Lord of Guize But the layd Lord Chastre was aduertized by his friends of all that which happened at Bloys before the gentleman sent by the King arriued at the camp whereupon he went to the Duke of Neuâ—rs saying that he was aduertized how the Duke of Guyze had beene put to death which thing made him beleeue he had enterprized somewhat agaynst the king Hee sayde that he had been alwayes seruant to the Duke of Guize for his particular but that if he had enterprized against the king that hee was neuer made priuie to it And forasmuch as the loue which the said Duke of Guize had borne vnto him might happily make him to be suspected by the king he yeelded himselfe willingly into the hands of the sayd Duke of Neuers for to iustifie his actions Afterward the Gentleman went from the king to the sayd Duke of Neuers who informed him of all that which is aboue sayd and within a while after the Lord Chastre went to the king The King had some speeches with the sayd Lorde Chastre of all that had passed touching the particular of him the Lord Chastre of long continuance which hee woulde forget and vppon the promise which the saide Chastre made to remaine his faithfull seruant commaunded him to make sure the townes of his gouernement to his seruice and to prepare himselfe to goe to Orleans against them of the League which thing the saide Lorde Chastre promised to doo A little while after the death of the Guize the King went to see the Queene his mother and shewed her what was done that morning whereof at the first she was greatly moued yet remembring the iust occasions which the said Duke of Guize had giuen him to seeke reuenge shee prayed God that it might bee well done and willed the King to aduertise the Popes Legat that which was done For a while after the King sent the Cardinall Gundy to shew to the saide Legat the attempt of the Duke of Guize against his person and estate which thing had enforced him to doo that execution he shewed that in it he had followd the Popes his masters counsell who aduised him so to doo if by no other meanes he could auoyde such enterprises Where it is saide that the King dooth aleage to the Popes Legat his masters counsell and consent the matter goeth as the common report gooth It is most certaine that Frier Sixtus and his Chaplines with his predecessors before him had been and were then the chiefest authors setters on and maintainers of the League in France and that by all meanes so that it were not with money for to meddle with the purses of these ghostly fathers is sacriledge and to tirannize the holy Church did fauour foster and further all the
felouies trecheries and treasons of the Duke of Guize The King hauing a perfect knowledge of these their dooings yet by policy he obtained Frier Sixtus and his Priests both his consent and hands to iustifie his actions which he entended to bring to passe vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize and others his adherents if the Pope after the fact if Soltan Solyman out of the capitall of Rome would thunder his vaine boults not excommunication but of proscription which this Antichrist most arrogantly doo vsurp vpon Princes He wrote therefore to Frier Sixtus that he had a number of rebels of all degrees as well of the nobilitie as of others who had conspired against his life and state whether that hee might make such a slaughter of them by surprise as hee made at Saint Bartholmew in the yeare 1571. and kill them by all meanes possible seeing that he could not follow against them any extraordinarie course Frier Sixtus and his harpies about him supposing that the King by rebels vnderstood the King of Nauarre and others of the nobles with him and of other degrees and that he had so fetcht in his head whereby he hoped to drawe them into his snare were as ready to further him to that exployte as the King was ready to doo it Frier Sixtus answered in his name and of his Ianissaries that hee might destroy them by all meanes possible for in extraordinarie dangers extraordinarie course might be taken This is that which he alâ—ageth to the Legat touching the Popes counsell and consent The Legat vpon this newes was wonderfully amazed for beside that hee feared his owne skin hee had also assured all Italy of cleane contrary euents then those which he saw to haue fallen out The same day the Legat was prayed to make intercession with the King for the Cardinall of Guize which thing hee promised to doo Men cannot by any meanes prolong the time of their ende many haue thought that the sauing of the life of the Cardinall of Guize might haue been easily obtained But as a haughtie courage which thinketh to bee nigh to some great and extraordinary prosperous fortune cannot easily quiet himselfe when he seeth himselfe debased and carried away farre from his expectation So this man fallen from so high and moued with his domesticall losses could not quiet himselfe but by hot words hee threatned to performe more theÌ„ euer his brother entended whose chiefest setter on he was This his raging minde wrapped him in the selfe same punishment with his Brother being founde and iudged culpable of the selfe same crime of treason Here marke Christian reader a notable example of Gods iustice for the King would easily haue pardoned him and spared his life but Gods iustice bringing him to iudgement forsooke him in the perturbation of his heart to prouoke his Soueraigne King whome hee had offended in the highest degree against his will to make him drinke of the cup of Gods wrath So that the King seeing his threatnings which discouered plainly the damnable thoughts of his heart caused him the same day to bee strangled as it is reported with a tippet of silke which he was wont to weare about his neck to put a difference between him and the common sort of traitors for they are strangled with ropes of hempe but this traiterens Frier was choaked with a holy tippet of silke in the selfe same place where he was arested prisoner These executions being done vpon the conspiratours the King went to goe to Masse into the temple of Saint Sauiour which is in the court of the Castell There the Popes Legat did walke and talke long with the King sometime smiling in the sight of a great number of people which did marke it Among whom many seeing the ioyfull countenance of the Legat thought that hee was not greatly sory for that which had passed there that morning although that his great familiarity with the house of Guize would haue giuen occasion to expect of him the contrarie But all that was but to make faire weather which the King fearing himselfe vpon the heate of the Kings reuenge to haue sustained the same punishment with his companions which he had no lesse deserued then they had Now we haue to speake somewhat of the conspirators who were of fiue sorts In the euening all things were as quiet at Bloys as they had béen before saue the close and hidden sorrow and murmuring of many who had not foreseene such a suddaine tempest to fall vpon the house of Guize Brissak and others to mollifie the Kings displeasure which they supposed by the guiltines of their consciences the King to haue conceaued of them that in time they might escape out of his clawes made an oration gratulatory for his good successe in escaping that conspiracy but specially did clawe him in that place where he did most itch to wit exhorted him to continue the warre against them of the reformed religion vsing great outragious wordes and inuectiues leauing them no hope of merrie This oration was followed of many such others not for loue to the K. but for three speciall causes First that with such holy water the King being blinded they might flye out of his hand Secondly that by setting the King agaynst the King of Nauarre and the heretikes as they tearmed them hee should haue his forces scattered and his person beeing the weaker by it they might at some opportunity surprise him Thirdly they feared least he would vpon this occasion ioyne the King of Nauarre and so to haue béene able to take reuenge vpon all the sort of the conspiratours therefore they thought good to blow the coales to let all reconsiliation The same day the King sent to the assembly of the states to let them vnderstand that it was his pleasure that the states should continue with a full determination to follow their reasonable counsels in all things The 24. of December the King dispatched diuers messengers into dyuers Prouinces with these instructions following The first troubles raised vp by the Lord of Guyze in this realme in the yere 1585. haue shewed sufficiently an other meaning in him theÌ„ the zeale of the Catholike Religion wherewith he hath couered his actions to abuse them who are more ready to embrace nouelties then wise to consider the euents For hauing couered his entents with the cloake of the catholik religion and the rooting out of heresy all his exploits haue béen executed in the catholik townes and in the best which he could seaze vpon to lay downe a stedfast foundation of the drifts long before notoriously forecast for the â—surpation of the crowne The King sheweth that by the meanes of the rising of the sayd Duke he was enforced to let him haue the best part of his forces and meanes whereby he hath not béene able to oppose himselfe to them of the religion as he was willing to doo whereby heresy sayth he hath taken deeper root in the Realme then euer it had
publike reuenger of Gods lawe and executer of his iustice who commandeth him that his eye shall not take pitie vpon such abominable contemners of Gods ordinance and iustice whose Image his person represented fearing men more then GOD and vnder the colour of clemencie consented to their crimes and through impunitie approoued their misdéedes God a righteous Iudge turned this his pusillanimitie to a snare and a blocke of offence by the which he wrought his owne ouerthrowe and miserable end Now leauing the euents which followed this tragedie played at Bloys we will fetch other matters and exploits which were done in other places that varietie may not onely delight the Christian Reader but also stirre him vp to feare tremble and reuerence Gods iudgements For not onely at Bloys he powred mightie streames of his wrath vpon the wicked but also in other places the Lord at the same time fed his enemies with shame clothed them with dishonour and rewarded them with confusion and in all places deliuered his Saints It is sayd before how at the making and concluding of the edict of reunion in Iuly last it was agreed that two mightie Armies should be mustered and made vp with as much readines as it could be done the one should be conducted by the Duke of Guize into Guienne and the other vnder the leading of the Duke de Mayne into Daulphine there to roote out them of the religion But yet the Duke of Guize aduised by his counsell to wit the Cardinall his brother and the Bishop of Lions altered his purpose for three causes First the cause of religion which he pretended was not the marke that he shot at neither did he greatly care which of the two went backward or forward Secondly he perceaued how he went to cast himselfe into the hazard of warre which is vncertaine but specially agaynst such a Captayne who hetherto had remained inuincible and knewe with fewe how to ouercome great multitudes and mighty forces whom hee feared as the slaue doth dread his Lord whom he hath greeuously offended Therfore he thought good not to hazard that way but to reserue himselfe to a better opportunity which would be offered him ere long The third cause was that if he should absent himselfe farre from Paris it might be that the King would enterprise it there uppon and carry it away from him Also if he should absent himselfe from the Court he were not able easily to bring to passe his intent nor giue the blowe which he had in minde long before Therfore another is to be sent yet it must not be any suspected person As for the Princes they are partiall in this cause and being of great authoritie of themselues are not to bee armed with power for els they may marre the play The Marshals Byron and Haultmont are good noble men good French men and valiant they are Royals and therfore we will haue none of them For it were not good to arme them with such forces for if wee say they should in the meane time execute our enterprise whilest they had such an armie they might marre all and begin a new tragedie vpon the players of the former Therefore such a Generall must néedes bee appoynted as may flatter with both sides and that will turne to the strongest part and if he should be lost in the battell it maketh no matter who that should be The Duke of Neuers of Nation an Italian an Atheist by religion a Spanyard by faction a Leaguer and a Royall both by policie and dissimulation in Nobilitie nouus homo For here is to be noted that in Italy there is no ancient Nobilitie remayning except it bee the Vrsins and Colomuae and some of the Patrilij in Venice For all the rest perhaps some fewe excepted are families raised vp within these few hundred yeares out of Colliers as the Medicis Porters and Chimney sweepers during the vniuersall rebellion of Italy against the Emperours vnder the factions of Guelpses and Gibelius and the Popes bastards also are the stockes of many families which now are accounted of the chiefest Nobilitie there as the houses of Parma Vrbines c. This Duke of Neuers hanging about the skirts of the Q. Mother maried the onely heires of the noble and ancient familie of Neuers whose father was slayne at the battell of Dreulx being of the house of Gonzages neuer heard of before these eight score yeares The noble Princes of the royall blood the ancient Nobility of France are no men but set behinde the doore they may not lead the kings armies not for lack of sufficiencie Why then Because they are suspected by the League to be true to their king good louers of their country and too naturall to their kings subiects and fellow Citizens Whilest therefore the States doe continue at Bloys and Rochel the Kings armie in Nouember taking their iourney into Poytow with great preparatioÌ„ intending as wel to recouer the places occupied by them of the Religion as also to beat the king of Nauarre in which doing not only they should make an ende of the warre by rooting out vtterly them of the Religion but also should recouer the losse of the honour of the armie which a moneth before had beene buried at Coutras by the King of Nauarre This armie was great and strong consisting of Frenchmen Swissers and Italians hauing a great number of armed men And as it marched forward so still it increased For light horses and Noble men with other qualities out of all partes out of the cities and communalties of the Prouinces neere about as well of the one as of the other side of the Loyre did voluntarylie ioyne themselues to it And among others out of the low Poytow were the Lords of Roches Beatault of Bourneueau Boucherie and Saint Andre with their companies The Duke of Neuers as is sayd before was generall assisted with the Lord Chastre and Sagonne two notable traytors Leaguers and Lauerdine loyall and faithfull to his Prince with other Lords and Captaines Ordinance munition and all kinde of preparation of warre was great The greatest part of this armie as well of the heads and commaunders as of the Nobilitie and others which did obey were Leaguers and leagued who thought that they could neuer worke mischiefe enough It is an incredible thing to heare the mischieues hauock and oppression which this armie did where it passed through but specially to them of the reformed religion who were found before them both in their houses and abroad the people men and women euen in diuers places the very cattell did flie before this armie as before a thundering tempest euen as a flock of sheepe before a heard of woolues sauage beasts or monsters neuer seene before Sultan Soliman Siech Selymogly did neuer cary greater cruelty sauagenes barbarousnes and terror into Austrich and Slireland when he came downe with three hundred thousand men to the siege of Vienne than did this râ—bble of turkish broode monstrous Cyclops God-contemners
some afterward haue reported certayne discontentments which he said he had receiued which did discourage him in the performance of that seruice to which the occasions and many other reasons did binde him The Lord Preau on the other side said that the place might be reasonably defended That he was seruant to the king of Nauarre to whom he had promised to keepe faithfully that place so long as the skill of warre would permit him and that his credit did restrayne him from consenâ—ing to the rendring thereof Out of this diuersitie of affections the diuision began which afterward was the cause of the so sodaine losse of the place The Lord Colombieres had on his side y e Harquebusiers on horseback which had followed him were there in garrison The Lord Preau had on his side his soure companies some voluntary gentlemeÌ„ and strangers betweene them both were laboured by each partie of the inhabitants there were few or none â—â—t after long reasoning Colombieres the gouernour caryed it away knowing very wel y t the enemie was not ignorant of that diuision and sent to the camp Captayne Courbe his lieftenant to offer agreement to the L. of Neuers who tooke great pleasure in this occasion For the soiourne of 15. dayes before that plate in so fowle weather in so great scarsitie of victualls as was in that armie was a second wound of his dissipation The tearme of this agreement was so short that the king of Nauarre being vpon the poynt to succour them was compelled to breake his enterprize although it was agreed that the king of Nauarre should haue beene aduertized of it The conditions of the agreement were that the colours should be rendered the souldiers should goe forth with their match out and the gentlemen with their furniture that they should all be conducted by a Herault and a trompet as farre as Saint Albine with condition that they should retyre within three dayes The L. Colombieres conducted all the Garrison about halfe a league and then he asked if y t there were any in the companies that would follow him but almost all refused Captaine Courbe with six or seauen more as well of his houshold seruants as others followed him So he taking his leaue and induced either with discontentment or with some other affection he ioyned himselfe to that armie The rest of the troups were safely conducted nigh as farre as Lussen and Saint Gemmes and were left there vpon the conditions abouesaid by the Herault and Trompet But the Lord Sagonne Colonel of the light horsemen did so cut the time prefixed that desirous as it was supposed to reuenge the death of some friend of his in that armie who had been slayn before in that place surprized those companies who were at S. Albine and charged them so hardly that scarce they had time to get into a church and to shut themselues therein They were without munition of necessary things so that they were coÌ„pelled to render themselues yet once againe hauing little resisted This composition was not like the first for they had onely their liues they were vnarmed and ryfled and some few were slaine With a speedy retire they might haue auoyded that iniurie Montagne so surrendred the towne of Ganache was greatly threatned The Marquesse of Belisle who made his abode at Maschecow desired greatly to be dicharged of such neighbours And besides this place was very fit for him if by the meanes of that armie he coulde haue gotten it This place pertained to the Lady of Landimoys of the house of Rohan who had retired to Nantes obaying the kings Edict concerning the alteration of religion The King of Nauarre had giuen the gouernement of this place to the L. Plessis Gette the which diuers times but specially a few dayes afore the siege had been greatly laboured by the said Lady also by the Marquesse of Belisle with faire and large promises to yéeld the place into their hands to whome he would neuer hearken but determined to keep it faithfully The towne of Ganache being distant from Montagne but seauen leagues the Lord Plessis fore seeing the siege dispatched withall diligence to the King of Nauarre who was at Rochel the Lord Sabloniere and Iesserant to let him vnderstand the small commodities that they had to holde that place against a royall army That notwithstanding the saide Lorde Plessis with the rest of the Captaines with him had determined to doo him good seruice so that he would furnish them with meanes At these newes the King dispatched the Baron Vignoles with all his companies to strengthen that place He sent also by sea two Captaines of the regiment of his gardes vnder the conduct of the Lordes Aubiguy and Robiniere who imbarked themselues part at Rochel with powder pikes and other munition of warre part at Esande But the contrarie windes caused them to cast anker at the Iland of Rhe where they stayed eyght daies for winde during which time many being sea sick were found wanting so that at the imbarking againe in stead of two hundred were found fewer in number The Lord Plessis in the meane time laboured hard in the places where was most neede and caused the victuals as well for men as for horses to be brought in out of the vilages round about The L. Ruffigny arriued there with 50. Harquebusiers on horseback by the coÌ„mandement of the said King in staying y e succor which came by sea Ganache is compounded of a towne and Castell situated in the borders of Poytow and Britayn yet holding more of Poytow it is distant from the sea three leagues with an open prospect on that side of the side of Montagne and Maschecow it is woody and couered There is a great poole which compasseth a great part of the towne vppon the Castell side which with diuers brookes watereth the great medowes about it that maketh the waies to the towne moorish and foule but specially in winter The said poole dooth compasse almost two parts of the towne to wit from the suburb Saint Leonard to the suburb of Saint Thomas which is al the side of the Castell The towne is compassed with an indifferent good ditch cut out of a rock the wall is auncient flancked with small towers and made with loope holes after the olde fashion it was found better to resist the cannon then it was thought it would bee specially on the side where it was battered the which for being too feeble and naked hauing but an olde gate the Lord Plessis had fortified and couered with a spurre assoone as he had the gouernement of that place which did him good seruice during the siege Hee made two bulwarkes more on the other side of the towne toward thâ—suburb Saint Thomas the one to couer a tower of the Castell made after the forme of a horseshoo the other nigh vnto the causie which dooth kéep the issue of the poole ten dayes before the siege which was the fourth of December hee builded another
the enterprise so that the said King hauing geuen order to the men of warre which should be at the execution and appointed them who should conduct them to wit the Lordes Parabiere HaraÌ„bure Preau and others the Lord S. Gelays Ranques with twelue horsemen onely departed from S. Iahn and making toward Villeneufue within a league from Saint Iahn met about 40. Harquebuziers on horse backe of the regiment of the King of Nauarre his guards who were conducted by the Lord des Listres with this troupe the said Lords Saint Gelays Ranques went the way that goeth to the left hand of the Forest Thence beeing yet day the Lord Ranques accompanied with ten or twelue Harquebusiers left the Lord Saynt Gelays and went the way to Foys he was far gone on his way when he met with ten or twelue horsemen of the enemies who were thought to bee Albaneses hee charged them and one was flaine the rest saued themselues in the forrest of Chizai In the meane time while the Lord Saint Gelays with the rest of his troupe went the crosse way nigh to the towne Saint Plausiue where the Lords Parabiere Harambure Preau with others who folowed him to the nuÌ„ber of 350. men with sixe mules carrying the ladders other necessary thiÌ„gs which met y e said Lord S. Gelays ther they staied awhile for the rest of the troupe all assembled together which might be in number between three and foure hundered men Harquebuziers and three or foure score armed men All this companie tooke their way toward Niort with as much silence as could be to the gate Saint Gelays The Lord Ranques separated himselfe as is saide before to scoure the countrey the way which goeth to Saint Jhans gate of Niort to see that no man might goe into the towne to giue aduertisement of the things which were done abroad There were left behinde all the companies two seruants of the Lord Saint Gelays who went on foote they followed their master the way of County to Niort A countrey man was sent to Niort by the Lord Ferriere Lieutenant of the companie of the Lorde Malicorne who then was in his house at County This countrey man did cary letters from the saide Lord Ferriere to the gouernour or to the Lieutenant of Niort a man Leagued turbulent and at whose beck all the inhabitants did tremble with aduertisement that already he had warned them twise to take heede for although the report went that the Hugonets were going to Coignak it was fained for certainely they had returned back and went straightly to them And that he feared least his men had been taken seeing that he had not receaued since any newes which thing caused him to send to them the third time that countrey man to aduertise them carefully to take heede These seruants of the Lord Saint Gelays asked the countrey man whether he goeth He answereth to Niort and we also say they but we feare it will be too late to come thether in time for it was sunne setting care not for that saith the countrey man for I can get in and if it were midnight for I bring letters to the Lord Malicorne The seruants hearing that and perceauing that the countrey man had the letters within a ball of earth which he carried in his hand forced him tooke his letters from him and lead him with them and meeting the Lord Ranques at the rendes-vous at the winde mill tooke him the letters with the countrey man When he had read them hee shewed the same to the Lords Saint Gelays Parabiere and others when they came This had been enough to put them out of heart but in vaine dooth the garde of the citie watch when God will surprise it there is neither safety nor counsell against his power The insolency of the inhabitants of Niort against the King of Nauarre and them of the religion was come to a full measure For notwithstanding the great doubt least they of the towne had been aduertised of their enterprise at the instaâ—t request of some they determined to goe through The troupes had already lighted a great halfe league off in the valey nigh Vouilay and had left their horses made fast with certaine seruants to keepe them they caused the Mules which caried the ladders and other necessarie things to goe through the fieldes vnto a quarrie of stone nigh the towne and distant onely from the wall a bow shoot there were the ladders vnloaden and destributed to them that should occupie them There were prepared the petar shy two Gentlemen named Vilesan and Gentil who being very industrious in such things should vse them which were brought within a stones cast of the wal and the ladders also and all in the high way that leadeth from Chiçay to the gate Saint Gelays all this stirre passed without any perceauing of them within the towne The Moone was not downe nor went not downe foure houres after which increased greatly the feare of them who did enterprise least they should be discouered yet they determined to abide patiently in silence both the great and extreame cold and also the going downe of the Moone at whose shining many lying vpon the frosen hard ground did sleepe being wearie of their long iourney more swéete then if they had béene in their beddes In the meane while the Lordes Ranques Valieres Gentil and others went to view the ditch and the place where the ladders should bée set vp and the gates where the Petars should be applyed When they had viewed all and sawe that nothing did stirre in the towne and had made their report they began to let downe the ladders into the drye ditch by an easie path and also to set the Petars to their places The first company ofskaling ladders was conducted by the Lords Ranques Valieres Ionquieres and others guided by a Souldier named Reuaudiere At the second companyes of ladders were the Lords Preau Arambure and des Listres followed by the men which they had in their companies The Lord Saint Gelays and Parabiere went to the gate of Saint Gelays where the Petars should play The scalado was set vp at the wall of the towne distant from the saide gate of Saint Gelays about thirtie or fortie paces They who caried the Ladders were not so soone descended into the ditch but the Sentinel which was vpon the wall farre from the place of the scalado about forty paces demaunded furiously who goeth there they without held stil without answere He which commaunded the guard of the towne which was vpon the gate of Saint Gelays came forth and asked the Sentinel who is there The Sentinel answered I heard some noyse but it is nothing There happened then a great darknes as commonly doth after the going down of the Moone which did fauour greatly them which were without to steale away from the eyes of the Sentinel for without any knowledge of the said Sentinel the Ladders were placed safely It had been concluded betweene them
he had cruelly defiled his hands with the bloud of many innocent persons vnder the colour that they were of the religion And not long before had committed an act no lesse odious and cruell than felonious for he had caused the dead body of the great Prouost of France to bée drawne through the streates of the towne after hee had béen slaine in the fight nigh the walls of the towne and that a little before his surprise as is afore said There was one Iamart of the richest sort of the towne taken who being vpon the point to be put to his ransom and to be deliuered as the other inhabitants then were was accused euen by many of the romish religion and of the towne to haue been a man of wicked life who had committed many things punishable by the lawes He was conuicted to haue been one of the chiefest doers in the sedition of the League and had vnworthley and outragiously spoken against the principall Princes of the bloud his proces was made according to the crimes committed by him This was the onely man who was iudicially executed at the surprise There were found in that towne fiue great pieces of battery carying halfe a foot and an ynch in the mouth two very long Culuerins which the Lieutenant abouesayd had caused to be cast as he sayd in dirision to salute the King of Nauarre when hee should approach the walls of Niort There were found also two meane culuerins the fiue canons were made ready a new by workemen specially called from Paris for that purpose for to bee brought to the army of the Duke of Neuers for the siege of Fonteney which was intended after the winning of Ganache This towne was full of rich men and riches by reason of the spoyle of them of the reformed religion of all the countrey round about There was sufficient quantitie of corne to maintaine an armie of twentie thousand men for the space of two yeres There was also sound twenty thousand weight of powder besides a maruelous quantitie which euery man had in particular This is a rule of Gods iustice he that spoyleth shal be spoyled he that wasteth shall be wasted The King of Nauarre gaue the gouernement of that place and of the countrey to the Lord Saint Gelays the Lorde Parabiere was appointed to dwell in the Castell To conclude this booke with the yeare Christian reader thou maist see with thine eye y e iudgements of God executed vpon his enemies generally for their Idolatry superstition and atheisme But specially vpon Henry the third for obstinacie in refusing through the hardnes of his heart to heare the Lorde Christ speaking vnto him and warning him to bee wise and feare the Lord with reuerence in refusing the counsell of wise noble Princes Senators noble men and faithful friends and following alwaies the vniust and wicked counsels of his mother of flatterers and sicophants but specially of his domesticall enemies by whose counsels and perswasions he lost his authoritie credit reputation kingdome and life as shall be said in the booke next following Thou hast seene also how the Lord out of the heauens from the habitation of his seate hath derided laughed to scorne the pride arrogancie and contemptuous presumptiousnes of the King of Spayne hath extended his mightie armie vpon him and his seruants as he did vpon Pharao King of Aegipt clothed him with dishonor as with a garment and made him ridiculous and contemptible in the sight of the Princes people and nations of the world We haue seene also how that the Lorde to punish the parricides murtherers of the saints atheisme execrable life of the Duke of Guize of his bretheren father and vncles turned him to a spirit of ambition to worke all treasons treacheries villanies commotions seditions and rebellions against his naturall King Prince benefactor and countrey couering all these execrable enormities vnder the cloake of Catholick religion and Gods glorie by the which he hath wrought his owne his children house famely bretheren and kindred sudden fall being beaten downe on a suddaine and vnawares from the top of high degree honour dignitie and wealth as with a suddaine tempest wee haue séene on the other side how God according to his mercie and promise hath preserued from the suares of the enemies of his trueth First that great Elizabeth of England nurce of Gods Church the ioy of Gods people hath decked her head with a Crowne of glory hath cloathed her with honour hath established her seate with iustice and godlines hath made her the terror of al enemies of Christ and the beauty of Europ The same Gods prouidence and merciful kindenes hath also preserued Henry of Bourbon King of Nauarre and now of France from the commotions of the people and whereas his enemies haue set vppon him by land by sea by force by policie poyson and all other meanes which the angell of darkenes hath been able to teach them to swallow him alone aliue beholde the Lorde not onely hath established him in his owne hereditarie kingdome but also by the meanes of his enemies though against their wills hath made him a way to place him in that throane of Maiesty which appartained vnto him by that succession which God had ordained in that kingdome being one of the most famous kingdomes of Europ and hath made him a victorious conquerour of the wicked and the restorer of that afflicted state But also in this booke we haue séene how the Lord in whose sight is precious the death of his saints before the comming of those miseries the Lord hath taken vnto himselfe the most noble vertuous and godly Princes the Princes of Conde and Boillon and many other noble men least they should see euill daies whose names are written in the booke of the righteous Wée haue séene also how the Lorde hath turned the most wicked and damnable oath taken not at the states but rather conspiracie of Bloys to an borrible confusion and dissipation of the wicked for after that the wicked haue gone continually to wrack and confusion and neuer preuailed in any action but in wrapping themselues into miserable treasons rebellions and commotions replenishing their streates with murther and bloud The end of the fift Booke THE SIXT BOOKE THis newe yeare bringeth foorth new euents and strange full of confusions the kings death and an alteration in the succession of the Crowne of France as it shall appeare Wee haue left the royall Armie vnder the conduct of the Duke of Neuers weakened with hunger colde and hard lodging amazed with the straunge accidents happened at Bloys before the towne of Ganache there preparing all things for the batterie Also wee haue shewed what exploytes the King of Nauarre did in the meane while Now wee will returne from Niort in high Poytow to Ganache to see what would be done there The first day of Ianuary 1589. passed away with light skirmishes but without any great effect The second day they within
agaynst their Soueraigne and benefactor and parricide among bretheren one to preuent another The newes of the death of Guyze beeing brought into the Prouinces the most part of Towns and Citties from the riuer of Loyre West North and East being already surprised aforehand and seduced from the Kings obedience by the Leaguers vppon the rumor of that execution were so greatly mooued the Duke of Guyze beeing accompted the onely piller of Popish religion by the perswasion which the Catholikes had conceaued of him that they began euery where to wauer and kindle to a manifest rebellion by the setting on of the Leaguers who were the greatest part in number euery where They did greatly by their inuectiues make heynous and odious that execution vppon the persons of Guyze and the Romish Priest his brother tearming it the Massacre committed at Bloys And thus the iust iudgement of God iustly taking vengeance for so many murthers shedding of innocent bloud and innumerable villanies committed vppon the saintes of God and for stopping their eares at the cleere and lowd voice of the Sonne of God who so louingly hath called them by his word promises by his threatnings and plagues ofpestilence famine and warre gaue them ouer to a reprobat sence with a senceles rage to fall to commit such cruelties among themselues that no enemy would or could haue desired or deuised greater their towns and citiesbeeing euery where replenished with massacres robberies banishments and proscriptions not committed agaynst them of the religion but euen of popish Catholikes against popish Catholikes of Idolaters against Idolaters of murtherers agaynst murtherers so the Lord hath sent euill Angels among them Paris the capitall cittie of the kingdome as they more hoped vppon the Duke of Guyze then any other did so they shew themselues most offended There were firebrands which kindled the sedition to the vttermost to wit the Duchesses of Guyze and Nemours who with their outcries and lamentations did animate the people to a raging madnes Thereunto also added the Iesuits and Fryers set on by the aforenamed all their inuectiues insolent and vnreuerent wordes in their ordinary tragicall outcryes in their Pulpits and philippicall sermons to make the people obstinate desperat and vntractable to be hereafter reduced to any obedience Other Cities followed the example of Paris as Orleans Roen Anieus Abeuille Reymes and Tholose whereby the conspiracy and setting on of the Bishop of the place in most cruel maner they tooke the first president of the court of Parliament there hanged him vpon a Gibet and afterward dragged his dead body about the streets beeing one of the most zealous romish Catholikes which then could liue in this world the onely cause was that he would not allow their rebellion The King vnderstanding the great sturres perilous flames of rebellion in most part of the townes and cities of his realme supposing by impunity which he calleth clemencie and gentlenes to quench that fire which was already too far kindled writeth his declarations emporting an obliuion of all iniuries to be published in all his Parliaments and other courts in Prouinces First he sheweth how oftentimes hee hath borne with the perturbers of his realme not onely in forgiuing them their offences whome hee might haue iustly punished but also by winning them by all fauours possible to be shewed onely thereby séeking the preseruation of the peace of his subiects and of the Catholick religion vntill that hee was certainely informed that they had conspired against his person life and estate so farre as he was inforced to make that execution extraordinarily Secondly he sheweth that although many had béen of that conspiracy whome he might haue iustly punished yet for the loue which he beareth vnto all Catholicks hée hath stayed the punishment vpon the two chiefest authors of the euill Thirdly he protesteth that he will haue the edict of reunion obserued in all poynts burying al the former offences in perpetuall forgetfulnes commaundeth his iudges and officers in all his courtes to make no inquisition of the former offences willing all men to liue in peace vnder his obedience and if not hee chargeth his officers to make exemplary iustice of the offenders The King hauing assembled his estates as is saide before supposing by their help and assistance to haue repressed the outragious attempts of the house of Guize sawe himselfe in the middest of them compassed with a company of mortall enemies to his person life and state Whereupon destitute of authoritie counsell and help through pusillanimity was faine to spare the liues of them who were in his power and of others whome he might easily haue apprehended who had their hands as déepely in the trespasse as the chiefe authors themselues This was the worke of the Lord to bring him to the consideration of his great errors in refusing so often the wholsome and brotherlike aduertisements of the good K. of Nauarre and other Princes both within and without the realme his louing and faithfull friends The more therefore he goeth about with impunity of most grieuous offences which in his declaration hee tearmeth clemency to bring that people of Paris seduced from his obedience to their duety y e more that miserable people condemned of God and in his wrath appointed to hauock and thraâ—dome for multiplying rebellion murthers and confusions vpon their former murthers Idolatries and abominations dooth rage and like mad dogs as out of their wittes doo run headlong to worke the full measure of their desperat rebellions accounting the Kings clemency cowardlines which they might haue called pusillanimitie in deed as though hée feared either to haue them his enemies or else to loose them from being his subiects Therefore hauing committed greeuous crimes all manner of wayes euen with greedines at length hauing concluded to withdraw themselues from their soueraignes obedience the chiefest players in this tragedie of rebellion to colour their diuilish passions with the authoritie of Gods law as though they would haue asked Gods wil out of his owne mouth adressed them themselues to the facultie of Theologie there commonly called the Colledg of Sorboune For that purpose they sent one Vrban one of the Magistrates of Paris to the sayd Sorboune hauing framed in manner of supplication two questions to be resolued by them First an populus regni Galliae possit solui liberari à sacramento fidelitatis obedientiae Henrico tertio praestito Whether the people of France may not be discharged and setfree from the oath of allegeance and obedience made vnto Henry the third Secondly an tuta conscientia possit idem populus armari vniri pecnnias colligere contribuere ad defensionem conseruationem Religionis Catholicae Romanae in hoc regno aduersus nefaria conscilia conatus praedicti regis quorum libet aliorum illi adherentium contra publica fidei violationem ab eo Blaesis factum in praeiuditium praedictae religionis Catholicae edicti sanctae vnionis
naturalis libertatis conuoâ—ationis trium ordium huius regni Whether the people may with a safe conscience take armâ—s vnto theÌ„selues and make collections and contributions for the defence and preseruation of the Catholick Romish religion against the haynous practizes and attempts of the aforesayd king and all other his adherents and against the breach of publike faith committed by him at Bloys in the preiudice of the aforesayd Catholicke religion and of the edict of holy vnion and of the naturall liberty of the assembly of the three Estates of the Realme The seauenth day these priestes of Apollo after a generall procession of all the orders of the said facultie and a Masse of the holy Ghost adsit reuerentia auribus sung in the sayd colledge of Sorboune at the request of the Prouost Escheuins Consuls Catholick citizens of the Citie of Paris the maisters of the said facultie assembled to the number of threescore and tenne hauing debated these questions as they say by the holy scripture but specially by the Cannons and decrees of the Popes al with one consent either extreamely wicked or else most pernitiously ignorant or both rendred this oracle out of the bewitching hell of Apollo to wit The people of France may doe all things which are propounded in the questions against their lawfull king and his adherents onely they required that this their oracle of rebellion might be sent to Rome there to be sealed by the pope and be burned with the mark of the spirit of diuels and beare the Image and print of Antichrist The eight of Ianuary the said Vrban came to knowe the answere of the oracle which he brought to the counsell of the citie and after they had perused it taking it for an answere of Vrim and Thumim and a voyce of God by whose authoritie they were put at liberty to doo what they would with armed hand brought it to the Senate of Paris which was the second Maiesty of France and with drawen swordes required of the same to approoue the said oracle The Senate flatly denied such a wicked vnnaturall and diuelish act to bee lawfull and worthy of the ancient loyalty of France requiring to take some deliberation vpon it and whilest they satte vpon it the mutinous rebels impacient of delay brake open the gates of the Pallace and seazing vpon the whole bench casting them into prisons so now the Senate being carried away in a triumph all reuerence of Magistracie being troden downe the Temple of iustice is poluted forsaken and vsurped by robbers The ninth day of Ianuary the seditious doo in hast choose a new counsell to the number of seauen and forty who should administer the State in stead of the kings prime counsell of the most vilest and factious persons in the citie as Rowland Compan the villanous and incestious Picheuard Louchard Rue Clerke Oliuer Seuault others of such like sortes men neither of abilitie authoritie wisdome nor counsell but onely because they had solde themselues to the League to worke all manner of villany and shewed themselues bitter enemies vnto the King This new Senate of conspiratours firebrands of Hell to replenish the Citty with confusion and mischiefe considering â—â—at to preserue an vnity among their company of robbers they must needes haue a head and rather then they should haue none they will make one of an old blocke they aduised themselues whom they might make that would vphold their misâ—eedes To take some of the Princes of the bloud they knew well them to bee wise ynough from leauing their lawfull vocations to become heades and leaders of theeues murtherers and traytors Therefore they concluded to continue the rebellion in the house and family where the conspiracy the mother of this rebellion sprang out was nourished and entertayned these 40. or 50. yeares continually The Duke de Mayne was thought to be most fit as one who in so vile an enterprise should succeede his brother considering that he was brought vp and nourished in the same schole learned the same bookes and had proceeded in the same degrees as his brother had done was well acquaynted with such matters from his infancy will and ambition boyling in him as hot as euer it did in his brother after his brothers death not much inferiour in fauours of partakers to his brother though not equall in haugtines of mind He therefore by the earnest sute and solicitation of his agent and partakers is made the head of the rebellion and inuested in his absence of that proude and new title of Lieutenant Generall of that state and Crowne of France which is a Periphrase of this word King The Duke de Mayne now beeing made manipulus furum must play the King for he doth assemble all the Captaynes of the sedition as namely the aforesayd counsell newly established with the Dukes Aumale and Nemours with other seditious persons few in number nothing in countenance nor authority to hold the States of the Realme as they did tearme them assembled of the Princes Nobillity and Commons when as there was not one Prince nor any communalty but few seditious persons The Dukes Aumale and Nemours and Cheualier Aumale were made gouernours of Paris to lead the seditious people to do such outrages and robberies as neuer were done yet in any towne or Citty in this world These three Captaynes of robbers and murtherers dayly went to the houses of them which were knowen to be the Kings friends depriued them of their authorities if they had any put them in Prisons ransacked their goods lodged their robbers whom they called garrisons in their houses whereof many by a wise and prouident mynd foreseeing the horrible tempest and thunderclaps which would fall from heauen vppon that sinke of traytors fled out of their houses carrying their liues for a pray The Ladie of Monpensier sister to the Duke de Mayne the Ladyes of Mayne Aumale 〈◊〉 Nemours beeing then in Paris caused a booke of the riche men to be geuen them so that there was no day but they sent some of these Captayns to raunsake and cary away the goods of some rich Marchant or other vnder colour that they were royals heretikes or fauorers of them After many robberies and murthers committed in Paris the seditious people were lead by their Captayns vnto the Loure the royal house where they committed such outrages vppon the goods mouable which did partayne to the King that the posterity will scarse beleeue it They violated the seale of France the sacred instruments of Soueraigne iustice brake it to pieces trampled it vnder foot they did breake and dragged in the stréets in a most spitefull sort the armes of France Valoys and Bourbons The tenth day whilest these things were dooing at Paris the King caused an expresse commaundement to be published at Bloys that all the partakers of the house of Guyze should depart and retire to their houses with pardon of their offences so that they would remayne faythfull seruants
vnto him Hee sent Cotteblanch Prouost of Paris and the president Neuilly to Paris to see whether they could reduce that seduced people to their dutye the Lords Vilaguier and D'Abin did the like but neither of them could do any good About the fifteenth day these strange alterations beeing done in Paris vnder colour of the authority of the States there called and holden by few seditious persons letters were sent from they sayd assembly of rebels there vnto all citties of their confederacy to go forward in the like outrages and furie as they had done And first to autorise their seditious procéedings with great honourable tytles they call their letters a declaration of the Princes Catholikes vnited with the three estates of France touching the Massacre committed vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother First they doo warne their fellowes to beware of any manner of instructions giuen vnto them by the King himselfe or any others contayning any excuse of the execution committed at Bloys vppon the Duke and Cardinall his brother Secondly they doo aduertise them that they haue as yet of that broode the Dukes de Mayne Aumale Mercure and Nemours and that the Duke de Mayne hath a great armie in readines to defend them Thirdly they go about to cléere the Duke of Guize of the crime of treason saying that it is but calumnies of hereticks denised against that house the space of 25. yeares So with them to spye from time to time the trayterous attempts and Note secrecies of the house of Guize is heresie and a worke of heretickes Fourthly they accuse the King of violating the publike faith and prophaning their corpus Domini as they tearme it vpon the which hee had sworne the edict of reunion But in déede the King swore the edict and not to suffer himselfe to bée murthered by the Duke of Guize Note At length they doo aggrauate the death of the Cardinall of Guize and the imprisonment of the Cardinall of Bourbon and Archbishop of Lions and exhort their companies to vnite themselues and to followe theyr example In the first page of this letter was this marke in the other side the Image of the Duke of Guize Now wee will leaue these confusions of Rebells assembled vnder the colour and name of the States of France to procéede further to fill the measure of their trespasse and will goe to see what the King doth at Bloys and elsewhere Immediatly after the death of Guize the King thought good to make Orleans sure of his side The Citadell in the middest of all these tumults and rebellions of Cities was and did hold for the King And the Lord Antragues who a little before had giuen ouer the League did all that euer he could doo to hold the Citie in the Kings obedience But the inhabitants being seduced afore hand by the Leaguers partakers of the Duke de Mayne encouraged by the conduct of Captain Breton and others who did promise to the inhabitants readie succour from the Duke de Mayne tooke weapons and by the confidence which they had in their riches and strength of their walles did openly reuolt It is commonly said that the Citie of Orleans is the Citadel of France as well for the commodious situation of the same vpon the riuer Loyre as for the fortifications thereof These reasons among others caused the King to trie by gracious and fayre meanes to bring them backe to their duetie But reason not preuayling with a people carried away with passion and seduced by the louers of alteration from the obedience of their King he was compelled to trie by force the meane of the Citadell He therefore sendeth the Marshall Haumont with forces as well of footmen as of horsemen with him hee sendeth part of his gardes and the Swissers The inhabitants on their side goe about by all meanes possible to rid themselues of the Citadell as of a heauie burthen they doo besiege it within the towne side doo trench themselues and couer themselues with horsmen and platformes doo vndermine it to blowe vp that Fort which nothing els but onely one of the gates commonly called Porte-bamere they make issues out and euen vpon the Swissers with some successe they doo thunder and rase that Fort with shot of Ordinance on the inside thereof They of the Kings side doo what they can there is a great number slaine on both sides The Lord Antragues promiseth notwithstanding to the King to keepe during the space of a moneth the out side although it were but broken walls and ruines during the which time he might call backe the armie which was in Poytow at the siege of Ganache vnder the conduct of the Lord of Neuers The inhabitants made two Mines vnder the Citadell but they were vented by them within About the 17. of Ianuarie there went forth out of Paris thrée thousand men well furnished but young souldiours and not trained vp in warre to goe to succor Orleans but they were discomfited by the Lorde Montigny and other Gentlemen who charged them betwéene Estampes and Orleans many of them were slaine the remnant were turned home naked The Duke d'Mayne about the last day of Ianuarie sending some supply of succour to Orleans stayed so their estate which did seeme to hang a side that they tooke courage partly by ruines partly with shot of ordinance and other meanes so wrought that they of the Kings side were inforced to giue ouer the ruines that rested of that which was called the citadell By these meanes Orleans remained hardened at the deuotion of the League So good Christian reader thou séest how the right of God and man is turned vpside downe their popish religion which they would séeme so much to honour reuerence and defend they haue most wickedly prophaned vsing it for a couering of their rebellion thou séest how the reuerence of all soueraigne power and authoritie is blotted out of the minds of them the respect of all lawes troden vnderfoote the sanctuarie of iustice violated and poluted thou séest here a damnable and diuelish anarchie the séeds and foundation of a barbarous and intollerable seruitude laied downe in France by the Duke d'Mayne and his partakers in a manner in like sort as Mahomet began his rebellion against the empire of the Romans Therefore yée O Noble Princes and Nobles of all the Kingdoms of Europe all men who are the louers of vertue and ciuility desirous to resigne to the posteritie good lawes christian libertie and discipline vp make hast to runne vppon these accursed enemies of all mankinde put out by time that fire which dooth threaten all authorities and powers of an horrible cumbustion Now there remaineth but thrée things for the League to bring to passe to set vp and dedicate their Idoll which they haue made to wit the Duke d'Mayne and to finish that piece of worke which his brother the Duke of Guize had brought almost to an end if he had
not béen ouerthrown by the way They follow on their accustomed course and method vsed by them these 14. or 15. yeares to wit to seduce the people more and more to make the King hatefull to his subiects that hee may bee forsaken of all men if it be possible and to render the King of Nauarre abhorted of all men in hope that if they could bring to passe any thing vpon the Kings person by these meanes the said King of Nauarre may be excluded from his right of succession The first poynt to performe was left to the assembly of the pretended states as it shal appeare hereafter the other two pieces of work were committed to the Iesuites Friers and other of like sorte de bacchandi calomniandiperitissimis for their dignitie runneth most of all vpon these two common places Whether the King considering the great necessities which hee should haue of money to maintaine a dangerous and long warre against the rebels and traitors had sent his coÌ„missions vnto his threasurors and receauers of his impost to continue the receauing and gathering of tallages and impost as they had done the yeare before or else that the rebells in Paris vsurping the name of the thrée estates of France had forged such a thing I am vncertaine But so it is that if they did not deuise yet they did vse his action to steale away the hearts of the people from his obedience and thereby to make their part stronger to aâ—ure the Kings subiects to ioyne hand with them in their rebellion For immediatly after the Duke d' Mayne came to Paris they set foorth a declaration bearing the name of the Princes Citties and commonalties vnited with the thrée estates of the realme where in deede there was not one Prince onely the Dukes d' Mayne Aumale Nemours and certaine other seditious persons of Paris Anious Roen Orleans and Abeuile with their generall counsell which consisted of seauen and forty persons most vile and for their wickednes picked out of the sinke of that rebellion whereof we haue spoken before First they doo still hide their damnable rebellion vnder the olde ragged gaberdine of defending the popish religion and because the poore people had béen of long time oppressed with diuers payments and greatly impouerished by long continuance of warre vnto the defence of popery they ioyne this plausible snare to wit to ease the people of the former accustomed payments Secondly vsurping the royall authoritie they forbid all manner of officers to gather any payments money tole impost or tallage for the King but to pay vnto their officers the tallages according vnto the rate of the yeare 1576. Thirdly they commaund that in case they haue payed the saide somms vnto their commissioners and the Kings officers should come to demaund the saide sommes or should goe about to compell them to pay the same sommes they to apprehend them and to bring them vnto the next prisons and there processe to be made as vpon publick extortioners Last of all they commaunde all officers and receauers of the Kings demaynes woods graines farmers of salt garners receauers of tenths and others whatsoeuer to bring pay and deliuer the same to none other then to them or their officers and that vpon paine of death It is said before that after the Oracle giuen out by the facultie of Theologie in the colledge of Sorboun the seditious brought it to the Senate of Paris to bee alowed inregistred and published who vppon the refusing of such a disloyall treacherie were all brought to prison and there as malefactors detayned Now vpon the Dukes comming to Paris they were called and offered either to remaine still in prison or else to doo two things First to alowe and approue the resolution of Sorboune Secondly to sweare to the new vnion which was a confederacy of the rebells This Senate in olâ—e time so famous and honorable for feare of this dangerous conspiratie of the Leaguers and rage of the people against their alegeance and loyaltie doo fall to this composition with the generall counsell of the citie aboue saide and the pretended states to wit the Senat shall ioyne with the rebells and sweare with them to persecute their King by all meanes without any respect of person or dignitie for the execution done by him vpon the persons of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother the 23. and 24. of December which they doo tearme with an odious name of massacre This excerable rebellion nowe hath gotten credit by that so famous and reuerent Senat the second Maiestie of France in olde time so renowmed The 30. day of Ianuarie all the chambers of the Senat with all the officers appertaining to that court to the number of 326. gathered together in the presence of the Duke d' Mayne the generall counsell aboue saide and the pretended states did sweare and subscribe some with their owne bloud as Catelina in olâ—e time in like case that forme of vnion which they had concluded the day before whereof the somme followeth First they doo sweare and promise to God to his mother to the Angels to al the hée saints and shee saints of Paradise to employ their liues their goods and all their meanes to the defence of the Catholick religion and doo protest that all that which they doo in this vnion is for the setting foorth of Gods glory and for the defence of the holy Church Secondly they sweare to defend the citie of Paris with the state there established also other cities of their association which then were or might be hereafter Thirdly they sweare to defend the Princes to wit the Dukes d' Mayne and Aumale for so they loue well to be called the Priestes Lords and Gentlemen vnited with them both in their persons and goods with the liberty of the states of the realme Last of all they sweare to pursue by al meanes possible them that haue violated the publick faith broken the vnion franchizes and liberties of the states meaning the King in committing the massacre so they cal the iust punishment of the Duke of Guize and the Cardinall his brother without any respect of persons dignity or prerogatiue whatsoeuer and also al them who shall fauour and assist the King by any meanes with promise neuer to forsake one another As this rebellious people did rage in the Senat house in the counsell of the citie and in their pretended states so the people are set at liberty to commit al outrages violences the poorer sort are against the rich the vile person against the honorable the wicked against the vertuous the ignorant and blinde against the learned to be short there is nothing but an infernall horror The Iesuits Friers other vncleane fowles of like feathers doo rage no lesse in the places and charges appoynted vnto them to wit in rayling most villanously against the King and slandering the King of Nauarre and them of the reformed religion for the causes aboue saide
making their pulpets the trompets of murther treason and rebellion for beside that they did inuaigh against the King in all manner of vile tearmes and interpreting all his actions maliciously to the worst they also forbad the people vpon paines of spirituall and bodily punishment for if they did it was a capitall crime to pray for the King Also the inhabitantes of the citie of Rhemes in Champaigne published an infamous libell comming forth out of the Iesuites forge bearing this title A grieuous lamentation of the inhabitants of the citie of Rehmes vpon the death of the Cardinal Archbishop of Rehmes peere of France and what may he not be if they would That libell was sawced with infamous inâ—ectiues vnworthy and outragious speeches against the king by their language the authors thereof did testifie sufficiently their consent in the rebellion of other towns and cities And seeing that the priests Iesuites and Friers did say such a masse at the funerall of their Bishop it was no marueile if the ignorant people who beleeued them answered Amen And for as much as among those rebellious countreys and cities there were none of the reformed religion vpon whome they might spew their gall they called their owne Priestes Parsons Vicars and Curates for to subscribe vnto their rebellion charging them vpon payne of death not to pray in their massing for the King But such as kept an vpright heart to their Prince and would not conient to their prohibition but in their prayers or otherwise did wish well to the King were executed as male factors and great fauour was shewed them vpon great intreatie of friends if they might escape with depriuation of their liuings or imprisonment and cary away their liues for a pray And by such iniuries shewed vnto their owne priests they placed such as were fit to serue their turnes in kindling more and more the fire of sedition The third taske appoynted to the Fryers and Iesuites was to render the King of Nauarre and them of his part execrable in the eares of all men that by the consent and generall misliking of all men if it were possible he might be excluded from his right of succession The occasion was thus The 26. of December the King of Nauarre had surprized the towne of Niort in Poytow of the taking it of the said Kings gracious goodnes and clemency shewed vnto the inhabitants his deadly enemies which had committed great outrages vpon them of the reformed Religion against his owne person against the Princes of the blood and of late agaynst the Lord Valette an officer of the Crowne of France as it is sufficiently spoken of before These writers of lies to testifie to the world whose Children they are did set foorth such ridiculous falshoods and execrable calumnies and that with as much assurance as they tell vs of their lies and lying miracles which they did worke with their holywater among the sauadge people of Giapane whether they be sure that no man will send to enquire about the truth of the matter with so bolde and impudent faces they did auerre most manifest lies which out of any parte of France might bee disprooued within foure dayes The shamâ—les pamphlet went abroade with this inscription The execrable cruelties committed by the heretiks against the Catholicks of the towne of Niort in Poytow The fable sayth that they of the religon would neuer haue taken that towne without the intelligences of the politicks that is to say of them which fauour the king which were within the sayde towne It is sayde in the Pamphlet that the Kinges officers of Iustice were slayne that the Maior and the Aldermen of the towne were hanged That many were hanged onely for that they would not denie their religion also that all the Priests and Monkes were hanged for companie Also a Priest was opened aliue before his fellowes by terror to make him denie God and his noble partes were pulled out but they remayned as constant as rocks for all those cruelties and valiantly suffered martyrdome That there were innocent persons killed in such great number through the towne euen betweene two or three hundred persons so that the streets flowed with blood and dead bodies That the heretikes as the fable sayth tooke a woman which reprooued them of their cruelties whom they would haue enforced to deny the Masse which thing shee refusing they filled her belly with powder and then set fire to it to make hir burst so that sayth the lyer there is nigh three hundered martirs there put to death which are now in heauen These holy Martyrs may be called in one word holy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All this lying lybell is easily confuted euen by the inhabitants themselues by the Magistrates by the Priestes who there do liue in liberty of their Religion and by all the people who will testify that there was no such thing nor otherwise then is recited in the discourse of the surprise of their towne but will testify of the Christian mildnes clemency and moderatnes of the King of Nauarre and surprisers to haue béene far greater then euer they could haue expected or had deserued at his hands But this grosse kind of lying was spread abroad to hasten the rebellion of the Citties and to render the people vntamed and hard harted agaynst true and dutiful obedience whatsoeuer might fall hereafter as if to fall into the handes of the King of Nauarre and of them of the Religion were to fall among sauage beastes mad Tygers and cruell Lyons The King considering that the more he endeuored himselfe to winne the rebels by gentlenes clemency and promising of impunity the more hardned obstiuate insolent and bolde they became Seeing that he must be driuen by force to chastise their rebellions first he procéedeth against them by order of law And for as much as the Dukes de Mayne Aumale and Cheualier Aumale he as if it were subroged in the places of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinal his brother the King doth first and chiefly proceede iudicially agaynst them three by proscription as attaynted of fellonie rebellion and high treason First the King doth shew himselfe to be a King ordayned and geuen of God hauing receaued of God that sword and power which he had not by vsurpation but by lawfull and naturall right of succession Secondly hee doth shew the great benefites which hee and the Kings his predecessors had bestowed vpon them and namely that he hath spared their liues whom he might iustly haue punished for their diuers attemptes fellonies and disobedience for the loue which hee had vnto them and their house He sheweth also how he had since this their last rebellion sent vnto them diuers of his faythfull seruants with letters and euen Heraulds of arms to let them vnderstand his good will and readines to put vp all iniuries offences and to receaue them to his fauour But that in stead of humbling themselues and of accepting his gracious fauour
they became more insolent which they haue shewed in surprising his townes fortresses and in rebelling agaynst him his Officers and Magistrates couering their treasons vnder the name of Catholike religion Therefore he doth declare the sayd Dukes de Mayne and Aumale to haue forfayted all estates and offices honors power gouerments charges dignities and prerogatiues which they haue receaued of his predecessors and himselfe hee doth declare them attaynted of fellony rebellion and high treason commaundeth his Officers to proceed agaynst them by any maner of way and agaynst their posterity as agaynst such as he hath declared them if they do not submit themselues by the first day of March next following This proscription was declared the first day of February The same day also the King pronounced the like proscriptions against the rebellious and trayterous Citties of Paris Orleans Anjous Roen Abeuile and others declaring them conuicted of fellony rebellion and treason in the highest degree willing all his officers to proceede agaynst them and against al them that doo or shall assist them by any meanes and against their posterity as agaynst such as they be declared if they do not returne vnder his obedience by the 14. day of march next following The King intending by these thunderclaps to call them to their dutie purposing yet to haue forgotten all offences for the loue which he had to popish religion common to the rebels with him and for hatred of the reformed religion gaue them as is aforesaid a certayne day prefixed by the which tyme if they did not returne to their duty he determined to chastise them by force and therefore the sixt day of February hee sent forth his commissions to all Nobles Gentlemen and Captaynes to prepare themselues with all furniture necessary to repayre to him the 12. of March following Neither is the sentence of the King an ydle threatning but is as if it were a condemnation of Gods law pronounced by the soueraigne Magistrate whose punishments God hath partly executed and partly hath reserued to execute hereafter in the fulnes of time About the middle of February the King vnderstanding what had passed in Paris how the rebels had enforced the Senat to swear an vnion against him his life person and estate did transport the exercise of iustice and of all his courts and chambers of Parliament from Paris and also all other courts of iustice in the aforesaid townes of Orleans Aujous Abeuile Roen and others to his citie of Tours vpon Loyre deprauing the sayd trayterous cities of al offices dignities charges and priuileges commaunding al his Iudges Counsellers officers of al his courts in the said cities to repaire to the citie of Tours vpon Loyre by the fifteenth of Aprill next following there to execute their charges vpon payne of depriuation of their wages offices forbiddeth also that no apparance be giuen by any officer vnto any suter and also no parties to appeare in any other place saue in Tours onely before his Iudges there vpon payne to be declared rebels It is sayd before how wee haue left the King of Nauarre sicke in bed of a dangerous pleuresie whilest the League haue nigh filled the measure of their execrable treasons and rebellion Now the Lord reseruing that noble Prince if not to restablish the flourishing estate of that Realm yet he hath raised him as it were out of his graue to prolong the vtter dissipation of it and in the middest of the horrible confusions thereof to reunite the hearts and mindes of the godly and vertuous to saue some corner of the sayd Realme for a place of refuge for the remnant of the Israel of God Behold therefore O great King the Lord hath restored thée to health strengthened thine armes to warre and thy hands to fight he hath girded thée with force constancie wisedome and iustice the Lord of Armies doth call thee to restore true religion iustice iudgement Discipline and peace vtterly decayed through the malice of thine enemies be strong and faint not for the Lord will put a great worke in thine hand to execute Followe the vocation of God and the Lord will be a shadowe at thy right hand to kéepe thée from euill doo good things with good meanes and thou shall see thine enemies to fall before thy face thou shalt pitie them and do them good Whilest the King doth so thunder the threatnings of Gods lawe and the claps of his iustice agaynst those Rebels forsaken and reiected of God as is afore sayd the King of Nauarre perceiuing the King to be in distresse persecuted and dispossessed out of his Towns and Cities euen out of his owne houses by his enemies abroade and to liue in great mistrust of his domesticall enemies who did daily eate bread at his owne table did greatly lament his case keepeth himselfe quiet beyond Loyre ceaseth from all acts of hostilitie and exployts of warre least he should encrease his affliction and heauines And desirous greatly to make a proofe of his fidelitie towards the King and to crosse the actions of the leagued rebels proffereth peace to the King and watcheth diligently that his enemies might not set foote in any place where hee had meanes to make sure for the kings seruice as for the ease of them of the religion So that after the taking of Niort as is afore sayd in the latter end of Ianuary the inhabitants of S. Meixant and Maillezay two Townes nigh neighbours of Niort yeelded themselues vnto him The Lord Aubiguy was appoynted Gouernour of that Iland About the 14. of February the King of Nauarre hauing recouerd his perfect health and strength with part of his forces tooke the field marching toward the riuer of Loyre The inhabitants of Lodune Lisle Bouchard Mirabean Chastelerault Vinonne and other places and Castles of the countrey of Turenne and Poytow offered to open the gates of their townes vnto him and also proffered vnto him their seruices He receiued them very courteously and without innouation of any thing he suffered them of the Romish religion to liue with all libertie with their ordinarie exercises onely he commanded them of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same there to be established commaunding them of both religions to liue in amitie and peace About the same time many Townes and places in diuers parts of the Realme which before did seeme to bee at the deuotion of the Leaguers were made sure for the Kings seruice as well in Bourgondy as in other Prouinces and among others the Towne and Castle of Sancerre in Berry was seazed for the King That Towne had béen greatly defaced in the former warres for the walles of the Towne had béen rased by the Lord Chastre Gouernour of Berry who did put a Captaine within the Castle for the kéeping of the same and to bridle the inhabitants there who were all of the religion But after the death of the Duke of Guize the Lord of Requien of the house of Montigny Captayne of
argument to walke in they cryed out that he serued himselfe of the forces of heretickes no maruel if they cry out now when they see a whip prepared for their backes and that now they are further from bringing to passe theyr wicked thoughts thâ—â— euer they were By these execrable outragious and seditious inue ctiues of these damnable Iesuits and Fryers hyred to sound the trompet of rebellion in a maner throughout all France but specially froÌ„ the riuer of Loyre north west and east and among other Prouinces Normandy was so infected with their poysoned and detestable rebellions that there was not so much as a Uillage to bee found where there was not some of all qualities dronken with their cup of abominations It is sayd before how the King had pardoned Brissak Boysdaulphine and Chastre with many others who within a while abusing the Kinges facility and ascribing their impunity to the Kings puâ—â—llanimity fled and reuolted to the League agayne After this reuolt Brissak and Boysdaulphine went to Anger 's as it is sayd and procured that great Citty to rebell but after the reducing of the sayd Cittye to the Kings obedience by the Marshal Haumont the said Brissak and Boysdaulphin fled and in their flight caused by the meanes of their partakers the Citty of Mans which was already wauering to rebel against the King To these 2. manipuli furum resorted the Lords la Mot Serrant Touchet Angeruile and Normandiere who by theyr treacherous solicitaâ—ion procured almost all the townes of Normandy to rebell and to open their gates to them as Roan which was reuolted long before Luseulx Falaize Newhauen Seas Bayeux Argenton and afterward Alcencon all these opened their gates to the rebels who afterward a most in a litle space consumed them There remained Caen Constances few other towns in base Normandie in the kings obedience by the good and prouident counsel of the Lord de la Veaue Beuuron the Presidents Aulbiguy and Lizeres and some other loyall and Noble men We sée how the cities of Normandie for the most part at the solicitatioÌ„ of Brissak Boysdaulphine and others whose names shall be knowne hereafter and by the preaching of the furious and frantick Iesuites and Friers are brought from the Kings obedience to a damnable rebellion The countrey men also and pesants were induced by the selfe same meanes to rebellion vnder colour of the defending the Catholick religion and hope of libertie There is in high Normandie a certaine place called la Chapelle Gantier thereupon the perswasions of the desperat Iesuites and Friers to countrey men were stirred vp to rebellion both against the King and the Nobilitie and began to commit horrible excesse and cruelties by reason of this beginning all the rebels in Normandy were called Gantiers these Peasants ioyned to themselues a number of Priestes but specially the Priestes of Sees and a great number of bedlem Friers furious Iesuites Parsons and among others the Parson of Vimonstier the most pestiferous desperat and seditious firebrand of all Normandy About the 19. the King vnderstanding of this rebellion in Normandy and foreséeing the mischiefe which might ensue if this euill were not in time remedyed thought good with all spéede to send the Prince Montpensier generall Lieutenant for his Maiestie into that Prouince to reduce them into the true way of their duetie and obedience and commaunded the Lord Saint Cire one of his counselers and Master of the requests of his house to accompany and assist him The King to bring this seduced people in the right way of iust obedience gaue charge to the saide Prince to offer pardon and impunity vnto the rebels in case they woulde liue quietly and peaceably vnder his gouernement Secondly hee discharged them of the third part of all taxes due vnto him hoping to haue a better opportunity and more happie season woulde come when he might gratifie them in some greater matter Thirdly hée gaue a forme of an oath to the said Prince to commaund all men to liue peaceably vnder his Gracious gouernement and to forsake all Leaguers and associations whatsoeuer and in case they would refuse either to returne vnder his protection or else to take that oath he gaue him authority to chastise them with strong hand as traitors and rebels About the 30. the saide Prince departed from Tours accompanied with the Lords of Backeuile and Archant and came to Luce where hee vnderstoode that Boysdaulphin and la Mot Serrant and other rebels had surprised the towne of Mans and purposed to méete with him to stop his way The 31. day this noble Prince of the house of Bourbon passed hard by the nose of the enemies and came as farre as Alencon where hée found the inhabitants amazed for the surprising of the towne of Mans by the enemy whome the rebels also had enueigled to enter into their rebellon and confirmed them in their obedience and duetie toward his Maiestie There this noble Prince with great deuotion and solemnitie kept his Easter and hauing taken order for the safetie of the towne appointed the Lorde Reuty gouernour of the said place with two companies of shot on horseback to kéepe the towne and Castell and to make roades in the villages about to repulse the rebells when they should come to forrage and constraine the inhabitants to pay them taxes and other tributes due to the King The 4. day the Prince vnderstanding that the citie of Sees were minded to ioyne to the rebels and had refused to take the oath according to the prescribed forme of the King purposed to passe that way and sent worde before to the Bishop and inhabitants that they shoulde open the gates for him who vpon a short consultation answered that they were ready to receaue him and being met by the citizens a great way out of the towne hée accompanied with the Lordes of Bakqueuile Archand and their troupes passed through without any stay The said Prince shewed vnto the Bishop and the inhabitants that he came from the King to offer pardon vnto the rebels and that the King ment to deale fauorably with his subiects to make account of them according to their duety and obedience towards him to chastise the rebels obstinat The inhabitants protested though with fained lippes of their loyaltie affection and obedience toward his Maiestie The departing from Sees met with the Lordes de Hallot and Creueceur his brother with a good and honorable tronpe of nobilitie to whome they proffered with many protections faithfully to serue the King as long as breath was in their bodies The 5. of Aprill the Prince departed from Escouche had intelligences that the Lords Touschet Angeruile Normandiere Captaines of the rebels with many Laâ—nciers and a good number of footemen haue come forth out of Falaize and marched on to stop the Princes way and went as farre as a village called Perrefit distant two miles from Falaize where they being met by the Lords Bakqueuile Archand Creueceur were
to hold for enemies onely them who haue declared themselues enemies of the realm by theyr rebellion and outragious insolencies committed against the soueraigne magistrate and iustice promising notwithstanding to receaue to mercy them which deceaued by the enticements of the rebels or feare rather then by their owne malice haue associat themselues to the said rebels Denounceth therfore to all Prouinces Cities Commonalties Church-men Nobles Magistrates Captaynes Souldiers Borgeses Citizens and all other of any degree whatsoeuer to retire speedily from the society of those traitors and rebels and to returne vnder the obedience of their naturall and lawful Prince and King but specially willeth the Church men whereof some haue rendered themselues instruments of the former treacheries and rebellions to loue peace and to keepe themselues within their bounds returning and abiding vnder the obedience of their King Thirdly he protesteth that this his passing the riuer of Loyre by the commaundement of the King is for their defence and therefore taketh all the Kings faithful subiects vnder his protection but specially the Church men forbidding vpon payne of death all his Captaynes and souldiers not to proffer any iniury vnto any of them their goods or places of exercises willing also all the aforesaid persons to repayre vnto the king or vnto him to haue and receaue pasporte and protections that the faythfull may be discerned from the Rebell Fourthly he turneth his speach to the foresaid persons admonishing them to consider the horrible euils which haue already and shall rise out of that damnable rebellion To the Cleargy hee speaketh to consider how godlines is euery where choked in the middest of those tumults the name of God blasphemed and religion despised The Noble men he prayeth to consider how theyr order must needs fall with the ruine of the King Crowne and Estate The Magistrates hee warneth to represent before their eyes what execrable violating of iustice will follow by the examples of the Parliaments of Paris and Tholouse carried away Prisoners as in a triumph by rascals and vilanous persons The commons hee aduertiseth to thinke how they are eased by these tumultes where their goods are exposed to the pray of the vilest sort their traffike interrupted their husbandrie altogether turned into wast and desolation Last of all he exhorteth all men to endeuour themselues to bring what they can to remedy these euils which y e rebels haue procured to the realme which cannot be done without a good peace neither can that be obtayned but by the returning vnder the Kings obedience restoring his royall authority and reestablishing of iustice hee assureth himselfe that God who geueth saluation vnto Kinges will assist him in this enterprise and iust cause Auuergne is a Prouince in France full of hilles and mountains wherein there be three Cityes situated in forme of a triangle and not distant farre one from another to wit Rion Clermont and Monferrant the Kings long before had established at Rion beside other courts a soueraigne court of his treasurers receauers This Citie had receaued the League and had committed rebellion agaynst him in shaking off the yoke of obedience Therefore the King about the 24. of April seeing their obstinacy in their rebellion do reuoke from the said Towne of Rion all his courts and doth transport the same to the Citie of Clermont commaunding all his officers of al his courts in that citty to repaire to the said Clermont and there to execute their charge About the same time also the King doth adiudge all the goods of the Dukes of Mayne Aumale and of the Cheualier Aumale and of the voluntary inhabitants of the cities of Paris Roen Amiens Abeuile Rhemes Orleans Chartres Mans Lyons Tholouse to bee forfaited to his crowne for their treasons and perseuerance in the same aboue the time prefixed vnto them which was the 15. day of March last past and ordained commissioners to sell the sayd goods and lands to his vse The King of Nauarre in the meane time scoureth the countrey and prepareth himselfe to receaue the Kings commaundement and vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was lodged at Vendosme and Montoyre the 28. of Aprill he determined to surprize some of the enemies and about foure a clock in the morning taking eight hundered horsemen and one thousand shot on horsbacke went to bait at Chaulx in Anjou ten long leagues from Saumour departing thence hauing already gone forward three leagues he receaued newes how the Duke of Mayne had brought his forces to Chasteaurenault and had sent part of them to besiege the County of Brienne who was at Saint Oyne nigh Amboyse The King hearing of the siege of Chasteaurenault and Saynt Oyne by the enemy hauing him so nigh neighbour and fearing that he would come to lodge in the Suburbs of Tours being in danger to be deliuered into the hands of them by the intelligences which they had wiâ—h the leagued of his Court and of the Citie he did dispatch diuers Postes both to Saumour also to other places to the King of Nauarre And about three leagues from Chaulx toward Vendosme hee was aduertyzed by three Postes that the King sent for him whereuppon the sayd King of Nauarre turned bridle and came that night to lodge at Maille vpoÌ„ Loyre within two leagues of Tours after he had beene 24. howers on horsbacke and immediatly sent word of his comming to the King The King vnderstanding of his being so nigh him did greatly reioyce knowing that the enemy neither would nor durst enterprize any thing whilest he was so nigh his person The enemy sent certayne companies in the euening with a great brauade and tooke a Suburbe of Tours where they defloured a Mayd who had fled into the Church before the high alter in the armes of a Priest but hearing that the King of Nauarre was at hand without any leasure to take breath they retyred presently The King of Nauarre rested himselfe and his troupes the next day but the 30. of Aprill beeing the Lords day in the morning the sayd King of Nauarre iudging that it were necessary for them both to see one another thereuppon to take some certayne resolution of their affayres beeing also requested by the King although his counsell had diuers opinions of that interuiew hee sent to the King by the Lord of Mignouuile that he was gone to set all his troupes in battaile array at the Pont la Mot a quarterr of a league from Tours and thatif it should please his Maiesty to come to the Suburbs he would kisse his Maiesties hands and would receaue his commaundemeÌ„ts to execute theâ— according to the necessity of the affayrs After the said King of Nauarre with all his troupes had stayed about two houres the Marshall Hautmont came to him from the King to pray him that he would passe ouer the riuer to come to him to Plessâ—s les Tours where the King with all the court stayed for him That thing he immediatly determined to
doo leauing of all suspitions and despising the counsell of many who would haue him to differ that interuiewe vntill another time considering also that there was no apparance of danger he passed ouer the riuer at the bridge of Saint Saphorine went to méete the King accompanied with the Marshall Hautmont and many of his nobilitie and his gardes leauing the rest of his forces to stay for him at the passage He found the King staying for him in the alley of the Parke of Plessis there was so great throng as well of Courtiers as of the inhabitants of the Citie who ran thether from euery where that the two Kings stayed the space of halfe a quarter of an houre stretching their armes one toward another before they could touch one another so great was the preace for the place though very spacious would not receaue the multitude so that the trées were loaded with men to beholde that blessed méeting The embrasings the salutations were reiterated diuers times of both Kings with a shew of mutuall ioy and contentation The reioysing of all the Court and of the people was incredible for all men did crie by the space of halfe an houre God saue the King a voyce that had not been hard either at Tours or in any place else where the King had béen in more then foure moneths before Another acclamation followed the first God saue the Kings God saue the King and the King of Nauarre all men praised God and blessed that happie and long desired reconsiliation The two Kings parting thenâ—e entred into counsell where they were the space of two houres and after the counsell they tooke their horses and roade together accompanied with the Court vnto Saint Anne which is halfe the way to the Suburb called Roches the streates were so full of people that it was hard for them to passe all the way sounded with acclamatioâ—s and voyce of ioye for the hope which euery one had conceaued that these two Kings being so vnited would ouercome their enemies and restablish the state of the kingdome and would end the miseries which had vexed France so long The said King of Nauarre departed from the King at Saint Anne repassed Loyre where his troupes stayed for him lodged at the Suburbs of Saint Saphorin nigh the bridges end The morrow after being the first day of May about sixe a clock in the morning the King of Nauarre entred into the towne to goe to salute the King All that morning was employed in counsell vntill ten a clock that the King would goe to Masse where hée was accompanied by the said King of Nauarre vnto the Church doore from thence hée went to salute the Princesse of Condy and County staying for the Kings returne from Masse Afterward the said King of Nauarre as long as hée made his aboade there oftentimes visited the King and tooke counsell together for the common benefit of the realme The same day the said King of Nauarre obtained of the King for them of Sedan ten thousand Crownes for to helpe them in their affaires with letters written vnto the Duke of Lorreyne commaunding him to make warre no longer vppon Sedan declaring that they were vnder his protection Whilest these things were a dooing at Tours the Duke d' Mayne did batter Chasteaurenault but vnderstanding of the interuiew of the two Kings at the selfe same houre of the interuiew hée brake the siege and in haste retired to Vendosme The King as is before said stoode in great danger to be either murdered or else deliuered to the enemy by the intelligence which the Duke d' Mayne had with some traitours which were of his counsell in the Court and in the Citie Now by this blessed reconsiliation here is a great change to bée séene on a suddaine for by this the King is put out of feare liueth out of danger of the rebels is fortified by ariuall of this mighty Prince and army vnlooked for the hearts of all good subiects are herewith encouraged and the conspiratours are terrified for the Duke of Mayne being at Vendosme and in the territory there abouts with a mighty army of traitors had committed such insolencies vppon the people of their owne League and vnion that the countrey was replenished with outcries curses and imprecations Feare therfore of the King of Nauarre and of some insurrection of the people of the countrey constrained him first to place part of his army in garisons in the townes of Beausse Anjou Mayne and Perche to make hauock of all that he left behind and afterward to returne to Paris The Duke d' Mayne hauing so deuided his army with one part of the same giueth to himselfe many alarum in that retire to Paris It is said before how about the beginning of Aprill the King considering the reasonable proffers of the King of Nauarre who in his great prosperity and when he might haue enlarged his authority farre and wide throughout al France proffered peace and ayd vnto the King to his great disaduantage at length necessitie inforced the saide King to conclude a truce with the King of Nauarre for a whole year beginning at the 3. day of Aprill 1589. and ending the same day of the same moneth in the yeare 1590. inclusiuely The conditions of the said truce were agreâ—d vppon and promised to be obserued by the two Kings the 26. of Aprill First in publication of the same truce the King with a long discourse doth protest of his consiancy in the Catholick religion and opposeth the proofes which he hath shewed from his youth vp as well in his priuat profession and exercises as in pursuing the contrary religion by all meanes and restablishing the said romish religion in places where it had béene abolished against the calumnies false reports and slaunders of the Leaguers On the contrarie sheweth how his enemies haue taken the pretence of religion and discharging the people of sundry exactions to make associations to strengthen themselues to replenish the realme with tumults and confusions whereby they haue giuen opportunity to the heretickes to abolish the Catholik religion and to enlarge theirs and they themselues haue by sundry cruelties and extortions oppressed his subiects of the Catholick religion he complaineth that the Leaguers hauing attempted against his person and proclaymed an open war against him and his authority who through their iniuries haue enforced him to call the King of Nauarre to his naturall and lawfull defence against their rebellions and treasons Secondly he declareth how the King of Nauarre acknowledging his duty toward his Maiesty and pittying the miserable state of the realme subuerted brought to a lamentable confusion by the Leaguers hath instantly required peace of him Whereupon by the aduise of the Princes of the bloud officers of the Crowne and Lords of his Counsell he hath concluded a truce and ceasing from all hostility throughout the whole tralme therein comprehending the County of Venisse and state of Auignon belonging to the
therefore least the smoake of this execrable intended parricide should flee ouer the walles of Paris and so by giuing intelligences their haynous vnnaturall and hellish treason and murther might bée preuented it was diligently prouided that no man should goe out of Paris before the exployt were done Therefore the gates were shut vp and carefully kept and all the issues at the Suburbes end straightly and narrowly watched that no man could goe to tell tales out of the schoole Now the Frier hath on his hypocriticall coate his letters in his hand his lesson in his head his poysoned knife in his sleeue order is taken that no intelligences may be giuen the way is made plaine before this diuellish murtherer euen as farre as to the Kings gate the doores are made open to him by these meanes the execution is to bee performed speedily least delay should disappoynt his enterprise This murtherer accompanied with the other Frier who had confirmed him in his reuelation or illusion wherewith Sathan had deluded him as is aforesayd the 21. of Iuly which by the newe heauen of the Popes making is the first of August out of Paris taking his way to S. Clow which is a Towne vpon Seyne beneath Paris two small leagues and comming to the Campe he tolde them whome hée met first that he had letters from the first President and certaine other Parisiens well affected to the king which contayned matters of great importance and beside that hee had great and waightie things to disclose to the King The King being scarce ready and aduertised of this accursed Friers comming commaunded that he should attend and that speedily hee should be admitted to his speach the Frier did attend with his letter in his hand which he said was from the first president detained prisoner The King being made ready and at such an houre as he was wont to enter into his oratory and when it was not lawfull not for the Princes of the bloud to haue accesse vnto him caused that sauage murtherer to be called to him The Frier came before the King with a bolde countenance the King looking merily vpon him said these words amice ad quid venisti The Frier making a low and humble reuerence euen to the ground gaue the King the letter which he said came from the first president of Paris which letters when the King had read asked the Frier what newes hee brought from Paris the Frier answered that hee had matters of great importance to declare vnto him Whereupon the King commaunded two Gentlemen who waited and serued him at his vprising to goe foorth out of the chamber and sat downe in a chayre to heare what the Frier would say The Frier drew nigh to the King and falling vpon his knées began to tell a tale the King stouping somewhat low to heare what the Frier was about to say gaue more attendance to his words than to his fingers The Frier drawing softly his knife out of his sléeue stabbed the King there with in the lower part of the belly and made hast to get away The King amazed at the suddaine and vnexpected stroak cried out and laying hand vpon a dagger that lay nere him stroak the Frier who partly for the blow partly for feare fell presently down Vppon this noyse the Lordes came running into the Kings chamber and after many woundes slew that cursed Frier Some doo report that the King commaunded that hee should not bee flaine but taken vp and examined which declared who set him on and the authors names of so vile treacherie the wound was presently dressed and as the report went seauen stitches made in it at length the wound being dressed hee was laide on his bed and slept a little vppon his paine and griefe After his sleepe hee made his praiers vnto God and with a loude voyce made a confession of his faith and of the féeling which he had of his redemption adding there unto this feruent praier IF it bee to thy glorie O God and the commodity of thy people graunt me I most humblie desire first pardon of my sinnes and then some longer dayes of life But if it be otherwise I thanke thee most highly O Father that thou doost barre me hence forth from the thraledome of sinne whereby we most oftentimes procure thy wrath against vs and therefore I am ready most willingly to come where thou callest me The King hauing made an end of his praiers sendeth for his brother the King of Nauarre and for the chiefest Lords of his court gouernours and captaines but specially for the heads of the strangers to the intent that if it were Gods will that hee should dye they might knowe his last will First speaking to the King of Nauarre commended vnto him the charge of his Realme the gouernement of his subiects the lawes of France Often times he repeated wordes whereby hee charged the said King of Nauarre to haue a speciall care to keepe Christes flocke in vnity and concord and to preserue the godly and ancient institutions of the realme requested him that by all meanes he would pacify the matter of religion in France and not to alter any thing therein but by the aduise of a generall or naturall counsell lawfully called which things the King of Nauarre promised to doo To the rest of Princes Lords and Noblemen he signified that the lawfull succession of the royall state of France fell not to any other then to the person of Bourbon and declared at that time the King of Nauarre first successor he prayed and exhorted the whole company to acknowledge him and to be faithfull vnto him willed them also to protest in his presence all with one voice the acknowledging of him and to promise true obedience vnto him as to the true lawfull and naturall heire of the Crowne willed them also to cause the like promise and acknowledgement to be made in the Campe by all true and faithfull Captaines and Souldiers that could not be present at that assembly consisting as well of Frenchmen as strangers In all these speaches he shewed himselfe of a good cheere which caused all men to hope that hee stoode in no danger of death The said King sent presently letters to all Prouinces and Cities to aduertise them how things had passed at S. Clow and of his will and last Testament requiring all his faithfull Subiects to protest the fulfilling thereof The second day toward the euening there appeared in the King accidents prognosticating an assured danger not so much through the nature of the wound as through the poysoned contagiousnes of the weapon wherwith the wound was made so that all remedies being vsed by the Phisitions and Chirurgions to preuent the danger and nothing preuailing the King called againe to him the King of Nauarre and other Princes and Lords before whom he greatly bewailed the accursed ciuill warres which had béen the vndooing of his house his nobility and realme and the breeders of so many
the Kings will and promise made vnto him proffered vnto him their faithfull seruice Thus the present estate and summe of affairs being managed he retired into Normandy hauing not with him aboue eight thousand men of all sortes and stayed there a while beholding what the enemy would enterprise Now we wil leaue the King about the Sea coast in Normandy where we haue brought him with eight thousand men of all sorts and will goe to see what is done in other places what preparations the Leaguers do and after we will passe ouer the Alpes to see how doth Frier Sixtus and what iolly diuinity is with him and his Chaplains About the 31. of Iuly which to the Papistes is the 21. of August the D. of Lorreine thought good to blow the fire of rebellion to make it burne more furiously There is Langres a noble City in that part of Bourgondy which commonly is called Bassigny the citizens had euer remayned faithfull to the King and could neuer bee brought to associat themselues to the League smelling the breath of the Lorreins as nigh Neighbours to Nancie This noble Citie the Duke of Lorreine desired greatly to bee of the association of the rebellion knowing the importance of that place by reason of the strong situation thereof to make much for the affayres of the rebellion First he sheweth his sorrow for the Kings death to be so great that hee cannot keepe himselfe from weeping This weeping and teares are to be supposed to proceede from ioy he himselfe beeing one of the procurers of the murther Secondly he fayneth a great feare least the Gospell which he calleth heresie entring into their City should breake the necke of Popery and so rid their Citie of that deceitfull guest which by all meanes possible hee would haue courteously entertained Thirdly he exhorteth them to admit none of the Kings fauorers within their walles and in so doing promiseth them all ayde and fauour The noble Citie of Langres after curteous thanks geuen him for an answere the third of August doth first protest of their zeale goodwill and constancie in the Catholike faith Secondly doth protest of their great sorrow conceaued for the death of their late King of blessed memorie proffering themselues their liues their goods and whatsoeuer is deare vnto them for the iust and due reuengement of that most vilanous and execrable deede Last of all doth protest of their dutifull obedience to their King promising all assistance with all their meanes todefend him and nobility ioyned with him both in the defence of the Crowne and State and also in pursuing the authors of that murther vntill that a sufficient reuengement be taken of them The Citizens of the Noble Citie of Langres perceauing by these letters of the Duke of Lorreine that further matters might be attempted to procure a rebellion within their Citie to preuent all that might happen the third day of August and in their Popish calender The twelfth they assembled al the Magistrates Officers Citizens and Inhabitants of their Citie in the Towne-house after ripe consideration of the euils procured by the Leaguers and rebels and of their duties of their lawfull obedience did all with accord and minde promise and sweare First the keeping of the Catholike faith Secondly they do sweare neuer to admit any confederacy society faction or conspiracie neither with the Lorreyne nor any other forreine nor within the Realme without the expresse commandement of their King Thirdly doo acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the 4. to bee their lawfull King and naturall heire and successour to the Crowne of France and sweare neuer to depart from his obedience but to obey him and to defend him and the fundamentall lawes of the right succession of the Crowne proffering all their liues goods and meanes to preserue his person his state Crowne and kingdome and not to admit any sedition or conspiracie against him Last of all doo sweare to assist him with all their power and meanes to reuenge the vnworthie death of Henry de Valoys lately deceased Many other Townes on the North side of Loyre as in Gastinoys Hurepoys Auxerroys Bourgundie Bassigny and Champaigne being wauering encouraged with the example of the noble Citie of Langres did resolue themselues in reiecting the entising perswasions of Rebels to remayne in the Kings obedience and tooke the like oath voluntarily as the sayd Citie of Langres had done As the Rebels in the rest of Townes and Cities tooke occasion by the proclayming of the King to stirre the people to their societie of vnion that is to rebellion crying still the Catholike the Catholike religion heresie heresie heretikes heretikes so in like manner the heads of the rebellion doo prepare all the forces that euer they can for the Duke of Lorreyne gathered a great power of horsemen and footmen which he sent to the Duke de Mayne to Paris conducted by his eldest sonne the Marquesse du Pont. The Duke de Mayne also sent to the Duke of Parma for succour supposing that with the great forces which he was able to make within Paris the succour which was expected from Lorreyne and some companies of horsemen of Wallons and Germanes he would easily make an end of the warre The Duke of Parma therefore sent lustie companies of horsemen and Wallons vnder the conduct of the Duke of Brounswicke and Countie Egmond who did arriue about the beginning of September Now let vs leape ouer the Alpes to see Frier Sixtus and pray to God that the pockes may neuer depart from him nor from that holy sea seeing that his predecessor Iulius the great warriour being either the first or one of the first in all Italy which was infected with it if Ihuigo doth not lye and of a speciall grace and Apostolicall fauour left it to all the legions of Friers and Massemongers for a token of their honest and chast life The Rebels hauing committed that sauage murther vpon the person of their Soueraigne King and Prince whom God commaunded them to obey serue and reuerence and such as in Catholicisme did surpasse the best Catholike in the world and to bee short with one blowe hauing executed the secret counsell of Rome for the rooting out the rase of Valoys and put out the Lamp of France as for the Bourbons they had made their account to haue destroyed them all ere now they sent in post to Rome to congratulate Frier Sixtus for their good successe and also to haue his Frierlike counsell to bring their worke to perfection according to the sacred counsell of Rome as is aforesayd In this message as it appeared in Frier Sixtus oration they had certified him how miraculously the Frier went out of Paris in great daunger to be searched out and afterward miraculously passed through the Campe of the heretikes and through the Kings gardes not perceiued of any man but as if the diuell should conuey him inuisible in a clowde vntill he came into the Kings presence so that no man had no power
batteries whereof two from sundry parts should batter at one breath of the Castell The third being placed vpon a rock should scoure certaine waies along behinde the breach of the side of the Castell Therefore the fift day of Ianuary at eight of the clock in the morning his Ordinance began to beate two great towers which flanked from the one to the other whereof the one serued for a defence to the breach which he supposed to make And after the bestowing of foure hundered Canon shot the top of one Tower being fallen and a hole being made in the other Tower that defended the creach the King caused it to be battered spéedily for there néeded but the beating of a little piece of a Wall This done the King commaunded certaine companies of Souldiours to goe and view if they could lodge in the said Tower at whose commaundement certaine of them entring the hole which was made through went into the Castell and finding no resistance called their fellowes who entring one after another in a shortspace they became Masters of the Castell and Towne They within being sore dismayed without any fight retyred into the dâ—ngeon out of the which they sent thrée Gentlemen to beséech the King to receaue them vpon any composition The King answered that he would not receaue them but at his pleasure and that they should proue his clemency without binding him else vnto any condition The sixt of Ianuary the King suffered the Lord Brissak to come and submit himselfe vnto him and being ouercome with pitty which hée had vpon the young Gentlemâ—n graunted their â—iues in choosing fifteene of the best sort of them whome hée would keepe prisoners as warlike enemies and fifteene more such as hee should thinke good should bée at his Maiesties disposition Thus God did so beate downe these proud and insolent rebels roaring and breathing a little before nothing but fire and bloud that none of them did proffer or séemed to make head otherwise then by words The Towne being taken by assault could not be preserued from pillaging and sackaging that there might be a difference betweene them that fled to the Kings clemency and those who obstinatly did proue the force of his army the one being wholy desolat the other reioysing in a full quietnes and perfect peace The 15. whom the King tooke for warlike Enemies were put to their ransom the town was geuen to the Souldiours of the other fifteene who were at the Kings disposition the Lord Brissak as consenting and accessary to the Kings death was condeÌ„ned to die But wheras after the Kings death and when the townes of Picardie did reuolt the rebels had taken the Duchesse of Longeuille mother to the Duke now liuing prisoner for abhorring their rebellion and detained her in captiuitie in the Citie of Amiens The Duke of LoÌ„gueuille greatly desirous to deliuer his mother begged the said Brissak to set his mother at liberty and in place of safetie by exchange with the said Brissak which thing the king granted supposing that it would not bee long afore he would come againe into his hands to receaue the reward of his rebellion and parracide Hetherto Christian Reader thou hast seen into what miserable and wofull state the whole Realm was throwen in by the Leaguers by their Friers Monkes and desperat Iesuits and by their venimous seditions and vngodly sermons preached to the people to stirre them to all manner of damnable license And how that kingdome sunke and drowned in a most confused rebellion was left by the king Henry the third and last of the noble familie of Valoys and deliuered to Henry the 4. now king of France and Nauarre named declared and inthronised by his predecessor approued accepted and proclaimed lawfull and natural heire and king of y e crowne of France after the maner of the Emperours of the Romans by the Princes Nobilitie Officers of the Crowne not among few Priests Bishops and Monks with a trash of ceremonies but in the middle of an armie by y e Marshals Colonels captaines Souldiers acknowledged obedience sworn vnto by the best and soundest part of the realm towns cities Commonalties people as well ecclesiasticall as temporall resisted onely by few rebels and robbers who hauing surprised some Townes and Cities do exercise an intollerable and more then Turkish tyranny ouer the Citizens otherwise well disposed Thou hast séene also how God hath guided his hands to battell and his fingers to fight hath blessed his armes before and now in the beginning of his raigne with prosperous successe of victories and reduced Townes Cities and whole Prouinces seduced by the Leaguers to their duetifull obedience and hath so restored to them which will be quiet vnder his gouernement peace iustice and iudgement that they may say that the Lord after a long continual stormy tempest hath geuen them as a calme weather to restore in that afflicted state saturnia regna wherein godlinesse and iustice ought to raigne Now before we make an end of this yeare and this seuenth booke together wee will lay downe other exploits of warre done in other partes of France but specially in the Prouince of Daulphine and hauing no ample informations nor obseruation of time and other circumstances necessary to the perspicuity of the history we will put downe onely the euents bare and naked as it were priuate memories in such sort as they were sent to the noble Princesse of Orenge out of her soueraignty of Orenge by some of her seruantâ— there desyrous onely to aduertize her excellency simply of the accidents which had passed there It said before how the Guizes head of the League tooke for party the king of Nauarre and with him the professors of the reformed religion as onely hinderers of their driftes And afterwardes they proclaimed open warre against the Lords Espernon and Valete his brother who with their faithfull seruice and wise counsel were stumbling blockes in the way of the said Guizes and Leaguers disappointing them of their purposes The L. Valete beeing in Prouance and Daulphine and vnderstanding of the execution done at Bloys vppon the persons of the Duke of Guyze and the Cardinall his brother by a prudent wisedome foresaw how some new tumults would ryse thereupon and how the king would turne his forces against the Leaguers vpon that occasion would reconcile the king of Nauarre to him and vse his seruice and of them of the reformed Religion And thereupon to auoyde all inconueniences which might ensue this strange and vnexpected accident thought good to make peace with the Lord des Diguieres a noble man of great valour who had constantly and valiantly defended the cause of the religion and brought many Townes Cities and Fortresses from the tyranny and slauery of the Leaguers to the Kings obedience And when after the death of the Duke of Guize many Townes and holds had rebelled partly induced by the outâ—ries of y e Leaguers and partly surprized by them but
specially in Prouance Peace vpon these occasions was made betwéene them that their forces being ioyned together they might the better be able to preuent the traiterous attempts and resist the practizes of the saide Leaguers After which agréement the said Lordes des Diguieres and Valete came together and oftentimes sat in counsel to take aduise for the safe kéeping of the countrey of Daulphine and Prouance in the Kings obedience they together entred Valence Romans Tullet and other places After these two Noble men by this newe reconsiliation had been some dayes together they determined to separate themselues and their forces the Lord des Diguieres remayned in Daulphine and the Lord Valette went with his forces into Prouance there to stop the attempts of the Rebels After the separation of these two Noble men the Lord des Diguieres first layed the siege before the fortresse of Auxonne right agaynst Montlimart which had been surprised by the Rebels and tooke it by assault the fift day of Ianuary the Captayne of the sayd Fort and all his men were put to the sword Shortly after the taking of Auxonne the Lord Eschambault who had constantly defended the reformed religion in Viuaretes ioyned his forces with the Lord des Diguieres which thing before he could not well doo From Auxonne the Lord des Diguieres strengthened with the forces of the Lord Eschambault layd the siege before the Hold of Colonseles in the countie of Griguan which he tooke by assault The Gouernour of that Hold was hanged and all his companie put to the sword one onely saued vpon condition that he should pay all the expenses that the whole armie had béen at that siege The sayd Lord des Diguieres departing from Colonseles tooke his way straight to the County of Veyascin and assoone as he was entred the countrey the Holds of Bauuyes Taussie le Bouschâ—l Racheringes and Rochegardes yéelded vnto him neuer expecting the Canon These Forts being surrendred he went to lay the siege before Camaret a place well fortified distant from Orenge about two miles The sayd towne yeelded at the sight of the Canon with safetie of liues as well of Souldiers as inhabitants From Camaret he went to the siege of Vacquiras he tooke also by composition Aubiguan where he rested the whole armie to refresh his Souldiers ten dayes Thether came the Deputies of the countrey to demaund a truce From Aubiguan the Lord des Diguieres went to besiege an Hold called Cayranne which was taken by assault the gouernour thereof being an Italian was hanged in the worship of Nuestra donna de Loretta and all his Souldiers for company with him or els put to the sword After this execution done the Gouernours of all places and Townes thereaboutes as Rakesell S. Romans Villedieu Boysson Mirebel Paymerat S. Romanet and others came to him and offered him their keyes From Cayranne the Lord des Diguieres went foorth to besiege Molans a place well fortified where are Castles very strong There he bestowed three hundred shot of canon and at length a breach being made the assault was giuen and after two hundred and fiftie men of the enemies had béen stayne the Towne was taken The Lord of the sayd place had his life saued in paying ten thousand Crownes for his raunsome and besides his house sacked There was during the time that these affaires did so passe in Daulphine a certayne méeting of Deputies of Grenoble and other Townes Cities of that Prouince making suite for to haue a truce for foure yeares vppon whose suite the Lord des Diguieres drewe néere to Grenoble and lodged his armie thereabout in the Countrey but hee himselfe went to Nions There the Deputies meâ— and requested to haue truces and ceasing from warre during the space of foure yeares But when as they could not agree vpon the conditions the Lord des Diguieres appoynted another méeting at Bogency within two miles of Grenoble and at length a truce was concluded betweene them about the latter end of March which was signed sealed and confirmed with great solemnitie in the Suburbs of Grenoble It was agréed that the principalitie of Orenge should be comprised in it and that they of the League who wâ—re returned to the Kings obedience should pay to the Lord des Diguieres for the intertainement of his companies eyghtéene thousand Crownes and the one halfe of all tolles which was thought to amount to fifty Crownes a day Moreouer they agréed to pay him eyght thousand Crownes for the intertaining of certaine Ministers and workes of pietie in Daulphine Also that the Fort of Bogencie and diuers other holdes kept by the Leaguers should be beaten downe and rased to the geound This truce was proclaymed in Grenoble on Easter day About the same time there was an assembly of the Prouince of Languedock holden in Nismes and Lunel about the like truce It is said before how the Lord des Diguieres and la Valete had ioyned themselues in amity for the Kings seruice and how the Lord Valete after hauing soiorned with the said des Diguieres to take counsell â—ogâ—ther about the Kings affayres in Daulphine and Prouance the Lord Valete with his forces went into his gouernement of Prouance where finding that Countrey full of confusions and factions by the meanes of the Court of Parliament at Aix and the Lord of Vins which not onely were rebels but also had solicited the Countrey to the like rebellion the said Lord Velete had caused an assembly of the states of Prouance to be holden after his arriuing there and being very strong and hauing the greatest part of the holdes in the Countrey they agreed in the saide assembly to make warre against the said court of Parliament and Lorde of Vins and for that purpose the States there deliuered him ten thousand Crownes The Lord Monbrune ioyned himselfe with the Lord Valete and surprised some strong places in that Prouince The King had called the Lord Mommorency from the gouernement of Languedock and had giuen that charge to the Lord Ioyeuse but at length the King perceauing that the said Ioyeuse by the perswasions of his mother inclined to the rebellion of the Leaguers he tooke that gouernement againe from him restored the Lord Mommorencie to that charge with commaundement to remoue the Parlâ—ament of Tholouze to the Citie of Narbonne because that Tholouze had rebelled against the King as is aforesaid The Citie of Narbonne vnderstanding of the restablishment of the Lord Mommorencie by the King shut vp their gates against Ioyeuse sent for the said Mommorency being then in Auignon proffering to receaue him saeing that it was the kings pleasure to haue restablished him in that gouernemeÌ„t The said Mommorency departed from Orenge the 28. of March to Narbonne ward The Townes of Languedock which were in the power of them of the Religion refused to haue his authoritie published among them without the expresse commaundement of the King of Nauarre The Lord des Diguieres hauing
concluded a truce as is aforesaid in Daulphine and set that Prouince in some good stay with his campe marched toward Prouance to ioyne with the Lord Valete to reduce that countrey to the Kings obedience It is said before how the King during the déepe winter did great exploytes with prosperous successe in subduing the Countries of Beausse Anjou Toureyne Mayne Lauall Perche and most part of Normandie in reducing them to their duetie of aleageance restored them peace iustice and iudgement vtterly subuerted and troden vnder foote by the Leaguâ—rs and how hauing continued few dayes at the siege of Falaize tooke it by assault Now we will returne againe to few matters which were done in the end of this yeare It is said how the Duke de Maine after the Kings departure from Paris gaue himselfe to fight with the Coffers and counting houses of the Parisiens But for recreation sake also he put on the armor of Venus to fight with the Curtizans of Paris so that beeing molten in all filthy pleasures the Lady Saint Beufue or some other such Uirgin did so dresse him that his name shortly after was writteÌ„ in the Chirurgians hall among them that had the pockes and lying in Paris about two moneths with his army about the Citty without dooing any thing for the aduancement of the holy Union onely that it might appeare that he was a King of Fryers he was first annointed King of Fryers by the Chirurgians of Paris with that holy Oile and extreame vnction wherewith the Popes Priests Monks Fryers and Iesuits are oftentimes annoynted and after that crowned with such a crowne as the Fryers themselues are crowned with and about the time that he had somewhat recouered his strength and téeth began to be somewhat fast in his head and his drabbling had left him Fryer Sixtus who somewhat afore the Kings death had called home his Legat who was a Uenetian Bishop of Brixia for that he was thought in Rome to fauour very much the kings affaires vnderstanding the kings affaires to haue better successe then hee would wish or had expected sent a new Legat into France to comfort assist and further the affaires of the Rebels he sent I say Fryer Henrique Cardinall Caietan his brother Canuillo Caietan Patriark of Alexandria when he can haue it Frier Philip Siga Byshop of Placentia Frier Francis Pauigarola Bishop of Aste Hieronimo Moceuigo Bishop of Ceueda Laurence Bauchet Iudge de Rota and Secretarie of this Legacy all whelps of one litter and by one ye may know all the rest who were sent in company with their traine to rid Rome of so many Caterpillers These routes of filthy Friers with their Mouchachos arriued in Paris about the middle of December with loads of such blessings and holy reliques of Rome as the Mules of Frier Campegius did ouerthrow and scatter in Cheapside when hee came into England about the diuorsement of King Henry the eight and Queene Catharine of Spaine his first wife This Frier Henrique called the heads of the League to counsell keepeth a stirre with them chid them that they were lurking in taking their pleasures without dooing any thing for holy Church and holy vnion but now they must go about their businesse handsomly wherefore comprehendeth the whole affaires in four principall points whereof three of them he would performe himselfe And first after the maner of Fryers which is alwaies in their Sermons to remember their conuent to begin with the Deuill hee proclaimed a Iubile through all France to prooue yet whether hee might with that old patched net of robbery called indulgences fish any money to helpe his master who had sent him to fish to maintaine in their brauery the holy Mochachos and Curtizans in Rome During the time of this Iubile which began at the feast of the natiuity of Christ Frier Henrique do replenish the minds of the Parisiens with superstitions the streates of Paris with processions the Churches with sottish Idolaters his belly with the best meat he could get and his purse with as much money as he could This Fisher with his ragged net was not so much superstitiously receaued in Paris as he was despised and laught to scorue euen by the Catholiks generally through all France maruelling that this Saint Peter fisher had no better tooles to goe about his busines and so as the Prouerbe is seldome doo speede the fowler neuer the fisher for beside what he did in Paris in any where else he get not a poore peny to blesse himselfe Secondly he goeth about to weaken the King for hee wrote letters to the Cardinals Bishops and Nobility of the Catholick religion wherewith he warned them of the great danger of their soules in following ayding assisting a King heretick shewing them the great harme which this schisme would doo in time to the Catholick Church by which word he meant the Legioss of Locustes of Priestes Monkes Friers and Iesuites He wrote this supposing that his bare letter would haue caused the Catholicks by heapes to forsake the Kings defence and to ioyne with the rebels This letter of Frier Henryque had thrée diuers effects for first some Bishops thought good to repayre to the King to sée whether they could make him a Catholick to whome the King answered as he had once before answered a Cardinall that he was able sooner to make a Cardinall a Hugonet then a Cardinall would make him a Catholick Others as the Cardinals of Vendosme and Leuoncourt with diuers other Byshops were of opinion that it was most expedient to call a nationall counsel according to the which the king had promised to reforme himselfe But vnto this Frier Henrique the Legat would not harken by any meanes fearing both the light and the pinch The nobility answered that they did hold him for the true heire and successor of the Crown whom they would establish in the full possession therof and when the king had pacifyed the Realme they will thinke on that matter The third thing was to encourage the rebels to set vpon the king two manner of waies by counsell and money First he shewed vnto them that it was shame for them that while the king and hereticks had made great conquests they had done nothing but lurke and take their pleasures That Frier Sixtus his Masters pleasure was to set vppon the king with all their forces before hee were strengthened and confirmed in the kingdome the longer they should delay and linger the harder it would be for them to preuaile against him Now they ought to beate the yron while it is hot and followe the matter while the rebellion is vniuersall the number of partakers great the hearts of them animated while there is great store of money gotten out of the coffers of the inhabitants of Paris out of the confiscations and proâ—criptions of the Royalls they had receaued great store of the Catholick K. of Spayne and he had also charge from Fier Sixtus to deliuer to them fiftie
to two thousand men all old Souldiers The Duke being flided away and the King seeing the opportunitie of battaile gone with him determined to do his businesse and to take Dreux garded by Captaine Falande with a strong garrison that if he had it in his obedience he might ouerlooke and bridle the Citie of Chartres vntill that conueniently he might haue opportunitie to enterprise vpon it The King in going to the siege of Dreux tooke Noueyncourt and being at Dreux and the breach being readie to giue the assault the King vnderstoode that the Duke was returning toward Seyne for to passe ouer the bridge at the Towne of Nante which then did hold for the Leaguers full of confidence and trust in that proude and mightie army which consisted of thrée and twentie thousand men of all sorts The King considered wel that the Dukes forces were but borrowed and that now out of hand hee must hazard or els his companies in a small time would disband themselues and retyre home and that with delaying with him he might dissipate his forces He knewe well also that they who doo proffer iniurie are commonly more desperat then they who doo withstand it He weighed well his small number in comparison of the great multitude and that there were forces comming to him out of Champaigne as good as these which his enemie had receaued out of the Low Countrey which he might in protracting the time receaue shortly He sawe well that the countrey was fauourable to the enemie which reasons might haue perswaded a great warriour by policie to haue weakened the enemie as Fabius did Hannibal But the King had more sufficient and substanciall reasons which did bid him to encounter the enemie as the assured confidence whereby he reposed himselfe in Gods goodnesse and protection and casted himselfe in his armes the equitie of his cause his lawful vocation agaynst mutinous traytors and parricides so that each of these reasons was stronger to him then so many hundred thousand men which made him to conclude that considering these causes God could and would dissipate his enemies notwithstanding their great forces as well with fewe as with many Being also confirmed by the experience which he had at Arques and in the Suburbs of Paris In the meane time while the King was at Dreux the Duke de Mayne hauing receaued the forces which came out of the low Countrey thought himselfe sure of a prosperous successe and promising an assured victory to his partakers passed his forces ouer the bridge of Manie and marched toward Dammartin which was but four miles off The King vppon the reasons aforesayd resolute to encounter with few that huge multitude on a sudden from before the breach raysed vp the siege from Dreux and departed the second day of March the besieged with great reioysing beholding and wondering at the cause of such a sudden departing The same day the King went backe the way that he was come and lodged in the Towne of Noueyncourt to cut the passage to the enemy of a little riuer which runneth by Assoone as he came thether hee caused warning to be giuen that on the next morning euery man should bee in a readines The night following that day the King set in order the manner of the battaile which in the morning early the third day of March he shewed to the Prince Montpensier to the Marshals Biron and Aumont to the Baron Biron Marshall of the field and to other Princes and Captains of the army who with one voice hauing considered of it according to the skill of warre they approoued and would change nothing of it That day hee gaue charge to the Baron of Biron to set euery man in his place and order and did choose that morning the Lord Vieques sargeant Maior of the battell who was one of the ancient masters of the footmen in France This thing beeing done the King willing to begin this great worke with prayer with great vehemency and confidence hee made his prayers vnto God in the hearing of all men wherein hee called God to witnes that hee knew the purpose of his hart and well vnderstood whether it were for desire of glory or for ambition or for desire of blood or longing for reuenge which made him resolute to this battaile that hee was his iudge and witnes vnreproueable that nothing mooued him thereto but the tender loue that hee did beare to his poore people whose peaceable and quiet estate hee esteemed more then the safety of his owne life he besought God so to direct his will as hee should best see to be good for the benefite of Christendome And as for himselfe he prayed God to saue and helpe him as he knew to be good and profitable to the weale and quiet of the state and not otherwise This prayer eloquent in words but more passing pure and deuout in sense did so rauish all those that were nigh that euery man after his example did the like And after that all that after noone was seene in Noneyncourt the Churches full of Princes Lords Gentlemen and Souldiers of all Nations hearing Masse communicating and playing the good Catholikes They of the reformed religion made their humble prayers and supplications to God The court of Parliament at Tours being aduertised of the things which were like to passe betweene the King and his enemies commaunded generall processions and prayers to be made the third and fourth of March for the King and for his good and prosperous successe Lyke commaundement was sent vnto the reformed Churches about to do the like in their congregations though not in the like forme so that at Tours the Catholikes did almost nothing else these two daies men women and children but pray after their maner This deuotion beeing done at the Campe the whole army did shew such countenances as though euery man had receaued a seuerall answer◠of God concerning the happie successe which each of them should obtaine The King had caused sommons to bee giuen to the Towne of Saint Andrew beeing from Noueincourt eight miles in the way going to Iury where he supposed the enemy and his army had béen lodged The Kings companies came to a great plaine nigh the towne Saint Andrew About the same plaine there are certaine villages and a litle wood called la haye de Pres that is the medowes border or hedge There the King with the Marshals Biron Aumont and the Baron of Birō marshal of the field began to set the battaile in order following the plot agreed vpon before The King hauing tryed in battels and skirmishes before that it is more aduantage to make horsemen fight in squadrons then in rings specially his that haue no launces deuided all his horsemen in seauen squadrons and all the footmen placed at the flankes of the said squadrons and euery squadron had a company of forlorne footmen The front of the battel was in a right line bending somewhat at the 2. endes The first Squadron on the
left side was that of the Marshall Aumont consisting of three hundred good horsemen hauing on his two sides 12. regiments of French footmen The second was the squadron of the Prince Montpensier consisting of three hundred Horses and on his left hand foure or fiue hundred Lanceknights and on the right hand a regiment of Swissers euery company of the strangers forces being lyned with footmen The third Squadron was of light horsemen deuided into two companies the one whereof the great Prior Colonell was the Leader and the other company of the light horsemen was conducted by the Lord Gyurye Marshall of the field of the said light horses hee was able to make foure hundred horses These two companies of light horses were placed a little before the foresaid squadrons and at the left hand of them was the artillerie to wit foure cannons and two culuerins The fourth squadron was that of the Baron of Biron which might bee of two hundred and fifty horses and in the same ranke and order at the left hand towards the Prince Montpensier was a company of light Horsemen The fifth squadron was the Kings which made fiue rankes and in euery ranke sixe score horses he had on the left side two regiments of Swissers of the Canton of Glaris and of the Grisons and on his right hand a great Battailon of two other regiments of Swissers the one of the Cantons of Solethurne and the other of the Colonel Balthazare which amount in the whole eighteene ensignes The Battailon on the right hand had the regiment of Brigueulx and on the left wing the regiments of Vignoles and S. Iohn The sixt Squadron was of the Marshall Byron who had two hundred and fiftie good horses with two regiments of French footmen The seauenth Squadron was of the Rutters who had ioyned with them French footmen like as other companies had Things were so ordered by the King and Lord Marshalls and Baron of Byron plied the matter so that in lesse then an houre all was so fitly disposed that it could not be deuised better And while the King did thus set in order his battell the night before and that morning there arriued vnto him sixe hundred horses vnlooked for to wit the companyes of the Prince Countie both horsemen and footmen there came also the Lord Guiche great master of the Ordinance and the Lord Plessis Morney with their companies to whom vpon deliberation was graunted place in the Kings Squadron The same day also while the King stayed in battell array came companies from the garrisons of Deepe and Arques and other companies and Lords out of Normandie to the number of two hundred horse and more who were placed some vnder the gouernment of the Prince Montpencier some with the King and some with the Baron Byron In the meane time the King sent light horsemen for Spyes on the left side of the battell supposing that the enemie did lye at Iury which is a great towne hauing a bridge ouer the riuer Eure thinking there to set vppon the enemie But when they had scarse passed halfe a mile they vnderstood that the enemie was aware of the matter more then they thought and that the enemie had passed the riuer Eure and that they began to shew themselues in battell array The enemie had passed that riuer not thinking to haue the Kings army so nigh But the king hearing of their going to Verneuille thought to méet them there and arriuing thether found that the enemie had sent his Harbingers for to take vp lodgings euen néere the place where the kings army lay When these newes came to the Campe there was an excéeding ioy among all men of all degrees Betweene the two armies there was a Village in the playne which was holden by the enemie which the King made straight way yeeld to him but for al this occasion giuen the enemie did not stirre But the King seeing that it was nigh Sunne setting and hauing not yet descryed the manner of the lodging of their Campe and considering they might bee at some aduantage was aduised not to march for that time any further whereupon there he stayed his armie for that night All that day the two armies were in sight one of the other There were onely some odd skirmishes betweene them in the which prisoners were taken who reported that the number of the enemie was greater then they were aware off and that they were giuen to vnderstand that the Kings companyes were come thether rather for a fashion then minding to bid battaile The night drewe on which caused the army to encampe there where they were set in battell array It is reported that the night following the third day two armies were seene in the Skye and the lesser number put the greater to flight The King would not departe from the army before hee had knowledge of the enemies lodging and had set all his watches in order The Noble men lodged in the villages about the playne which the enemies thought to haue surprized that day the king was the last at fielde and two howers in the night lodged at Foucraynuille which is a Village at the left hand of the same plaine and there hauing a little refreshed himselfe sent word to his men euery one to be in a readines against the morning and after he had rested himselfe about two howres on a pallet obseruing the auncient precept by Homer giuen to the Princes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very early he sent to enquire for newes of the enemies newes came that the enemie séemed to haue repassed the riuer Eure hee sent the second time then word came that vndoubtedly they had not repassed Eure but that they lay in the Villages about Eure some what further then they were supposed to be These newes cheered the king who desired greatly to come to hand with the enemy Day light being come the Princes and Lords Marshalls came to the king and set their men in battaile aray The king bâ—gan in the presence of his houshold seruants and other present to make a most feruent and deuout prayer to God committing his life and the liues of his faithfull subiects and seruants and the defence of his cause vnto him who is the mightie God of battailes The Princes and Lords Catholicks went to heare Masse and their deuotions done went to refresh themselues The King sent to them of the reformed Religion in like manner to commit themselues to Gods most mercifull protection by prayers went in like manner to refresh themselues The king liueth so in the presence of God that hee is a spectacle of royall godlinesse and vertue to men and to the blessâ—d Angels of God All the kings companies hearing that they should ioyne in battaile that day with the enemies did exceedingly reioyce and by nine a clock the king came into the field and vppon warning giuen by two Canon shot by ten a clock all the companies were in order in their places The placing of
and a ship of pure siluer of the waight of three hundred markes which should be sent by some of the chiefest of the Citie The second idâ—latrous fantasie wherewith they deluded that besotted people was that they made them runne to and fro in procession bare footed and bare legged from Church to Church from Idoll to Idoll carrying their God in the streetes which their Priest had made with fiue words All the streetes did sound with weake Ora pro nobis The third was a Pageant which they played in this wise they had made vppon the great Altar of their Churches a graue like a monument there they buried their God who be like was dead with famine and let him lye for the space of 8. daies and in the same space the Churches were full night and day with Candles smoake idolatries and starued people Who had required these things at your hands It is submitting themselues vnto Gods ordinance that would quickly remedie this distresse and not these idolatries The Oates being spent the famine preuailed more and more the haruest time also was come The King did winke at many sallies which they did to steale away some sheaues of corne hoping by that meanes to intercept some of the heads of the rebellion so there were daily skirmishes about the haruest and they also carried away with them somewhat which although dearely bought did relieue somewhat the extremitie of their hunger Whilest these sallies were adoing about the fifteene day of Iuly the Lord Chastilion arriued vnto the King with one thousand horsemen and two thousand footmen Gascoynes The King perceauing the wilfull obstinacie of that people or rather the hard bondage that they were in vnder fewe rebels set all his forces in order and set vpon all the Suburbs of Paris all at once which seazed vppon without any losse the 18. of Iuly supposing that his neighborhead would cause them enter in consideration of their miseries and daungers This narrow siege debarring them wholy from the fields made the famine yet to preuaile more so that now in few dayes the people dyed by heapes in the houses within and in the streates without Now the common people wisheth for peace and imputeth all their miseries vnto blind Bernardine many did threaten openly in the streates that it were a good déede to hang that Spanish Moore and all his company of Sarrazins broode Blinde Bernardine hearing of these newes wished himselfe to haue béen in Spayne a dauncing naked with the Sarrazen Moores of Spayne yet to pacifie the people hee did bestow of his Spanish potage made of Oates vpon them so much as he could spare for hée was fallen to his olde dyet of Spayne and withall hee gaue them old starued horses which were like to dye for to kill and to eâ—te yet all this poore liberality which then was great consiâ—ering the time could not pacifie the people for as the Prouâ—rb is Ventur non habet aures Therefore many tooke counsell together in the night to haue seazed vppon a gate and to haue let in the Kings forces but this counsel being detected this enterprise could not be effected The morrow after being the 19. day of Iuly a great multitude assembled themselues in the palace and requirâ—d of the Pseudosenat that they might haue peace with the King otherwise there was no remedy but they were like to perish miserably they were intreated to quiet themselues and to haue pacience for ten dayes so they departed like to dye in the meane time with hunger The 27. of Iuly they assembled themselues againe into the palace with strong hand and required of the Pseudesenat either bread or peace and whereas a Marchant of the City named Goys did reproue them by them he was hurt so that within few dayes he yeelded his rebellious soule the matter tending to sedition the Duke of Aumale came to the palace shut vp the doores and tooke some prisoners whereof two of them were hanged Then the mutiny of the people encreasing they went to the Bishops house willing him to goe about the matter that they might haue either bread or peace whereupon some of the counselers of the Pseudosenat pittying their owne and the misery of the people with the Bishop of Lions the Duke of Nemours and others of the chiefest of the rebellion entred in counsell whether they ought to admit the King vpon reasonable conditions specially hauing their autonomy The matter being discoursed and some altogether inclining to peace withstanding that counsell the Duke of Nemours gouernour of the city said in great anger that he had rather see the City consumed then lost meaning that if it were yéelded vnto the King he estéemed it lost and going foorth in great anger would not be present any longer in such deliberation notwithstanding they agréed all to send Ambassadors to the King to entreate of an vniuersall peace The messengers were the Bishops of Paris and Lions and certaine others deputed for the City who went to the King lodged them in Saint Antonies Abbey nigh the City whome he receaued more courteously then they thought he would haue done They propounded to the King two things an vniuersall peace and that he should become a Catholick and so the City of Paris would set open their gates acknowledge and Crowne him King of France The King answered that he would receaue them to mercy without binding himselfe to any thing it appertained vnto Kings to pardon his subiects but not to subiects to prescribe peace and to deuide peares with their King as for his religion hee commaunded them not to mooue any talke thereof for hee was resolued in his faith which he did not meane to change and willed them with this resolution to returne to Paris The Duke d'Mayne vnderstanding that the Kings forces were lodged at the gates of Paris and that the City within was full of vprores of the people perishing for hunger perceauing also the long delayes of the Duke of Parma and fearing greatly that the City would fall into the Kings hands one way or another he sent Vileroy to the King and writeth a letter to the Parisiens to send the Bishops of Paris and Lions to shew how desirous they were to make peace The King gaue them license to come in his presence and also to repaire to the Duke d'Mayne with this answer that hée had not any delight in their misery and vndooing The intent of this Ambassage was but to delay the time least the K. should force the City while he posted to Bruxels there to solicit the Duke of Parma For he wrote a letter vnto the Parisiens by a secretary of the Bishop by the which he willed them to hold out and to make no peace for there was a rescue comming great forces and great store of victuals Now we will leaue the King in the Suburbs and walke to Bruxels in Brabant to see how the Leaguers affaires doo speede there It is saide before how the Leaguers sent foure
tooke another resolution to wit to defend it to hold them play the enemies passing ouer the riuer vppon a bridge made with boates began to batter it with nine pieces of artillery the breach was made before the King had any notice thereof by reason of the great winde which was contrary and a great thick myst yet assoone as the King had any knowledge thereof he sent succour to haue rescued the Towne but the enemy giuing the assault afore the Kings forces could come and being few against many the enemy carried it away which being entred into the Towne omitted no barbarous cruelty and villany which that Sarrasenicall sauage nation could deuise there were betwéene two and thrée hundred Souldiours within the Towne gouerned by the Lord Laphin who defended that weake towne so valiantly that the enemy lost in that assault the most part of them that were at y e siege all the Garison Souldiours with their Captaines were slaine in like sorte as Leonidas with his Lacoues at Thermopylas The King tooke that losse very sorrowfully and supposing that this beginning would haue cheered and fleshed the enemy commaunded the skirmish to be giuen hoâ—ter then euer before But as the Woolâ—e pursued and hunted hauing gotten his den ouer his head will rather dye there then to get him forth and trie the matter with the hunter so these sauage rauening monsters could not be drawne out of their moore The King perceauing that nothing would encourage these fearefull warriours departed out of the campe with a good company of horsemen with ladders and marched toward Paris and caused certaine companies to draw nere the walls betwéene the gates of Saint Iames and Saint Marcel which being detected the alarum was giuen in the City the Kings Souldiours did hide themselues in the darkenes of the night being a great myst withall The Parisiens returned euery one home the Iesuites who are the most desperat and warlike of all the legions of the locustes of the kingdome of Antichrist watched all the night vpon the wal fearing some surprise and about foure a clock in the morning the Kings Souldiours lying in the towne ditch began to scale the wall the Iesuits fearing to be researched first for their horrible treasons doo sound the alarum and doo kéepe of the Kings men from leaping vpon the wall as well as they can whilest company doo run to helpe The inhabitants doo cast fagots kindled into the ditch by which meanes the Kings Souldiours being discouered did sound the retire gaue ouer the enterprise and so the King returned no more to Paris Here Christian reader thou shalt note in this City the notorious sins of the inhabitants the iudgements of God shewed vpon them and what is yet to come This City hath béen first of all the bulwark and strong hold of all Idolatry and heathenish superstitioâ—s which they haue increased of meere malicious wickednes and as it were to spight the Gospell whose voyce had been heard and had knocked at their gâ—tes many yeares They raised the alarum at the sound thereof they haue murthered the Saintes in the streates they haue shed their bloud vpon the earth like water their bodies they haue drawne by heapes and giuen them to bee meate for the beastes of the field and the fowles of the ayre they haue searched them out as it were with a lanterne that they might roote out the knowledge of God from the earth they haue made the gospel of life a hissing a by word a nodding of the head and a song of despight and contempt among them Therefore the Lord hath giuen them to a reprobate minde to commit among themselues all the abominations of the heathens and hath solde them to seducers and rauing false Prophets For beside the infinit heards of Epicures and idle bellies of idolatrous Priests Monkes and Friers about the yeare 1560. when the Gospell did knock at their gates there crept out of Spayne and Italy the vermine of Iesuitâ—s whome Sachan did burst out as vltimum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by whose desperat rage specially these sinfull people haue béen blinded and seduced to the vtâ—ermost They haue kindled and maintained to the vttermost of their power war against them of the reformed religion They were the first in all France to shew the fruite of their hellish Idolatry that haue rebelled against the King who was of their owne religion as great and deuout a Catholick as any was in the world they stirred vp and inuited to their rebâ—llion all other Cities of France by their example letters and Ambassadors and at length they haue shortned his life by an haynous parricide by the which they haue made their walls their houses their temples and themselues guilty of the damnable crime of treason hated both of GOD and man Now let vs sée the fearefull iudgements of God shewed vpon them the Lord hath executed his iustice vppon that defiled City defiled I say with the bloud of the innocents at all times by punishing them with his scourges of pestilence and dearth But after they had defiled their hands with the Kings bloud the anoynted of the Lord who represented before their eyes the image of God the Lord strooke them with the giddines of Sodome and the darkenes of Aegipt and sent euill Angels among them to vexe them with disquietnes with guilty consciences with vprores and seditions And now when the Lord during the siege had sent them mercy and fauour euen to their gates by the band of his messenger and Lieutenant Henry of Bourbon now raigning Prince of great and famous renowne They as men senseles fallen into a letargy and out of their wits would hearken to nothing but to the voyce of sedition of commotion of bloud and murther being deliuered into the bondâ—ge of â—raitors and tyrants And when the Lord had broaken the staffe of bread among them with greater rigour then in any place which euer was heard of they did not turne vnto the Lord who had giuen them bread wine oyle flaxe as Osea speaketh but multiplyed their idols worshipped diuâ—ls as Iames Clement the parricide and others euen with gréedines They did rather choose to eate the flesh of their sonnes and daughters which by the lawes of that realme is a capitall crime and to bee râ—uenged with fire then to accept grace and fauour at the hands of their King whome law nature and God had giuen vnto them Now let vs consider what by al reasons grounded vppon the stedfastnes of Gods threatnings is like to ensue thaâ— God may powre downe the fulnes of his wrath and iust indignation vppon that accursed City he in whose gouernâ—ment are the hearts of Kings and Princes doth alter the minde of the King to giue ouer that City vntill the day of vengeance Not for that he was not able to haue distressed the same longer and haue kept the Duke of Parma from approaching to it but to that end to hamper his enemies yet more in
moneth Possonnes the Duke de Mayne his gouernour there considering the state of the Duke of Sauoy his affayres seeing the Canon planted and the Lord Diguieres fortified with newe supplies all the commonaltie bent against him and being without any hope of ayde or reliefe the 30. of September yeelded the Towne of Essiles by composition that his Souldiers should freely depart with bagge and baggage So by these meanes the passages into Piemont doo remayne in the Kings power and the countrey of Daulphine is limitted with his olde limits long before fortified by the French Kings during the warres of Italy Sonnes generall of the Duke of Sauoy had prouoked the Lord Morges his nephewe to fight fiftie agaynst fiftie on horsebacke and appoynted the place which thing the Lord Diguieres vnderstanding conducted the sayd Morges vnto the place where the sayd Morges remayned with his forces readie to accept the offer from nine a clocke in the morning vntill three a clocke in the euening and at length came a Trompetter with a letter from the sayd Sonnes carying an excuse The Lord Diguieres in attending the comming of y e enemie had espied a passage néere Iallon where the enemie had entrenched himselfe and there lodged eight companies vnder the conduct of Captaine Venust and perceauing that there was no more hope of Sonnes comming to the combat appoynted he determined to spend the rest of that day in doing some exployt and to assault the sayd companyes who did lye vpon the hanging of the mountayne betweene Suze and Noualize and hauing found meanes to place one hundred Musketters who battered the enemie vpon the side of their fort the trenches of the enemie were forced and fourescore of them slayne among whom were Captaynes Venust Gassard and Charband Captayne Vilars with some other was taken prisoners and foure companies of Senton master of the Campe were so scattered that they came neuer together agayne This exployt was done the first of October This being done the Lord Diguieres returned again to Essiles and sent backe the foure Canons to Ambrun and caused two great peeces to bee drawne from Gap to Barcelona a place situated in the County of Nice and pertayning to the Duke of Sauoy hee sent his forces before to besiege the sayd Barcelona and when hee came himselfe about the eleauenth day of October and had made a breach the same day the enemie did parley and yéelded themselues with safetie of their liues leauing behind them their armour colours horses and baggage the Captaines were permitted to depart with their swords vpon an hackney The inhabitants had graunted them to enioy their goods abiding vnder the Kings obedience as the rest of his subiects vpon condition to pay sixe thousand Crownes for the army and the fraight of the Artillerie The 13. day the gouernour called Coreloere departed with three souldiers with him and as many of citizens and countrey men who repayred to their houses vnder the Kings safegard The 14. day the Lord Diguieres layd batterie before the Castle of Metans which he slenderly battered the 15. day only to view the enemies countenance But they being greatly afrayed the next night did steale away and so saued themselues except thirtie of them who were intercepted by the watch In this way of Piemont the Lord Diguieres had neuer aboue three hundred horses and twelue hundred shot and found no greater enemie then the inaccessible height of the mountaynes where ouer he was forced to passe the Canon but chiefly in his iourney to Barcelona The Citie of Grenoble in the land of Daulphine notwithstanding the truces and good entertaynment from time to time receaued of the Lord Diguieres had been seduced after the King last deceased and did hold still after for the League though not with such desperat madnes and insolencie as many others had done Now the L. Diguieres hauing well repressed the madnes chastized the rashnes and folly of the D. of Sauoy and hauing in a manner subdued and pacified that countrey forsooke the Duke of Sauoy and determined to scoure as much as he could all the remnant and ragges of rebellion out of that prouince which thing to bring to passe he thought good to begin at the head to wit the Citie of Grenoble and as by the euent which followed it seemed that he did besiege distresse that Citie which thing caused the inhabitants to consider that the Lord Diguieres had in a manner all the land of Daulphine at commaundement His power was increased and returned out of Piemont with few victories of many they weighed also how they were out of hope of any succour as well from the Duke de Mayne as from the Duke of Sauoy who being taught by the schoolemaster of fooles which is experience would not haue hereafter great lust to returne in haste into Daulphine These circumstances caused them well to consider the danger wherein they stoode which thing moued them to make a motion of peace by the which they were reduced to the dutifull obedience of their lawfull Soueraigne This peace was concluded in the suburbs of Saint Laurence by Grenoble the two and twentith of December betweene the Lord des Diguieres one of the kings priuie counsell and of estate captayne of a hundred men at armes of his Ordinances and generall of the armie leuied for the kings seruice in the land of Daulphine on the one part and the court of Parliament the commonalties of the countie and the Consuls of the same First that the exercize of the Romish Religion shall remaine frée both within the towne and suburbs thereof as hitherto it hath béen and that the Cleargie in all the prouince shall enioy the full possession of their goods in any place in the prouince vnder the kings protection Secondly that the frée exercize of the reformed Religion may be publikely celebrated within Trescloistre suburbs of the sayd citie without any let trouble or molestation Thirdly that all dwellers in the same towne that will continue therein shall personally protest and acknowledge Henrie the fourth king of France and Nauarre for their Soueraigne and shall yéeld to him the oth of fidelitie in like cases requisite in the hands of the Lord Saint Andrew president of the court of Parliament and Chastelard counsellor in the same court in the presence of the Lordes of Blemew and Calignon and vpon the same oath taken the sayd inhabitants shall bée maintayned and restored in the full and peaceable enioying of their goods offices priuiledges and franchizes Fourthly if any man of whatsoeuer calling or condition soeuer it bée shall be vnwilling to take the sayde oath and shall be desirous thereupon to departe else where hee shall be safely conducted to any place that they will go and may enioy their goods offices and dignities either by sale or by receauing their annuall fruits or stipend thereof at their choyce prouided alwayes that they enterprize nothing against the Kings seruice Fiftly that the custodie and
two thousand Harquebusiers French considered howe daungerous a thing it was to engage his armie before a towne vntill he were master of the field the enemie being farre stronger and fauoured of the countrey who on a sodaine might be assisted with a multitude of Pesants long before armed and addicted to him considering all these difficulties the sayd prince made a stay about the towne of Guingcamp as well to repayre the fortifications of the said towne as to attend the bringing of two Canons and two Culuerines drawen from Brest to Lagnon with certaine powder and munitions brought from England to Pinpoll to the ende that these things being in place of safetie the said Prince might sollow the better his other enterprizes The seauenth of Iune the Duke Merceur arriued at Corlay distant three Leagues from Guingcamp There is a Castell belonging to the Lady Guimeney sister to Boysdaulphine Lieftenaunt to the Duke Merceur they fayned as though the sayd Castell did holde for the King intending thereby to haue drawne the Prince to some disaduantage for the eight day the Castell rendred without the sight of the Canon and the gouernour remayned with the enemie From thence the Duke sent a trompeter to the Prince about certaine prisoners taken at Corlay who signified to the sayde Prince that hee had charge from the Duke to entreate him to appoynt some day and place for the battaile The Prince did greatly reioyce to heare these newes and would not returne answere by the mouth of a Trompetter which might be disanowed but by his writing signed with his owne hand in the which the said Prince least the Duke should alleage any matter either to delay or auoid the battell doth referre to him the choise of the place for the encounter so that it might be able to receaue both armies The Duke Merceur remooued from Corlay the eighth of Iune and came to Saint Giles two small leagues from Chasteau Laudran The same day also the Prince departed from Guingcamp about three a clocke in the morning and lodged that night at Chasteau Laudran where the Duke Merceur his Trompetter met him and deliuered an answer to the sayd Prince from Merceur signed with his owne hande wherein this malapert companion hauing altogether troden vnder foote all reuerence of superiority sheweth the cause of his rebellion to bee both to withstand the Prince called with lawfull vocation and an hereticall King for the defence of the holy catholike religion do assigne the thurseday next at ten of the clocke in the morning and the place most fit for that action betweene Corlay and Guingcamp The Prince to prouoke this cowardly Captaine through impaciency or otherwise to battell sheweth the causes of his comming into Britayne to be to punish him and his complices for their traiterous rebellion against the King and for the opprobrious imputations and tearmes which he geueth to the King and to him hee saith that therein he lyeth this was the ninth day Merceur hauing receaued this prouocation fell to sweare fume brag that he within three dayes would geue the Prince battell And on the ninth day of Iune beeing Wednesday dislodged and that day encamped himselfe at a Village called Quelnec a league and a halfe from Chasteau Laudran situated at the foot of a hill which by deepe ditches hedges and inclosures bordereth vppon a little Heath of two miles compasse The Prince hauing discouered the enemy mounted on horsebacke and goeth to make choise of the place for the battell findeth about three quarters of a mile from the saide Quelenec a large playne skirted with copses w t a little hill and the ground raysed with ditches aduantagious to the enemies who by three large passages might enter into the same heath The tenth of Iune the enemie within a quarter of a league of the Heath sheweth his whole army in order of battaile vpon the top of an hill The Prince on the other side put his troups in order within the heath and by the aduise of Sir Ihon Norris disposeth the same in three battails wherof the English footemen made two and the Launceknights the third that day was spent in light skirmishes wherin the Princes men followed the enemie euen into the maine of their armie The eleuenth day the enemie drew his armie to the foote of the hill and placed his artillerie vpon the side of the heath in a place of such aduantage as commaunded the whole heath and bordreth all the hedges with shotte By that time the enemie had done all these things the Princes armie marched into the heath in order of battaile and presently sent two hundred footemen to view the enemies countenaunce whome they charged put them from their hedges and barricadoes and slew diuers of them Vpon the retraite of these two hundred men the Duke put foorth fiue hundred Frenchmen and three hundred Spaniards to repossesse the places whome he followed with the great of his armie The Prince perceiuing this and remayning on the heath with the L. Hunaulday commaunding the auangard hauing his regiment of horse on the right hand and Generall Norris the Lords of Poigny Pruneaux Mommartin and Bastenay gaue order to put foorth three hundred footemen commaunded by Captaines Anthony Wingfield and Murton and the English horsemen lead by Anthony Sherly The Prince also commaunded to be drawen out of the battaillon of the Launce-knights one hundred men shot and pikes and one hundred and fiftie shot lead by the Baron Molak backed with fortie light horse conducted by the Lord Tremblay appoynted to force y e enemie from the place which they had taken All these set valiantly vpon the enemie whom they enforced to flee many were slayn and the rest saued themselues within the defence of their artillerie where the whole strength of the Spaniards with the rest of the armie was placed During this skirmish there was a great number of shot placed vnder the hedges which hauing meanes to doe hurte stoode quiet as though they had fallen asleepe or else had béen placed there onely to keepe the hedges least the Prince should come to cut them downe and cary them away In this skirmish don Roderigo chiefe marshall of the Spaniards and a Spanish captaine two hundred French Souldiers and threescore Spaniards were slaine The Lord Tremblay tooke the Lord Guebrian Colonell of the foote men of the enemie This charge did so amazethe enemie that the Princes men were suffered to disarme the dead and to leade away prisoners within ten paces of their canon and retired at their â—ase without any proffering to follow Long Lieftenaunt to Captaine Dolphin receaued in his body fiue Harquebuses shott the English men behaued themselues valiantly in that charge the residue of that day they spent in light skirmishes The twelfth day the enemie made a great shew to come foorth to battell but at last sent out some number of shot to skirmish agaynst whome Anthony Sherley with fifteene horse and few footemen made head and
part of them had béene slayne in the assaults geuen to the Cittie and how the King was strong and not like to bee enforced to depart afore hee had the vpper hand ouer the sayd Towne And vnderstanding that the Duke de Mayne was come to Han with Forces in hope to relieue the sayd distressed towne and that the Lord Rosne who led the Duke de Mayne his army towards Lorreine was returning backe to Laon in Champaygne he delayed the time of composition to see what succor they would geue But at length seeing no reliefe comming and the King vrging the towne the sayd Lord Vile concluded an agreement with the King in this maner following The Lord Vile as well for himselfe as for the Gentlemen Souldiers and inhabitants of Noyon hath promised to yeeld the sayd towne vppon monday next following being the eighteenth of August together with all the munition for warre artillerie and victualls which at this present was therein conditionally if sometime of the day the Duke de Mayne doo not giue him a battell or by force put not within the towne one thousand souldiers or by some meanes doo not raise the siege Also that the sayd Ville Gentlemen and Captains shall depart with armour horses and baggage and the Souldiers with their weapons and horse And that the inhabitants shal be receaued into the Kings fauour entreated as good subiects in rendring him their duetifull obedience but specially and namely that the Lord of Ville his mother may freely remaine there enioy her goods in performing the submission of loyall fidelitie as other subiects Item that if any of the inhabitants be desirous to depart they shal safely passe among the men of warre Item that the Lord Ville shall be permitted to send the Lord of Brouly to the Duke de Mayne to aduertise him of the condition of this capitulation and that the King shall safely conduct him to that effect And for the accomplishing of the premises the sayd Lord Ville hath promised to sende hostages to the King the Lord Rieulx the Abbot of Genlis with foure of the towne such as the King shall choose whom the King doth promise to deliuer vppon the performance of the sayd conditions The King also doth graunt to send two Captaynes into the towne to keepe and see during the time from labouring to the contrary It had pleased the most famous and renowmed Queene of England during this siege to send a new supply of men to the King to assist him in the recouering the possession of his right vnder the conduct of thâ— most honourable and famous Earle of Essex whom the King leauing his power before Noyan went to meet at Gysors in Normandy whom hee receaued in most courteous sort accepting most thankfull her most excellent Maiesties gracious fauour and the said Earle his good and readie will for hazarding himselfe in such a dangerous iourney for his seruice After the death of Frier Sixtus which was hastened by the Spanish faction with a little slubber sauce was elected a newe Vicar of Rome of the house of Sfondraty if I remember well and is as much to say as burst bellie naming himselfe Gregory the 14. This Frier Gregory being set on horsebacke will ride as the prouerbe is vntil he breake his neck First in Ianuary he sent a Legate into France agaynst whom the King procéeded as agaynst an enemie of the publique peace of his subiects and in March last the sayd Frier Gregory pronounced a Bull agaynst the King his Princes Nobles subiects and realme Then not long after it is reported that he sent certain forces mustered out of the Stewes of Rome to the Duke of Sauoy to inuade Prouance conducted by some bastard of his and that Superstition Folly iniury and wrong might goe together he must coniure and charme the Standard of holy Church as all the sort of such idolatrous Antichrists haue bin Coniurers poysoners and Sorcerers many yeares together To play this Comedie he sitteth disguised in his Pontificalibus the Standard of holy Church holden before him he hisseth he bloweth hee mumbleth he crosseth he charmeth he stinketh but behold he that did hold it rather by some presage and token of the fall of that idolatrous rabble than by negligence let the Standard fall vppon the braynesicke Frier Gregories head which not onely did beate downe his triple Crowne from of his head but also gaue a knocke vppon his foolish pate All these companies shortly after were cut to peeces and the charmed Standard taken by the Lord des Diguieres as is reported Fryer Gregorie not content with all these iniurious prouocations sent one M. Marcilius Laudrianus by name an Italian by surname a Britaine but by sawcines and desperatnes a Iesuite vnder the name of his Nuncio to publish a certayne infamous libell full of impietie heresie and sedition vnder a Maske of religion in forme of Bulls against the King his Princes Nobles subieces but specially agaynst the French popish Church which this sawcie companion enterprized to publish at Pont de Larche in Normandie whereupon the K. finding himselfe sore iniâ—ried at the hands of this tyrannous vsurper commaunded his courts of Parliament to proceede by law agaynst these iniuries and so the Kings generall attourney in his court of Parliament holden at Caen in Normandie requiring iustice to be done vnto the King his Princes Nobles and subiects The court of Parliament therefore al Chambers assembled the third day of August did proceede agaynst Fryer Gregorie his person his vsurped tyranny his Nuncio and his Bulls First they doo declare the sayde Fryer Gregorie an enemie vnto the peace of Christianitie a troubler of the Catholick Romane Religion enemie to the King and Estate of France a conspiratour and associate with the rebells within the realme and accessary to the death of the late deceased King most trayterously murthered a firebrand of sedition and stirrer vp of warres and procurer of murthers Secondly they doe condemne his vsurped power vpon the state and Church of France to be vsurped abusiue and wrongful contrary to Gods worde holy decrees and liberties of the French Church commaunding all Primates Archbishops Bishops Colledges Couents Chapters Communalties bodies of Cities Curats Parsons and seruing Priests not to acknowledge any superiority or power of the same Fryer Gregorie nor to render him any obeisance neyther to assist or fauour anie excommunications publications or readings of any thing that should proceede from him The court also dooth forbid not to pursue or receaue of him or anie other whatsoeuer qualitie or conditioÌ„ they be his complices adherents any collations confirmations or prouisions for benefices graces dispensations or other expeditions nor to answere beare or cause to be borne by way of banque or otherwise any gold or siluer to y e court of Rome neither to pay any thing or render obeisance to the Archbishops Bishops his adherents who haue put in execution any of the pretended diffamatory libell
fayled them that they durst not resist him Entring therfore without any resistance into the towne of Marans hee called the inhabitantes of both religions and told them that hee had determined to place a gentleman within the Castell to kéepe the same in obedience to the King vnder the gouernement of the King of Nauarre gouernour of Guyen for the sayd King which thing if they would refuse hee would burne all their houses into ashes And therefore bid them out of hand to chuse a gentleman of his company such as they would themselues there to commaund to the which thing some with a good will and some vnwillingly but yet all obayed There was a certaine Notary who had professed the reformed religion after a sort hee the day before the Lord Rohan his comming hauing intelligence thereof went to the Papistes from house to house warning them to stand to their defence agaynst the sayd Lord Rohan and to enter into the Castle first to let the said Lord Rohan from the entring By whose perswasions a great number of Papistes and of the most skilfull in warre with their Notary seazed on the Castell But foure Gentlemen of the reformed religion hauing gotten the tower of the gate which commaunded ouer the court of the sayd castell did threaten to shoote against all such as would presume to let the said Lord Rohan enter in or any other whom hee would place there So the Papistes with their Notary began to speake fayre and to open the gate to the Lord Sowsaye of Beauregard whom the inhabitantes had required there to commaund he entred therein with the Lord Mortaygne his brother the 15. day of Iuly and hauing receaued the oath of the inhabitants to be faythfull vnto the King vnder the authority of the King of Nauarre gouernor for the King in Guyene departed and left his brother the Lord Mortaygne there as his lieftenant Whilest these small quarrelinges did so passe at Marans we haue left the Q. Mother with her Counsellers to make the bargayne and to sell to the Leaguers the crowne of France the Kings authority and honor for as litle as they may afoord it that is gratis and for iust nothing The affayres were handled with such faithfulnes that these Counsellers as soone as they came out of their chamber went into another to sit in counsell by them selues to aduertise the Leaguers day by day of all which they had gone about and with the Q. Mother also what was the disposition from time to time to aduise the Leaguers what they should request and how farre they should yeeld at length after long changing and chopping of wordes saeuis inter se conuenit vrsis Certaine Articles are concluded at Chalons in Champaygne the twelfth day of Iuly which do consist of thrée principall pointes First that the King shall make an edict in the which hee shall graunt them all that they requested at Bloys the last yeare to wit 1584. in the assembly of the states there Also all whatsoeuer they demaunded by their declaration bearing date the last day of March and all what was required of them in their last resolution dated the tenth day of Iune at Chalons and that is as much as they would for this tyme. Secondly that leuying of armes all actions of hostility committed since by them or by their partakers or by the townes and cities of their association shall bee allowed and declared good lawfull and done for the Kinges seruice for the defence of holy Church and aduauncing of Gods glory Hereby the actions of hostility are comprehended the murthers spoils robberies ransackinges riflinges of publike or priuat thinges all rapes whoredoms villanyes committed by them of the League which all the King must thinke and publish by his authority to bee done for his seruice and the defence of the Popish Church Here is a King but badly serued Also that all iudiciall proceedinges iudgementes proscriptions condemnations and executions passed agaynst them of the League shall bee reuoked and declared voyde wrongfull and vniust Thirdly before his owne face they enforced him to deuide his kingdome among them and of a King of France for to please the League he hath made himselfe one of the thrée kinges of Colen Now followeth the good bargayne which they when the King had sent to make his market had agreed on whether it be to the kings aduantage and honor let euery man iudge Here is an other point of the Leaguers good seruice to theyr King First the Cardinall of Bourbon the new king of the Friers must bee prouided for and let him be sure that he shall haue the least part For besides the places belonging to his Bishopricke of Roan he shall haue the old castell of Deepe which no body else will haue The Duke moreouer shall haue the gouernement of Britaine and two of the strongest places that he shall name in that Prouince with the admiralty of the same The Duke of Guyze shall haue the citadel of Mets because his gouernment of Champaigne hath no places good inough for him The Duke de Mayn in his gouernment of Burgondie shall haue the castell of Dyjon or the citadell of Chalons vpon Sawne The Cardinall of Guyze shall haue Rhemes and the countrie about so much as he will The Duke Aumall shall haue the holdes of his gouernment of Picardie Wee see how the great masters be indifferently well prouided for now theyr seruantes and partakes must haue part of the kinges spoyle or else they will frowne and tell tales First the Lord Antragues shall haue Orleance The Lord D'ho shall haue Caâ—n and Constances in base Normâ—ndy The Lord Brissacke shall haue the gouernement of Anjou The Lord Saultes shal haue the gouernment of Prouance in the absence of the graund Pryor The Lord Chastre shall haue the gouernment of Bourges The Lord Vailhac shall haue the Castell trompet in Bourdeaux Mandelot Q. Mothers Scullion shall haue Lyons and the Citadel there I pray you masters hold your handes you be well if you could consider it vse him no worse then his granfather Francis the first prophecied of you lethim haue his doublet and his bréech to couer his shame But how chaunce that in your partition you haue forgotten your selues Is Poytow Xainctonge Engomoys Limosin Perigord Quercye Rowarges Viuarets Auvergne Gascoyn Languedocke Daulphine nothing woorth with you Be not these countries worth the hauing If you be such great Captaines as you would seeme to bee there you may haue occasion to make proofe of your valiantnes if your stomacke serueth you but you will say it would cost blowes and that you loue not Here gentle Reader consider the course which these lustie buddes of Charlemayne do follow they will roote the heretikes as they say out of France they will exile them and ridde the realme of France of them yet they seaze vpon the kinges Cities and Dominions and do enforce him to deuide his kingdome among them but specially they
them of the religion assoone as the Lord Tageus could returne from this exployte whome he would leaue there for the preseruation of the Citie Behold Christian Reader this noble man indued with good gifts raised vp to high degree sent out of the danger of his enemies to keepe the kings subiects in peace and iustice vnthankfull of Gods good graces doe meditate how to turne that power wisdome and graces receiued of God to persecute his Church and whilest hee is laying downe his plott God sendeth him a warning to wit murtherers to execute the rage of Gods enemies vpon him For as they concluded vpon the resolution of this warre which he purposed against the Children of God the Abbot of Elbeu sitting next vnto the doore of the closet heard the sound of a pistol shot within the wardrobe and some crying kil kill At this alarum the said Abbot ranne first to the doore nigh the closet where he found the Aulmoner of y e said Duke who had rushed in had shut vp the doore and thought it had neither lock nor boult but held the said doore with his back very pale and frighted The Abbot enquiring what it was speake softly sayd the Aulmoner there be armed men which seeke to kill my Lord. At the same instant the said Lord Espernon the Lord Mariuault and the Abbot heard two other pistolls shot in the same wardrobe with manie voyces crying kill kill comming to the said doore cryed yeeld my Lord for you are but a dead man The Abbot and Mariuault then counsailed the sayd Espernon to keep within the closet where was a second doore very narrow hard to get in At the same time the Toxin began to ring in all Churches of the Citie and they of the faction ran into the streates crying that the Hugonets had surprised the Castell and willing all men to run to succour it according to the instructions giuen by the Maior These tokens being giuen the people ran on euery side to their weapons and went toward the Castel they lodge themselues in the house next to the Castell The Maior that morning intending to bring to an end their conspiracie had perswaded them of his faction but especially 40. or 50. of the vilest and most desperat persons of all the Citie that his brother in law Southct came from the Court and had brought with him an expresse commaundement from the King both by letters and word of mouth to seaze vpon the person of the said Lord Espernon dead or aliue and to assure the citie some of them he had appoynted to run through the citie and to giue the alarum as is afore said some should seaze vpon the gates of the Castell when hee should haue entred the saide Castell and some should goe with him to execute this murther This vile traitor then head of the conspiracy entred first armed into the Castell through the great gate hauing two men booted with him which as he saide were Purseuants whom he brought to speake with the Duke and followed with ten men going vp into the hall and passing through it saluted the Lord Couplieres who sat vpon a table and thence passing through the Lord Espernon his chamber went as farre as the wardroabe supposing there to finde him and there to execute his damnable conspiracie there he met with on Raphael Gyrolamy a Gentleman Florentine Rouillard and Segnencio Secretaries and one Sorline the Kings Chirurgion The Lord Aubine one of the Kings Magistrates in the Court of Engolesme who was expressely come to aduertise the Lorde Espernon that there was some practise against him in the towne and there he stayed for his comming foorth to doo his message The Maior therefore entred as is said first of all armed with a Corselet into the wardrobe with a Pistoll in his hand ready charged and the cock downe came to Sorline first who set his hand to his sword and did hurt the Maior a little on the head Another man great and strong with a Pistoll set vpon Raphael who immediatly taking him by the coller cast him downe vppon the ground and with his sword wounded him as he did three more as they haue confessed after and beate them out of the chamber crying still my Lord is not here but being wounded with a Pistol he fell downe and then they made an end of him with their swords The others who were in the wardrobe saued themselues as they could Sorline running into the kitchen gaue the alarum to the cookes who ran with their broaches but the conspirators being in the hall and hearing the noyse in the kitchen stopped the way out of y t kitchē into the hall In the meane time while these things were dooing within the wardrobe by the Maior his partakers went about as they had receaued instructions aforehand of the Maior to seaze vpon the great gate of the Castell for to bring in the people who were already in armour but they were let by some Gentlemen who were in the Court of the Castell staying there for the Lorde Espernon his comming forth The first were the Lordes Ambleuille Beaurepayre Sobelle and others in defending of the said gate the Lord Beaurepayre was slaine with the stroake of a Halbeard the Prouost Baretes likewise and one of the gardes the Lord Clauery was hurt certaine Gentlemen entred into the said gate afore it was shut vp as Captaine Baron Artiges the Countie Brune brother in lawe to the Duke Espernon the Lords Goas Mirane Coste Emars and others They beleeued then that the Lord Espernon was dead so that being astonied and looked one vpon another they knewe not what to doo nor in whome to trust vntill that the Lords Ambleuille Myran Sobelle and Emars acknowledging one another and giuing hands with promise to dye together gathered as well Gentlemen as Souldiours of the garde close together and ran to the Chamber doore of the Lord Espernon through the which the conspiratours would haue gone forth to seaze vpon the tower of the Castell but they were let by the Gentlemen and gardes who wounded the Maior through the doore where of he fell downe they shot also against the residue of the conspiratours with these threatnings you shall dye traitors Seguencio the Secretarie whome they detayned prisoner reported that at that threatning they began to be amazed and to say among themselues we are vndone if we doo not saue our selues some where and thereupon carrying away the Maior went out through a little doore of that chamber which issued to a little paire of staires that did lead vp to a chamber nigh the tower but they were followed by the said Gentlemen and at the same time the Lord Espernon the Abbot Elbeu and the Lord Marinault who vnderstanding the voyce of Sobelle went forth of the closet with Pistolls and swordes in hand The conspirators were enforced to saue themselues in that Chamber nigh the great tower to y e which no man could go but by a