be called Lieutenant generall to his Maiestie in all his countries and territories But this was but a gouernment in paper these strong partialities of two parties shall brieflie one assaile another making great wounds within this realme from whence wee haue seene the bloud runne euen to these latter dayes This treatie did preiudice them of Guise and in the end peace must needs send them from Court to liue at home like priuate men They had in their conceits the argument of a new Tragedie the which we shall shortly see plaied vpon this Theater The Protestants multiplied and the King of Nauarre supported them openly The Prince of Condé who pursued the sentence of his iustification in the Parliament and the Admirall had preaching in their chambers This string is strained too high They publish generally that these preachings will be the ouerthrow of the ancient religion within this realme and particularly among the Duke of Guises partisans That vnder colour of rendring accounts and of extraordinary gifts they would displace them hauing managed the most important affaires of the realme for the space of fortie yeares The Constable holding for a maxime That the change of religion brings an alteration in the state begins to applaude them the Duke of Montpensier and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon Princes of the bloud of Bourbon vpon this nice point of new religion ioyne willingly with them The people conforme themselues commonly after the patterne of great men Gâ—eat personages looke awrye one on another so do the people one beares the name of Huguenot impatâ—enâ—ly an other cannot indure that of papist in truth turbulent and factions names From hence sprong diuerse mutinâ—es 〈◊〉 Beauuais Amiens Ponâ—oise and elsewhere where the weaker was forced to yeeâ—d to the stronger These new broyles caused an Edict to be made at Fontainebleau where the Câ—â—urt remayned attending the renewing of the estates intermitted prohibiting these maâ—â—a reproches of Papist and Huguenot to serch no man in his house nor to retaine any one in prison for his religon From thence the King made his voiage to â—eims and was sollemnly crowned by the Cardinall of Lorraine The Kings coronation The Parliament at Faris not able to digest this last Edict shewes vnto the King That diuersitie of religion was incompatible in an estate reiects this pretended libertie of conscience and beseeched â—â—s Maiestie to force his subiects to make open profession of the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vppon such paines as should bee aduised on in Councell Now blowes a contrarie wind the which assembles in the Parliament at Paris all the Princes Noblemen and others of the priuie Councell with all the Chambers to the end they might freely Edicts of Iuly and withall puritie of conscience deliberate aduise and conclude vpon a matter so much importing the good and quiet of the Realme This assemblie brought forth the Edict which they called of Iuly an edict confirming the decrees of former Kings commaunding his subiects vpon paine of death to liue hereafter in peace without iniuries without reproches for any respect of religion â—â—nd beleefe But see the firebrand of ciuill warres which now we handle All religion faith or doctrine other then that of the Church of Rome was banished the realme asâ—emblies of Protestants forbidden and they condemned to seeke their abode elâ—ewhere Somewhat to temper this bitternes they lymit their exile by the determination of a generall Councell or next assembly of the Prelats of the Realme at Poisâ—y And at the same instant the sentence of the Prince of Condés innocencie was pronounced in Paâ—liament by the President Baillet in their scarlet gownes the dores open and all the chambers assembled the King of Nauarre being present with the Duke of MoÌ„â—pensâ—er the Prince of Roche-sur-yon the Dukes of Guise Neuers and Montmorency the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Guise Chastillon and other noblemen his remedie reserued against whome it should appertaine as the reputation and qualitie of his person and dignitie should require The King calling the Princes and Noblemeâ— to S. Germain in Laye hee caused the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Guise to embrace each other promising to continue good friends The Parliament remitted to Pontoise hauing produced no other effect but a new approbation of the Regencie for the Queene mother in whose fauour the Admiraâ—l laboured to the Estates relying vpon the great assurances she had giuen him to procure much good for them of his partie And the King of Nauarre by reasonâ— of the refusals which the Deputies made to passe this article declared vnto them by mouth that he had renounced his right and some meanes to open the cofers of the Clergie for the payment of the Kings debts they began to proceed to the conference of Poissy For the Catholiks came the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Armagnac Guisâ—e Chastillen and Tournon Conference of Poisâ—y assisted by a great number of Prelats and Doctors of Diuinitie and Canon Law The Pope doubting least they should make some conclusions preiudiciall to his authoritie sent the Cardinall of Ferrara his Legat into France to oppose himselfe against any alteration in religion and to haue the cause referred to the Councell of Trente the which he had published Theodore Beze Peter Martir a Florentin Augustin Marlorat Francis of Saint Paul Raimond Iohn Virel and other to the number of twelue ministers and two and twentie Deputies of the Protestant Churches offer a petition vnto the King at his first entrie beseeching him that the Prelats might examine the confession of their faith whereof they had had conference since the moneth of Iune to impugne it if they thought good at their first assembly and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches A PetitioÌ„ presented by the Protestants by the mouthes of their Deputies That the King should be president in this conference with his Councell and that the Clergie for that they are parties should not take vppon them the authoritie of Iudges That all controuersies 1561. might be determined by the word oâ— God That two Secretaries chosen on either side might examine the disputations that were daylie written and that they should not bee receiued but signed by either partie Before they entred into open conference the Cardinall of Lorraine would â—eate pâ—iuatly with Beza before the Queene Mother and hauing heard him especially vpon the Lords supper I am greatly contented sayd he with that I vnderstand and hope assureâ—ly that the issue of this Conference will bee happy proceeding with mildnesse and reason It began the 9. of September The King did breefely touch the causes of this assemblie causing his Chancellor to deliuer them more at large The Cardinall of Tournon in the behalfe of the Prelats demands the Chancellors proposition in Writing A 〈…〉 the Pr testants and leysure to consider thereof the which is refused Theodore with his companions brought in by the Duke of Guise appointed to that
Chastillon comming from raysing of the seege of Aubigny which la Chastre chiefe of the League in Berry had beseeged promiseth the King that if hee will make him his Lieutenant on this side the â—iner hee will deliuer it into his power within eight daies His Maiesty giues him this Commaunde Hee makes a bridge of woode the point whereof reached vnto the breach that they might come couered to handâ—e stroakes with the enemie This newe engin amazeth them and drawes them to composition the which they obtayned on good-friday vpon condition to yeeld within eight daies if they were not releeued The Duke of Mayenne would not loose the certaine to runne after the vncertaine Hee held Chasteau-Thierry so straightly begirt as the Vicont Pinard was forced to capitulate with him before the King could come to his succour So the King lost Chasteau-Thierry and in exchange tooke Chartres a goodly and strong place There came forth about sixe hundred men with their armes horse and baggage and the 19. of Aprill the King made a triumphant entry in armes appointed a garrison â—estored Sourdis to his gouernment reduced Aulneau and Dourdan to his obedience and then went to refresh himselfe at Senlis Let vs nowe see soâ—â— other sinister accidents Charsteau Thierry lost A defeat in Prouence which in time shall helpe to ruine the League A thousand horse and eighteene hundred Harguebuziers Prouensals Sauoyards and Spaniards seeke to subdue that Prouince for the Duke of Sauoy la Vallette inuites le-Diguteres to do the King herein a notable seruice he goes and both ioyntly charge these troupes of strangers and bastard French they kill foure hundred masters and fifteene hundred 〈◊〉 take many prisoners and carrie away fifteene Enseigns winne many horses and much baggage and loose but one Gentleman and some twenty souldiars This done Les Diguieres returnes into Daulphinè Being gone the League recouers new forces in Prouence by the fauour and credit of the Countesse of Sault but shee had neyther force nor vigour able to countenance the factions of Spaine and Sauoye The Duke of Sauoye lately returned from Spaine growes iealous of 〈◊〉 intelligences preiudicall to his Estate and sets gards both ouer her and the Lord 〈◊〉 her son She is cunning counterfeits herselfe siâ—ke conceales her discontent In Poito◠〈◊〉 in the end finds means to escape with her sonne disguised to Marseilles In Poitou the gouernor of Loches hauing taken the Castell of la Guierche the Viconte of the sayd place presseth his friends inâ—eats the Duke of Mercoeur assembles all hee can to recouer his house The Baron of Roche-Posé ioyned with some other Commanders of the Country for his Maiesties seruice comes and chargeth the Vicont kills aboue three hundred gentlemen his best footemen aboue seauen hundred naturall Spaniards that were come out of Brittaine to succor the Viconte The Vicont after he had maintayned a little fight flies to a riuer by where thinking to passe in the ferry-boate the presse grew presently so great as boate and passingers â—unke La Guierche with many other gentlemen slaine or drowned did almost equall the number of the Nobility which died at Coutras Then the Princes and Noblemen Catholiks following the King did sollicit his Maiesty to turne to the Catholike religion and had by the Duke of Luxembourg sought to appease the bitternes of the Court of Rome against the estate of this realme The Dukes returne with small hope the petitions made vnto the King to prouide for his dutifull subiects of both religions to preuent the new attempts of Gregory the 14. and his adherents to the preiudice of this Crowne were the cause of two Edicts made at Mante in the beginning of Iuly the one confirmed the Edicts of pacification made by the deceased King vpon the troubles of the realme and disanulled all that passed in Iuly 1585. 1588. in fauour of the League Tâ—e other shewed the Kings intent to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion in France with the ancient rights priuileges of the French-church The Court of Parliament at Paris resident at Tours Chaalons in Champagne hauing verified these Edicts did presently disanul al the Bulls of Cardinall Caietans Legation The Popes Bull disanulled and other Bulls come from Rome the first of March proceedings excomunications and fulminations made by Marcellin Landriano terming himselfe the Popes Nuncio as abusiue scandulous seditious full of impostures made against the holy decrees Canonicall Constitutions approued Councells and against the rights and liberties of the French Church They decree that if any had beene excomunicate by vertue of the sayd proceedings they should be absolued the said Bulls and all proceedings by vertue thereof burnt in the market place by the hang-man Landriano the pretended Nuntio come priuily into the realme without the kings leaue or liking should bee aprehended and put into the Kings pryson and so to proceed extraordinarylie against him And in case he could not be taken he should be summoned at three short daies according to the accustomed manner and ten thousand frankes giuen in reward to him that should deliuer him to the Magistrate Prohibitions beeing made to all men to receiue retayne conceale or lodge the sayd pretended Nuntio vpon paine of death And to all Clergie men not to receiue publish or cause to be published any sentences or proceedings comming from him vpon paâ—ne to bee pâ—nished as Traytors They declared the Cardinalls beeing at Rome the Archbishops Bishoppes and other Clergy men which had signed and ratified the sayd Bull of excomunication and approued the most barbarous abhominable and detestable Parricide trayterously committed on the person of tâ—e sayd deceased King most Christian and most Catholike depriued of such spirituall liuings as they held within the realme causing the Kings Proctor generall to seize thereon and to put them into his Maiesties hand forbidding all persons eyther to carry or send gold to Rome and to prouide for the disposition of benefices vntill the King should otherwise decree That of Tours added this clause to their decree they declared Gregory calling himselfe Pope the foureteenth of that name an enemie to peace to the vnion of the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church to the King and to his Estate adhering to the conspiracy of Spaine and a fauorer of rebells culpable of the most cruell most inhumane and most detestable Parricide committed on the person of Henry the 3. of famous memory most Christian and most Catholike The Parliament of the League did afterwards condemne and cause those decrees to 〈◊〉 burnt at Paris which were made against the Bulls and ministers of the 〈…〉 So one pulled downe what an other built vppe During this contrarieâ—y of Parliaments there falls out a crosse to diuide the intentions of the Spanyard and Lorraine without the realme and of the Dukes of Mayenne and Nemours at Paris Euery one by diuers practises affected this Crowne and euery one tryed all his wittes to set
soueraigne Lord. The 26. of August Peter Barriere borne at Orleans was taken prysoner at Melâ—n where his maiesty was then by the discouery of a Iacobin a Florentine Execution of Peter Barriere to whome he had confessed himselfe in Lions the Preest reuealing this crime incurres no Ecclesiasticall Censure He confessed That seduced and perswaded by a Capuchin of Lions and afterwards confessed by Aubry Curate of Saint Andrew des Acts at Paris by his vicar and by father Varade a Iesuite hee was come thether expresly to murther the King And in truth the wretch was found seized of a sharpe knife with two edges and for this cause hee was pinched with hot pincers his right-hand burnt off holding the sayd knife his armes legges and thighes broken and his bodie burnt to ashes and cast into the riuer Reuolt at Lions against the Duke of Nemours Whilest the Agents of Spaine labour for this election and their partisans doting do as the frogges who weary of their quiet King made choise of the Storke who in the ende deuoured them all the Duke of Nemours made his faction apart and seeing that by the nomination of these goodly Estates hee should be excluded from his pretensions knowing moreouer that his brother on the Mothers side did crosse all his desseines and bare him no good affection hee resolued to canton himselfe in his gouernment and by many and sundrie fortes both on the water and on the land to plant his fortunes there Already the Citadells and fortes he held a Toissay Vienne Montbrison Chastillon in Dombes Belleuille Tisy Charlieu and else where threatned all Lionois with seruitude if the Lord of Saint Iulian would haue sold him Quirieu for readie money whome in the ende thrust on by the perswasions and presence of their Arch-bishop sent by the Duke of Mayenne with this Comisson among others they force in his house and the 18. of September put him with a gard into a straight prison in the Castell of Pierreancise from whence in the ende disguised playing the part of a grome of the Chambe which carryed forth the excrements of his master he passed through the gardes turning away his face more for feare of beeing knowne then for the ill smell and escaping from them the three and twentith of March following being dispossessed of all his meanes and expelled from his places hee went and died in Anecy a house of his owne in the County of Geneue in Sauoye not without suspition of beeing poysoned at a feast that was made him This generall surceasing of armes prolonged vnto the ende of the yeare and religioâ—sly obserued on eyther side Assembly at Mante brought a great quiet to France gaue the kiâ—g leâ—sure to assemble some of the chiefe of the realme at Mante to consult vpon sundy affaires and particularly to heare the complaintes of such as stoode in doubt of the Kings change in religion and were greeued at diuers contrauentions of his Maiesties Edicts 1553. whereby they suffred many wrongs in all Prouinces for the partisans of Spaine for their last refuge continually exclaymed of the incompatibility of two religions in France and many inclyned to this opinion That the King ought not bee admitted but he should promise expresly to banish al such as made profession of any other religion then that which hee did imbrace or at the least to abolish all publike profession But the King imployed all his care to vnite his people in concord and this new change did nothing alter the affection which hee did beare indifferently to all as a common father of his subiects Thus armes were layd aside whilest the Lord of Les-Degiueres hauing beaten the Sauoyard in diuers incounters in Prouence in Daulphinè vpon the fronters and in Sauoye vpon his owne land conquered many places in Piedmont and lately succored Cauours which the Duke had beseeged two monthes gaue great hope to force this neighbour enemy soone to yeeld what hee had lately vsurped of this Crowne if hee had beene supplied with men munition and money and if some priuate seeds of newe combustions had not drawne him away to quench those fires which threatned to consume Prouence By what meanes and degrees the townes subiect vnto the League returned to the obedience of this Crowne and the Spaniard chased out of the Realme BVT courage oh my Countrymen After a long and sharpe winter wee begin to feele a pleasant spring Preparatiâ—s of obedience to the King As the sunne rising on his horizon increaseth in heate and brightnesse so the people are readie to imbrace the French liberty their natural affection to their lawfull Prince reuiues nowe wee shall see them which made the wound giue the remedie the French striue now to submit themselues vnto their King and the King to receiue his subiects with an admirable clemencie and fatherly affection The Lord of Vitry giues the first checke to the Spaniards The sundrie conferences he had had with his Maiesty before Paris and else where do now worke a great effect Meaux begins Orleans and Bourges second it for deliuering the towne of Meaux to the King as a New-yeares-gift he gaue a plausible beginning to this yeare and made the way for the Lord of la Chastre his Vncle to bring vnto his Maiesty two goodly Duchies at once of Orleans and of Berry Some townes practised by the heads of the League demand a continuance of the truce but it was onely to prolong the miseries of France The King therefore doth publish a declaration shewing the wicked and damnable practises of the Leaguers who vnder the continuance of a truce would confirme their tiranny He prescribes to all in generall one moneth of respit to acknowledge their lawfull King and to performe all necessary submissions to be restored to their charges benefices goods and liberties Hee condemnes the rebells and reuoakes his pardon the time beeing expired The brute of this declaration and the Kings preparatiues to punish the obstinate terrefied the heads and the most part of the townes and Comonalties yet he was content to hold the staffe but not to strike and the prouidence of God conducted the worke of this restauration by other then violent meanes The Duke of Mayenne sought all meanes to auoide this blowe but he had no forces able to preuent it So this vnion câ—â—ented togither with so many shiftes oathes and coniurations is dismembred on all sides the most obstinate apprehend their totall ruine if they persist in their rebellion 1554. The Kings Coronation THere was one thing very necessarie to seale the generall approbation of the Kings lawfull authoritie Hee was not yet anoynted nor Crowned and the want hereof as if his Coronation were the essentiall forme of a royaltie serued yet as a maske to many to withhold their obedience It is good in some things to please the peoples humor and doubtlesse the end will shew that this solemne action did serue as a bright Lanterne to
in the mildnesse of his gouernment and that the common feeling of so many miseries which they had suffered and which had continued together should perswade them to grow familiar and friendly together and to haue no more occasion to remember things past then his Maiestie had meaning to remember his owne wrongs Warre is not dead in an Estâ—te whereas Consciences are diuâ—ded it doth but sleepe a small matter awakens it there is nothing more apprehensiue or that doth pierce more violently into the perswasion of Men to bandâ—e them one against another then Religion Euery man thinkes his owne the better and so iudgeth of it more by his owne Zeale and Passion then through Knowledge and Reason The King during the Warre had runne to those things which did most presse him and to the dangers that did most import he had deferred to reconcile this diuision being grieued in his Soule that the impietie of the Warre would not suffer him to make shew of the fruites of his Pietie They of the Reformed Religion made many and great complaints that the Kings Edicts were not obserued nor kept that they were not prouided of all things necessarie for the exercise of their Religion the Liberty of their Consciences Complaints oâ— them of the Religion and the safetie of their Persons and Fortunes They sayd moreouer that they desired not that the order of gouernment of State should bee changed to their profit or of any forraine Prince nor to haue the State torne in peeces to please the Ambition of some fewe Men but onely to enioy their Consciences with Peace and their liues in safetie That so many iust requests being granted vnto them by the Edicts of Kings Predecessors to his Maiestie demanded and defended by himselfe with so great Zeale Vertue had not been hearkened vnto vnder his raigne when as they should best hope and vnder whom and had it not been for the affection which they had vnto his Greatnesse and the foundation which they laied on his good will towards them they might lawfully and profitably haue practised the wayes which they were forced to hold vnder Kings his Predecessors But they could not despaire any thing of him whom God by the Protection of his Church had brought vnto the succession of the Crowne nor obtaine lesse then Libertie and Liâ—e hauing spent their blouds so freelie for him They complained that Preaching was banished from his Maiesties Court to banish them consequently from his house where they could noâ— serue him without seruing of God No good man might remaine there but hee was dayly in danger of murthering or to bee hurt without hope of comfort or assurance of grace That they practise dayly to exclude them of the Religion from all Charges and Offices in the State 1599. Iustice Treasurâ—â—nd Pollicie which they did neuer greatly affect Exclusion froÌ„ publike charges shamefull No man is held a Cittâ—zâ—Ì„ if he be not partaker of the honors of the Cittie as his Maiestie can best witnesse They beseech him to iudge if it be reasonabâ—e they should doe wrong vnto their Children to depriue them by their dulnesse to be held in future ages for Iewes within the Realme in steed of the honorable ranke which their progenitors had left them and which their seruice done vnto his Maiesty should haue purchased them That it was more tollerable to liue vnder the truce of the deceased King who was an enemie to their profession yet he did grant vnto them the exercise of their Religion both in his armie and in his Court allowed the Ministery at his owne charge and gaue them a Towne of retreate in euery Bayliwike With these and such like complaints the King was daily importuned the end of all these assemblies was to obtaine an Edict from the King so cleere and plaine concerning all their necessities as they should not be constrained to sue for any other as they did not cease vntill the King had signed it the last yeare being at Nantes after that hee had reduced that Prouince vnto his obedience conteining a Declaration of the Edicts of Pacification of the troubles growne in France for matter of Religion the which was not established in the Court of Parliament at Paris The last Edict for religion at Nantes in April 1598. vntill the 25. of February this yeare 99 by reason of many oppositions and difficulties that were made At Saint Germaine in Laye Berthier one of the Agents for the Clergie made many petitions vnto his Maiestie and did greatly importune the Lords of the Councell to consider of it In like sort the Bishop of Mâ—dena who was then the Popes Nuncio in France dealt in it beseeching the King so to deale for his Subiects that were gone astray as the honour of God might â—emaine whole and the Church receiue no preiudice In so doing his Holinesse would endure all things for the peace of Franâ—e Berthier demanded that his Maiestie would not suffer the Ministers of the Reformed Religion to haue any other libertie on this side the Riuer of Loire but to liue quietly and not to bee sought after That the Catholike religion should bee generally restored in all places and Churchmen doe their offices without any danger And thirdly that the Clergie men should be wholy freed from the vexations which they had suffred vntill that day in Townes and Places held by them of the Religion where they had taken away their Pensions and Reuenues and in some Prouinces had forced them His Maiestie granted the second and third Article and as for the first the King not being able to make any such prohibition without some trouble it was let alone There was also great conteâ—tion in particular betwixt the said Berthier and some of the Reformed Religion touching the Assembly of their Synods the which they would haue free without demanding leaue from his Maiestie maintaining that they might go freely into forraine Countries Contestation touchinâ— their 〈◊〉 with Strangâ—rs and assist at their Synodes and other Actes and in like sort receiue Strangers into theirs the which the Marshall Bouillon had managed with some who perhaps had not foreseene the danger but Berthier contested it so vehemently against the Marshall in the Kings presence as his reasons being heard and the importance of the thing considered that it was a meanes to continue their Leagues and Intelligences with Strangers to bee ready to take Armes at their pleasures the which could not bee but with the ruine of the State The King hauing heard by their Contestations finding of what importance it was hee presently caused that Article touching forraine Synodes to bee razed forbâ—dding them expreslie to go to any Assemblies without his permission vpon paine to be declared Traitors The Rector for the Vniuersitie of Paris was also a sutor vnto his Maiestiâ—s Councell that none of the Reformed Religion nor their Schoole-maisters and Tutors might bee admitted into any Colledges of the Vniuersitie but to bee excluded
from all priuileges Wherevpon there was great debate especially for the facultie of Physicke But it was answered that they should not bee admitted to teache and as for Humanitie and professions of Faculties they should bee admitted as the rest And although the difficulties were great and the conditions in some cases more beneficiall then in the first treaties of Peace yet the common quiet of all France beaten and almost ouerthrowne with the tragicke violence of Schismes and Diuisions hath made all to be held Necessary that was Iust and Iust whaâ—soeuer was Profitable Although it were to be wished that there were but one exercise of Râ—ligion for that in this Vnitie consists all Truth But seeing the restauration of the Church is the worke of God as well as the building of it wee must bee content with that which may bee and leaue the triumph and conquests of Soules to his eternall VVisedom who alone makes and frames the heart as he pleaseth Our consâ—ieâ—ces sâ—ould be free and giues the signe vnto so many Soules that are gone astray to make them enter into saluation being impossible for man to impose any necessitie to things which God hath left in Libertie as the Conscience the which should be as free in Estates as in our Thoughts The Church hath alwayes detested Heresies but they neuer imployed the rigour of their iudgements but against the Arche Heretikes and but when they had shewed themselues obstinate in their errors their punishments were more Shamefull then Cruell more Medicinall then Mortall desiring rather to see their faces blush for shame theâ— redde with bloud Neuer Prince well aduised did put his Subiects to death to force beleefe destroyed his Prouinces by warre to instrâ—ct their Consciences by the sword knowing well that Religion is an acte of Vnion of Concord and of Instruction and VVarre is nothing but Sedition and Destruction And those which in this world haue troubled both Heauen and Earth to force their Subiects Consciences vnto one Religion haue in the end beene constrained and forced to suffer them to liue free and in rest reiecting and refusing the aduise of those bad Physitians who applyed nothing but Antimonie and letting of bloud to all Diseases By these reasons the King in whose person God hath done so many Miracles and powred forth a Sea of blessings seeing that the continuance of the VVarre had produced no other fruites but the ruine of Iustice and Pietie Pieâ—ate Iustiâ—ia Pâ—incipes diâ—fâ—unt which be the two vertues which doe canonize Princes the two Pillars vpon whose firmenesse great Clouis was assured of the continuance of this Estate hee doth now confirme the Edict of Pacification of the troubles for matters of Religion and willes that which hee may leasâ— hee should incurre the note of such as seeke to correct things that are incorrigible and shew that the sore is greater then the remedy that some things haue taken such deepe roote as they cannot bee pulled vp Time Trueth and Reason haue prooued that this Edict was most Iust most Necessarie and most Profitable Yet the Court of Parliament could not allowe of this â—raternitie and Communication of Offices saying That they should not bee transported with the ambition of Honours The Court of Parliament opposeth against the Edict but content themselues with the tranquillitie oâ— Conscience that it is not conuenient in one estate to haue great Offices executed by men of diuers Religions being a thing vniust to haue the New intreated as well as the Ancient They found a great difference betwixt this Edict and the Precedent and refused to establish it The King sent for the chiefe of them and spake vnto them in this manner You see mee in my Cabinet where I come to speake vnto you The Kingâ— speech to the Court of Parliament not attired in any Royall ornaments nor with Cloake or Rapier as my Predecessors nor as a Prince that comes from receiuing of Ambassadors but apparrelled like a Father of a Familie in his Dublet and Hose to speake familiarly to his Children That which I haue to say vnto you is to desire you to establish the Edict which I haue granted to them of the Religion That which I haue done is for the good of the Peace I haue made it without I desire to settle it within my Realme You ought to obey mee if there were no consideration but my qualitie and the bonde whereby all my Subiects are tyed vnto mee and you especially of my Court of Parliament I haue restored some to their houses from whence they were expelled and others to their credit which was lost If obedience was due to my Predecessors there is as much or more deuotion due vnto me who haue setled the State God hath made choise of mee to put mee in possession of the Realme which is mine owne both by succession and acquisition The Iudges of my Parliament should not sitte in their seates but for mee I will not bragge but I dare boldly say that I haue no example to imitate but of my selfe I know there haue beene factions in the Parliament that they haue stirred vp seditious Preachers But I will take good order for such people and will not attend your pleasures In former times they haue punished them with great seueritie that haue preached lesse seditiously then they doe now It is the course they tooke to make the Barricadoes and by degrees to murther the deceased King I will cutte vp all these Factions by the rootes and will shorten all them that shall nourish them I haue leaped ouer Towne Walles I will easily passe ouer Barricadoes They should not obiect vnto mee the Catholicke Religion nor the respect of the Holy Sea I know the dutie which I owe the one as the Most Christian King and the Honour of the name which I carry and the other as the first Sonne of the Church Those which thinke themselues to bee in good termes with the Pope are deceiued I am more then they When I shall vndertake it I will make you all to be declared Heretikes for disobeying of me The Maiestie of Kings is alwayes wronged by the contempt of their decrees but the offence is alwayes greater when it comes from them that should see them to bee obserued Those which deny the execution of my Edicts desire Warre I will Proclaime it to morrow against them of the Religion A Prince giues no reason of his Edict but I will not make it my selfe I will send them I haue made the Edict I will haue it obserued my will should serue for reason the which is neuer demanded of the Prince in an obedient State Their wills should bee put in execution and not interpreted And yet I say vnto you that Necessitie and Profit hath drawne me vnto it I haue done it by the aduice of all my Councell who haue found it good and necessarie for the estate of my affaires and the good of my seruice to
his Cradle and passed happily through many perillous difficulties To great 〈◊〉 hurâ—ull to an estate A happy and a wise Prince But as humane things are subiect vnto variety so we may say that the French Monarchie reuiued and died in him And at his death sprong vp the soueraigne authority of the Maires of the Pallace the which grewe to that greatnesse as they dispossessed this race of the Crowne It was Clotaires intent to gratifie his subiects and to ease the succeeding Kings but in effect it was a meanes to haue many Kings and to make the lawfull contemptible setting the seruant in the maisters place In truth as it is most daungerous in an estate to giue too much authority to a seruant so is it most certaine that the slothfullnesse and dissolutenes of these last Kings was a ladder whereby our Mayres mounted to this greatnesse to their ruines The which succeeded by degrees vnder the respect of the Kings name for from that time of Clotaire vnto the last King of this race are 120. yeares Pepin grandfather to that Pepin who was the first King of the second race was Maire of the Palace and began first to deale absolutely in the gouernment of the realme The lenity of Clotaire is also noted by another error for hee tooke so great liberty to do what he list without order as his subiects wold do the like And by this contempt of the lawe the King grew contemptible being not well obeyed in his age the which bred great quarrels betwixt great and small who shewed no great respect neither to King nor Iustice. In this Estate died Clotaire leauing Dagobert for his successor the yeare 632. DAGOBERT the first 633. the XI King of France DAGOBERT KING OF FRANCE XI DAGOBERT the first of that name tooke possession of this great Monarchie without any controuersie Some write that he had a brother called Aribert to whome he gaue for his portion all the Countrie on this side Loire but dying without children it returned to him againe At his coming to the Crowne he found great difficulties amongst his Subiects being bred vp without Iustice vnder the long libertie of ciuill warres and the lenitie of Clotaire whereto he prouided wisely reducing Iustice fortifying it by his authoritie with so good a moderation as no man was offended at his too great seueritie neither durst any man attempt against the lawes seeing both the reine and the rod in the hands of their lawfull Prince Thus hee pourchased the commendation of a good and wise King and peace to his people by their obedience to iustice To this good order he added profession to loue holy things and the better to confirme this opinion in his subiects minds hee built and inriched many Temples especially that of Saint Denis the which since hath bin the sepulchre of our Kings There were great numbers ofIewes in France the which were hurtful to the Realme he banished them by a perpetual Edict out off the territories vnder his obedâ—eÌ„ce But this zeale of religion was polluted with the foule blot of Adulterie which made him infamous both to subiects and strangers Amand Bishop of Paris admonished him of his fault but Dagobert impatient thereof banished him Pepin his Maire continued so in this reprehension that although Dagobert were moued and threatned to banish him yet in the end hee yeelded to reason by the vertuous constancie of Pepin and hauing dismissed many of his lewd followers he calls home Amand. An example for Princes seruants for the one to continue firme in their duties for the other to yeeld to reason Dagobert subdued the Gascons that were reâ—olted 645 brought the 〈◊〉 to obediâ—nce suppressed the Sclauons established the Realme of Austâ—asia and gaâ—e seasonable succours to the King of Spaine against the Saracens This is the sum of hiâ— armes led by Pepin â—hilest that he liued at his pleasure in his chamber amongst his woâ—en or in his monasterie at his deuotion He had two sons Sigebert and Clouâ—s Hauing assembled the Estates in great â—â—lemnitie he declared that he had ordeined Sigebert to be king of Austrasia and Clouâ—s King of France preferring the yonger before the eâ—der without any controuersie He gaue them likewise gouernours by reason of their yong ages And so he died in the yeare of grace 645. hauing raigned 14. yeares without any trouble A Prince to be numbred amongst the most worthy but for this blemish of incontinencie Thus vpon the facilitie of Clotaire the voluptuousnes of Dagobert layed another dangerous stone in the foundation of a new royaltie the which vnaduisedly they built for their seruants to their Childrens cost CLOVIS the second the 12. King of France The first of the idle Kings CLOVIS .2 KING OF FRANCE XII NOw wee take the declining of the hill to seeke the last of these Kings beneath in the valley who had nothing royall but the race the name and the habiliments hauing resigned their Maiestie authoritie and power into the hands of their Maires It shall bee sufficient to set downe their names the dates of their reignes and the continuance of their race vntil a more vigorous royaltie come to take his turne Hereafter in this first race you shall see our Kings but once a yeare the first day of May The manners of thâ—se idle â— Kingâ— in their Chariots deckt with flowers greene and drawne by foure oxen Who so hath occasion to treat with them let him seeke them in their chambers amidst their delights Let him talke of any maters of state he shal be sent to the Maire who deales with al that coÌ„cernes the state he opens packets makes answeres without any counsel but his owne He heares the complaints of subiects 646 and giues audience to Ambassadors of foraine Princes Hee ordereth all as it pleaseth him Hee giues reuokes dischargeth contracts ordeines makes Edicts and disanulls them To conclude hee frees his master from all trouble to impose it on him selfe But we shall see to what end he labours thus and why hee hath taken on him the authoritie and purse of his master Let vs now speake something of our Clouis Clouis then remaines in France a peaceable King and Sigebert his elder brother retires himselfe to his Realme of Austrasia according to Dagâ—bert their fathers decree This accord was embraced by two brethren of a good and mild disposition and was maintained wisely by their mother Nantilde and their Tutors A notable example of rare loue betwixt two brethren especially in great diuisions and the iealousie of mothers who do often support one child against another Clouis had marâ—ied a gentlewoman of Saxony named Baudour a woman of a good and holy life and much giuen to deuotion as the Abbaâ—e of Shelles S. Baudour with other foundations do witnes Whilest that she busied her selfe in her deuotion and to build monasteries Clouis laboured to confound his mind drowning it in the floud of his voluptuousnes Yet they obserue
sweete Liquor of his insatiable reuenge A notable obseruation for treacherous and reuenging spirits who are then vanquished when they thinke to bee Conquerors Thierri a King in shewe is a spectator of these Tragedies as of a game at tables of his diuers Maiors which play at leuell coyle vntill that Pepin gets it and enioyes it onely with the Soueraigne gouernment of the French Monarchie Pepin during the confusions of these raigns had beene in Austrasia and purchased great credit with all men so as he was held worthy of this great charge the which he gouerned with so great wisdome and valour as hauing settled France in a peacefull Estate he had purchased more credit authority among the French then the King himselfe In the ende Thierri dies in the yeare 693. hauing raigned 19. yeares leauing Clouis and Childebert his Children for a witnesse that he had liued but in effect Pepin and his for the true heires of the Realme CLOVIS the third the 16. King of France CLOVIS .3 KING OF FRANC XVI BEing the eldest sonne of Thierri he raigned foure yeares and dyes without name and without children 693 to whom succeeds his brother CHILDEBERT the second the 17. King of France CHILDEBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVII WHO raigned 17. yeares 700. and dies in the yeare 718. hauing left two Sonnes Dagobert and Clotaire of like humour to himselfe DAGOBERT the second the 18. King of France DAGOBERT .2 KING OF FRANCE XVIII 719. HE raigned foure yeares and left two Children Chilperiâ— and Thierri with no better memorie then the rest So there passed fortie and foure yeares during which time Pepin had good meanes to fortifie his authority the which was in effect absolute by the negligence or rather idlenesse of these Kings who made a necessary way to newe desseins by their voluntary suffrance to incroach vpon their authority Pepin well acquainted with the humour of the French naturally bent to loue their Princes did not openly despise his masters but excused their weake dispositions not capable of much paine representing the heauie burthen of a great Estate and that the honour to gouerne iâ— is a trouble which costes deere He setled an impression in the Frenchmens mindes That those onely were worthie to bee Kings that knewe howe to gouerne So without any infinuating speech the ordinarie seruices hee did to the realme mayntayning â—t in peace his great prâ—fession to loue religion Iustice and the peâ—ple whose â—ase hee was wonderfull carefull of did recommend him to all men and the good turnes he did to all persons by reason of his charge did daylie purchase him many friends and seruantâ— Doubtlesse as it is as great policie to bee a good man so is there no small dexterity in the tâ—king of Citties and Countries by the hearts of men Thus Pepin layed the foundation and his successors finished the perfect building of a newe gouernment A lesson for our Kings to haue a care howe they referre the charge of affaires to their seruants Read and iudge O yee Kings and to whome they trust and howe This example doth verifie that they were better to be more careful and take more paines then to disroabe themselues of this great authority the which makes them not only eminent aboue all men but carries as it were a tipe of the Maiestie of God in the gouernment of the world 718 whereof they must yeeld him an account and not loose that by base cowardlinesse which they should mainteine by vertue But let vs returne to Pepin â—ee made great shewe to loue religion and vpon this cause he makes warre against Râ—bod Duke of Fâ—ise a pagan whome hee conquered and forced to receiue the Christian religâ—on â—ith all â—is subiects He restored Lambert Bishop of Traict to his dignity beeâ—ng expelled by â—broin and confined into a Monastery finally he infinitly fauored all that tended to the seruice of God and one of his chiefest cares was to aduance them that had châ—â—ge ouer the Church whose loues he had so purchased by this good vsage as they soone requited him causing the people to loue him with whome such as rule their consciences haue great authority This was a point of state as much as of deuotion He also made proofe of his valour in diuers sorts reducing the people of Germany on either side the â—hin to the obedience of the French who began to mutine and so restored the beautie of the realme of Austrasia He was carefull to maintaine Iustice and imbraced the people no waies oppressing them with any new impositions In the meane time he was not carelesse of himselfe and his Children He commaunded absolutely beeing armed with the authority of his Soueraigne neither was there any appeale from him vnto the King Hee had two sonnes by Plectrude Drogon and Grimoald he gaue Champagne to Drogon and after his death hee caused his sonne to succeede him with the title oâ— a Duke In the beginning he gaue the offices of great Master and generall of the Treasure to Nordebert his deere friend but after his death he inuested his owne sonne Grimoald in those places Pepin incontinent But as the vanitie of man transports it selfe beyond the lymits of respect it chanced in the end that Pepin forgat himselfe in his prosperity for not satisfied with Plectrude his lawfull wife hee fell in loue with a gentlewoman named Alpaide by whome he had one Bastard which shal be verie famous in the course of this historie vnder the name of Charles Martel and as the mischiefe encreased hee puts away Plectrude and marries Alpaide Lambert Bishop of Traict admonished him of this fault but he suffred Alpaide to cause him to be slaine by her brother Dodon who soone after â—elt the punishment of this bloud for being strooke with a disease of wormes not able to endure his owne stench he cast himselfe headlong into the riuer of Meuze Grimoald the sonne of Pepin following his fathers example abandoned himself to strange women disdayning his wife But this adultery was decre to them both for Grimoald too familiar with one named Rangare sonne in lawe to Rabod Duke of Frisâ— was slaine with him by a iust iudgement of God hauing taught him so filthy a trade to abâ—ndon himselfe to strumpets and to reiect his wife Pepin was so perplexed for the death of his sonne as hee died for greefe and choller against Rabod the author of this murther Thus both he and his sonne reaped the fruits of their adultery Vpon his deathbed he ordayned Charles his Bastard to succeed him in the gouernment of the realme but Plectrude imbracing this occasion Charles Martel bastard to Pâ—pin vpon the death of her husband and well supported by her kinsfolkes causeth Charles to be taken and put in pryson at Cologne and aduanceth Thibauld the sonne of Drogon her owne sonne and Pepins to the gouernment although in effect she vnder his name gouerned all the affaires of state This
found out very fit to accompanie him Boniface had ill intreated the Colonois one of them named Sciarra flying the Popes furie and seeking some rest had beene taken by Pirats and redeemed by a friend of his at Marseilles and so brought into France The pride of man is to bee abated saith Platina They could not choose a more fit instrument to tame his arrogancie who presumed to controul Kings and to depriue them of their Estates as Platina saith The pretext of Nogarets voyage to Rome was apparent to signifie Philips appeale from the Pope vnto a Councel to find the means to leuie meÌ„ vnder hand for at that time the Realme of Naples obeyed the French whither Philip had conueyed 60. thousand Crownes by the banke of the Petrucri Marchants of Florence to furnish this leuie The Pope was retired from Rome to Anagnia a Towne of Abruzzo where he was borne by reason of the troubles at Rome whereas the Gibilin faction was growne the stronger There were likewise in Anagnia many corrupted by the siluer of France by such meanes as Sciarra gaue vnto Nogaret so as hauing drawne in 300. Frenchmen well armed and woone many of the Cittizens vnto him the Castell whereas Pope Boniface was lodged was seazed on and at the same instant the Cittie gates with that terror which doth vsually amaze men surprised Anagnia seated on and taken by the French Then the French crie the Cittie is wonne No man dares appeare In this confusion the Castell gates being seized on by French souldiars Felix of Nogaret being armed accompanied with Sciarra Colonois and many others enters the Pallace-hall with their naked swords Boniface is not much amazed but hastely attyres himselfe in his Pontificall roabs and presents himselfe vnto his enemies Nogaret begins to say vnto him The good and noble King of France hath sent me hither to tell thee that hee appeales from thee to the Councell But the Pope hauing not the patience to attend the end Thy Grandfather sayd hee condemned for the heresie of the Albigeois was iustly punished by fire a worthy reward for his wickednes before God and man I doe not therefore wondâ—r if I bee thus traterously surprised by thee an heretike but I willingly beare what happened to that good Pope Siluerius Nogaret replyes I will lead thee then to Lions where a Councel shal iudge of thy abuses But as Boniface would haue replied Sciarra more hardy then Nogaret gaue him a great blow with his gantelet on the face which made him to bleed much The Pope cried and he stroke againe so as Nogaret hauing no commission to proceed so farre drew him out of the Colonoises pawes 1394. and hauing retired him into his Chamber howling and blaspheming like a desperate man he led him to Rome But Boniface through this accident entred into so cruell a frenzie Boniface dyes like a madde man as hee gnawed and eate his owne hands and so died pitiously the 35. day after to whom the common report registred in Histories made this Epitaph He entred his Popedome like a Fox he raigned like a Lion and dyed like a Dog Platina addes this Commentarie Thus dyed Boniface The dâ—spoâ—â—ion of 〈◊〉 Boniface who laboured to keepe the consciences of Emperours Kings Princes and generally of all men in awe more by terror then by religion who sought to giue and take away Kingdomes to expell and restore Princes at his pleasure most greedie to gather gold by what meanes soeuer Let Princes therefore both spirituall and temporall learne to gouerne their Clergie and subiects not arrogantly with insolencie and outrage as this of whom we speake but holily and modestly as Christ our King his Disciples and followers who desired to be loued not feared whence iustly proceeds the ruine of tyrants Hee writes also of him That hee nourished deuisions among the â—talians and especially betwixt the Geneuois and the Venetians Behold the testimonie of Platina and the Catastrophe of the Tragedie which Pope Boniface the eight had plotted to ruine the King and his Realme Philip aduertâ—sed of the heauie end of him who had practised to ruine both him and his estate presently sendes his Ambassadors to the Colledge of Cardinals being much amazed with this accident protesting that hee gaue no such commission to Felix of Nogaret to whom notwithstanding he gaue in recompence the Baronie of Caluisson in Vaunage neere vnto Nismes but onely to intimate to Pope Boniface his appeale from him vnto the Councell desiring them to expect all friendship and succour from him The Cardinals reuiued from their great amazement by this kinde message from Philip stood yet long irresolute in the election of a new Pope fearing to do any thing vnpleasing vnto the King In the end they choose one Nicholas a Cardinall who had assisted Philips Cosins in the voyage of Hungarie famous among the Popes by the name of Benedict the 11. He reuoakes the excommunication giuen ouâ— by Boniface against Philip and his people The Colledge of Cardinals aâ—ply themselues wholy to please Phiâ—â—p and restores the priuiledges of the Vniuersitie of Paris whereof hee had depriued them in disdaine of Philip but hee liued not long and the Cardinals desire was to accomodate themselues wholy to the Kings will they therefore by a generall consent choose Clement borne at Bazadois in Gasconie of the house of the Vicounts of Tartas and Lord of Vseste where hee built a goodly Castell called Villandrant as the Lord of Haillan doth testifie an vnreproueable witnesse being of that Countrie This Clement was the first of seuen French Popes which held the Sea one after another vnto Vrbain the 6. vnder whom the Italians recouered it againe with much trouble These seuen Popes were Clement the fift a Goscon Iohn 23 of Cohors in Quercy Benedict the 12. a Tholousan Clement the 6. Innocent the 6. Vrbain the 5. Gregorie the 11. all foure Limosins one after another Such power had this proceeding of our Philip. Clement the 5. being chosen Pope he came into France and the King receiued him at Lions The Pope Crowned at Lions accompanied with the Kings of England and Arragon in great pompe The Pope was on Horseback and the King with his two brethren on foote holding the reynes of his horse Hee was Crowned in the Temple of Saint Iust where they had built a great Theater for so goodly a spectacle but the presse of people was so great as the scaffold brake and the multitude fell one vpon another The Pope Kings Princes and Noblemen were all on a heape and the Scaffold fastened to an old wall pulled it downe so as the King was hurt in the head the Pope in the foote and the Duke of Britaine slaine with a great number of Noblemen and coÌ„mon people that were smothered vnder these ruines The Popes Crowne fell from his head into the presse 1305. where he lost an Carboncle valued at sixe thousand Florins of gold
euent answered the proiect and by an admirable meanes the which ruined Peter through his owne folly This tyrant growne proud by the wishfull successe of the English forces makes no regard to satisfie the Prince of Wales for the charges of this warre although the successe were for his good but busying himselfe to take reuenge of such as had risen against 〈◊〉 he contemned such as had succoured him yea treading all pietie vnder foote he allyed himselfe with the King of Belle-marine a Sarasin and marrying his daughter he abiured the Christian Religion holding the neighbourhood of so mighty a King Peter forsakerâ— by the English is taken prisoner to be more certaine and profitable then all the forces of England But it fell out contrary to his conceipt for Henry assisted by the constable Guesâ—lin and the French forces hauing won fiue battels against Peter in the ende he was quite defeated and taken prisoner Hauing him in his power Peter King of Castile beheaded at the Castilians suâ—e wonderfully incensed against this Tyrant he caused his head to be cut off reaping the fruites of his impiety the which made him to forsake the true religion of his vanity trusting to a rotten planke with the losse of his conscience and of his exceeding cruelty hauing murthered his wife tiranised ouer his subiects and spoyled his brother of his estate against all right An excellent lesson for all men especially for great Princes not to dally with God who punisheth haynous crimes with haynous punishments euen in this life attending the euerlasting paine in the life to come Charles King of Nauarre was much perplexed seeing himselfe betwixt two armies for desiring to be a neuter and to please both he knew not how to gouerne himselfe He seeks to intertaine both Charles and Edward although he were more ingaged to the English and could not well trust his brother in law hauing greatly offended him The King of Nauarres dissembling So hee lets the English army to passe through his dominions when it marched into Castile to succour Peter and suffered himselfe to be taken prisoner by Oliuer of Mauny a Gentleman of Britaine who led him into Castile to make the English thinke he had bin forced and the French that hee did willingly imploy himselfe for them beeing in their troupes A miserable hypocrisie which of a maister makes himselfe a slaue who might haue bin one of the chiefe of the army without this wretched dissembling The good and wise King taught by the example of his father Iohn that an Eele is lost by ouergriping it desiâ—ed onely to pacifie his brother in lawe although he were well acquainted with his bad disposition and the practises he continued with England So he gaue him a safe conduct to come vnto him and restored vnto him Mantes and Meulan and the free possession of his lands in Normandy but this prince fraught with malice could not be reclaimed neither by the Kings prosperity noâ— by his clemency for not trusting him hee retires to his realme of Nauarre where he continues his old practises with the English Th◠〈…〉 King Charles hee helps the Britton with men out of Normandie and attempted against the Kings person seeking to poyson him by Iaquet Rue and Peter of Tertre his domesticall seruants who were executed and the Nauarrois places seized on as guilty of high treason Thus Charles was forced to fight against his owne bloud and to haue the malice of his kinsmen and allies No small combate for a great Prince We haue discoursed at large of the valour and happy successe both of Edward the 3. King of England and of Edward his sonne Prince of Wales But as humane things are not durable so there chanced a great accident vpon his returne from the war of Castile which brought them both to the graue The Prince of Wales finding himselfe threatned with a dâ—opsey passed from Bourdeaux into England to take the ayre of his natiue country but hee died soone after his ariuall the 46. yeare of his age A Prince of great hope not onely lamented of his friends but coÌ„meÌ„ded of his enimies Edward the father The death of both Edwards seeing his right arme as it were cut off died for griefe leauing Richard the son of his son Edward in his place who was receiued without any questioÌ„ made by his vncles as the first by right of succession Richard not to degenerate from the example of his grandfather and father The English second passage through France being crowned King vndertakes a warre in France whether he sends a goodly army vnder the coÌ„maund of the Duke of Clarence his vncle who hauing landed at Calais passeth the Riuer of Somme at Clery neere vnto Peronne bending towards Soisson he crosseth the Riuer of Oise Ain Then marching towards Chaalons he passeth Marne and shewing himselfe before Troyes in Champagne he spoyles the country and so goeth ouer Seine betwixt Ville-neufue and Sousey and bending towards Beausse and Gastinois he crosseth into Brittaine there 〈◊〉 the war in fauour of Iohn of Montport spoyling the country with a strange desolatioÌ„ On the other side there lands an other army at Bourdeaux the which hauing entred the country fortified such places as held for the English to nourish the seeds of this new warre 1380 In the country of Geuaudan a dioces in that large Prouince of Languedoc there was a Castle neere to Mande named Randon whereas the English maintayned a strong garnison a retreat for theeues which did infinite harme in the country The country hauing sued vnto the King to free them of this incombrance he graunted them Guesâ—lin the Constable a man of great reputation but the army should be defrayed at their charges He comes into Languedoc 〈◊〉 Randon and brings them to the last extremity but as the beseeged not able to hold out were entered into composition behold the Constable sick to the death yeeldâ— vp the ghost At the same instant the place was yelded vnto the King so aâ— in signe that the honour of this prize was due to Guesâ—lin the Captaines carried the keyes of the castle vpon his herse The death of the Constable 〈◊〉 Thus died 〈◊〉 leauing an honourable testimony of his valour and loyalty and to Charles an 〈◊〉 sorrow for his death who honoured him with a notable obsequie causing his body to be interred with the Kings at S. Denis at the foot of his own tombe was that of Guesâ—lin with a burning Lampe maintained by foundation called The Lampe of Guâ—selin vnto this day King Charles had g uen all Bourgogne to his brother Philip for his portion according to the will of his father Iohn as we haue said and had married him with Margueret the rich heyre of Flanders Being in possession of Bourgogne there happened another occasion in Flanders which won him great credit with those people whom he should comand after the death of Lewis his father in law
storme which threatned them flie to Nerac to the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé they present themselues and their meanes shewing them the wrongs done by them of Guise to the King and the Realme and beseech them to vndertake the deliuery of his maiestie and maintenance of the estate These two Princes had alreadie resolued to vse all their meanes to chase the tâ—o Lorrains from the gouernment of France This request confirmed them and euen then they sought out all Noblemen and gentlemen which by their armes and meanes might aduance this worke The Constable with the Vidame of Chartres and a great number of others promise to maintaine their iust quarrell against all men except the King the Queenes and his bretheren Their letters fall into the hands of them of Guise the Prince his Agent is imprisoned and the Vidame of Chartres shut into the Basâ—ill and shall not bee fâ—eed vntill the day before the Kings death and himselfe shall die within fewe dayes after An Assembly of Princes Noblemen Thus all things tend to an open warre The Queene Mother desired to see these two parties fight but not with the ruine of either side for the fall of any one of them had set her beside the sadle She therefore caused to bee propounded in Councell by the aduice of the Chancellor and Admirall whome as yet she did willingly heare That it was expedient to assemble all the Princes Noblemen of the Realme and men of authority to aduise of the meanes to pacifie the troubles growne principallie by reason of the persecutions for religion Those of Guise approue this desseine this was in shewe a pitfall to take the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé Moreouer they hoped to sâ—borne so many witnesses as all things should second their desires and so for that time should dissolue the conuocation of the Estats So the King sends forth his letters into all parts intreating them all to bee at Fontainebleau the twentieth fiue of August especially the King of Nauarre and to bring his brother and those Noblemen that were then with him The Guisiâ—ns also by their letters giue many good hopes and promises But we haue sayd they had in the beginning lodged spies in the King of Nauarres house By their meanes they woâ—ke so as the King of Nauarre stirres not and le ts slippe an oportunitie that he had to settâ—e a lawfull gouernment within the realme The Constable better resolued thinking the Princes would assist arriues with eight hundred horse and by this troupe makes the Lorrains to shewe him a good countenance At the opening of the assemblie the Admirall presents a petition to the King for the Protestants who required to haue Temples graunted them and free exercise of religion throughout the whole Realme There-vpon Charles of Marillac Archbishop of Vienne shewed with such libertie of speech the necessitie to assemble a nationall Councell to remedie these controuersies growne for religion and a Parliament to order the gouernment of France as hee suruiued but fewe dayes after his oration The Amirall toucht the cause of religion and state more vehemently taxing by inuectiue such as giuing the King gards vpon gards entertayned him in distrust of his subiects and his subiects in hatred of their owne King As they had made shewe to like of this assemblie so they seemed to allowe of a Parliament They appoint it first at Meaux and afterward at Orleans the x. of December and the Sinode for the Clergie at Paris the twentieth of Ianuary folowing to determine of what should bee expedient to bee treated of in a generall councell whereof they gaue them hope But as they had vnderhand withdrawne the Princes from comming to this Assemblie so must they make them vnwilling to bee present at the Parliament To this intent those of Guise in the Kings name command the companies of ordinary souldiars to be readie the 20. of September they lodge them in such sort as those whome they suspected had them in front in flanke and behinde them and spies likewise to discouer them and they giue charge to the commanders to cutte all them in peeces that they should finde marching to ioyne with the Princes If their forces were not sufficient to diuert the Prince of Condé whom they knew to bee more busie and to endure lesse they doe also procure Letters from the King to the King of Nauarre whereby hee doth charge the Prince to haue attempted against the estate of France and to haue sought to seize vpon some of the good Townes of the realme Hee desires him therefore to send him his brother with a good and sure garde if not hee himselfe will fetch him well accompanied The answer of Anthonie and Lewis incountring the Lorraines with their owne armes holding them guiltie of the same crimes wherewith they charged them made them to change their note They send a second commandement Policie to abuse the Princes whereby the King giues his word to the Princes to come in safetie hee promiseth to heare all mens admonitions and iustifications willingly to receiue them according to their estates and dignities not to disturbe any Prince in his religion whereof hee now made open profession and that they should returne when they pleased free from iniurie and outrage And to draw them on the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince not well able to discouer the deceites of the enemies of his house is expresly sent vnto them They marche and are no sooner come to Limoges but seuen or eight hundred Gentlemen well appointed do visit them The Deputies of Prouinces offer them six thousand foot Gascons and Poiteuins foure thousand horse and foote out of Languedoc as many or more out of Normandie and the other Prouinces promise to rise on all sides to fortifie them at this assemblie of States so as it will please the King of Nauarre to declare himselfe Protector of the King and Realme against them of Guise But the Cardinall of Armagnac Escars â—arnac and some other Councellors of the same mould bad seruants to their maister propounded so many dangers so many inconueniences vpon their comming to Court with force and why should they not resist their enemies force as hee sent back all his companie and countermanded such as came promising notwithstanding to imploy himselfe couragiously in the Parliament for the good of all France Heâ—evpon they giue the King to vnderstand that the Lutherans of Orleans practised something to subuert his estate as they had of late attempted at Lions The King câ—mes to Oâ—leans To assure themselues of the Towne and to punish some which were noted in the booke of death whose confiscation was good the Guisiens first send Sipiere Lieutenant to the Prince of Roche-sur-yon gouernour of Orleans to disarme the people and to fill the houses suspected with men of war they call together the nobilitie men at armes of France then they conduct the King thether to make his entry with the
head shall wee see the Crowne after his brothers decease Hee sought the oportunity to fight his elder Captaines prest him forward taking the Princes retreat for a kinde of flight and grounding their aduantage vpon the great forces newely arriued of twelue hundred horâ—e and two thousand foote led by the Comte Aremberg one of the famous Captaines of the Lowe Countries Moreouer if the Protestants did ioyne with their Reistâ—es the warre was like to continue long or else to make the chance of a battaile dâ—ubtfull But they disswaded him weighing the importance of their generall and the constant resolution of the Contrary partie who sayd they had then no other Councellor but despaire and no other welth or riches but their armes and hoâ—ses To withstand the leuie of the Protestants Reistres the Duke of Aumale was sent into Lorraine to receiue the forces which were brought to the King by Duke Iohn William of Saxony the Marquis of Bade and other Commanders and yong Lansac into Germanie to diuert those of Duke Iohn Casâ—mir which were leuied in the Princes fauor The Prince had ioyned with the troupes of Guienne and Poictou consisting of eight Cornets of horse and three regiments of foote vnder six and twenty enseignes and aduancing towards Lorraine he forceth Bray Nogent vpon Seine to open their gates and to giue him passage and seizeth on Esparnay vpon Marne where he assembles the bâ—die of his army Experience teacheth vs nowe that all pollicies and deuises are allowed in warre A speeche of peace To coole the heat of such as flie to the aide of strangers to staye them and it may beâ— to surprise theÌ„ Vnder this pretext they begin to speake of a peace in the which the chiefe of their partie are imployed 1568. and the better to conferre saied they of the 〈◊〉 propounded The trace broken they agree vpoÌ„ two suspensions of armes eyther being of three dayes Bâ—t whilest the Prince thought to enioye the benefit thereof he had almost fallen into a pitfall The Duke of Aniou approched and the Prince remayned nere vnto Chaâ—lons in a bad lodging far from his troupes had iâ— not beene for the route of the Captaiâ—es Bois Blosset and Clery defeated by the Earle of Brissac during the truce the Prince hiâ—selfe had beene in apparent danger Misfortune is good for some thing This furie of Brissacs teacheth the Prince not to trust his enemie but vpon good assurance And not withstanding the iniuries of the aire and the difficulties of the waies leauing the Duke twenty great leagâ—es behâ—nde he makes him to loose all desire to follow him and goes on into Lorraine to learne some newes of his Reistres the which hee receiued at Pont a Mousson From hence Duke Iohn Casimir the yonger Sonne of Frederic Comte Palatin of Rhin Elector of the Sacred Empire being chiefe of this army protests by writing vnto the King before he enters into France That he comes not for any profit of his owne or priuate respect but onely to assist those who afflicted for the same religion had required his helpe That if it please his Maiesty to assure them libertie of conscience and free exercise of their religion he is readie to retire himselfe Herevpon they renue the treatie of peace pretended the yeare before The Qâ—eene Mother comes to Bois-de Vincennes accompanied with the Cardinalls of Bourbon Lorraine and Guise For the Prince there came the Cardinall of Chastillon He lets her vnderstand That to settle a peace in France the King must receiue all his subiects into grace impart his fauors and the offices of the realme indifferently vnto them and gâ—ue them conuenient liberty of their religion Katherine answers that such matches are not to be alowed that the Prince and those of his partie should before all things countermande their Reistres lay downe armes and come and yeeld the King a reason of the enterprise of Meaux The Cardinall replies that they onely defend themselues that they oppose theâ—e succors to all sorts of strangers called in by the Catholikes and cannot send them backe but they must presently subiect their throats to their enemies swords that they are readie to disarme when they shall see the Realme freed from Suisses Flemings Italians and Germains which were come to spoile them and matters restoâ—ed to tâ—â—ir former estate The treaty of Peace tenued but in vâ—â—ne As for the enterprise of Meaux their intention was onely to 〈◊〉 the King from whose presence the violence of their enemies depriued them of all accesse but by force to reuoke that cruel sentence which some determined to execâ—te against all their partie being readie to prâ—ue by armes against all those that would maintaine the contrary That they had neuer any other will against their Soueraigne but as his most faithfull and obedient subâ—ects During this negotiation the Duke of Aniou sought for the coÌ„moditie which he had lost to fight with the Prince the Prince receiued his strangers with a wonderful contentment to the whole armie fearing least the heauinesse of the Germains should make them attend long in Lorraine They expected a hundred thousand Crownes at their entry but they which had so sodenly drawne them to horse-backe must haue leysure to make money At neede they make a vertue of necessity And what might not two Commanders whereof the one by his naturall plesantnesse and the other by his grauity tempered the excessiue choller of some and the exceeding suâ—pition of others obtaine of their men amongest whome they had so great credit The Prince by their example summons both great and smal the Ministers in their sermons mâ—ue men and the Captaines prepare their soldiars Euery one contributes some for zeale some for loue some for feare and some for shame of reproch They gather what in money plate chaynes gold and Iewells some foure score thousand frankes and by â—his voluntary liberality satisfie the first and greatest hungar of their Reistres Being ioyned the generall opinion was to make warre about Parisâ—an apparent meanes to haue a peace Orleans was their Nurse neyther could they from any place else recouer artillerie munition and money so commodiously They theâ—efore take the way to Beausse for their first beginning they defeat some troupes of Italians and French that came to charge them in the rereward vpon their passage of the riuer of Seine They force Irancy and passe ouer the riuers of Yone Loing and la Cure they draw diuers commodities from all the small townes opposite to their passage alwayes assailing and alwayes assailed and still with the losse of the one partie or the other Whilest this company hauing the mightie army of the Duke of Aniou opposite vnto them marched into Beausse they fall to armes in other parts in fauour of their partie Aâ—sier Sipierre and others in Languedoc Prouence Dauâ—phiné and Gasconye make diuers assemblies seize vpon Nismes Monâ—pellier and many other places Poncenat and Verbelay leauâ—e
troupes in Bourbonois and Auuergne whereas the forces of Guyenne which marched towards the Duke of Aniou incounters them breakes them and for that time make their attempts fruitlesse Moreouer the Duke of Neuers with an armie of foureteene thousand French Suisses and Italians besieged Mascon battered it and tooke it by composition but being incountred by foure score horse and some foote issued out of Antrain vnder the commands of Captaines Beauuais and Bourgoin as he aduanced with a hundred horse to go see the Duchesse his wife hee was shotte in the knee with a Harguebuse which made him lame all the remainder of his life Montluc Pons the Bishop of Tulles and many other Catholikes in Guyenne being followed with foure thousand and foote and seuen hundred horse surprise and kill about foure hundred men spoile the Isle of Ré attempt to besiege Rochell but too long delayes makes their desseigne stuitlesse In the meane time the Vicountes Mouuans Rapin and other Protestants aduanced with seuen or eight thousand men of the bands of Gasconie Prouence Daulphiné and Languedoc S. Heran Gouernour of Auuergne S. Chaumont Gordes Vrfé the Bishop of Puy Hautefeuille Bresieâ—x and others assemble a troupe to stop their passage and runne as to a certaine victory for bidding expresly all the neighbour Townes Not to receiue any one that flies what liuâ—rie so euer he beares The which shall cost them fall deare The Viâ—ountes charge these horsemen kill a great number and of the chiefe vpon the place put the rest in route and makes them seeke their safety by flight But the peasaâ—ts armed with the former prohibition know no maÌ„ neither do they spare any man and make of their countrimen as great a slaughter as the victor did and by this indiscreet stâ—atagem open the way for the Vicounts to recouer Orleans Being arriued they stay the inroads which Martinenghe Richelieu and others made euen to the gates of Orleans they take Baugency attempt Blois and take it by composition The Gascons do not easily forget their hands and the souldiars of Richelieu who was retired thether could not free themselues from the sword Herevpon the Princes armie comes into Beausse Chartres besiegâ—d Chartres is one of the chiefe store-houses of corne for Paris and being taken would much auaile the Protestants Liquieres was made gouernour for the King there with two and twenty companies fortified vpon feare of a siege with a regiment of foote The Prince besiegeth and batters it but to small purpose fiue Canons and foure small Culuerins preuailed little against so many men of warre being intrenched with great aduantage They found out a place of small strength where a breach gaue hope of victorie but the Lord of Valete a great Caâ—taine comes to succour the besieged with eighteene Cornets of horse The Admirall is aduertised and not to faile of his prey he made choise of three thousand fiue hundred horse marcheth towards them chargeth Valete ouerthrowes part of his troupes carryes away foure Cornets and puts the rest to flight The Duke of Aniou incamped beyond Seine and loth to hazâ—rd a battaiâ—e left Chartres in apparent danger But Katherine knew how for so she did vsually vante with three sheetes of paper to effect more then her warriours with their armes A good peace was no lesse necessary then desired The Protestants did generally beleeue that the Catholikes would disarme with them and the Nobilitie were particularly moued with a great desire to see their houses it is a desire whereof wee can hardly stay the effects in them that are voâ—â—â—â—aries Many whole Cornets had 〈◊〉 die taken the way of Xaintonge and Pottou they would not loose the â—eason oâ—â—â—eir Vines many other pretend the sacking of their houses where their presence was necessary the footmen of some countries lying farthest off slipt away daily their pâ—â—sâ—s were empty and no man payed It was in Marche when as armies are acâ—â—stâ—med to go to field and their French forces decreasing visibly had drâ—uen them in short time to stand vpon their defence their enemies were whole and strong To diuide their strangers into townes were to dismember themselues These considâ—â—â—tions and others made the heads of the Protestants to accept of a second 〈◊〉 of Pacification concluded in Loniumeau saying That those of the pretended râ—formed religion A second peace should purely and simply enioy the first Edict and that it should bee execuâ—â—â— according to the tenour notwithstanding all restrictions modifications interpretations and declaraâ—ions mâ—de since the day of the date thereof vntill the publication of this second â—ecâ—aration made â—he 23. day of March. Tâ—iâ— counterâ—â—it peace carried Iohn Casimir with all his forces home into Cermanie the Prince and the Admirall with all those of his party retyre euery man to his home But diuers breaches of this Edict did sodenly open the gate to the third ciuiâ—l warres and whilest that euery one imputes the cause of this sodaine â—eprisall of armes to his enemie the effects fall both vpon good and euill The Catâ—olâ—kes grounded their discontents for that in any Townes refused the restraint made by this last Edict Sancerre Mantauban and other Townes of Querâ—y Viâ—arets Daulphine Languedoc Disconâ—enâ—â—â—nts oâ— the Catâ—olikes and eâ—se where would not absolutely submit themselues to hiâ— Maâ—esâ—â—es good pleasure Rochel refused to receiue the garrison sent by Iarnâ—c their ancient gouernour they continued their fortifications before begun neither did they restore the Catholickes to their offices goods nor religion they armed out ships to keepe the sâ—as without the Kings allowance They refused the ayde and subuention wâ—ich his Maiestie required for the affayres of his realme Many Captaines without the Kings Commission lead Souldiars to the Prince of Orange against the Dâ—ke of Alba to draw afterwards sayd they the Protestants of â—landers into France and ioyntly to oppresse the Catholâ—ke religion Tâ—e Protestants on the other side complained That in steed of enioying the 〈◊〉 and libertie of their consciences The complain s of the Proâ—estants they gaue them declarations vnder tâ—e Kiâ—gs aâ—thoritie to hinder the exercise of their â—eligion That hauing dismissed thei◠〈◊〉 bâ—th strangers and French with the least oppression of the people that might be and â—â—liueâ—ed into the Kings hands the Townes and strong places which they held 〈◊〉 they receâ—ued the Suisses they entertayâ—ed many companies of Italians they did distâ—â—bute their horse and â—oote into such Townes as did most import the Protestants Tours Orleans Amiens and others to the end sayd they to take them lâ—ke â—artriges in a Net beiâ—g retyred to their houses â—hat they sued in the Court of Rome 〈◊〉 leaue to sell the temporall lands of the French Clergie to the valew of a hundred and fiftie thousand Frankes a yeare the money to be â—mployed to the rooting out of their party That this counterfet peace ruined more of their men then the riâ—â—urs of warre That they garded townes bridges and passages
his presence to enioye the Mothers affections to haâ—e authority within the realme Finally the second of December after two monethes seege the King signed their capitulation Saint Iean yeeded That they should depart with their goods armes horses and Enseignes â—isplayed and of foure monethes should carrie no armes for the pretended reformed reâ—â—gion But as this seege is famous for that it was valiantly followed and defended so is it lâ—kewise famous by the breach of faith giuen by his Maiestie At their going forth they spoile them of their armes apparell and money the Duke of Aumale and the Marshâ—â—l of Vielleuille are notable to make good the Kings promise nay the Duke of Aâ—ioâ—s presence can not restrayne their insolencies They robbe their baggage they take away their horses they spoile their men And to encrease their villanies the regiment of Sarricu being lodged at Saint Iulian hate a League off comes ouerthwart beats kills murthers and casts them into the riuer and happie is he that can escape in his shirt to recouer Angoulesme where Piles and some others holding them selues by reason of this treacherous and vnwoâ—thie vsage contrarie to the Lawe of armes freed from the conditions wherevnto they were bound by the capitulation The composition â—roâ—en went to the Princes to vnderstand their pleasures The historie obserues aboue ten thousand men of warre lost before Saint Iean fiue thoâ—sand Cannon shot spent fiue and twentie or thirtie Commissaries of the artilâ—erie slaine in their charge many shronke away and in the end the Campe was diminished eighteene or twenty thousand men The army tired with labour and prest with want of victualls and other discâ—mmâ—dities dislodging from Saint Iean d' Angely gaue the Princes leysure to determâ—â—e of their voyage and the King retyring to Anger 's assigned the Princes deputies tâ—â—tâ—er to begin the yeare following by the countinuance of a treatie of peace begunne in the moneth of Nouember A treatâ—e of Peace Beauuais la Nocle and Teligny come thether in February and returne with no other answere to the Protestants 1570. but a libertie to liue within the Realme fâ—ee fâ—â—m seaâ—ch in their houses and for their safetie two Townes which Biron shâ—uld naâ—e vnto them in the which they might do what pleased them without their impugning the Kings authoritie nor the quiet of the Realme his Maiestie oâ—fring to restore them to their charges except such as had beene dismissed by the 〈◊〉 of Iustice and the money growing by the sale thereof receiued by the Kâ—ngs commandement but forbibidding all exercise of religion but the Catholike Apâ—stolike and Romish banishing all ministers out of the Realme and 〈◊〉 them to disarme to send backe presently their forraine forces and to yeelde 〈…〉 Townes possessed by the violence and force of armes In the meane time postâ—s flie into England and Germanie and to diuert or staie the succours and strengths wâ—ich the Protestants might expect from thence the brute flies that a peace is made in France The Princes and Admirall thinking they were but deuises to hinder their affaires Enterprise vpon â—â—urges fatall to the vndertakers euery one prepares againe to put on harnes their forces were dispersed into diuers Prouinces those about Bourges had an enterprise vpon the Towne by the practise of a souldiar who by treacherie makes them to loose thirtie men at the entrie and as many prisoners So hee that thinkes to take is often taken himselfe The reduction of Poictâ—u had likewise brought Marans and the Castell of Beauuâ—iâ— â—poâ— the sea to the Kings obedience 1570. Angoulesme and Rochell only remained to the Protestantâ— They had lost Lusignan but Blaye Taillebourg the Isles of Xaintonge Marennes and â—rouage were yet at their deuotion To trie Rochelle the King threatens them by his letters and by promises he seeks to winne the Gouernours of Flâ—ye and Taâ—llebourg Pardailâ—an and Romegou They answere saith the Historie the King wisely and Lansac couragiously War in Poictou You cannot be more greeued said Pardillan to attempt to force mee in this placâ— then I shall be for the â—hame losse and confusion which I shall cause you to receiue or anâ— other that shall attempt it Româ—gou speakes in the same sence The effect was more to be feared then words yet Lansac attemped nothing against them The Islands had mâ—ch annoyed the seege of S. Iean d' Angâ—ly and the Lansquenets escaped from Montcontour were dispersed there The Earle of Lude Puigaillard and la Riuiere Puitaillé gouernours the one of Angeâ—s the other of Marans with eight Cornets of horse and tweâ—tie enseigns of foote force the said Islands and make such a slaughter as there remained not aboue three hundred fighting men La Noue the Princes Lieutenant in Guienne studied to recouer Brouage a place of greaâ— importance for the Rochelois when as the Baron of la Garde attempting vppon Tonne-Charente made both their enterprises to proue vaine Rochelle is now blockt in on al sides Ludeand Puigaillard had an armie in Poictou la Riuiere-Puitaillé the elder held Marans and other places there abouts the yonger commaunded in Brouâ—ge Landâ—reau Viceadmirall held Olone The Brittons and Bourdelois cut off the Rochelois victuals by sea La Garde then Generall of their galleyes did runne often times euen into their hauen but to presse them on all sides hee would gladly haue beene maister of Tonne-Charente La Noue had vndertaken the defence thereof who vnderstanding the Barons practise so planted his shot as at his enemies first landing he slue their commaunders and many others gaue libertie to the slaues and became master of the galley and if heate had not too soone transported them the rest commiâ—g to enter into Charente and resolute to land they could not haue escaped death or prison This galley did afterwards serue Româ—gou to beate the Catholikes in many places And if La Garde preuailed nothing by force his pollicies were of as small effect So as he lost his time men and money and did nothing of moment Contrariwise the defeat of some troupes at Nouaille by the hargubuziers of la Noue vnder the leading of Scipio an Italian Ingener In Guyenne Xaintonge Angâ—ulmoiâ— and the recouerie of Marans by la Noue vppon Chaperon Gouernour of the place after the death of the elder Puitaillé lately diceased was the cause of the winning of tenne or twelue other places thereabouts and gaue the Rochelois meanes to enlarge themselues The spoile of Olone did enrich them furnished them with fortie good vessels with some armes and Canon and a good number of prisoners and diminished their enemies strength of about foure hundred fighting men This reuiuing caused Puigaillard and Fernacques to make enterprises vppon Langon and Gué of Nelugre and by the recouery of Luson to molest Marans and Rochell againe if that la Noue had not speedily taken this Fort from them that came to seize on it and slue Sforce a valiant Gentleman the head of a
Pistoll and when as these three wounds were not able to ouerthrow him Besmes wounds him on the legge euery one of the rest giues his blow and thus they cast that body miserably to â—he ground whom liuing and in health they durst not looke in the face The Duke of Guise hearing the noyse of their armes in the base Court enquires if it bee done and commands them to cast him out at the window who yet breathing layes hold on the pillar but these butcherly murtherers hurle him downe headlong where the Duke wiping his face with a handkerchefe I know him sayeth hee it is the very same and so spurnes him with his foote then going into the streete Courage companions we haue begun happily let vs proceed to the rest the King commands it An Italian of the houshold of the Duke of Neuers cutts off his head and carryes it to the King and Qâ—eene Mother which causing it to bee imbaulmed sent it to the Pope and the Cardinall of Lorraine for an assurance of the death of his most capitall enemie The Palace clocke strikes and the people flie to the Admiralls lodging like madde men one cutts off his hands another his priuie members The Protestants masâ—acred and for the space of three dayes they dragge this poore carcasse with all indignity through the streetes and then they carry and hang it by the feete at Montfaucon His lodging is spoyled his household seruants murthered Those which attended on the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé are driuen out of their chambers they were in the Louure where the King had lodged them to the end sayd he that those of Guise hauing the people at their deuotion they should not in like maner feele the effects of their violence and murthered in the base court the Noblemen and Gentlemen lodged in the Admiralls quarter vndergo the like fortune The like furie oppresseth the other Protestants throughout the Citty and Suburbes of all ages conditions and sexes men women and children riche and poore There is nothing to be heard in Paris but a horrible noyse of armes horses and Harguebuses a lamentable crye of people going vnto death a pittifull complaint of such as cryed for mercy and the pittilesse showts of murtherers The streetes are strewed with carcases the pauements market places and riuer dyed with bloud One day alone by the murtherers saying hath ended the quarrell which neyther Pen Paper decrees of Iustice nor open warre could see determined in twelue yeares About ten thousand â—oules makes this Sunday famous for euer polluted with the spoyling of goods and the effusion of their bloud that were asleepe disarmed and at such a season as they thought themselues most safe And doubtlesse the horrible catastrophes happened since to our Charles to his brother and successors and to the bretheren of the house of Guise in the last acts of their liues and generally to all this realme euen vnto our dayes forceth vs to confesse That mans bloud violently spilt when as the manner of it may not lawfully be qualified with the name of Iustice cannot please his sight who hath created them to his owne image and liknesse and sels them deerely to the authors of this effusion The fame of this massacre had already passed from the Citty to the Suburbes when as the Earle of Montgomery Iohn of Fâ—rrieres Vidame of Chartres Beauâ—aâ—◠〈◊〉 Nocle Fontenay and many Gentlemen lodged in the suburbes of Saint Germâ—ine perceiuing a number of men to crosse the riuer to make them equall with their companions they abandon their baggage go sodenly to hoâ—se and saue themselues â—ith speed being pursued halfe a dayes iourney by the Duke of Guise But he that shouâ—d haue brought the Keyes of S. Germains gate hauing mistaken them gaue them sâ—me leisure to get the aduantage The King sends for the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé and giues theâ— to vnderstand The King aduowes the murther That hauing been crost many yeares with a continuance of warre he had in the end found an assured meanes to cut off all motiues of confusions to come that by his commandement they had slaine the Admirall the pernicious author of passed troubles that now they did the like to others in the Citty that were infected witâ— the poyson of heresie and the ministers of his wickednesse That he remembred well the discommodities hee had receiued by their two meanes making themselues the heads of a troupe of desperate men That now the cause and opoâ—tunity giues him meanes to be reuengâ—d of such outrages but notwithstanding hee doth pardon their offence by reason of consanguinitie and their young age beleeuing that all had beene committed not by their fault and councell but by the Admirall and other wickeâ— sâ—biects who now haue suffered and doe suffer a iust punishment due to thâ—iâ— deserts so as hereafter they repaire their faults pasts by fidelity and obedience and renouncing the doctrine of their prophane superstition they cleaue to the Catholike relâ—gion and returne into the communion of the Church That hereafter he will haue but one religion within his realme euen that which hee hath receiued from his Ancestors That they should aduise whether they would obey him in this point if not let them resolue to yeeld their heads to the like punishments of their companions The King of Nauarre beseecheth his Maiestie to remember his promise aâ—d the alliance lately contracted and not to force him in the religion which hee hath leaâ—ned from his infancie The Prince of Condé answers That the King hath giuen his faith to all them of the religion and that he cannot perswade himselfe hee will breâ—â—e â—o sollemne an othe As for the obedience saith he you require of me I haue fâ—itâ—fuâ—â—y performed it vnto this day neyther will I hereafter straye in any thing from my duty But as for my religion A noble resoluâ—ion of a yong Prince my Liege I am resolued to continue constant and with the hazard of my life mainteine it to bee true you haue granted me the exercise tâ—ereof and God hath giuen me the knowledge to whom I must yeeld an account leâ—uâ—â—g my body and goods to the disposition of your will This resolute answer puts Charâ—es into choller who full of threats giues the Prince but three dayes libeâ—ty to aduiâ—e whether he would soone loose his head vpon a scaffold In the end both abâ—ure the doctrine they had followed and by the intercession of the Cardinall of Bourbon their Vncle they obteyned pardon of the Pope and were receiued into the bosome of the Church After the massacre those of Guise according to the conclusion of the Councell should retyre themselues into some one of theyr houses out of Paris and Charles should expreslye charge and command the Gouernours of Prouinces and Townes to obserue the Edict of peace and to punish the breache thereof seuerely to the end the people of France and their neighbours should impute all
with exceeding wealth sackt and torne France in peece 〈…〉 wars did then feele the lâ—st reward of his actions Doubtlesse such 〈…〉 the ende Whilest the King becomes a new brother of these tormentors of 〈…〉 wise called Penitents War in Languedoc and Daulphiné and the court was occupied some time in 〈…〉 ceremonies of this newe brotherhoode the Estates of Languedâ—c 〈…〉 of peace battered S. Giles neere to Auignon and became 〈…〉 making no shew to succour it Monibrun on the other 〈…〉 his horsemen did still catch vp some that were farthest 〈…〉 was a Churchyard for the most hardy of the assaylants 〈…〉 and his life men women and children all labour in the 〈…〉 enemies and vnder the commaund of la Hay a young genâ—lâ—man about 〈…〉 twenty yeares of age valiant and pleasing to the souldiars â—oâ—sses hauing beene 〈◊〉 at the breach with Fiancey and Bouuier Captaines to strewe the ruines of th◠〈◊〉 with carkasses to cast many into the trenches dead wounded and languishing and finally after many assaults and infinite Canonadoes fortified with fifty 〈…〉 they force the enemy to sound the retreat and to couer themselues from the shotte pikes swords stones and such armes as necessity could yeeld to the beseeged Thus those of Liuron withstood the fierce assaults of their enemies the army diminished and a certaine disease hauing wasted most part of the Piemontois crept in among the other nations when as the King iudging of the rest by this small Towne found that he must seeke out some other meanes to reduce his subiects to obediencâ— Who were so resolute to armes as a simple offer of liberty of conscience might soone make them fall away Many Conquests cause but sleight triumphes A more stately Crowne attended him his Coronation called him 1475 and the taking of Aiguesmortes a sea Towne and of great importance for the Protestants inuited him to stay the course of their prosperity by some negotiation of peace Henry therefore packing vp his baggage the thirteenth of Ianuarie and approcâ—ing neere to Liuron stayed some houres in the Campe. Here the soldiars cries and exclamations against him and especially against his mother gaue him to vnderstand Tâ—at the horrible diâ—orders and vnworthie gouernment of the latter yeares had withdrawne that loue and reuerence to their Kings for the which the French nation had beene so much commended and so altered the mindes of the greatest part as their iust griefe transported them beyond the bounds of reason and modestie Ah murtherers cryed they with open throate you shall not stab vs in our beddes as you haue done the Admirall and the rest Bring vs those Mignons with their ruffes and pâ—rfumes let them come to looke on our wiues they shall teach them whether it be a prey easie to carrie away A leasson for a Soueraigne Prince that if any diuersity of religion diuide his subiects yet is hee a Common Father to them all No reason doth alowe of the sonnes ingratitude to the â—ather so all Lawes do abhorâ—e the inhumanitie and impiety of a Father to his Children The Campe being dislodged the rest of the Piemontois repassed the mountaines The seege of Liuâ—on raised The Daulphinois ashamed of the disgrace they had receiued at Liuron disperse themselues heere and there some Cornets of Reâ—stres followe the Marshall of Rez into Prouence the rest with the Suisses are giuen to the Duâ—e of Vzez to make waâ—â—e iâ— Languedoc a gouernment wherâ—with the King had lately honoured him Strange alterations The Dâ—ke of Vzez is nowe armed against them for whose protection hee had often fought during the former warâ—es and the Marshall d' Anuilâ—e lately their capitall enemie nowe supports them Thus great men play with reâ—igion fitting them selues to that partie which they thinke may most availe them whatsoeuer it bee and the people is still the anuile whereon all sortes of hammers strike But the Marshall did little remember the obseruation of the articles sworne in the association And dissolutions creeping in among the Protestants Warre betwixt the Marshall d' Anuille the Duke of Vzez could not but presage a speedie ruine of one of the parties or of both togither Yet hee entertayned himselfe with them So likewise did the Duke of Vzez and protesting that hee would make no warre but against the Marshalls faction hee promised to reconcile all the Protestants to the King if they would sequester themselues from the Politikes their associates â—ut hee would haue beene glad that in ruining the one partie they should haâ—e ruined themselues During these contentions betwixt the Marshall and the Duke The Kings coronation the King was crowned at Rheims the fifteenth of February and soone after he sent home Elisabeth of Austria widowe to Charles the ninth to the Emperour Maximilian her father but with a lesse traine then her quality required Then hee married Louyse the daughter to Nicholaâ— Earle of Vaudemont in Lorraine who they supposed should haue beene the wife of Thoré the Constables youngest sonne Practises of the Queene Mother His marriage to mainetaine the authority shee had gotten in â—rance aboue a daughter in Lawe of meaner quality then her selfe and to fortifie her selfe with them of Guise against the houses of Bourbon and Montmorency This marriage should haue caused as chast and as vertuous a bedde on the Kings behalfe as shee was chast and vertuous whome hee had nowe espoused And it seemed the dissolutions and excesse of Court were come to their height in the raigne of Charles the ninth But heereafter both King and Court for the subiects doe frame themselues to the Princes humour plonge themselues into more horrible dissolutenesse then the best schoolemaister of corruption filthinesse could inuent The Court is drowned in delights and excesse but they are at blowes in Languedoc Viuaraiz Daulphiné Perigueux Auuergne Xaâ—ntonge and else where D' Anuill hath an enterprise vpon Besiers but hauing â—ayled hee imployed his forces 〈◊〉 fourescore and ten villages therabouts Hee takes Alais a Towne and Castelâ— and the Dâ—ke of Vzez Saint Ferreol a small Towne neere vnto Vzez to annoy â—is â—â—biects and to force them to acknowledge their Lord. The forces on eyther siâ—e incounter often fight and by their common defeates weaken one an other â—â—â—lest the Protestants keepe the stakes and vewe the sport Those of Viuaraiz surpâ—â—â—e the Towne of Beys and the Castell of Pousin and kill the Captaine and his gaâ—rison Montbrun runnes through Daulphiné and becomes master of many places The Vâ—cont of Turene addes to the victories of his party Perigueux Brioude la Gaillarde Vzerâ—â—e and some other places The Xaintongeâ—is and those that lay neere vnto Rochelle beganne to hold vâ— their heads and go to armes The Prince of Condé filled all his partie with great and speedie hopes All rise all dreame of newe forces They must therefore deuiâ—â—â—y some practise to quench this great flame which was like to set the whole Realâ—e on fire Katherin
had some horse-leeches about him who emptying their Companâ—ons purses filled their owne Cofers with golden Crownes and the Protestants impâ—oâ—ed many persons in the affaires of their religion that had neither faith piety nor reâ—â—â—ion The Court was wonderfully disquieted The King sends many posts to the gouernoâ—â—s of Prouinces conâ—ures them to keepe their faith Troubles at Court accuseth the Protestants Poâ—â—â—ikes to haue withdrawne his brother from him â—orbiddes his subiects to giue any aâ—de fauour or support to the Duke of Alenson calles the gentlemen togither and besiâ—es his bands of Ordinarie hee makes newe Cornets of horses and for their entertaynement hee imposeth newe taxes And to moue the people and retayne them in obedience vnder the shewe of deuotion and pietie hee ordaines processions 〈◊〉 and prayers celebrates vowes and pilgrimages But being returned to the Louure the Ladies and his little dogges which he kepâ— verie daintely made him to forget the care of affaires and to leaue the managing tâ—ereof to his mother and some councellors The Queene Moâ—her goâ—s to â—he Duke of Alâ—â—â—on She makes a iourney to the Duke her sonne to reconcile him sayd she vnto the King But the suspitious held that her gâ—inâ— was to furnish him with new instructions that being declared General of these bandâ— both forraine and French and of diuers religions and hauing ratified as he did soone aâ—ter an accord made with Casimir she might agree at her pleasure with him and so disappoint the great desseignes of the armie After this parlee the Duke marcheth into Poictou the Earle of Ventadour comes vnto him with three hundred horse and twelue hundred Harguebusiers many great Noblemen and Gentlemen repaire vnto him During these confusions the Duke of Guise and his house deuise to build a third partie the which we shall soone see breake â—oâ—th The proiects of the house of 〈◊〉 â—or a third paâ—ty For the present hee assembles twelue hundred maisters in Champagne vnder the Kings authoritye and Strossy twelue thousand foote the Duke of Vzez â—ends vnto them the rest of his horse and the Duke of Montpensier sends his troupes of Poictou The Marshall D'Anuille had required some Cornets of Reistres from the Prince of Condé to fortifie him in Languedoc But seeing these last desseignes had calâ—ed away the Kings forces to keepe the Germaine Armie from entring the Councell 〈◊〉 that attending Casimirs comming these Reistres appointed for Languedoc 〈…〉 to the Duke of Alenson beeing already chosen to bee their chiefe and 〈◊〉 This did weaken their party and this first check brought the most part of 〈◊〉 Câ—uncâ—llors into a bad reâ—utation and confirmed the Protestants in the iealousies they had conceiued of the Duke of Alenson Thoré lead these tâ—oupes being about fifteene hundred some French Gentâ—emen ioyned with him with fiue hundred shotte The Dukes of Guise and Mayenne 〈◊〉 defeated Biron Feruaques and others compasse them in Some râ—â—â—re and crye for money some fight imitating the French but the greater number preâ—ayles Haâ—â—ting the Colonnel with his Lieutenant and some Reistres and French are slaine vpon the place the rest flie Cleruant and many others being taken with some Cornets serue as a triumphe for the Duke of Guise fiue hundred Reistres ioyne with his troupes he himselfe following them that fled receiued a shotte with a Pistoll in the cheeke and by his fall gaue meanes to many to escape the fury of his victorious armes Thoré lead the remainder of this shipwracke to the Duke of Alanson being blamed as a bad man of warre and not capable of councell This wound is a Ladder for the Duke of Guise to climbe to wonderfull credit with the Catholikes Murmuâ—ing against the King the Kings actions both publicke and priuate beginne to displease them The King say they takes his ease and drownes himselfe in delights and pleasures his Brother troubles all France and the house of Guise beares the burthen of the affaires of the whole common-wealth And vpon these fauourable repinings the Duke hereafter grounds most terrible desseignes Hiâ— forces were not able to encounter the power of Casimir The King therefore calls for Mansfield Schomberg Bassompierre and other Colonnels who promise to bring him eight thousand Reistres within sixe weekes giuing them three hundred thousand Frankes downe and foureteene hundred thousand when they were entred The King was wonderfull needy all was spent in vnprofitable sumptuousnesse and vnworthy dissolutenesse and part of this money could no where bee so easily found as in the Parisiens purses To induce them therevnto they obteine Bulles from Pope Gregorie the thirteenth and foure Churches appointed within Paris to obtaine pardons for many yeares vpon condition to ayde the King to roote out heresies And to drawe the Parisiens by others example they gaue it out that Piennes solde his inheritance to lend the King foure hundred thousand Frankes that the Italians of Paris did furnish the like summe and the Duke of Neuers the Cardinall of Ferrara Goâ—di and Birague nine hundred thousand frankes Neither the first nor the second bayte could make the Parisians to bite They say that within fifteene yeares their Cittie hath contributed twelue millions of gold not comprehending the loanes and extraordinary imposts leuied at Paris and throughout the realme that theâ—e ciuill dissentions wast both their men and money they beseech him that according to the notable aduertisements of Saint Lewis to his sonne and successor hee would mayntaine his subiects in peace and concord by the bonds of pietie and Iustice. Hee must haue money and not wordes and that by force seeing loue cannot preuaile Paris therefore is sodainly beset with garrisonsâ— the King of Nauarre at Saint Cloud the Duke of Guise at Saint Denis the Duke of Neuers in the suburbs of Saint Germain Biron at Montmartre the Marshall of Rez at Pont Charenton and Ecis de Vincennes Thus the Parisiens are restrayned of their victuals and force extorts from them the money which kindnesse could not winne In the meane time the pretended Reistres were farre off and Duke Casimir marched with the Prince of Condé To diuide the Duke of Alenson from these two heads and frustrate the desseins of the Prince of Condé the Queene mother comes againe to the Duke The Queene mothers second voyage to the Duke shee treats a surceassing of armes for six monethes and during the same shee giues him for hostages the Townes of Angoulesme Niort Saumur Bourges and la Charité and for the Prince Mezieres The King doth ratifie tâ—is truce but the gouernours of these places for the most part refuse to yeeld them neither will the Prince allow of it for alreadie there marched tenne thousand horse sixe thousand Suisses two thousand Lansquenets three thousand French hargubuesiers with foure great peeces of batterie and sixteene lesse the which threatned to make their passage easie This armie made chefest account of the money which Languedoc should furnish A Germain armie â—or
France Peter Versoris Aduocate in the Couâ—t of Parliament at Parâ—s Orator for the third estate The third Estate more in difâ—ereâ—t and moderatâ— iâ—sists especially for the vnion of al the kings subâ—â—ctâ— in one religion but by mild meane and without warre he beseecheth the King to maintaâ—ne his people in peace to reconcile his Princes and exactly to examine the bad gouernment of his treasor The King seemed to incline onely to alter some articles in tâ—e last Ed ct of pacification and not to abolish it quite but he was needie and feared that wheâ—ewith they threatned him That no man would assist him but vpon condition to make â—aâ—re against the Huguenots Thus the perswasions and promises of the Clergie Nobilitie preuailed more then those that preferred pâ—acable proceedings before violent making him resolue to armes warre concluded to roote out all other exercise of religion but the Catâ—â—like to banish all ministers deacons and ouerseers of the pretended reformed religion and yet to take all his other â—ubiects of the said religion into his protection attending that by better instructions they might be reclaymed to the bosome of the Church But the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde the Marshall of Montmorencie d' Anâ—â—lle and other Noblemen Protestation against the the Parliament both of the one and the other religion had well foreseene these conclusions and refusing to assist at this pretended Parliament conclude a Nâ—llity of all that should be decreed to preiudice the Edict of pacifiâ—ation protesting that they were resolued to maintaine themselues in the rights liberties and freedomes which the last Edict had granted them That the troublers of the publike quiet and the 〈◊〉 enemies of France should find them in a iust defence and they should answere before God and men for all the miseries that should ensue thereby For answere it was ordeined that men should be sent to winne some to the Catholike Church and all to the obedience of the Kings new Edict tending to maintaine the Romaine religion to roote out all other exercise to defend the King and to preserue his people The King thought by this opposition to stay this new faction which fortified it selfe daily It was a great indiscretion to countenance an association and League The King of 〈…〉 â—o the â—â—tates which vnder the ashes of the last warre being yet hot couered the coales of a generall flame The King of Nauarre beseecheth the Estates by the Duke of Montpeâ—sier who was sent vnto him not to infringe the Edict of peace and to suffer them of the religion to inioy that which had beene so sollemnly granted He offers to â—â—bmit himselfe if they shew him how he erres but he intreats them 1â—â—7 that in a matter of â—o great importance they will giue him time to thinke seriously thereon and to attend the opinion of an assembly of those of his religion and of the Catholicks associats which shortly shall be made at Montâ—uban The Prince of Condé answers more sharply That he doth not acknowledge them that are assembled at Blois for the Estates of the Realme but a conuenticle of â—ersons corrupted by the sworne enemies of the Crowne who haue sollicited the abolition of the Edict to the ruine and subuersion of the realme That if they had beene lawfully called he would haue assisted for the sincere affection he beares to the Kings seruice and the quiet of his country That hee will neuer giue his consent to the counsels of the Authors of so many confusions which hee foresees wherevnto hee hath alwayes knowne the Kings disposition to be repugnant and a friend to vnion being the sure and principall meanes to preserue his Crowne That hee hath alwayes honoured the Clergie and Nobilitie and will maintaine them with all his power but he pittâ—es the people whom these pretended Estates of Bloâ—s seeke to ruine The chiefe of the Politicks protest The dâ—clâ—raâ—ion oâ— the Politikes That they doe not cleaue to any other religion then that of their Fathers but as touching a generall peace they cannot allow of this resolution To take from the Protestants the publike exercise which had beene so solemnly granted them The Duke of Montpensier being returned perswaded to haue the Edict confirmed The third estate presented a new petition vnto the King beseeching him to vnite all his subiects in one religion but without violence Doubtlesse a King may well destroy euery priuate man but not all mankinde in generall One succeeds another and the children whose age and innocency doth naturally free from the rigour and violence of armes doe inherite the humours passions and quarrels of their fathers The Protestants ioyntly beseech the King The Protesta t s supplication not to suffer this assembly which they cannot allow for a generall Parliament to consult vpon the point of religion due vnto a free Councell The Estates sayd the King should neyther be free nor generall if I should make this prohibition And as they may demand what they pleâ—se so may you doe the like and I promise you in the word of a King and of an honest man that whatsoeuer I ordaine shall bee for the contentment of all my subiects and the quiet and peace of my realme In the meane time they consult how to leuâ—e mâ—ney for the warre The King giues notice to his Gouernours and publisheth by â—is Letters Pattents That hee is resolued to grant the Estates their requests touching the exercise of one onely religion And Villequier is sent to the Princes of the Empire to diuert some from their affection to the Prince of Condé and his adherents and to obteine from others a leuie of Reistres The sixâ— ciuill warre Thus the warre begins in Guyenne The King of Nauarre attempts vpon Marmande a Towne of his gouernment but without effect The Duke of Mayenne comes for the King and whilest hee is the strongest in field hee batters takes and sackes Thone-Charante Marans and other places thereabouts During the Parliament By the Duke of Aniou and the Deputies of the Lowe Countries came to demand succours of the King and the Duke of Aniou for Protector of their liberties and priuileges against the tyranous gouernment of the Spaniards He is now declared the Kings Lieutenant general They deliuer him a mighty army with the which contrary to the othe taken by him in the obseruation of the accord and promise past with the Prince of Condé and the Duke Cassimir hee besiegeth and takes La Charité by composition and Yssoire in Auuergne by force where the bloud of the inhabitants shed without pitty by the Duke of Aniou confirmed the Protestants in the bad opinion they had conceiued off him Rochelle crossed the practises of the contrary party of Mayenne whose happy exploits caused the Duke of Mayenne to send forth a Nauie to Sea vnder the command of Lansâ—c which presenting it selfe Before the Isle of Ré retyred seeing the Ilanders resolued
to enter into the League such as demaunded nothing but change bankroutes men indebted malefactors and wicked persons To conclude such as had neede of ciuill warre to liue vpon the Common followe the Guisiâ—ns Enseignes The double pistoletes of Spaine begin to shine the Captaines arme and go to field But the Huguenotes are at Rochelle in Languedoc Guyenne and Daulphiné and they go to seeke them in Picardie Champagne Bourgongne and Prouence Marseilles is surprised the ninth of Aprill by the practises of Daries the second Consull but sodenly recouered and Daries hanged Mandelot seised on the Cittadell of Lions the second of May. Orleans shuts her gates against the Duke of Montpensier sent by the King to assure himselfe of the Towne The other Townes riâ—e the factious worke and the armie of the League growes towards Paris euerie day they are fortified with some new troupe and euery day some Towne declares it selfe enemie The King in the meane time made no warre but by writing The Kings declaration thinking by milde and gentle meanes to pacifie them that spake too proudly Hee shewes by his declaration the zeale hee hath alwayes borne to the Catholike Religion and the necessitie that forced him to a peace finding all the Estates of his Realme tyred with the calamities past that peace was the onely meanes to vnite his subiects in one religion to establish Iustice to reforme abuses and manners to ease the Clergie honour the Nobilitie and to free the people from oppression That hee giues no benefices but to Prelates indued with learning and pietie The Nobilitie should bee reconciled leauing their splene and distrusts The people freed from deuouring warre should eate their bread in peace and yet many both impudent and rashe more hypocrites then religious gather by this peace that hee secretly fauours heretikes the which neuer entred into his thoughts That hee neuer fauoured the succession of a King who may preiudice the Catholike religion But to vndertake a quarrell for the royall succession whilest he is yet aliue and in hope to haue issue that were to distrust of Gods bountie and as it were degrade him from the estate whereunto God had called him That he hath honoured with the greatest and worthiest offices of the Crowne those Princes that complainâ— to bee debarred his fauour And in deed the Duke of Guise was Lord Steward of France Gouernour of Brie and Champagne and euery one of the same house aduanced to a gouernment Then hauing promised to restore the Church to her beautie to giue content to the Nobilitie and to ease the people hee intreates coniures exhorts and commaunds all Clergiemen gentlemen Parlaments and Townes corporate to separate themselues from that which may hinder so holy an intention to abandon all Leagues and associations and to vnite themselues vnder his obedience Moreouer the King writes to the King of Nauarre That hee should conteine himâ—elfe with patience to the end the people may know whome to blame as the motâ—ues of these new combustions assuring him of his loue and that hee will neuer forget his interest no more then his owne against them who vnder goodly shewes attempt aginst his person and Crowne to make them great with his losse and the whole ruine of his estate The King of Nauarre obeyes The King of Nauars declaration and leting passe all occasions to arme hee protests notwitstanding That seing the sword readie to strike his Lord and brother hee will preuent the danger And whereas he is accused of heresie hee answeres That hee was borne vnder the tolleration of two religions in France that hee will leaue that wherein hee was bred when by a lawfull Councell they shall shew him an other truth then that which hee beleues and therefore hee is no heretike nor yet relaps seeing hee was not fallen from his first opinion That he is no enemie to the Catholikes for that when the Edicts had granted libertie of conscience he presently layed downe armes that in all places he maintaines his subiects in the same libertie as he found them after the decease of hismother That at the pretended accord of Magdebourg which the preachers of the League publish in their pulpits as an imaginarie asâ—embly and fit to be spoken by a Montbanke the deceit appeares plainely in that they name in the extract published by them the Ambassadors of the Elector Palatin and of the Prince of Auranges whereof the Electtor was deceased aboue a yeare before the terme they specified the Prince slaine at Delfe foure monethes before That he hath requested of the King a prolongation of the Townes which hee holds for assurance of the last Edict and will deliuer them befâ—re the time so as the League lay aside armes anâ— yeeld vnto the King the places they had seized That whereas they declare him incapable of the Crowne it 〈…〉 him very neere yet doth he thinke least of it hoping that God by his bountie 〈…〉 preserue the King for the good of his realme and will giue him issue to the greeâ—e 〈◊〉 his enemies That those which by their declaration terme him desirous of the 〈◊〉 death a troubler of the State and an enemie to the Catholiks haue falsly and 〈◊〉 lyed beseeching the King to giue him leaue to end this quarrell with the 〈…〉 Guise one to one two to two or tenne to tenne without any troubling him 〈…〉 afflicting any of his people but no man vndertakes this lye no man accepts o◠〈◊〉 challenge Against this first insolencie of the League hee should oppose other armes then a pen A great error of State an other cuirasse then a penitents weeds an other countenance then doubâ—â—â—â— aâ—d trembling The authoritie of an assured browe the constancie of a manly â—â—â—rage a resolution fitt for a royall Maiestie should haue dispersed this warre of Gâ—ants and supprest these mutinous Legions But the Qâ—eene mother accustomed to 〈◊〉 in a troubled streame winkt at the Duke of Guise She was well pleased with theâ—◠〈…〉 she was contented the Duke should terrifie the King to make him abandoâ— tâ—e â—rotestants and to force him to banish his new minions from Court â—ho had 〈…〉 in disgrace with the King her sonne hee had now sequestred her from a great pâ—rt oâ— the affaires and held her as it were confined in her houses â—ithout the Louure 〈…〉 end she might bee sought vnto to auoyd tâ—e blowes of him that was readie to 〈◊〉 Her ambition moued her thereunto ratâ—er then any desire shee had to aduaâ—ce the Duke to crosse both the King and Duke and to bring disorder and confusiâ—n â—â—to the State and to stand alonâ— in the midest of these furious tempestâ— The League might easily haue beene ouerthrowne In the beginning they â—ad but a thousand horse The League weake and foure thousand foot in field and the greatest part knoâ—ing thaâ— these troubles concerne the King and his estate retyred themselues in time Mâ—st oâ— the Townes wauered betwixt
Chamber of accoumpts Aides and other Courts of Iustice. I will take from them the Vniuersitie their honours freedomes and Priuileges I will omitte no meanes to bee reuenged Not that I am reuengefull or accustomed to vse seueritie but I will haue them know that I haue as much resolution and courage as any my Predecessors I am no Vsurper but a lawfull King by succession and of a race that hath alwayes commanded mildly Let them not take religion any more for a pretext There liues not a more Catholike Prince nor that desires more the extirpation of heresies then my selfe I would willingly loose an arme that the last Hereticke were painted in this Chamber Returne to your charges and bee of good cheere I will bee for you and let them vnderstand what I haue sayde vnto you Now the most desperate Leaguers found that the absence of the Court made their fare but simple made their shops without Chapmen and their trafficke colde the shame to be without a King made the most audacious mutines to hang downe their heads the violence of rebellion quailed many found the dealing of Paris too audacious And now Paris studied to returne to the Kings obedience when as the Duke of Guise fearing the losse of many of his friends and seruants resolues to make his peace He now speakes of nothing but the Kings seruice The Duke seekes to make his peace the obedience of his Maiestie the preseruation of the Estate the reformation of disorders and the subiects ease and by the intercession of the Queene Mother seekes his fauour which he had lost The Queene Mother teâ—tifies the King Those of his Councell who for the most paâ—â—are seruants to the League keepes him in this humour and propounds vnto him a generall 〈◊〉 of his subiects with the intelligence and fauour the League had within Chartres the which causeth him for his greater safety to go to Roan Finally they crie out against the Huguenoâ—s My Liege say they will you loose the name of most Christian in winking at these heresies which vndermine the truth will you alone among threescore and one Kings your Predecessors suffer so detestable a medly of truth and falshood This Councell carries him away against them in whome hee should most trust who lamenting the decay of his authoritie and the weakning of his forces see that his intentions inclined to his owne ruine Hee seemes to bee in choller with the King of Nauarres partie to haue the League on his side but hee telleth no man that hee pretends to vse his forces against themselues and drawes certaine articles of the reunion of Iuly Edict of re-union whereby hee frames his Edict not so much against the King of Nauarres religion as to exclude him in fauour of the League from that which none but God could take from him But whilest they finish these accords he sodenly surpriseth the Isles of Charon and of Marans The King by this Edict admits no religion but the Catholike hee promiseth neuer to make a peace nor truce with the heretikes nor any Edict in their fauour Hee will haue all his subiects to ioyne with him that by their common forces they might root out the said heretikes Hee binds his subiects to sweare neuer to yeeld obedience after him to any Prince that shall bee an heretike or a fauorer of heresie degrades from all publike charges either in peace or warre those of the pretended reformed religion promiseth all fauour to the Catholikes so as they shew themselues obedient and faithfull and depart from all vnions practises intelligences associations and Leagues contrary to the vnion which hee made by this Edict hee declares them guiltie of treason that shall refuse to signe this new vnion or shall afterwards depart from it and finally hee abolished all that was done and past but signing this forced Edict hee wept Two things trouble the League The Leaguers are now wonderfully pufte vp with hope yet this reuerence of the royall maiestie is so naturally grauen in the hearts of men as the onely remembrance of the twelfth of May makes their hearts to tremble They feare the Scorpions tayle that the King by his great facilitie should determine against them some mourneful Catastrophe in the last act of the Tragedie The defeat of the Spanish armie at sea And thereuppon two things amaze them sodenly newes comes that the fearefull and huge Spanish armie wherein were a hundred and thirtie great shippes and twentie thousand fighting men vnder the commaund of the Duke of Medina Sidonia had by fortune of sea after their departure from the Grongne in Gallicia lost three gallies of Portugall many were scattered and many brused and made vnprofitable for the voyage and were afterwards so encountred by the Admirall and Drake the viceadmirall thwart of Portland vppon the English coast as they forced them to turne head and to retire in disorder towards the Towne of Calais hoping there to ioyne with the Prince of Parma with the losse of one gallion which carried some part of their treasor and also the instructions for the order which the Generall should follow hauing conquered England A bad beginning for so braue and proud an ostentation where they promised themselues an absolute victorie But the progresse and end was yet more fatall The English fleete presseth them so neere as they force them to leaue the Rendezuous in confusion their generall Galleasse pestered with other shippes was cast by the current vppon the sands neere to the Port of Calais and remayned with the artillerie in the Gouernours power The rest were scattered by the English artillerie The Spanish armie lost twelue shippes and aboue fiue thousand men who had no other sepulchres but the vast Ocean and the bellies of sea monsters Finally taking their course to the North bending towardes Scotland and Ireland those seas were no lesse fatall to the Spaniards for seuenteene of their great ships were sunke and many others cast vppon the sands and rockes and the rest of this armie was so miserably shaken as of a hundred and thirtie shippes hardly thirtie recouered Spaine The excuses of the Duke of Medina Where the Duke of Medina had no other excuse vnto his master but the ignorance and treacherie of his marryners with the small experience they had of those Northerne seas the want of succors from the Prince of Parma the tempests ship-wrackes finally ill fortune but not one word of the iudgements of God vpon this giantlike attempt to bring all England slaues to the mountaines of Grenade or to the mines of Peru. The second terror for the Leaguers is that the King will not returnâ— to Paris Thâ— King refuseth to go to Paris howsoeuer they importune him I will prepare my selfe saieth hee for the warre against the heretikes and for the Parliament which I intend to call and to giue all Princes that are vnited contentment and satisfaction They doubt the barricadoes haue left much splene
the Dâ—ke kept the Castell the Citadell was at his deuotion might by either of them drawe innecessary succors to vngage him The Seigneur of Tagens the Dukes Cousin aduanced with succors Bordes Captaine of the Citadell beeing prisoner among the conspirators loued the liberty of his place more then his owne life Mere Messeliere Macquerole and Bouchaux summoning the beseeged found nothing in them but a constant resolution to die rather then to yeeld and the people were willing to capitulate when as Tagens by his arriuall pacified the sedition armes were laied aside and the prisoners of both parts deliuered The Duke of Guise hauing made his peace with the King and disapointed his most faithfull Councellors yet one thorne troubled his foote The Huguenoâ—s Estate Hee therefore ceaseth not vntill hee sees them assayled in Poitoâ— and Daulphiné and whilest the Duke of Neuers prepared his armie for Poictou hee sends the regiment of Saint Paul to the Dâ—ke of Mercoeur to annoye the Protestants and not to suffer them to reape any commoditie in the Countâ—ie The Duke of Mercoeur goes into base Poictou beseegeth Montagu repaired by Colombâ—ers whome they of Nantes had hourely at their gates But at the first bruit that the King of Nauarre was come out of Rochelle to succour Montague hee retires straight to Nantes and left the regiment of Gersey to make the retreat Gersey defeated the which â—as ouertaken beaten and defeated two leagues from the suburbs of Nantes On the other side the Duke of Mayenne marched towards Daulphiné but hee planted the limits of his voiage in Lions Now are two mightie armies in field the one vnder the Kings authoritie the other all of Leaguers But this is not enough The King by a solemne oth in the Cathedrall Church at Rouan had sworne the execution of the Edâ—ct of vnion he hath sent it vnto the Bishops and commaunds them to presse the Huguenots in their diocesses to make profession of their faith and to abiure their errors in open Parliaments royall iurisdictions and comonalties This Edict then must bee confirmed as a fundamentall law of State and the King prest to assemble the three Estates of the Realme as hee had promised by tâ—e articles of the peace Henry grants a conuocation the first day of September at Blois Conuocation of the Estates there in the presence of the notablest persons of euery Prouince Seneshalâ—y and Baylewike to propound freely the complaints and greefes of euery man but not medling with any practises or fauouring the priuate passions of any But amidest these Commissions from the King the League wanted no policie to send secretly to them that were most affectionate to the aduancement of their desseins and to the most passionate Leaguers of the Realme articles and remembrances which they should put into their instructions and labour to bee chosen of the Parliament So as in a manner all the Deputies carried the badge of the League and their instructions were conformable to those which had beene sent vnto them The King comes first to Blois hee giues order for the place and for the Deputies lodgings The Duke of Guise followes but it was a great indiscretion for the Duke to goe to Blois seing the King would not come to Paris The Deputies come one after another but the King finding not the number sufficient to begin so sollemne an act he defers it vntill October In the meane time the King studies by the credit which his authoritie giues him oâ—er the three estates of his Realme to bring the Duke of Guise into open vewe and to receiue punishment for all his offences past And the Duke assâ—â—es himselfe that the most part of the Deputies would countenance his cause and would serue him as instruments to controll the Kings power So euery one labours to aduance his desseine and to deceiue one another but hee which shall bee deceiued will verifie that there is danger in delayes The sixteenth of October all the Deputies were readie for the Clergie a hundred thirtie and foure Deputies amongst others foure Arche-Bishops one and twentie Bishops and two Generalls of Orders for the Nobilitie a hundred and fourescore gentlemen for the third estate a hundred fourescore and eleuen Deputies all lawyers or marchants The seuenteenth day being the fiâ—st sitting of the best wits of all France rauished euery man with hope to heare rare propositions The Kinâ—â— speech and resolutions of great affaires for the reformation of the State The Kings oration being full of liuely affection true magnanimitie and pertinent reasons deliuered with an admirable eloquence and grace without any stay will testifie for euer that he exceeded all the Princes of his age in speaking well and that hee could grauely pertineâ—â—â—y and very sodenly make answere to the most important occasions that were offered Montelon keeper of the seale continued his proposition commended the zeale and integritie of his maiesties intentions promised the Estates Mantelon keâ—per of the seale that vnder his happie coÌ„maund they should reape in this conuocation the same effects which had bin tried in diuers raigâ—es hee exhorteth the Clergie to restore the beautie and dignitie of the Church The Nobilitie to frame themselues after the mould of pietie bountie Iustice and other vertues of the French nation so much honoured in all histories The people to reuerence Iustice and to obserue good orders to flie wrangling sutes sweariâ—â— blâ—â—phemies play lust vsurie vniust getting corrupt trading and other vices which be 〈◊〉 seeds of troubles and seditions and the ruine of flourishing Estates He layes open the Kings great debts his charge and care to roote out heresies his religion pietie and deuotion ending his speech with a commendation vnder the Kings obedience of the vnion and concord necessarie for the maintenance of religion The Clergie Renauld of Beaulne Arche-Bishop of Bourges Patriarke and Primat of Aquitania thanked the King for his loue to his subiects and God to haue installed on the throne of this Crowne a King endued from his youth with the spirit of wisedome to gouerne his people who had cast the lightning of the high God euen vpon the face of the enemies of his diuine Maiestâ—e hauing by diuers and dangerous voyages through diuers nations gotten the knowledge of affaires who by his onely wisedome and vertue had lately dispersed a great and mightie armie of strangers and giuen vs hope that vnder so good and great a King wee shall see heresie suppressed peace confirmed the seruice of God established Churches and Temples restored Iustice and peace embraced charitie abound among men by vnitie of religion begin here on earth to raigne with Christ the Idea and patterne of that heauenly kingdome whereunto wee aspire The Baron of Senesei testified the Nobilities affection to the Kings seruice confessing that to him alone belongs to worke those good effects The Nobilitie for the establishment of the honour of God the Catholike religion things profitable for
the Estate and necessarie for his people offering in the name of them of his order the zeale faith and dutie which the gentlemen of France haue alwayes borne vnto their Kings their armes meanes liues persons to maintaine the obedience honour feare respect whereunto the lawes both of God and man tie the subiects to their Soueraigne Michell Martâ—au Prouost of the marchants at Paris President for the third estate first thanked God The third Estaâ—e who had cast his eyes of pittie vpon this realme in the extremitie of their afflictions then the King to haue yeelded to the humble petitions of his subiects heard their greefes and complaints and shewed a great desire to restore his people to their former Estate religion to her former dignitie to rule and settle all orders in their ancient forme being disordered by ths iniurie of times protesting that in so doing their most humble and faithfull seruice should not faile vnto the last breath And so the first sitting ended In the second the twesday following the King at the instance of the Arche-bishop of Ambrun The oâ—h of the vnion renued the Earle of Brissac and the Aduocate Bernard speakers for the three Estates to content the importunitie of the League did againe sweare the oth of the vnion lately made at Rouan and making his Edict of Iâ—ly last a fundamentall lawe of the Realme to bind him them and all their posteritie yet not derogating from the liberties and priuileges of the Nobilitie he caused it to be publikely read by Ruze Seignieur of Beaulieu his chief Secretarie of State And to make the memorie of so solleÌ„ne an othe more autentike to posteritie he commaunded the said Secretarie to make an act that all the orders of the realme had sworne in the bodie of the state all with one voyce the Clergie laying their hands vppon their brests and the rest lifting them vp to heauen An oth performed with great ioy and generall reuâ—uing of that happie acclamation of God saue the King so many yeares forgotten among the French nation and followed with a singular testimonie of the Kings clemencie remitting the Parisiens offence for the common good of the Catholikes of France and the ease of his people whose miseries made him treade vnder foote his iust displeasure Hold saith hee to the Prouost of marchants of Paris this word assured as from the mouth of your King and take heed that Paris fall not into a relaps which will bee fatall and not recouerable Bâ—t there was a brute spred ouer all France that vnder colour of this assembly they practâ—sed an exemplary reuenge against the chiefe of the Estates Aduertisements came from all parts this feare went from Chamber to chamber the most apprehensiue desired to be satified The Arch-Bishoppe of Ambrun makes report vnto the King I knâ—we saied the King the liberties and prerogatiue of the Parliament they ought to 〈◊〉 in my word It is a sinne to growe in iealousie of your King â— and thâ—se reports come not but from such as haue no loue to their King but seeke to make him odious to his people There 〈◊〉 neuer any cause growe from me to disturbe this assembly In the end the familiarity 〈◊〉 shewes of loue from the King to the Duke and Cardinall of Guise and for their saâ—es to the chiefe of the League made them lay aside all sâ—sâ—ition of a bloudie â—ct whereof they were adueâ—tised from all parts And without doubt if the League had not stirred vp the coales of forepassed indignities the fiâ—e of â—is wrath had not perchance deuowred them This blast past ouer there are other attempts no lesse dangerous The League sets them on woâ—ke that beares their badge to hit the marke whereat they aymed To put the King in disgrace and to install the Dâ—ke of Guise in his thorne for the King oâ— Nauarre is nowe by this new fundamentall lawe excluded from the royall succession But what meane they to do The Collosse they seeke to build shall bee their 〈◊〉 the fire they kindle shall burne them the knife they forge shal be sherâ—ed in their owne bowells and finally shall leaue of this League a shamefull and reprochefull memory To hit this pretended marke Practises to make the king odious they must make the Kings actions oâ—ious to all the world reproch to him his vnreasonable prodigality his dissembling the oppression of his people the erecting of newe offices thereby to bandie against him the most apparent families of the third Estate wronged in the suppression of them or else neglecting to redresse it they should declare him an enemie to the people and a tirant ouer his realme and so the people should presently resolue to confine him into a monastery They still lay before him the wonderfull coldnesse of the greatest part of the Catholikes to his loue and obedience seeing themselues forced to liue amongest them that had burnt their Churches profaned their altars massacred the Preestes spoiled their goods They beseech him to defend the Church and to prefer the iniuries done to religion before the violences coÌ„mitted against the state They propound vnto him the excessiue impositions and subsidies which had already withdrawne most part of his subiects and the filthy auarice of strangers who by continual inuentions did cruelly impouerish France They represeÌ„â— vnto him the abuses of the gouernment the bestowing of benefices to all men indifferently either married or souldiars the lechery dissolutnes and ignorance of Prelats the sale of Offices and places of iudgement They exhort him not to deale in spirituall causes or at the least to proceede holily as it belongs to holie things To degrade a great number as well of Prelates as of ciuill maâ—â—strates in soueraigne Courts and inferior Iurisdictions and to punish with death those ministers which by corruption haue crept into the Church Iustice and gouernment else hee cannot preserue the Estate In the ende they presse him to reforme the excesse and disorders of his Court the which are odious to so many Noble spirits fraught with holinesse magnanimity and courage to so many great and rich mindes as be among the Nobility which beeing imployed would in fewe moneths repaire the ruines of this Estate Sâ—ch as find themselues interessed in the cutting off the superfluous number of offices and in the buying of their places disswade the King from this resolution but to maâ—â—taine them in the honours which they enioye vnder the countenance of his Maiesty The third Estate exhibit their complaints of the excesse of taxes and subsidies wherwith they are oppressed of the customes forraine impositions rents vpon salt entries â—oans gâ—ifts increase decrease of the prises of money with many other exactions and surcharges whereof the King receiued not any benefit but what was dipt in the bloâ—d of his poore people The Nobility complaines of seruices done without recompence indiscreet distributioÌ„ of the Kings liberality The Clergy exclaime that money which hath
first party by a new defection Bernard Aduocate of the Parlement of Dijon The Aduocate Bernard began his oration with a sollemne thaâ—kes for the Kings promise fully to execute the Edict of the vnion hee exhorted all the townes and subiects of the Realme to vnite themselues not onely in Religion but also in good correspondency for the Kings seruice continuation of his dignity and defence of the Estate He discouered all the other infirmities of this politike body the which besides the vlcer of partialities haue strangely corrupted it as Blasphemies adulteries witchcraft Simony outrage in souldiars inuentors of subsidies and newe Edicts executors of extraordinary Commissions Brokers and buyers of Offices who wast the treasure and bring the people to beggery An Inuectiue against so many Edicts registred with this Apostill By commandements many times reiterated seeing that in good and iust Edicts the Soueraigne Princes commaund is not necessary against the treasure ill imployed and the strange oppressions of France Then requiring a conclusion of the Estates he beseeched his Maiesty to open the eyes of his wisedome for the ease of his poore people not to change his godly resolutions and to dismisse the Deputies considering the mutinies that were in their Prouinces to go and make proofe said he of the effects of their good wills But these wills were for the most part subiect vnto those that vnder a goodly shew of war for religion and the publike good studied of nothing but rebellion cruelty treachery trouble and confusion Thus the Estates ended and the King foreseeing the extreme oppression of his subiects in so great a leauy of armes abates the fourth part of their subsidies and sent to all the Prouinces to assure them of his good intent But his subiects were too much affected to mutinies too capable of disobedience too ready to spoyle the wise and the rich The mourning of the Duchesses of Guise Nemours and Montpensier being set at libertie by the King to binde them to bee intercessors to his mutinous people the fuâ—ious cries of Boucher Guarin Cueilli Roze Pelletier Guincâ—sâ—â—e Hamilton Christin Lucain Mauâ—lerâ— Commâ—let Feuâ—rdent and other such Preachers very firebrands of sedition The perswasions of the Prouost of Marcâ—ants of the Sherifâ—es of Paris and other Magistrates of Townes freely released by the King â—ad too wickedly seduced them But the Duke of Mayennes arriuall at Pâ—ris confirmed the inhabitants more in the execution of the foresaid 〈◊〉 of Sorbonne This decree quite contrary to those by the which this College hath so often commendably withstood the vnfit and violent proceedings of the Court of Rome The Court of 〈…〉 Paris imprisoned against the estate of this realme could not take effect whilest that maiesticall and reuerent Parliament the true gardien of this Crowne had eyther force or authoritie So one of the sixteene Bussyle Clerâ— a poore petty fogger lately much honoured being admitted to present himselfe bare headed vpon his knee before this reuerent assemblye followed by some of his acquaintance and companions and a bande of armed raskalls enters the sixeteenth of Ianuary armed with a Cuirasse and a pistoll in his hand into the great chamber with an intent to carry away the fiâ—â—t President de Harlay and the other Presidents and Councellors who persisting in the fiâ—elity of their charge might crosse the madde and fatall desseins of the League The whole bodie ashamed to see themselues dismembred by this insolent and presumptuous attempt followed their head Bussy then leads them away all in triumph two 〈◊〉 two prisoners to the Basâ—ille and Louure Such as were Royalists were kept there tâ—e rest which leaned to this popular furie preserued their houses from the spoile whicâ— this Tribune had pretended and were sent home Some aduertised of this newe Commission saued their persons but not the confiscation of their goods and reueâ—â—â—es That man was happie that found a friend where to hide himselfe or that could get away disguised in his seruants weedes and so march many daies on foote to â—ecouer Tours or some other place of the Kings obedience All diuine and humane Lawes were subuerted respect of equity abolished and the reuerence of publike authority defaced The officers of the Parliament being 〈◊〉 giue the place of the first President to Barnabé Brisson then they make a 〈◊〉 in manner of another for the entertaynment of the vnion The Princes of Lorraine and many gentlemen sweare vnto it the sixteene subscribe it one amongest them prickt himselfe in the arme to signe it with his owne bloud but remayning lame therby he was mockt by his Companions The people made a generall Councell of the vnion consisting of fortie choise men of the three Estats the which was confirmed by the Parliament to dispose of the publike aâ—â—aires A generall Councell of the vnion and to conferre with the Prouinces and townes of the League For the Church Brezè Bishop of Meaux Rozè Bishop of Senlis Villars Bishop of Agen Preuost Curat of Saint Seuerin Boucher Curate of S. Bennet Aubry Curate of S. Andrews Pelletier Curate of S. Iames Pigenat Curat of Saint Nicholas Launoy Chanoine of Scissons and sometime minister at Sedan for the Nobility the Marquis of Canillac the Seigneur of Menneuille Saint Pol Rosne Montberault Hautefort Saussay for the third Estate Massaparault Neuilly Coqueley Midorge Machault Baston Marillac Achanie de Braye Beau-cler Bruyâ—re Lieutenant Ciuill Anroux Fontanon Drouart Crucè Bordeaux Halâ—equin Soly Bellanger Poncher Senault Charpentier 〈◊〉 Lawieâ—s or men oftrafficke The great men enter presently into iealousie of this number whereas the people commanded so as by the Dukes importunity and the aboue named Pâ—incesses they adde vnto them Hennâ—quin Bishop of Rennes the Abbot of Lenoncourt the Presidents â—aniâ— Vetus lâ— Maistre Dormesson Videuille d' Amours a Councellor Villeroy both father and sonne Sermoise Dampierre la Bouâ—dâ—isiâ—re le Fay and many others who to carry it away by plurality of voices called vnto them the President le Sueur Bragelonne Treasorer Roland a sheriâ—fe and others who assisting one another with theiâ— voices ouerthrew many things which those that were deputed for the people were readie to decree for the confirmation of their tirannie Exceeding insolencies The Duke of Mayenne to settle his affaires suffers these base Companions to plaie the pettie Kings Those of the Clergie exceeding the authority of the Church do in their sermons excomunicate the father that knoweth his sonne to be the Kings seruant and reueales him not to the Councell of the vnion the sonne that discouers not his father the wife and the husband that accuse not one an other the kinsemen and friends that discouer not the goods of their kindred and friends beeing absent to be imployed in the warres The Nobility reapes some proffit of the ransomes and spoiles of the Royalists and Politikes The people condemne impryson spoile and ransome of theiâ— absolute powre and sell the goods of any that beares not
but la Noue whome the King had especially commaunded to assist the Duke of Longuâ—uille with Councell in matters of warre did so wisely make choise of the houre and oportunitie to charge as the Duke of Aumale Balagni Gouernour of Cambray Of the Duke of Aumale and Balagni at Senliâ— and the rest puting in practise the vse of their long spurre rowels lately inuented as a mournfull prediction to the League saued their persons by the swiftnes of their horses and left the field died with the bloud of fifteene hundred slaine vppon the place in the â—light and poursuit verifying the saying He that flies betimes may fight againe Chamois Menneuille and diuers others could not runne fast inough The artillerie baggage and many prisoners remained at the victors discretion who by the Kings commaundement went to receiue the army of strangers which were come to the fronters The Kings meaning was to subdue Paris The greatest of the Hidraes heads being cut off did weaken the whole bodie and gaue hope to his Maiestie by that meanes to find what hee had lost the loue and obedience of his subiects To this end hee sends the Duke of Espernon to take from the Parisâ—ens the commodities aboue the riuer and assembles his forces to compasse them in beneath Thus the warre growes hot The Nobilitie goes to horse on all sides to reuenge the wrong done vnto the King but the more his troups increased the more bitter his subiects grew against him No prosperitie is so gâ—eat but it hath some crosses As the King attends the forces which the Prince of Dômbes now Duke of Montpensier brings him from Tours Losses for the King newes comes that the Earle of Soissons whome he had sent to commaund in Brittanie had beene defeated at Chasteaugiron three Leagues from Rennes and led prisoner with the Earle of Auaugour and many other Lords to Nantes That the Duke of Mayenne had taken Alenson That the Lord of Albigni a yonger brother to the house of Gordes and a partisan of the League had chased the Colonnel Alphonso out of Grenoble and seized on the Towne The taking of these Earles caused the King to send the Prince Dombes thither who more happily reduced many places to his Maiesties obedience The happie successe of the Kings affaires made men to iudge Towneâ— taken that the League would soone bee ruined the Kings armie increasing hourely Three hundred horse of la Chastre who presently after the Tragedie of Blois had made shew to iustifie himselfe vnto the King for the strict familiaritie hee had with the Duke of Guise were defeated by the Duke of Montâ—ason and the Marquis of Nesâ—e his Lieutenant and fiftie of his companie slaine the taking of Iargeau Pluuiers Ianuille and Estampes terrified the Parisiens They call backe the Duke of Mayenne and he finding the Duke of Longueuille farre off goes into Brie assures some places and takes Montreau-faut-yonne by composition from the Duke of Espernon but the Kings approch carried him sodenly to Paris where suffering his troupes to liue at discretion in the suburbs hee caused an ill impression to grow in some which could not well digest this confusion in the State An armie of about twentie thousand men gathered to gither by the Duke of Longueuille ioyning with the Suisses Lansquenets of Sansy Pontoise returned to the Kings obedience soone after the Kings arriuall all the Kings forces ioyned in one bodie being about fortie thousand men lodged about Paris and the taking of Saint Cloud made the Parisâ—â—ns readie to yeeld when as a deuilish monke an excrement of hell a Iacobin by profession Iames Clement of the age of two or three and twentie yeares Paris beseeged vowes said hee to kill the Tirant and to deliuer the holy Cittie beseeged by Sennacherib Thus resolued hee imparts his damnable proiect to Doctor Bourgoing Prior of his Couent to father Commolet and other Iesuits and to the heads of the League to the chiefe of the sixteene and to the fortie of Paris All encorrage him to this 〈◊〉 desseine they promise him Abbaies and Bishoprikes and if he chance to be made a Martir no lesse then a place in heauen aboue the Apostles They caused the Pâ—eachers to perswade the people to patience seauen or eight dayes for before the â—nde of the weeke they should see a notable accident which should set all the people at liberty The Preachers of Orleans Rouan and Amiens clatter out the like at the same time and in the same termes The first of August the Monke goes out of Paris and marcheth toward Saint Cloud vpon his departure they take aboue two hundred of the chiefe Cittizens and others prysoners whome they knewe to haue goods friends and credit with the Kings partie as a precaution to redeeme that cursed murtherer in case he were taken before or after the deed Being arriued at Gondyes house where the King lodged he goes to la Guesle the Kings Proctor generall in his Court of Parliament at Paris and saies that he had brought some matter of importance which might not be imparted to other but to his Maiesty and had letters of credit from the first President The King who for the reuerence he bare vnto Church men gaue free accesse vnto such as vnder the habit of religion made shew to bee deuoted vnto the seruice of God commands hee should bee brought into his Chamber willing the Lord of Bellegarde and the saied Proctor generall to retire who were then alone nere the King hoping both by the quality of the person whome he did counterfeit whose long imprisonment in the Bastille had giuen sufficient testimony of his faith and integrity to his Maiestie and the simple demonstration of the Wolfe disguised into a Lambe to learne some secret matter of importance and receiues this counterfet letter from him The King did no sooner begin to reade it but this wretch seeing himselfe alone growes resolute and drawing a Knife out of his sleeue made of purpose thrusts his Maiestie into the botome of the bellie and there leaues the knife in the wound The King drawes it forth and with some striuing of the Monke strikes him aboue the eye Many ranne in at this noyse and in the heate of choller killing this monster of men preuented the true discouery of this enterprise and the authors thereof worthie to be noted with a perpetuall blot of disloyaltie and treason The Physitians held the wound curable and the same day the King did write of this attempt The death of Henry the â— being murthered and of his hope of recouery to the gouernors oâ— Prouinces to forraine Princes and to his friends and confederates But fealing that the King of Kings had otherwise determined of his life hee did first comfort himselfe in foreseeing that the last houre of his crosses should be the first of his felicities then lamenting his good and faithfull seruants who suruiuing should finde no respect with those whose mindes
season and dangerous to make this election and that the assemblie reserued the conclusion thereof vntill they might see an armie readie by meanes whereof their resolutions might be supported and put in execution Courage this calme promiseth that wee shall soone anchor in a safe harbour And that which aduanceth the ship of our Estate with a more prosperous gale that great Senat of France remayning at Paris resumes their credit and the beautie of their scarlet robes they exhort the Duke of Mayenne to imploy his authoritie of Lieutenant that vnder colour of religion the Crowne fall not into strangers hands against the lawes of the Realme and to prouide speedily for the peoples quiet A decree of the Parliament at Paris and by a decree of the eight and twentith of Iuly they declare all treaties made or to bee made to that end voyde and of no validitie as being made to the hurt and preiudice of the Salique Law and other fundamental Lawes of State This decree did wonderfully moue the Duke of Mayenne and the agents of Spaine especially against the President le Maistre who deliuered the speech who encountring all their choller 's left them to bite vppon the bridle But see now the fatall blowe which ruines that third party 1593 by the which many Catholikes were readie to thrust the realme into newe combustions and cuts off all dfficulties as well in them which made a scruple to fight vnder the Enseignes of a King of any other religion then their owne as in others which had so long time shadowed their mutinies and rebellions with this goodly pretext The King after the taking of Dreux satisfied in his conscience by the instruction of the Arch-bishop of Bourges of Renè Benoist Curate of Saint Eustache of Paris and of some other doctors desires to be admitted into the bosome of the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church The Kings Conuersion and the 25. of Iuly made a publike and sollemne profession at S. Denis to the sayd Arch-bishop assisted by Charles Cardinall of Bourbon Arch-bishop of Rouan and Nephew to the deceased nine Bishops with many other prelates and religious men hee protested to liue and die in the sayd Catholike religion swearing to defend it against all men hee made profession of his faith and performed all ceremonies requisite in so sollemne an act and then he receiued absolution and blessing with an admirable ioye and acclamation of the people Presently after this sollemne act his Maiesty sent the Duke of Neuers the Marquis of Pisani and Henry of Gondy Bishop of Paris to the Pope to yeeld obedience by them to the holy sea and to testifie that hee desired no lesse to imitate the example of Kings his Predecessors and to deserue the title and ranke of the first sonne of the Church by his actions then they had beene carefull to get it and preserue it and to beseech him to allowe of his conuersion and to countenaunce it with his owne blessing This is that great action of state which the chiefe of the League most feared for what could they nowe obiect against the King to contradict his right and to terme him incapable of his inheritance See nowe by what suttlety they seeke to crosse his Maiesties affaires and to support the strangers They complayne first of his sodaine change say they may not trust him That his Holines must begin end this worke That the King should make all submissions to the sea of Rome and attend if the Consistory would declare him capable to gouerne the realme of France That hauing commandement from the Conclaue they would aduise to do what should bee reason Vntill the which were effected they could not treat any more with the Kings deputies and till that this change of religion which the King had made were approued by the Pope whereof afterwards they would take aduise for assurance of the preseruation of the onely Catholike religion in this realme The Duke of Mayenne hauing to his great preiudice so often tryed the proude insolencies of the Spaniards and since knowne that their practises tended onely to feede a perpetuall fire of diuision among the French by meanes of the election of a newe King whome they promised to marrie to the Infanta had often protested that when hee should see the King returne into the bosome of the Church from the which his religion had excluded him he would presently yeeld him obedience as his most humble seruant The Kings conuersion doth nowe free him of this imaginarie scruple The King himse fe offring him offices and honorable aduancements seekes to drawe him out off those snares from the which hee would willingly bee freed But he is so farre engaged as hee can hardly retire himselfe and some hope that the decisions of Rome the resolution of the Estates the conclusions of the Colledge of Sorboane and the practises of Spaine would yet worke some good effects in his fauour do withhold him from accepting of his Maiesties offers But on the otherside he cannot digest the aduancement of the Duke of Guise The Duke of Mayenne seekes to crosse his Nâ—pheâ—â— whose marrâ—â—ge with the Infanta the Partisans of Spaine did solicit as being heire to his Faâ— ers prâ—tensions And to ouerthrowe it hee seemes in generall termes to approue so great an honour done vnto his Nephew but requiring for his owne particular so high and dâ—fficult things he giues them easily to vnderstand that he will not subiect his will to the appetites of Pope Clement nor of Philip King of Spaine neyther yet to the decision of Estates in that whilest that he crosseth the propounded election of the Duke of Guise The Conference at Surene giues the subiect meanes to taâ—t the liberty of the fields and the sweetenesse of peace concluding the last of Iuly a generall suspension of armes on eyther side for three monethes a meanes which shall soone reduce whole prouinces withdrawne from their ancient obedience A generall truce In the meane time the more the Agents of Spaine see their practises disapointed the more vehement they are that the Court of Rome should giue no audience to the Kings submission They oppose themselues by the meanes of the Ambassador of Spaine at Rome against the negotiation of the Kings Ambassadors with the Pope They speake of his maiesties conuersion as of a counterfeit thing to deceiue the Church and after his confirmation to ruine the Catholike religion To conclude they do their best to quench these coales of charity which were kindled in the peoples hearts and cause the Pope to reiect this faithfull and willing obedience whereby the King will shewe himselfe a successor of the piety of Clouis Charlemagne and Saint Lewis as well as heire of their scepter But see one of the most violent atteÌ„pts of the league which had almost dissolued this harmony which was prepared by a generall reconciliation of the French among themselues and of them to their lawfull and
settle concord and to disperse all the miseries which Discord doth bring forth Some haue complained that I would make leuies of Suisses or of other troopes If I did they must thinke it were to some good end by reason of all my actions past Witnesse that which I haue done for the recouerie of Amiens where I haue imployed the money of the Edicts which you would not haue passed Necessâ—â—ie the first reason and essentiall cause of the â—dict if I had not come my selfe vnto the Parliament Necessitie hath foâ—ced mee to make this Edict by the same Necessitie I haue heretofore plaied the Souldiar They haue talked at their pleasures and I haue not seemed to regarde it I am now a King and speake as a King I will bee obeyed There is not any one of you that findes mee not good when hee hath need of me And there is not any one but hath need once in the yeare and yet you are bad to mee that am so good If other Parliaments for that they haue impugned my will haue beene the cause that they of the Religion haue demanded New things I would not haue you the cause of other innouations by your refusall In the yeare 1594. and 95. when I sent vnto you a Declaration vpon the Edict for the prouision of Offices I did then promise that I would not aduance any one of the Religion to Offices in the Court of Parliament Since time hath altered the affaires wee must accomodate our selues therevnto and yet I will bee well assured of such as I shall aduance to those Charges that they shall gouerne themselues as they ought Talke not so much of the Catholike Religion To all these great cryers Catholickes and Ecclesiastickes 400. pound Staâ—lâ—ng let mee giue to one a thousand Crownes a yeare in Benefices to another foure thousand Liueries of Rent they will not speake a word more I haue the same opinion of all others that shall speake against the Edict There are some which hate the sinne for feare of punishment but the good hate it for the loue of Vertue For Gods sake let mee know that you hate sinne for the loue of Vertue or else I will chastice them that hate it for feare of paine and afterwards they will thanke mee as the Sonne doth his Father The Preachers deliuer words in their Sermons more to nourish then to destroy sedition yet no one of you sayeth any thing these faults which concerne â—ee are not regarded But I will foresee that this Thunder shall bring no Storme and that their predictions shall proue vaine I will not vse their remedies which being out of season will but increase the euill Consider that the Edict whereof I speake is the deceased Kings Edict it is also mine for it was made with mee and I do now confirme it I will say no more but aduise you to imitate the example of the obedience of the Duke of Maine Being perswaded to enter into some factions against my will hee answered that hee was too much bound vnto mee and so were all my subiects amongst the which hee would bee alwayes one that should expose his life to please mee for that I had restored France in despight of them that sought to ruine it And if hee that was the head of the League hath spoken in this manner how much more ought you whome I haue restored to the place from whence the League had expelled you yeeld vnto my request that which you would not do for threats You shall haue none of mee do that which I commaund you or rather what I intreat you you shall not do it onely for mee but for your selues and for the good of the peace This speech was pleasing vnto the Parliament the difficulties which were found in the establishment of the Edict were held tollerable by reason of the Kings will and the necessitie of his affaires Yet they continued fortie dayes after before they would resolue of it The Duchesse of Barr the Kings sister would not depart out of Paris before it was established Shee had shewed her selfe burning in zeale and affection in that matter as in all other affaires of that nature and it was not without reason that after the Kings entrie into Paris when as the Deputies of the Churches of Poitou beseeched his Maiestie for some thing depending vppon the execution of his Edicts hee sayd vnto them Adresse your selues vnto my Sister The Kingâ— Sister pursues the establishment of the Edict your Estate is now fallen vnto the Distaffe The articles of the Edict you may reade at large in the Originals The Edict was sent by the care and diligence of the Kings Atturney general vnto al the Baylewikes depending vppon Paris And yet his Maiestie had deputed in euerie Prouince certaine Commissioners for the execution thereof The exercise of the Catholike Religion was restored in Rochelle and in aboue a hundred walled Townes and a thousand Parishes and Monasteries where the sayd exercise had beene interdicted aboue fifteene yeares and in Bearn for the space of one and thirtie yeares Whilest this Edict of pacification was established in France Cardinall Andrew for and in the name of the Archduchesse the Infanta made one against the Hollanders forbidding all her subiects to trafficke with them The tenor of which Proclamation was this That since the beginning of the Ciuill warres vnto this day The Infanâ—taes Proclamaâ—iongainst the States of the vnited Prouinces many offers had beene made by her and her Councell to them of Holland and their Associats which were most reasonable to reduce them to the dutie of their obedience whereas they had rashly shaken off the yoake and refused to vnite themselues to the other Belgicke Prouinces which did acknowledge and obey her but seeing they could not preuaile by that meanes they were forced to come to armes in the which notwithstanding the King her deceased father had vsed all clemencie and mildnes hoping they would acknowledge their error and craue pardon for their reuolt receiue the grace which hath beene often offered them That for this cause he had granted them their nauigations fishing and free traâ—ficke with his obedient subiects fearing that through this occasion the neighbours shouâ—d draw the profit of all negotiations to some other parts the which the Hollanders know well that the sayd neighbours haue laboured to do with all their power But they were so far from being reclaymed by these benefits as contrariwise they grew more insoleÌ„t and are growne obstinate resoluing in their Councels to resist the Peace and to continue the War the which proceeds not from the people who of their owne dispositions loue peace and desire to liue modestly in obedience but from some new men who taking vppon them the authoritie to commaund abuse the poore people in this sort regarding onely their owne priuat profit and not the publike good whereuppon all conditions haue beene reiected by them refusing to heare any Mediators for
Canisia The seege of Canisia raysed in the ende was forced to leaue it with shame and disorder loosing his Artillery and Baggage and abandoning the sicke wounded He lost his reputation there for the good had successe of enterprises are euer imputed to the General although it were true that the diuision among the Commanders of the Christians Army the great want of victuals the â—ury of the Plague gaue this aduantage vnto the enemy The Duke of Biron came to Fontainbleau whereas the King Queene and Daulphin remayned The Duke of Biron returnes out of England to Court he gaue an account of his Ambassage into England deliuered the Queens Letter vnto his Maiesty He continued in Court vntill the ende of the yeare and presented vnto him the three Estates of Bresse Beaugey Veromey and Gex whom the King receiued as gratiously The King coÌ„firmes the Priuileges of Bresse as if they had bin Frenchmen by birth and affection he confirmed their Priuileges and made them â—eele the fruits of this change He erected a Presidiall Court at Bourg depending vpon the Parlament at Dijon notwithstanding any opposition made by that of Grenoble preteÌ„ding that the Countries exchanged should hold the place of the Marquisate of Saluces be incorporate vnto Daulphine He releeued the CouÌ„tries exchanged in their Impositions Taxes and with such moderation as the most miserable promised vnto theÌ„â—elues happines vnder his sweet subiectioÌ„ Among other speeches which the King vsed vnto the Deputies these were noted It is reasonable said he seeing you speak French naturally His speech to the Deputies that you should be subiect to a King of France I am well pleased that the Spanish tongue shall remaine to the Spaniard the Germaine tongue to the Germaine but all the French must belong to me The Daâ—â—phin made his first entry into Paris the 30. day after his birth the Port was beautified with Armes The Daulphins first entry into Paâ—is the 2â— Octob. 1601. The pompe was of a Cradle in a Litter wheras the Lady of Moâ—glas sat with the Nurce The Prouost of Marchants Sheriffes went out off the Citty to meete him The Gouernesse made answer to the Oration His first lodging was at Zamets house Two dayes after he was carried back to S. Germain in Lay to the end the people might see him passing through the Citty the Nurce held him at her Breast The King had determined to conduct the Queene to â—loys but the desire he had to instruct the Duchesse of Bar his Sister in his Religion A Conference to instruct the Kings Sister stayd them all at Paris whether he had sent for the most learned Prelats Diuines to satisfie her in the presence of such Ministers as she had brought with her But they coÌ„iured her not to yeeld vnto this chaÌ„ge nor to dismember her selfe from the body and society of the children of God to bow her knees vnto Idolatry She continued so constant in her beleefe as she made a protestation that if her Religion were preiâ—â—icial to the Estates of the Duke of Lorraine she was ready to returne into Bearn beseeching the King to suffer her to end her life as she had begun it So as the CoÌ„ferences vpon this subiect remained vnprofitable were of no more effect then that which was made at Ratisbonne at the same time for the â—ame cause The King hauing setled as happy a Peace in France as could be desired he sought to redresse the disorders which could not be cured during the violence of the War The King did two things to reforme the disorders of the Treasure in the one he cut off a great number of Officers belonging to the Treasure in the other he caused a great and seuere search to be made of their abuses Many of the Treasury â—ischarged The more Officers the King hath for the managing of his Treasure the lesse profit comes vnto his Coffers for that a great part is spent in their entertainement So as it was resolued at the Estates held at Roan to suppresse the Offices of the Treasurers of the Generalities of France by death without hope of reuiuing As for the abuses of Treasorers their couetousnes was so great and their abuses so countenanced as no man liued happely but they Such as robbe the Poore die in prisons and are hanged but they that steale from the King and the publicke are at their ease When as Rhosny was called to bee Superintendant of the Treasor they were out of hope to do their busines as they had wont By his aduice the King commanded a strict search to bee made of their abuses in the Treasure A Chamber royall eâ—ected and to that ende he erected a Chamber or Court which hee would haue called Royale consisting of Iudges chosen out of his Soueraigne Courts And for that they had giuen the King to vnderstand The transport of gold and siluer â—orâ—â—dden that nothing did so much impouerish his Realme as the transport of gold siluer the which was vsuall by the suffrance of Officers he therefore reuiued the ancient Lawes for the transporting of gold and siluer or bullion out of the Realme adding paine of death therevnto and losse of all their goods that should do to the contrary the third whereof should go vnto the Informer He commanded all Gouernors to haue a care of the obseruation of these prohibitions and not to grant any pasports to the contrary vpoÌ„ paine to be declared partakers oâ— these transports and for their Secretaries that should countersigne them confiscation of their goods and perpetuall banishment The wearing oâ— gold and siluer forbidden But the forbidding of the transportation of gold and siluer is not the onely meanes to make a Realme abound therewith if the vse of it within bee not well ordred And therefore the King did forbid the superfluous vse of gold and siluer in Lace or otherwise vpon garments This Edict did greatly trouble the Ladies in Court yet it was obâ—erued for that it was generall and expected none the King himselfe did frowne of a Prince of his house who had not yet thought of this reformation The King continuing the same care to settle all things in good Estate seeing that forraine Coynes went at a higher rate in his Realme then where they were coyned he commanded that the vse of forraine coynes should bee forbidden after a certaine time giuen to the people to put it away reâ—â—oring gold to his iust value This commandement was iust but it was a great ruine to the peopole for the Strangers seeing that their Coynes were not currant among vs discontinued the trafficke and liued without that without the which wee thought they could not liue Those which were wont to come to Lions went to Geneua where the Duckates were raised as much as we had abated them The King by all these Edicts had nothing releeued the necessities of the
but to the State of Venice to iudge of the truth of his condition And to giue them better proofe thereof hee noted with great circâ—mstances the Ambassadors which had beene sent from the Seigneury vnto him the answeres and dispatches they had carried backe and the difficulties that were made The Senat who in all things but especially in matters of State proceeded warely and with great iudgement made a search of their relations and found them conformable to that which hee had spoken of the Ambassadors that had beene sent to the King D. Sebastian Hee was wisely and iudiciously examined of the Estaâ—e of other affaires wherevnto hee answered so boldly as of some hee was held for the true King D. Sebastian and of others for a Magitian The King of Spaines Ambassador maintayned in his Masters name that hee was a counterfit and an Impostor causing him to bee committed to prison King Sebastian of 〈◊〉 had a â—reâ—â— lippe and one hâ—nd 〈…〉 then tâ—e othâ—r where they informed against him who seeking to iustifie the resemblance of their bodies they caused him to bee stript to see if the markes of his body were answerable to those that D. Sebastian had They found seauenteene whereof some might well bee made by art the rest were by nature as one hand longer then an other and a great Lippâ— a marke of the Princes of the house of Austria from the which D. Sebastian was discended by his Grand-father Iohn the 3. King of Portugall A sentence giuen bâ— the 〈◊〉 of Venice who had married Katherine sister to the Emperour Charles the 5. and by his Mother Ioane who was Daughter to the same Emperor In the end after that the Senat had kept him long in pryson not knowing howe to be rid of him they decreed that with in three daies he should depart out of the Venetian Territories vpon paine of the Galleys Hâ— waâ— deliuered oâ—t of prison the 16. oâ— Dâ—câ—mber 1600. where he had 〈…〉 who le yâ—â—res To milde a sentence against a Counterfit and too cruell against a Prince if it had not beene to giue this prisoner means to saue himselfe and to seeke Iustice els where Beeing at liberty some Portugals remayning at Venice beseeched him to speake vnto them that they might see if his speech would giue them as much knowledge of his quality as his countenance not being able to iudge of the inner man by the outward parts the knowledge whereof belongs to him that gouernes the minde and thought His spâ—eâ—h to the Poâ—tuâ—aâ—s Hee spake vnto them after a Portugall manner proudly and Royally Doubt not my Children sayth hee that I am that miserable King D. Sebastian not only vnworthy of the possession of his Realme but of the light which shines and of life the which I haue not preserued but for the good of my people WheÌ„ I represent vnto my selfe that against the aduice of the Cardinall mine Vncle of the King D. Philippe of Queene Katherine my Mother and of all my Councell I vndertoâ—ke the defence succor of the Infidel Mulei Mahamet expelled out of the realme of Fez Maroc against Mulei-Moluc Wherby there could rise no glory to the ChristiaÌ„ religion nor any coÌ„tent to my selfe but the fume of vaine reputation That to raise this Army I charged my subiects with vniust exactions and forced my Nobility to followe mee vpon paine of loosing of their fees and priuiledges That hauing set footing there I dismissed some troupes at Cadis through a presumtuos confidence beleeuing rather the lies which Mulei Mahomet told mee of the intelligences hee had in Affrike and of the man of Warre which did expect him then the reasons of his good seruants who shewed him the inequality of their forces and the weakenesse of his succors That the violence of his bad carriage had make Affrike the graue of so many thousand men which might haue done good seruice to Christendom I take no ioye in the world but haue long desired that death had discharged mee of this heauy burthen of life beeing heereafter weary to liue among the miseries of Fortune But hauing learned by my selfe and mine owne misfortune that there is no Wisdome but doth erre before the Iudgementes of almightie GOD and that nothing can auoyde the decrees and ordinances of his fatall disposition I am forced to goe where his commandement doth lead mee and to shew my selfe for him that his will is I should be These words forced teares from him in speaking and from them in hearing who thinking to doe great seruice vnto God and a great good vnto their Countrie to saue their Kings head and to set him in a place of safetie they attire him like a frier of the order of S. Dominicke The pretended â—ing of Portugal stâ—id by the Duke of Florence â—n Ianuary 1601 Conducted prisoner to Naples 23. of Aprill 1601. and conduct him vnto Florence to go more safely to Rome The great Duke caused him to be appreheÌ„ded by the aduice of the Archbishop of Pisa and in stead of sending him to the Pope he deliuered him into the Viceroy of Naples hands when he saw himselfe in the power of the Castillians and that the Duke had intelligence with them hee reproched him with the breach of his faith his royaltie and the rights of hospitalitie It is not commendable for a Prince to deliuer a suppliant into the hands of his aduerse party hauing thrust himselfe vnder his protection But the great Duke seeing that the King of Spaine had a great Army amazing all Italy and threatning his Estates he thought it good policy not to incense a mighty King and a poynt of wisdome to auoide the storme and not to enter into War the end whereof must needes be ruinous He was conducted to the Viceroy of Naples before whom he presented himselfe with as assured a countenance as he had done before the Senate of Venice and the Great Duke Entring into the Hall and comming towardes the Viceroy who either for the Reuerence of this action or for the Disposition of the time was bare-headed he called vnto him a farre off Earle of Lemos couer your Head These words deliuered with Grauity and Courage amazed the Assistance The Viceroy answered him presently From whence haue you this power to command mee It was borne with mee replyed the other You seeme not to know mee I know well who you are remember that Don Philip King of Castille mine Vncle sent you twise vnto mee He discoursed so plainely and distinctly of that action as hee left a great trouble in the Viceroys minde and a great opinion in the Assistants that he spake the trueth The Viceroy said vnto him That he was a Counterfait These words of comtempt and insupportable iniury to men of Courage did so offend him as he vsed some bitter speeches against the Viceroy Hee is shut vp in tâ—e Casâ—le dâ— Oâ—o But he could not free himselfe from the Castle
what is past they looke only to the present In crymes of State they coÌ„sider nothing but the puaâ—shment what they may expect herafter The most vertous actioÌ„s yeeld to the violence of the bad The acused hath serued the King it was his dutie hee hath beene recompenced He hath attempted against his seruice therein hee hath dâ—ne what he ought not Tâ—e oâ—â—enceâ— and the puniâ—hâ—eâ—t aâ—e Twyns at the same instant that hee hath offended hee drawes vppon him the rigour of the punishment If with Antipater he hath carried vpon his bodie the markes of vertue there is nothing now to be seene but signes of infidelâ—â—ie in his heart His merits haue mounted to the greatnes of the fiâ—it dignities in France his ill deseruings cast him downe with â—hame and shew him to be vnworthie of those excelleÌ„t degrees of honour Good seruice cannot enter into comparison with bad nor crymes in paraâ—eâ—l with meâ—its The offence which is greater then the seruice changeth the bond of recompence 〈◊〉 puniâ—hâ—ent He that heâ—pes to build a house deserues much of the owner but when he sets me to it all the remembrance of the good which he hath done vaniâ—heth away The accused hath had a good share in the restoâ—ing of the State but sence he would haue vndermyned it and râ—ined the foundations He hath practised to make it a prey to the enemie they can no more returne to that which he hath done they iudge what he would haue done and shall haue no other esteeme or reputation but as an Aâ—iston a Nabis or a Catelin He hath beene profitable to the State it is true But he hath offended against the Lawes of State Their preseruation is so necessarie as it were better to loose the most profitabâ—e members in an Estate then to suffer them to bee violated for in puting them to death it doth but decrease the number of valiant Men but in suffering them to liue you doe wrong vnto the Lâ—wes and thereby ruine the quiet of the State Hee hath done weâ—l fâ—r the preâ—eruation of the State it is tâ—ue But he that seekes to distroy what â—ee hath preserued makes himselâ—e an enemie and the remembrance of his well deseruing dies in the inâ—uâ—ie which he â—ould haue done to the whole bodie Hee hath begun well but he ended â—ll All actions are censured by the end If the heele that is to say Constancie and firmenes had not â—ailed in Achilles he had beene immoâ—tall It is not sufficient for a man to begin to do wel if he desists in the midest and conâ—inues not vnto the end who deserued better at Rome theâ— Manlius the only preseruer of the Capitolâ— against the Gaules and who was more seuerely punished then he whom they cast downe headlong from the Capitoll for his Factions and Mutinies If it were a cryme not to serue the Prince was it not execrable to hinder and to coÌ„â—pire against his seruice As the seruices done by the Accused cannot be compared with hâ—s offence so his qualitie cannot moderate his punishment Iustice hath no eyes to regard a Dukes Crowne a Maâ—shal of France his Staffe nor a blew RibaÌ„d Al tâ—ese are no prerogatiues but that he which attempts to trouble the State shall be held an enemie to the Maiestie of the Prince the publike good Great men are greatly punished Digniâ—ies agrauate the offence vpon him that is bound not to offend The greater the bond is the more execrable is the ingratitude There is no gentleman â—n France more bound vnto his Prince then the Accused If duties bonds hould no pâ—ace in the affections of subiects to their Prâ—nce to what Altar shall they goâ— to seeke assâ—rance of faith must not the King in these continuall dâ—ubts of disloyaltie trust thâ— gâ—rd of his person vnto Strangers as Lewis the XI did vnto the Scottisâ—men And findâ—ng nâ— Religion nor Conscience among Men trust vnto Beasts as Massinissa did God is offended when as respect of the qualitie with-houlds the course of Iustice and threaâ—ens that Estate with ruine wherein they suffer a wicked subiect to liue Achab felt the heauy hand of his wrath for that he saued the life of Benadad As this furious desire of soueraigne coÌ„mand troubles al the considerations of Nature Friendship Dutie So in punishing them we must neither regard the respects of bloud the remembrance of seruices nor the motions of friendshâ—p The offence is of too great a consequence to dissemble it He that doth not punish an euill allowes of it But they say it hath beene pardoned that we must not open a wound which hath beene closed vp Euill vnpunished it suffered Kings and Fortune do often pardon to punish them more seuerely that haue abused their pardon The Prisoner confesseth that he did not say al a pardon cannot extend A pardon extend â—ut to confession but to those things that haue bin mentioned confessed the greatest part of the offence hath remained in the wil of the repentant he hath coÌ„fessed but little There was a graet differeÌ„ce betwixt him that did pardon him that demanded pardon The King pardoned to the end he should not fall into a relaps of his former faultes and hee demanded pradon that he miâ—â—â— oâ—fend more safely It appeeres by his confession and by that which hee hath sayd in the face of the Court when as he was demanded why hee had not descouered his offence freely vnto the King wheÌ„ as he gaue him so great assurance to forget it He answered that he did not thinke La Fin had sayd any thing and that he kept his word hauing â—â—â—firmed it with great othes that if he had acquainted him with that which hee had diâ—couered to the King hee would haue cast himselfe at his Maiesties feete as readely as he did to craue pardon Their was then some-thing betwixt them that was not yet pardoned They which offend do often misreckon the time seeking to excuse their fauâ— The conference of Times discouers the continuance of Intents The pardon was in Ianuary and after September he writes that seeing it had pleased God to giue the Kâ—â—â— a Daulphin he would no more thinke of those vanities and La Fin addes that there was a billet of a contrary tennor that the negotiation was continued and that the King had no knowledge thereof from the prisoner The pardon should haue drawne him tâ— repentance and not to ingage him in newe trecheries the which could not bee remitted nor pardoned for that he had offended often without punnishment He must not continue his errors the last paies for all the precedent The Court allowes not of this pardon in a câ—ime that is beyond all pardon wherof the abolishment depends not of the King A Prince cannot be liberal of his subiects bloud who may not bee prodigall of his subiects bloud nor bring the helth of all in generall in danger for one in particular This reason mooued
vnto God Lord come not neere mee vntill I bee fortefied I must confesse that I feare your Countenance hauing admitted such men to accuse me seeing that your Maiesty demands my Iustification the which hath retayned me not that my coÌ„science doth accuse me of any fault that is worthy of such an examination Seeing it doth import your seruice it is requisit I should satisfie your Maiesty your Realme mine Honor and free them of my Relligion from the scandal which they should receiue if my crime were not punished mine Innocency known For the attayning wherof I assure my â—elfe that your Maiesty would not depriue me of the liberty which all your subiects of the Relligion enioye and the rather for that no Iudges can be more interessed in these affaires seeing the question is of the decaye of your Realme to augment that of Spaine where-in all your subiects haue one coÌ„mon losse but those of the Relligion whereof the Chambers do consist haue a more particular the which they esteeme more deare then their liues which is the losse of their exercise They will therefore bee seuere Iudges rather then milde If they shall finde mee guiltie they will hate me more then any other from whom they did least expect it I most humbly therefore beseech your Maiestie to send my Accusers Accusations thinking the imputation which is layd vpon me heauie the time tedious vntill your Maiestie may be fully satisfied of mine Innocencie for the speedy effecting wherof I will attend at Castres the Iustification of my fault or Innocencie Iudging that the time which I should haue spent in going to your Maieâ—â—ie would haue but prolonged the affliction of my Soule remayning accused seeing that your Maieâ—â—ie was to send mee backe to the Chambers to condemne or obsolue me being the Iudges which your Edict hath giuen me That it would therefore please you to releeue my minde speedily in giuing mee the meanes to make my Innocencie knowne and that by this proofe you may rest assured of my faithfâ—ll seruice and I of your fauour the which shal bee aboue all things desired of your most Humble most Obedient and most Faithfull Subiect and Seruant Henry de la Toure The King caused the Prince of Ginuille to be coÌ„mitted to the Duke of Guise his brother Sillery examined him very carefully The Prince of Ginuilâ—â— committed his Maiestie relying vpon his wisedome and integrity He aduertised the Gouernours of Prouinces why he did it vsing these words I haue committed my Nephew the Prince of Ginuille vnto my Nephew the Duke of Guise his brother for that he had rashly and indiscreetly giuen eare to certaine propositions that were made vnto him against my seruice I will hold him in the same gard vntil that matters be made plaine But I assure my selfe it concernes him only wherein those of his house haue no share neither is there any one named or coÌ„prehended with him whereof I thought good to aduertise you The King hauing since bin satisfied of the truth he returned againe into fauour Humbert de la Tour Daulphiâ— giues Daulphiné to the fiâ—st sonnâ— oâ— Fâ—ance There came 15. or 16. Deputies out of Daulphiné to Paris This Prouince was giuen to the Crowne of France by Humbert Prince of Daulphiné vpon condition that the Kings eldest Son the presumptiue heire of the Crowne should be soueraigne thereof from his birth Hauing made great ioy for this blessing and to see that which they had not seene since King Charles the 8 they made choise of some out of the three Estates of the Country to go performe their first duties of subiection to know their Soueraigne Lord. Ierosme of Villards Archbishop of Vienne was the cheefe of this Ambassage the which he gouerned and ended happely and with honor Hauing done their duties to the King and Queene and let them vnderstand the charge which he had from the States of the Countrie with the other Deputies hee was led to S. Germans to see their new Prince who was vnder a cloth of Estate in his Cradle vpon a little bed The Archbishop of Viâ—nnes speeâ—h to the Daulphin The Count Soissons Gouernour and Lieutenant generall of Daulphiné his Gouernesse and his Nurse were by him The Archbishop of Vienne spake vnto him standing al the rest kneeled of one knee The substance of which speech was That the ioy of France had beene infinite by his birth foreseeing that her felicitie should be imperfect without it and that the blessing of Peace could not continue without his Birth who should bee the death of all pretexts of Ciuill warres but your Prouince of Daulphiné hath farre greater cause of Ioy â—or that it feeles in effect that which the rest of the Realme hath but in hope Those which haue beleeued that felicitie could not be in the infancie of a Child Children cannot beâ— tâ—rmed happy seeing it requires a continuance of years and a constant knowledge of virtue and fortune ment it not by Kings Children and aboue all of the first borne of the Crowne of France at whose first birth wee see all the fauours raigne vpon his head the which Heauen can powre vpon them whome it will make happie The same day my Lord that you saw the light the Sunn did salute you a great Prince and the Sonne of a great King you are borne our Soueraigne Lord and wee are become your faithfull vasâ—alls and most humble Subiects so as this Prouince which amidest so many afflictions hath sighed aboue a hundred yeares for the day when it should see borne that sacred bud of the Royall flowre houlds it the greatest point of glorie and felicitie not to know any power more absolute and soueraigne then yours and to obey you before that you know what it is to command This Cradle my Lord about the which the Eternall Prouidence which hath a speciall care ouer this Realme and hath appointed his Angells for your grad is the Throne wherein wee adore in your lyuing Image the inuisible Maiestie of the liuing God The rocking of this Cradle hath setled the filicitie of France which began to bee shaken by furious and dangerous attempts both without and within It is an extreme greefe vnto vs that the lawe of this Cradle will not suffer vs to heaâ—e you make vs so happie as to vnderstand you And if you vnderstand not but by the LaÌ„guage of InfaÌ„ts which be Tears you shal knowe the affection of your peoples Harts by the tears of Ioy which fall from their eyes praising God that it hath pleased him to giue them a Prince issued from the first Crowne of the world who carries in his Heart the generosity of his Father and in his eyes the sweetnes of the Mother A Prince which in greatnes of courrage and in reputation of braue and immorâ—al Actions shall exceed the glory of all the Princes of the Land and Sea as the Daulphin in lightnes and swiftnes passeth
King The Presence Authority and intreaty of his Maiesty was of Force to smother the remembrance of all iniuries and to reconcile their willes Let vs nowe see what they haue done in the Nationall Synode helde at Gap held by them of the reformed Religion A Synod held at Gap whereas many beleeued that in giuing audience to Ambassadors and receiuing Letters from Forraine Princes and Common weales they had done more then their condition would allowe and had taken the way to make an Estate in the Estate I will say no more The passion of Religion might diminish the beleefe of the Trueth Peter Mathâ—w The Synode began the first of October It Treated of things touching Doctrine Discipline and the Gouernement of the Churches giuing a good Testimony that there are among them men full of zeale to the aduancement of their Religion and who in their Resolutions can ioyne Wisedome with Doctrine causing them to blushe that haue so much suffered the ancient constitutions of the Church to degenerate and haue so much neglected the Gouernement and Discipline as the Synodall Assemblies of Diocesses so necessary and profitable are nothing but vaine and fond Ceremonies where they doe onely exhort them to do well hereafter not caring to correct or amende the ill that is gone and past Of many meanes which the Church in her infancy did vse to preserue this spirit of Peace and Charity which gaue life vnto all the members and intertained the Cyment and bond of the whole building The profit of Synodes that of these Assemblies hath beene held the most fruitfull and should bee made twise a yeare if they will follow the Canons of the Apostles and the Decrees of Nice and Sardinia Thâ—re they conferred of the Order and Direction of all affayres There the Pastors taking knowledge one of an other entertayned their friendships renuyng the bonds of their affections It serued for a bloud-letting and a good purgation for badde humours in a corrupted Body to preserue and keepe it in Health Purytie and Chasterye of the Fayth There they shewed the power of the Spirituall Sword vppon the incorrigible who in the ende found the pappes of the Church drye for them when through Errour Malice or Obstinacy they made themselues vnworthy of the swetnesse of her Milke There in the ende they did strayne the strings of the Policy and Discipline of the Church the which beeing through negligence growne slacke made no Sounde nor Harmony In this assembly of Gap after that all the Deputies of the Prouinces of the Realme had shewed their Commissions they began by the Inuocation of the name of GOD the which was followed by the reading of the confession oâ— the Fayth wherein they did expound those things that were not playne enough The common desire of the Ministers te see the schisme pacified that was betwixt them and the other Congregations of Germany England and the Low Countryes made them resolue that the Assembly should write vnto the Vniuersityes both Lutherans and Caluinists to deuise some meanes to reconcile these contrarieties in some poynts of their confession This yeare the King did graue in the register of his vertues a memorable example of Iustâ—ce The cause is considerable and the subiect of consequence A yong gentlewoman of Normandie visited and courted by her Brother disdayned her husband A memorable example of a crime and of Iustice. by whome she had two Children for that he was some-what aged and made no profession of Armes This inequality of age togither with his condition made the Coniugall aâ—fâ—ction like vnto a small Brooke whereof when the spring is stopt the bedde remaines drie and there is nothing left but filthe for Toades and Frogges The greene graâ—â—e that was vpon the bankes withereth yea the trees that were planted along die This marriage hauing lost the radicall humor of Loue it made all pleasure and content to wither produced nothing but noise disdaine contempt and quarrell This miserable woman carâ—d no more for her husband bâ—t to drawe meanes from him to make her selfe more pleasing in the eyes of an other delighting in Luxâ—riosnesse and excesse oâ— Apparell vnder the which the Diuill is accustomed to make open Warre to Chasterie and to rauish the Honour of a woman without the which her life is a life without a Bodie a Bodâ—e without a Soule a Soule with out a Spirit a Spirit without Breth and a Breth without Aâ—re It seemed that the first acquaintance of this woman with her Brother was nothing but a perfect Loue such as Honour and that which they were one vnto another might well allowe Who so had seene the familiarities of this Sister with her Brother would not haue beleeued that they had made Loue the Lawe of Nature beeing of greater force then Reason or Truth it selâ—e In the meane time this furie prooued Adultery and Incest making the Wife to abandon the Company of her Husband to cleaue vnto her Brother who forgetting nothing that might be sayd or done to couer â—iâ— crime and to auoyde punishment waâ—dâ—ed vp and downe the Counâ—ry with hâ—r vnder disguised names but carrying still in his Conscience the sting and vlcer of so execrable a pleasure She grewe bigge with Childe and beleeuing that in hiding her great Beâ—lie her offâ—ence should bee also hidden shee caused her selfe to bee conductâ—d into that great forest of Paris where she continued with her Brother the exercises of Cupid and Psyches The figge leaues could not couer their shame The al-seeing eye oâ— the diuine Iustice discouers them and will not suffer that so Infamous a Lust should continâ—e These violent streames beeing runne out the Mudde and filthe that was in the bottom appered presently The husâ—band opprest with so iusta greefe as the Lawe doth not hold him puâ—nishable whom it forceth to kill the Wife beeing surprised in Adultery came to Paris and discouered those which had depriued him both of rest and Honour hee causeth them to be apprehended and committed prisoners the one in the great Chastâ—let the other in Four l' Euesques The Sister confesseth her-selfe guilty of Adultery to free her Brother from Incest laying the Childe to one that was aâ—togither innocent Vpon the difficulty of proofes the Lieutenant Cryminall condemned them both to the racke Hee might well haue proceeded to sentence A sentence giuen by the Lieutenant Criminell Bâ—t considering that they must deliberate well before they iudge of the life of a Man which is not made without care he desired rather to proceed coldly therein then ouerboldly The Husband whose heart could not be mooued to pitty by the consideration of his two Children appeales from this sentence of the racke The Court confidering that mildenesse doth norrish and giues more scope to vice declares the appellation and sentence from the which he had appealed to be voide and amending it A sentence oâ— the Court. they iudge the accused sufficiently conuicted of the crimes of
of a very renowned people who might both hurt and helpe by their multitudes and their valour of theiâ— Armes The style of this desseine which I haue vndertaken doth only note the thing for your vnderstanding without spending time in longer proofes This Apprentiship of the FRENCH by their many voyages into Gaule contynued a hundred and thirtie yeares for so much it was from Gallienus to Honorius vnder whome they began to sett footing into Gaule vpon this occasion Those of the Citty of Treues tyred with the Tyranie of the Romaines were infinitely grieued that Lucius their Gouernour a Romaine had by force taken the wife of a notable Cittizen This excesse ministred a subiect to call the French-men to their ayde who expelled the Romaines seased quietly on the Citty with the consent of the Inhabitants and so proceeding in their conquest they possessed their neighbour Countries and in time became Maisters of all that lyes beyond the Riuers of Escaut and Some and in the end hauing woone Paris and the territories about they gaue their name to the conquered Country I doe briefely touch what shall be represented in particular in euery place and sett downe truelie the originall of the FRENCH in this Realme PHARAMOND layd the first stone in the buylding of this estate CLODION followed in this desseine MEROVE made it appeare aboue ground in a more goodly forme hauing purchased credit among the Gaules both by his valour and the happy succeesse of his Armes CLOVIS adding the profession of Christ to his Predecessors valour and his owne did so winne the hartes of the Gaules who were for the most part Christians as by their hearts he got their voluntary obedience and the assured possession of these newe Conquestes Two nations vnited in one by the Conquerour giuing lawe to the Conquered with so wise and mylde a discretion as they held him worthy of this Alliance and Name â—nd the fruite of this mariage was to happy as the nâ—we name of FRANCE was generally receiued in Gaule Thus this newe estate increased dayly in thâ— râ—ce of PHARAMOND by diuers occurrentes during the space of three hunâ—â—â—d yeares But iâ— was much more augmented by the famous race of PEPIN And â—â—d the Author of all good order in mankind giuing him to Sonne CHARLEMAIGNE to preuent the ruine of the Empire inriched him with singular graces and confirmed in him that great authoritie and power of the King of FRANCE and Emperour of ROME which greatnesse God would make profitable to all Christendome But his race Inheritor of these great honours did not inherite his valour and happinesse hauing scâ—rce continued 237. yeares but degenerating from his vertues they lost both Authoritie and Crowne so much augmented and beautified by him and CHARLES MAâ—TELL So this second race vnworthy of the blood and name of their Grandfathers was spoyled of their Kingdome by their negligence But God the Guardian of Monarchies who changing the persons would preserue the State râ—â—sed vp HVGH CAPET a wise and modest Prince arming him with wisedome and dexteritie fitt for the preseruation of his Crowne accompanying his Armes with lawe and his royall authoritie with well gouerned Iustice. It is to HVGH CAPET that the Realme of FRANCE standes most indâ—â—ted for the establishment of those goodly Ordinances by the which together with the vallour and fidelitie of the FRENCH this great Monarchy halfe withstood the stormes of so many ages and maintaines euen vnto this day the lawfull heire in the same race for the space of fiue hundred and thirtie yeares So as gathering the summe of all these yeares they reckon from PHARAMOND to HENRY the fourth that now Raignes 1175. yeares This is the Plot or desseigne of the whole History of France the which being thus laid before we raise this great building in euery part according to the true measâ—res and iust proportions let vs make a Diagramme as a liuely figure which may conteine nakedly and without circumstance the names of our Kings according to the order of these three royall Races To the which we will adde a particuler Chronologie The order forme of thâ—â— Inuentorie which shall be proued by the discourse of our Inuentorie I haue distinguished it into three parts according to the order of the three royall Races In the front of euery part I note the names of Kings and the time they haue reigned that at my first entrance you may obserue all that is represented in this pâ—rticuler discourse wherein the wise Reader that shall take the paines to conferre this modell with the whole Historie will iudge that I haue omitted nothing that may concerne the subâ—ect of the History with all principall circumstances to the end the truth in this short simple and vnseemly weed appointed for euery day may serue aswell as that which the Learned and eloquent writers shew forth in open Theaters at Festiuall times To Actions carefully described I adde sometimes my Iudgement for the vse of the History examined by the Maximes of State To actions I say generally aduowed as for the rest I leaue them â—emembring that I am a Witnesse and no Iudge to do seruicâ— to such as could not see the Originals I note in the beginning the Elections the Birthes Liues Aduentures Intents Desseignes Maners and Complections of our Kings the Motiues Actions Alterations Crosses Issues and Successe of their affaires both in Warre and Peace their Enterprises taking of Citties and Countries Battels Encounters Victories Ouerâ—hrowes Aduantages Disaduantages and other things remarkeable in State Finally I obserue their ends in their death as the Catastrophe of their Life and closing vp of their Reigne But to make this disâ—ourse more proportionable for the knowledge of our Monarchie it was necessary to explaine it by that which hath chanced of most import in forreine Estates especially in the Church Empire the most famous Theatâ—rs of the world by reason wherof I haue added a most carefull Collation of the one and the other with our Realme I intreate the wise Reader to way with iudgement what I shall report concerning matters most subiect to comptroule as those of the Church I doubt not but that hee shall finde that I haue conteined my selfe within the limits of State talking nothing of Religion nor medling with the diuerse humors of this age I haue onely treated of the politique gouernment of Rome with as much modesty as the subiect would permit I know likewise that making profession to write a History no man will wish mee eyther to disguise or to conceale the truth the which will warrant it selfe and free me from reproche in making knowne to iudicious and modest wits that I haue no other passion but my duty whereof I can giue no better proofe theÌ„ in iustifying my discourse with the Original if there appeare any difficulty I protest I haue only had a true desire to serue the publique whose profit is the only scope of my labours As for the Computations
put the principall authors thereof to death as the ringleaders of rebellion Gillon entertaines this aduise he puts them to death that were the instruments of Chilperiâ—s disgrace And so with one stone giues two stroakes He take them away that might frustrate his desseine and disposeth the Frenchmens hearts to desire their ancient King And thus he makes the way for Chilperics returne by a very happie dexteritie and the â—â—ent was answerable Gillon hauing put these aforenamed to death became very odious to the French Guyemans abandons Gillon and cunningly embraceth this occasion in fauour of Chilperic He blames the French for their lightnes to haue expelled their naturall Lord and reciued a stranger farre more insupportable Chilperic called home chasticed by affliction Thus he makes them resolue to call home Chilperic who vnderstanding their desire and seeing the peece of gold the token of his returne sent by his faithfull friend returnes confidently into France he is receiued by the French and by their ayd forceth Gillon to resigne him the place and to retire himselfe to Soissons Such was the first part of Chilprics life The last was of another temper for being taught by himselfe he was so addicted to do good as he got the good will of the French of whome he was beloued honoured and obeyed all the rest of his life So as to good minds capable of reason affliction serues as a chastisement and not for a ruine for an instruction and not a destruction Hee did fight happily against Odoacre King of the Saxons subdued the Germans woon a great couÌ„try along the Rhin He added to this State the Country of Aniou hauing forced the citie of Angiers and to make absolute his happines hee had one sonne who augmented and assured his Realme They only obserue one notable error committed after his returne in taking Basine to wife being the wife of Basin King of Turinge who had courteously entertained him in his distresse violating the sacred lawes of hospitalitie suffering himselfe to be abused with the loue of a woman 585. accounted a witch for they say this woman who had forsaken her husband for him was a witch causing him to see a vision the first night of their vnlawfull marriage the which did represent the state of the succeeding kingdome by lions vnicornes leopards the which appeared fiâ—stin this visioÌ„ then by beares and wolues And lastly by cattes dogges and other small beasts the which did teare one another in sunder You must pardon these fables of antiquity bred as it seemes long after by the which she would represent the estate of the three races according to their diuerse occurrents Chilperic hauing liued thus and raigned thirtie yeares he left Clouis his sonne for successor and heire of one of the goodliest and bewtifullest pyllers of the French Monarchie as shall appeare by the following discourse CLOVIS the 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King CLOVIS .5 KING OF FRANCE CLOVIS succeding his father Chilperic was installed in the Royaltie by the French according to their ancient custome borne vpon a target in open assembly Hee began to reigne the yeare 485. and raigned thirtie yeares Hee had scarse atteyned to the age of fifteene yeares when as he mounted to the royall throne A yong man of great hope borne for the stablishment of this monarchie His forefathers had layed the foundation but he did build vpon these goodly beginings with so great valour wisedome and good fortune as he is to be held for one of the greatest Architects of this estate hauing had the honour to be the first King of France that receiued the Christian religion the greatest beautie of this Crowne and a priuilege so carefully planted by his successors as they haue purchased the title of most Christian as a marke of their chiefest greatnesse The progresse of the Historie will shew both his vertues and vices But at this entrie his mind being guided to so great a worke whereunto the wise prouidence of almightie God had appointed him fortifies it selfe the first fiue yeares of his raigne 485. being the time of his apprentiship before he vndertooke any thing the which hee did manage so discreetly embracing all occasions that were offered as in the end hee thought himselfe able to subdue all Gaule if God had not stayed the ambitious course of his vnmeasurable desires to shew vnto great personages that hee reserues a Soueraigne prerogatiue ouer all their enterprises We haue saâ—d before that in the dissipation of the Empire the Gaules had many vsurpers Bourguignons Goths and Frenchmen the Romaines had the least part for hardly could they keepe Soissons Compiegne Senlis and other small townes thereabouts The Bourguignons enioyed a great countrie the two Bourgongnes the Duchie and the Earledome Sauoy Lyonnois Forests Beauiolois Daulphiné and Prouence Arles being the Metropolitane Citty of the Realme The Goths possessed all Gaule Narbonnoise to the which they gaue the name and all Guyenne with the appertenances The French had the best part from the Rhin vnto Loire imbracing all the richâ— Prouinces of the Lowe countries vnto the Ocean the countries of Heyâ—ault Cambresie Picardie Normandie the Iâ—le oâ— France Maine Anâ—ou Touraine Vandomois the prouince of Orleans Beausse Hurepois GastiÌ„nois Sologne Berry and the neighbour countries although these great and large territories had particular Lords amongst the which the King was acknowledged for Soueraigne Such was the state of Gaule when as Clouis vndertooke the helme of this French monarchie To become absolute Maister of this goodly country which was set to sale to the mightiest he begins with the weakest the neerest Clouis aspireâ— to the Monarchie of all Gaule and him with whom hee had the most apparent shew of quarrell which was the Romane who held nothing of this great name but the shâ—w and pride in a weaknesse altogether contemptible Siagrius sonne to that Gyles of whom we haue spoken commanded at Soissons for the Romans Clouis had an hereditarie quarrell against him hauing sought to vsurpe his estate irreconciliable quarrels among Princes Hauing so goodly a shew to demand reason for so notable a wrong he dâ—fies him They assemble their forces Clouis calleâ— to his aide Ragnachaire the petty King of Cambray and Chararic of Amyens the first assists him the other excuseth being desirous to keepe the stakes and to be a looker on The first rooting 〈◊〉 of the Romaines and then to ioyne with the stronger Siagrius is ouercome in battell In this ouerthrow he leaâ—es his estate to Clouis and flies to Alaric King of the Goths being at Tholouse Clouis not content with Siagrius goods demands his person of Alaric and obtaines it Siagrius is sent vnto him his hands and feet bound Hauing him in his power he makes him taste the griefe of his misery reproching him that he had basely lost his gouernment deserued capitall punishâ—ent and so he cuts off his head afterwards he suppressed Chararic
and Ragnachaire vpon diuerse occasions Hauing seized vpon all that beâ—onged to the Romane name he turned his resolutions against the Bourguignons and the Goths but with an industry fiâ—ting so politike a head seeking some colour of iustice he makes a league of peace with the two nations to pick a cauâ—e of quarrell hauing some controuersie with their Kings for some title in shew lawfull The issue is answerable to his desseigne for he knew so well how to obserue times watch for occurrences creepe so cunningly into their affaires as in the end he dispossessed them both In the house of Bourgondie there were foure brethren Gondebault Gondegesil Chilpeperic and Gothemar the children of Gondioch The iealousie of their portions thrusts them into choller and the fury of couetousnesse polluted the hands of Gondebault the elder with the parricide of his yonger brother Chilperic and of his wife but God preserued Clotilde from the crueltie of this man being the daughter of Chilperic to be the meanes of this murtherers misery She was exceeding faire this qualitie bred a desire in Clouis but especially to get footing in Bourgondie and some interest to deale with the affaires of that state And for that reason Gondebault would by no meanes like of that allyance yet not daring to shew the true cause he made the pretext of his refuâ—all to be the diuersity of religion which could not agree with these vnequall mariages Clouis preuented it with great policy for hauing promised Clotilde that she should haue libertie of Conscience 490. he remoues the let wherewith Gondebault did crosse him so as the marriage was concluded And although Clouis were a Pagan by profession yet was he no enemy to the Christians fitting himselfe to the humour of the Gaulois who generally followed the Christian religion He suffred his wife likewise to baptise her children and she a wiâ—e Princesse insinuating with her husband desired nothing more then to winne him vâ—to God the which chaunced in this sort Clouis did succour the Sicambriens his allies which bee the inhabitants of Gueldres and Iuliers against the Germaines Being in the battell he found himselfe ingaged in the midest of his enemies troupes and in great daunger of his life He then makes a vowe vnto God that if he would giue him the victory hee would presently submit himselfe to the Christian Church and be baptised God heard him He obtaines the victory and being returned he resolues to performe his vowe Clouis becomes a Christian. His wife Clotilde infinitely glad of this holy resolutioÌ„ sends for Saint Remy Bishop of Rheims a man of gâ—eat pietie and eloquence to instruct him in the true doctrine wherein he was very ignorant as a man that had made profession of armes all his life borne and bred in supeâ—stâ—tion and neuer had discoursed of Christian religion but like a souldiâ—r It was necessaâ—y he should be instructed by a discreete man that in leauing the vanity of Pagans he were not infected with the errors of Arrian which then were dispersed in diuerse places And euen his owne sister Lantielde was infected therewith The preaching of Saint Remy had great efficacy with Clouis and the example of Clouis with all his men of warre In this action thâ—se goodly sayings are worthy to be noted Bend thy neck to the yoake in mildenes â—â—ith 〈◊〉 Remy to Clouis worship that which thou hast burnt and burne that which 〈…〉 worshipped And hee answereth I worship the true God which is the father the sonne and the holy Ghost the Creator of heauen and earth So being baptiâ—ed he exhoâ—â—â— his men to the same bâ—leefe They cry al ioyntly We leaue our mortall Gods and are ready to follow the immortall So Clouis was baptised at Rheims by Saint Remy with great solemnity and 〈◊〉 him 3000. of his souldiars to the incredible ioy of the Gaulois greatly affected to Christâ—an religion hoping by this conuersion to haue better vsage in time to come This acte is very remarkable hauing consecrated our Kings to Christian religion the which hath preserued this Realme vnto this day from most horrible confusions Aimoinus saith that a doue brought a viall full of oile in her bill at that instant with the which our Kings are annoynted when they are installed But Gregory of Tours a more ancient Author writes onely that Clouis was baptised They likewise hold that Clouis did at that time chaunge the royall armes and that for three toades or as the learned say three diademes gueules in a field â—â—geÌ„â— he tooke the flowers de-lis without number Many monnuments of our Kings in the first and second race iustifie this chaunge of Armories made by Clouis as we see them in the most ancient Temple Without dilating any more therof Charles the 6. in the Scutcheon of France reduced the flowers de lis to thâ—ee Religion the onâ—ly true bond of â—â—â—â—ctions This publique profession of Christianity won the hearts of al the Gaules vnto Clouis and did perfect the vnion betwixt them and the French making their yoake easie and them tractable He fortified his commaunde with this bond of religion and layed a foundation for the absolute greatnesse of this Monarchie which euen then beganne to take place through out all Gaule Thus Gaule with more solemnity then vnder Merouee was called France by the common consent of all nations the Gaulois were no more grieued to serue the French Gaule called France being victors hauing willingly suffred themselues to be coÌ„â—uered hauing one faith one lawe they could not but wish the good of their coÌ„mon CouÌ„try so much may religion preuaile to â—â—ite menshearts in a coÌ„monweale Iâ— this beginning Clouis shewed an excellent fruite of his bâ—ptisme exceeding all his conquests By his last victory he had subdued the Germains to accustome them to obedience had imposed great rigorous burthens But now he doth relieue theÌ„ sends home their hostages moderates their yoake shewing therby that he is growne milder Humanity 〈◊〉 This humanity was approued as a secoÌ„d victory more honorable then the first Truly it is as great a victory in a great Prince to conquer by clemencie 503. as it is a profitable policie to winne mens hearts by reason The Conquerour that pardons beautifies his triumph adding to their conquered bodies their hearts admiring his vertue no lesse victorious then his forces Clouis was ill affected to the Visigoths who held a great and large Countrie in Gaule obscuring the French Monarchie the which hee desired to establish but hee must finde some honest pretext to make warre Although in effect the right of conueniencie was his greatest interest as it is often the most lawfull title of Princes yet hee seekes a quarell against Alaric King of the Visigoths vpon the alliance he had made with him the which he sayes had beene broken for that the banished men and malefactors of France had found a free and assured refuge in his dominions
Flaunders and Normandie Clodamyr King of Orleans and the estates of this realme were all the Duchie of Orleans Bourgongne Lionois Daulphiné and Prouence Thierri was King of Mets and to his realme were subiect the Country of Lorraine and all the Countries from Rheims vnto the Rhin and beyond it all Germany which was the auncient patrimony of the Kings of France Hee was receiued in this royall portion with his bretheren although hee were a bastard the which hath beene likewise practized by others in the first line And as euery one of these foure Kings called himselfe King of France so they also added the name of their principall Citty where they held their Court. Thus they called them by speciall title Kings of the Cittie where they had their residence And in truth euery one caried himselfe as King in the Countries vnder his obedience not acknowledging the elder but by mouth onely As the plurality of Masters is a plague in an estate so is it miraculous that the realme had not beene ruined by so many Kings especially amidst such monstrous confusions Horrible confusion among brethren which then reigned full of treacheries cruelties and parricides I tremble to enter into this labyrinth the which I will but passe ouer measuring the Readers sorrowe by my griefe in reading and writing these tragicall confusions But let vs obserue things by order After these foure brethren had peaceably made their diuisions and taken lawes of their owne accord in the yeare 515. according to the most approued calculation they marry their sister Clotilde to Almaric sonne to Alaric King of the Vuisigoths who had recouered a good part of Languedoc the which Clouis had taken from his father and by this marriage they yeeld vnto him the Cittie of Toulouse But this alliance was the cause of great diuisions and ruine Ambition and Couetousnes good Counsellers of state made euery one to conceiue as great a kingdome for himselfe as that of his father perswading them to attempt any thing to bee great Bourgongne was quietly returned into the possession of Gondebaults children Sigismond had the name of King as the elder and Gondemar a portion Clodomyr King of Orleans as nearest neighbour castes his eyes vpon this goodly Country although hee had no cause of pretension but onely conueniency Yet hee findes a colour to beginne this quarrell The rights pretended by his mother Clotilde issued from the house of Bourgongne and the zeale of Iustice to chastise Sigismond for that he had slaine his eldest sonne to please his second wife and her Children Clodomir takes and is taken He enters into Bourgongne with a mighty army seizeth on Sigismond his wife and children brings them to Orleans and there castes them all into a well Thus God punished the cruelty of Sigismond an vnkinde father by a cruell and disloyall hand Clodomir presumed that he had conquered all hauing slayne the King of Bourgongne But the Bourguignons incensed with this crueltie confirme Gondemar in his brothers seate and leauy an army to defend him against Clodomir The armies ioyne Clodomir puft vp with this first successe promysing vnto himselfe a second triumph thrusting himselfe rashely into his enemies troupes is slayne with a Lance and is knowne by his long haire the marke of Kings and Princes of the bloud as wee haue said The Bourguignons cut off his head pearch it on the top of a Lance and make shewe thereof to the French in derision who retire themselues after the death of their Generall But Childebert Clotaire his brethren returne into Bourgongne with a strong army force Gondemar to flie into Spaine leauing them free possession of 〈◊〉 reâ—â—me the which was their proiect rather then the reueÌ„ge of their brothers death 〈◊〉 was dâ—â—ided among the brethren as a coÌ„mon prey all the realme of Bourâ—â—â—â—â—â— is therin coÌ„â—rehended Thierri King of Metz had his part but the poore children 〈◊〉 are not only excluded Cruelty of brethren but two of them are barbarously slaine by the cruel commaundement of their vnnaturall Vncles 520. and they say that Clotaire slewe one of them with his owne hands Cruelâ—â—e of bretheren in the presence of Childebert the other was thrust into a monastery This confusion was followed by two others Thierri King of Metz making warre against them of Turinge called his brother Clotaire to his aide being repulâ—ed at the first by the force of that nationâ— aided by his brother he preuailes and the vanquished stands at the mercy of the conquering bretheren but behold they fall to quarrell for the spoile Thus the ende of a forein warre was the beginning of a ciuill dissention betwixt them Warre betwixt the bretheren They leauie forces with intent to ruine one another Childebert ioynes with his brother Thierri against Clotaire Such was the good gouernment of these bretheren as desire and ambition did counsell them They are in armes ready to murther one another As their armies stood in field ready to ioyne behold a goodly cleere day ouercast sodenly with such darkenesse that all breakes out into lightening thunder and violent stormes so as the armies were forced to leaue the place and by this aduertisement as it were from heauen An admirable reconcilement these Kings assembled to shed blould change their mindes and turne their furious hatred into brotherly concord Thus God the protector of this estate hath watched ouer it to preserue it euen when as they sought to ruine it and that men hastened to their owne destructions But from thence the vnited bretheren passe into Languedoc against Almariâ— King of the Visigoths their brother in lawe The cause of their quarrell came from their sister Clotilde maried to this Gothe as we haue said so as she which should be the vniting of their loues was the cause of their bloudy dissention She was a Christian and hee an Arrian This difference in religion was cause of the ill vsage shee receiued from her husband and his subiects These bretheren incensed by the complaint and calling of their sister enter into Almarics Country with their forces who hauing no meanes to resist seekes to saue himselfe but he is taken and brought before his brethren in lawe by whose commaundement he was slaine Thus Childebert and Thierri hauing spoyled the treasure and wasted the Country of their confederates returne into France accompained with their sister but shee died by the way inioying litle the fruite of her vnkinde impatience although shadowed with the cloake of inconsiderate zeale Thierri dies soone after leauing Theodebert his son heir both of his Realme and of his turbulent and ambitious humour A part of Bourgongne was giuen him with the title of a King the which he left to his sonne and as a chiefe legacie the hatred he did beare to his brother Clotaire King of Soissons As soone as he sees himselfe King by the decease of his father hee takes part with his Vncle Childebert King of Paris against
protestations of friendship were but foretelâ—ings of the breach of his faith For this reason Zacharie entertained Pepin carefully the which did helpe him much to compasse his desire And although his ambitious humour made him sometimes to speake too peremptorily of his victories and ordinarie deserts yet could he conteine himselfe in greatest occasions and behaued himselfe in such sort as he seemed not to aspire vnto the Crowne but that necessitie and the common consent of all the French did as it were force him thereunto The most remarkable thing in all the course of this history is the order he held to compasse a desseine of so great importance As he discoursed couertly of his intention and openly of the vrgent necessitie to prouide speedily for the estate of the Realme Pepâ—ns means to make himselfe King hee had feed men to preach forth his prayses and the disgraces of Childeric being as visible in the one as remarkable in the other reason giuing due praise to vertue and dishonour to vice In the one they see a simple stupidity in the other a wise viuacitie in the one a foolish lightnes in the other a stayed grauitie in the one a brutish fuâ—ie and in the other a moderate and temperate spirit in the one a beastly carelesnes in the other an actiue dilligence in the one a dissolute intemperancie and in the other a well gouerned continencie So as in the one was all good and in the other all bad in the one all pleased in the other all displeased and theiractions were the table of their contrary dispositions Childeric loued no man neither did any man loue him Pepin loued all and was beloued of all tying all vnto him by all occasions and good turnes and all to his masters losse The common people loued Pepin intirely as the Protector of their libertie and hated Childeric as one that regarded not the common good in respect of his foolish and beastly volâ—â—tuousnes being neither willing nor able to doe well So the one being contemned and hated was held vnworthie to raigne the other praysed and beloued was esteemed most worthie to be a king The friends of Pepin failed not to proclaime his merits in all places and the people imbraced it with all content But there were many difficulties in the execution of this generall dâ—sire 746. religion much respected by the French the naturall reuerence and deâ—otion they bare to their Kings and the remembrance of the merits of old Clouis were strong lets to stay the violent desires of the most affectionate But Pepin could well preuent all this by an admirable and happy dexterity To the remembrance of Clouis vertues he opposed the memory of horrible disgraces and infamies wherewith his posterity had beene polluted and withall the carelesnesse of these latter Kings noating all in ranke from father to sonne And contrarywise hee did represent vnto them the liuely remembrance of the great merits of Pepin his grand-father of Martell his father and his owne and from experience past hee concludes of the future hope As for the reuerence of the French to their Kings hee shewed that it was vowed to true Kings and not to Kings in imagination painted and disguised and that the oth of fidelitie tyed them to a religious King bâ—ing valiant iust mercifull vpright diligent practised in affaires fitte to withstand his enemies to punish the wicked to defend the good and to protect the Christian lawe according to the expresse wordes of the sollemne othe which the French giue their King at his Coronation Why should they then be bound to a vicious King negligent and carelesse of himselfe and his subiects vnder the colour of a Crowne and Scepter To conclude the contract was limited and the French were bound to obey that King that was a lawfull King who being endued with royall vertues performed the office of a true King These reasons were plaine and easilie receiued of all men finding this change to be very necessary for the common good neither was there any one but expected some profit in his owne particular and sought to purchase the fauour of Pepin But yet there remained a scruple of religion for the dispensing of their othe This article must be decided at Rome where Pepin assuring himselfe of his good friends who were necessarily to vse him hoped for a good end seeing the principall was determined by the consent of the French He therefore sends Bruchard Bishop of Bourgeâ— and Folrad his Chaplaine vnto Rome men pleasing to all and faithfull to himselfe to represent the Estate of France and the generall desire of the French to Pope Zacharie The Pope duly informed of the weaknesse of Childeric being hated and contemned of all men without any support and of the generall resolution of the French to receiue Pepin but chiefely moued with hope to draw great helpes from him against the Lombards his capitall enemies dispensed the French from their oth of obedience to Childeriâ— and to all his race Now shall that race be dispossessed and this decree shall be the last act of the Merouingiens Tragedie THE SECOND RACE OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE called Carolouingiens either of Charles Martel or of Charlemagne the chiefe pillers of this race Oracles to iudge rightly of the estate of this second race God is Iudge he puls downe one and sets vp another Man walkes as a shadow he striues in vaine he gathers goods and knowes not who shall enioy them O Lord what is man that thou shouldest be mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him Man is like vnto nothing his dayes are like a shadow that vanisheth the sonnes of men are as nothing and great men are but as a lye If they were all together put in a ballance they would be found more light then vanitie It is hee notwithstanding that preserueth Kings CHARLES MARTEL CHARLES MARTEL A particular Chronologie of the second Race From the yeare 741. vnto the yeare nine hundred eightie eight Yeares of grace Number of Kings CHARLES MARTEL OF 741. 22. The stock or stem of this second Race is numbred among the Kings the 22. for he raigned in effect during the life of the Idâ—e Kings and so was buried among the Kings After the royall gouernment of 25. yeares he left it to his sonne 750. 23. Pepin the briefe or short who was crowned King Chilperic 4. being degraded in the yeare 750. left the crowne peaceabâ—e to his sonne 814. 24. Charlemaigne great in name and in effect who remaining absolute Monarke of the realme of France Austrasia with all the dependances Northward he added to this great masse all Italy the greatest part of Spain so possessing the territories of the Empire in the west he was receiued installed Eâ—p of the west hauing raigneâ— 40. y. 840. 25. Lewis his sonne surnamed the Gentle succeeded him and raigned Kiâ—g Emperour 27. yeares and to him succeeded 878. 26. Charles the 2.
Peâ—ine childreÌ„ diuide the realme Charles and Carolomon his sonnes diuide the realme betwixt them by equall portions Châ—rles was crowned at Wormes Carolâ—man at Soissons writers agree not in the declaration of their portions for that by the death of Caraloman the whole realme came to Charles three yeares after the death of their Father Brothers of diuers humors who in the end had ruined each other by this equalitie of power which proues often an vniust and a dangerous ballance in an estate But Gods will was to preserue so great a Monarchie in Europe to be a harbour for his Church by chosing a great Prince to vnite in him alone the power which is dismembred by the command of many Maisters Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and minde wherevnto by the wiâ—e care of his father Pepin was added as a seale the instructions of a vertuous conuersation Charles the patterne of a great King His manners learning and armes For the ground of all vertues he was carefully instructed in religion the which hee loued and honoured with great reuerence all his life time and likewise the Churches and Pastors Charitie temperance equitie care of Iustice and of order to releeue the people to keepe his faith both to friend and foe and to vse a victory modestly were the noâ—able effects of this excellent knowledge as remarkeable in him His studies as in any Prince that euer liued Hee loued learning by 〈◊〉 and learned men Paul of Pisa instructed him in the Greeke and Latin tongues anâ— â—â—mon in Philosophie and the Mathematikes Hee called these humaine sciences his pastimes and the companions of his Sword and sometimes did recreate himselfe therein Hee tooke a delight in poetry as some of his writings do witnes but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well red The vniuersities of Paris and Pisa built or enriched by him witnesse the loue and honour hee bare to learning In armes hee had his father Pepin for hâ—s chiefe schoolemaster and experience doth testifie how much he profited Before his father left him he had great commands and discharged them with such reputation His armes as the continuance of his armes when he was King shewe plainely that there was neuer soldiar that carried sword with more valour nor great Captaine that commaunded with more obedience nor performed any thing with greater fortune nor vsed his victories with more mildnesse iudgement neyther did euer King or Prince raigne with more authority nor was more reuerently obeyed then our Charlemagne well deseruing the name of great for his vertues He was of a liuely disposition quicke actiue and vehement but modestie and wisdome did season this viuacity and vehemency with so good a grace as iâ— the one could not bee without the other and this moderation of diuers humors made him as admirable in his wit as venerable in his countenance and person There appeared in him a graue sweete Maiesty in a goodly personage great strong and patient of labour A quicke spirit cleere sownd both in apprehension memory and iudgement resolution neuer failed him in difficulties no replie in discours terrible to some amiable to others according to the cause persons and occurrents Vertues which purchased him so great credit as he was beloued respected and feared of all men with such obedience as the effects of his raigne do shewe for hauing receiued a great Kingdome from his father he enlarged it with a wonderfull successe God hauing raised vp these three great Princes one after an other Charles Martel Pepin this great Charles to preserue the Christian name in a great Monarchy The successâ— of his raignâ— amidest the deluge of barbarous nations and the ruine of the Empire I haue coated these his singular vertues in the beginning to giue a tast to the obseruation of his great and admirable actions where there wants nothing but order to relate them fitly in so great a diuersity the which hath ministred occasion to the obscure writers of those times to be too breefe or too tedious ofte-times to report matters very vnlikely for the greatnesse of thingâ— which they haue handled in a fabulous manner and in deed the euents are almost incredible and more miraculous then ordinary Doubtlesse I could gather out of the most confident authors and that according to the order of times as euery thing hath changed and answerable to the greatnes of the subiect that which cannot well be represented without some direction All the deedes of Charlemagne must bee referred to that which he hath done either whilest hee was King alone of France or when he was Emperour and had vnited the Empire to his royaltie And in those times there is first to be obserued what he did in the life of Caroloman in Guienne and after his death in Italy Spaine and Saxonie where he had great matters to decide This is the desseine of our relation The deedes of Charlemagne in the life of his brother Caroloman CAroloman was infinitly iealous of his brothers greatnes whome with greeâ—e he did see be loued honored and obeyed of all the French for his singular vertues both of body and minde This iealousie too ordinary a Counsellor to Princes made him to seeke all meanes to counteâ—mine and ouerthrowe the affaires of Charlemagne who had his eyes fixed vpon Italie as the goodly and most beautifull theatre oâ—â—is vaâ—our the tâ—ue subiect to maintaine his authority and power among Christians and Carolomâ—â— did all hee coulâ— to crosse 〈◊〉 desseins And this was the estate of Rome and Italie 771 Presently after the decease of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practises of Didier King of Lombardie a sworne and capital enemy hauing corrupted some of the Clergie hee caused Constantin brother to Toton Duke of Nepezo his vassall and trustie to bee chosen Pope with such violence as hee made Philippicus being already Canonically chosen to be degraded Troubles at Rome This better party seeing themselues contemned by the Lombard assemble togither and by one common consent choose Stephen the third a Sicilien for Pope who resolues to call in the King of France and to oppose him against his enemies desseins Charles sollicited by the Pope sends twelue Prelates speedily to Rome to fortifie their party against the other meaning at greater neede to apply a greater remedy The matter succeeded according to their desire that had intreated him for the Counsell beeing assembled at Latran they confirme Stephen lawfully chosen and depose Constantin raised by disorder and violence The Lombardâ— dissimulation But Didier would not be controuled with this repulse and seeing that force had not succeeded he resolues to trie policy and to vnder-mine Stephen witâ— a good shew He sends to congratulate his election purgeth himselfe of the Antipope Constantin degraded accuseth both him and his brother of ambition protesting to liue with him in amity and for proofe of this his
beseegeth Rauenna the chiefe Citty of the Exarchie 757 The Pope sends his Nuncio vnto him to expostulate the cause of this so sodaine warre against his subiects desiryng him to yeeld what he had taken and not to proceed in this hostile manner without any reasonable cause vpon paine of excomunication By his owne practises At that instant there fell out a great occasion to increase the hatred betwixt Charles and Didier for that Hunault who had beene vanquished in Guienne retired himselfe to Didier and is not onely courteously receiued but honored with the charge of generall of the army the which he had leuied against the Pope Didier suffred himselfe to be so abused with the perswasions of Hunault touching the meanes to attempt against the Estate of Charlemagne that holding Italy vndoubtedly his owne hee plotted a warre and assured himselfe of a certaine victory in France Thus pride and iniquitie hastens his ruine The Pope hauing no other defence but his excommunication not defensible against the armies of Didier flies againe to Charlemagne as to his sacred Anchor or last hope intreating ayde from him in his necessity Charlemagne had great reason to arme against Didier who had alwaies crossed his affaires fed his brothers â—ealousies receiued his widow and children labored to haue them chosen Kings of France to trouble or ruine his Estate entertayned his rebellious subiects and with them practised to make warre against him The sute and summons of the Romaine Church was a great motiue to induce him to arme against him who professed himselfe an open enemy to Christian religion whereof the Kings of France had alwaies shewed themselues protectors and gardiens But not to attempt any thing rashely Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombaâ—d hee first sends his Ambassadors to the Pope to assure him of his good will the which should not be wanting in his necessity but hee thought it best to try mildnesse before hee vsed force against the Lombard He therefore sends his Ambassadors to Didier and doth summon him to restore what hee had taken from the Pope and to suffer him to liue in peace Didier who relied much vpon his policy giues good words to the Ambassadors promising to perfome all that Charles demanded but in effect hee would haue the Pope accept of conditions of peace from him and that the children of Caroloman should be declared Kings of France These demands were found vnreasonable on either side the treaty is broken the French Ambassadors returne and Didier renewes the warre more violently then before against the Church and hauing spoyled all the territory of â—auenna he takes Faenze Ferrara Comachia Compagnia and Romandiola townes of the sixe gouernments Charlemagnes Ambassadors informe their master that the warre with the Lombard is inâ—uitable and find all things at their returne readie to inuade Italy for Charlemagne beeing forced to suppresse the rebellious Saxons who impatient of the French yoake reuolted daylie had leuied a goodly army the which was readie to be imployed against the Lombard He makes warre by the aduice of the Estates But Charles would not attempt any thing in a matter of so great consequence without the aduice of his Estates Yet loath to loose time he causeth his army to march and makes his Rendezuous at Geneua a towne vnder his obedience vpon the way to Italy and hauing diuided his army into two he seizeth vpon the passages of Mont Cenis and Saint Bernard which are the two entries from France to Italie The Estates hauing found the causes of warre against Didier King of Lombardie to be iust Charlemagne causeth his army to aduance with all speed and ioynes neere vnto Verteil Didier attends him there and giues him battaile but at the first encounter he is vanquished by Charlemagne The Lombard twise defeated by Charles The Lombard hauing rallied and fortified his troupes receiues a newe defeate and so great a one as he is inforced to suffer his enemy to be master of the field An infallible entrance to his ruine Thus hauing tumultuously trussed vp what hee could he sends his sonne Aldegise to Verona with the widowe and children of Caroloman casting himselfe into Pauia the which he had carefully fortified as the dungeon and â—ortresse of his last fortune Charlemâ—gne pursues him at the heeles beseegeth him with all his forces in Pauia and resolues to haue it at what price soeuer And to shewe his resolution 775. hee sends for his wife and children into France to the end the Italians that were doubtful might knowe his minde and without attending any newe occurrents resolue to obeye the victor Hauing coopt vp Didier in Pauia and seized vpon all the approches hee resolues to take Verona which they held the strongest place of all the Lombards estate So leauing his Vncle Bernard to continue the seege at Pauia he marcheth with part of his army to Verona His resolution accompanied with these goodly beginnings and this checke of Didier shut vp as it were in a prison gaue a great alteration to the affaires of either party amidest these people of diuers humors The Spoletins the Reaâ—iâ—s those of Ancona of Ferme and of Ossino as it were in spight one of an other yeeld to Charlemagne and detest the wretched estate of Didier as a worthy reward of his trecherous iniustice and violence The Venetians beeing Neuters spectators of this tragedie who neuer had delt in any sort with Didier offer amity and succors to Charlemagne who was desirous they should keepe the sea quiet least the Emperour should be an actor in this quarrell for Didier Charlemagne stayed not long at Verona before the Cittie beganne to yeeld Berthe the widow of Caroloman beeing the chiefe instrument to drawe them to composition his forces beeing as shee saied verie fearefull Aldegise the sonne of Didier finding himselfe vnable to resist so resolute a consent of the Cittizens nor to releeue his fathers misery flies secretly to the Emperour of Constantinople Thus Verona yeelds to Charlemagne by composition Verroâ—a taken by Charles who receiues both Berthe and the Inhabitants to mercie to whome hee performes his promise he inflicts no other punishment vpon Berthe and her children but a gentle admonition of their vnciuill rashenesse and to returne into France there to do better and to liue more honorably This was about Ester which drewe Charles to Rome Charles entertayned at Rome where hee remayned onely eight daies to visit the holy places and to conferre with Pope Adrian They write wonders of the great entertaynment the Pope gaue him and of the shewes of amity of Charlemagne Hee confirmed all that his father Pepin had giuen vnto the Pope and greatly augmented it The Pope made Charles a Patritian of Rome a degree to mounâ— vnto the Empire from thence Charles came to Pauia the which beeing for the space of ten monethes pressed without by warre and within by pestilence and â—amine Pauia taken and Didier 〈◊〉 it in
countries Thus the war of Saxonie ended being both long dangerous those which were conquered by the truth were the true conquerers in knowing the true God Charlemagne hauing caused the Saxons to leaue their false opinions was carefull to haue them instructed in the truth Care of religion most worthy of Princes to this end he appointed holy and learned men in all places and gaue meanes to maintaine them as the Germaine histories report more particularly It sufficeth me in declaring this briefely to shew his pieâ—y compatible with his valour and happinesse and for a president to Princes to make religion the soueraigne end of their armes and authorities This Widichind was a great personage both in wisedome valour and authority and by consequence very notable in the order of our subiect From him are descended very famous races The two Henries the one called Oiseleur or the Fowler and the other of Bamberg and the two Othoes all Emperours and likewise the Dukes of Saxonie the Marquis of Misne the Dukes of Sauoy and also the most famous race of Hugh Capet is drawne from this spring The offspring of VVidichind by the common consent of learned writers the which ought to be well obserued in the continuance of this Historie From this warre of Saxonie sprung many other in the Northerne parts whereof I will intreat hauing discoursed briefely of the warre of Spaine both for that it chanced during that of Saxonie as also being very memorable for the ouerthrow of the Sarazins who threatned Christendome like a deluge Histories differ much touching this warre but I will report what is most likely by the consent of most approued writers whereof the studious reader may iudge by conference I being but a faithfull reporter The motiue of this Spanish warre was more vpon pleasure then necessitie but the zeale of religion gaue a colour and shew of necessitie to the heroycall desire of Charlemagne seeking to inlarge the limits of the French Monarchie by armes Warre in Spaine So this warre of Spaine was more painfull more dangerous and of lesse successe then that of Italy whereunto necessity and duty had drawne Charlemagne but his wise proceeding in the action did warrant him from all blame The occasion which made him bend his forces against the Sarazins in Spaine was the assurance of his good fortune the quiet peace of his realme the meanes to imploy his Souldiars the Spaniards hate against the Sarazins and the generall feare of all Christians least these Caterpillers should creepe farther into Europe This was the estate of Spaine the Sarazins had conquered a great part thereof Estate of Spaine and were diuided into diuers commands vnder the title of Kingdomes yet these diuers Kings resolued to oppose their vnited forces against Charles their common enemie Foreseeing then the tempest they seeke to preuent it and to crosse the desseignes of Charlemagne which being discouered they caused King Idnabala a Sarazin to insinuate into his friendship being a man full of subtill mildnesse This stratageâ— preuailed more then all their forces Charlemagne was thrust forwards by Alphonso surnamed the chaste King of Nauarre and by the Asturiens and Galliciens Christian people of Spaine to vndertake this warre being easie profitable and honourable and by consequence most worthy the valiant happinesse of Charlemagne Moreouer this Idnabala making a shew of friendship laboured to hasten him to the execution of this enterprise from the which he knew well he should not diuert him but in effect it was to betray him by the discouering of his intentions flattering his desire to get the more credit by pleasing him Charlemagne then well affected of himselfe and perswaded by others calles a Parliament at Noyon and there concludes a warre against the Sarazins of Spaine 786 The armie he imployed in that action was goodly both for the number of men and valour of great warriours Waâ—â—e agâ—inst the 〈…〉 being the choise of the most worthy Captaines in Christendome Amongst the which they number Milon Earle of Anger 's Rowland the sonne of Milon and Berthe sister to Charlemagne Renald of Montaban the foure sonnes of Aimon Oger the Dane Oliuer Earle of Geneua Brabin Arnold of Bellande and others the gâ—eat valour of which persons hath beene fabulously reported by the writers of those obscure times with a thousand ridiculous tales vnworthy the valour of those heroick spirits Institution of the twelue Peeres proofes of the ignorance of that age being barren of learned wits They say that Charlemagne to make this voyage more honourable in shew did then institute the order of the twelue Peeres of France Being entred into Spaine he found no Sarazin forces in field but their Citties well fortified hauing resolued a defensiue rather then an offensiue warre The most renowmed Sarazin Kings were Aigoland The treachery 〈…〉 the Saâ—azin Bellingan Denisâ—s Marsile and Idnabala which be the sâ—bâ—ect of our fabulous tales but the last as I haue sayd made shew of friendship wâ—th Charlemagne and open hatred against the other Sarazin Kings with whom notwitâ—standing he had most strict correspondencie to betray Charles Pâ—mpelune takâ—n The first Cittie he attempted was Pampelune in the Kingdome of Nauarre the which he tooke by force but with much paine losse and danger Hauing sackt it and slaine all the Sarazins he found Saragoce yeelds to him by composition with many other small Townes terrâ—fied by the example of Pampelune This beginning incouraged him to march on relying on his wonted fortune but as he passed through the Prouinces of Spaine like a victoâ—ious Prince without any dâ—fficulty hauing giuen a part of his armie to lead to Milon of Angiers his brother in law it chanced neere vnto Bayonne that Aigoland a Sarazin King hauing in this common dispaire thrust an army into field incountred â—ilon with his troupes little dreading any enemy and tooke him at such an aduantage as he defeated him The losse was very great for they report it was of forty thousand men The Sarazins victory where Milon was slaine for a confirmation of the Sarazins victory Charlemagne was farre off and not able by any diligence to preuent the losse hee pacifies this amazement least it should daunt the whole armie Hee hastens thether and gathers together the relikes of these discomfited troupes keeping the conquered Citties and such as were friends in their obedience But after this followes a second accident Aigoland puft vp with the pride of this victory â—asseth into Gasconie and besiegeth Agen to diuert Charlemagne from his pursute and to draw him home to defend his owne country The Saâ—azins 〈◊〉 into Gâ—sâ—onie So as Charlemagne fearing least his absence and the Sarazins late victory should alter the mindes of them of Guienne being then subiects of small assurance he returnes into France Aigoland hauing continued some moneths at the siege of Agen and preuailed little but in ouerrunning the country the which he did freely without
and publicke Violence Charitable Liberall and Iudicious to giue with Discretion To conclude the Patterne of a great King by whome our Kings should take example to learne how to gouerne the Helme of an estate in the tempests and stormes of manie toyles and confusions and by the managing and successe of his raigne to gather this goodly Poâ—sie or rather to take this pasport for the confirmation and greatnesse of Kings That a vertuous King is in the ende happie howsoeuer hee bee compassed in with difficulties But before wee enter into a new raigne order requires that wee obserue the estate of the Church and Empire Fredericks humilitie to the Pope Estate of thâ— Empire had somewhat calmed the violence of these factions and his voyage to the Holye Land to performe his full obedience seemed to bring a perfect peace to Christendome when as behold a newe cause of troubles Frederick going for Asia had with the consent of the Princes of the Empire The Pope opposeth agaiâ—â—â— the Emperour confirmed his eldest Sonne Henry Emperour but hee being dead and his Sonne Henrie to succede him Pope Innocent opposed an other Emperour which was this Otho of whome wee haue spoken The Emperour muâ—theâ—red by 〈◊〉 who succedâ—â— him and did excomunicate Henry in hatred of his Father Frederick Otho ambitious of commande caused Henry to bee murthered in his Chamber But it chanced that hauing committed this fact hee went to receiue that disgrace in France 1223. which was his death and Frederick the second succeeded him â—oâ—as he liued when as our Augustus left the Crowne to his Sonne Lewis Of Italy In the meane time the Guelphes maintained the Popes factions withall vehemencie and the Gibelins that of the Emperour The Cittie 's swelled with these humors which distracted their mindes into sundrie factions whereof grew those cruell contentions euen in their owne bowels The heads of Guelphs and Gibelius the which haue continued long with irreconciliable hatred At Rome the Vrsins and Sabelles against the Colonnois Frangepans Cesarins and others At Florence the Medicis Ricci Bondelons Amidees Cerchis against the Strossi Saluiati Passi Albicci and Donati At Genoa the Flisques Grimaldi Fregoses against the Spinoles Adornes Dories and so at Bolonia Milan Ferrara Mantoua Luques and other Citties which by these dissentions haue lost their liberties and are fallen into the hands of diuerse Princes Venice was wise in thâ—se deuisions preseruing her libertie against both factions whilest the rest dismembred and ruined one another The Popes had still an eye vpon France to confirme their authoritie there as they had done in Sicilia and England The Popes soueraigne authoritie ouer Christendom not ceasing vppon euery light occasion to censure it or to threaâ—en it with their censures But our Kings by the wise Councell of their Parliament at Paris restrained them not suffring them to vsurpe any thing ouer their royall prerogatiue and the libertie of the French Church But howsoeuer the Imperiall State being made subiect to the Pope the way was easie to draw all the Kings and Princes of Christendome to obedience and to aduance their throne aboue the rest Their great reuenues and the shew of their stately and sumptuous traine kept the people in obedience but the deuoute respect of religion the strictest bond to tye soules was the fundamentall support of this soueraigne authoritie the which not being limited within the bounds of mortall life without doubt struck an vnauoidable terror into mens consciences ouer which it had power So as the Pope gaue lawe to all men and whosoeuer obeyed not what they commanded he was excommunicated by this spirituall authoritie of the Keyes which they say doe open and shut Paradice binde and loose sinnes This beleefe setled in the mindes of Christians bred a great deuotion and respect in them and did minister daily new meanes to encrease it At that time sprung vp many orders of religious Friars and Monkes and out of S. Bernards Schoole very famous in those times from this streame grew two branches One was called The poore in Lions the other the humble of Italy which liued of Almes and conuersed with other men expounding the Scriptures and reprouing the abuses of the Church with the like zeale and libertie as we see at this day in the writings of S. Bernard This free and plaine reprehension displeased the Pope who suppressed these two orders with his censures and confining the desciples of S. Bernard to Cisteaux he confirmed 4. new orders of religions The Franciscans instituted by Francis an Italian the Iacobins by Dominick a Spaniard Orders of religious men Carmelites by Albert Patriarke of Ierusalem the Augustins by Innocent the third The Vniuersities of France Germanie and Italy were carefully entertained by meanes of the great reuenues of the Church to settle and augment the Popes authoritie the which was mightily encreased by the diligence and dexteritie of such as instructed the youth easie to receiue such impressions as were giuen them especially their teachers hauing great power ouer their soules Such was the estate both of the Empire and of the Church when as Lewis the 8. entred the royall throne after the decease of his father Philip Augustus Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis the 43. King of France LEWES .8 KING OF FRANCE XXXXIII LEWIS was thirty yeares old when he beganne to raigne 1223. in the yeare .1223 was crowned with his wife Blanch beeing then the mother of many children His raigne â—eâ—th Hee died in the yeare 1226. hauing raigned but three yeares neither noted for his vices nor coÌ„mended for his vertues only famous in that He was Sonne to an excellent father father to an excellent Sonne bearing his name not beeing famous inough of himselfe His father imployed him confidently but with small successe The manners of Lâ—wâ—â— the eight He desquieted England but reaped no benifit That which is most remarkable in his raigne Languedoc one of the goodliest and ritchest Prouinces of the French monarchy began to returne to the Crowne froÌ„ the which it was dismembred by Hugh Capet and left as â—n inheritaÌ„ce to the Earles the means was by the ruine of CouÌ„t Raimond chiefe of the Albigeois The Albigeois take their name of a diocese in Languedoc Languedock returnes to the Crowne whereof the head is Alby the 22. Bishoprike of this large Prouince but this name was common to the whole party for that a priuate impression deuided from the common beleefe of Christians which hath caused them to be held for heretikes tooke its beginning with this people of high Languedock and so was dispersed into other Prouinces In this difference of religion we may obserue diuers humors iudgements and censures Diuers opinions touching the Albigâ—ois In so great an vncertâ—nty I will report plainly what is written by the most approoued Authors not giuing any Iudgement the which belongs to the reader neither wil I
depart from Corbeil and enter Champagne in hatred of the Earle who had forsaken them to follow the Kings partie But Lewis taking him into his protection and marching towards them with his men at armes all their desseignes came to nothing And yet they had imbarked the Duke of Lorraine and the King of England in this quarrell Lewis hauing expelled them Champagne followes his course takes Angiers without any contradiction belonging then vnto the Brittons and from thence hee marcheth into Brittanie Terror opens the Gates of all the Citties The Earle of Dreuz leaues his Brother who seeing himselfe abandoned of them all but first of iudgement confesseth his fault and doth homage to the King for Brittanie The League broken and by this rebellion he gets the name of Maâ—clerck hauing so ill imployed his time as to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished by a Child and a Woman These troubles thus pacified to the dishonor of the Authors the young King wonne great reputation and his Mothers wisdome was generally commended Lewis makes a progresse throughout 〈◊〉 realmâ— who thought it fitte that her Sonne should bee seene of all his subiects As hee went this progresse hee receiued homage from all his Nobilitie and ordained many things according to occurrents It chanced that hauing erected Poitou to an Earledome and giuen it to Alphonso his brother Hugh Earle of Marche which lyes within Poitou would not acknowledge Alphonso for his Lord His Wife Isabell Mother to King Henry of England who had beene first married to King Iohn was the motiue scorning to subiect her selfe to an Earle of Poitou This ambitious passion was the cause of great Warre First shee drewe in the Earle of Lusignan vnder the same pretext for that there had beene Kings of Ierusalem and Cipres issued out of this Noble house and afteâ—wards the King of England The first tumult not preuented had almost surprised Lewis within Saumur and this Woman transported with pride and hatred sought to make him away eyther by poison or sword kindling the Warre in England by hired Preachers In the end after the two armies had made great spoile in Poitou Xantonge and Angoulmois both of friend and enemie a peace was concluded with the English vpon condition that La Marche should remaine in France This was the end of that feminine rage ridiculous in the issue but lamentable for the poore people who alwayes pay for the folly and malice of Princes Prouence was gouerned by the Berengers as wee haue sayd since the ouerthrow of Lewis the Sonne of Boson and then in the hands of Raymond Berenger Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France a fierce and cruell man who had so incensed his subiects being impatient and turbulent of themselues as they had recourse to Raymond Earle of Tholouse his neerest Kinsman to install him in their Earles place with whom they would haue no more correspondencie Being ready to arme the felicitie of Lewis pacified all Raymond Earle of Prouence had foure Daughters Marguerite which was wife to our Lewis the ninth and Queene of France Elenor which was married to Henry King of England Sanchia to Richard his brother Duke of Cornwaile and Beatrix which was to marry Daughters of great hapines hauing had three Kings and a Royall Prince The Earle of Prouence would hardly haue beene comptrould by Lewis but GOD who meant to plant a generall peace in France by the hand of this good King buried Raymond with his rage in one Tombe taking him out of the world whome a whole world could not containe Lewis after the decease of Raymond pacified the Prouençals in marrying his brother Charles the Earle of Aniou with Beatrix the Daughter of their Earle to their great content adding in fauour of this marriage Maine to Aniou And since this Charles was King of Sicilia Robert the yonger brother was Earle of Arthois By this meanes his bretheren remained satisfied Alphonsus being Earle of Poitou and Tholouse by his portion and mariage Charles Earle of Prouence and Aniou and Robert Earle of Arthois and the Realme continued in happy peace These things thus happily performed by Lewis hee imployed his care in the reformation of the Realme beginning first with himselfe and his houshold Lewis his disposition then did he plant Religion and Iustice the principall Pillers of a State for the good and ease of the people Hee lead a life worthy of a King louing and honoring Religion with much zeale and respect taking delight in the reading of the holy Scripures the which hee cauâ—ed to be Translated into the French tongue which I haue seene in a Gentlemans custodie carrying this title He did greatlie honor Clergie men being worthy of their places and was a seuere censor of them that did abuse it whom hee charged to liue according to their Canons and to shew themselues patternes of good life to the people That they should bee preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignities according to order in all libertie and should enioy their reuenues without lett That the exactions and insupportable charges imposed by the Court of Rome these are the words of his Edict on the realme of France by the which it was mâ—ghtily impouerished and which hereafter might be leuied should not in any sort be leuied without apparent cause his expresse command and the approbation of the French Church He had a good soule being iust sober modest The Patterne of an excellent Princâ— temperate in his eating and drinking in his talke habits and conuersation neither melancholie nor exceedinglie merry circumspect of a good iudgement staied charitable moderate vigilant and seuere in the obseruation of that he had decreed And as the Prince is the rule of his house he either chose seruants of his owne humor or else his seruants framed themselues vnto his disposition so as his Court was like vnto a well ordred Church His traine was royall and stately according to the times but there was nothing superfluous not lost so as hee had his Treasurie replenished to giue to such as deserued He paied his seruants wel yet he gouerned his treasure in such â—ort as his officers could hardly steale from him and such as offended he punished with so exact a seueritie as the rest feared to commit the like The orders for his treasure are registred in his Ordinances where you may see them at large He loued learning and learned men and delighted to read and heare good workes fauouring his Vniuersitie of Paris and drawing the Parisians to lâ—ue Scholleâ—s so as in his time the Vniuersitie of Paris had great prerogatiueâ— as the eldest Daughter of our Kings The realme was corrupted with the iniustice extâ—â—sion of former raignes by the sale of offices being most certaine that what we buy in grosse we must sell by retaile He did therefore expresly prohibite these sales and supplied such places as were voide according to the merits of persons after due examination to draw good men and
hee allyed himselfe with this Fredericke the second Emperour who hath filled some leaues in our discourse and made his peace with the Pope vpon condition That hee should succour and ayde the Christians in the East Fredericke hauing recouered Ierusalem by the truce hee made with the Sultan as we haue sayd left it to Iohn of Breyne his Father in Lawe and returned into Germanie to make the end which wee haue before set downe On the other side as Christian Kings and Princes laboured what they could to repaire this their decayed estate Andrew King of Hungarie the Sonne of Bela assisted by the Dukes of Austria and Neuers whose names are not specified went into the East with a goodly Armie and to make worke for the Christian enemies hee besieged Damiette in Egipt where being succoured by Iohn of Breyne after a long siege hee takes it but it was soone after recouered by the Mammelucks Lewis therefore vndertooke this voyage of the East when as extreame necessitie called him to succour the afflicted Christians The Popes Innocent the third Honorius and Gregorie had one after another vehemently perswaded him to this voyage but the affaires of his realme had stayed him from attempting rashly to settle the generall estate and ruine his owne particular Yet being fallen extreamly sicke hee resolued to delay it no longer preparing for this expedition vpon his recouerie Hee assembled his Estates and by their free consent left the Regencie of the Realme to his Mother Blanche who was gladly receiued of all men vpon the conceit of her first gouernment Lewâ—s goes with an armie inâ—o the East Hee parts accompanied with Alphonso Earle of Tholouse and Poiters and Robert Earle of Arthois his Bretheren Hugh Duke of Bourgongne William Earle of Flanders and Guy of Flanders his Brother Hugh Earle of Saint Paul and Gautier his Nephew Hugh Earle of Marche the Earles of Salbruke and Vandosme of Montfort of Dreux and Archibauld of Bourbon very renowmed in the course of this Historie being Father to the Mother of our King now raigning the Lord of Ioinuille who hath worthily written this Historie Hugh Brun and his Sonne Gauberd of Aspremont William Morlet William of Barres men of great esteeme in their times the Lordes of La Voute Mont laur Turnon and Crusol men of accoumpt in the Countrie of Viâ—arez intouled with Count Raymond who dyed vppon the point of their departure and the rest passed on This was in the yeare 1258. about the twentith yeare of the raigne of Saint Lewis The Queene accompanies the King The Armie consisted of two and thirty thousand fighting men Queene Marguerite his Wife bare him company in his voyage but more faithfull then Elenor was to Lewis the seuenth the Countesses of Tholouse and Arthois did also goe with their husbands after the Queenes example Blanche his Mother bare him companie to Lions where Innocent the fourth attended him Hee imbarkes at Marseilles From thence hee went to Marseilles where hee imbarked with the Geneuois that were hired by him His departure was the 25. day of August to the best voyage vnder heauen Hee arriued happily in the Iland of Cipres held by Guy of Lusigâ—an where attending the rest of his Armie the plague wasted many of his men euen of the chiefe of his Court Archibauld of Bourbon Iohn of Montfort and others dyed The fame of his Holinesse moued the King of Tartaria to send his Ambassadors vnto him to offer him his friendship 1260. and to acquaint him with the desire he had to become a Christian Lewis sends him Preachers to instruct him in the Christian religion The Tartares refuse the Christian religion by reason of the Christians ill life But the Tartarians vnderstanding that the Christians liues were not answerable to their profession they returne without any better fruite then the shame of their ill life whose doctrine was so famous At the releefe of Cipres Lewis had conference with the Christians of Iudea where they resolued to recouer the Cittie of Damieâ—te as most riche and very important for their state The Mammâ—luckes sought to hinder Lewis his discent but to their great losse and also of their Commander the Satrape of Canope Behold Lewis is now landed and from thence he goes to Damiette the which hee speedily besiegeth yet not with so great foresight Lewis takes Damieâ—te but the stranger garrison hauing made shew to yeeld at the first summons had meanes to make a hoale in the night and to saue themselues This happy taking of Damiette gaue sundry Councels both to Lewis and to the Mammeluâ—ks To Lewis to pursue his victory to the Mammelucks to defend themselues and the rather for that soone after the losse of Damiette Meledin Sultan of Babilon died leauing his Sonne Melexala for his successor a young man of great hope The proiect of Lewis was to pursue his victory to keepe his enemy busied in attempting Caire the capitall Citty of Egipt anciently called Memphis Beâ—iegeth Caire indiscreetly but the ignorance of these strange places where he was not onely depriued him of the fruite of his first conquest but gaue Melexala meanes not onely to preserue himselfe but to defeat Lewis his armie and to take him prisoner Whilest they attend Count Alphonso his Brother with new forces and spend too much time vpon the passage of Nilus behold the miscreants forces flie into Egipt from all parts to succour the yong Sultan from Arabia and Siria The iealousies betwixt the Satrapes of Halape Damas were by this occasion conuerted into vnion and firme loue to expell a common enemy whose victory would proue their generall ruine Lewis ingaged beyond Nilus in an enemies country where he must either vanquish or die behold a great and mighty armie of enemies against him assembled from all parts Lewis a braue and resolute Commander desired nothing more then to imploy the first furie of the French in battaile Melexala a politike Commander incouraged by the happy successe of Damiette But Melexala who was within his owne Countrie and prepared rather to defend himselfe then to assaile resolued to weary Lewis his forces the which he knew would be more anoyed by the foggie aire where they were lodged and by the want of all kind of victuals then by his sword The successe answered his desseigne the Campe is presently full of diseases those contagious The common souldiers the NoblemeÌ„ The plâ—gue in Lewis his Campe. and in the end the King is sick all is disordred with this infectious sicknesse The Gards and Sentinels stand in feare all are amazed Melexala well informed of their estate surchargeth them with an other discomodity he takes from them the passage of Nilus by the which victuals came from Damiette to the Christians Campe. And to braue these poore sick men who had neither hands to fight nor feet to flie he sends troopes hourely to their trenches to prouoke them and cuts them in peeces
all sutes among his subiects and happily hee might haue preuailed in reconciling that great deuision betwixt the Emperor and the Pope if zeale to releeue the afflicted Christians had not made him to abandon his owne quiet with all his good workes to transport his treasure and life into Affrick and there to leaue them among the Barbarians All declined in the East Mahomet preuailed so both there and in Affricke as Europe was threatned by their neighbor-hood Spaine as the neerest and Prouence and Languedoc by the easie aboard of the Mediterranian Sea Lewis not able to liue without seeking the aduancement of the Christian religion resolues a voyage into Barbarie Lewis goes into Barbèrie against the aduise of his estate and contrary to his owne experience A zeale which shall succeed ill for himselfe and his whole realme whom we cannot excuse of indiscretion Thus he inrouled himselfe the second time and his Sonne Philip likewise which shall succeed him with Peter Earle of Alanson and Iohn Earle of Neuers surnamed Tristan He left the Regencie to Simon of Neele and Mathew of Vendosme of whose fidelitie he relyed much Before his departure he made a league with the King of England to whom he had done many good offices in his great necessitie It was agreed A League wiâ—h Enâ—land 1269. â—hat the English should pretend no interest to Normandie nor to the Earledome of Aniou Maine Poitou and Touraine and as for Guienne hee should enioy the Countries of Quercy Limosin and Xainronge vnto the Riuer of Charenton all which Countries hee should hold by homage of the Crowne of France and in this regard he should be Vassall and Leege-man to the King of France For confirmation of this accord Edward his Sonne enters into societie of Armes with Lewis for the voyage of the Holy-land to maâ—che at the same time This accord was made in the yeare 1269. and their departure was the yeare after 1270. the first day of May. He paâ—ted from Aigues-mortes and not from Marseilles as some haue written for that there was no good port vpon the Mediterranian Sea hee caused the Cittie of Aigues-mortes in Languedoc to bee built and compassed it with goodly Walles which speake yet of him and with Chanels for the commoditie of the shoare the largest is calâ—ed The great Lewis by his name Edward takes his course for Asia and Lewis for Affrike the French armie consisting of forty thousand fighting men that of England is not specified The voyage was shott vnhappy for them both but especially for our good Prince Lewis had scarce lost the sight of shoare and discouered the Iland of Sardinia when as both he and his whole Fleete had almost perished in a storme Lewis in danger at Sea A presage of a mournfull successe In the end he lands in Affricke A Country worthy to loose that ancient name among vs and to be called Barbarie for the barbarous and vnfortunate successe it brought Lewis resolues to take Carthage a new Cittie built vpon the ancient name and held for a strong garrison of the Barbarians He takes it but with great paine and losse From thence heâ— goes to Thunis a strong and well garded Cittie resolute to haue it at what price soeuer But man purposeth and God disposeth For as Edward sonne to the King of England turned backe from his voyage of the East The Armie infected with the plague hauing passed but to Malta and Charles King of Sicilia going to ioyne with him to set vpon the Barbarians of Affricke altogether In a manner at the same time as they arriued all at Thunis the plague had deuoured a great part of the French armie and taken away many Noblemen And to encrease the mischiefe 1270. it enters the Kings pauiâ—â—on and strikes Lewis although some say it was a Flux But whatsoeuer it be our Lewis is extreamly sicke and feeling it deadly Lewis being sicke giues his sonne instruction hee calls for Philip his eldest sonne whose age and vertue preferred him to the Crowne Hauing giuen him goodly admonitions and exhorted him to serue God to liue verâ—uously and to gouerne his people â—atherly vnder the obedience of his lawes which hee himselfe must first obey hauing recommended vnto him the loue of his brethren Lewis dyes and intâ—eated all the Nobilitie about him to obey Philip he yeelded vp his soule to God to take his true rest in heauen leauing all his followers in great heauinesse being the most perfect patterne of a good King that euer was read off in Historie He only wanted the happinesse of a good writer although these small gleans which wee finde in the writings of the Lord of Ioinuille make his vertue admitable A Prince borne for a testimonie to that obscure age Lewis his vertues and for ours which is corrupted to be a President to all Kings and Princes of Religion Equitie Clemencie Wisdome Valour Magnanimitie Patiencie and Continencie to Loue Pietie Iustice Order and Peace to ioyne the loue of holy things and the modestie of manners with armes and State Hauing shewed that it is very fitting for a King To be a good Christian a good Warriour a good Husband a good Father a good Gouernour a good Iusticer and to know how to make Warre and Peace Verâ—ues required in a prince That it is very necessary to ioyne vnto the Maiestie royall Pietie Clemencie and Authoritie to gaine the Loue Respect and Obedience of all men And to conclude That the best gaâ—de and most assured reuenew of a Prince is the loue of his subiects worthy of that venerable name of Holy wherewith posteritie hath iustly honored him He was twelue yeares old when he began to raigne His raigne and gouerned 44. yeares So hee died in the 56. yeare of his age hauing receiued this mortall Crowne in the yeare 1226. and the immortall in the yeare 1270 the 25. of August Of Marguerite the Daughter of Raymond Earle of Proâ—ence His Children hee had foure Sonnes and foure Daughters A Princesse worthy of so great a husband the sole Wife of one husband and hee the onely Husband of one Wife His Sonnes were Philip surnamed the Hardie King of France Peter Earle of Alanson Robert also Earle of Alanson succeeding his brother Peter deceased without Children and he likewise died without any issue and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauvoisin His Daughters were Blanche Queene of Castile Isabell Queene of Nauarre Marguerite Countesse of Brabant and Agnes Dâ—chesse of Bourgongne His posteritie in his two sonnes Philip and Robert So as of his foure Sonnes there suruiued but two Philip and Robert From Philip the 3. called the Hardie his eldest Sonne are issued successiuely eyther from Father to Sonne or from brother to brother or from the neerest kinsman to the next of bloud Philip the 4. called the Faire Lewis the 10. called Hutin Philip the 5. called the Long Charles the 4 called the Faire Philip
necessity forcing the Lord of Champroux to depart with an honourable composition armed their Ensignes displayed Drummes sounding Tournay lost and their baggage saued Nowe may wee see what effects the Popes league with the Emperour shall bring forth Being both equally desirous to expel the French out of Italy they thought it best before they came to open force to shadow their practises with a Foxes skinne and by meanes of the banished men to assaile the Duchies of Milan and Genes at one instant with the Citties of Parma Plaisance Cremone and Creme But he that attempts too much performes little so many sundry enterprises do most commonly terrifie more then hurt According to this plot the Emperours galleys remaining at Genes the Popes come sodenly into the Port of Genes with two thousand Spaniards led by Ierome Adorne hoping that the Partisans of that familie would not faile to mutine but the good order which Fregose had set made their desseine frutelesse On the other side Lautree before his comming into France to marry the Daughter of the Lord of Orâ—all had expelled many out of Milan that were ill affected to the King whereof they said the most part had beene banished for sleight occasions or to seize vpon their goods Without doubt seueritie looseth those hearts which clemencie and moderation in a temperate commander would make vse of at need Francis Sforce Ierosme Moron Manfroy Paluoisin and Soto of Brindesi were the chiefe who hauing assembled a great number of their Partisans for the execution of their desseins retyred to Regium belongâ—ng to the Church although neither the Pope nor the King according to their treatie ought to haue supported them in their territories Lescut Marshall of Foix Lieutenant to his Brother aduertised of these stirres by Frederick of Bossole parted from Milaz on Midsomer eue accompanied with foure hundred Lances and followed by Bossole leading a thousand foote to require Count Guy of Rangon gouernour of the Towne for the Pope that according to the treatie he should deliuer these banished men into his hands Whâ—lest that Lescut and Rhangon conferred together vpon their faith at a posterne entring into the Rauelin at the gate which goes to Parma the one complaining that contrary to the Articles of the League they did support in townes belonging to the Church the banishâ—d men assembled to trouble the Kings estate and the other that hee had sodenly entred with armes into the territories of the Church behold a gate being opened for the letting in of a Cart laden with meale the Loâ—d of Bonneual aduanceâ—h with some men at armes to seize vpon the port but they were repulsed and the gate shutte Some banished men being vpon the walles discharge their Harquebuses and hâ—â—t Alexander Triuulce whereof he dyed two daies after Nothing saued Lescut but the feare which the Harquebusier had that aâ—med at him to kill the Gouernour The indiscretion of one man is pernicious to such as accompanie him During this garboâ—le the Earle to assure Lescuts person led him vpon his faith into the Rauelin The men at armes taking this for an imprisonment fled to carry newes to the troupes which stayed two miles from Regium who standing doubtfull whether they shouâ—d marche against the Towne to recouer their leader or returne to Parma thinking tâ—a practise to surprise the Towne in their absence the Marshall arriued being released by the Earle forbearing to stay him hauing giuen him his faith and receiued commâ—ssion not to proceed against the King by open warre This enterprise as badly effected as rashly attempted was of consequence It was a good colour for the Pope to accuse the King and to iustifie his confederacie with the Emperour To preuent this Lescut sent La Motte Grouin to Leo to disauowe the attempt at Rhâ—gium and to let him vnderstand that what he had done was neither to attempt against him nor against the estate of the Church For answer The Marshall of Foix sayd the Pope in great choller hath lodged in armes like an enemie vpon my territories I will make him know the wrong he hath done vnto the King Presently after this threat he did excommunicate the Marshall out of the Church An enterprice vpon Como â—â—â—all The desâ—eine vpon Como succeeded no better then that of Genes for Manfroy of Paluâ—â—sâ—n and Soto of Brindizi hauing in the night approched to the walles with eight hundred Italian foote and Lansâ—uenets hoping that Anthonie Rusque a Cittizen of Come would make a breach for them in the wall behinde his house as hee had promised to Benedict Lorme an other of that cittie that was banished Captaine Garrou a Basque by nation a man well practised in armes did mingle the townes-men with the souldiers at the gard of the wall to preuent the execution of their intelligence if happily they had any So as the conspirators not daring to discouer themselues Paluoisin deceiued of his foolish enterprise hauing planted his gards about the towne where he thought most fit went to sleepe Garrou issues forth to giue them a skirmish he kils the greatest part some seeke their safety vpon the lake others vppon the mountaine Three barkes were sunke in the Lake and seuen taken by Garrou Many were taken prisoners amongst others Manfroy and Soto who after they had coÌ„fessed the reuolts and practises in the estate of Milan were publikely quartered at Milan and Bartlemew Ferrier their complice a man of authority in the Towne was beheaded vpon the returne of the Lord of Lautâ—ce whom the King being aduertised of these disorders sent presently to Milan The Lansquenets had leaue to depart into their Country Seeing the Popes secret practises could not succeed he now discouers himselfe The Pope declares himself against FraÌ„cis he complaines in the consistorie of Cardinalls of the attempt of Rhegium and concludes that the King is ill affected to the Apostolike sea and concealing the capitulations he had secretly made with the Emperour he protestâ— that he is forced to allie himselfe vnto him who said Leo had neuer committed any thing vnworthy of a Christian Prince and very zealous to religion So the Woolfe in the fable accused the sheepe for troubling the water Therevpon he preâ—ently makes shew to contract with Dom Iohn Emanuel Ambassador to Charles the league which he had formerly concluded and resolues by the aduic of Prosper Colonne to inuade the Estate of Milan with sixe hundred men at armes and the companies of horse which the Emperour had in the Realme of Naples sixe thousand Italian foote two thousand Spaniards which Adorne had in the riuer of Genes two thousand Neapolitanes which the Marquis of Pescara should bring foure thousand Lansquenets and two thousand Grisons which should be leaâ—â—ed at their common charge and â—wo thousand Suisses which had remained voluntarily of a greater number vnder the Popes paâ—e Whilest this was working behold a fatall signe to our Frenchmen of their instant calamities for on S. Peters day the Sunne
expell the customers sack many good houses vnder colour to seeke for these exactors the commons enter to the towne massacre all that follow not their party Moneins lieutenant for the King within Bourdeaux sends a number of shot out of the Castle of Ha thinking to terrifie this inraged multitude But all this increased their popular furie They forced the Councellors of the Parliament Cruelties comitted in Bourdeaux by the rebels to lay aside their gowns to put on Mariners caps to carry pikes to follow their Ensignes the maisâ—ers of Saulx bretheren the one Captaine of the towne the otheâ— of Castle Trompet to be their leaders to assist at the sacking of many houses and to see their friends fellow cittizens massacred before their eyes They spoile the Towne-house a goodly store-house for armes to increase their villanies they murther Moneths most cruelly being come amongst them thinking with courteous words to pacifie the fuâ—ie of these muâ—mes Hauing wrought their wils and being laden with booâ—y they disband some one way some another the parliament fortified with men of honor and resuming their authority punish by exemplary iustice La Vergne one of the chiefe Tribunes of this rebellion La Vergne drawne with â—oure horses and some other of the most apparent The King was no lesse ready to reuenge this outragious and rashe rebellion then the commons were actiue in the execution The Constable had the commission for Guienne Francis of Lorraine Duke of Aumale whom we shall afterwards see Duke of Guise so famous vnder Francis the 2. and Charles the 9. that of Xaintonge with foure thousand Lansquenets many French horse This man seeking to win the reputation of a mild mercifull Prince pacified the CouÌ„try without punishment of what had passed The other marched after another maner for ioyning both armies togither he entered into Bourdeaux disarmed the people tooke and burnt all the records registers rights priuileges of the Câ—ttizens of al the country of Bourdelois he caused the Court of Parliament to cease beats downe their bells forced 7. score of the chiefe to go vnto the Carmes they had three daies after the mutiny in the night takeÌ„ vp this poore dismeÌ„berd carcase lying filâ—â—ly vpon the ground with a gentleman of his named Montâ—lieu to fetch the â—odie of Mâ—neins and to conduct it in mournful sort vnto S. Andrews Church by the punishmeÌ„t of the two Saulx Estonnac an other Tribune who had seized vpon the Castel Trompâ—t many others he purged their offence Talemagne and Galaffie Colonnels of the coÌ„mons were afterwards broken vpon the wheele either of them carrying a Crowne of burning iron for a marke of the soueraignty which they had vsurped The end of this yeare was more comicall Anthony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme married Ioane of Albreâ— daughter to Henry of Albret King of Nauarre and of Marguerit sister to King Francâ—s the 1. and the Duke of Aumale the daughter of Hercules of Esâ—é Duke of Ferrare of Renâ—è of France Daughter to king Lewis the 12. And during these sports in Court that extraordinary chamber against them whoÌ„ they call Lutherans was erected who persisting constaÌ„tly in the profession of their faith suffred their bodies to be consumed to ashes The birth of Lewis the Kings yonger son the 3. of February at S. Germaine in Laye his baptisme the 19. of May the coronation of Queene Katherine at S. Denis the x. of Iâ—ne the stately entry of their Maiesties at Paris the 6. of the same moneth and the great â—ournoy at the Tournells made in fauor of the Ladies continued the sports in Court which finished the King sitting in his seat of Iustice the 2. of Iuly would giue sentence in his Court of Parliament at Paris according to the ancient custome of his predecessors The presence of the Prince giues authority to the Magistrate and the eye of the king saith the wise man scatters il counsells Troubles in England At that time the nobility of England weâ—e at iarre with the CoÌ„mons The people required restitutioÌ„ of religion The nobles who by their change of religion enioyed the Clergy lyuings would not yeeld So the people rise the nobility takes armes Thomas Semer Admirall of the realme Vncle to yoâ—g King Edward the 6. by the mother is accused to haue supported their party which folowed the Romish church by coÌ„sequence to haue conspired against the king his own brother the Dâ—ke of Somerset caused his head to be publickly cut off Edward 〈◊〉 for those forces which he had prepared beyond the seas against our Henry Cleâ—eâ—s Gueldrois Bourguignons and Germains a means to reconcile the Nobles with the Câ—mmons During these tumults in England the King sent Paul Lord of Termes to continue the war in Scotland begon by Essé who hauing lately defeated the English before Hedingâ—on and taken the Isle of horses resigned his charge to his successor In the moneâ—h of Iune Iames of Coucy Lord of Veruein was beheaded at Paris Oudard of â—â—ez Marshall of â—rance degraded after a long imprisonment the one for that he had incoâ—sideratly comitted the gard of Boullen to his son in Law the other for that he had so lightly yeelded vp a strong and well fortified place vnto the enemy Yet in the yeare 1575 â—he heire son of Veruein shal restore the memory of his father grandfather by the mother side to their former honor dignity and renowne There falls out an other suâ—e since the yeare 1540. the Parliament of Prouence had for matter of religion condemned 17. persons of Merindol to be burnt the village to be razed and the trees to be cut downe withi◠〈◊〉 huÌ„dred paces The Clergy pursued it but some gentlemen and others lesse bloudy staied the execution of this decreee and King Francis fiue monâ—thes after sent â— pardon to these Vaudois of Merindol other places vpon 〈…〉 within three monethes they should abiure their errors They appeere in 〈◊〉 protest that 〈◊〉 â—â—ue not maintayned nor published any erroneus thing ofâ—â—ag to 〈…〉 the word of God they can shew them any sounder doctrine they 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 in writing with an answer to the reproches wherewith 〈◊〉 were taxed and require to be allowed or iudicially heard in their defences Foure yeares passe away 1549. during the which being onely threatned with 〈…〉 subsist But the President Chassané being dead Iohn Menier his successor a violen◠〈◊〉 became a mortall enemie to those of Cabrieres and Merindol amongst whome◠〈◊〉 dwelt certain subiects of his Oppede whose lands he possessed to ioine theÌ„ to â—is 〈◊〉 Through the perswasions of Menier the Cardinall of Tournon obteines letters paâ—e its from King Francis to the Court of Parliament for the execution of the first sentence according to the which Menier terming himselfe Lieutenant of the Lord of Grignan gouernour of Prouence accompanied with the Baron of la Garde and a great
battaile Strossy entertaynes it and with a bloudie fight giues testimony of the valour of his courage But Bighet an Italian being enseigne Colonnell of the army turnes his backe cowardly and the French sauing their liues after him by the nimblenesse of their legges leaue the horse the Gascons and the Suisses to endure the charge who had rather die with their armes in their hands then turne their backs Bighet and the Earle of Alte were afterwards beheaded the first as being the principall cause of this defeate the other for that he had cowardly yeelded Lusignan a place impregnable They reckon two thousand fiue hundred slaine some say foure thousaÌ„d besides a great number wounded to the death and fiue or six hundred prisoners Strossy saued himselfe in Montalein the Marquis recouered Foyan Martian Lucignan some other places which euen then began to force the Sienois to obey the Conquerours command who camped before their towne with all his forces Montluc comforts them and confirmes their resolutions but the comming of Strossy with two enseigns of foot and two companies of men at armes saued in this ship wrake reuiued them more the which he did hazard in fauour of the beseeged vpon a report of the death of Montluc Montluc foreseeing that bread would sooner faile the beseeged then courage had alreadie set an order for euery mans diet The Marquis repulsed by the losse of six hundred men at a sâ—alado giuen in the night to the Cittadell and the fort of Camollia and finding that by skirmishes batteries assaults intelligences nor other stratagems he should neuer bee maister of Siene he reâ—olues vpon the longer but the more easie expedient so as the watches the toyles the diâ—eases and worst of all famine and dispaire of succours forced Montluc the twentie one of Aprill this yeare to saue the rest of his men by an honorable composition which is read at large in the historie of the warres of Italie Siene fell afterwards into the hands of the Duke of Florence· and the Marquis for that he had prolonged the warre of Siene contrary to the Emperours liking and wasted a mightie armie before it died in disgrace in the end of the same yeare Now the Emperour whose humour wee haue sufficiently learned by the discourse of the historie shrinking vnder the burthen of the affaires of this world wearied with the toyles of warre toucht with some remorse for the bloud spilt in those long and mournefull wars of Christendome being perswaded that his discords with our Kings had made the Turke to preuaile much in diuers parts of Europe his coming of late in fauour of the French to the Isle of Corse to assist them at the seege of Calui and Saint Boniface to ayd them to conquer the Island then in their retreat to spoyle the coast of Tuscane to beseege Plombin and the Isle of Elbe of the territorie of Florence to afflict the estates of Naples Sicile and Calabria with infinite miseries and being laden with great spooles to carrie away without controule and to sell infinite numbers of Christian soules at Constaneinople and other places These considerations caused him to call Philippe his sonne from England to Bruxelles The Emperour resignes his Kingdome to his sonne where by autentike letters of the fiue and twentith of October hee resigned al his realmes vnto him commaunding all his estates and subiects to acknowledge him as their true and lawfull King aduising him particularly among other exhortations To make a peace and entertaine loue with the King of France vniting their common forces rathet for the defence then oppression of Christendome Philip was inclyned to peace and his wife Mary Qâ—eene of England more who desired to hold him by her to raise vp an heire for the Realme and by the confirmation of the old religion to restore the Clergie to the possession of their lands held by the Nobilitie So as a truce was concluded for fiue yeeres but it was as soone broken as made Paul the fourth was enemie to the Spaniards and the Colonnes suspecting him to be of the French faction as in trueth the house of Caraffes had of old time fauoured the title of our Kings to the realme of Naples sought to assure their estates and persons To this end they held some secret assemblies within Rome in the houses of Marc Anthony Colonne and the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the house of France The Pope to crosse them imprisons this Cardinall in the Castle of Saint Angelo with Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresâ—gue he summons Marc Anthonie and plants gards and sentinels throughout all the Cittie The Colonnes and their adherents flie to the Castillian He commaunds the Duke of Alua to succour them The Duke marcheth with that desseine and takes from the Pope about Rome Anagne Pilastine Segne Tiuoli and by the seege and taking of Ostia cuts off the victuals fâ—om Rome and the Colonnois fortifying themselues about Rome kept the Pope mewed vp within compasse of his wals The Pope appeales to the King for ayd and sends him by his nephew the Cardinall Caraffe a triumphant hatt with a stately sword Our two Kings did not greatly loue their ancient hatred and discontents were yet fresh and their houshold flatterers to whome common confusions did serue as a ladder to aduaâ—ce their estats and to inrich their houses whereas peace sends the most of them home to line priuately 1557 were glad that Rome kindled the coales of newe quarrells betwixt their maisters So the French meaning to crosse the Castillian in fauour of the Pope sent Strossy Marshall of France in the place of the Lord of Sedan lately deceased after his returne from prison out of the Lowe Countries to oppose against the Spaniards attending the succors led by the Duke of Guise The Duke of Guise arriued at Turin with about fifteene thousand foote eight hundred men at armes and twelue hundred light horse being assured of supplies so soone as the warres should begin hauing ioyned his foâ—ces with those of the Marshall of Brissac he marcheth directly to Valence making this his colour that the garrison had shot at the French going to succour the Pope and for that it was secretly giuen out that the French had taken Pauia hee amazeth Spoluerin who kept the Towne with two thousand men summons him to yeeld threatning him to put all to fire and sword if he enter by force Thus Spoluerin being terr fied departs with bagge and baggage Valenâ—e taken and looseth his head at Pauia for a reward of his base cowardise Oâ— the other side Strossy Montluc and others which were in Rome With Ostia and other places issue forth with sixe hundred horse and fiâ—e thousand foote recouer Osâ—ia by composition and expell the Spaniards from Velitres Tuscule Marin Groteferrate Palesan Saint Angelo Saint Paul Vico Valerio and other small places in the territories of Rome The Duke of 〈◊〉 retreat had opened the way
Guise his brother the command in warre This was properly to giue the Constable to vnderstand that without warrant hee should take his leaue the which hee did after that hee had conducted his good maister to the graue And to play their parts absolutely without controule they send the Prince of Conde into Flanders vnder colour to confirme the peace and him of Roche-sur-yon to carry the order of France to the King of Spaine then at his returne they depute him with the Cardinall of Bourbon to conduct Elizabeth to Philip her husband In the meane time the Guisians call the Cardinall of Tournon from Rome a man fitte for their humors They displace part of the ancient officers of the Kings house and place new at their deuotion they furnish Prouinces and fronter Townes with gouernours of their owne choise they obtaine a declaration from the King sitting in parliament whereby he made it knowne that touching all affaires which concerned the estate of his Crowne and house his pleasure was they should hereafter repaire to his two Vncles To conclude they do and vndoe place and displace in Parliament and priuie Councell like to a King of absolute power And the Queene mother challengeth the gâ—ft of money growing of the confirmation of offices and priuileges of Townes and commonalties the which by right cannot be exacted but when the realme falls into a collaterall line Now are they setled in this vsurped gouernment they haue officers at their pleasure But there is yet a moate in their eye Those of the religion who then were called reformed let vs hereafter call them Protestants for their common cause with the Protestants of Germanie multiplied infinitely Some Princes and many Noblemen did countenance them and were ready to take their protection To weaken them nay rather to ruine them quite the Kings letters pattents are granted the 14. of Iuly with a Commission to certaine Iudges for the triall of Anne du Bourg and foure of his companions prisoners It was to be feared their proceeding against these fiue Counsellors would preiudice the whole party They beseech the Queene by their letters who had made shew to incline to their doctrine when as she was barren to vse her aâ—thoritie in the restraint of these rigorous pursutes She passeth her word to the Prince of Condé and Admirall so as they will liue secretly and without any scandale Herevpon Anthonie King of Nauarre greatly prest by some Princes and Noblemen the Constable at the death of Henry had perswaded him to seize first on the gouernment arriues in Court being at S. Germaine in Laye Anthony King of Nauarre comes to Court and is disgraced hauing at Poitiers giuen good hope to some Ministers of the Protestant Churches to make open profession of their religion But what entertainment do they giue to this first Prince of the bloud of France his harbingers finde no lodging for him within the Castle It shall cost me my life and ten thousand more with me said the Duke of Guise to his harbinger before they take from me the place and lodging which the King hath giuen me neere vnto his person No man goes to meete him those of Guise looke that he should go to salute them and which is worse the next day he haâ—h no place in Councell After some dayes the King sayes vnto him that his Vncles hauing the charge of affaires hee desired them that would haue his fauour to obey them in all things So hauing obtained confirmation of his offices and pensions he approued by his silence the vsurpation of the house of Guise who lead the King to Rheims where he was triumphantly annointed the eighteene of September by the Cardinall of Lorraine Archbishop of that place Soone after the Coronation The Princeâ— and chiefâ— officers of the Crowne disgraced the Queene mother gets a resignation from the Constable of the office of Lord Steward in fauour of the Duke of Guise in recompence made his sonne Marshall of France The Admirall foreseeing that they would dispossesse him of the gouernement of Picardie hee first gaue the King to vnderstand that it belonged to the Prince of Condé for that his predecessors had long enioyed it 〈◊〉 resignation was willinglie accepted but not the condition It was better to pâ—â—chase a good seruant and partisan which was the Marshall of Brissac Thus the Prâ—â—ces and chiefe officers of the Crowne were disgraced but those that were 〈…〉 among the people were not mute They had a good share in the priuate discontent of these great personages foreseeing the disorders that might ensue and require a Parliament as the Soâ—etâ—â—â— cure for such diseases whereby the Queene Mother might be excluded from the Regencie and those of Guise put from the Kings person To please the King theâ— perswade him that they sought to bridle him and to make him a ward that hee should hold them enemies to his authority and guiltie of high â—â—eason that talke of a Parliament The King of Spaine crosseth them and by letters written to the King his brother in Lawe the which were read in Councell in the presence of the King of Nauarre he declares himselfe saieth hee for the good affection he did beare Tutor and Protector of him his Realme and his affaires against those that would change the gouernment of the estate as if the King were not capable of the gouernment Pleasant people which reiect so much the word of lawfull Tutâ—lage and yet they vsurpe it against the Lawes and orders of the Realme holding it onely by tyranie This other affront sent the King of Nauarre home into Bearne whence he came All this did but increase the hatred of great and small against the Guisians Many treaties are published written and printed and all tend to proue That it belonges to the Estates to prouide gouernours for Kings in their minorities that these two bretheren are incapable of the gouernment being both strangers the one a priest the other presuming to say in the life of the decreased King that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from Charlemagne from whome Hugh Capet had vsurped it A proposition which they haue presumed to publish in these latter times but so often confuted as it needes no further discours The King began to growe and euen nowe hee complayned that they kept him from hearing of his subiects complaints but he was so sickely as there was no hope of long life To get â—â—re footing in the gouernment of Estate they resolue to purchase many seruants in the Courts of Paliament to winne the affections of Courtiers and men of warre and by a burning zeale to the rooting out of Protestants to purchase the loue of the Clergie and people Anne du Bourg executed They publish sundrie Edicts against them they promise great recompences to them that discouer their assemblies many Townes fill their prisons they imploy aire fire and water to ruine them and yet it seemes that the more
herin more question of estate then religon yet they giue out that the Lutherans would maintaine themselues by the sword and as such men they caused many to be executed who by their examinations and impertinent answeres touching matters of conscience did witnes that they were not yet seasoned with any other doctrine then that of their fathers This alarum had put the yong King in feare but more the impression of his Vncles perswading him that they sought his person And what haue I done said hee often what haue I done that my subiects should attempt thus against mee I wil heare their complaints and doe them right And some times to those of Guise I know not what it is but I vnderstand it is you onely that they seeke I would gladly you would absent your selues for a time to see if they would attempt against you or mee Amongst all the prisoners foure are especially noted Castelnau Villemongis Champagnâ—e and le Picard for that with an admirable constancie and resolution they had blamed the Chancellor who against his conscience had signed the sentence of their deathes the which so terrified him The Chancellor dies desperatly as hee sodenly fell sicke of greefe and melancholie and soone after left this world murmuring sighing and sorrowing for the Councellor du Bourg and crying out some houres before his death O Cardinall thou hast damned vs all Michel Hospitall then Chancellor to the Duchesse of Sauoie was called from Nice and substituted in his place See here a furious storme dispersed which partly concerned the State partly religion but hereafter religon shall bee the onely marke The Protestants in the midest of these rigorous persecutions increased in multitude and in many places they could not conteine nor content themselues with secret assemblies An vndiscreet zeale transported them of Valence An indiscrâ—et zeale Montlimart and Romans to exercise their religion in ordinary Churches at noone day The Lord of Clairmont Lieutenant for the Duke of Guise in Daulphiné was of too mild an humor and Maugirâ—n more violent The Duke giues him commission to suppresse them and to vse his authoritie in the Parliament of Grenoble Maugiron enters Valence with sixteene companies of the old bands of Piedmont and some other troupes of men at armes hee makes the streets flow with bloud Cause of the troubles sacks the houses and intreats the inhabitants as in a Towne which is taken by assault Montlimart also followed the like fortune Moreouer the President Truchon and some Councellors of Grenoble imprison 60. of the chief of Romans they hang two whip one and then send him to the gallies at Valence they behead two ministers hang three chiefe men in the Towne the rest escaped some by abiuring some by whipping some by banishment and some by a fine At the same time Paulon of Richiend Lord of Mouuans one of the chiefe of the enterprise of Amboise hauing failed to surprise Aix roaded Prouence with two thousand men armed at their owne charge and a great number of gentlemen and other voluntaries But their armes were no other wise imployed but to conuert the Images reliks and ornaments of the Church into gold and siluer the which with some respect to warlike discipline and more commendably then in the following age they left in the magistrats hands of the place This was to summon the neighbour Prouinces to like reuolts but the Earle of Tande hauing stayed the furie of this flying army The Protestants petiâ—ion to the King they sheth their swords and vnsheath their pennes onely by supplications to the Kings Maiesty and to his mother protesting of their sinceritie they discouered the ground of their griefes against the Guisiens and propounded remedies to auoyde Ciuill warres Their admonitions conteyned three chiefe heads That it might be prouided for the gouernment of the realme offering the King a Councell according to the ancient constitutions of France That to pacifie controuersies touching religion a free and holy Councel should bee held That those of the religion in the meane time might quietly and with liberty of their consciences liue in their houses following that which is contayned in the confâ—ssion of their Churches The two brethren seeing themselues directly charged by the Protestants thunder out against them they write to the King of Spaine and to the Catholike Princes That the Lutherans and Caluinists are the onely authors of the troubles of France and of the tumult of Amboise And to the Protestants That such as were executed in diuers parts of the realme are onely certaine sacramentaries enemies to the confession of Ausbourg A bare shift and weake remedie to quench the fire which began to consume a part of the world Herevpon Philip aduiseth them to bring the inquisition of Spaine into France The priuie Councell yeelds to it and the Parliaments allowe thereof but the Chancellor Hospitall was too wise a politician he would not see France disguised after the Spanish manner Katherine was much troubled not knowing howe to saile in so many stormes The conuocation of the Estats might eclipse her authority the restoring of the Princes of France incompatible with a Florentin humour the restitution of the Constable whome shee hated to the death accusing him to haue sayd to King Henry That no one of his Children did resemble him but his bastard whome his Sonne Montmorency had married These things did wonderfully afflict her soule Yet would shee gouerne and rule foreseeing that shee could not better maintaine her greatnesse then by the discord of the two houses of Bourbon and Lorraine She relies vpon the last and arming them with her authoritie shee puts the King her Sonne and herselfe into the protection of the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine This makes them swell both in hart and speeche but there must bee a meanes found to pacifie this quarrell which concerned the estate that vnder the cloake of religion a goodly and ordinary pretext for great personages the people might forget the vnlawfull vsurpation wherewith they were charged They protest thereforeto imploy all their meanes and their friends to suppresse those that sought any alteration in religion hoping that when they had cut this sinewe from the Princes of the bloud they should bee more easily reuenged both of them and of the Constables faction But during these garboiles the principall peece of their chase slippes out of their toyles the Prince of Conde escapes The Prince of Conde escapes and retires to the King of Nauarre his brother whilest the Duke of Guise in open Counsell opposeth in shewe though in effect he omitted no meanes to seize on him against his brothers aduice concluding directly to haue the Prince apprehended They forget not to proclaime this retreat and as if hee had doubted his cause they publish throughout the Realme that hee had shewed himselfe guiltie Presently newe forces are leuied and Commiâ—sions giuen to make warre in Gascony The Protestants fearing a nere
Queene the 17. of October The Princes gouerned by their innocencie arriue the eeue of All Saints and passe from the Portereau to the Kings lodging vpon the Estappe The Princes arâ—â—ue betwixt two rankes of armed men The Cardinall of Bourbon and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon receiue them Not a Courtier nor a Bourgeios meetes them and for their first affront when as they sought to enter on horse-back according to the vsuall custome they were answered with a Brauado The great gates do not open The King attended them at the first hauing done their duties to his Maiestie and no man aduanced to bid them welcome I am said he to the Prince of Condé aduertised from diuers places that you haue made many enterprises against me and the estate of my realme and therefore I haue sent for you to know the truth â—rom your owne mouth Lewis iustifies himselfe so plainly and doth charge his enemies so directly as the King himselfe could not impute these accusations bâ—t to the wilfulnesse of his Vncles agâ—inst his owne bloud But he was possessed by them and suffered himselfe to be easiâ—â—e abused So hee commands Chauigny The Prince of Conde impriâ—oned Captaine of his gards sent by them of Guise to seize vpon the Prince Chauigny shuts him vp in a house hard by beâ—ore the which they make a fort of Brick fâ—â—nked with Canoniers and furnished with field peeces to defend the approches The Lady of Roye his mother in law was likewise carried from Anici a house of hers in Picardie prisoner to S. Germaine in Laye by Renouarâ— and Carrouges Ierosâ—â—e Groslot Bayliffe of Orleans vnder colour that his father had beene Chancellor to the deceased King of Nauarre and hee an affectionate seruant to the Princes accused also to be the Protector of the Lutherans in Orleans was likewise imprisoned two dayes after the Princes arriuall La Haye Councellor in the Court of Parliament at Paris who did solicite the Princes affaires was also in trouble Amaury Bouchart maister of Requests vnto the King and Chancellor to the Nauarrois was sent prisoner to Melun which others brought from Lions to haue proofes against the Prince whose triall they did hasten with all speed But they meant no harme to Bouchart he had already retired himselfe and blabbed by his Letters to the Cardinall of Lorraine to the preiudice of his maister Neither the informations taken at Lions by the Marshall S. André noâ— the prisoners at Melun were sufficient to make the Prince a spectacle vpon a scaffold They send for the president of Thou Commissioners to aâ—aigne the Prince Bartholmewe Faye and Iames Viole Councellors of the Parliament at Paris to examine the Prince vpon the point of high Treason and if this peece of batterie were not of force then to touch him vpon the point of religion and to condemne him for heresie The Prince propounds diuers causes of recusation and appeales from them to the King The priuie Councell reiects his appeale and decrees That vpon paine of high treason the Prince should answer before these Commissioners He answers purgeth himselfe cleerly of all crime and aduowes his religion freelie The Prince condemned By this confession iudgement was giuen against him he condemned to dye a day appointed the x. of December to countenance the beginning of the Parliament They onely note the Earle of Saâ—cerre the Chancellor and the Councellor Morâ—ier which did not pollute their soules with the approbation of this vniust sentence This sentence should in the end cause the ruine of all that were accused or suspected as well for matter of State as religion And for the execution of this desseine the forces of the realme diuided into foure marched already into diuers Prouinces vnder the command of the Duke of Aumale and the Marshals of S. André of Brissac and of Termes And with the same furie the King of Nauarre should bee confined into the Castle oâ— Loches the Constable and his children to the great Tower at Bourges the Admirall and some principalls into one at Orleans the which was afterwards called the Admirale neere to that of S. Aignan But behold there are two more violent and more brutish councellors Brissac and S. André they hold opinion that to auoide trouble in giuing the King of Nauarre any gardes they should put him to death they imploy both poison and sword but neither succeeds God had otherwise decreed reseruing these princes for a more honourable death But howsoeuer let vs confesse that the Lord hath strange meanes to punish the ambition of great men we shall scarce see any one of those which acte these furious parts vpon the theator of this Historie end his dayes by an ordinarie and naturall death The x. day of December approched and the Deputies for the Estates ariue by degrees They presently forbid them in the Kings name vpon paine of death not to moue any thing concerning religion his Maiestie hauing referred this controuersie to the Councell which the Pope being then Pius the 4. successor to Theatin lately deceased appointed to begin at Trent at Easter following Those of Languedeâ— amongst the rest came furnished with ample instructions both for the State and religion but they found meanes to stop their mouthes seizing both on their persons and instructions The ix day of the moneth they giue commandement to the King of Nauarre to be ready to go to horse-back their meaning was to carry him to Loches whilest they should present the prince his Brother vpon a mournefull Scaffold to the people of Orleans But O God we haue heard with our eares and our Fathers haue declared the worke which thou hast done in their time A miraculous deliuerie and in the old time before them Behold the King is taken during Euen-song with a great fainting continued with a paine in his head at the left eare accompanied with a Feuer The Guisâ—ens notwithstanding send forth many Commissions to leuie men and command the Marshaâ—l of Tâ—rmes to ioyne with the Spaniard who tooke the way of Bayonne to spoile the Country of Berne and then to assaile all those whome he should finde to haue fauored the King of Nauarre and the enterprise of Amboise It may be they would haue sold their liues deerely Seauen or eight hundred gentlemen go speedily to horse followed with fiue or six thousand foote resolute when the Marshall should passe Limoges to â—emme him in betwixt two riuers He hath some intelligence thereof and râ—tires to Poitiers This desseine being made frustrate the Kings sicknesse encreasing those of Guise meane to proceed with violence and to murther the King of Nauarre God raysed vp the Cardinall of Tournon who thinking to do a greater act preuents it Hee aduiseth to attend the Constables comming with his Children and Nephewes to the end sayd he that killing one we saue not the rest who afterwards may do more harme then the Princes The dispaire of the Kings helth made them of
Guise to set a good countenance on a bad cause And the Queene mother seeking to hold her authority by supporting them of Guise calles the King of Nauarre into her closet As he was entring a Ladie of the Court sayd to him in his eare My Lord denie the Queene Mother nothing that she shall demand else you are dead So he signed what shee desired A grant of the right which hee might pretend to the gouernment of the King and Regencie of the Realme and his reconciliation with them of Guise Vpon this graunt she promiseth to make him the Kings Lieutenant in France both for peace and warre and nothing should passe but by his aduice and of the other Princes who should bee respected according to the degree they held in France In the meane time death presseth the King The death of Fancis the 2. and those of the house of Guise shut vp in their lodging and seized vpon three or foure scoore thousand frankes which remained yet of the treasor came not forth in two dayes vntill they were assured of the King of Nauarre who hauing imbraced one an other all quarrells seemed to be layd vnder foote In the end this Catarre with a feuer brought the King to his graue the fourteenth of December hauing giuen no time by reason of his yong age and the shortenesse of his â—aigne to discouer any thing in him but onely some shewes of courtesie continency and modestie vertues which his Vncles had easily corrupted by the tast of crueltie which they began to make an impression of in his soule as they did in his successors little lamented for his person but of such as possessing him in his â—oâ—age grounded the greatnesse of their vsurped estates vpoÌ„ his life to ouerthrowe the fundamentall Lawes of the Realme whatsoeuer some wretched writers do babble whose soules haue beene as vendible as the Guisiens armes were then new in our France This death gaue life to the Prince of Condé opened the prisons for such as had beene committed for his cause reuiued an infinit number whome the Princes condemnation had drawne into danger countermanded the troupes of Spaine which aduanced towards Bearn disapointed Montluâ— of the Earldome of Armagnaâ— the which he had deuoured in hope by the promises of the house of Guise and brought many of their most secret seruants to the King of Nauarres deuotion CHARLES the 9. the 61. King of France CHARLES THE .9 KING OF FRANCE 1560. NOW we fall from a feuer into a frensie Wee shall see vndâ—â— aâ—â—ther pupill King of eleuen yeares of age raigning in the wrathâ—â— God the heauens to powre vpon this Realme all the curses 〈◊〉 promised against a nation whose iniquities hee will punish 〈…〉 dâ—â—pleasure A raigne cursed in the Cittie and cursed in the 〈◊〉 cursed in the beginning and cursed in the ending Mortality 〈◊〉 and â—amine haue followed it euen vnto the end The heauens aboue are of brasse and the eaâ—th vnder iâ— of iron the carcases are a prey to the birds of the aire to the bâ—â—sts of the field and no man trouble them They suffer no thing but wrongs and robberies and no man releâ—â—es them Men marry wiues but others sleepe with them They 〈◊〉 and plant but the nations whom they haue not knowne deuowre the fruit To conclude there is nothing but cuâ—sing terror and dissipation The 23. of December the Parliament began and that which the Queene mother most desiâ—â—d the coâ—firmation of heâ— Regencie allowed by the Chancellor and afterwards by those that were the speakers Iohn Quintin of Autun a doctor of the Cannon Lawe at Paris A Parliament â—â—ld â—t Orleans for the Clergie the Lord of Rochefort Damoisel of Commerâ—y for the Nobility Angelo then Aduocate of the Parliament at Bourdeaux and afterwards Councellor there for the people The Chancellor propounded manie articles touching the meanes to pacifie the troubles and the remedies for that which concerned the estate and religion to discharge the Kings debts Quintin would haue the ministers of the Church inforced to discharge their duties not altering any thing in the reformation thereof the which cannot erre not to suffer any other then the Chatholike Apâ—stolicke and Romish religion Against such as demanded Temples and against the deliuerer of their petition meaning the Admirall against whom said he they should proceed according to the Canon and Ciuill constitutions for the prohibiting of such bookes as were not allowed by the Doctors of the Sâ—rbonne and for the rooting ouâ— of Lutherans and Caluinists â—ochfort did speake against the iurisdictions vsurped by the Clergie against the disorders growne among the Nobles against the wrong done to the true Nobilitie against the confusions growne by confiscations for matter of religion against seditions of the meanes to order the Clergie to containe them in their vocation for the releefe of the people especially in matters of Iustice the which should be reduced to a certaine number of Officers Ange insisted much vpon the ignorance couetousnesse and dissolution of the Clergie whence proceeded the greatest part of these present scandales The next day vpon the Admirals complaint to the Queene Mother Quintin excused himselfe vpon the instructions which were giuen him in writing and in his second speech hee did moderate his pleâ— to the Admirals content The Estates continued their conferences and made the beginning of this yeare famous by some prouision for matters of religion whereby it was forbidden vpon paine of death noâ— to reproach religion one to another and commandement giuen to all Iudges and offiâ—ers to set at libertie all such as had beene imprisoned for the said religion Many other good necessary lawes were published but with more confusion then profit And in truth a number of lawes ill obserued peruert Iustice and giues the people occasion not to regard them But when they come seriously to handle the discharge of the Kings debts and that the Nauarrois submits himselfe to restitution If it be found that he hath receiued any extraordinary guifts those of Guise and others which could not make the like offer found meanes to frustrate this proposition by the referring of the Estates to Ponâ—oise hoping hereafter to find some deuise to preuent their yelding vp of any accoumpt Put of to Ponâ—â—oise And in truth all these assemblies vanished away like smoake without any other resolution then to lay the paiment of the Kings debts vpon the Clergie The King of Nauarre the other Princeâ— of the bloud the Constable seeing themselues held to no end in Court and that for matters of State they had but the leauings of them of Guise it made them trusse vp their baggage to retire with an intent to crosse the regencie of the Qâ—eene Mother and the Guisiâ—ns authoritie To frustrate this desseine she makes a new accord with the Nauarrois doth associate him in the gouernement of the realme and concludes with him that leauing the title of Regent he should
charge with the Lord of la Ferté Vsseau Captaine of the gard makes an ample collectioÌ„ of al the articles of the Christian Doctrine expounds those which are in controuersie toucheth by the way the discipline of the Church protests that both he his Companions and all those that aduowe them desire nothing but the reformation of the Church that they will liue and die in the Kings protection deâ—est those that seeke to sequester themselues and pray to God for the prosperity of his Maiesty of his mother his Councell and his Estate then hee presents vnto the King the Confession of the Protestant Churches desires the conference may be made concerning it The King hauing receiued it by the sayd Captaine of his gard deliuered it vnto the Prelats The point vpon the reall presence in the Sacrament had troubled them They conclude that the Cardinall of Lorraine assisted by Claude Dâ—spense and some other Doctors not by way of disputation but not to faile of a replie should answer to two points only of the Church and the Lords supper And the 16. of the sayd moneth he makes his oratioÌ„ discourseth at large of these two points then he intreates the king to continue constant in the religion of his Predecessors to suÌ„mon the ministers to subscribe to that which he had deliuered before they passed to the other articles otherwise to deny them audience and to send them out of the realme which could alow but of one faith one law and one King The foure and twentith day Theodore made answer to the Cardinall disputed with the Doctors Despense Sainctes and the 26. day he treated with him againe touching the Lords supper the other ministers replied likewise to some obiections of other doctors of the Sorbonne finally al was conuerted into priuate coÌ„fereÌ„ces without any resolutioÌ„ or coÌ„clusion that might end these troubles The Prelats sent backe their doctors in Octob. refer al reformation to the CouÌ„cel at Trent whether the Cardinal of Lorraine the doctor of Sainctes went of whoÌ„ wee will speake a word by the way seeing it fits with the matter We find by a fragment originall drawne out of the writings of a Chanoine of Reims and published in the yeare 1598. by the means of Perrequin Maior of Langres That the Kings Ambassadors at the Councell of Trente were amongest other instructions signed Charles Katherine Alexander which was Henry the 3. Anthony and vnderneth it Charles of Bourbon Francis of Lorraine Montmorency M. Hospital S. André Francis of Montmorency charged to demand To haue the cerimonies corrected al other things wherby the people might be abused vnder a sure piety That the Cup might be restored in all coÌ„munions within his realme all his dominions That al administrations of SacrameÌ„ts to the Laitye might be done in the French tongue That in the parish Churches not collegial Cathedral or monacal the vse of the prosâ—e should be instituted according to the first most holy institutioÌ„ that during the high Masse in the parish Churches the word of God should be red and interpreted at the houre accustomed with then catechising of youth to the end that euery one might be instructed capable of that which he should beleeue how he should liue according vnto God and that in steed of the Prosâ—e publike prayers should be made in the French tongue That without changing of any thing of the accustomed seruice of the Church in the latin tongue some houres shold be appointed as wel at Masse as at Euensong wherein it might be lawful to sing psalmes in the open Church perused first corrected by the Bishops ordinary superiours approued by famous vniuersities or prouincial Councells 1562. And also to complaine of the vnchast life of Clergy men which breed so many 〈◊〉 and corruptions among the people These articles concluded had without douâ—â— made the way to reduce many realmes and Prouinces to the Vnion of the Chuâ—â—â— â—â—peased the troubles of this realme satisfied many troubled conâ—ciences and preuented a greater schisme But hatred and humane passions makes vs yet to attend a stroke froâ— heauen to draw vs ioyntly into the fold of one vniuersal Bishop Thus the conference at Poissy hauing not yeelded that remedie which was expected for the common â—â—schiefe now diuers factions grow in France The Protestants which before had by many petitions required Temples for the exercise of their religion they nowe takâ— them by force in many places and without further attending the approbation of 〈◊〉 demands they assemble at diuers times The Catholikes mutine especially at Paris and pursue thâ—m with stoanes swords staues fire in their returne from Cerysaâ—â— a garden without the Temple gate and in the suburbs of S. Marceau they ring â—he 〈◊〉 bell at S. Medard they wound kill take and hang many Gabaston amongest others Knight of the watch to appease the people lost his head To make some Edict for the ordering of these broyles the Q Mother assembles the chiefe of the ParliameÌ„t with the Princeâ— of the bloud Noblemen Councellors of the priuy Councell Masters of requestâ— other men of authority and to giue some contentment to those that vehemently required places and Temples for their assemblies with liberty The chiefe Catholikes especially those of Guise dissallow of this course they accuse the Que. facility murmure openly against the King of Nauarre the Prince of Condé the Admiral his bretheren These crosse theÌ„ with an enterprise made to carry the Duke of Orleans the Kings yonger brother into Lorraine so as they retire from Court tâ—e Duke of Nemours who had plaied the principall part in this tragedie saues â—imâ—elfe returnes not before the Ciâ—ill wars haue fiâ—ed all France This newe change seemes to drawe the Regent to the Protestants party she desires to know their forces and their means Tâ—ey giue her a list of two thousand a hundred and fifty protestant churches the deputies whereof offred their goods persons to the K. to withstand the forces of them of Guise who called the Spaniard into France The Cuisians absence made easie the grant of that famous Edict Edict of Ianuary which beares vnto this day the name of Ianuary the which disanulling that of Iâ—ly gaue liberty to the protestants the 17. of the sayd moneth to assemble without the Townes and prouided that all men might liue in peace one with an other But alas in steed of peace it shall breed horrible confusions The dâ—fficultie was in the execution The Parliaments publish it as slowly as may be that of Dijon â—euer Tâ—ose of Guise the câ—â—stâ—ble ioyned with them diuerted theÌ„ by their authority But they had an other string to their bow which preualed according to their desires They imploy the Ambassador of Spaine the Cardinall of Tournon Escars some other house-hold flatterers to the K. of Nauarre to peâ—sâ—ade him That carrying himselfe a Neuter
Rouen by the taking of Ponteau de Mer and Honfleur Moruilliers content to haue preserued Rouen at this time retires to his house leaues the charge to the Earle of Montgomery called by them of Rouen out of base Nâ—rmandy The 〈…〉 About the end of SepteÌ„ the King the Queene the King of Nauarre come to the armie consisting of sixtene thousand foot two thousand horse besiâ—es Reâ—sâ—res Lansquenets fiue dayes are spent in skirmishes but with most aduantage to the bâ—sieged 1562. The sixt day most part of the souldiers go to refresh themselues within the 〈◊〉 A Captaine named Lewis who had intelligence with the enemy giues them 〈…〉 They runne hotly to the assault during these skirmishes they had made a breach in the wall with fiue or six hundred canon shot they kill many good souldiars many pâ—â—ners The â—oâ—t takeÌ„ 28. women and take the place but with the losse of Lewis his life slaine b◠〈◊〉 of his souldiars as he did helpe the assailants to mount A worthy reward for sâ—â—â—â—â—ble a treachery Three hundred Burgesses did runne to the defence but the fury of the assault carried some to their graue and others to prison and made the way easiâ—â—or the taking of the Bulwarke of Martinuille and the fort of Montgomery The 13. of October a hot assault was giuen against the Towne from the morning vntiâ—l 〈◊〉 and many men on both sides slaine The next day about eleuen of the clocke they renue the assault and plant three Enseignes vpon the Rampar of S. Hilary Montgâ—meâ—ie repells them and driues them back beyond the trench killing of his enemieâ—â—bout eight hundred men and loosing of his party foure or fiue hundred men women and children The next day was fatall to the King of Nauarre If I may said he to a Nobleman escape from this seege The King of Nauarre slain I will neuer carry armes more for this quarrell A certaine foretelling of the mischiefe that followes vs doth commonly touch our hearts Hauing visited the trenches and dined neere vnto the wall without the battery he was shot in the shoulder as he made water the bullet being drawne out too late by the Surgâ—ons and his wound inflamed by his voluptuousnesse accompanied with a feuer hee gaue his soule to God the 17. of Nouember following as we haue said before â—n the meane time the battery continues many thousands of shot beat downe diuers towers many mynes play without effect The fourth assault was more aâ—aileable the 26. of October Rouen taken Therby the assailants win the breach at the port Hilarie they enter in troupe and kill all they incounter force houses rauish wiues and maides and commit all acts ordinary in the like accidents Montgomerie vnable to withstand this last violence saues himselfe in a gally with such as could get in the rest remaining in prey were spoiled slaine drouned and made prisoners The Parliament returnes three dayes after the taking of the towne and at theiâ— first sitting Execution at Rouen the president of Mandreuille lost his head Soquence and Berthonuille Councellors and Marlorat a Minister were hanged and the next day fiue Captaines and diuers Burgesses of the towne Moreouer enuy and hatred amidst these popular furyes brought in question the Seigneur of Anthot chiefe president and â—oisâ—oger the Kings aduocate being catholikes but enemies to sedition and wise politicians In ciuill tumults the vulgar doth commonly take for essential markes of religion the insolencies and excesse which fury and the sufferance of the magistrate doth suggest Diepe serued for a retreat to many Protestant families but the ouerthrow of some troupes which Briquemault sent to Montgomery for a supply Diepe yeelded and the taking of Rouen terrified the most part of the inhabitants who being pressed by Aumale and Villebâ—n were content to yeeld and to cease the exercise of their religion Ricaruille and Bacqueuille had the gouernment and taken againe the former of the Castle the other of the towne But howe many Captaines by indiscretion haue lost both liues and places Ricaruiâ—le going out off the Castle to see his horses is slaine and sodainly the Castle is seized on by Cateuille and Captaine Gascon who going from thence into the Townes takes Bacqueuille and restore the exercise of the Protestants vnder the gouernment of La Curee Montgomery laboured with all his power to mainteyne the Protestants in base Normandy but he had the Duke of Estampes and Matignon to incounter him In May hee had taken Vire Viâ—e beaten downe the Images and carried away the relikes The last of Iuly the Catholikes awaked at this first rumour surprize the Protestants comming from the preaching reuenge their losses by the death of some and hurting of others About the end of August la Mothe Tibergeau Auaines and Deschamps sent by Montgomery with â—ixe score horse surprize the towne and spoyle both it and the countrye The 4. of September the Duke of Estampes comes with eleuen Cornets of horse 1562 1563. they force the towne kill Auaines take the Castle stabbe two hundred men that were fâ—ed into it rauishe and kill women and children Tibergeau and many others ransomed their liues So as generally there was nothing but taking and retaking of townes with most cruell and inciuill stratagemes The Vidame of Chartres and Beauuoir la Nocle his brother in lawe hauing assured themselues of Newe hauen the Vidame going into England Newe hauen deliuered â—o the English treated with the Qâ—eene to succour the Protestants and for assurance of her men and money deliuered the sayd place into her hands with protestation as well by him as by the Queene no way to preiudice the Kings soueraigne authority nor the estate of the Realme Also she shall shortly yeeld it without any difficulty According to the treaty there arriues sixe thousand English in Normandy vnder the command of the Earle of Warwike and are dispersed to Rouen Diepe and Newhauen After the taking of Rouen the Reingraue brought his Reisters before Newhauen But his violence preuailed as little as fifty thousand crownes did with a collar of the Order a coÌ„pany of men at armes entertayned which the Queene Mother promised to Beauuais to corrupt him to yeelde vp the towne Brittain continued vnder the moderate gouernement of the Duke of Estampes both for that the Queene mother liued in suspence and entertayned both partyes Brittaine as also for that the factions of Normandy had drawne away the worst affected Those of Guienne Languedoc and other places made warre against the Images and altars ministring occasioÌ„ to shed the bloud of liuely Images at Grenade Castelnaudarry Cahors where aboue six score Protestants assembled to heare the preaching were slaine On the other side Bury and Montluc scourges to the Protestants reuenged the beating downe of Images throughout all Guienne with infinite murthers and lamentable spoiles Duras hauing abandoned the protection thereof vpon a commandement
one abandons the treâ—câ—es The second â—eege euery man flies and stayes not vntill they haue recouered the marches of Sauoy Crusol had recouered Serignon and Auranges in base Daulphiné la Coche surprised the Tower of Lemps in the beginning of the yeare 1563. whilest those of Grenoble victualed their place and prepared to indure a second seege About the end of February there comes against them eight thousand men foote and horse two great Cannons and three field peeces la Coche had to make head against them besides the Cittizens six hundred good souldiars nine braue Captaines and some voluntarie gentlemen who hauing repulsed the assaylants at the first assault preserued with the points of their swords both the sacke of their Cittie and the bloud of their Cittizens Prouence was betwixt the fatâ—er and the sonne Let vs passe into Prouence The Earle of Tande was Gouernour and of his two sons Sommeriue issued of the first ventre was Lieutenant for the King in his fathers absence Cipierre being then very yong borne of the second wife and the Lord of Corâ—eâ— of the house of Salusses sonne in Law to the said Earle were as many others did vant in those dayes mastiues which did defend the Protestants troupe Sommeriue a violent man and too bloudie did sodenly incense all Prouence against them and being aâ—med with force he made his gouernment famous by a horrible and generall execution of men dismembred hanged burned fled cut in peeces being aliue drawne through the streets cast downe headlong stabbed starued and such like miseries The Earle his father abhorring this generall desolation and not able by his authoritie to diuert his sonne from this wicked proceedings gathers togither what force hee can giues the command of the horse to Cipierre and of the foote to Cardet who by their armes kept all the Townes beyond the riuer of Durance except Pertuis vnder their command On the other side Sommeriue after the executions of Auranges before described Firâ—â— seege of 〈◊〉 hauing taken vewe of fiftie enseigns of foote and some Cornets of horse flâ—es fiercely to the seege of Cisteron being full of many Protestant families that were retyred thither and manned with eleuen companies vnder the Lord of Beauieu nephew to the Earle of Tande and three hundred men commanded by Furmeier The eleuenth of Iuly Sommeriue giues three assaults continued from three of the clocke in the after noone vntill night Most of the month was spent in skirmishes The prisoners on either side finding no mercy nor grace of the souldiars In the end Sommeriue fearing some new checke by the hands of Adrest who had lately wonne the battaile of Vourdas he went and intrenched himselfe three Leagues from Cisteron Cardet approcheth but he cannot by any deuice draw his brother in law out of his trenches So the Earle of Tande distâ—â—st for victuals rayseth his Campe puts some of his troupes into Cisteron and sends the rest to Adrets Sommeriue doubles his courage and force and the 27. of August followed by a hundred and two enseigns of foote The second seege and many horse beseegeth Cisteron anew on three parts and vpon an intelligence that was giuen him that Mombrun approched to succour the beseeged as we haue before specified Suze marcheth against him chargeth Mombrun Mombrun defeaâ—â—d kils about a hundred and fiftie of his men puts the other in route and wins two peeces of Canon which hee had lately lost This victorie was to Sommeriue a foâ—etelling of a good successe The 14. of September he ouerthrowes a hundred and fortie paces of the wall he planted two small peeces to batter the friars Three and thirtie enseignes of foot supported by a troupe of horse go to the assault and continue it with a wonderfull furie vntill seuen of the clock at night that pouder failing them on either side they fall to stones swords and handie blowes the greater number preuailing the beseeged abandon the breach retyring themselues with great losse and des Adrets returned into Daulphiné Senas Mouuans other Captaines seeing themselues vnfurnished of munition without hope of succours charged with a multitude of men not trayned vppe in warlike affaires togither with the enemies obstinate resolution they preferre the safetie of their liues and persons before the place and in the night recouer the straights the deseâ—ts of the mountaine and so come safe to Grenoble from thence they were conducted to Lions and there liued vntill the Edict of pacification Sommeriue at the breake of day sends some troupes after them but the difficultie of the waies and feare to loose their part of the spoyle stayed the pursute So the victors enter into this abandoned Towne and put to the sword about foure hundred women and children without distinction of age or religion Sommeriue is now master of Prouence leauing in all places pittiful signes of a bloudy victorie whereof the originall notes as principall instruments Carcez Mentin Flassans thrust forward especially by Bagarris Chesne S. Marguerite and others of the most seditious of the Court of Parliament of Aix who with all impunitie gaue libertie to all thefts spoyles and murthers so as after the Edict of pacification the Kings priuie Councell gaue commission to the President Morsan and some Councellors of the Court of Parliament at Paris to suppresse such disorders who by an examplarie punishment of many caused the following warres to bee managed with farre more moderation But the qualitie of some and the credit of others saued many heads which were prepared to vomit vp in open vew the bloud which their hands had too prodigally spilt As for the Duchie of Bourgogne Bourgongne Dyion Tauannes Lieutenant for the King in the Duke of Aumals absence loued siluer better then the bloud of the Protestâ—nts and the Parliament of Dyion hauing by vertue of letters obteyned the first of March 1562. forbidden the exercise of their religion Tauannes disarmes them puts the cheefe in prison forceth some to depart with threats others he expels violently The Maior and Sâ—erifs proceed farther they thrust forth wiues maids and children commaunding the pesants by proclamation the 7. of Iuly to set vpon the rebels not to receiue lodge nor feed them that are expelled the Townes a rigour which humanitie neuer vsed to the most barbarous they condemne them as guiltie of high treason that had carried armes or assisted them with ayd or counsel and they giue libertie to kill them all with impunitie that should hereafter assemble in any other places but in their ordinarie Churches This libertie bred many thefts and spoyles at Aussonne Autun and Beaune yet the people are commended to haue conteyned themselues within the bounds of modestie Chalon vpon Saone Mascon and Belleuille seized on by the Protestants serued them for a time as a Sanctuary and refuge Mombrun commanded at Chalâ—n with fiue hundred hargubusiers but being sodainly belegard by Tauannes and finding not the Towne furnished or defensable by
a dangerous and as the Originall saith a detestable example he left it in prey to Tauannes and retyred to Mascon Tauannes goes thither with all speed and presents himselfe at the gates The first seege of Masâ—on hoping by kind offers to perswade the people to receiue him but he finds no admittance So he gathers togither all his forces and the third of Iune beseegeth the Towne His armie consisted for the most part of Bourguignons of the CouÌ„tie carrying openly red scarfs The beseeged countenance themâ—elues with this pretext and make their profit thereof to auoid this present storme that threatned them They giue the King to vnderstand That it was not reasonable they being his naturall subiects and desiring to liue in peace vnder the obedience of his lawes should bee forced to open their gates to Tauannes armed with strangers enemies to the Crowne who is suspected of them for many other great reasons This admonition preuailed somewhat for Tauannes straightwaies retired by the Kings commaundement but it was to prepare for a second seege Those of Lions send Entragues to defend the seege Tauannes makes his trenches wins the suburbs of Saint Laurence and the fourth of Iuly beats downe the defences The seege makes a breach and â—ews it but to their cost whom hee sent So as if some important businesse had called him into Bourgoogne hee rayseth his Campe and making his account that the beseeged would follow him hee layes a strong ambush but Entragues had no men to loose Mascon freed from this second seege behold Belleuille is assailed Saint Poinct with other gentlemen of Daulphiné came from the spoyling of some boates laden with the value of forty thousand Frankes in relikes of gold and â—iâ—uer 1563. which two Sheriffes of Mascon had sent of their owne authority to Lions to bee conuerted to their priuate vses So the robbers are often robbed This bâ—otie puts them in hope of an other The 28. of Iuly he comes with two hundred horse sixe or seuen hundred Souldiars and the common people thereabouts to belegar this littâ—e Towne but the night before two companies parting from Mascon were entred into it by whom the assailants being repulsed with losse turned their reuenge vpon theâ—r neighbours Cattell The retreat of Saint Poinct made Eutragues seeke to exteâ—d the limits of his territory Hee beseegeth the Castell of Pierrecloux forceth Monâ—osat and fiue and twenty Souldiars which hee commanded there to yeeld at discretion and causeth them to bee lead prisoners to Mascon but this was to feed the Fox who in the end shall eate the pullaine During these broyles Poncenat comes to Mascon with Suisses and French drawes forth the chiefe forces beseegeth Tournus and becomes maister thereof But what can the furie of inciuill armes forbeare Clugny forced with the same rage sees that exquisite and famous Library defaced a most precious treasure which made that Abbey to be greatly esteemed amongst others of France The third siege and taking of Mascon Tauannes aduertised that Mascon was vnfurnished and that Entrangues to please Poncenat followed his enseignes parts from Chalons with foure Cornets of horse and eight hundred foote being assured of a practise which he had within the Towne whilest that his enemies transported with their priuate affections imployed their forces elsewhere The 17. of August many waines drawne with Oxen enter by his meanes that â—ept the keyes of one gate being of the intelligence they passe the first and the second gate at the third the fiâ—st Carter ouerthrowes his waine willingly and by this policie staies the rest Twenty men coucht vpon their bellies behind a wall in a garden neere adioyning to the gate runne thether they kill some bring in their men ouerthrow a corps degarde and become maisters of the Towne the Souldiars of Pierrecloix are freed from prison and cut off heads armes and legges of the Protestants they cast many into the riuer spoile their houses and ransome the wealthiest Thus Bourgongne returnes to the Catholikes deuotion and S. Poinct had the gouernment of Mascon a violent and bloudy man who often times glutted his eyes after his meate with the mourâ—full spectacle of such as he caused to be cast into the riuer These confusions did pittifully afflict all the prouinces of this realme when on the other side the heads of 〈◊〉 parties being prisoners did solicit the conclusion of a peace The Admirall by a 〈◊〉 letters to the Queene purged himselfe of the accusation laid against him touchiâ—g the death of the Duke of Guise whereof Poltrot himselfe in the midest of his most seâ—siâ—le torments at his execution freed him And the Queene mother leauing this thorâ—e in the Admirals foote that she might raigne among these combustions of the houses of Guise and Chastillon did cunningly giue two stroakes with one stone for she made the Prince of Condé beleeue That the restraints propounded vpon the Edict of Ianuary tended only to content the Catholikes in some sort and to open the way for the Protâ—stants to haue greater liberty She pleased the young Duke of Guise with the execution of Poltrot and his aduancement to his fathers offices the Constable by the moderatioÌ„ of the edâ—ct for he had protested neuer to yeeld to the edict of Ianuary So the iudicious reader may see by the course of the history which party did first break it But that which did most import Katherine in disarming her enimes she entertained a discord betwixt two mighty families whereby she maintained her authority 1563. In the end a peace concluded the 13. of March gaue liberty of religion to Noblemen The cheefe Articles of the peace hauing al manner of Iustice for them their families subiects To other Gentlemen that had inferiour iurisdiction for them and their families with permission of the Lords of whom they held In al Bailiwikes iurisdictions depending on the ParliameÌ„t a place appointed for their assemblies at the election of the prouince besides al other places where the exercise had bin since the 7. of March The Vicounty of Paris onely excepted Euery one restored to his former possession of goods honors and offices A generall abolition of all things past for matter of armes All offences except robbing pardoned and a forbidding to iniurie one another either for war or religion This treatie did please and displease many It reioyced such as made an account that this sweet and pleaâ—ant name of peace should make an end of all their calamities and restore euery man to his former estate It greeued such as of three mightie enemies seeing two preuented by death and the third a prisoner esteemed that the gouernment of the state was lawfully fallen to the Prince of Condé who by consequence did derogate from his authoritie subscribing to so weake and easie conditions of peace foreseeing also that the secret oppositions of the Parliaments and the violences os the most mutinous who being armed slue daily some of their
men with all impunity would in few yeeres giue cause of new confusions So by this peace the Germaine was sent home Elizabeth Queene of England held Newhauen whereof the Prince had put her in possession as a pawne and securitie for the money wherewith she had assisted his partie To make a breach betwixt her and the Protestants the English must be chased away by them that had called them in Newhauen recouered The King goes thither in person they likewise vrge the Prince to go with most of his partie and cause them to make the point The place is strong both by nature and art but the fresh water being cut off and the plague hauing wasted about three thousand men the Earle of Warwike entred into Capitulation the 28. of Iuly and the next day yeelded the place to the King One of the cheefe motiues that induced the Prince to yeeld so easily to these conditions of peace was the Lieutenant Generall which he expected by the King of Nauarres death and the Queene mothers goodly promises But to confirme her Regencie she puts the Prince from all his hopes She causeth the King to be declared of full age being yet but fourteene yeares old carries his Maiestie to the Parliament at Rouan makes him protest That he will not hereafter endure the disobedience that hath beene vsed against him since the beginning of these troubles that his pleasure was to haue the Edict of pacification duly obserued threatning such as should oppose or make any Leagues And afterwards by an admonition made in writing by the Parliament of Paris touching the Edict of his maioritie confirming that of pacification the Queene mother causeth her sonne to name her ouerseer and President of his affaires and for an answere to the Court according to the instâ—uctions of his mother I do not meane said hee you should deale in any other thing but with the administration of good and speedie Iustice to my subiects Vnderstand hereafter that you are not confirmed in your offices by me to be my tutors nor Protectors of my realme nor Gouernours of my Cittie of Paris as hitherto you haue perswaded your selues The King being returned to Paris the Duke of Guises widow his children and kinsfolk came solemnly and demanded iustice of the murther committed on the person of the deceased taxing the Admirall as the cheefe author thereof But it was not yet time to suffer these two houses to incouâ—ter That of Guise might receiue as much or more losse then the other and Catherine pretended to make her profit of the first To auoyd this brunt she causeth the King to command them to surcease this quarrel appoints theÌ„ another time to aduise thereon In the meane time she honours them with the cheefe charges and giues them all accesse and countenance neere his person The rest of the yeare was spent in the confirmation of many Edicts touching the Eccâ—esiasticall and ciuill causes and then was the Iurisdiction of Iudges and Consuls among the marchants erected and the notaries of consignations established As these things passed in France the Prelats assembled at the Councell of Trent prouided for the support and maintenance of the Catholike religion 1564. namely in this estate The Cardinall of Lorraine a man greatly practised in the affaires of the realme A generall Councel at Trent â—â—th all he can to root out the Protestants To that end they find this expedient That the Kings of France and Spaine should make a strict League and hee of Spaine sâ—â—uld giue the French such forces as were requisite for the execution thereof The holy League and in tâ—e meane time they should seeke all meanes to abolish the Edict which alowed the exerciâ—e of the pretended reformed religion that this treatie made for the preseruation of the Catholike 1564. Apostolike and Romish religion should bee called The holy League The Cardinall promiseth to imploy all his indeuours and meaâ—es to this â—â—fect and assures the assemblie of the willingnesse and good affection of the Queene mother and the Lords of the Councell The cheefe of this League were the Pope the Kings of France and Spaine the Princes of Italie the Common weale of Veâ—ice and the Duke of Sauoy Of the Emperour and the house of Austria they speakâ— diuersly So from the beginning of February they labour to produce some effects Theâ—r Ambassadors come to Fontainbleau demanded the obseruation of the decâ—â—es of the Councel throughout al France wherof the reading should be the fiue 〈◊〉 of March at Nancy in the presence of the Ambassadors of all Cathâ—liâ—e Princeâ— asâ—eÌ„bled to make a general League against those estates that were falâ—e from the obedience of the Romish Church They require also that in fauour of the Clergie the King should cause the alienation of Ecclesiasticall goods to cease as against the law of Gâ—d and preiudiciall to his Maiestie and the Realme That the Edict of pacification should be disanulled and heretikes rooted out namely such as had beene partakers of the Duke of Guises murther Behold new firebrands to cast this monarchie into the flames of a second ciuill warre But the fires of the first did yet smoake And things not being so soone prepared to enter into new homebred combustions the King answeres That he hath graunted the Edict to free the Realme from strangers and that hee hopes henceforth to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Church In the meane time such as were worst affected to the publike peace attempted many things contrarie to the Edict The Comissioners sent for the obseruation tâ—ereof The Edict of peace ill obserued had small credit in many places The Estates of some prouinces sayd plainely that they could no more endure two religions then two Sunnes the execution thereof had small or no effect in places where it was proclaymed the Magistrates delayed to appoint the Protestants places for their exercises and by their â—lacknes caused many to seeke their dwelling elsewhere to liue in quiet and safetie The complaints and discontents which â—ounded in the Kings eares from all parts gaue Catherine vnder colour to lead the King in progresse through the Prouinces of his Realme and by his presence to end many controuersies which euen then seemed to threaten him with some eminent confusion a goodly pretext of conference with the King of Spaine Charles begins his voyage by Champagne and through Bourgongne comes at Lions The voiage of Baâ—oâ—ne forbidding the Protestants the exercise of their religion following the Court yea euen in the Townes that were assigned them for their assemblies whilst his Maiestie should bee resident there The Protestants were here in great numbers and might well fortifie themselues againe at need To take from them all meanes they build a Câ—ttadell and the King stiâ—s not before it be in defence By the example hereof many other Townes receiued the like restraint whilest on the other side they diâ—manteled
Orleans Montauban and some others The Edict of peace is greatly impugned by an other made at Roussillon The King forbids all Iustices to allow the exercise of the pretended reformed religion but in places specified by the Edict For the first time he banished such ministers as had exercised their charge in places not comprehended in the Edict and for the second time punished them with death He commaunded all Priests religious men and Nunns that were marrieâ— to make separation and returne to their Couents if not to depart the Realme forbidding the Protestants all their Sinods as making Monopoles vnder that pretext and stirring vp the greatest part of the Realme From wordes they fall to deeds Those of Creuan in Bourgongne murther many assembled for their exercise Murther of Crâ—â—an with all impunitie And the Kings absence from those places where they were accustomed to see him caused many seditions and mutinies amongst the which la Curee Gouernour of Vendosme a Protestant by profession was murthered by the commaund of Chauigni 1565. Lieutenant to the Duke of Moâ—tpeâ—sier as he â—ought to suppresse some who vnder fauour of the troubles had purposedly murthered many men women and children in the Countrie of Maine and places thereabouts As this insolencie increased a Licentious rage transporting them of Tours Of Tours to fal vppon the ProtestaÌ„ts of their towne comming from their exercise they murther some huâ—t others and with the same rage bringing their weapons bloodie into the toâ—ne they kill drowne and spoyle without distinction of age sexe oâ— qualiâ—ie The Marsâ—aâ—l of â—ielle uille was sent to suppresse this mischeefe befoâ—e it spred farther â—ee was readie to carrie himselfe therein according to the tenure of his chaâ—ge but Châ—uigni opposing by open force caused all this premeditated punishnent â—o tâ—rne into smoake as if the examination thereof should discontent both great and smâ—â—l and make things tend to new troubles In the end at the importunate sute oâ— the Protestants who complayned of these horrible insolencies and that they were forcâ—d in all places to furnish holy bread at the parish masses to hang tapistrie before thâ—ir lodging on Corpus Christi day to contrâ—bute to brotherhoods and such other things and at their instant sute not to bee forced in their consciences against the conâ—â—tions of the Edict the King staying in Daulphiné commaunds all gâ—uernours 〈◊〉 Prouinces by his letters patents to entertaine and to cause the Edict of pacification â—o bee duly obserued and to haue a care that no mutinies should grow within thâ—ir gouernments This voyage of Bayonne is famous by that notable sute of those which with a preâ—umptuous and partiall title termed themselues of the societie of Iesus deciâ—ed in the Court of Parliament Steuen Pasquien pleading against them for the Vniueâ—sâ—â—ie of Paris a vehement and most graue Aduocate of so rare a cause and mâ—ster Petâ—r Versoris for their company their pleadings are read and their beginnings and fiâ—st entrie into France their aduancement and all that concernes their sect is so learnedly expressâ—d in an epistle of the fourth booke of the sayd Pasquier and in his pleading as it is needlesse to insert here This new yeere bread new troubles at Paris and was likely to haue stretched farre The Cardinall of Lorraine comming from the Councell of Trente accompanied with his nephew and a number of men with hargubuses contrary to the Edict followed at hand by the Duke of Aumale his broâ—her went to Paris The conclusions of the Councell and tâ—is carrying of armes did much disquiet the Protestants It is giuen out that tâ—eir meaning is to offer them violence Thâ— Maâ—â—hâ—ll of 〈◊〉 opposeâ—h 〈…〉 Câ—â—dinâ—l of Lorâ—aine they flie to the Marshall of Montmorency aâ— gouernour of the Isle of France a wise man louing the publike peace He intreats the Cardinal not to enter in this maner This request neglected he reâ—olues to vâ—e his 〈◊〉 The Cardinall growes obstinate and offers to enter with all hiâ— force But the Mâ—â—shal as the Kings Lieutenant opposeth himselfe being followed by the Prince Portien and about fortie gentlemen of account The Cardinal growes amazed saues himselfe with his nephew in the next houses and after some dayes of stay at Paris he goes into Champagne to attend the Kings returne from Bayonne Hereafter there is nothing but associations Leagues and conferences They must bee reuenged of this affront But they finde too strong a partie for the two houses of Montmorency and Chastillon most straightly allied by consanguinitie doe likewiâ—e vnite theâ—r wils in this defence The Marshal assisted by the admirall his Cousin conteines the Parisâ—ens in peace and makes the Parliament and the Kings Councell to approue this act The Queene mother fearing least this mutinie should hinder the effects of the voyage of Bayonne and by that meanes the fulfilling of her desseins would bee made frustrate makes the King to commaund by his letters patents such as were not yet entred into Paris not to aâ—proch any neerer and to such as were there to depart vntill that his Maiâ—stie had ended this quartell after his returne out of Gasconie Now the court was ful of complaints The ProtestaÌ„ts accused the Catholiks of vioâ—eÌ„ce and breache of the Edict To content them the Qâ—eene assignes them deputies aâ— Tolouse but they returne without any satisfaction but a discouery that they 〈◊〉 no good vnto them A royall Leaguâ— There it was concluded that all Princes and otâ—ers of what qualitie soeuer whereof many were very farre ingaged by their promise in a certaine League made in France without the Kings priuitie should renounce all confederatâ—ons both within and without the realme and should binde themselues by othe to the King onely vpon paine of rebellion This was the aduice of Montluc But the diffiâ—ultie was to drawe the Articles for to make a Soueraigne Prince to enter into assocâ—â—tion and company with his subiects Was it not by a pernicious consequence to bâ—emish his authority royall and ouerthrow that which should serue as a fundamentâ—â—l lawe for the quiet of the realme the obseruation of the Edict In the end the King hauing visited all Aquitaine he arriues at Bayonne in Iune and thether comes his sister Elizabeth wife to King Philip of Spaine to meete with him accompanied with the Duke of Alba and others to the end said she that the mâ—tter should bee lesse suspected and that their league might take sure hold But the most clearâ— sighted did attribute it to ambition least the Spaniard should seeme to vse any submission How soeuer it were the holy League was confirmed betwixt the two Kings by Elizabeths meanes For the establishing of the ancient religion and extirpation of the new And for that this Doctrine did extreamly afflict France the Spaniard did promise the French such ayde and succours as he could and the French to the Spaniard for that he did see his estate of the Lowe Countries to hatch a
of riuers These grudgings were openly published when as an other occasion makes them both speake aloâ—d and to take armes Practises to surprize the Prince and Admâ—raâ—l In a maner all the Duke of Anious horse staid about Paris with fiâ—e or six thousand foot vnder colour to fortifie the gardes of the King the Qâ—eene mother his bretheren the capitall Citty and Tauannes sent towards Bourgongne with many companies made them suspect that it was to beset and surprize the prince at Noyers a little weake towne of his owne the Admirall at Tanlay a Castâ—e belonging to his brother d' Andelot Some acquainted with this practise giue them adâ—ice they complaine to the King of the iniustice is done them beseeching his maiestie to quench the fires kindled in his realme by the factions of the Guisiens to free themselues they take Rochel for their sanctuary This braue prey being thus escaped Katherin and the faction â—end forth comissions and appoint the rendezuous for the troupes in Guyenne and Poiâ—ou The Duke of Anâ—ou prepares and for a reuenge of Meaux he chaseth away the Protestants The Qâ—eene of Nauarre accompanied with three regiments of foote and eight Cornets oâ— light horse nothwithstanding the endeuours of Escars and Monâ—luc retires to Rochell with the Prince her sonne at this day our most Christian King Henâ—y the fourth and the Princesse her Daughter The Cardinall of Chastiâ—lon is forced to leaue Beaâ—â—oiâ—in and to saue himselfe in a small Barke in England The Nobilitie of Poiâ—ou arme with the first and repaire to Rochell The Earle of Rochefoucault was armed some dayes before D'Andelot marched with a thousand good horse and two thousand shot gathered together in the confines of Maine and Brittaine The â—rotesâ—aâ—tâ—â—â—me The Duke of Martigues gouernour of Brittaine going with three hundred Lances and fiue hundred braue shot to Saumur to the Duke Mâ—ntpensier he is aduertiâ—ed that many of the enemies troupes are lodged in his way He â—ends to discouer them and finding them lodged at large after the French manner passeth brauely through them with the losse but of twenty men and with the gaine of an Enseigne and the slaughter of aboue foure score of his enemies and recouers Saumur whilest that D' Andelot la None and other Commanders ioyned with the Prince If the Dukes of Aniou Montpensier and Martigues who assembled men from all parts to oppose a mighty armie against the Protestants had in time foreseene that those which diâ—lodged in so great hast went to seeke their fortunes a farre off and had sought to crosse their desseignes the Prince all his part had in all shewes bin coopt vp in Rochell But behold of poore vagabonds in two moneths they become maisters of Niort Fontenay S. Maixent Xaintâ—s S. Iead d' Angely Pons Cognac Blay Angoulâ—sme and are strong enough for the continuance of a long war While the Dukes arme the King begins the warre against the Protestants by the Pen. He declares by his proclamation that the Edict of Ianuarie had beene but prouisionall vntill he were of full age The King makes a Proclamation against the Pâ—otesâ—anâ—s that now he forbids all exercise of the pretended reformed religion in all the territories of his obedience forfaits both the bodies and goods of them that shall breake it commands all Ministers vpon penalties to depart the realme within fifteene dayes And by another he suspends all officers making profession thereof from their offices and charges commanding them to resigne them into his hands within fifteene dayes The Protestants make their profit of these Edicts and send them into Germany England and to the Suisses of their religion to proue That they are not pursued as rebels affecting the Crowne crimes by the which their enemies would make them odious And in truth these Edicts were spurres to hasten the League which the Duke of Deuxponts shall bring the next yeare and for the heads of Daulphiné Prouence and Languedoc to go and oppose the forces of the sayd Prouinces against the Kings armie which was ready to fall vpon the prince To this end Acier Mouuans Pierre Gourde and others draw forth sixteene of seuenteene thousand shot but few horse seeming with this multitude of men to haue vnpeopled all that climate But as they did fortifie the princes affaires on the one side they did weaken them on the other for after their departure the Catholickes seized vpon many places the which they might well haue held lodging halfe their forces in them then marching in troupe close and speedily they might haue arriued safe where their presence was most profitable and necessary But the presumption of equalitie doth commonly ingender a pernitious iealousie among great men and the opinion one conceiues of his forces and of his owne valour with an obstinacie not to yeeld vnto another is a dangerous plague in an armie Monuans and Pierre Gourd defeated and slaine Mouâ—ans Pierre Gourde finding themselues annoied by straight lodging as they had done till they came neere to Perigueux they meane to lye more at large at Mensignac not discouering that the Duke of Montpensien approched who at his arriuall puts in route two regiments and kils a thousand â—ouldiars at their Colonels feete who selling their liues deerely so tyre the Dukes troupes as they could not charge Acier yet they were amazed by the fearefull report of such as were escaped who made the Dukes forces exceeding great beyond all truth who retiring to Chasteleraud made the way opeâ— for Aciers troupes which remaiâ—ed of this shâ—pwrack to fortifie the 〈◊〉 aâ—mie and to make it able not oneâ—y to endâ—re tâ—e shocke but to attempt 〈◊〉 thing â—gainst the Catholikes The Prince did mâ—ster in hâ—s armie aboue 〈◊〉 thousand Harguebuziers and tâ—â—â—e tâ—ousand good horse The Dâ—ke had ten tâ—â—â—sand foote beside Suisses and â—oure thousand Lances the Souldiars of both aâ—miâ—s were well expeâ—ienced in warâ—e Hee that takes not the French 〈◊〉 their first heat they are easily broken the 〈◊〉 â—â—news of warre failing migâ—t greatly coole this new vigour and Winter appâ—ocâ—ing withdraâ— the greatest paâ—t of them The Prince therefore seekes to figâ—t tâ—e number and courage of his men inuitâ—â— him He comes within two Leagueâ— oâ— Câ—â—stelleraud and by his appâ—och annoyes the Duke of Aniou The Duke moued witâ— tâ—e like desire and greeued to see so many men at the Princes deuotion knowing aâ—so that the forces of Germanâ—e would be ready to Mâ—â—che in their fauour in the Sâ—ring seekes to diuide his enimies power and to ouercome them by peecemeale 〈…〉 mâ—tions are sodaine but they doe not alwayes bring forth effects premediâ—atâ—d To come to a battaile was properly to cutt away the sinews of the realme 〈…〉 mutuall weakening to inuite tâ—e foâ—raine enemie to the inâ—â—sion of this estate Tâ—e soueraigne commander of baâ—tailes did shew at this timâ— a signe of his 〈◊〉 faâ—our to this Crowne takiâ—g fâ—om bâ—th the Gâ—nerâ—lls the sharpnâ—sse of
the Duke of Guise and the Admirall This apparent meanes to confirme a publike concord did please the Admirall beleeuing this marriage should be the ground of a most happie peace and the Queene of Nauarre feares least delay should alter the Kings good meaning But the accomplishment of the marriage was hindred by some leâ—â—s The Pope made some dâ—fficulty to dispence therewith as well by-reason of the consanguinity of the parties the one being petie Nephewe the other grand-childe of Francis the 1. King of France as also for the difference of their religions The Qâ—eene of Nauarre likewise made some scruple of this disparity of religion of the ceremonies and of the place of the sollemnitie She would not haue the marriage celebrated after the manner of the Catholike Church and feared the Citty of Paris as most affected to their religion and of long time an enemie to the house of Nauarre Contrariewise the King would haue Paris to be the Theater Pretexts for the lowe Countrie warres where this notable act should be sollemnly celebrated in the vewe of the Capitall Cittie of his Realme without changing any thing in forme of royall mariages In the end the respect of ciuill reason preuayled As â—or the motiues of this warre pretended in the Lowe Country they were goodly in shâ—w for besids this hereditarie hatred of the French against the Spaniard beeing reuiued by the outrages and warres made in France by Charles and Phâ—â—ip his sonne the remembrance whereof was yet fresh they renued the ancient quarrells of many possessions in the Lowe Countries depending of this Crowne Moreouer they pretended newe causes which seemed lawfull to breake the allyance betwixt the two Kings That his Maiestie had most certaine intelligence of poyson giuen by Philip to his wife the Sister of our Charles vpon some discontents and filthie iealousies These reasons had a shewe of truth and the Admirall to the end the French who cannot liue long togither in mutuall concord and that by a long vse of warre breathed nothing but warre should not seeke some newe seeds of ciuill diuision held it good to diuert this vehement heate against some stranger and nation a faâ—â—e off Many necessarie considerations fortified this ciuill Councell The forces of the Prince of Orange and his bretheren who spoiled by the Spaniard of many rich possessions both in the Lowe Countries and in the Countrie of Bourgongne had long time sought to recouer it by armes The credit and fauour of the Lowe Countrie men in Germany by reasoÌ„ of the exceeding crueltie of the Duke of Alba Lodâ—wike of Nassau brother to the sayd Prince a man of great courage and resolution prest it forward and his presence was a spurre to the Admirall Moreouer to the end it should seeme this warre was managed with the Kings consent his Maiestie did suffer the Prince of Auranges fleete to ride about Rochelle annoying the Spaniards and Portugalls which sailed vpon that coast the trafficke of the Lowe Countries and for the Comte Lodowike to sell the bootie hee had taken from the enemie freely and publikely at Rochell So the Admirall a wydower by reason of Charlotte of Laual deceased in the second troubles after he had espoused the Contesse of Antremont in Sauoye at Rochelle The Admiral comes to Court and giuen his daughter Louyse to the Lord of Teligny to wife he comes to Court relying vpon the Kings assurances so often confirmed by messengers and especially by the Marshall of Cossé whome the King had sent to accompanie him presuming the Admirall would giue more credit to the Marshalls words by reason of their familiarity The King receiued him with all demonstrations of loue those of Guise leaue him the place not to yeeld any thing vnto him but to returne soone after with greater authoritie and to take from him all iealousies distrusts which were giuen him froÌ„ al parts the King at the first doth recoÌ„pence the losses which the Admiral had sustained during the former warres by the gift of a hundred thousand frankes and grauâ—ts him for one whole yeare the reuenues which his brother the Cardinall of Chasâ—â—â—ha enioyed being lately deceased in England He giues him a place in the priuy Councel doth ofte times conferre with him touching the warres of Flanders and mâ—kes shâ—we to be gouerned therein by his aduice and Councell he honours him with that plaâ—sible name of father and treats with him so familiarly as the Countries tooke this familiarity for a seale of his Masters affection to the Admirall and the people begâ—n nowe to murmure that Charles not onely fauoâ—ed the Huguenots but would shortly himselfe become a Huguenot A Cunning bayte to free the Admirall from suâ—pition by the aduertisments wich had beene giuen him to the Contrary Hee could nowe tast no admonitions his spirit was so transported with the Kings Countenance and words Doubtlesse the wisdome of man failes euen in the wisest when it pleaseth him that giues it to weaken the strongest spirits and by a iudgement incomprehensible to man to cast a vayle before his eyes and to make him vnable to conceiue the iustice and horror of the iudgement which hee meanes to display For the better aduancing the enterprise of the Lowe Countries the Admirall thought it fit the King should make a peace with Elizabeth Queene of England They might treate it with a very honest colour to the preiudice of the Spaniards Elizabeth was not married and Henry Duke of Aniou had no wife the dignitie of so high an alliance was honorable for the Duke and the qualitie of a Kings Brother was not to bee contemned by the Queene hauing also in his yong age purchased great glorie and reputation Peace â—â—th the English This charge is giuen to the Marshall of Montmorency Bâ—t the issue did shewe that besids this negotiation of peace their meaning was to abuse both the Admirall and all others whome it was expedient to â—buse for the execution of the Councell of Saint Cloud and by the same practise to send the Marshall farâ—e from Court least by his ordinary conueâ—sing with the King hauing a good iudgement and smelling out the complots of this pitifull Tragedie hee should discouer them to the Admirall his Cousin and by meanes of this newe peace the English in the midest oâ— this indignity should bee restrayned from attempting of any thing in fauour of the Protestants as it chanced During this time the Admirall retires to Chastillon and in the meane season they prepare a fleete at Bourdeaux and Brouage vnder the Commande of Strossy Landereau and the Bâ—ron of la Garde The pretext was the warre of Flanders yet had they expresse Commission to attempt vpon Rochell and by open or secret practises to get it in their owne powre The Admirall hauing sounded the fourd vpon his assurance to the Queene of Nâ—uarre of the Kings singular affection to her and to all her house The Queene of Nauarre comâ—s to Court in
Roâ—hell was in the meane time belegard soâ—ldiars arriued hourely giuing terrible threats against the Towne who began to crie tâ— the Admirall for succours In other Townes they heard secret murmurings â—hich terrified the most cleere sighted among the Protestants These aduertisements sound continually in the Admirals eares But he continues alwayes like vnto himselfe constant in the midest of all motions and grew resolute against all such as laboured to call him from Court eyther by mouth or writing As for the house of Guiâ—e sayd hee whereof they will put me in feare the King hath taken order making vs to sweare before him to continue friends and as for them of the religion the marriage of Madam Marguerit whom his Maiestie giues not to the King of Nauarre alone but as it were to all those of the party to ioyne himselfe vnto them by an indissoluble vnion is the finishing of their quiet and safetie To conclude he will be no more troubled touching the Kings ill meaning nor the Qâ—eene Mothers the Duke of Anious the Guisiens nor any others And that which setles the Admirall the more in his conceit he finds the King after the death of Sigismond King of Poland to affect the pursute of that Crowne in fauour of his brother Negotiation of Poland Charles was cleere sighted in affaires of State he was young yet of a quick and ready wit and if bloudie and furious councels had not peruerted him without doubt he might haue brought forth better fruites and this Monarchie â—ad beene freed from the miseries which haue since ruined it His brother had great credit generally in France his mildnesse made him pleasing to his Mother and his liberalitie to the people He desired rather to see him command farre off then neere And the Admirall who knew the Duke of Aniou to be an irreconciliable enemie to tâ—e Protestants supposed that the King would by his absence settle a firme peace that Henry being confined in Poland his adherents would grow more milde that the house of Guise disapointed of this support would feare the Kings lookes the which sometimes appeared terrible and that Charles would soone discharge the Queene â—is Mother from the gouernment of affaires and take it wholy vnto himselfe as already he made some shewes of his intent The Admirall seeing Iohn of Monluc Bishop of Valence a man of iudgment and practised in negotiations departed for this Ambassage hee fed himselfe with new hopes And contrarywise Monluc foreseeing the iminent storme was very glad to be neither a councellor nor a witnesse of the miseries that were like to fall vpon the Protestants And indeed he had before councelled many of the principalls amongst them not to medle in this imaginary warre of Flanders but to retyre in time to theyr houses and not to trust ouermuch in the goodly shewes of Court considering the enuie of the great and the ill will of the people of Paris But thus God confounds the iudgment and blinds the vnderstanding of such as he reserues for an example to their posterity O France my haire stands vpright and I tremble 1972. to enâ—er into the relation of so inhumaine a tragedie And shall wee neuer bee satisfied to heare the lamentable and contiâ—uall slaughter of our countrymen what man would not be troubled what minde would not be oppressed with heauinesse and griefe to see so much bloud vnprofitably spilt in our Citties which should be carefully preserued for the defence of our country against strangers and common enemies yet let vs passe this dangerous passage the course of times inuites vs to proceed A great number of Noblemen both Catholikes and Protestants repaired from all parts to the solemnizing of this marriage Those of Guise come bringing with them a large traine of persons of all qualities faithfull vnto them The water which moues by little and little the birdes which houer aboue it and the ayre colder then of custome foretell a storme to come So the common murmurings the stirring of the quarter maisters and other Captaines of Paris the Kings gards dispersed through the Citty the ordinary threates against the Protestants were certaine testimonies That this marriage should be seasoned more with bloud then water The day appointed comes the Cardinall of Bourbon marries the parties vpon a hiâ—h scaffold The marriage solemnisâ—d built before the doore of our Ladyes Church at Paris Foure dayes are spent in playes feasts dancing and maskes which finished the King protests to the Admirall that he â—â—ll answer and satisfie the Protestants requests Euery one of their Churches had their Deputies in Court for many affaires wherein the Admâ—rals authority was very necessaâ—y They ought a great summe of money to the Germaines due for their entertainment in former warres for the payment whereof the King had suffered them to taxe themselues to the fift part of their estates The Commâ—ssioners and Receiuers prest the collection being desirous to make an end of that businesse the day of payment being past Hereon the Admirall treated with the Priuie Councell on Fâ—iday the two twentith of August where the Duke of Aniou in the Kings absence was president At the rising of the Councel the Admirall hauing attended on the King who went to play at Tenis he retyred himselfe to his lodging at dinner time being accompanied with fifteene or sixteene Gentlemen and reading a petition when as being about a hundred paces from the Louure a Harguebuse shotte from the window of a lodging neere by belonging to Villemur sometimes Schoolemaister to the Duke of Guise The Admiral huâ—t carryes away the forefinger of the right hand and wounds him in the left arme They breake downe the doore of the lodging they finde the Harguebuse but not him that discharged it This was Maureuel vnder a counterfet name of Bolland of the Kings gardes a fitte man for such murthers who mounting vpon a Genet of Spaine which was prouided ready for him fled by Saint Anthonies gate to a place of safetie The King played and vpon the first report of this hurt Shall I neuer haue quiet said he shall I dayly see new troubles And casting his Racket to the ground he retyred to the Louure and sweares with an execration to the King of Nauarre and the Pâ—ince of Condé who were come vnto him to complaine of this outrage to take such exemplary iustice of the offendor his fautors and adherents as the Admirall and his friends should haue cause to rest satisfied Hee presently commands to purâ—ue him that shotte but they go slowly after him hee appoints three of the Parliament to make infoâ—mations against the culpable Thran Morsan and Viole hee leaues onely two gates open with greaâ— gardes vnder colour to search for such as were priuie with this outrage putting the whole Citty into armes The Qâ—eene Mother seemes to â—ee discontented They doe great wrong vnto the King cryes she if hee should suffer this crime vnpunished they would in the end
attempt against his owne house These counterfet speeches reteine the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé who had desired leaue to retyre themselues but then they made no more mention of leauing the Court. Charles himselfe Katherin his mother come in the afternoonâ— to visit the Admiral The Admirall shewes vnto them the miseries which the breach of the peace would bring vnto France 1572. beseecheth him to chase away these mutinies and to mainteine his promised faith wherevpon he was come to Court and to prouide for the preseruation of the realme But the Queene Mother knew well how to preuent him least hee should acquaint the King with some secrets touching the preseruation of his Estate The King protests againe to be exceeding sorry Treachery in â— King that this acte toucheth his honour and that he will be reuenged so as the memory thereof shall remaine for euer Hee perswades the Admirall to suffer himselfe to be carryed to the Louure for the safetie of his person that it was to be feared least the multitude stirred vp by the authours of his hurt should fall into some greater mutinie He also aduiseth the Gentlemen Protestants to lodge about the Admirals lodging least sayd hee that being dispersed through the Citty they should receiue some wrong But to shew that hee would not forget any thing that might concerne the Admirals safety seeing the griefe of his wound would not suffer him to be transported hee commands Cosseins Captaine of his gardes to giue the Admirall as many of his garde as hee pleased and to suffer no Catholike to enter And least any man should grow amazed hereat the King writes to the Gouernours of the Prouâ—nces to the chiefe Townes and Magistrates That he would take such order as the authors of so wicked an acte should bee knowne and punished And to his Ambassadors with forraine Princes That they should make it knowne to all the world that this outrage doth displease him The Queene mother writes in like maner but this was onely to keepe euery byrd within his nest In the meane time the Dukes of Aniou and Guise tooke counsell of that which they had to doe the â—ight following Saterday in the morning it is bruted through out the Citty that the Protestants did threaten the house of Guise Herevpon the Dukes of Guise and Aumale go vnto the King and say vnto him That of late they haue found their seruice to be little agreeable to his Maiestie that if he were pleased to see them retyred to their â—ouses they were ready to depart Go saith Charles vnto them with a frowning countenance where you please I will haue you at all times if you bee found guiltie of the Admirals hurt So making shew to be discontented they go to horse and many with them yet meaning to lye in Paris Paris was a pit-fall to intrap the chiefe of all the Protestants they being dead the baser sort of that party would in all likelyhood remaine quiet The time now offred a fitte opportunity of reuenge the which should not be lost This counsell was taken after dinner at the Tuilleries by the King the Qâ—eene Mother the Dukes of Aniou Neners The King resolues â—o mâ—â—sacre the Protestanâ—s Rests and Tauannes The King of Nauarres life with the Prince of Condes were put in ballance the warres had beene managed in their names If they liue sayd one they will serue as an Enseigne to reuiue those Huguenots which shall remaine in diuers Prouinces and shall euery day minister new motiues of confusions Contrarywise the Admirall and the principals being taken away it shall bee easie to restraine these young Princes not onely not to attempt any innouation but also in time to win the Kings good fauour by their seruices also the indignity of the fact would purchase an insuppoâ—table hatred among strangers God disposed the hearts of the Councell to this second aduice so as they will imbrace the Catholikes religion and liue vnder the obedience of his Maiesty As for the rest whom the fury of their armes should touch they might with a goodly pretext leaue to the ancient quarrell of the Guisiens against the Admirall and take for an excuse the feare they had least the Huguenots should seeke a reuenge for his hurt To lay all the hatred vpon the Guisiens they giue the charge of this businesse to the Duke of Guise they appoint him the meanes the time and the ministers of the execution The night being come the Duke calls vnto him the Captaines of the Suisses and other companies whom to that end they had drawne into the Citty and deliuers his charge vnto them The Duke of Guisâ— giues order for the massacre which was to roote out the Admirall and all his Partisans He exhorts them to bloud and spoile and disposeth his troupes in some speciall places Then he giues aduise vnto the Prouost of the Marchants the Sheriffes and quarter maisters â—hat throughout all France the like should be done to the Huguenots as at Paris â—hat the Palace Bell ringing at the breake of day shall giue the signall and the marke of these executioners should be a handkerchefe tyed about theâ—r armes with a white crosse in their hattes That they should put their men in armes and be at midnight in the Towne-house to receiue order what they had to do They assemble at midnight and place many gardes in the streetes Some Gentlemen lodged neere vnto the Admirall rise at the noise of their armes and the light of their Lampes and going into the streeres they inquire of the fiâ—st they meete what this assembly of armed men meant at so vnseasonable a time A doubtfull answer being giuen them makes them to repayre to the Louure to discouer more Here the gardes go from words to blowes and fall vpon them The Duke of Guise parts from the Louure accompanied with the Knight of Angoulesme The chiefe murtherers bastard to Henry the second the Duke of Aumale Cosseins Sarlaboux Goas Attin a Piccard Haufort an Auueâ—gnac and Besmes a Germaine with some Harguebuziers of the Kiâ—gs and all the Duke of Anious garde The Alarum Bell â—ings at Saint Germaine Auxerrois and they publish throughout the Citty That the Huguenots had conspired against the King the Queene Mother and all the chiefe in Court Cosseins knocks at the Admirals gate hee enters at two of the Clock in the morning the 24. of the moneth stabbes him that comes to open it forceth the dores of the lodging enters with seuen or eight armâ—d men Besmes a houshold seruant to the Duke of Guise offers the Admirall the point of his sword Herevpon the Admirall being risen vpon his feâ—te and couered with his night gowne sayd Yong man thou shouldest haue respect vnto my olde age Thâ— Admiral muâ—thered and infirmitie but thou shalt no way shorten my dayes he thrusts him through the brest and then doubles it on his head Attin shootes him through with a
the fury of this massacre to the ancient quarrell of those of Guise with the house of Chastillon But the foulnesse of the fact might heape vpon them and their posteritie the hatred of all men The Guisians denie to take the maâ—â—acre vpon thâ—m with whom humane society and vertue is in recommendation For they had not spared an infinite number of learned men of reuerent old men honest virgins honourable matrons women with child chaste maydens young Schollers and little infants hanging at the brests of their mother Arming themselues therefore with the peoples loue they refuse to go out of Paris handling the matter so politikely as they cause the King to auouch all that had beene done So Charles writes other letters to his Ambassadours and Gouernours aduertising them That the tumult which had happened concerned not religion but the preseruation of his estate his house and person against the practises of the Admirall and some other seditious persons who had ioyntly conspired his death his Mothers The Admiral accuâ—ed oâ— conâ—piracie and his bretherens and therefore he would haue his Edict of pacification religiously obserued Yet if any Huguenots moued with these newes oâ— Paris should assemble in armes they should roote them out as perturbers of the pubâ—ike peace referâ—ing the surplusage of his will to the credit of the bearer And the better to authorise this approbation the 26. of August Charles with his bretheren assists in Parliament all the chambers being assembled where sitting in his seate of Iustice he declares openly that those things which had chanced in Paris were done by his owne proper motion and commandement yet making no mention of the cause Chrisâ—opher of Thou the cheife President commended his zeale in the name of all the company But to what end did he write the contrary the next day to his officers and the Magistrates of Townes That to his great griefe the Admirall his Cosin and some others of his party had beene slaine at Paris commanding them to preuent all mutinies and murthers and to proclaime that euery man should remaine quiet in his house without taking of armes or giuing any offence and to giue order that his Edict of pacification be exactly obserued and yet the same day to publâ—sh a declaration of the former tenour conteining that by his expresse commandement the Admirall and other his complices had beene slaine not for matter of religion but to preuent the execution of a wicked practise made by them against the Kings person the Queene Mother his bretheren the King of Nauarre this was for a colour of excuse to such as would obiect why then was this Prince saued from shipwrack and it may be for the loue of him the Prince of Condé his cousin and generally against their houses and the houses of France Doubtlesse there was small likelyhood that a little troope of men dispersed some â—n the suburbes others within the Citty in small numbers should presume to attempt any thing against the Estate Charles had both night and day his ordinary gardes Frâ—â—ch Suisses and Scottâ—shmen the most of the Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen of the realme were in Court to honour the marriage Those which had accompanied the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé had no other armes but their swords and for a gage of their innocencie had brought for the most part their wiues children sisters and kinsfolke studying onely to shew themselues at the Tilt and â—ourney The accusation made no mention of time place or adherents neyther of the meanes or any witnesses of this conspiracy If it had beene plotted since the Admirals hurt three hundred Gentlemen vnarmed which had accompanied him could they haue effected any thing vnder a Commander tyed by both the armes and ready to see the one cut off by the aduise of the Physitians and Chirurgians in a mighty Citty and against aboue three score thousand men ready to be opposed at the first alarum Moreouer the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé who had beene still present at all councells would they haue blemished their honours and houses with so great an infamie And if their innocencie had freed them from the common danger the consultations of the Admirall and his followers had they not beene very childish at such a time in such a place among so many naturall Frenchmen come with him wâ—o had neither goods kinsfolke pleasure nor content without the Realme Besides if the Admirall were suspected of this attempt might they not haue committed him presentâ—y to a safe prison informe of his practises and take such conclusions as the crime might deserue according to the Lawes To conclude admit the Admirall after his hurt or else his friendes had giuen forth some bad speeches must the same punishment deuoure so many persons who conuersed onely with their bookes and papers with their trafike and with their worke so many women who dreamt but of their huswiferie so many virgins and infants whose age and condition kept them from the conference of any councell As for the attempt against the King of Nauarre that accusation is friuolous Had not the Admirall him in his power for the space of three yeares what benefit sâ—ould he reape by his death Haue they not conuersed long togither with an humble sincere respect of the Admirall towards him and a perfect loue of the said King to the Admirall â—ut omitt all other reasons that might refute this slander let vs onely obserue the testimonie which Monluc giues in the 7. booke of his remembrances vppon this subiect The Queene mother saith he did me the honour to write vnto mee that they had disâ—ouered a great conspiracie against the King and his Estate the which was the cause of what had happened I knowe what my belief was it is not good to offend ones master The King did neuer foâ—get how the Admirall made him retire in hast from Meaux to Paris wee loose â—ur iudgments sodenly and doe not dreame that Kings haue greater harts then we haue and doe sooner forget seruices then offences And a little aboue My Lord the Admirall was â—â—l aduised to thrust himselfe into Paris to shew that hee gouerned all I wonder that so aduised and wise a man should comit so grosse an errour Hee payed deerely for it it cost him his life and many more The particularities of such as during this horrible butcherie haue shed their blouds for religions sake at Meaux Troyes Orleans Bourges la Charité Lions Tholouse Fourdeaux Rouan and other Townes in villages and in the open fields as they sought to saue themselues without the realme haue beene obserued in other workes that are extant and the bloud of these murthered persons which amount to aboue thirty thousand hauing died the earth and made the waters redd haue cryed so loude that the heaâ—ens haue contiâ—ued their vengeance ouer great and small for so many yeares as tâ—ere remaines scarse any one of the authors of this violent
fact Brittanie and Picardie râ—mained reasonably quiet Champagne and Bourgongne shed little bloud through the pâ—llicie of them of Guise that all the blame might light vpon the King as also they had saued many of the chieâ— Protestants in the midest of the furie of this Parisien euensong In Auuâ—rne Saint Heran put more money into his cofers then he shed blâ—ud in his â—ouernment In Daulphiné there were some murthers committed In Prouence the humanitie of the Earle of Tende restrayned the hands and swords of the bloâ—â—e minded In the end the people glutted with the bloud and cloyed with the spoyles of the muâ—thered protestants growe quiet and the King appoints an extraordinary Iubile witâ— generall processions where his Maiestie assisted with the Qâ—eene his mother his breâ—hâ—en and the Court of purpose to giue thankes to God for that which had so happily succeeded There were yet some thornes stucke in Charles his feet Rochel Sancâ—rre Montauban Nismes Aubenas Milliaud Priuas Mirebel Andure and other small Townes of Viuarets and Seuennes serued as a Sanctuary for the Protestants that â—ere escaped to keepe them from danger Rochell was not to be dealt with all and it seemed that industrie and secret practises should preuaile more then open force Strossy â—â—d la Garde will releeue the inhabitants with men to keepe it and vnfurnish them of victualls requiring a quantitie to refresh their armie But they had men inough a great number were fled thither and many Protestant soldiars whom the hope of the voyage of Flanders entertained in the Kings army slipt hourely into their Towne Their priuileges likewise did free them from garrisons and as for victuals they had for their prouision but could not spare any Strossy and la Garde spent both time and money in vaine about Rochell they therefore send Biron vnto them for their Gouernour with expresse commandement to receiue a garrison They answer That they cannot beleeue that that charge comes from the King who commanded the strict obseruation of the Edict and grants them the vse of their ancient priuileges vnder his obedience And for a testimony they produce the Kings letters of the 22. and 24. of August whereby his Maiestie layes the motiues of the sedition vpon them of Guise saying That he had much adoe to mainteine himselfe in the midest of his gardes in his Castle of Louure As for the reasons which made them to auoyde all the surprises and baites of such as Biron sent to treate with them they vsed the meanes which politicke wisedome doth vsually furnish in such incounters offering notwithstanding to accept Biron so as the troupes may bee retyred from thence the exercise of their religion to remaine free and that he bring no forces into the Towne Biron summons them by vertue of his authority and vpon refusall Warre againâ—â— the Rochellois proclaimes war against them and euen then vnder colour to giue the armie at Sea meanes to disperse it selfe he labours by all meanes to cut off their victuals and prouisions and to weaken them of their men The King by his Letters Pattents of the 8. of October calls home all that were fled out of diuers Townes saying that as a good father of a family he had pitty of his poore subiects being out of their houses and for not comming did seize and declare their goods forfeit Yet the excuses which the King made vnto the Pope to the Duke of Alba and to the Ambassador of Spaine That the brutes of the Belgike warre and all the former Councels had tended to no other end but to the ruine of the Huguenots that his intent was to liue in peace and good correspondencie with the Catholicke King and the Commissions he had sent to the Gouernours of Prouinces to degrade all Protestants from their offices and publike charges although they were ready to renounce their religion except such as aduanced to meane offices were continued by the King abiuring according to a forme set downe by the College of Sorbonne and to search for all Protestants that during the troubles had had the command of armes or Townes of warre made this repeale of Charles to be wonderfully suspect Hereafter they vse all acts of hostâ—litie against the Rochelois such as they know to be of the Towne are kept prisoners and put to their ransome ships that sayled towards their Port were stayed all marchandise belonging to the Rochelois seized and confiscated They therefore hasten the succours which the Counte Montgomery the Vidame of Chartres and others prepared for them in England The 25. of October they set sayle but not able to approche they returned back Those of Sancerre hauing refused to receiue a gouernour and garrison from the hands of La Chastre gouernour of Berry were belegard in the beginning of October Cadaillet Grome of the Chamber and the Kings Huntsman very well knowne in the Towne as an ancient seruant to the Earle of Sancerre was sent to conferre with them hee brought the inhabitants to that point as some desiring and others refusing the Lord of Fontaines being a Catholike his brother surpriseth the Castle by the meanes of some inhabitants who shutte themselues into it with him but the resolution and the greater number of the Protestants dispâ—aced them within foure and twenty houres as Fontaines came to their succours So as La Chastre prepares now for open force whereof we shall sâ—e the progresse in the beginning of the following yeare This vnworthy and strange proceeding against the Protestants had made the French name hateful to strangers especially in Poland and did much trouble the negotiation in fauour of the Duke of Aniou Moreouer the Protestants both within without the realme laid plots which in short time might produce dangerous effects To make the Bishops negotiatioÌ„ more â—â—sie and to crosse the proiects of others they obserue hereafter some forme of iustice against any one that were found after the furie of the massacre Briquemault and Cauaignes executed Briquemault a Gentleman of three score ten yeares old and Cauaignes maister of Requests vnto the King both inward friends vnto the Admirall and of great reputation were of the nuâ—beâ— They threaten them with an extraordinary torture if they set not downe vnder the r hands to haue conspired with the Admirall the death of the King his brethren the Qâ—eene mother and of the King of Nauarre promising them pardon if they demaund it in aduowing that wherewith they are charged We will neuer said they accusâ— innocents nor our selues of so execrable a crime The Comissioners not able to extort from them any such confession they were both by sentence of the Court as guiltie of high Treason vnworthily hanged the 27. of October in the presence of the King Qâ—eene mother her two other sonnes and the King of Nauarre To the same execution was added the like decree against the Admirall His bodie had beene taken from Montfaucon A decree against â—he Adâ—irall and secretly
buried the which the greatest â—earcâ— of his enemies could neuer discouer They therefore make the forme of a man dragg it through the Cittie and then cause it to be hanged Moreouer the King commands by his letâ—ers pattents That those of the pretended religion should be maintained in safetie in their houses bodies goods and libertie of consciences And to excuse what was past they cast abroad many libels defaming the memory of the Admirall and his followers They giue new charges to the Ambassadors being in Germanie Polanâ— England Suisserland and other forraine Countries to iustifie the actions of the King and of the Catholikes to the confusion and shame of the Admirall and his paâ—tie But all these proceedings were meanes to discouer the iniquitie of their perâ—â—tiâ—us Councels For the intent of this declaration in fauour of the Protestants was presently discouered by the tenor of the letters which the Duke of Guise did write vnto his wife the day that Briquemault was executed The King said he hath decreed in Councel vtterly to roote out this seditious vermine But few would be taken and the practises against the Prince of Auranges and others being discouered by this letter vanished into smoâ—ke In the meanetime they continued their attempts against Rochell and Essars being chosen cheefe of the warre for the Rochelois hauing taken one of the Baron oâ— la Gards galleys who had approched too neere vnder colour of bringing a letter to the whole bodie of the Towne caused Biron to publish the Kings letters pattents giuen the sixth of the moneth and to make open warre to the Rochelois Bâ—t Charles waâ— not willingly drawne to aâ—mes hee sees well that hee had kindled a fire which hee â—hould not queâ—ch when hee would Hee now tries the last stratageme La Noue sent home by the Duke of Alba after the taking of Monts in Hainault had great credâ—t amâ—â—g the Protestants as one of the cheefest Captaines which remained The King sollicits him to bee a meanes to bring the Rochelois to composition The impossâ—biliâ—â—e of the thing ansâ—eres hee and my conscience will not suffer mee to aduise the Rochelois to offer their throtâ—s to them that will cut them Yet the Kings authoritie makes him tâ— accept of tâ—is charge but râ—ther with an intent to serue the Rochellois and to retire himselfe from Court then to hurt them of his religion After hee had giuen an account of his Ambassage to Biron who was then at Saint Iean d' Angâ—li hee returnes to Rochâ—ll where hee performed his dutie so well and carefully as they acknowledge him for one of the cheefe Instruments of the preseruation theâ—eof during the seege Then appered there a new starre in heauen hauing the forme of a Lozenge of foure points A Comet and continued beginning the ninth of Nouember the espace of nine moneths immouable by the saying of the Astronomers the first three weekeâ— resembling that which serued as a guide to the wise men that came out of the East to worship Iesus Christ in Bethlem An other repealâ— of the 〈◊〉 Protestants The nineteenth of the said moneth the King by an other Edict called home all his subiects to their houses vpon paine of losse of their goods and sollicited the Protestant Suisses to chase away such as were fled to them for succour But the Ambassadors instance was of no force the taking of Sommiers by the Marshal of d' Anuille from the Protestants the perswasions of Gourdes to drawe into the bâ—sâ—me of the Cathoâ—ike Câ—urch Monbrun Mirabel and Les Diguieres who euen then made shew of a most valiant most wise and most happy Captaine for their party and shall hereafter haue a good share in our History the assurance hee gaue them Tâ—at the King was resâ—lued to suffer but one religion within his realme with all the preparations for the destâ—â—ction of them in diuers Prouinces tooke from them all desire to returne Seeing then that no Edicts can draw them home to their houses and that Rochell â—â—â—câ—rre and other places being threatned prepare for defence they must at the least take from the Protestants such refuges as they haue within the realme To shut vp Rochell Biron enters into the Country of Onis in the beginning of December with â—euen Cornets of horse and eighteene Enseignes of foote Those of Sancerre runne yet â—t libertie but the opinion of their chiefe Commanders that they would attempt some other thing and the vaine presumption they had of the situation of their hilly place made them the more negligent both to furnish it with victuals and to repaire the necessarie fortifications to endure a siege against the which they should haue foreseene the small hope of succours and the constant resolution of the assaylants Let vs consider of these circumstances and prepare our selues to see the greatest reâ—oâ—uâ—ion of men lead by Captaines to whom the necessitie of the time gaue more credit then their beginning gaue them authority Martignon Pilard Marâ—inat La â—eur Chaillou Montaubâ—n Buisson Paquelon La Minee and Doriual commanded there â—uer sixe hundred and fifty men and for Colennel they had Andrew Ionneau Bayliffe of the Towne A hundred and fifty strong labourers in the Vines wrought great effects â—ith their slings which were called the Pâ—stols of Sancerre for seruices vpon the wall in assaults scalladoes and â—allies In Ianuary La Chastre Lieutenant for the King in the gouernment of Berry and generall of this armie came before it with about fiue hundred horse 1573. and fiue thousand 〈◊〉 sixteene enseignes of Pioners Siege of Sancerre and a great number of pesants gathered together at the first he offers a reasonable composition to the besieged if they will accept it As the beginning of the Generall was courteous so was the proceeding of the bâ—sieged inciuill disdainfull and contrary to the lawe of nations They reteyne the â—â—rum and make no answer To make his approches La Chastre builds a fort withâ—â—â—â—ure hundred paces of the Towne towards Pontenay another vpon the way of â— â—â—â—â—â—ult a palissadoe in the field of S. Ladre intrenched the approches and wayes â—bâ—ut the Towne planted ten peeces of Artillery in the field of Saint Ladre and sixe â—thers at Orme au Loup it is a â—igh mountaine vpon the South side of Sancerre which commands the Towne he shootes against the walls and houses at randon and spends in two moneths aboue six thousand Canon shot and yet the besieged lost not aboue fiue and twentie men giues an assault but with the losse of many that were slaine and a great number hurt The 18. of March La Chastre by a second battery in three diuers places beates downe the defences both of Towers and wall makes a breach of about three hundred paces gâ—ues a generall assault presents a scalado on an other side mines and sappes on the third that the Sancerrois wearied with so many difficulties might shriâ—ke vnder thâ—ir burthen But well assayled and
well defended the besieged with the losse of seuenteene Souldiars not onely repulse the enemy but also make them leaue about three score of their most resolute men slaine in the ditches aboue two huâ—dâ—ed wounded to the death and as many maimed for euer then coole their heate caâ—sing them to change this hasty fury of Canons and assaults into a more long but a more violent war They make many forts neerer vnto the Towne notwithstanding tâ—e â—allies and ordinary sâ—irmishes of the Sancerrois they furnish them with artillery men sâ—fficient to cut off all releefe so as being shut vp on all sideâ— they begin to want ordinary victuals in the begâ—nâ—ing of Aprill they eat their Asses Moiâ—es Sancerre in greâ—â— extremitie for victuals then fal they tâ— horses dogs cats mice moales lether in the end to parchmin hornes trappings oâ— horses girdâ—es and wilde rootes And in the end of Iune three parts of them had â—o bread to eate some make it of flaxe seede others of all kinds of hearbes â—â—xt 〈◊〉 branne beaten and ground in morters and others of straw of nut shels and of sâ—â—tes grease and tallow serued for pottage and frying yea some a strange thing and neueâ— heard of laboured to incounter the crueltie of their hungar by the excrements of horses and men But a horrible thing to see the nineteenth of Iune a labourer iâ— tâ—e vines and his wife satisfied their hungar with the head and intrayles of their young daughter about three yeares old being dead in languishing giuing no other graue to the members of this poore carkase but their bellies But the magistrate aduertised of this inhumanitie did for examples sake shorten their dayes finding them guiltie of other crimes neither were they forced hereunto by any extremitie seeing the â—ame day they had beene releeued with pottage made of hearbes and wine whereof there was store in the Towne To conclude foure score men died by the sword at Sancerre saith the Historie but of hungar both within and without aboue fiue hundred And euen now the King began to see his threats to take effect An admirable meanes for the deliâ—erie of Sancerre I will make them said he eate one an other They were hopelesse of all humaâ—ne helpe such as they sent out for succoâ—rs either fell iâ—to their enemies hands or died by the sword or returned no more or could not reenter So as they could not hope for any helpe but in dispayring of helpe when as the prouidence of God brings them a strange and far-bred nation to giue them the liberâ—ie â—f the fields and the vse of bread The Estates of Poland had chosen Henry Duke of Aniou brother to our Charles for their King as wee shall see in the end of the seege of Rochell but with a promise and oth taken by the Bishop of Velence and Lansaâ— in the name of the King their master That all the Townes and persons in France molested for the cause of religion should be set at libertie At the request thereof the Ambassadors of Poland thâ—s poore people languishing for hungar yet resolute to die one after another rather then to fall into their enemies hands who threatned them with a geneâ—all massacre the nineteenth of August they obteyned of la Chastre in the Kings name To depart with their armes and baggage impunitie for such as would remaine still permission to dispose of their goods Sancâ—rre yeelded by câ—mpositâ—on promise to preserue the honour of women and maidens and to pay la Chastre forty thousand francks by the inhabitants that were absent So la Chastre entring the last of the sayd moneth dâ—smanteled Sancerre beate downe some houses tooke away the Clocke Belles and other markes of a Towne but the other pointes of the capitulation were reasonablie well obserued the Baylife Ionneau was massacred the 12. of September neere vnto la Chastres lodging Seege of Rochel Nowe followes one of the most memorable seeges that hath beene in many ages A seege where many of the Commaunders and most part of those which were noted to haue forced the Admiralls lodging began the butchery and committed so many murthers at Paris and else where came to seeke their graues The Kings army â—as held to be fifty thousand men by land and sea and threescore peeces of artilleâ—y The beseeged had a good number of gentlemen and horsemen eight companies of Inhabitants nine of strangers one of the Mayor one of voluntaries consisting of twentye Mâ—squetiers fiue and twenty armed with corselets of proofe and thirty hargue busiers the two thirds thereof were Gentlemen and such as had the charge in the former warres Yet the mildest way is the best And therefore Bâ—ron in the beginning seekes some meanes of an accord but the Rochelois discouering euery day some new practise beleeued that their preseruation consisted in distrust And a gentleman being in Rochell reuealed the intelligences which Biron had with him for the surprising of the Towne hauing alreadie drawne into the Towne some souldiars of Puigaillards and Saint Martins companies and was readie to drawe in the most resolute Captaines if the Mayor and Councell had not held it more fit by a small exemplarie execution to breake off a great and dangerous enterprise To incounter the enemie la Noue is chosen chief of the forces within the Towne without any diminution of the Maiors rights and authoritie in other things Montgoâ—â—â—â—â—â— succors could not passe la Noue sends newe deputies into England to the same 〈◊〉 but the league confirmed of late yeares betwixt our Charles and Queene Elisaâ—â—â—â— â—owe agâ—ine renewed by the baptisme of the Kings daughter whereof Elisabeth 〈◊〉 â—oâ—mother with the Empresse seemed to withdrawe the affection which was woâ—t to come from beyond the seas for the releefe of the Protestants whilest the salâ—eâ— and daylie skirmishes at Rochell inflame both the one and the other where oâ— the reason of the nerenesse of their retreat they do greatly wast the number of the 〈◊〉 The eleuenth of February the Duke of Aniou arriues at his army accompained with 〈◊〉 brother the Duke of Alanâ—on the King of Nauarre The Duke of Aniou comes â—o campe the Princes of Condé and Daulâ—â—â—né the Dukes of Longueuilâ—e Bouilâ—on Neueâ—s Aumale and Guise the yong Earle of Rochefoueault the Grand Prior and many other Noble men bringing with them a great trayne of men who for the most part would haue beene greeued they should 〈◊〉 taken this Sanctuarie and succor from the Protestants This seege was great and 〈◊〉 seeme to be of long continuance Euery man runnes thether euery one will haue 〈◊〉 share They prepare things necessarie for the batterie and in the meane time make many skirmishes Before they come to their greatest force the Duke sollicits tâ—e gentlemen and Inhabitants by letters conteyning both promises and threats They hâ—mbly shew vnto him the necessity of their defence knowing no fitter meanes to preâ—erâ—e their liues against
the enemies of the peace then to oppose force against violenâ—e and to retire themselues into well fortified places vntill it should please the 〈◊〉 tâ— prouide for a lawefull assemblie of the Estats and a free Councell The King on the other side protesting of his sincerity in matters lately passed and 〈◊〉 the fault of the outrage happened vpon the pretended conspiracie of the Admirâ—â—â— and his partisans he summons the Rochelois to open their gates to Biron or to any otâ—er hauing charge to enter into the Towne as they ought to maintayne his royall â—â—â—â—oritie and so to order it as the place may be no more at the disposition of mutins Which doing hee graunts them exercise of their religion with the like libertie as hee 〈◊〉 graunted by his Edict of pacification and withall hee takes from them all hope of sâ—ccors from England Biron Strossy Villequier and the Abbot of Gadaigne carrie the Kings promise to the Rochelois which now neglected he would neuer be perswaded by any intreaties or reâ—â—ests considering howe much the King abased himselfe vnto his subiects They â—â—â—â—ing the equity of their defence and the tirannous iniustice of the Baron of la Garde and others accept the articles offred by the King but they request that the Eâ—ict may not onely be maintayned for their priuate respect but also generally for all of â—â—eir religion in France But these were words without effect on either side The â—â—câ—elois are aduertised how the enemy approcheth with two and thirty peeces of batâ—â—â—â— and that after dinner they should keepe them in skirmish They preuent them 〈◊〉 â—allie â—orth at noone kill and hurt in one skirmish of sixe houres a hundred and 〈◊〉 men amongest the which were many Captaines la Noue had two horses 〈◊〉 vnder him three Captaines fiue soldiars and twentie hurt Thus their 〈◊〉 are set on fire and the batterie begins the one prepares to assault The Duke of Aumale slaine and the otâ—er to defend The chance â—ell vpon Claude of Lorraine Duke of Aumale Vncle to 〈…〉 of Guise slaine behinde a gabion with a peece planted vpon the bul-warke of 〈◊〉 â—uangile and the Townesmen issuing forth at the end of the battery kill many and 〈◊〉 the enemies heate Iâ— the beginning of March they trie againe wither they may winne the Rochelois 〈…〉 combat They offer them the exercise of their religion within their Towne 〈…〉 in all other places of the Realme Those of the partie might haue 〈…〉 for double dealers One day of parle was more hurtfull vnto them then 〈…〉 of warre They resolue therefore to preferre a iust warre before a 〈…〉 doâ—btfull peace Tâ—e battery is renued about thirteene thousand Cannon shot spent in that moneth shakes both the fortifications and walls many skirmishes are made euery one stâ—â—â—es to surprise his enemie and la Noue seeing his presence of no importe to the beseeged where he must yeeld all or in a manner all to the popular gouernment comes to the Dukes army where he effected more in fauour of the Rochelois being absent then present as they afterwards confessed The ordinarie sallies of the beseeged wasted the Dukes troupes daylie losing in fewe weekes aboue 20. good Captaines The batterie continues in Apâ—ill with such violence as a long wal froÌ„ the olde fountaine vnto the ende of the bulwarke d' Euangile was beate downe to the ground the bul-warke vnarmed and the Towre of Cognees beaten downe In the euening the enemie casts a bridge of wood into the trench aduancing euen vnto the bulwarke they come to the assault and winne two casemats But they dislodge them from the one with the Canâ—non from the other with a furious charge some of them remaine for a gage the rest saue them selues by flight Two hundred rondaches and coselets passe by their bridge of wood The Rochelois endure nine assaâ—lâ—â— and the Cannon playing without intermission seemed to keepe the beseeged from their defence But the women and maides running with an incredible resolution to cast wild fire and stoanes inflamed the courage of the soldiars They kill and wound and in the end force them to abandon the trench but they loose about threescore men and some Captaines Hereafter there is nothing but thundring of the Cannon both by land and sea furious assaults showers of shot planting of ladders ruines of bul-warkes sappes and mines most fatall to their authors and vntill the ende of May all the attempts that might be deuised in a mightie and obstinate seege On the other side men women and Children without feare endure the rough charges of the enemie fill vp their breaches ouerthrowe the first that mount beate backe their enemies into their treâ—ches followe after them and fight with variable successe but most commonly to the aduantage of the Townesmen hauing endured nine assaults no lesse couragiously then valiantly giuen Victualls began to growe short in the Towne the Cannons continued the battery daylie the number of the soldiars decayed they had no meanes to refresh them and many retyring themselues bred an amazement in the Towne Some of the chiefe winne many men to their wills and alreadie there were three hundred men who weary of the warre will haue a peace at what price soeuer Others deuise to seize vpon a gate to depart when they please These murmurings and diuisions cause newe paâ—â—â—â— the Duke of Aniou beeing desirous to retire with honour The last charge giuen to Rochelâ— But before the Ambassadors of Poland arriue they must trie their last force The 12. of Iune the assaylants giue a fierce scaladoe at the little breach nere to the old fountaine About a huÌ„dred or six score gentlemen mount with targetts and courtelas some get to the toppe of the mount and viewe the trench and the counterscarpe gabioned within the trench A vollee of shot ouerthrowes fifteene or twentie vpon the place and makes the rest retire The Duke himselfe is in danger but the prouidence of God reserued him for a more exemplarie ende As he beheld the breach made at the olde fountaine a soldiar shoots at him from the Towne but de Vin the master of his horse seeing the fire in the cocke steppes before him and with the willing losse of his life saued his masters In the end the Ambassadors of Poland come the 17. of Iune Peace of Rochâ—â—le to carrie away their new chosen King God vseth this meanes to deliuer Rochelle beeing vnfurnished of victualls of munition for the warre and of many hundreds of their men The King by his articles of peace made in forme of an edict grants to them of Rochell Montauban Nismes and other Townes which had mainteyned themselues free exercise of their religion and to others permission to liue in their houses without search to sollemnize Christenings and marriages after their manner without any greater assemblie then ten persons besides the parents but the saied exercise was forbidden in Court and ten Leagues round about
with them in the same religion See nowe the effects of their protestations The Baron of Grandmont marcheth into Bearne to plant the ancient religion They troupe togither within the Countrie retayne him prisoner In Viua â—z Daulpâ—inâ— and cut the most of his men in peeces Saint Romain was chiefe of the Protestants in Viuarez Mombrun in Daulphiné The first held Villeneufe the last seized vpon Orpierre Serres Meuse and by diuers courses he became terrible in the Diocesse of Die and the neighbour mountaines Thâ—se newe broyles thrust their neighbours into like reuolts and the King who thought by the abolition of the Edict of the yeare 1570. at the least by the departure of his brother into Poland and a peace granted before Rochelle to enioye an assured rest finds himselfe incombred with newe and generall combustions Those of Quercy Languedoc their neighbors Protestations against the peace of Rocheâ—le planting an order and rule for the warre and the administration of Iustice protest against this Edict terming it captioâ—s and a forerunner of of newe massacres Our Capitall enemies saied they the authors of forepassed disorders remayne the onely Councellers and gouernours of the King and his estate all the Churches of France are depriued of the publike exercise of religion sollemnly graunted and nowe by this Edict abolished all the contents of this last pacification and whatsoeuer else is promised vs are but words without effects it is a generall abolition of what is past the murtherers are absolued and no mention made of any iustâ—ce to be done to them All Ecclesiasticall discipline being forbidden vs they will plonge vs in Atheisme This treaty is but coloured by some priuate persons without any generaâ—l aduow whose approbation cannot preiudice the vniuersall boâ—ie neither ought they to yeeld to any thing without the common conâ—ent of our Churches Tâ—ese complaints and Protestations cause them to assemble at Mâ—llaâ—d and after at Montauban and there diuiding Languedoc into two gouerments thâ—â— make Montauban câ—ief of the one the Vicont of Paulin gouernour in that part Nismes of the other The 〈◊〉 in Langâ—eâ—oc for the neerenes of Seuennes and Viuarais vnder the commaâ—â—d oâ— Saint Romaine but bâ—th subiect to the authoritie of the Estates of the Countrie who gaue them councell and furnished them with money being chosen in either gouernment of the worthiest men of the Countrie yet in such sort as the particular estates of euery Diocese did in matters of importance confer by their Deputies with the estates of the whole gouernment and according to their conclusions the gouernour should carrie himselfe and receiue money from their hands To fortifie this order they decâ—â—e That the soldiars should be content with his entertainment without spoyling of the Countrie that the Townes and villages of the contrary partie should be taxed and forced to contribute for the entertaynment of garrisons to the end their labour reaping of their fruits might be free The reuenues of benefices was appointed to make a stocke of money to be imployed in their greatest affaires the which they had leysure to effect for the election of the King of Poland busied the Court and Councell in feasts dancing pleasurâ— So they man many places from whence they might at need draw forth almost twentie thousand men and by seising on the Clergie lands and the contribution which came from all parts they weaken their enemies Many Catholikes otherwise discontented growing familiar with them and beginning to ioyne their forces togither lay great desseins which shall soone breake out in all parts Matters thus handled gaue a beginning to the fift troubles in France but before it brâ—ke forth the Protestants of Languedoc sent their Deputies to the King They humbly thanke him for the affection he had seemed to haue to the maintenance of peace within his Realme and necessarie meanes to restore an estate threatned with eminent râ—ine they protest of their obedience but they beseech his Maiestie not to find it strange if they assemble to preuent the pernitious attempts of wicked Councellors who by their fraudulent and violent practises had induced him to declare himselfe both by mouth and his letters pattents to the great blemish of his reputation among strangers the Author of the massacre committed at Paris the which he had few daies before disauowed That they cannot beleeue he should willingly condiscend to so blâ—odie effects and the feare they had to fall into the like forced them to seeke all meanes they could to warranâ— themselues with the losse of their companions bloud so vniustly shed They request therefore That for the effect of the peace those of the religion shoâ—ld iâ— those Townes they held in two others of euery Prouince chosen by â—oure Deputies haue garrisons entertayned at the Kings charge the 〈◊〉 of their 〈◊〉 free and publike to all such as would demaund it the 〈…〉 Eccâ—esiasticall discipline the buriall of their dead without distinction 〈…〉 câ—urchyard the exemption of contributions for the Ceremonies of the Romish Church Reception of their children into Colleges vnder tutors of their owne reâ—â—gion Legitimation for such as should be borne of the marriage of Priests conuerted to their doctrine Eâ—ection of a new Parliament in euery Prouince composed of iudges of the same religiâ—n The tythes which they payed to the Preests to be reserued for the maintenance of their ministers Punishment of the authors Councellors and executioners of masâ—acres as theeues and distuâ—bers of the publike quiet Moreouer they demaund that the Admiral with all those that had beene murthered and that were then liuing should be reputed to haue beene and to be faithfull seruants and subiects to the King and his estate innocent of rebellion and guiltles of conspiracie A nullitie of all acts made against them as calumnious Restitution of goods honours and offices to the heires of them that were murthered Abolition of all infamous monuments and generall procâ—ssâ—â—ns instituted in memorie of so execrable a day â—heâ—e were the principall points of their propositions amongst other articles concerning the gouernment But they treated partly as humble seruants partly as armed subiects like vnto such as beg for almes with their swords in their hands And as a new alteration flyes easily and sodenly from one Prouince to another so those of Prouence Daulphiné Lionnois and others ioyne with the first and by the mouth of a Deputie present their petition and admonitions to the King The King sends hâ—m to certaine Commissioners to conferre thereof and promiseth that after he had conducted his Brother out off the realme he would do all things necessary for the contentment of his subiects The apprehension of Charles This hardy resolution taken in Languedoc and the neighbour Countries made out Charles to change both his countenance and his speech Hee sees well the more he hasted the more impatiently they did beare his Brothers departure namely the Queene mother the Duke of Guise
defence of such places as they held Colombiers escaped from Danfronâ— puts himselfe into Saint Lo with a small troupe of men where hauing encured three assaults and slaine nine or ten of their enemies Captaines with three hundred of their men in the ende hee is strooke dead with a shot the which daunted his soldiars hearts who vnfurnished of a Commander that might incourage them with the like authority toyled with long fighting they leaue the breach and their retreat abandon both the place and the liues of two hundred men to the mercie of Matignons men to make satisfaction for the death of their companions Carentan might likewise haue interred many Catholikes vnder the ruines of her waâ—les but Guitri and the chiefe of his company seeing themselues aloane in Normandie without any hope of succours went out by composition on horse-backe with their swords and the soldiars vpon condition to serue the King where hee should imploy them Herevpon letters pattents come from Henry intituling himselfe King of France and of Poland dated the fiue and twentith of Iune bearing confirmation and amplification of the Queene mothers Regencie and gouernment of the Realme Confirmation of the Queene regency Hauing therefore taken the oath of all the Gouernours and published the Kings letters pattents to make the way for her sonnes returne out of Poland shee calles for the Nâ—bility assembles the foote makes leuies of Reisires and Suisses sends to the Prince Daulphin sonne to the Duke of Montpensier and to Gordes who made war in Daulphiné That they should doe their best endeuour to ruine the Country which the Huguenoâ—â— held and chargeth the Duke of Vzez and the Lord of Ioyezue to be watchâ—uâ—◠〈◊〉 the Marshall D' Anuille with whom sâ—e had small credit in Languedoc The impâ—lâ—ning of his elder brother the exile of the two yonger Meru and Thoré and the Regents letters being intercepted had moued him yet did he swim betwixt two streamâ— and maintaining himselfe betwixt both he did nothing trust the Catholikes and not louing the Protestants he applyed himselfe vnto them as he had need of their helpe These proceedings bred some iealousie in them of Tholouse D' Anuille suspâ—cted at Tholouse but especially the truce he made with the Protestants the assignation he gaue for the assembly of the Estates of the Prouince at Montpellier the second of Iuly and the ordinary residence he made in that Towne So this Parliament by two decrees of the 19. of Iune disallowe the truce â—orbidding all persons within their iurisdiction to go or send to these pretâ—â—ded Estates appointed without the Kings permission vpon paine to bee declared rebels and breakers of the Lawes Moreouer the Protestants perswaded by this truce which gaue them some hope of peace D' Anuille associates himselfe with the Protestants began to allow of their Gouernours actions and notwithstanding 〈◊〉 aduice of some who condemned this association as threatning the ruine of their party by this coniunction they vnite their forces with the Politikes offensiue and defeâ—siâ—e against all that would assaile them These enioyed some rest whilest that 〈◊〉 cuts in peeces a regiment of the Prince Daulphins Foreward War in Dâ—ulphine and couers the 〈◊〉 of Royans with foure hundred of the brauest of his armie slaine vpon the place For a reuenge he besiegeth Alais a small Towne batters it makes a breach gâ—ues an 〈◊〉 and is repulsed but the besieged being vnable to maintaine it retire into the Castle the Prince surprisâ—th them cast some downe headlong and burnes the rest within it Oste was the second of his triumphes but Liuron stayed his course The succeâ—fuâ—l sallies of the Townesmen and the ordinarie courses of Montbrun who descending from Loriol did still keepe the Prince in alarum makes him to raise his siege and to put his men into safety The Protestants being freed on this side they were fortified on the other by the taking of Vessaux In Viuaraiz a small Towne in Viuarais by Bochegude Perigourde takes Chalenâ—ccedil on and S. Roman Nonnay for their part La Noue not to approue Katherins regencie but rather to second the Prince of Condes forces which were prepared in Germanie In Poictou was at truce with the Regent for the moneths of Iuly and August in the Prouinces of of Angoulmois Poictou and Xaintonge But the Regent hoped to subdue the Protestants of the sayd Prouinces before her sonne should arriue For the effecting whereof â—he assembles men from all parts to surprise them sodenly that they being rooted out the King should haue nothing to do but with them of Daulphiné and Languedoc So the Dâ—ke of Montpensier Chauigny Puigaillard Richelieu Bussy of Amboise and other Commanders meete at Saumur with ten thousand men and eighteene peeces of Artillery The Protestants flye speedily to armes those of Lusignan in the beginning of Iuly ouerthrow the Gentlemen of Poictou and those of â—ontenay neere vnto Nantes ouerthrow fiue hundred Hargubusiers almost all yonger brothers of the Gentlemen of Briâ—tanie These two checks thrust the Duke to the siege of Fontenay le Conte S. Esâ—ienne commanded therein with about twenty Gentlemen and foure hundred Souldiars and after some fauourable sallies hauing valiantly maintained two sharpe assaults and one scalado the 16. of September after fifteene dayes siege beginning to treate of the composition before in question behold Captaine Masserousse eyther through feare or desire to prouide for himselfe or being too confident for that they were vpon termes of capitulation giues entrance to some of his acquaintance the rest runnes thether by heapes Fontenay surâ—rised they force the breach beeing ill garded and become masters of the Towne they kill some soldiars ransome others strippe the rest and chase them away with a white wande in their hands but they vse the Towne with lesse rigour then a place taken by assault The Baron of Serignac otherwise called Terride recompenced this loâ—â—e at the â—ame time by the surprise of Castres in Albigeois and the slaughter of two hundred Italians being in garrison and Langoyran gouernor of Perigueux for the Protestants by the absolute defeate of two hundred harguebuziers whereof sixe oneâ—y escaped to carrie â—eweâ— to the rest of theâ—r partie Then Henry escaping secretly out of Poland approched the Realme The newe Kings arrival where 〈◊〉 new Crowne attended him deuising a farre off to ruine the Huguenots and to plant the only religion of his Fathers throughout the whole Realme There is no sinne â—o great sâ—ied the Emperour Maximilion vnto him as to force mens consciences and such as thinke to commande them supposing to winne heauen do often loose that which they possesse on earth The like admonitions were giuen him in all places in Austria Venice and Fiedmont they exhort him in all places to pacifiâ—â— the troubles of his Realme But comming to Lions for the first fruits of his entrie they cause him to commit a great error for as Monluc â—oats in his
commentâ—ries in steede of pacifying all things past as he might easily haue done and haue giuen vs peace they cause him to resolue vnto warre making him beleeue that entring into Daulphiné all would yeeld vnto him where as the least dog-hoole made head against him the best of his conquests could neyther recompence the bloud of his men nor the treasure he should spend in this warre The Queene mother the Dukes of Guise and Neuers the Marshall of Retz the Chancellor Birague and some other newe bread Frenchmen disposed of the affaires at their pleasure in the secret Councells of the Cabinet Bad Councelâ—loâ—â— The King did willingly giue them authority and what might bee expected of men who gladlie would people France with newe Colonies of Italians Lorrains and Piedmontoâ—s carying onely to Court Ladies from the which he had beene sequestred almost a yeare with this nation which is lesse lasciuious then ours These pernitious Councellors cause him to protest by sundrie proclamations of his loue to the good of his subiects and to abolish what was past Ill Councell so as they lay aside arâ—es deliuer him all his Townes and liue quietly in their houses without any search constraint or molestation for matter of conscience A policy practised by them to entertaine the fire of ciuill diuisions to rule in this confusion and to fortifie a third partie which in the end we shall see will oppresse the King and bring the Realme to a very miserable estate The Protestants stood then the more vpon their gards they are full of iealousie distrust doubt and feare All those pattents made no mention of libertie for their religion neither of a Parliament for the politike gouernment nor of a nationall Councell for matteâ—s of conscience And what was it to graunt vnto the Rochelâ—oâ—s libertie of conscience and to forbid the exercise of their religion for a certaine season but to keepe their partie at a gase whilest by their great preparations which were made in all parts they should bee able to put a mightie armie to field to râ—ine them without hope of rysing So they arme on all sides espeally in Poictou The Baron of Frontenay afterwards Lord of Rohan in Brittanye beeing followed by threescore gentlemen and sixe hundred good soldiars puts himselfe into Lusignan which the Duke Montpenâ—â—er threatned and according to the leysure hee gaue him hee prouided for the fortifications and all things necesâ—arie to maintayne a memorable seege which might by the meanes of some succours consume an armâ—e before the Castell Seege of Lusignan About the beginning of October the Duke incampes before it and with a batterie of about two thousand three hundred Cannon shot thinkes to drawe the beseeged to a composâ—tion Their importuneâ— them but they answer they will attend a generall peace for all them of their religion He salutes them with twelue hundred and fiftie Cannon shot more makes a breach giues an assault vpon them and is repulsed and beaten back with great losse Fiue daies after the beseeged sallie forth and to reuenge the bloud of seauen yong gentlemen sixeteene soldiars and twentie that were hurt at this first assault they cloye fiue Cannons fire their powder kill nine Captaines and many soldiars bring away many Enseigns and returne laden with spoiles armes and prisoners This disgrace dispersed a part of his campe and made him to spend all the moneth of Nouember without any attempt against the beseeged In December the Duke fortified with twelue hundred Reistres and sixe hundred French foote presseth Lusignan againe and the more to hinder them he batters downe a mill which did furnish them with meale So their hand-mills not able to suffice they began to want bread To ease them of some superfluous mouthes they craue a pasport for some gentlewomen and other persons vnfit for the warre to returne to their houses or some other places of safetie But the hatred this Prince did beare to the Protestants had more force in him than the ordinary curtesie which FrenchmeÌ„ beare vnto Ladies He supposed the wiues Children should be an vrgent sting to draw their husbands and Fathers to yeeld speedely Nowe their horses serued them for foode the soldiars almost starued tooke away the bread violently as they carried it from the Ouen they brake into many houses in the night to seeke for victualls they had no wood but mouables and the ruines of houses ill clothed ill shod ill lodged no cleane linnen toyled with continual trauell to defend themselues both aboue and vnder ground to frustrate the mines which the Duke caused to bee made two of the which in their ruines buried many of the assaylants and gaue the beseeged courage to continue firme in their resolution The 23. of the moneth they begin to thunder with eighteene Cannons and foure Culuerins and the next day they continue the same furie with fiue and twentie peeces After diner they come to the assault the showers of musket shot comming from sundrie flankes makes the enemie retire and to leaue the breach full of dead bodies The greatest force was against the rauelin of la Vacherie which being woone by the assaylants makes them retire to the Castell that had it in gard At the first port of the Castell euery man did shewe his resolution all fight in the midest of the thunder fire and smoake and fiue houres togither dispute it with a doubtfull and bloudie fight In the end both the one and the other being tired with so furious an assault take breath the beseeged remayning masters both of the Towne and Castell being reduced to foure score cuirasses and foure hundred and fiftie harguebuziers resolute to liue and die both in the defence of the place and of their quarrell hoping that la Noue would finde meanes to send them some releefe Lasignan yeelded Not courage but force fayled them So as Frontenay the 25. of Ianuary accepted the articles of composition which the Duke offred vnto him by the Collonel Sarrieu Himselfe and his gentlemen to depart with their armes horses and baggage the Captaines and other Commanders euery one with a curtall if they had any their armes and baggage the soldiars with their harguebuzes their matches out and their Enseignes wrapt vp the gentlewemen and all others that would depart safely to be conducted to their houses or else to Rochelle Thus it was concluded This seege caused aboue twelue hundred men to be slaine a great number to bee maimed and ruined a mighty armie They endured ten thousand Cannon shot with many assaults and lost 25. gentlemen and about two hundred soldiars And the Duke for a memory of his losses caused the Castel of Lusignan to be razed being in former times one of the goodliest fortresses in Europe Such conquests were of more difficultie in Daulphiné the Protestants had mo places and mo Captaines at their deuotion Pousin Liuron Priuas and others did greatly hinder thetrafficke of Marseilles and Lions and
some running into Piedmont had charged the Kings baggage returning from Poland To reuenge these insolencies the king sends the Prince Daulphin to beseege Poussin eighteene thousaÌ„d men beseege it on either side of the riuer of Rhone Pâ—ustâ— beseeged in the beginning of October foureteene great Cannons batter it and make a breach Rochegude and Pierregourde defend it with a wonderfull slaughter of the enemie and so terrefied the rest of the army as all were 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 vp their baggage but â—odenly the wall shaken with tâ—e 〈◊〉 and oâ—ercharged with earth cast vp for the trenches within the Towne falles downe to the 〈◊〉 So the Towne lying open and the ruines noâ— to be repayred during the seege the place being too straight Saint Romain after many inroadâ— and sharpe skirmishes 〈◊〉 into it and iudging that in the ende it would be forced hee drewe out off it men women and children and puttâ—ng them into Priuas in safety hee abandoned and left 〈◊〉 to the beseegers mercie who entring by heapes spoile sacke burne and make the place desolate and by the taking thereof they recouer a part of Viuarais Grane â—oziol and Roinac beeing vnable to endure the Cannon made easie the approches of Lâ—ron But let vs vewe the estate of Languedoc The Qâ—eene Mother and those of Guise 〈◊〉 of Languâ—doc desired infinitly to dispossesse the Marshall dâ— Anâ—ilâ—e of his gouernment for hee crossed their aduancement with all his power and stayed them from proceeding as gladly they would against his elder brother being a prisoner But yet if hee â—ad not fortified his estate with the Protestants partie wâ—o were then strong in Languedoc hardly could hee subsist amongest so many and so mightie enemies He therefore in open assemblie of the estates at Montpelier ioynes himselfe with them according to the declarations lately published by the Prince of Condé and the people of Languedoc hee sets downe the causes of this his newe and forced taking of armes The Vicont of Turene his sisters sonne doth likewise publish his of the same substance Thoré and Meru bretheren and the Earle of Ventadour brother in Lawe to the sayd Marshall ioyne with him The Duke of Alenson seemes to sauour it but the euent will shewe whether it were fraudulent or with a sincere inteâ—â— This reuolte amazed the Court and to stoppe the course thereof the Queene mother doth presently by gratious letters inuite the Marshall to some agreement But giâ—ing the Protestants but a simple libertie of conscience shee debarres them of the publike exercise of their religion The Marshall protests of his affection to the common good of this Realme and assures the like desire to bee in his associats but with all hee shewes that the Councellors who by that horrible and infamous massacre the 24. of August had caused the deceased King to breake the last Edict of pacification gouerning at this day the helme of the affaires it was very difficult to establish a firme peace the which may no way subsist vnlesse the exercise of both religions may be indifferently allowed within the realme So this treatie of peace remayning fruitelesse the Qâ—eene mother changeth â—er countenance and labors by diuers practises but in vaine the alliance being yet too fâ—esh to sowe diuision betwixt the Marshall and his associats and yet by sundrie massacres continues this pretended parle of a generall peace in France But it could not be concluded with such conditions as the King required That all his Townes should fiâ—st bee yeelded vnto him without exceptions and then would he graunt his subiects peace The Prince Daulphin hauing leâ—t the commande of the Kings armie to the Marshall of Belâ—egarde Liuron honored with a second seege hee comes in the midest of December to campe before Liuron Roesses a gentleman of Daulphiné commanded there with about foure hundâ—ed men but full of resolution and great valour in a hillie place strong of situation but then of no fame amongest the other Townes of Daulphiné Foureteene companies of the Kings gards eleauen Enseignes of Suisses twelue Ensâ—ignes of Harguebuziers and Daulphinois nine Enseignes of Piedmont three hundred men of the olde bandes foure companies of men at armes and eight Corners oâ— Reistres beseege it on all parts Two and twenty great peeces of batterie planted in tâ—ree parts do batter it and aâ—ter eleauen hundred Cannon shot make a breach of sixe hâ—ndred paces The Marshall was not satisfied with this ruine hee will haue all battered downe and with a generall ouâ—rthrowe fiâ—l vp the trench They make a greater breach with a newe battery of foureteene hundred Canon shot He recouers the trench and maâ—â— defences for his men All this doth nothing amaze the beseeged but contrariwise to shewe that they haue force to defend themselues and that they mâ—st haue great dexterity and resolution to take them they tie to the ende of a Pike a horse shooe a paire of mittens and a cat they lift vp the pike as if they would say Marshal this cat is not taken without mittens Such was the estate of Liuron when as the King so iourning at Auignon beeing in penury for money to supplie his excessiue charge and prodigallity Charles Cardinall of Lorraine labouring the marriage of Henry with Lowyse of Lorraine daughter to the Earle of Vaudemont his kinswoman Cardinall of Lorraine dies and to furnish this excessiue and stâ—tely pompe aduising the King to sell for a hundred thousand crownes in benefices waâ— surprised with a feuer and falling from a feuer into a frensie he died the 23. of December in the midest of a cruell tempest and violent whirlewind which vncouered the houses and loosened the barres of iron in the Carthusiens Couent in the suburbes of Auignon Some impute this death to the smelling of a certaine precious purse which was giuen him full of rare peeces of gold with the Queene Mothers priuity whom the foresayd treaty of marriage which the Cardinall did practise made remember the crosses she had suffered after the marriage of Francis the â— her eldest sonne foreseeing that this newe alliance tended but to restore the house of Guise to the same authority they had enioyed vnder the raigne of the said Francis Others did attribute it to the blowes the Cardinall had giuen himselfe vnder colour of deuotion in the company of them 〈◊〉 beat themselues in the sharpest time of winter Others applied â—t to â—â—e iust iudgement of God vpon this Prelate who drawing all his greatnesse and all 〈◊〉 meanes from the Clergy of France would yet perswade the King to so 〈…〉 alienation of goods appointed for the vse of the Church whatsoeuer it were Nâ—twithstanding the strict familiarity which the Queene mother had with the 〈◊〉 yet did she giue this testimony of him after his death That the 23. of 〈◊〉 most wicked man was dead And the people both farre and neere said 〈…〉 storme in the ayre noted that this man hauing by cuâ—sed 〈…〉 his house
amazed with this prosperous successe hastens the deputies of the Prince of Condè Negoâ—iation of peaâ—e of Xaintonge of Daulphiné and Languedoc they come to Paris the tâ—nth of Aprill they present letters to the King from the Prince and Mâ—rshall and demaunde free exercise of their religion throughout all France newe Chambers in the Paâ—liament for the administration of iustice punishement of the murtherers eâ—se of impostâ—s a free assemblie of the Generall Estates and an assurance for the entertaynment of the pretended peace Fifteene dayes are spent in disputes wordes and discourses The King promiseth to content them all but hee will haue them referre these demaunds to his will Finally hee grauntes vnto the Protestants To remaine where they pleased within the Realme safetie for their persons without any search for matters of any conscience lyuing in peace and modestly vnder the obedience of his Edicts Exercise of their religion in those places they held except at Montpellier Castres Aiguesmortes and Beaucaire The like priuileges for Lords of feee for themselues their â—ouse-hold seruants and all other in their houses And as for other gentlemen that haue no such fees exercise for them and their familâ—es but wâ—thout the Townes and suburbes ten Leagues from Paris and two Leagues â—â—om Court Too weake â—rticles to content them who see their affaires so succesâ—â—ll or to stay such as seekiâ—g â—nnouations were transported with future hopes The Councell â—eâ—red it neyther were they other then wordes without effects And vpon refâ—â—all made to â—iue vnto the deputies a coppie of the Kings answeres to the petition and articâ—eâ— preâ—ented by them to the ende they might shewe them to the assemblie of the Câ—â—federates the treatie vanished into smoake and serued onely to bring forth motiues of newe confusions Rochegude beginnes in Viuaraiz Those of Lions had recoâ—ered Andance a small Towne vpon the Rhone and fearing least Nonnay would liâ—eâ—iâ—e bee lost hee marcheth to supplie it with men Vpon the way hee incountreth the enemie chargeth them and puts them in route but hee gettes a great and a deadâ—y wounde Thiâ— death and the approch of the Duke of Vzez to the seege of Beys troubles theâ— of Viuarais more then before Pierregourde succours them and with the aâ—de of a hundred and fiftie men giues meanes to the gouernour of Beys to defend the Towne against the Duke that beseeged it vntill the beginning of May. The Dâ—ke hauing left it they within the Towne issue forth they kill aboue three hundred and nothing staies them but the resistance made of the Suisses from carrying away or cloying of his artillerie If the Dukes forces and threates preuayled little against these men his money and promises did lesse Hee shippes his artillery vpon the riuer of Rhone â—aâ—â—eth his Campe and by the houses which he burnt to ashes he gets the ill will and curse of the people both farre and nere for that hee growe so bitter against them â—hom lately he maintayned so couragiously These parties thus diuided bred newe seditions At marseilles the people being risen against the Customers and Tollegatherers runne to the Custome house take their bookes of accounts registers weights and measures and cast them into the sea Some other Townes of Prouence followed this example Some called the shauen beeing a troupe of malcontents shauen after a certaine manner to bee knoâ—ne arme against Treasorers and receiuers The Baron of Alemagne Orezon Establon and other heads of the Protestants held Lourmarin Riez Seiâ—e and some other small Townes in the Prouince To conclude there are so many factions so many parties as one destroyes an other The Lord of Vins goes to field and reduceth to the Kings obedience all these last conquestâ— except Seine and some other places there abouts Montbrun on the other side made his forces fearefull in Daulphiné but his too great leâ—itie to his souldiars made him to purchase much iâ—l will and manie enemies Chastillon a village neere vnto Die strong by reason of the Castell did annoye it Francis of Bonne Lord of Diguieres who commaunded in those part resolues to pull this thorne out of their foote Gordes gouernour of Daulphiné for the King makes hast to crosse his attempt Montbrun postes theâ—her through the mountaines and descending into the plaine hee chargeth Gordes thrice The night comes and endes the conflict Montbrun hauing lost eight men and Gordes sixe and twentie Les Diguieres approcheth in hast but the next day the thirteenth of Iune Montbrun not satisfied with this aduantage forceth his enemies to fight and puts them to route Gordes saues himselfe within Die. Two and twentie Enseignes of Suisses which hee had drawne from the Duke of Vzez after the seege of Beys performe wondrous feates of armes they make it good and rather die then giue backe but they are encountred by a generous resolution who no lesse couetous of glorie then they were enemies of a shamefull flight strewes the place with nine hundred carkases carrie away eighteene Enseignes 〈◊〉 defeats Goâ—des and by the death of Freulich their Colonel and of sixteene braue Captaines Montbrun winnes an absolute and famous victorie Du Bar and Gouuernet his Lieutenants seconde him by the defeate of the whole companie of the Earle of Beine Such is the daylie change of humane things which makes him by a pittifull Catastrophe to fall sodenly who lately seemed to bee raised vp to the highest degree of honour Gordes beeing prest within Dieâ— calles for all the forces of the Countrie Montbrun charged the first that shewed themselues in a straight whereof part beeing slaine and part flying they giue the alarme to the whole armie But whilest the Argoletiers of Montbrun are busie at the spoile a huge troupe of horse enuiron him where vertue yeelding to the multitude after a long conflict they force through his troupes His men beeing dispersed flie some heere some there Himselfe thinking to leape a ditch his horse falles and breakes his thighe So beeing forced to yeeld Rochefort his Cousin and Vrche who commaunded the troupes sweare to saue his life and cause him to be carried to Crâ—st Hee lost in this hot â—kirmish two and twentie men Du Bar among the rest Montbrun ouerthrowne a braue and galant young Gentleman the others lost two hundred whereof some of them by their most famous valour left a wonderfull griefe to them that suruiued Two and thirtie prisoners were taken with Montbrun the which were freed for their ransome but hee being tryed by the Parliament of Grenoble Taken and vniuâ—â—ly put to death but after a double charge from the King and Queene Mother not according to the Lawe of armes but as one guiltie of high Treason ended the remainder of his life vpon a scaffold whome alreadie the griefe of his hurt had halfe mortified The historie commends this gentleman to haue beene valiant modest iust noâ— couetous no exactor but as â—ee haue noted too milde to his souldiars who for an vndiscreet
reuenge of his deaâ—â— did afterwards commit wonderfull spoiles about Grenoble The wisedome valour age and happinesse of the Lord of Diguieres hath sence giuen good testimonie Les Diguieres â—â—iefe in Daulphiné that they had â—eason to choose him to succeed Montbrun and to bee Lieutenant to the Prince of Condé For the first fruits of his gouernment hee restored martiall discipline as much as the time would suffer him prouided for the garrisons and by composition surprises and force brought many newe Conquests to the partie Xaintonge was likewise dismembred by the enterprises and ordinarie courses of two parties Amongest others Landereau had gotten the Isle of Ré but loosing it the same day hee gaue the Rochâ—â—ois meanes to enlaâ—ge their limitts Such were the confusions which diuided both the Prouinces and the affections of this Realme But the time nowe calles vs to a strange consideration happened eyther by policie and of purpose or else accidentally as it chanceth often in worldly affaires whereof the wise of this world can make their prouident commoditie to drawe forth all such fruits as mans wisdome giues them hope to produce at all euent But hee that â—owndes the botome of mans heart laughes from aboue and when hee pleaseth euen when as man dreames not of it hee confoundes the wisdome of the wise the fooles in their â—ollie and the malitious in their owne malice The Duke of Alençon sâ—emed to liue in great famyliarity with the King sence his returne from Poland into France Katherine sayed that this reconciliation of the two Bretheren was the meanes to maintayne the Realme in peace But the Councells practises and negotiations tooke an other course then was expected The Prince of Condes affaires prospered on the other siâ—e the Rhin Those of Languedoc preferred the defence of their liberties with the hazard of their liues before the yoake of a doubtfull and disloyall peace Therefore to destroy at once the generall forces of the Protestants which threatned most dangerous effâ—cts to come the Court a good schoolemisters of dissimulations must take an other vnaccustomed habit Doubtlesse Katherine gaue many of these instructions to her Children and the issue will shewe vs that thâ—re were many of her deuises in the managing of the following affaires Sodenly the Duke of Alenson seemes discontented The Duke of Alenson 〈…〉 Hee cannot sayeth hee haue iustice of the outrages were done him in keeping him prisoner they disdaine him those of Guise are preferred by reason of the Queene their Cousin the Kings wife his presence seemes oâ—â—ensiue to the King who can endure no companion nor any great man neeâ—e him Thus it is bruted in all parts That the Duke of Alençon is in verie bad termes with the King These horse-leeches of the Court who by publike troubles aduanced their priuate affaires buzzed in his eares hee beleeues them and many of the Nobles ioyne with him the King and Queene mother and the Counceâ—l seeme to bee amazed thereat In the ende hee leaues the Court the sixeteenth of September and meeting manie Gentlemen halfe a League from Paris hee retires to Dreux thether repaired daylie vnto him newe troupes of the Nobilytie of both religions and amongest manie some inwarde seruants to the Queene mother namely Bussy of Amboyse a bloudie wicked and a furious man This departure causeth newe broyles and murmuâ—ing in Court Euery man thinkes euerie man speakes according to his owne imagiâ—ation or desire Some beleeue verilie the two Bretheren are at discorde that the Dâ—ke not able to endure the braâ—adoes of them of Guise whome hee abhorres and loues not as the authors of publike confusions goes to ioyne with the Protestants and 〈◊〉 to augment his portion and by their common forces to plant a peace in France Most of the Protestants were fiâ—led with pleasing hopes promising themselues a golden world vnder this pretended reformer But the cleere sighted remember what â—as past and by the present estate iudge of the future They knowe well the stâ—ange 〈◊〉 variable humour of the Mother and say that shee vseth the dissembling of her Câ—â—ldren as a laste for all feete that hauing preuailed litle with the Lions skinne shee 〈◊〉 now put on the foxes that shee finds the Duke fit to intrappe them seeing that botâ— Protestants and Politikes seeke him ioyntly to vndertake their quarrells and to make him their head that being yong and of small iudgement neither greatly carefull of religion or the reformation of the state there wâ—s no likelyhoode hee should runne this course without their instruction who had kept him so long in their power Thus men discoursed but we commonly beleeue that for certaine which we most desire All other aduice is reiected They hope from the Duke of Alençon both the safety and the protection of the Realme Hee The Dukes declaration to maintayne so commendable a reputation giues an account of his actions by a publike declaration proâ—ests to imploye his forces meanes and life to banish the troublers of the publike quiet to pursue iustice for all robberies thefts murthers and massacres to restore Noblemen gentlemeâ— and others beeing prisoners or wrongfully banished to their goods offices and honours to abolish all taxes imposts and extraordâ—nary subsidies to mâ—intayne the ancient lawes of the Realme to defend the Nobility and Clergie in their priuileges freed â—â—es and liberties and by a generall and free assembly of the three Estats to coâ—fiâ—me a good firme and sure peace in France hee takes all naturall Frenchmen of both religions into his protectâ—on and vntill that a holy Councell may decide the contrâ—uersies which diuided their soules he exhorts them to liue in brotherly loue and to suffer euerie man to eâ—ioye the exercise thereof This declaration is followed by letters to the Prince of Condé the Marshall d' Anuille to the Earle of Ventadour Viconte of Tureâ—ne and to the chiefe among the Protestants the most part of them receiue leaues of paper for an vndoubted oracle Wherof â—ome saied they should shortlie haue all things at their wil but it was without effect and conâ—â—ary to promises The Prince of Condé labored then for great succors in Germanie Gâ—rmanie succors promised to the Prince of Conde This publication comes happily to dispose Frederic Elector and Conte Palatin to make a league with â—im That they should not lay aside armes vntill the King had giuen the gouernment of Metz Thoul and Verdun to Duke Iohn Casâ—mir his sonne the places and reuenues depeâ—ding on the sayd Bishoprickes for the entertaynment of the necessary garrisons vnder the Kings authority and free exercise of the reformed religion That the King â—â—ould giue him an honorable entertaynment and to the Protestants of Languedoâ— an annuall pension of sixe thousand Crownes And a mutuall protestation both by 〈◊〉 heads of Germanie and France to do their best endeauour for the good of France All this must needes feede the people with hope to preuent all future tâ—oubles But the Prince
should be freed from all charges of warre and such as were no Gentlemen should bee eased of Subsidies for sixe yeares Hee disanulled all iudgements giuen since the decease of Henry the second in hatred of religion and lately against the Politickes Hee freed the Admirall and all others murthered from infamie restoring their children to all theâ—r goods Hee restored La Molle Coconnas and others executed or condemned for contempt to their honours Hee aduowed the taking of Armes by the Duke of Alenson and his associates as taken for his seruice giuing him the Towne of La Charité for two yeares Hee appointed a Parliament at Blois in Nouember following Hee cleered the Marshalls of Montmorency and Cossé of all accusations held them for innocents restored them to their former libertye and acknowledged them for faithfull seruants to the King and officers of the Crowne The Edict conteyned many other articles depending vpon the former and was allowed by the Parliament of Paris the 14. of May. So the Queene Mother granted much to many to giue nothing to any but to the Duke her sonne who alone gotte more then all the rest together Also Duke Casimir had no sooner turned his backe from France but they began to finde this peace to bee counterfet beeing made onely to disarme them and to diuide the Commanders The Prince of Condè did first feele the breach of these promises They denie him his gouernement of Picardie some seize vpon Peronne Breache of the peace and put in practise a strange peece of worke Diuerse enterprises vpon the Princes person make him to leaue the Duke of Alanson and to retyre into Guyenne to the King of Nauarre whom those of Rochell receiued into their Towne with much honour and great triumphing the eyght and twentith of Iune All such of his traine as they suspected were excluded Vpon deniall of Peronne the King granted to the Prince the Towne of Saint Iean d' Angely but the inhabitants had a watchword and a mutuall othe after the example of a priuate league made by three score Gentlemen of Poitou Preparatiues of new troubles who would haue no exercise but of the Catholike religion to maintaine one another and not to giue accesse to any one of what religion soeuer to the ende their quiet might no wayes at all bee disturbed or molested The Prince seeing himselfe to haue this repulse hee caused some Captaines to enter secretly and then assured himselfe of the place It was then found very weake for the assurance of his person against so many enemies that sought his death Hee therefore discouers a certaine practise against him but fatall to the Author alone In the ende of October hee takes Brouage a strong place neere vnto Rochelle The Catholickes murmure against him and accuse him as a disturber and breaker of the peace Contrarywise hee demanded Iustice against them that had seized on Peronne as troublers of the publicke quiet and guiltâ—e of treason The Protestants likewise complaine vnto the King That in diuers places they are disquieted in the exercise of their religion granted by the Edict That many Preachers mooue the people to sedition That the Chambers of both religions are not erected That Iustice is denyed them That both great and smaâ—l bandie against them And they produce ample and certaine proofes of these complaints and griefes 1567. Then those of the house of Guise studied to discouer those terrible proiects wâ—ich they had long hatched The cloake of religion was a plausible and fauourable pretexâ— to aduance the desseines of their pretensions Thâ— prâ—ct ses of the house of Guise They had of many yeares especially vnder Francis the 2. disputed of their beginning and of the rights which falâ—lie they pretended to haue vnto this Crowne Charles and Henry were become odious tâ—e first by his violences the last by his dissolutions Francis Duke of Aniou for hereafteâ— he shall carry that title had lately troubled France and was taken for a tuâ—bulent Prince a title vnpleasing to the people The diuision for matters of conscience seemed sufficient to keepe back the chiefe Princes of the bloud the rest were weake both of age and power Those of Guise in the meane time had neither forgotten liberalitie curtesie nor shew of zeale in piety to winne the Catholikes hearts The Queene Mother vsed them for a purpose that by the mutuall ruine of the one and the other she might maintaine her authoritie But their fauours within the realme were not auaileable The Protestants crossed them infinitely At Rome and in Sâ—aine they must seeke a forraine support They finde it fitly at Rome and in Spaine The Pope gouernes Catholikes consciences and great men do still finde in religion a well coloured pretext to trouble the State The King of Spaine feared least the peace of this realme should breed him warres The Prince of Auranges and manie Townes of the Lowe Countries cast themselues already into the Kings protectâ—on against the Spanish tyrannie They sollicite the Dâ—ke of Aniou instantâ—y and propound conditions vnto him which make him to open both eares and mouth and already many Gentlemen and Captaines armed for this quarrell So both the Consistorie at â—ome and the King of Spaine might well countenance these desseignes grouâ—ded especially vpon the defence of the Catholike religion the one for the zeale hee carries to the rooting out of heresie the other for the profit he reapes by our common diuisions And therefore those of Guise send their Agents to Rome with instructions and sheâ— That by the negligence of Kings issued from the house of Valois descending from the line of Hugh Capet in the which there appeared none but were dull or heretikes the Catholike religion decayed in this realme whilest that the race of Charlemaigne honoured with the blessing of the Romaine seate the which subsists not but by that race from the which they will make the world beleeue that they are descended in the direct masculine and lawfull line remaines despised although it be ready to serue the Church faithfully and that there liue at this day Princes of that race commendable for their vertues ready to spend their bloud and meanes to augment the dignitie of the Church and for the destruction of hereticks And therefore they beseech the Consistory to approue and fauour their desseignes Their chiefe desseignes were to ouerthrow the succession brought in by Hugh Capet Their desseignes in the full assembly of the Estates and to make the naming of a successor subiect vnto the sayd Estates to cause the Princes of the bloud that should oppose against the decrees of the Estates to be declared incapable to succeed vnto the Crowne And the residue of what qualities soeuer Noblemen Gentlemen and others degraded of their dignities the money growing of their confiscations to bee imployed for the warre and their bodyes to bee executed A reward to bee appointed for them that should roote out such as could not be
apprehended To make the Estates protest to liue and dye in the faith set downe by the Councel of Trent to cause it to be signed in the open Parliament To reuoke and disanull all publike Edicts in fauour of the Protestants and their associates and to pursue them to the death that should hinder the extirpation of heresies To cause the King to reuoke the promises made vnto the Protestants and to prescribe a certaine time vnto their associates in the which they should present themselues before the Ecclesiasticall Iudges to be absolued and then to be sent vnto the King to purchase pardon of the crimes committed against his Maiestie To cause the King to name a Lieutenant generall a Prince capable of experience and fit to encounter the rebellion of Princes that should seeke to hinder the effect of the precedent articles and who neuer had had part societie nor communication with heretikes 1476 to whome both hee and his Ancestors had euer beene professed enemies And to require his Maiestie to honour the Duke of Guise with that charge being indued with all the perfections requisite in a great Captaine and woâ—thie of that Commission To cause Iudges to bee appointed to examine the crime committed by the Duke of Alensoâ— declaring himselfe cheefe of the Heretikes authorising the exercise of herâ—sie and forcing his Lord and brother to augment his portion To cause the sayd Dâ—ke to come to Court with the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé and by ordinary and extraordinary forces to seize vpon the said Duke King Prince and all other that had accompanied them and followed them in their enterprises To cause such Captaines as the parrishes should giue to the Duke of Guise to put all Protestants their adherents and complices to the sword both in the Countrie and in walled Townes To subdue by force or intelligence the reuolted Prouinces to be masters of the field to blocke vp the Townes that were opposite and to put all to fiâ—e and sword that would make head against them And after this goodly and infallible victorie hauing wonne the loue of the Clergie Nobilitie and people to take exemplary punishment of the Duke of Aniou and his complices then by the Popes consent and permission to put the King and Queene into a monasterie as Pepin his Ancestor did in former time to Childeric and for an acknowledgement and in fauour of the Romaine Sea to abolishe the liberties and priuileges of the French Church These highâ— and great proiects were harkened vnto receiued and fauoured in the Court of Rome from that time those of Guise did not cease to dreame of the meanes to aduance the effects But this was to reckon without their host They haue compassed some of their conclusions but the end proued quite contrary to their meanings wherein wee admire a most singular prouidence of the King of Kings whereby hee hath vnto this day mâ—raculously balanced and in the end by his singular grace setled the estate of this Realme The articles of this association were fiâ—st drawen at Peronne in Picardie but disgâ—ised with goodly shewes The first League at Pâ—â—ronne to blind them that would examine them more exactly which were to maintaine the Law of God â—o restore the holy seruice thereof To preserue the King and his Successors in the Estate dignitie seruice and obedience due vnto him by his subiects To restore vnto the Estates of the Realme their rights preheminences and ancient liberties And for the execution of these articles a certaine forme of oath was propounded inflicting paines of eternall damnation to the associats that for any pretext whatsoeuer should withdrawe themselues from this League and a bond for such as should bee enrolled to imploy their goods persons and liues to punish by all meanes to ruine the enemies and perturbeâ—s thereof and to punish them that should faile or make any delaies by the authoritie of the head as he should thinke good This done there were nothing but posts carrying the first newes of these dessâ—ines They cast many libels throughout the streets in many good Townes they murmure that they arâ— too much supported by the Edict they practise some to serue as firebrands to kindle a new warre and vnder this plausible and commendable title of the name of the Church and diuine seruice the people a fit matter to nourish ciuill diuisions giues eare to such as seeke to thrust them into mutinie The King was daily aduertised of new complots Hee found that this match did kindle a fiâ—e of perpetuall combustions within his Realme On the other side hee hated the Protestâ—nts and would ruine them by degrees but not by such instruments as wrought without his authoritie His mother likewise hated them to the death and greatly deâ—ired the ruine of the heads being well content that these confusions should still diuide the French so as holding the staffe in her hand shee might terrifie her children and maintaine her authoritie make warre and giue peace whensoeuer shee pleased 1576. Thus she causeth the Duke of Alenson to come to the Court and the King to eâ—tertaine his subects of both religions The Duke of Aâ—erâ—â—n reconciled to the King in hope of better concord by meanes of 〈◊〉 reconciliation and to cut off all new factions he deferred the generall assembly of the Estates vnto the fifteenth of December following He presumed likewise that all hâ—s subiects abhorring the ruine of Townes the desolation of Countries and the spoyle of Strangers would gladly prefere the entertaynment of a peace sollemnly sworne before the continuance of warre and by this meanes hee should preuent all tuâ—bulent persons and bridle the Protestants whome he ment to consume otherwise then by open warre whereby neither his predecessor nor he himselfe had gotten any honorable triumphes The day appointed for the Estates comes the King himselfe begins it Hee â—aments the calamities of his realme The beginning of the Parliament whereof the tender age in the â—hich â—is brotheâ— and himselfe were in the beginning of these ciuill warres may well iust fiâ— them that they were not the authors and motiues Hee protests to haue no desseine nor desire but for the safetie and quiet of his people whose miseries hee would redeeme â—ith the price of his life Hee coniures the assembly to assist him in his hoâ—y res lution To deuise some meanes to redeeme the lands of the Crowne engaged for aboue a hundred millions of gold to vnite themselues firmely togither to roote out all â—eeâ—s of partialiâ—ies to reforme abuses establish Iustice and to restore the Realme to the ancient dignitie Birague the Chancellor adds the rest but the two maine poâ—â—ts of 〈◊〉 speech were to â—ustâ—fie the Queene mothers gouernment and to demand moâ—ey â—eter d' Espinac Arch-bishop of Lion and the Baron of Senecey are speakers the 〈…〉 the Clergie the other for the Nobilâ—tie and both conclude a publike exercise of one onely religion in
ruine the house of Bourbâ—n and to aduance that of Guise sowe a pernitious seed of rebellion throughout the Citty and frame a petty Councell of the chiefe Cittizens who take the câ—arge of the sixteene quarters of the Citty and Sâ—burbes to practise all they could aâ—d to entertaine them with discourses grounded vpon the malice of the time full of schisme heresie and tyrannie This petty Councell compounded of Rocheâ—lond Compans a Marchant Cruce a Proctor La Chapelle Louchart a Comissarie aâ—d Bussy le Clâ—â—â— a Proctor brought their deliberations and proiects to the grand Councell â—hich coâ—sisted of Doctors Curats Preachers and other men of marke Iâ— short time they make a great brotherhood and fiâ—ding themselues strong they adueâ—tise the Duke of Guise of the affection of the good Catholikes of Paris that is the name which the Leaguers challenged to themselues and their zeale to the preseruation of religion and the rooting out of the contrary and the ruine of tyrannie Hee conferres with his bretheren and sends both to giue and to take an othe in an assembly held in Reims a place at Paris Then the most fact ous are sent to the Townes and Prouinces of the realme with good instructions to ioyne new confederates to their body vnder a pretext to fight against heresie and tyrannie Trumpets of rebellion Then might we haue seene the chiefe pillars ouerthrowne that support a Prince loue and authoritie and hatred and contempt to supply their places The Preachers publikely in all places diâ— terme the King a tyrant and fauourer of heretikes The people did applaud them and from this deadly hatred which they had conceiued against the King his Councell aâ—d fauourites sprung that fury which was soone after dispersed ouer all the body of France The better to countenance this League they present it to Pope Gregorie the 13. that he might blesse it and declare himselfe the God-father The League presented â—o the Pope as made for the ornament and support of the Catholike and Apostolike Romane Church Gregory was well pleased they should attempt any thing against the Huguenots but he did not approue those popular rebellions which were made against a most Christian and Catâ—olike King neither would he be the fire-brand of a warre which he could not quench And â—o he sent the Deputies back without aâ—y answer But not approued The Leagâ—e impatient to attend the resolution of Rome layes open his desseignes and makes them plausible causing one of the chiefe Princes of the bloud to be an actor and carry the bable They publish that the King dying without children hee hath no heyre nor successour but the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince broken in yeares without hope of issue or to suruiue the King who was sound lustie and yong But they secretly season the simple peoples mindeâ— wiâ—h that vniust vsurpation of the Capets vpon the â—eires of Charlemagne they Print Bookes they cast forth diuâ—rs Libels yea some Preachers make it the text of tâ—eir Sermons Two principall fire-brands inflame the League Assembly at Montaubaâ— The assembly made by the King of Nauarre and the Depâ—ties of that party at Montauban to resolue of the meanâ—â— to mainteine themselues if the League abusing the Kings name and authoriâ—ie should seeke to offend them And the voyage of the Duke of Espernâ—n to the Kâ—ng of Nauarre to conferre priuately with him in the Kings name 1585. The chiefe of the League presume that the King meanes to arme and to impâ—oye the King of Nauarres forces against them D Espernons voyage into Gasconiâ— They seeke to preuent him and to that intent they send forth many Commissions but least any should controule them they cloake them with the Kings name wherwith they maintaine themselues to be well allowed as a thing done for his Maiesties seruice The King in the end of March desauowes them and forbids all leuies of men of warre Motiues of the League To iustifie themselues and their rysing they publish the motiues of the Cardinall of Bourbon who notwithstanding serued them but as a Cipher with the Princes Noblemen Townes and Catholike Commonalties to oppose themselues against heretikes That they had contemned the resolution of the Estates to make warre against heretikes and to disanull all Edicts made in their fauour That the succession of the King of Nauarre whereof hee hath conceiued a great hope sence the death of the Duke of Aniou would cause great confusions within this realme That preparations were alreadie made both within and without That by an accord made at Magdebourg the fifteenth of December last past the troupes of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Condé the Queene of England the King of Scottes the Count Palatin the Dukes of Saxony Pomerania and Wirtemberg of the Landgraue of Hessen the Suisses and other Protestants should ioyntly enter into France before the fifteenth of Aprill next following That the Huguenots would not yeeld vp the Townes which they held for the assurance of the last Edict of peace That there is great abuse in the prouision of offices in the leuies of money in the inuention of excessiue imposts Then they complaine of the mignons in Court who abusing the Kings name and bountie keepe the Princes and Noblemen that were truely Catholike from all accesse to his Maiesty perswading him that it is necessary for the preseruation of his Estate to diminish their authority they braue the Nobility dispose of gouernments in fauour of their followers wast the treasure oppresse the people restrayne the libertie of Iustice ruine the Clergie with tenthes and extraordinarie charges And then they declare That these iust motions and the sodennesse of the mischiefe had thrust them into armes the small credit they had with the King hauing no other meanes to let him vnderstand their complaints and in the end they protest that their taking armes was onely to restore the Church of God to her true and auncient dignity vnder the exercise of one religion throughout the realme To restore the Nobility to their honour and freedome to ease the people of extraordinarie charges inuented since the raigne of Charles the ninth and not to imploy the money leuied thereby but for the Kings seruice To require the King to prouide for his succession against the publike and priuate calamities which the pretentions and contentions for the same might cause and to chase from the Court such as abused his fauour and authority In the ende they protest and vowe not to laie downe armes vntill their proposition bee fully executed and that his Maiestie had preuented the daunger the feare whereof hath made them to take armes These false impressions had wonderfully incensed the people but when as they talke to them of a sinode held at Montauban and of a Diet in Germanie where they complotted to inuade France and to chase away both masse and Priestes they take the words of these passionate men for Oracles of truth They presse
King without consideration of the priuate interest he hath in this 〈◊〉 reuolt hath made a peace with his enemies and hath armed them with his owne forces and authority against his estate his bloud and himselfe He laies open by a pâ—blike declaration the causes which mooued the League to take armes the vanity o◠〈◊〉 pretexts the fâ—â—rts which all France may expect by the treaty of Nemours and theâ— with the Prince of Condé his Cousin the Marshall d' Anuille hereafter Dâ—ke of Montmoâ—â—ncy by the death of his eldest brother and in the following raigne Constable of France and other Noblemen gentlemen Prouinces Townes and Commonalties of both religions hee protestes by a lawfull and necessarie defence to maintaine the fâ—ndamentall lawes of families and the Estate and libertie of the King and the Queene his mother Sixtus th◠〈◊〉 excoâ—munâ—â—cates the king oâ— Nuaâ—re aâ—d Prince oâ— Condé Was it not sufficient for these Princes to haue the King and League against them but they must bee charged â—ith a â—ewe assâ—ult from beyond the mountaines Sixtus the 〈◊〉 a more violent man then his Predecessor castes or this ligâ—tning against theâ—e two Henryes King of Nauarre and 〈…〉 Condé he excomunicates them degradeâ— them and their successors from all 〈◊〉 namely their pretensions to the Crowne of France exposeth their Countries and persons in prey to the first that should 〈◊〉 on them The Popes Bull declared voide and of no force The Court of Parliament findes this act to bee rashe insolent 〈◊〉 and farre from the modestie of former Popes and saies â—nto the King That 〈…〉 finde nothing like to the Apostles successor The Reâ—isters of the 〈…〉 did not teach theÌ„ That the Princes of France were 〈◊〉 to seeke 〈◊〉 at Rome or 〈◊〉 subiects did euer take knowledge of then Princes religion Seeing the◠〈◊〉 â—ew Pope in steed of instruction studies nothing but destruction and that he changeâ—◠〈…〉 into a fearefull fire-brand to ruine those vtterly whome he should 〈◊〉 vnâ—o the Church the Court could not admit this Bull so pernicious for alâ— Christendome and derogating from the souerainty of the Crowne of France The Princes likeâ—ise prâ—test against the said Bull and appeale from it as abusiue and scandalous â—nto the next free and lawfull Councell where they will prooue said they that Sixtus the 〈◊〉 calling himselfe Pope terming them heretikes hath falsely and wiâ—kedly â—â—ed This opposition was set vp in Rome the sixt of Nouember Open warâ—e Thus the Parliament grewe resolute against this Bull but it yeelded easily in other matters which did but impaire the affaires For the fifteenth of October they allowed of the Kings declaration which imposed confiscation of bodie and goods against such as without the warrant of the Catholike Princes had opposed their forces against the League and reuoked the tenne of sixe monethes graunted by the Edict of Iuly to fifteene daies after the saied declaration To crosse this Edict the King of Nauarre by a declaration of the last of Nouember dâ—th seize and giues commissions to sell all the fâ—uites rents reuenâ—es mouables debtes and all other profits whatsoeuer of the Inhabitanâ—es of Townes where the Edict of Iuly touching the sixe monethes and of October touching the abbreuiation to fifteene daies had beene receiued published and executed and likewise of gentlemen and others carrying armes with the Leaguers and their adherents as also of the Clergie resident in the saied Townes or 〈◊〉 for their partie and to leat out their Landes to them that would giue most His wordes and deedes were all one for presently his people lay their handes to worke Saint Mesmes keepes the Marshall Matignon in breath Laual chargeth him in Xaintonge and raiseth the seege of Taillebourg where the Ladies of Tremoâ—â—lle the mother and daughter were beseeged The Vicont of Turrenne ouerruns Liâ—â—siâ— and for a gage of his inroades takes the Bishoprick of Thules The Duke of Mercoeur on the other side thinkes with two thousand men to doe wonders in Poictou but there must bee a proportion betwixt him that forceth and him that hee meanes to force Else hee that furiously or rashly thinketh to daunt another and insult ouer his possessions may soone loose both his courage and what he possessed The Prince of Condé makes head against him and not onely driues him from â—ontenay but also makes him for his better safetie retire farre into Brittanie with losse and disgrace Being freed from this incombrance hee beseegeth Brouage and had alreadie brought it to that necessitie as the most resolute were readie to yeeld when as newes came vnto him that three Captaines du-Halot seruant to the King le Fresne enemie to the Earle of Brissaâ— Gouernour of Anger 's and Roâ—hemorte The voyage of Anger 's a partisan to the King of Nauarre had seized on the Castell of Anger 's one of the strongest places of the Realme garded by a Captaine and twelue souldiars The enterprise was well made well executed but not so well poursued for du Hallot came too soone into the Towne protesting that hee had taken the Castle for the Kings seruice They detayne him prisoner and belegat the Castle whether the whole Countrie comes At night they demaund to parle with Fresné Hee as ill aduised as the first comes forth vppon a little bridge A hargubusier makes an offer to shoot at him whereuppon hee offers to returne but Rochemorte with his companie fearing to bee forced by the multitude that came running drawes vp the bridge Le Fresné hanges by the chaines to pull it downe but the Townsmen cut off his hands and hee falls into the ditch where hee was slaine by a stagge they kept there du Halot was presently executed within the Towne These two being dead they demaund of Rochemorte for whome hee holds For the King of Nauarre sayd hee Hereuppon they cast up a trench against the Castell attending the Duke of Ioyeuse the Kings brother in law During these broyles and troubles Rochemorte slumbring one day in one of the windowes of the Castle was there slaine with a harguebuse shott The Prince aduertised of the surprise of the Castell and of Rochemorts answere but not of that which happened since leaues Brouage and to oppose sufficient forces against the League hee marcheth with about eight hundred masters and twelue hundred harguebusiers on horsebacke passeth Loire at Roisiers betwixt Saumur and Anger 's chargeth home to the suburbes forceth some barricadoes and spends a whole day in skirmishes but hee heares no newes from the Castle neither for the alarume in the Towne nor the noyse of his troupes No man appeares no answeare no signe is made the Actors were buried in their enterprise and sixteene souldiars remayning had alreadie capitulated The Castel of Anger 's yelded Doubtlesse too much courage and too little consideration a dangerous ouersight in any great commaunder in the warre where too much headstrongnesse is no lesse perillous then faint-heartednesse had ingaged
second wife in Taillebourg the 16. of Marche The Prince of Condes second marâ—age Charlotte Katherine of Tremouille sister to Claude of Tremouille Duke of Thouars c. by whom hee had Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé the first Prince of the bloud at this present and first Peere of France Within few dayes after Tiercelin with his regiment of about sixe hundred and fiftie men returned from an enterprise which Saint Luc the Gouernour of Brouage had made but in vaine against the Isle of Oleron The Prince aduertised of his passage followes him with La Tremouille his brother in lawe La Boulay Auantigny and some thirty others hee chargeth them in the taile neere vnto the suburbes of Xaintes and killes thirty or forty of his men the rest put themselues in battaile through the fauour of the hedges and the high way The Earle of Laual comes galloping with about fiue and thirtye horse of his company which had beene lodged a little from thence and seeing the Prince the rest of his company ingaged in the combat hee goes directly to the Colonels enseâ—gne couered with a battalion of pickes hee breakes them fights with him that carried it pulls it from him puts him to flight Tiercelins regiment defeated kills threescore soldiars vppon the place and chaseth the whole regiment Tiercelin saued himselfe carrying to Xaintes a hurt in the arme and many others being maymed Tremouille had a horse slaine vnder him and some were hurt but the Earle lost Sailli and Rieux his brethren Tanlay was lately deceased of sicknes at Saint Iean and himselfe surprised with a feuer The death of foure bretheren of Lauall and wonderfully greeued for the losse of his three brethren followed them to the graue within a few dayes after and all foure were interred within the Castle of Taillebourg But what did the King of Nauarrâ— in the meane time he hath vntill now maintaned himselfe vnder the obedience of the Kings coÌ„mandements hetherto hath bin nothing but mutual writings Edicts declarations coÌ„mandements directions to the officers of the Crowne for the execution therof Hereafter he displaies other armes then paper inke The marshal of Matignon had besieged Castels in Februarie the king flies thither with about three hundred masters and eighteene hundred harguebusiers on horsebacke hee rayseth the seege disposeth of his affaires in Berne comes to Nerac and assures the Towne passeth the Garonne at Saint Bazeille notwithstanding the Duke of Mayenne who lay within two Leagues of his passage crosseth Perigord and Angoulmâ—is and so comes into Poictou where the Marshall of Biron with about twelue hundred horse and foure thousand foote molested and troubled the Countrie neere vnto Rochelle beseeged Marans The arriuall of the said King and the resolution of the beseeged commaunded by la Iarrie made the Marshall to paâ—â—e the riuer of Charente and to leaue Marans to the free exercise of both religions The King of Nauarre went to Rochelle to visit the armie at sea and by a palissado to keepe in them of Brouage The Cardinall of Lenoncourt and the President Brulart were sent the yeere before from the King to assure the King of Nauarre of his Maiesties loue and to exhort hâ—m againe to vnite himselfe to the Catholike Church as well for the good of his conscience as also to make his way to the succession of the Crowne more easie to shew vnto him the causes that had moued him to breake the peace and to intreat him to yeeld the Towâ—es of suretie The time would not suffer these propositions to take effect bâ—t contraâ—ywise after the example of the League sayd the King of Nauarre we should demaund better Townes So the Ambassadors ended their charge beseeching the 〈◊〉 King to enter into some treatie wherein the Queene mother should deale to his câ—nteâ—t so as hee would stay the leuie of Reistres Lansquenets and Suisses which Clerâ—aut Sâ—gâ—r and Guitri had procured Hee accepted of this conference the which breeds a truce in the end of the yeare but wâ—th protestation not to stay the good will of such as in so important an occasion and extreame necessitie had gone to field that rasing the Kings authoritie troâ—â—â— vnder fâ—â—te by the breach of his Edict they might preserue him from the 〈◊〉 inuasion of the League Hee was better affected to a good peace then to a bad 〈…〉 the Queene mother telling him that the King would make no peace nâ—r truce with him The Quâ—ene motâ—â—â—s 〈…〉 vnlesse â—ee would become a Catholike shee made this conference 〈…〉 fruitlesse Shee lets him vnderstand that this change would make his 〈◊〉 more free more assured and more fit for his calling that his conueâ—sion would bâ—â—ng him in grace with the King leauing to couâ—t a Maior of Rochelle whome hee did not commmaund absolutely But this Prince had his eares too much beaten with 〈◊〉 pâ—â—posiâ—ion and could not yeeld thereunto but by due forme which was by a hoâ—◠〈◊〉 â—awful Councell And the Duke of Neuers thinking to adde some more perswasâ—â—â— reasons then the rest of the assemblie you cannot saith hee leuie any impost there A Priâ—ce doth what hee will when as hee wills nothing but what hee ought 〈…〉 reason answered this Pâ—ince being free and of a quicke conceit for we haue no 〈◊〉 amongst vs. 158â— This â—onâ—erence bred a â—ealousie among the Parisiens They were more inclined to 〈…〉 euer The Duke of Mayenne adueâ—tised that the Queene mother 〈…〉 the Kingof Nauarre to mediate an accord hee makes hast to Paris to 〈…〉 Kâ—ng that this negotiation was contrary to his Edict that such a peace could not be good breeding effects in religion contrarie to the tranquiâ—â—tie of Catâ—â—â—â—ke Consciâ—â—câ—s Being arriued there the sixe Arch leaguers impart vnto him their secret artâ—câ—es To sâ—ppresse heresie refoâ—me the Court and the 〈◊〉 of Migâ—â—â—ts and for a fatall wound to the Estate To seize vppon the Kings 〈◊〉 Hee allowes of these counsels and sounds their desseins but finds the execution difficult So tâ—e ratts in the Fable found this expedieâ—t to bee very good to be◠〈…〉 of the Cats approch and to saue themselues to hang a bell at his 〈…〉 durst vndertake to doe it The Queene mother aduertised of this 〈…〉 tooke her way to Court Her arriual with the irresolution of the 〈…〉 the Parisians wauering in the midest of so dangerous an enterprise Tâ—e Qâ—eeneâ— departure kindled the warre in Poictou The King of Nauarre gâ—es to 〈…〉 by composition Sasay by assault forceth Saint Maixant to yeeâ—◠〈…〉 to his obedience beseegeth Mauleon and during the batterie take◠〈…〉 Whiâ—st the King of Nauarres armes prosper in Poictou the Duke of Mayenne treats with the leaguers at Paris the mouth of his mutinous preachers disgraceth the kiâ—â—s authority with the people the Duke of Guise 1587. continues to make warre against them of Iamets the which he had begon against the Duke of Bouillon from the first beginning
of the League Sedan and all that Principalitie â—erued as a retreat for the neighbour â—rotestants and as a Port for strangers to enter into France These are the Pretexts â—herewith he couers his desseins but hee had another principall motiue from Seâ—an the King had intelligence of all that was practised in Champagne and Lorraine in tâ—e â—â—aâ—e 1585. When hee sees himselfe master of Douzy Rocroy and Raucourt Duke of Bouillon chieâ—e oâ— the Germaine armie hee passeth the Meuze enters into the soueraintie of Sedan afflicts the countriemen with all the cruâ—â—ties that warre could imagine whilest that famine presseth them within the Towne To diuert this storme which threatned Sedan the Duke of Bouillon causeth Schelandre Gâ—â—ernour of Iamets to sett vpon Verdun a Towne on the side of Champagne which had tumuâ—teously runne into the League The Duke of Guise runs to succour it and by 〈◊〉 abâ—ence giues the Duke of Bouillon meanes to succour Sedan Thereuppon the Queene mother at the request of the Dâ—ke of Montpensier vnckle by the mothers side to the Lords of Sedan procures a truce for fifteene dayes betwixt the two Dukes 〈◊〉 the which the enterprise vppon the Castâ—e of Iametz for the Duke of Guise 〈◊〉 fatall for the vndertakers disposed their wills to a second truce of a moâ—eth This fell out happely for the Germaine armie whereof hee was named Lieunant generall vnder the Duke Iohn Casimir who substituted in his place the Baron de Onaw the minoritie of the Elector Palatin nephew and pupill to the said Duke hindring him from marching in person prepared to make their musters in the plaine of Strashourg So the Dâ—ke of Bouillon goeth into Alsâ—tia with foure hundred horse and eight hundred harguebusiers to make them aduance and the Duke of Guise comes to the King to Meaux to receiue said hee his maiesties commaundements in â—o great and so important a cause but in effect to complaine That sinâ—e the reuocation of the Edict of peace The Duke of Guise complaines of the King hee had followed the warre against heretiks with so small fauour as the King had suffered them in their howses to inioy their goods and estates peaceably That in steed of selling and imploying them to their ruine hee caused the reuenues of the Cardinall of Pelleué to be seized on a man borne in France but Espanâ—olised at Rome for that in open consistorie hee had vertuously maâ—â—taiâ—ed the iust motiues of the taking of armes by the Catholike Princes against tâ— Huguenots That tâ—is warre had more aduanced the Mignons then ruined the Heretikes and that the money raysed by the subuention of the Clergie serued to entertayne the said Mignions That neither the Kings Councell the Parliament of Paris the inferiour Iudges nor the Prouost of Paris had sworne this last Edict That the Townes which had demaunded the extirpation of heresie and the reuocation of the last Edict â—f peace were treated like enemies That hee had caused the Cittadells of Lions and Mascon to bee beaten downe surprised that of Valence disgraced Brissac Crusâ—lles Gessâ—â— Entrâ—gues and others and peruerted the assignations which he had giuen him to be repaied the money the which hee had disbursed in this last leuie of men of warre But the King knew well how to counter-ballance these complaints of the League with their owne breach of the articles of Nemours Hee had well obserued The King complaines of the Duke that their insolent passions aspired to some greater desseins then the articles made 〈…〉 Those of Guise had demaunded Townes of assurance against the Proteâ—tants in those Prouinces where they were not at all to bee feared The Duke of â—umaâ—e had newly surprised Dourlans and Pontdormy but hee had failed of Boulâ—â—n through the fidelitie of Saint Marâ—a They had lodged in their Cittadell of Vitri le Fraâ—scâ—is an Italian at their deuotion and toke an oth of many Gouernours to hold their places for the Dâ—ke of Guise Bâ—t the Kings meaning was to liue and reigne yea though he did buie a good peace to the contentment of both parties But the contrary desseines of the King 〈…〉 and the Duke of Guise could not bee reconciled and hee had no meanes to 〈…〉 betwixt both but must leane to the one or the other side nor oppresse the one â—â—tâ—out raysing of the other To conclude not daring to shew himselfe a King hee 〈◊〉 all the cheefe of the League The King desires peace to become counterfeit Kings Hee exhort 〈◊〉 Duke of Guise not to expose the Estate in prey to procure the contentment 〈…〉 King the libertie of the Clergie the dignitie of the Nobilitie and the peoples â—aâ—e by other meanes then that which destroyes the honour of the Soueraigne 〈◊〉 the Churches sacks the gentlemans bloud and driues the people into despaâ—â—e and inuites him vnto peace by promises of aduancement for his house and partie But a warlike mind will haue nothing but warre The Duke could neither endure the seaâ—â—â— nor the cure thereof Thus peace is banished The Duke seeks all meanes to assault the Huguenots The Duke will haue war and beseecheth the King to stoppe the armie of strangers whicâ— were euen now vpon the fronter that they might not returne into Germanie with a victorie ouer France and a triumph ouer the Catholike Church Still must this venerable pretext of religion serue to colour the wicked passions of men He procures many commissions Warre concluded especially for his brother the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphine for the Duke of Ioyeuze in Poitou and for himselfe against the Protestants armie If the King had not shewed the like care on his part the people would haue sayd that as long rest doth dull the courage of a horse so since the Duke of Ioyeuzes â—arriage the pleasures and delights of Court and the solitarines of Vincennes had much deâ—aied his accustomed generositie He therefore diuides his forces into three armies The first at Chaumont in Bassigni consisting of fiue and twentie companâ—es of men at armes The Kings forcâ—s twelue enseignes of foot in the regimeÌ„t of â—sâ—luseaux sixe of Ioannes sixe of Gie with many other blankes signed for other commissions at the will of the Duke of Guise who increased this armie with foure hundred Lances and two thousand Italian foot sent by the Duke of Parma the Duke of Lorraine suffering himselfe as the eldest of the house to be caâ—â—ied away with the vaine hopes that were giuen him of a good poâ—tion in the pretended succession of Charlemagne held also goodly and great forces vpon the fronter at the Duke of Guises deuotion The Duke of Montpensâ—r commanded the second at Saint Florentin neere vnto Troyes The King with his presence honoured the third at Gyen stretâ—â—ing along the riuer of Loire to keepe the King of Nauarre from ioyning with his stâ—angers on this side the riuer The Duke of Ioyeâ—ze presuming of an assured victory lead an other army
lookes bigge the Clergie reioyceth the Preachers tongues are fire-brands of sedition they speake in derâ—sion of the King in their Pulpits before time the Pulpits of trueth are now beâ—â—â—me the Chaires of Iuglers they make the King a Saul and the Duke of Guise a â—auid Saul slew his thousand but Dauid his ten thousand They publish generally in their Sermons that the King had leuied the Riestres to oppose them against the Dukes holy enterpriâ—es and to expose Paris as a prey but by the Dâ—kes valour and constancie religion had now triumphed ouer heresie The 〈◊〉 sends vnto the Duke a Sword grauen with flames The King of Spaine and thâ— Dâ—ke of Sauoye conceiue great hopes The Duke of Parma salutes him and Amongst all the Princes of Europe saith he Henry of Lorraine alone deserues to command in warre â—hey make bonfires in all places and sing the wondrous workes of the Duke of Guise to the Kings diâ—grace The people of Paris especially possessed with the praises of the house of Guise the disorders of the King the dissolutnes leachery anâ—â—yâ—ocrisie of the Court vnder a shew of penance leane to the party which they hold most certaine they disdaine the present estate apprehend what is to come and thinke to loose nothing by the change Henry of Lorraine discouers all this and thinkes to make his profit of so goodly an 〈◊〉 He knowes moreouer that Ioubert and Miron haue giuen their opiniâ—◠〈◊〉 the Kings disabilitie to haue children Hee makes himselfe more pleasing to the people who feare the succession of a Huguenot Prince hee entertaynes them 〈◊〉 great familiarity but with an humour aspiring vnto tyrannie Hee sees the mâ—iestâ—e of his Soueraigne disgraced his enemies retired to Rochelle England readâ—e to bee inuaded by a proud Armie from Spaine hee giues eare to the counsell of the Arche leaguers encreased to the number of sixteene by reason of the sâ—â—teene quarters of Paris He is crafty aduised foreseeing The disposition of the Duke of Guise generous and valiâ—â—t but variable corrupt a dissembler secret and patient Hee will by no meanes vse his owne name in any thing yet will hee effect that by another which hee atteâ—â—tâ— or takes in hand He aduertiseth the Cardinall of Bourbon who goes but as he as led that this goodly oportunity must not be lost 1588 But the secrets of his 〈◊〉 contrary to his outward shewes This assembly at Nancy tended only to force the King to make his will and to 〈◊〉 the regencie to them It was therefore conculded That the King should be 〈◊〉 to ioyne his forces effectually with the League To displace such from their offices aâ— should be named To bring in the inquisition of Spaine and to publish the Councell of Trent but with a moderation of such things as derogate from the priuileges of the French Church To consent to the restitution of the goods sold by the Clergie for the charges of the warre To giue them Townes to bee manned and fortified as the time and necessity required To forâ—â—it the Huguenots bodies goods and to entertayne an army vpon the frontiers of Lâ—rraâ—ne against the Germains who threatned reuenge for the insolencies committed in the Countie of Montbelliard But to subiect the Kings authority to the desseins practises of the league what â—as it but by this means to aspire to the Crowne To haue him ruine them he loued and that were alied vnto him in bloud what was it but to make a bush of a forest and a desert of a goodly kingdome And this word of Inquisition is it not hatefull vnt◠〈◊〉 men It was necessary for the Spaniards who had no better meanes to plant and maintaine Christianity But the tediousnes and manner of their proceeding is horrible the malice and Calumniation of their spies and informers abhominable their pâ—isons vnder ground fearefull their rackes and tortures intolâ—erable the yellow gowne without sleeues painted all ouer with deuills the Miter and Corde and for the last act of this pittifull Tragedie the fire haue made it detestable to the Flemings and execrable to the French As for the reception of the Councell of Trent the â—oueraigne Courts of this realme haue neuer so aduised our King for the preiudice they should do vnto the Crowne and the pruileges of the French Church To require redemption of the Clergie goods and to haue the King force them that were beneficed to redeeme them was it not to haue him make warre for the Church and the Clergie should giue the alarme and shadow themselues vnder the temporality whilest that the Nobility should go to fight and the people languish The League had obtayned some townes of assurance and the Parliaments labored to put downe the Huguenots To conclude the King had not refused the chiefe of the League any demande that he might lawfully graunt and had yeelded them many things which he might by his authority refuse Besides the motions of the Kings apprehensions the first beginning of his misâ—â—â— iâ— that almost all his councellors of state are corrupted The Kings Councell corrupted they conceale the truth they fit themselues to his humors they are fearefull weake and inconstant 〈…〉 that Prince is miserable saied anâ— Emperour from whome they 〈…〉 They perswade him the Duke of Guises partie is strong that the Townes anâ— Pâ—ouinces looke onely after him if hee enters not into it hee must be subiect both to League and Huguenot Yet he meanes to be master ouer both but hee takes nâ—t the safest course Hee becomes the head of the Guisards party and talking of nothing but of the voyage of Poitou thinks to winne the peoples loue and to stoppe the mâ—â—muring of the League Deaâ—h of the â—rince of Conde The Prince of Condes death made the enterprise easie A great debility of the stomacke a difficulty of breathing a great costiuenes a continuall vomiting with an alteration and extreame paine surprised him the third of May halfe an houre after supper and the second day of his sicknesse a suffocation of all his vitall â—pirites sent him from the bedde vnto the graue Hee was a Prince indeed with aâ—l the qualities fit for a great Captaine vnder whose magnanimity the Protestants conceiued great hopes The bodie was opened and the iudgement of Physitians was diuers The botome of his bellie was pale and burnt his bowells oueâ—flowed with a reddish water the stomacke aboue the orifice perced through with a round hoâ—e the vitall parts being vlcered made some suspect poyson others held that it was the remaynder of the potion he swalowed in the yeare 1572. which making an impression in the bowells had by little and little weakened the stomake of the paine wherof as alâ—o of his side by reason of the blowe he receiued at the battaile of Coutras with a Lance he had complayned many weekes before his death The schoole of Montpellier did subscribe to this last opinion Iâ— the meane time the King doth
writes vnto them Our great could not execute his desseine the King hâ—uing saued himselfe within Chartres I wish you to retire to your houses as quietly as you may â—aking no shew to haue seene any thing And in the ende I am so amazed as I knowe not what to doo I beleeue him Kings haue long hands they catch a farre off and their blowes are dangerous So hereafter the King shal free himselfe from the leaguers party but he shall be little the better The Duke is no lesse troubled in minde seeing the Sunne of the royall Maiesty eclipsed hee seemes grieued rebukes the people causeth outrages to ceasse deliuers the French companies their armes and puts them out off the Citty but at Saint Anthonies gate quite contrary to the waye which their Maister tooke In such mutinies no minde bee it neuer so resolute continues stâ—ll constant in one Estate The Duke of Guise sees now that the greatest of the Clergy approue not these newe insolencies their callings haue more grace vnder the beauty of a King then in the confusion of a Democraâ—ie The French Nobility at the least of ten parts nine cannot fit themselues to the humors of the Princes of the League their proper and eâ—â—entiall forme iâ— to oppose themselues against the subuersion of this Estate The Gentlemen hold their honours dâ—gnities charges fees and iurisdictions by homage of the King and foresee that a royalty cannot be suppressed but the Nob lity must likewise perish there is the like reason but without proportion of the obedience and taxe due vnto a King as of a rent due vnto the Lord of a Mannor hee that hath withdrawne himselfe from the first will likewise free himselfe from the last Hee sees that the learned men of honour abhor tâ—is disgrace lately done vnto the King The Court of Parlament resolues to abandon Paris All France is offended with the Kings departure and without the Kings person the Tragedy of Chilperic cannot well bee played nor the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid perfectly effected It is therefore better to play the dutifull seruant and making vnto the King some shew of respect seruice and obâ—dience to labour to returne into Grace and at the fiâ—st opportunity to effect their purpose The Duke seekes â—o returnâ— into â—auour So the Duke of Guise not able to support himselfe in these high attempts falls flat downe Hee protests of his innocencie to the King and of his endeauours to checke the peoples fury hee offers to prostrate himselfe at the Kings feete to iustifie his honour the which hee saies is strangely wounded by his enemies that are about his Maiesty But on the other side the glosse doth ill agree with the text hee chooseth a Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes at his pleasure receiues the Arcenall the Bastille and other places of strength deposeth many quarter maisters and Captaines takes an oath from such as he installs seizeth vpon the Kings treasure as he had done at Chaalons Reimes Soissons and through all the towns of his obedience And if this mischiefe continues said he I protest to preserue both the Religion and the Catholikes Then by other letters written to Bassompierre a Lorraine The King leuies forces and so do we He is at Chartres and we at Paris Espernon is chased out off Normandie the kings seruants are imprisoned in many great townes the lesser send to submit themselues to Paris and vs. Whilest the Duke prepares a salue for the so are which he had made and the Parisiens perswade their associates to mainteine themselues ioyntly against the King of Nauarres with whom they said the King had made himselfe a partisan to the preiudice of religion and the Catholike Church his Maiestie exhorts his Lieutenants and Gouernours of his Prouinces to retaine the Nobility and people within those limits of duety and respect which tie them to their Soueraigne and the chiefe citties not to frame their affections after the modell of Paris But he speaks no more like a King his stile is the stile of a man that flies that feares that intreats And to repaire this disorder he imployes the Queene Mother The Queene Mother imployed â—or a peace But how could this turbulent spirit cure the infirmities of the Estate being irreconciliable in her hatred to the princes of the bloud and transported in her affection to the children of her daughter the Duchesse of Lorraine She aduiseth the King to passe ouer quietly the insolencies of the league but there is no likelihood she should more regard the profit of her sonne then the aduancement of the Marquis of Pont her grandchild She brings to this newe common weale for the royalty seemed now to be changed into a Democratie complaints and teares against the brauings and force of a couragious Prince and a furious multitude And promising effects of greater zeale to Religion more respect in the distribution of offices and more moderation in the exaction of subsidies she presumed to giue contentment to those who made shew to imploy themselues for a generall â—eformation and to reduce the most violent to their obedience But this serues but to breed a second treaty like to that of Nemours Paris without the King is a body without forme the most iudicious find it and lament his departure The late orders of religious men haue great credit with him They send the Capuchins in procession vnto Chartres to mitigate the heat of his choller and then the chiefe of the Citty went to excuse the motiues which had forced the people to defend themselues and to beseech him to returne to Paris where hee should be â—eceiued with as great ioy as his subiects were grieued to vnderstand of his departure and should finde better seruants then those which had councelled him to ruine and then to leaue them and to graunt them seuen principall points of their petition The extirpation of heresie by the forces of his maiesty and the holy vnion Seuen demâ—nds of thâ— leâ—gue The banishment of the Duke of Espernon and of his brother la Valette Warre in Guyenne by the King in person and by the Duke of Mayenne in Daulphiné Abolition of the tumults of Paris Confirmation of officers chosen for the managing of ciuill causes since the Barricadoes A restoring of the goodly and auncient ordinances of the Realme And an abolition of parties gifts and abuses brought in by Espernon and â—a Valette The Qâ—eene mother presents these Deputies and the King vrged by the league to graunt their request le ts the Cardâ—nall of Bourbon and the other Princes vnderstand The Kings answer That the peace and warre the battells wherin he hath so willingly exposed his person and the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Reistres haue alwaies beene sufficient testâ—monies of his zeale to the mainteynance of the onely Catholike religion withi◠〈◊〉 realme to the extirpation of heresie and false doctrine but iealousyes and distrust had preuented him from reaping the fruits
in the Kings heart and to preuent all contrarie euents they thinke it not yet time to satisfie the oath which they had made to renounce all intelligences Leagues which they had made both within and without the realme They take newe Councells and resolutions at Paris Newe resolutions of the League to maintine this authority and credit gotten with so many crosses and disgraces vnto the King and so to presse him and to subiect his will vnto theirs as he shall not see speake nor mooue but by the eyes tongue and sinews of the League to haue the Deputies of the Parliament house of their faction with instructions drawne out of the articles of Peronne Nancy Nemours and Ginuille To vrge the King against the Huguenots and to sollicit him to ease the people by the discharge of taxes thereby to make him odious if he refuseth these first fruits of their vnion To make them strong at the Parliament and to that ende to send for all the Nobility of their owne faction and their adherents to assist with their armes To hold good correspondencie with the Duke of Parma and to aduertise the King of Spaine that this accord made with the King tended onely to effect their common desseins To retaine Pfiffer Colonell of the Suisses and Balâ—gny gouernour of Cambray with the priuate conuentions passed betwixt them To preuent least the Duke of Neuâ—rs whome the King resolued to send into Picardie to suppresse the violences of the League should winne away their most trusty friends To binde the Cittie of Paris vnto the Lord of Villars gouernour of Newe-hauen for the summe of thirtie thousand Crownes yearely to haue him fauorable to their partie These newe Councells bred newe teares The King cannot conteine from subscribing of these newe articles but his misfortune forceth him to hazard his Estate to preserue his person Hee knowes well that these are but imaginations that his Edict of reunion wil be obserued by none but by himselfe or so farre as it toucheth the subuersion of his Crowne And yet too much bountie or too great an apprehension makes him scrupulous to preuent it The Protestants offer to trie this greate quarrell at their owne perilles so as hee will remaine a neuter and suffer them to oppose against the mutinies of the League Hee reiects this aduice For there is lesse danger sayeth he to remayne with those which persisâ— in the vnitie of our religion then with them which are diuided and beecome heads of newe opinions So whether it were of a good meaning or of purpose hee returnes to Chartres He sees imbraceth and maketh much of the Duke of Guise and there all his fauours and bounties are liberally bestowed on the chiefe pillers of the League Hee giues the Duke of Guise the generall commaunde ouer all the mâ—n at armes of the Realme This was not the name and title but in effect the office and charge of Constable He makes the Cardinall of Goise Legate of Auignon the which hee promiseth to obtaine for him of his holinesse To the Duke of Mayenne a goodly army for the warre of Daulphine To the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lions as his father had enioyed it and hee determined to giue the seale to Peter of Espinac Arch-bishoppe of Lion to winne him vnto him by this great bounty promising to procure him a Cardinalls hat of Pope Sixtus by the meanes of the Cardinal of Gondy whoÌ„ he had sent to Rome Without doubt he had receiued more honor by being Chancellor of France then in being Chancellor of the vnion The Chancellor Hurault Earle of Chyuerny and the Lord of Belieure and Villeroye had then leaue to attend the Kings pleasure at their houses He declares the Cardinall of Bourbon the first Prince of the bloud deciding by a doubtfull speech that great question of prerogatiue betwixt the Vncle and the Nephew whereon there hath beene so much written and so much disputed peruerting the ancient order of succession and making the Cardinall to serue the passions of the League They present vnto the King being but sixe and thirty yeares of age a successor who had euen then passed the Climacterical yeare of threescore and three Was it not the Leagues meaning vnder the Cardinall of Bourbons image to raise vp a stranger and violently to aduance his tirany to vsurpe the royaltie To conclude the King continues renues and amplifies his fauours to all such as haue any credit with the League he doth nothing without them hee opens the very secrets of his heart vnto them and for their sakes causeth euery one of their partisans to tast some portion of his bounty and makes shewe to beleeue whatsoeuer they say vnto him His Councell blind his eyes so as hee cannot discerne what is the dutie of a good King they disguise the truth from him and studie onely to satisfie their ambition and couetousnesse The Kings Councellors dismissed the Court. So as to please them euen in this he himselfe pulls out those eyes whereby he did see most cleere giues them leaue to retire to their houses there to shrowd them selues from these confusions of state The Duke of Espernon was out of Court but hee had authority from the King to command in the Prouinces of Aniou Troubles against the Duke of Espernay in Angoulâ—sme Touraine Poictou Angoulmois and Xaintonge Being at Loches hee is aduertised that the League practised with some inhabitants to deliuer them Angoulesme Hee posts thether and the people receiue him with great honour as the Kings Lieutenant He publisheth the Edict of reunion his words and deeds testifie nothing but a courage resolued to preserue the Catholike religion But behold sodenly a strange Catastrophe Some Leaguers had perswaded the people that he ment to drawe the Huguenots troupes into the Castell and so subdue the Towne The Maior beeing the head of the conspiracie enters into the Castell on Saint Laurence day vnder colour to present vnto the Duke certaine postes that were come from Court he mounts vp to his Chamber at his entry he dischargeth two pistolls and seekes to force the house The Duke was then in his Cabinet attending the houre of masse wheâ—e hee red the history of Pierce Gaueston in old time deerely fauored by Edward the second King of England prefered before all others in Court inriched with the Kings treasure and the peoples wealth but after banished the reaâ—me and in the end beheaded at the sute of the Parliament This slanderous libell beeing printed at Paris not so much against the Dukes honour as the Kings compared the Duke with Gaueston and concluded that vnder Henry the third hee should ende his daies by the like tragedie Vpon the first tumult the Dukes gentlemen flie to armes and repulse this armed multitude the Maior beeing hurt with the shot of a pistoll through a doore died within seauen houres after The alarume â—lâ—es into the towne The people arme storme and make barricadoes But
bin drawn from theÌ„ had nothing aduaÌ„ced the cause of religion FroÌ„ coÌ„plaints of the languishing people grew the suppression of officers of the new creation and an intent to ease their subsidies Bâ—t oh politike 〈…〉 King yeelding to haue them reduced to the yeare 1576. sees himselfe deâ—riâ—ed 〈…〉 meanes to leuy his armies and to entertayne the greatnesse of his Mâ—iestie◠〈…〉 he refuseth it an occasion is giuen to mutine the Estates to chase away such as are neere his person and to giue him a gouernour The Duke of Guise on the one side disswades the King to subiect his authoâ—ity so much but on the otherside he prickes them forward to be vehement in their pursuites In the end the King passeth this graunt of reduction but he hopes to make it knowne vnto the Estates that with so smal meanes he cannot mayntaine his royall dignity nor the warre against the heretiks which they had so sollemnly sworne They deuâ—se of meanes to make vp the stocke and demande an account of such as had gouerned the treasor and abused the Kings bounty Effects of the Duâ—e oâ— Neuers army But whilest they turne ouer their papers at the Parliament let vs see the progresse of the two armies which we had left in field That of the Duke of Neuers consisted of French Suisses and Italians with many voluntary gentlemen Sagonne was Marâ—hall of the light horse la Chastre Marshall of the field Chastaigneray Lauerdin and many others coÌ„manded the troupes Mauleon was the first obiect of their armes It is a rashenesse to be obstinate in the defence of a place which is not to be held but it is a tâ—eachery to ill intreate them whome we haue receiued to composition So this fiâ—st victorie was bathed with their blouds who trusting in the force oâ— their courageâ— â—egâ—â—cted the weakenesse of their walls Montagâ— was defended some daies by Coâ—ombiers who at the first saluting the Duke with a furious skirmishe putts him to some losse But the Cannon hauing both shaken their walles and their constancies â—â—ey entred into capitulation the which was honourablie graunted the last day of Nouember La Ganache situated vpon the marches of Brittaine and Poictou annoyed both the one and the other Prouince The Duke of 〈◊〉 stâ—â— at â—ion suspect to Mandeloâ— Let vs leaue the armie there to see howe the Dâ—ke of Mayenne spends his time at Lion The desseins too lightly grounded vpon a peoples mutiny are alwaies ruinous The Duke of Mayenne knowes it well and moreouer there is nothing but blowes to be gotten in Daulphiné He desires rather to attend the issue of the Parliaments in a pleasing and delightfull aboade but this stay is a great scourge to Mandelot He feares to bee dispossest of his gouernment It is giuen to the Duke of Nemours and therefore he wonderfully suspects the Duke of Mayennes presence Finally hee grewe so iealous as seized with apprehension with the choâ—iâ—e a feuer the goutte and the flixe he carried the foure and twentith of Nouember this testimony into the other world by the mouth of father Edmond Anger a Iesuite in his funerall sermon That he had neuer signed the League that he died firme in his religion and the Kings seruice Whilest the King labored at the Parliament to cut off all difficulties which prolongued the warre and the Duke of Mayenne beeing at Lion suffered the heate of of his passage into Daulphiné to growe colde Charles Duke of Saâ—oye foreseeing the dissipation of this Estate hee thought that as a sonne and husband of two daughters issued froÌ„ the bloud of France he should be the first which shold set his hand to the diuision The marquisate of Salusses is in the midest of his territories he thinkes that for such a prise he may well breake friendship and alliance with the King his neere kinsman who of meere curtesie had newely deliuered vnto him Sauignan and Pignerol The 〈…〉 by the Duke of 〈◊〉 With this desseine seeing the Kings thoughts otherwise ingaged then beyond the Alpes he makes a leuy of men threatens Geneua makes a shewe to beseege Montferrat causeth the Marquis of Saint Sorlin to go to horse and on all Saints night surpriseth the Towne of Carmagnole and then the Cittadell beeing vnfuâ—nished oâ— victualls which Saint Siluie successor to la Coste had drawne forth with hope saied hee to refresh them so as in lesse then three weekes he possessed all the Marquisate leauing a reprochefull suspition against the Captaines of the Cittadell to haue treacherously exchanged the double Canons of that ancient arcenall of the warres of France beyond the Alpes with the double pistolets of Spaine This conquest made the Duke proud and already in conceite he had deuoured both Prouence and Daulphiné For a colour he writes both to the Pope and King That the generall respect of the Church had made him seize vpon these places least Les Diguieres should make it a retreat and refuge for Huguenots and the priuate interest of his Estates which hee desires to maintaine in the puritie of the ancient religion vnder the obedience of the holy Sea and by his Ambassadour hee disguiseth this wrong with the goodlyest colours that may be Hee makes a shew not to hold these places but vnder the Kings authoritie but in time hee vsurpes all actes of Soueraignty hee displaceth his Maiesties officers beates downe the armes of France sets vp the crosse of Saâ—oy and in a brauery hee causeth peeces of siluer to be coyned with a centaure treading a Crowne ouerwhelmed vnder his foote and carrying this deuise Oportuné The Kings desâ—eâ—gne vpon this surprise The King iustly moued with this vsurpation applies this branche to the body of the conspiracies of the League he resolues now to pacifie the ciuill warres to attend after forraine and euen then hee determines to giue the Protestants a peace and to vse their assistance against such as make a benefit of the discords of the realme Such as respected truly the glorie of the French gaue him to vnderstand that hee must appease both Huguenot and Liguer and seeke reuenge of this new indignitie and hunt the Wolfe which breakes into the fold whilest the Shepheards are at variance Shall a petty Prince take from a King of France the pawne which remaines to recouer Naples and Milan foure hundred peeces of Canon which might beate the proudest Fortes of the Spaniards to pâ—â—der that ancient fee of Daulphiné comprehended in the gifts which Prince Hubert made to the Crowne of France whereof our Kings haue so often receiued homage and fealty of the Marquises and haue often seized thereon for forfeiture and treâ—chery All the Kings seruants all the Courts of Parliament all the assemblie of Estates iudge that these be the effects of the League Duke of Guises dissembling and that this inuasion is not without the â—â—telligence of the Duke of Guise euen those which fauour his part cannot digest it But to auoyde
this common hatred which was ready to fall vpon him hee beseecheth hâ—s Maiestie onely to assure his people and make them to taste the frutes of contentâ—ment which he had promised in the othe of the holy vnion that hee would quench tâ—e fiâ—e which the Huguenotâ— did nourish in this realme and giue him this commission agaiâ—st the Stranger he will be the first that shall passe the Alpes to make the Sauoyâ—â—â— cast vp his gorge But could they hope for any remedy from him who by his continuall practises wiâ—h strangers had giuen life and motion to the mischiefe So the King considering that neyther his Edict of revnion nor the othe to depart from all asâ—ociations â—roduced the effects were promised and that the League consenting to the pernitious desseignes of the Stranger had made the way for the breach of the sayd vnion hee thinkes himselfe no more bound to the othe of this vnion and euen then 〈◊〉 to bee reuenged of all the offences past In the meane time he dissembles his discontent As these newes troubled the assemblie at Blois Assembly and petition of the Protestants the King of Nauarre seeing the practises of the League had excluded him whereas hee should hold the first place 〈◊〉 another in the Towne house at Rochelle and by their aduise hee sent in the 〈◊〉 of the French exiled for religion a common petition to the Estates beseeching the King To restore them the liberty of the first Edict which they call of Ianuarâ—e To appoint a Nationall Councell where controuersies of religion may be mildâ—â—e dâ—sputed and holily resolued To grant them restitution and free enioying of their goods To suffer their petition to bee inrowled and the contents thereof granted by his clemencie to the end that nothing may bee done to their preiudice Nothing lesse This petition was directly against the principall intentions of the Estates affected to aduance the League And therefore not satiâ—fied with tâ—e 〈◊〉 which the King had made vnto them by the Edict of Vnion they wâ—est from tâ—e 〈◊〉 owne mouth a more particular declaration touching the perpetuall insufficiâ—nâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the King of Nauarre and other Princes of the bloud his Cousins adherents say 〈◊〉 and fautors of heâ—etiks to the succession of this Crowne The conclusion of this Parliament should haue beene for the good quiet of the CoÌ„mon-weale And doubtlesse some smal number whose wills were not tied to the passions of the Leaguers wished that remedy which had bin practised in former times against most pernitious heresies which was a free and lawfull Councell vniuerâ—alâ— oâ— nationall but the greater part ouer-ruled both the King and the Estates The League to ruine the state will oueâ—throwe the pillers which be the Princes of the bloud· and if the branches of Valois and Bourbon that is to say if all the race of Saint Lewis be not degrâ—ded they cannot passe ouer the Crowne to the family of Lorraine The K â—g by his Edict promiseth to dispose of the succession but he and the Qâ—eene his wiâ—e are yet in the vigor of their age they hope that God will blesse them with heires masâ—es Hee takes no pleasure they should harpe vpon this string it is a blemish to his authority and disrobes him before he is readie to sleepe when as a Prince hath named his â—uccessor his testament is made Yet he is content to satiâ—fie the violent appetits of the League He suâ—fers them to dispute of the succession and in the assemblie of all his subiects to exclâ—de the â—awefull succesâ—or hee is content they should propund that which most part of the deputies had alreadie resolued The Clergie had the 4. of Nouember condemned the Kâ—ng of Nauarre for an heretike the chiefe of them relapse excomunicate depâ—iâ—ed of the gouernment of Guienne and of all his dignities vnworthy of all successions Crownes and realmes The Arch-bishop of Ambrum the Bishop of Bazas the Abbot of Citeaux and other Clergie men impart it to the deputies of the Nobility and third Estate all consent to the first conclusion and appoint twelue of euery chamber to acquaint the King with their resolutions But the King of Nauarre had often giuen them to vnderstand that he was borne during the permission of both religions instructed and bred vp in one from the which he cannoâ—â—n conscience depart without better instruction neither hope nor dispaire of a Crowne can drawe hâ—m to so violent and rash a change he should thereby incurre the blame of inconstancie infidelity and hipocrisie He is and alwaies will be readâ—e to receiue instruction from a free and lawfull Councell These submâ—ssions are full of Iustâ—ce and consideration he defends nothing obstinatâ—ly it is the honour and zeale of his conscience that binds him There is no reason then saied the King to condemne him wâ—thout hearing Let vs consider with iudgemeÌ„t foresight whether it be expedient to summon him againe to sweare the Edict of vnion and to declare himseâ—fe a Catholike The Parliament is not of this aduice The Cardinall of Bourbon his Vncle say the deputies hath once obtayned absolution for him the Queene Mother hath labored to winne him The King hath sent Doctors to reclaime him he is bred vp from his Cradle in this â—ewe opinion condemned by the Councell of Trent and maâ—y others The Consistory hath receiued him into grace he is fallen into the error which he had abâ—â—red he is therefore an â—eretike hee is relapse and vnworthie of obedience vnworthie of respect and vnwoâ—thy to be praied for The holy sea of Rome hath declared him a Schismatike excommunicate incapable of the succession of the Crowne the Estates theâ—efore must ratâ—fie this sentence To conclude an Heretike cannot raigne in France it is an incompatible thing with the Coronation and oath which he ought to take hurtfull to the honour of God and preiudiciall to the good of this Realme Soft and faire nature and the Common consent of nations will that the accused should bee heard God himselfe who hath no neede to bee satisfied by humane witnesses and is not bound to any iurisdiction would not condemne our 〈…〉 before he called him into iudgement examined him checked him and 〈◊〉 his excuses Heare then the King of Nauarre he may say vnto you that the Pope by 〈◊〉 hath noted him of hersie hee knoweth not yet any other trueth then 〈◊〉 â—herein the Qâ—eene of Nauarre his mother hath bred him If he hath at any time yeelded vnto the force and violence of the time hee had not then his will free and as soone as oportunity gaue him meanes to reâ—â—râ— from Court into his Countiye o◠〈◊〉 he framed his beliefe to the modell of that which had beene prescribed him bâ—t protesting alwayes to the Estates and Parlements of France that he hath no greater dâ—sire in his soule then to see the seruice of Gâ—d vnited vnder one religion by the 〈◊〉 of a free and lawfull assemblie of the vniuersall Church or a
nationall Counceâ—â—â—f the French Churches The Deputies notwithstanding especially the Clergy will allowe of no reason Tâ—ey are for the most part transported with passion and apprehend nothing but 〈◊〉 maâ— aduance the League Iâ— the King refuseth this article the Duke of Gâ—ise 〈◊〉 dâ—sâ—olue the Estates and laie all the blame vpon his Maiestie He hath so well prouâ—â—â—d for his affaires as he holds himselfe maister of the Castle of Blois and of the Kâ—ngs person There is neither gate hall chamber nor Cabinet but the keyes are at his â—leasure He hath great forces ready He checkes them that speakes not to his liking their voices and consents are forced in the Parlament house he puts in and puts out and doth what he pleaseth Those whom the King and Parlements hold inâ—â—pportable finde accesse and support with him To conclude see the first Prince oâ— tâ—e bloud the first of the most ancient and most famous house that doth at this daâ— weare a Crowne the first of that royall branch of Bourbon which onely remaines aftâ—r so many sisters and cousins of Aniou Alençon Eureux Berry Bourgongne Angâ—ulesme and Orleans and which onely succeeded that of Valois depriued of the right which nature hath giuen him without calling him or hearing his iustifications The Clergy sayes he ought to be no more cited his heresie his incapacity to the Crowne is apparent The Bishop of Chaalons in Champagne deliuers this conclusion to the Nâ—bâ—lity The Bishop of Cominge to the third Estate and the Archbishop of Ambrun to the King to make a law thereof and then followed the last act of the Tâ—agedie of a dispossessed King But oh men the Eternall lookes on you and laughes at your Counsells he nowe 〈◊〉 vpon the stage to act his part and to bring forth effects far from his thoughts The King is aduertised from all paâ—ts of a great conspiracy against his Maiestâ—e The Duke oâ— Espernon assures him by letters The Duke of Mayenne iealous it may be of hiâ— bâ—others greatnes aduertiseth his Maiesty from Lion by a Knight of worship and the Duke of Aumale from Blois it selfe by his owne wife that the Duke of Guise hâ—d very pernicious desseines that the houre of the execution did approch that they 〈◊〉 to seize on him and to lead him to Paris These aduerâ—isements kindle a newe courage in the King hee meanes to preuent â—im and disâ—ouâ—rs his minde to foure whom he knowes as faithfull to his Maiesty as â—nemieâ—â—o the damnable proâ—ects of the League He must suppresse this newe starre 〈◊〉 tâ—e East whom the people worshipped already The present necessity will not suffer 〈◊〉 to bring him forth in viewe the Popes respect retaines him his oath to protect 〈◊〉 Estâ—â—eâ— makes him irresolute the troubles which this execution will cause in 〈◊〉 diâ—â—osed to the League makes him doubtfull yet he must die Hee hath no 〈…〉 France but of a simple subiect and yet without the Kings authority 〈…〉 he hatâ— built a League had intelligence with the stranger leauâ—ed 〈◊〉 waâ—re attempted vpon townes and broken the publike peace He continues 〈…〉 against the oath of the Edict of vnion with the Cardinall Morosine Legate 〈…〉 and Don â—â—igo of Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine He confirmes his 〈…〉 â—ederations with the Gouetnors of reuolted townes Hee published by 〈…〉 that hee hath not taken armes but for Gods and the Kings seruice aâ—d yet by the surprise of so many townes he hath hindered the aduancement of the Kings army in Guienne against the Huguenots The obiect of his aâ—mâ—â— is the safety and religion of the Catholikes and to depriue the King of Nauarre oâ— all hope of succession to the Crowne and in the meane time it appeares that he hath sought the loue of the King of Nauarre he hath promised to giue him his sonne in hostage and to meete him with seuenteene Princes of his house at the riuer of Loâ—re to serue him and make him King of France Many letters intercepted discouer that after his maiesties pardon of many capitall crimes he renues his disseynes against the King and against his estate Obiecâ—ions against the Duke of Guise The surprise of the Marquisate of Salusses is by his intelligence He disgraceth the Kings actions he blames him to haue vnwillingly made warre against the Huguenots to haue sold the said Marquisate that vnder colour of recouering it hee might diuert the warre against the Heretikes In steed of reducing the Townes held by the Huguenots hee keepes his Captaines and men of warre at Blois vpon assurance of a profitable change Hee hath caused bookes to bee Printed in fauour of the lawfull succession of the house of Lorraine to the Crowne At the Barricadoes this voice was heard It is no longer time to dally let vs lead my Lord to Reimes He hath suffered himselfe to be saluted by the people with cries and acclamations which belong onely to the Soueraigne Prince He hath vaunted that he was able to take the King prisoner or to do worse although he entered but with eight horses into Paris being assured of the force and wills of the Citizens He hath â—eized on the places of strength within Paris made Gouernors Magistrates and officers at his pleasure He hath so corrupted the Estates as the Deputies speake not but by his mouth they produce nothing but what hath beene first examined in his Councel Many crie out that he stayes too long beâ—ore he strikes Hee speakes no more but in termes of a Souereigne with pride disdaine and threats He hath refused to subscribe the Edict which the King would publish in cases of treason He doth already seale Letters pattents with his great seale He forbids the Commons to giue victualls or munition to such companies as the King had sent vnto them There remaines no more but to confirme in his person that ancient greatnes sometimes vsurped by the Maâ—ors of the pallace and to deale with the King as Charles Martel had done with Childeric In the ende they represent vnto the King the Processe of Salcedo a party in this conspiracy the counsells of Nancy and of Paris in Lent last whereof the chiefe point was To seize vpon the Kings person the instructions of the Aduocate Dauid the letters of the Qâ—eene Doüager of Denmarke to the Duke of Lorraine her sonne the attempt of the Barricadoes and to heape vp the measure the practises corruptions and violences done by the Duke of Guise to the Estates The like and lesse crimes haue in former ages brought more famous heads then the Duke of Guises to the blocke The Leagues and practises of an Earle of Harcourt of a Constable of Saint Paul of a Duke of Nemours haue brought them to shamefull endes Pope Sixtus now liuing hath of late put to death the Earle of Pâ—poli of the noblest families of Italy only for that he had concealed some banished men in his house The Duke of Guise himselfe did of late pursue with all violence the disobedience
fauour may for a time fill your sayles and carrye your desseignes violentlye to Sea but they are inconstant light and disloyall And if they haue shaken off the yoake of dutifull obedience and loue to their King what shall they doe to a Prince to whome they shall not bee bound but as to the Protector of their mutinie They spake truly for after the tryall of all sorts of gouernments France must in the end returne to a royaltie and the Duke by a commendable resolution might haue vnited the mindes which his brother had diuided But when as others represent vnto him the aduantage hee should haue to succeed in the fauour credit and authoritie of his brother and by consequence his owne hopes he reiects the integriâ—â—e of the first councell coniures all the friends of his house to reuenge parts from Lion on Christmas day in his passage hee assures himselfe of Mascon Chaalon and â—ijon The Court of Parliament there refused to consent to this rebellion and therefore the châ—efe were driuen away and some imprisoned others apprehending the losse of their commodities Letters from the King to the Duâ—e of Mayâ—nnâ—â— did easily submit their neckes to the yoake of a new Democratiâ— At Dijon hee receiued Letters from the King promising to surcease the punishment of forepassed faults with the death of his bretheren whom sayd he I haue caused to dye to saue my life from the danger whereof you did aduertise me The Duâ—e attributing the Kings clemency to some weake abiect affection proceeding froÌ„â—eare either to haue him his enemy or to loose his friendship grows obstinate in â—is resolution reiects the Kings officers giues coÌ„mission to Rosne S. Paul and others to coÌ„mand in Champagne Brie and to seize vpon the best places he comes to Troyes where the Towne long before corrupted by the infected humâ—rs of the 〈…〉 receiued him with as great honor as they could haue done tâ—eir King 1588 and in 〈◊〉 where he passed they were easily drawne into rebellion euery Towne 〈◊〉 themselues after the modell of Paris and Orleans Three thousand men sent from Paris to succour the Chenalier d' Aumale 〈◊〉 in Orleans by the Marshal of Aumont with the â—obilitie of the Court 〈…〉 of foot and horse and the Kings gards had beene defeated neere vnto Estâ—mâ—â—s by Fargis and Montigni but the Marshall vnderstanding of the Duke of Mayennes â—â—proch rayseth the seege and retyres to â—oisgency In the meane time the King â—â—mselfe in person did vew and examine the conclusions of the Estates but this 〈◊〉 enterprise of the Dukes made him to leaue the worke imperfect to prouide 〈◊〉 the safetie of his person and for a conclusion the fiâ—teenth and sixteenth of Ianuary â—ee heard the Deputies greefes and complaints vppon the disoâ—ders which 〈◊〉 France The Estates diâ—â—olued The Archbishop of Bourgâ—â— speech The Arch-Bâ—shop of Bourges President for the Clergie after the Cardinals death imputed the cause of our miseries to contempt of religion which breaking the bâ—â—ds that tie vs vnto God had in like sort diuided the hearts and willes of families and Comonalties Hee greatly commended the Kings zeale to religion insisted long vppon the abuses of the Church which the corruption of the time had bred the vnâ—ortâ—y promotion of Prelats the nomination to Abbaies and other spirituall dignities of all sorts of persons souldiars ignorant men suborned men gardiens simoniaks â—omen children touching the alienation of the Clergie lands pluralitie of benefiâ—eâ— vâ—urpation of the reuenues of hospitalls deprauation of that goodly ancient order whereby none might come vnto Commanderies of the oâ—der of the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem vnlesse hee were a gentleman of three descents disorders of vniuersiâ—ies and monasteries in former times the nurceâ—ies of holy fathers Then hee tuâ—ned his discourse to the disorders noted in the Nobilitie of France who were in former ages the terrour of all nations and from whome neighbour nations confesse to â—â—ue leâ—rned the exercise and profession of cheualrie vpon the excesse of men of wa◠〈◊〉 the â—astâ—ng of the treasor other disorders which spring from these first headâ—â—â—â—ally hee beseecheth the King to make a good refoâ—mation whereby his people 〈◊〉 multiplie Iâ—stice should daily flourish and peace should bee setled iâ— the â—â—â—lme Câ—arlâ—s of Cosse Earle of Brissâ—c chief Pantler chief Fawconer of France newly restoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 fauour PresideÌ„t for the Nobility The Eâ—â—le of 〈◊〉 shewes that they be not the hands of â—ortune â—hich â—â—uiâ—oned his Maâ—esties forehead with this double diademe It is God who hath 〈◊〉 him our King who had before chosen him King of a more remate 〈◊〉 for the pietie faith clemencie and magnanimitie wherewith hee hath beeâ—e endued from his tender age That heresie schisme and discord which are crept into the peoples hearts haue not taken their beginning vnder his raigne whom God hath râ—â—sed 〈◊〉 amidest the furies and afflictions of France to bee reuenged by him and aduâ—â—ced aboue all the nations of Christendome who draw their firmestsupport from the stabiâ—â—tâ—e of his Crowne That â—he wished victories in France ouer heresie shall be vnto the King but a continuance of the route and defeate of that fearefull armie of Râ—isâ—res Lansquenets Suisses and French Huguenots which like so many trompets proâ—laime to all places the honours prayses and victories of his Maiestie That now those vowes fastings teares and toyles of the ancient French are heard who seemed to demaund â—engance against the fire furie and rage of those who after so many religious ages haue violated the sepulchres of their fathers and ours and would take from amongst â—s that onely religion which the holy fathers haue planted in old time throughout the world Then hauing represented the zeale and affection of the Nobilitie to assist the King to restore religion and the State to their former beautie following the example and the hereditarie vertue of their Ancestors who had chased and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arriens Albigeois Lombards Sarrazins Turkes and Pagans 1589. and continuing the defence of the faith and the victories of the Kings of France haue leâ—t no other limits to the reputation of their valour then those which the Sunne takes in making of his course about the earth He beseecheth his Maiesty to fauour the auncient priuileges of the Nobility to recompence in them the seruices of their Pâ—edecesâ—ors to confirme the military discipline of Kings his forerunners not to suffer any by â—auour or purchase to chalenge the title of Gentlemen to mainteyne the priuileges of the Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in Iustice to moderate the subsidies order the treasure establish the Magistrate plant discipline among souldiars reâ—orme the Church and to punish the enemies thereof Finally he wished a thousand happines to the King and peace to his people But this braue and commendable humour shal not hold him long but he shal returne to his
had beene so abandoned to mischiefe as neyther the feare of God nor the dignity of his person could disswade them from this horrible sacrilege Onethiâ—g saied hee doth comfort mee that I reade in your faces with the griefe of your hearts and the sorrowe of your soules a goodly and commendable resolution to continue vnited for the preseruation of that which remaynes whole of my Estate The Kings last speeches and the reuenge which you owe vnto the memorie of him who hath loued you so deerely I seeke not the last curiously leauing the punishement of my enemies vnto God I haue learned in his schoole to forgiue them as I do with al m heart But as I am chiefely bound to procure peace and reast vnto this realme I coniure you all by that inuiolable faith which you owe vnto your Countrie that you continue fiâ—me and constant defenders of the common libertie and that you neuer laye downe armes vntill you haue purged the Realme of the troublers of the publike quiet And forasmuch as diuision aloane vndermines the foundations of this Monarchie resolue to bee vnited in one will I knowe and I dare assure you that the King of Nauarre my Brother in Lawe and lawefull successor to this Crowne is sufficiently instructed in the Lawes to knowe howe to raigne well and to commaunde reasonable things and I hope you are not ignorant of the iust obedience you owe vnto him Referre the difference of religion to the Conuocation of the Estates of the Realme and learne of mee that pietie is a dutie of man vnto God ouer which worldly force hath no power Thus spake Henry euen as the last pangs of death carried him within few houres after from this vnto an other world but a notable circumstance in the same chamber where the Councell was held on that fatall day of Saint Bartlemewe in the yeare 1572. By his death hee extinguished the second parcell of the third race of Capets in the branch of Valois leauing the Crowne to the third roiall branch of the Bourbons wherevnto the order of the fundamentall Law did lawfully call him A mild and tractable Prince courteous wittie eloquent and graue His manners but of easie accesse deuout louing learning aduancing good witts a bountifull rewarder of men of merit desirous to reforme the abuses of his officers a friend to peace and capable of counsell but weak and yeelding in aduersities and by that meane making his enemies ouer-bold in their ambitious desseins Finally a Prince who deserued to be placed amongst the worthiest of this Monarchie if volupâ—uousnes luxury excessiâ—e prodigalitie to some of his fauorites the which might without enuie haue beene diuided amongst many men of honour had not made him negligent and carâ—lesse of the politike gouernment of his estate and so blemished the goodliest graces which nature had planted in his soule THE THIRD PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS IN THE ROYALL BRANCHE OF the Bourbons beginning at Henry now King of Nauarre and the fourth of that name of France and of Nauarre Our King shall iudge vs and go before vs and shall conduct our battailes for vs. And God hath annointed thee ouer his inheritance for Prince and thou shalt deliuer his people from the hands of their enemies that are about them And The Lord his God is with him and a crie of the Kings victorie in him HENRY the fourth before King of Nauarre the first of the third royall branch of the Bourbons 63. King of France HENRY IIII. KING OF FRANCE AND NAVAR · · BEhold the Theatre of mans life diuers passions appeare in diuers acts But sorrow yeeldes to ioy and happines chaseth away heauinesse God gouernes the being of this world by seasons Men reape not before they haue sowed neither doe they sowe before they haue laboured Thus he gouerns the society of mankind by certaine degrees that man may know that he deserues not the sweet that hath not tasted of the sowre and that the force of his wit can no waye aduance the happy successe of his Estate without the helpe and grace of that great Gardien who by miraculous meanes preserues Estates from apparent ruine This reigne hath two parcells The beginning is painefull full of crosses and confused vntill that our Henry sollemnly installed be acknowledged lawfull King by alâ— his subiects for till then the most impudent and passionate called him the Bearnois 〈◊〉 disdaine others more modest left him his first title of King of Nauarre or at the least of Prince of Bearne But the successe will teach vs that euen nowe the Lord would suoâ—our this Monarchie and in despight of all the violent oppositions of man make our King to triumphe ouer all domesticall and forrayne insolencies which had â—â—â—allowed him for the lawfull successor and almost dispossessed him of his Realme Doubtlesse we must confesse without flattery that France had neede of this Prince to roote out like an other French Hercules those hideous monsters which made it horrible and fearefull to her owne children to restore the French to the greatnes of their reputation and this crowne to her former beauty It is of him that the Princes of our age and of future ages shall learne to be Captaines He himselfe alone hath made more warre then all they haue seene together Let vs also obserue a great conformity of his raigne with that of Dauid in afflictions and blessings and 〈◊〉 that God would make him equall in the zeale of pietie and iustice the chiefe and fiâ—mest pillers of a royalty let vs hope that with a holy ambition being borne a King he will shew himselfe so and that he may long reigne happily to the glory of God the good of his subiects and the health of his owne soule But let vs see by what degrees the fundamentall lawe of this Estate calles him to this monarchie The Genealogy of the King Saâ—â—t Lewis Lewis surnamed Saint .44 King of France had many sonnes Philip his successor surnamed the hardy Peter Earle of Alançon Robert also Earle of Alançon by the death of Peter and Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuaism the first and the last haue left issue the two others died without heires and before their father Philip hath left by order successiue in direct line masculine and lawfull or collaterall from the neâ—rest to the neerest kinne all our Kings which haue continued in the tâ—ird royall race euen vnto Henry the 3. King of France and of Poland by whoâ—e death the name and family of Valois being extinct the lawe seekes to the line of Robert Earle of Clermont in Beauuasm and findes not any one neerer then the house of Vendesme whereof our Henrie is the sole and lawfull heire Male as descending in the â—irect masculine and lawfull line from the said Robert Robert For Robert had by Beatrix the onely daughter and heire of Archibauld Earle of Bourbon Lâ—wis the first Duke of Bourbon Lewis whose lands were
erected to a Duchie in the yeare 1329. Lewis Duke of Bourbon and Mary the daughter of Iohn the 18. Earle of Hainault had Peter Duke of Bourbon and Iames Earle of Ponthieu Constable of France Peter had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valois Peter Lewis Lewis and Iames. Lewis surnamed the good Duke of Bourbon had by Anne Countesse of Auuergne Lewis Earle of Clermont who died without children Iohn Iames. Iohn Duke of Bourbon had by Bonne Duchesse of Auuergne and Countesse of Montpensur Charles Iohn and Lewis Earle of Montpensier father to Gilbert of whome issued Charles the last Duke of Bourbon Câ—â—â—les Charles Duke of Bourbon had of Agnes the daughter of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Iohn and Peter Iohn the second of that name married Ioane of France daughter to Charles the 7. and dying without lawfull heyres of his body the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his yonger brother Peter the second of that name Peter Duke of Bourbon had of Anne of France the daughter of Lewis the eleuenth one onely daughter Susanne the generall heire of Bourbon Châ—â—les the last Duke of Bourbon who was wife to the aboue named Charles the youngest sonne of Gilbert who likewise was the youngest sonne of Lewis aboue named Earle of Montpersur and brother to Charles Duke of Bourbon But no children growing from this marriage the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis created Duke of Bourbon ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France who died at the seege of Rome and the Duchie of Bourbonoâ—s beeing incorporate to the crowne Iames the yonâ—est son of Lewâ—s duke of Bourbon Iohn we must seeke the line of Iames of Pontieu they also giue him the titles of Earle of Charolois and la Marche Constable of France the yongest sonne of Lewis the first Duke of Bourbon Iames had by Ioue the daughter of the Earle of S. Paul Iohn his successor Earle of la Marche Iohn had of Katherine the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme issued from the Dukes of Normandy and Earles of Aniou Iames King of Naples who leauing none but daughters Lewis Earle of Vendosme transported his right of inheritance to Lewis his yongest brother Lewis had no children by Iane of Roussy his first wife the daughter of Ralfe Earle of Montfort and of Anne of Montmorency but of Iane the daughter of Guy Lord of Guare and of Anne heire of Lauall and Vitry in Brittany or of Mary the daughter of Engerard Lord of Coucy and of Isabel his wife the daughter of Edward King of England according to some opinions By his second marriage he had Iohn his successor and Earle of Vendâ—sme Iohn the second of that name Iohn the second had of Iane of Beauieu or of Isabel of Beauuais Frâ—nciâ— daughter to the Lord of Pressigni Francis his successor and Earle chiefe of the Nobility le ts them vnderstand the deceassed Kings will touching 〈◊〉 by a generall or nationall Councell whereof he protests to followe the instruction I giue leaue said he to all such as would leaue me so to doe Yet I am sorry they are no better Frenchmen for their owne good and safety I haue friends enough 〈◊〉 out them to mainteine my authority God hath neuer left mee and will not nowe abandon mee He hath not begun this so miraculous a worke to leaue it vnperfect 〈◊〉 for my sake alone but for his owne names sake and for so many soules affâ—â—cted in this Realme whome I desire and promise by the faith of a King to releeue so 〈◊〉 as God shall giue mee the meanes But how grieuous is this to mee that am your lawfull King and who leaue you in the liberty of your religion to see you go about to force mee to yours by vnlawfull meanes and without former instruction This declaration reteyned them that were least scrupulous in their duties and his promise not to alter any thing in religion might haue shaken many of the League To crosse him the Duke of Mayenne publisheth an Edict of the 5. of August iâ—â—is name and the Councells of the holy vnion established at Paris attending a generall Assembly of the Estates of the Realme to vnite said he all Frenchmen that were good Christians for the defence and preseruation of the Catholike Apostolike Romish Church and the mainteynance of the royall Estaâ—e in the absence of their lawfull King Charles the 10. of that name For whose liberty he inuited them all to armes But he desired no more the liberty of his pretended King then our Henry did to force religâ—on the support whereof serues them for a goodly cloake Some Parlements growe iealous of these sodaine changes in the State and seeme to entertaine the people in doubt and feare of the subuersion of their religion Violent decrees That of Bourdeaux commaunds all men vnder their Iurisdiction by a decree of the 19. of August to obserue inuiolablie the Edict of vnion to the Catholike Apostolike and Romish Church and declarations were thereupon made That of Tholouse is more violent They decree that yeerely the first day of August they should make processions and publike prayers for the benefits they had receiued that day in the miraculous and fearefull death of Henry the third whereby Paris was deliuered and other Townes oâ— the Realme forbidding all persons to acknowledge Henry of Bourbon the pretended King of Nauarre for King declaring him incapable euer to succeede to the Crowne of France by reason said the decree of the notorious and manifest crimes conteyned at large in the bull of excommunicatioÌ„ of Pope Sxtus the 5. Without doubt the authority of the Soueraigne court is much blemished in pronouncing a decree which they must reuoake by a contrary sentence Thus the League kindled anewe the fires which the seege of Paris had somewhat quenched The King raiseth hiâ—â—eâ—ge from Paris the Kings troupes decreased hourely sicknesse diminished their numbers and the Duke of Mayennes increased The King therefore diuides his armye into three one vnder the commaund of the Duke of Longueuille into Picardy the other into Champagne vnder the Marshall d' Aumont and he is aduised to passe himselfe into Normaâ—dy with twelue hundred horse three thousand French foote and two regiments of Suisses as well to receiue succours out off England as to assure some places passages fit for his desseines but with direction to ioyne at neede In his passage he causeth the Kings body to bee conducted and left at Compiegne and reduceth to his obedience His conquests Meulan Gisors and Clermont he receiues from Captaine Roulet both the place and the hearts of the inhabitants of Pont de l' Arche foure leagues from Rouan a passage very commodious for the trafficke betwixt Rouan and Paris He visits Deepe confirmes the towne of Caen forceth Neufâ—hastel to yeeld hauing by Hallot and Guitry his Lieutenants ouercome the
and some others were lightly hurt In this battaile they obserue three chiefe things The first the Kings firme resolution to giue battaile with an assured confidence that the sinceriity of his intent and the equity of his cause should bee fauored with the assistance of heauen The second that at the very instant of the fight it seemed that the earth did bring forth armed men for his seruice for on the eue and the day of battaile there came aboue sixe hundred horses vnto him vnexpected The third that of two thousand French Gentlemen only twelue hundred did fight twelue hundred put to rout an army of foure thousand horse fresh well mounted well armed and twelue thousand foote Without doubt the Eternall God of armes doth neuer forget the right of Princes Conquests after the victory against their rebellious subiects and a braue resolution with a wiâ—e commaunde giues a happie ende to battailes This victory purchased Vernon and Mante vnto the King two principall bridges vpon the riuer of Seixe And the heauens seemed to poure more blessings vpon our Henry and to make his way easie to an absolute Royaltie An other 〈…〉 of the League for the Earle of Rendan chiefe of the League in Auuergne was the same daie of the battaile of Yury shamefully chased from the seege of Iosstre slaine in battaille his troupes cut in peeces and his artillery taken by the Lords of Curton Rostignat and Chasseron As they had abused the Mantois with a vaine assurance of his death whome they durst not looke vpon nor incounter so with the like practises they must delude the Parisâ—â—ns The Duke of Mayenne his sister of Montpensier and the other heads of the League deceiued of hopes published by printed bookes That at the first assault at Dreux the Bearnois had lost aboue fiue hundred men that their wounds had made a greater number vnfit for their armes That the Marshall of Biron was wounded vnto death That in an other encounter neere vnto Poisâ—y the Vnion had gotten a great victory That in the battaile of Yury the combate had beene long and the losse almost equall That if the Bearnois bee not dead hee is little better But such as glad to haue saâ—ed themselues came to Paris marred all in verifying the Contrary making the people to hang downe their heads and to wish for peace by a still and mournefull muttering The fire brands of hell in their pulpits made the losse farre lesse then it was giuing them an assured hoped of speedie and newe succors from Spaine for the restoring of their Estate and the destruction of the Maheustres so they then called such as did fight vnder the Kings Enseigns To that ende the Duke of Mayenne went into Flanders to the Duke of Parma that is to say hee went to ruine his honour and reputation for being a master at home among his owne countryemen hee went to make himselfe a seruant and slaue to an ambitious proud man who hath often made him attend at his gate and lacquay after him before hee could receiue an answere of any matter of small importance to the great griefe an disdaine of the French Gentlemen that did accompanie him Doubtlesse it was necessary the Duke should trie the insolency of strangers the better to know the courtesie of the French and submit his armes and person to the King his soueragine and lawfull Lord the means whereby hereafter hee shall abolish the memory of things past Aduersity makes the wilfull more obstinate The Court of Parliament at Rouen for execution of the former decree puts to death the seauenth of Aprill some prisoners the Kings seruants and three daies after they declare all those persons guilty of high treason to God and man that followed the King of Nauarre so speake the decree and would not yeeld to King Charles the tenth of that name 1590 ioyne with the Vnion and carrie armes vnder the â—uke of Mayenne â—â—â—lest these threaten by their decree and the Duke goes to beg releefe the King being at Manta laboured to reduce the Parisiens to reason by mildnes But these trumpeâ—â— of sedition imputing this delay to want of courage perswaded the people that shortly their sworne enemie should haue worke inough and that at length he should beemined that a little patience would giue them a great victorie that they must not yeeldâ— any article whatsoeuer making impudent allusions to the name of his familie who is now seated in the throne of this monarchie These insolent exclamations brought the King about Paris Paris is accustomed to liue from hand to mouth Seege of Paris the benefit of the Hales the Place Maubert and other market places is the cause that the most part of housholds doe not knowe what prouision meanes And the cheefe of the League had so setled this former beleefe in the Citizens minds as of a hundred fourescore and nineteene had neglected to prouide for things necessarie to endure the toyle of a seege So as the taking of Mante Poissy Pont-charenton Corbeil Melun Montreau vpon Seine and Logny vpon Marne brought Parts in few moneths to extreame necessitie Compiegne Creil and Beaumont stopt the 〈◊〉 of Oise Erronious decision of Sorbonne But the ordinarie cries of the Preachers the practises of the cheefe and the Ladies of the League and the erronious decision of the facultie of Sorbonne giuen the seuenth of May in the thâ—rd generall congregation held to that end in the great hall of the sayd College prohibiting all Catholikes according to the law of God sayd they to receiue for King an heretike or fauorer of heretikes relaps excommunicate although he do afterwards obteine by an outward iudgement absolution of his crimes and Censures if there remaine any doubt of dissembling treacherie or suâ—uersion of the Catholike religion Condemning all them for heretikes forsakers of religion and peâ—â—icious to the church that should suffer any such to come to the crowne Al these made the multitude more obstinate against the extreamest miseries which the rigour of a long and painful â—eege may cause Besides this decision they had yet stronger restraints to bridle mens tongues actions that fauoured the flowre de Liz in their hearts The sixteene set spies to obserue the speeches and countenances of such as they suspect that is to say of such as wish for peace and haue not lost the remembrance of the true Princes of France And if any one chance to say It were good to â—reate of a peace He is a politike hee is a Roialist that is to say an heretike and enemie to the Church They spoyle imprison yea put to death such as doe not applaud this horrible tyrannie 〈◊〉 of the Paâ—â—siâ—ns The Duke of Nemours in the Duke his brothers absence commaunded at Paris and for his cheefe Councellors he had the Popes Legat the Ambassador of Spaine the Archbishop of Lion the Bishops of Paris Rennes Plaisance Senlis and others â—anigarole Bishop of
losse euen to the fronters of Arthois by the King the Dukes of Neuers and Longueuille by the Baron of Biron Giury Parabell and others To teach Strangers that France cannot be taken nor ruined but by it selfe Hee had no sooner turned his backe but Corbeil and other small places held by them returned to the Kings obedience the garrisons placed there by them repayed the French bloud lately shed at the taking thereof and Paris fell againe into new confusions and like necessitie The Duke of Mayenne was greatly troubled to assist the Parniesâ—n in his retreâ—t During the which the Maâ—shall of Biron tooke Clermoâ—â— in 〈◊〉 â—uoisin for his Maiestie fiâ—e or sixe other Townes and twentie Fortes or 〈◊〉 â—ossessed by the enemie The Duke of Parma being out of the Realme the King made his entrie into Saint Quentin being receiued with an honourable entertaâ—â—ment and exceeding ioye of the Inhabitants and the tenth of December hee was aduertised that Humieres Boissiere his brother in lawe and Parabell had forced Corbie Corby taken for the King sâ—aled the walles fought with the garrison slaine all men of defence and conquered the Towne for his Maiestie We haue conducted a mighty enemy out off the realme let vs now obserue some particular exploits for which we would not interrupt the continuance of our History The Leaguers forces consisted of men Diuers exploits who sought their priuate profit in the confusion of the Estate and by consequence wished for nothing but increase of disorders so all their desseignes tended onely to spoile and desolation to the preiudice of the Kings subiects but to no aduancement of their party In Daulphine those of Vienne sought in the moneth of Marche to shew some effects in fauour of the crosses of Lorraine Those which had the Flower de Luze printed in their hearts assure the Towne for the King The Colonel Alphonso and Les Diguieres go to succour them and from thence go and take Pont of Beauuoisin and Saint Laurence du Pont possessed by the League In the meane time the Marquis of S. Sorlin brother to the Duke of Nemours hath an enterprise vpon Vienne These two Commanders flie thether with speed and repulse the enemie Alphonso desires to see how he carries himselfe in his retreat hee falls into an ambush layd by the Baron of Senecey is taken prisoner and payes afterwards fortie thousand Crownes for his ransome Les-diguieres tooke the Townes and Castles of Brianson and Dexilles and entred vpon the territories of the Duke of Sauoy Then in Nouember hee beseeged and forced Grenoble a Parliament Towne to set vp the armes of France and to change their affections which inclined to the factions of Strangers So wee may say that Daulphiné was the first Prouince of the realme wholy subdued to the King from the League the which was chiefely performed by the valour and diligence of the Lord of Les-Diguieres In Normandie the Duke of Montpensier tooke Honfleur and forced the Leaguers to leaue the field Thus the League decreased in diuers Countries and to giue them a mare the King did sollicite a leuie of Reistres in Germanie by the Viconte of Turenne On the other side Gregorie Sfondrate lately installed in the Pontificall Chaire and a Partisan of Spaine Gregorie the 14. a partisan of Spaine reuiued the hopes of the League promising a succour of fifteene hundred horse and eight thousand foote vnder the command of Francis Sfondrate his Nephew During these preparations the Cheualier D' Aumale attempts vpon Saint Denis sâ—ales the wall by night enters the Towne without losse and held himselfe for maister thereof when as the Lord of Viâ—q a valiant wise and resolute Gentleman comes into the streete chargeth the Knight layes him dead vpon the place killes most of his followers and puts the rest to flight This Knight was one of the chiefe of the League violent hardie and valiant but of a strange disposition in supportable and dissolute The King tyred the Parisiens with continuall alarums and new enterprises but rather to terrifie them then to ruine them and to giue them occasion to open their eyes and to consider of their estate They growe so amazed as they wall vp Saint Honories gate vpon an aduertisement that the Kings troupes would make some great attempt the 20. of Ianuarie The Parisiens feare serues the Agents of Spaine for a pretext to drawe in some regiments of Spaniards and Neapolitaines attending some greater succours from the Duke of Parma The hope of these new succours from Spaine and Italy serued the chiefe of that faction as a bridle to restraine the Parisiens But the more to incourage and content the whole body Gregorie the 14. of that name assisted by many Cardinalls doth againe excommunicate the King and his adherents hee sends a monitorie to the Cardinall of Plaisance his Legate at Paris by Marcellin Landriano his Nuncio and for the effect of his purposes and promises hee begins to armâ— to nourish in steed of quenching as the common father the combustions of 〈◊〉 Realme On the other side the Castillian hauing priuate intelligence with the Duke of Mertoeur the Spaniards land in Brittanie and fortifie Blauet a port of the sea and thereby in a manner dismember the whole Prouince 1591 vnited to the Crowne vnder Charles the eight The King sent la Noue to make head against them and retyring to Senlis hee tooke the way to Brie accompained by the Duke of Neuers who hereafter shall be of the Kings party vpon the assurance the Cardinall of Bourbon gaue him that hee might without scruple of conscience carry armes for his King although of a contrary religion he makes a shew to beseege Prouins Sens or Troyes then with a sodaine change he giues out that his meaning was to go to Tours to redresse some disorders but heâ— commands the Marshall of Biron who returned from the conquest of Caudebee Harfleur Fescamp and almost al Normandie for his Maiesty except Newe-hauen Rouan Pontoise and two or three other places to make a shewe to passe through Beaulse to ioyne with him and that sodenly hee should turne and beset Chartres before that any greater forces should enter Chartres was enuironed the tenth of Februarie beseeged battered and assaulted but valiantly defended almost two monethes and a halfe Chartres beseeged and taken La Bourdaisiere commanded there who hauing endured some assaults it was propounded in the Kings Councell to raise the seege but the Earle of Cheuerny lately restored to the office of Chancellor by his Maiesty did vehemently impugne it hauing an especiall interest in the reduction of this towne by reason of some lands he possessed there about he aduiseth the King to giue a general assault insistes vpon the dishonor preiudice it would bring to the Kings affaires and the commodities hee should receiue by the taking thereof beeing one of the keyes of Paris which might greatly settle his Estate and annoy his rebells The Lord of
allowe thereof This was to recouer some life after a long numâ—es and fainting and to returne to the way of obedience But the Legat of Rome a pensioner of Spaine and the cheeâ—e of the League hoping to draw the affaires to another course calling from all parts the Deputies of Townes confederate to assist at the Estates at Paris they sought all meanes to mortifie these motiues of charitie to their countrie which reuiued in the most modest And the better to aduance their desseins they publish a certaine writing in forme of a Bull commaunding and giuing authoritie to the Cardinall of Plaisance to assist and to confirme the future election of a new King This doth sufficiently discouer that which hitherto they haue concealed and kept secret couering with the pretext of religion their wicked and damnable conspiracie which opened the gate to the ouerthrowe and ruine of all order and humaine societie instituted by God especially of this most famous and flourishing monarchie whereof the fundamentall law consists cheefly in the order of the lawfull succession of our Kings The Court of Parliament being remoued from Paris to Chaalons A sentence against Clement the 8. Bull. by a decree of the eighteenth of Nouember confirming the request of the Kings Proctor generall allowed of his appeale from the grant of the said Bull and authoritie conteined therein the publication and execution thereof and whatsoeuer was therein conteined They decreed that Phillip of the title of Saint Onuphre Cardinal of Plaisance should bee cyted to plead against the sayd appeale They exhorted all men not to suffer themselues to bee infected with the poyson and witchcraft of such rebells and seâ—â—tious persons but to continue in their duties like good and naturall Frenchmen and to retâ—ine still the obedience and loue they owe vnto their King and Countrie not adhering to the practises of such as vnder the colour of religion would inuade and trouble the State and bring in the barbarous Spaniards and other vsurpers They did expresly inhibit and forbid the keeping of the sayd Bull to publish it to aide or fauour the sayd rebells or to transport themselues into any townes or places that might bee assigned for the sayd pretended election vpon paine for the Nobles to be degraded of their Nobility and they and their posterity to be declared infamous and base and for the Clergie to loose the possession of their benefices and to bee punished as all other offenders guilty of treason troublers of the publike peace traitors to their Country without hope to obtaine pardon remission or abolition And all townes not to receiue the sayd rebells and seditious to make the sayd assemblie to lodge entertayne or harbour them Moreouer they decreed that the place where that resolution had beene taken togither with the towne of the sayd assemblie should be quite razed without hope to be reedified for a perpetuall memory of their treachery and treason Commanding all persons to set vpon such as should transport themselues to the sayd towne to assist at this assembly And to the Proctor generall to informe against the Authors and procurers of such monopoles and conspracies made against the Estate This decree was but laughed at by the heads of the League and did nothing daunt their priuate hopes Euery one makes his faction apart Euery one desired to set in his masters chaire and not one would bee a seruant or Companion The Dukes of Guise Mayenne Nemours and Sauoy the Marquis of Pont sought by sundry practises to get the voices of the pretended Estares The instructions found in the cofers of the Baron of Tenissey after his defeate by Vaugrenan who commanded for the King in Saint Iohn de Laune in Bourgongne did sufficiently discouer the high proiects which certaine bad Councellors made this yong Prince to conceiue But aboue all the Duke of Mayenne The Popes â—ulls disanuled supposing that after the death of the Duke of Parma whom he feared as very opposite to his authority this occurrent would giue him meanes to recouer his credit began to play the King within Paris hoping the Estats would prefer him before the yonger or at the least the title of Lieutenant generall to the King of Spaine could not escape him in the Conquest of the realme For the first fruits of his absolute power he forceth the Presidents and Councellors remayning at Paris to receiue Rosne one of his most trusty friends with the title of Marshall of the Crowne gouernor of the Isle of France dignities fit for a Nobleman of a better house quality And to bridle the Parisiens who demaÌ„ded peace he caused on Christmas Eue going vp to the pallace the Citty being in armes the foresayd decree against the Popes Bul to be openly burnt then by a publâ—ke declaration he inuited al the Catholikes of the realme to vnite themselues to forsake the obedience which they shewed to a Prince whose prosession perseuerance made him incapable appointed the conuocation of the Estats on the 17. of Ianuary following at Paris There ioyntly to seeke without passion saâ—ed he or respect of any mans interest the remedies which they should thinke in their coÌ„science to be most profitable for the preseruation of religion and the Estate But what Estates Like vnto those of Troyes where they disinherited Charles the 7. the true and lawfull heire of the Crowne as excomunicate Estates chosen almâ—st of all the scomme of the people of the most matinous and seditious corrupted by money and all pretending some priuate profit in change and innouation A â—arliament compounded of men which eyther enioyed the benefice the office or the house of their neighbour or that had stolne his goods or detayned his reuenues or to conclude that feared by a peace to be toucht for some committed Crimes bankerouts infamous and wicked Estats where there appeeres not one Prince of the bloud no Chancellor no Marshalls of France no Presidents of Soueraine Courts none of the Kings Proctors generall in his Parliaments fewe men of reputation knowne to haue loued the peoples good and their owne honours No men of marke and account without whome they could not assemble nor hold any iust and lawfull Estates Fâ—nally a Parâ—â—â—ment where they see none but passionate strangers gaping after France geeedie of the bloud and welth thereof ambitious and reuenging women corrupt Preestes licentious and full of vaine hopes No Noblemen of worth 1593 but three or foure who alreadie had resolued to abandon that faction all the rest were beggarly louing warre and trouble during the which they eate the good mans bread not able to maintayne their owne traynes in time of peace An Italian Legat and vassall to a strange Prince who in this quality neyther can nor ought to haue any place sent to hinder the liberty of voices and to authorise such as had promised him to do wonders for the affaires of Rome and Spaine A Cardinall of Peluè a Frenchman by
nation but pleading the cause of the King of Spaine and the rights of Lorraine The Duke of Feria and Mendosa Ambassador of Spaine had their Agents and aduocates by whome they gaue them to vnderstand that the King of Spaines intention was only to haue a King chosen that might pacifie the troubles of the realme deliuer them from their enemies defend them against all assaylants and restore the Crowne to her first beauty And representing the voluntary bounty of the Catholike King and the great effects of the succors giuen by him vnto France wherein hee had imployed aboue sixe millions of gold he would inferre that now but he was capable of this election or else in regard of him the Infant Donna Isabella to whome the sayd Ambassador durst mayntaine that by the Lawes of nature of God and of the realme it did belong The desseinâ— of Spaine Doubtlesse from the insolent proceedings and proud desseins of strangers the soueraigne author and gardien of Estates caused the preseruation of this monarchie to growe They commended this Ambassage and receiued it with honour But the pretensions of this Infanta were reiected at the first as a proposition contrary to the fundamentall lawes of the realme His Agents seeing themselues frustrate of this first demand they frame a second vpon the election of the Arch-duke Ernest Cross by somâ— men of honour fiâ—st brotâ—er to the Emperour to whome the King of Spaine promised to giue his daughter to wife when as the assemblie had declared her Qâ—eene of France But what should become of so many Competitors growne vp in France So this proposiâ—ion finding no man willing to entertaine it remayned frutelesse Nowe some thinking to giue the last mate to the Kings good fortune 〈◊〉 a third expedient Thaâ— if they giue this Crowne vnto the Noble Infanta and to him of the Princes of France comprehending the house of Lorraine whome the King of Spaine should choose they would cause this election to bee seconded with an army of eight thousand foote and two thousand horse and within fewe monethes to be fortified with the like numbers which soone should redâ—ce â—rance wholy and peaceably to these newe Kings that they would giue a hundred thousand Crownes monethly so long as the warre should last to entertayne ten thousand foote three thousand horse within the realme Was not this to â—eed mens mindes with fancies dreames and imaginations But no man giues his voice to this last proposition Doubtlesse there was no proportion to recompence the succors sent by Philip to the reuolted townes with the Crowne of France Contrariwise many hauing their mindes merely French knew wel that this proposition was to make matters irreconciliable and to bring an immortal warre into France and therefore with a feruent zeale and great affection they opposed themâ—elues against the reception thereof hoping the eternall prouidence who had so often raysed France from most greeuous falls of warre and from greater infirmities would now preuent these latter dangers otherwise then by the subuersion of the lawes which were made to support it The declaration which his Maiesty opposed to that of the Duke of Mayenne The Kings declaration against the Leaguâ—râ— did much preuaile to fortifie those good mindes in their commendable resolution and prepared their hearts generally to conceiue a great hope of a speedy peace For the King discouering the practises of his rebellious subiects namely of their heads the Dukes treachery presuming to assemble the Estates of the realme which may not be called but by royall authority and for matter of religion hee protesteth that besides the Couocation of a Councell if there may be round any better or more speedie meanes to come to the instruction which they â—retend to giue him 1553. to diuert him from the exercise of his religion to that of the Catholike and Romish he will willingly embrace it with all his heart giuing leaue to the Princes Officers of the Crowne and other Noblemen that did assist him to â—end their Deputies to the Pope to deale in this instruction and to be pleased therewith and blaming the Leaguars who had hindred the effects hee layed a good foundation of the obedience which his subiects prepared for him Declaring moreouer this pretended assemblie at Paris to be attempted against the Lawes against the good and quiet of the realme and all that should be treated or concluded therein abusiue and of no force Terming the Duke and his adherents in that case guiltie of high treason shewing that he could maintaine his authoritie against all vsurpers But offering pardon to all Townes Comonalties and persons seduced by the cheefe of the League and exhorting them to remember themselues hee made his subiects begin to tast that great and admirable clemencie whereby he hath won the hearts and brought the affections of the French to a perfect and most voluntarie obedience To this declaration of his Maiestie the Princes and Noblemen Catholikes that were about him added an other which they sent to these pretended Estates and required that some should be deputed on either part to resolue of the fittest expedients to pacifie these troubles for the preseruation of the Catholike religion and the Estate The Duke of Mayenne and his partie accept of this conference so as it may be done by Catholikes only The conference at Surene and it began the 29. of April at Surene neere Paris Whilest the good Cardinall of Bourbon liued he was an instrument for the League now he is dead religion is their onely pretext And the more the King giues them hope of his conuersion to the Romish Church the more violent they are to draw the people from this beleefe Crost by the court of Rome The Legat seekes to crosse it and by a publike exhortation full of iniuries against his Maiestie hee labours to perswade the French that the King long since dismembred from the bodie of the Church was most iustly pronounced incapable of the Crowne Then opposing himselfe against the decrees of the Parliaments of Tours and â—â—â—alons made against the monitories of Landriano he extols his masters praises condemnes the Parliament which had condemned his Bulls magnifies the Estates of the League who reiected an obstinate heretike and relaps with a resolution neuer to yeeld vnto him for said hee such is the Popes will and pleasure But why a relaps and obstinate considering the due submission which our Henry makes to yeeld to better instruction The Pope himselfe will harken soone vnto him and all the Consistorie will blesse his resolution Both the Duke and Legat preuaile little in their deuises Those which held the first place in this assembly had no other care but to preserue this Monarchie found this expedient The answere of the â—stâ—tes to the 〈◊〉 oâ— Spa ne That to frustrat the former propositions they should say to the Duke of Feria and other ministers of Spaine that it would bee now out of
the Emperouâ— who besides the donation which he expected from the Emperour his brother of his right desired that during the life of Duke Iohn a Catholike Gouernour should be named and at his appoinment that after his death he might vnite these Duchies lying neere vnto the Lowe Countries the which he hoped should be giuen him in marriage and become Maister thereof But all the enterprises which hee made and all the ruiâ—es and spoyles which his army committed vnder his Lieutenant the Admirall preuayled nothing but his army was forced to reâ—ire and to deliuer vp those places which they had taken vnto Duke Iohn who at this present is married with the daughter of the Duke of Lorraine as shall be said hereafter The fourth Demaund That the sentence giuen against them of the Towne of Aix should be presently put in execution It did much import the King of Spaine and Albert the Cardinall that the towne of Aix lying in the Country of Iuilliers nere vnto Lembourg should bee at the Protestants deuotion He therefore required the execution of the sentence giuen against them in the Imperiall chamber for the reestablishment of a Catholike Magistrate According to this demaund the Bishop of Leege was appointed by the Emperour to execute the sayed sentence To the fift Demaund That he prouide a speedy remedy for the Hans Townes to restrain the insolencye of English Pirats The Spaniard made this demaund for the townes of the East Country as Lubeck Rostoch Hambourg Breme Stode and others which did trafficke with his subiects and from whome he receiuâ—d great store of munition for the Warre Vpon this pretext the English ships did take and spoyle the Esterlings Whervppon the Emperour by an Imperiall decree did forbid the English to trafficke in the Hans Townes And the Queene of England did answer by proclamation that it should be lawfull for her subiects to take all ships that should carry any munition of War vnto the Spaniard By this answer we may see that the Queene did not greatly feare the Emperours prohibitions who answered vnto the said demand of the Admirall That hauing more ample complaints he would prouide as his duty and the equity of the cause doth require To the sixt Demaund That he would suffer him to leuy men in the territories of the Empire his Imperiall Maiesty made answer That the Catholike King should in no sort doubt of his good affection for that during so many yeares space he had suffered him to make the like leuies of men The which was neuer graunted vnto his aduersaries who notwithstanding haue leuied some but without his Maiesties pâ—iuity But for his Imperial Maiesty to graunt such a thing vnto the King of Spaine either by Letters pattents or by commission it was not conuenient for that they haue imployment for many souldiars against the Turke so as it was to be feared the whole Empire would murmure yet vnder hand his Imperiall Maiesty was coÌ„tent to assist him all he could And if the affaires of Hongary would permit to satisfie him fully openly But the Admiral did presse him much to haue Letters pattents with commission to leuie men notwithstanding the former reasons or any other respect seeing that the Emperour may leuy men in the Lowe Countries to serue against the Turke Whervnto the Emperour answered That he could not graunt the King of Spaine any Pattent generall or leaue to leauy as many regiments of Souldiars as he pleased seeing it had not beene vsed in former â—imes But seeing that his Imperiall Maiesty was not of sufficient power to beare the burthen of this Warre without the assistance of the Princes of the Empire there was no doubt but at the first Campe and at the first occasion hee should bee charged and reproached therewith so as the contributions and support of those Princes would fayle him To conclude the Emperour intreated the King of Spaine as well in this regard as in all other things to rest assured of his loue and affection and how welcome his Ambassador was vnto him These were the demaunds the King of Spaine made vnto the Emperour To what ende they tended will appeare by the actions of the sayde Admirall of Arragon hauing entred the countries of Iuilliers and Cleues with the King of Spaines army as we shall shew in the ende of this yeare 1598. Whilest these things passed in Germany the most Christian King was at Nantes he pacified Brittaine discharged the new Garrisons and some Imposts and placed for Gouernour there Cesar Monsieur his base sonne nowe Duke of Vandosme who was betrothed to the onely Daughter of the Duke of Mercoeur He then graunted the Edict of pacification to them of the reformed Religion within his realme as wee shall shewe hereafter A Peace being concluded at Veruins betwixt the two Kings there was nothing yet agreed vpon for the Duke of Sauoy It seemed the King of Spaine had forgotten him and that hee did not acknowledge him for his sonne-in-lawe The French King helde him for neither kinsman nor friend so long as hee should detaine the Marquisate of Salusses The Marquis of Lullins who was there Agent for the Duke assured the Deputies that the Duke had no other intention The Duke of Sauoy desires to bâ— comprehâ—nded in the Treaâ—y but to giue the King more contentment hereafter then forepassed occasions would giue him meanes Vppon this assurance he entred into the Treaty the which by his occasion was in a manner broken off three dayes before the conclusion For the King was resolued not to thinke of any accord with the Duke but by present effects without defferring the satisfaction of that which was due vnto him It was not likely the King would conclude a peace with the Duke of Sauoy with lesse honourable conditions then hee had done with the King of Spaine from whom he had recouered all his places But the Pope fearing that this Marquisate of Salusses would proue an Aetna to fire all Italy preuailed so with the King as he preferred the publike good before his owne priuate interest The King prefers the publike good before his priuâ—te interest beeing content for the finishing of this building of Peace that the Dukes Interest and his Right should be put to compromise It was agreed that the Pope should bee the onely Iudge of this discord touchâ—ng the restitution of the Maâ—quisate of Salusses and that within a yeare So a Peace was concluded signed by the Deputies but it was not published till a moneth aâ—ter only a general suspension of armes was proclaimed The King being at Rennes in Brittaine came post to Tours and so to Amiens for the better execution of the Peace A Peace concludâ—d the 2. of Mâ—y 1598. coâ—teyning 37. Articles Proclaimed the 2. of Iunâ— which was coÌ„prehended in 37. Articles the which Peter Mathew sets downe at large All which Articles conteyned in the Treaty and all that had beene concluded agreed and passed by the said
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may
the common licentious conuersing with the people for the auoiding of scandales which do often followe That all reuersions of Benefices may be taken away as well for that it is against the Cannon Lawe and the holy Constitutions of Councells as also for that it is a cause to shorten the liues of the Incumbents That the Contracts before time passed betwixt their Maiesties and the Clergy may be confirmed without breach or supposition for the Subsidy granted vnto his Maiesty by the Clergie That it would also please his Maiesty to prouide them conuenient remedies vpon the complaints which they had presented vnto him Wherevnto the King made a very short but a pithy answer the effect was this I confesse that what you haue saied is true The King â— answer to the Clergy but I am not the author of these Innouations these mischiefes were brought in before my comming During the Warres I haue runne to the greatest fire to quench it I will nowe do what is needfull in time of Peace I know that Religion and Iustice be the foundations and pillers of this Estate the which is maintained by Pietie and Iustice. But if they were not I would plant them by little and little as I do all things with the helpe of God I will settle the Church in as good Estate as it was a hundred yeares since as well for the discharge of my conscience as for your content but Paris was not al built in one daie Let the people bee as much perswaded by your good examples to do well as they haue beene heretofore disswaded You haue exhorted me of my duty I do admonish you of yours let vs all do good Go you one way and I will go an other if wee meete we shall soone haue done My Predecessors haue giuen you Words but I with my graie Iâ—cket will giue you Deeds I am all gray without but I am all of Gold within I will write vnto my Councell to see your complaints and will prouide for you as fauorably as I may During these admonitions of the Clergy The Iesuitâ— seeke to be restorâ—d the Cardinall of Florence mooued the King for the restitution of the Iesuites The 7. Article of the treaty of Peace at Veruins did suffer the Subiects and seruants of either side as well Clergy men as Laye to returne enioy their Offices Benefices Reuenues obtayning permission letters patents vnder the broad seale from the Prince Many thought that the Iesuits should be comprehended in this Article and that if by this Peace the Spaniards were held Allies and as it were Cousin germains to the French those whom the Kings Aduocate had the yeare before in open Parliament termed Emissaires to the King of Spâ—ine shold returne to their Colleges from whence they had bin expelled by a sentence giuen in December in the yeare 1594. But the light ofPeace shines not vpon them The neâ—e world which it doth produce hauing cast the cenders of Warre Rancor and Reuenge into the Aire allowes them no retreat within the Iurisdiction of Paris The decrees which had banished them are grauen in Marble the Water of Praâ—ers Fauours and Teares although it perceth Stoanes preuailes nothing At the same time was concluded the marriage of Madame Catherine Princeâ—se of France and of Nauâ—rre The Kings only Sister 〈◊〉 to the Prince of Lorraine the Kings onely Sister with the Marquis of Pont Duke of Baâ— and Prince of Lorraine after many Iourneyes made by the sayd Prince vnto the most Christian Kingâ— in which accord there were great difficulties as well by reason of the diuersity of Religion the sayd Princesse refusing to leaue the reformed wherein sâ—ee had beene bred as also for that she could not be perswaded to go out off France Sâ—e had beene formerly sought by many great Princes to whom shee would not consent for the one or the other of these two causes and somtimes for both togither Francâ—s Monsiâ—ur Duke of Alenson desired her in the yeare 1582. but the difficulty was then greater for matters of Religion And before that King Henry the 3. comming out of Poland did affect her and it is thought that if he had seene her at Lion at his returne he would haue married â—er but Katherine de Medicis the Queene Mother described her to be a Dwarfe and crooked the which was most false for she was of a meane stature and of a good countenance It is true she had one legge somewhat shorter then an other which is a marke of the house of Albret for so had Alain Lord of Albret Father to King Iohn great Grand-father to the sayd Princesse Katherine The Qâ—â—ene Mother did this good turne for her God-daughter seeking to disgrace the King of Nauarre â—hom she haâ—ed from his youth vpon an imagination beeing told by an Italian Sooth-saier that he should succeed her Children Then the Duke of Lorraine who since was her Father in Lawe sought her The Prince of Condy loued her The King of Spaine sent to see her in the yeaâ—e 1580. promising great aduancement to the King of Nauarre This fayling the Duke of Sauoy sent twise in the yeare 83. promising no waie to impeach her Religion His Agent being refused he went into Spaine about his marriage with the Infanta Catherina Michelle In the yeare 86. the King of Scotland sent Master Meluin a Scotishman and others The Prince of Anhault being come to the succour of tâ—e Kâ—ng her Brother at his first comming to the Crowne of France demaunded her himselfe in person but through the necessity of the Warres which were dispersed throughout all France he returned as hee came with some discontent During these Warres two Princes of the bloud affected her the Earle of Soissons and the Duke of Montpensiâ—r but the neerenesse of bloud the diuersity of Religion and the indisposition of affaireâ— hindred the effect of their desires So as in the end he enioyed her to whom God had appointed her The ceremonies obâ—erued at this marriage wee will shew in the following yeare In Italie there grewe newe â—â—irres by reason of the death of Alphonso d' Esté Duke of Ferrara who was the last of that Noble house of Esté The Duchie of Ferrare is a masculine â—ee for so the Lawes call it belonging to the Holy Sea This fee had in former times beene graunted to the family of Esté by the Holy Sea in regard of seruices done by them vnto the Church Tâ—â—ubles for the Duâ—hy of Feâ—rara vpon condition that the Males onely should hold the sayd Dâ—chie and for want thereof it should returne againe vnto the Church to dispose thereof as it pleased Alphonso then being deceased without lawfull heires Males the Church demaâ—nds her right and for this effect there were great stirres on either side Duke Alphonso had in his life time labored all hee could to settle Caesar de Esté his last Brothers Sonne in the right of this dignity and the succession
seeing that hee was not come thither with any bad intention not to seize vppon an other mans Countrie nor to wrong any man but for extreme necessitie a sincere afâ—ection hee carried to the Empire and the preseruation thereof He blames the States That the States and vnited Prouinces were the cause of this mischeefe who would neâ—er reconcile themselues vnto the King their Lord notwithstanding so many offers of good vsage and intercâ—ssions of the Emperour of other Kings and of the Princes of Germanie nor yet the grace and fauour which the King of Spaine hath done them hauing transported all the Low Countries to the Infanta his daughter married to Albert the Archduke That the said King and Archdukeâ— hauing made him Generall of their armie the sooner to set him to worke and to enter into their Countries which were held by their enemies did thinke that they might well allowe them so much as to passe by the fronters of the Empire to wrest out off the enemies hands the places which they held and afterwards to râ—store them to their true owners He bâ—amâ—s the Elector of Coâ—len That through the long delay of the Prince Elector of Collen after the yeelding vp of Rhinberg and the retreat of the States shippes vpon the Rhine the sayd army had stayed along the Rhine pretending to raze Schercks Sconce lying at one of the Corners of the Rhine And being come thither that â—or the treaties and negâ—tiations which were long in managing they must remaine there for â—heir maintenance to free the riuer of Rhine and to keepe the Towne of Orsoy and that for some other reasons hee was forced to take the Towne of Burich to anoy the enemie to crossâ— their desseines He excuâ—etâ— the 〈◊〉 of the Eaâ—le of 〈◊〉 That victuals and forrage being spent considering the complaints of their neighbâ—urs many things haue past amongst others that of the Earle of Broucke who for his accustomed crueltie bad inclination killing tâ—em that went to forrage hauâ—ng contemned all brotherly admonitions desiring rather to practise armes then to enteâ—taine friendship if any misfortune had happened vnto him he was sorie for it beiâ—g reâ—olued to do Iustice. That when as the neigâ—bour Countries came to complaine vnto him of iniuries and oppressions which they sayd they endured he had vpon euery point giuen them iâ—st and lawfull excuses He excusâ—â—h 〈…〉 That after he had taken the Towne of Bergh to preuent the policie of his enemies and receiued money and victuals from them of Wezel according to their agreemâ—â—t for their ransome he raised his army and went to Rees the which hauâ—ng well fâ—rnâ—shed he came to Emerick in the vew of the enemie a Towne seated vpon the Rhâ—ne neer vnto the fort of Schenck the which being strong both by Art and Nature oâ— hard accesse by reason of the waters not easie to batter and much lesse to giue assault he â—ft it and tooke his way by the high Countrie he went before Deutecom which yeelded and â—o did the Castle of Schuylâ—mbourg That after many consultations of the reason of war and of the iniurie of the Tâ—me it was found expedient for the preseruation of the armie to cause it to winter 〈◊〉 places neerest to the â—erritories of the Empire to stoppe the enemies courses and spoyle to entertaine the Kings armie during winter and to haue it alwayes readie That many by â—eason of the strangenes of the fact being ignorant of the Perill Necessitie and Profit therof haue made their complaints vnto their Princes who 〈◊〉 the discomodities of their Subiects haue also coÌ„playned vnto him 1599. who hath answered them curteously commending the good amitie of the Lords conâ—ederates vpon the Rhine and of their Countries against all inconueniences He prayâ—â—â—h the Kâ—ng of Spaine putting them in mind of the Kings great benefits to his gâ—eat hazard to preserue the Lands and Territories of the Empire from vtter subuersion to the hindrance of his owne affaires That he did thinke by his mild carriage to haue cut off all cause of complaint and did hope that hereafter there should bee no mention made to the Empeâ—our nor in the other Courts and Estates of the Empire whereof notwitstanding he heard the contrarie fearing that in this assembly by the exclamations of some mooued with spleene and hatred against the King and the Catholike religion and through indiscretion or malicetrusting too much to the enemies inconstant promises or through ingratitude or some such like cause that such false reports are againe brought in question That he had held it expedient to aduertise his Imperiall Maiestie of the Kings merits and iustifications against such friuolous complaints and to send them to the Princes and States of the Empire in writâ—ng and to that Assembly Intreating them in his Maiesties name and his owne that without iust occasion they would not take any bad impression of his Maiesties sincere intention by an vndue greefe commiseration oâ— spleene growing from some smal misdemeanors which be the ordinary frutes of warre least they fall into greater inconueniences and troubles which might breed a greater mischeefe whereof would follow a â—o late repentance But rather shewing wâ—sedome and Discretion measuring the good with the bad comparison being made of small damages and losses happened on these fronters of the Empire ioyning to those of the King from whome the Empire had receiued so many good turnes they should take all in good part That it will well appeare with what Bountie Moderation Clemencie Dilligence and with what Charge his Maiestie hath amidst so great troubles and turmoyles of warre preserued the whole Diocese of Collen and the neighbour Countries being in danger to bee lost and the Catholike religion supprest and that to the great preiudice of his â—owne affaires By the which merits and good deeds togither with the bond by the which the said Diocese and Countrie of Westphalia are tyed no man of Iudgement if hee will not bee blemished with the note of ingratitude can with reason blame his Maiesties actions nor his own touching the lodging and wintering of his army conteyned in all militarie modestie This Iustification was tedious but it was answered all the points of vpbraidings and accusations made therein examined and reiected as false and calumnious to the preiudice of the Emperours honor of the Princes and States of the Empire This Assembly was referred to Conflâ—ns We shall hereafter see what passed there We haue before shewed how that Madam Catherine the Kings only Sister The Kings sister marâ—ied to 〈◊〉 Duke of 〈◊〉 the 31. oâ— Iâ—nuary he câ—ntâ—act 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 the 5. oâ— August 1598. had bin promised to the Marques of Pont Prince of Lorraine and Duke of Barr. The coÌ„tracts were made in the preseÌ„ce of the Duke of Lorraine who came into France The conditions were that the sayd Lady should be entituled Duchesâ—e of Albret Countesse of Armâ—gnac and of Rhodez Vicountesse
of Limoges should haue for her yeerely portion a hundred thousand Crownes and in case shee had any children they should carry the same titles and be prouided for And in case she did suruiue him she should inioy the Dâ—chie of Bar in Barrois with a yeerely pension taken out of the reuenues of Lorraine This done the ancient allyances which had bin betwixt these two houses were renewed and the marriage was consuÌ„mated but there was fiâ—st some quest on touching the reformed religioÌ„ in the which she had bin bred the which she would not change Why shee would not change her religion by reason as she said of her deceased mother Qâ—eene Ioan of Nauarre whose life actioÌ„s she held worthy to be imitated She did with all her heart affect that which did concerne the libertie of Conscience throughout all France beseeching the King often to let her see the assurances thereof whilest she was in France not to suffer his Edicts to remaine without execution being proclaymed and without a durable obseruation being executed Shee was Daughter to a Mother who preferred safety of coÌ„science before assurance of honours and greatnesse yea then life it selfe being accustomed to say to them of her part Ioan of Albret Queene of Nauarre caused 12. medailles to be mâ—de at Rocâ—â—ll wâ—th this insâ—riptioÌ„ Pai◠〈…〉 Mort honeste The King desiâ—es his sisteâ— should be â— a Catholike that armes should not bee layd downe but with these three conditions either an assured peace an absolute victorie or an honest death Moreouer Shee apprehended the reproche of inconstancie at that age if Shee should change her religion hauing returned vnto it after Shee had beene a while Catholike yet Shee promised her future husband to suffer herselfe to be instructed and to do what he pleased The King seeing his sisters resolution did what he could to reclayme her by mildnes propounding vnto her his own example and giuing her to vnderstand by some words that she must otherwise looke for no fauour at his hands Seeing hee could not pâ—euaile before he signed the sayd contract which was at Monceaux a Castell belonging to the Duckesse of Beaufort whome the King loued and the common bruite was that Shee did greatly presse this marriage by reason of her pretentions about the end of the yeare the King told her that his meaning was not to force her neither for her Religion nor for her Marriage He aduised his future Brother in Law to do his dutie and so discharge his conscience He also aduertised him of one expedient which was to remoue certaine women and other persons from about the sayd Lady for that her traine consisted of Catholikes and others and among those others there were some wilfull and contentious in whome the same Ladie trusted much for that they had bin bred vp in her seruice from her cradle but all that proceeded but from the bountâ—e of the saâ—d Ladie The sayd Prince of Lorraine accompanied with his Brother the Earle of Vaâ—demont The Prince of Loâ—â—aine arriueâ— at Paâ—is and other Noblemen of Lorraine with three hundred gentlemen well appointed a little before Ianuary this yeare 1599. arriued at Paris in which moneth the King had appointed the day of the marriage He entred by Saint Denis gate the King doing him the honour to enter with him hauing mett him in the field as hee came from hunting The King led the sayd Duke his Brother in Law calling him commonly brother to the Louure where they supped togither and Madam his Sister with them The time was spent in dancing and other exercises of recreation and pastime among the great Princes The Kings sister for her part shewed all the conteÌ„tment that might be as shee had good reason hauing attayned to that which shee was accustomed to say Grata superueniet quae non sperabitur hora the sayd Lady being wel instructed in the Latin tongue and sâ—ee did the more apprehend this Latin verse for that some had giuen it forth shee would neuer be married According vnto that which the sayd Ladie had promised to suffer her selfe to be instructed in the Catholike religion it was resolued by his Maiestie that there should be a confâ—rence betwixt some Catholike Doctors some Ministers of the reformed Relâ—gion in the presence of his Sister but they preuailed nothing for her conuersion The King foreseeing some inconueniences resolued as well to satisfie her conscience as to auoyd scandall to haue this instruction deferred vntill another time And in the meane time they should proceed in the marriage Hereupon there were some practises by the Ministers of the pretended Religion who would haue the honour sayd they that the Kings onely Sister should bee married by them and that the Prince of Lorraine should seeke his spouse where shee was and that it was not conuenient shee should seeke him in his Church In truth this was plausible and it seemed the Ladie had a great interest in it But the Prince on the other side protested neuer to be married by a Minister So as there was much arguing in what forme they should bee marryed But the King by his accustomed wisedome shewed the effect of his Authoritie The thirtith dâ—y of Ianuary being Sunday in the morning the King hauing aduertised his Sister ouer night of his intention and intreated the sayd Prince of Lorraine to be ready hee goes and takes his Sister at her rising and conducts her by the hand into his Cabinet where her future Spouse was already Hee commaunded the worthie and reuerent Archbishop of Roan his naturall Brother to marrie the sayd Marquis Prince and Duke with the sayd Princesse and Duchesse his Sister 1596. by words of the present Wherevnto the sayd Archbishop at the fiâ—st made some refusall saying That the accustomed solemnities must be therein obserued Wherevnto hee replyed most learnedly That his presence wâ—s more then all other solemnities and that his Cabinet was a sacred place And therefore hauing commanded the sayd Archebishop to go on notwithstanding all difficulties hee proceeded then to the Nuptiall blessing of the â—ayd parties present that were there conioyned in marriage euen as if they had beene in the greatest Church in Paris which done euery one went to his deuotion Afterwards the King commanded his Sister to attire her selfe like a Bride and so the feast was sollemnly celebrated All the great Officers did assist and serue there in their degrees with all the grace and Honour the King could deuise to giue vnto the Prince of Lorraine his Brother in Lawe This Marriage was Honoured with all kindes of sports and Dancing About the end of February the sayd Princesse went with her Husband into Lorraine whereas the Duke gaue her the greatest enteâ—tainement hee could deuise imbracing her as his owne Child There had beene great heart-burning and discontentment by reason of the diuersitie of Religion The Kings intentions were to drowne the remembrance of the bitternesse of forepassed raignes
the Empire and namely the Prince Elector of Collen with whome they desired nothing more then to entertaine al good Alliance Amitie CorrespoÌ„dencie and good Neighbourhood maintayning themselues in that sort without diminution of their Estate vntil they might once see an end whereunto they did alwaies tend and aspire euen vnto this houre The which they haue made sufficiently knowne by their resolution to restore Rhinberg vnto the sayd Prince Elector of Collen The Towne of Rhinâ—eâ—g to hold it vnder the rights of neutralitie if it had not bin preuented by the seege which the Enemy layd before it whereby hee would haue giuen some colour to his attempts with such as thâ—ough ignorance or impatiencie haue not sounded the ground of the matter The which attempts are manifest by the surprises of Townes and places and change of Religion and Gouernment whereby he did not onely aduertiâ—e Princes and Lords but plainly teach them how he meanes to intreat them and their Subiects at his first oportunity to settle the Spanish Monarchie They had seene by experience how willingly and freely sayd the States they had the last yeere at the request of the sayd Princes and States of the Empire deliuered vp diuers places which they had wrested out of the enemies hands lying within the lymits of the Empire vppon hope that the enemies would also yeeld what they held depending of the Empire as they had promised to the sayd Princes and States which deliuerie vp by them and refusall of the enemie hath beene so preiudiciall vnto them as in the end they haue beene constrayned to beseege and force the Townes of Alpen Moeurs and Berck according to the good successe which they haue had It is also manifest how they restored the Townes of Alpen and Moeurs without restitution of one penie for the charges of the Conquest and how they had offered to do as much for the Towne of Berck with a declaration of the true meanes to entertaine the lymits of the Empire in Peace if the Enemie who sought the contrary had not hindred it Which their good and sincere intention hath beene so much the more manifested for that according to the order set downe by Prince Maurice their Captaine to expell the enemies garrisons out of the Towne of Emericke they did it restored the sayd Towne vnto the right Prince wherby your Excellencies and other Princes may see the sincerity of our actions without any farther doubt or distrust But rather that you would seeke the meanes whereby the Spaniards and their adherents may be chased out of Germanie and their pretended Monarchie preuented to the end that the members and Subiects of the Empire may be freed from so great dangers troubles for the effecting wherof said the States we haue these many years done our bâ—st indeuours mind so to continue trusting that God will moue the harts of Kings Princes Potentates Commonweals States to effect imbrace their coÌ„mon defeÌ„ce ruÌ„ning al iointly to quench this fire So beseeching their ExcelleÌ„cies to take c. These IustificatioÌ„s being conferred by the Deputies with them of the Admiral they acquainted Charles Nutzel Commissioner for the Emperour therewith who gaue them to vnderstand Propositions of the Dâ—puties of VVestphalia c. That it would please the Princes Electors to consider with what care and dilligence the Emperour had sent his commaundement and letters as well to Albert the Archduke as to Andrew the Cardinall who were not yet well aduertised how things had past That to leuie an armie onely vpon the teritories of the Empire they must take good aduice and that by a Diet or Generall Assembly of all the Estates of the Empire That the Spaniards and States had mightie armies and their souldiars had beene hardened and practised in armes for these thirtie yeares That both the King of Spaine and the said States hauing had warre with other Kings and Princes and their armies defeated they haue presently renued the warres and with greater forces That for many reasons he would not aduise them to take armes presently but to stay a time and in the meane while they should require both the one and the other againe to repaire the hurt done by them in the Emperours Countrie by some friendly composition and that in the meanetime the Emperour should call an Imperiall Diet where if it should be resolued to leuie an armie to chase as well the Spaniards as the States out off the territories of the Empire that the Emperour as the soueraigne head should consent thereunto and do any thing that was befitting his charge Contrariwise the Deputies of Westphalia of base Saxony and of the vpper part of the Rhine did shew that they could not attend to any othertime to resist the Spaniards and the Admirall who contrary to the promises made by them to restore the places taken did still rauage more and more ouer the Countries of Westphalia Cleâ—es Mark and Bergh That Albert the Archduke and Andrew the Cardinall had beene aduertised of the violence of their armies and that they must resolue to repell force by force Wherupon it was decreed by the consent of the greatest part in forme of an Imperiall Edict A decree made at the Assembly of Coâ—â—lâ—nâ— That they should giue necessarie succors to the Circle of Westphalia and to the other Estates of the Empire that were beseâ—ged According vnto this Decre Henry Iules Duke of Brunswike and of Lunebourg Postulus of Halberstat and Prince Maurice Landgraue of Hesse leuied good troupes of mâ—n with that which the States of the aboue named Circles did ad vnto them all which togither made a good bodie of an armie of Germains of ten thousand foote and three thousand horse Count of â—ippe Generall of Germaine armie whereof Simon de Lippe was Captaine Generall the Earle of Hohenloo commaunded the Duke of Brunswiks troupes and Count George Euâ—rard of Solms those of the Landgraue of Hesse And for Generall of the Artillerie they had Oliuer de Timpel Lord of Cruybeke This armie being on foote the Spaniards left their lodging about the end of Aprill in the quarters of Westphalia and Munster the which they had made very desolate and came and planted themselues along the Rhine about the Townes of Emeric and Rees And afterwards as the sayd armie approched hauing stayed to beseege the fort of Walsom right against the Towne of of Rhinberk vppon the riuers side which the Germaines did take in the end they continued almost two moneths vnprofitably in that quarter and neuer aduanced to the great discontentment of the said Princes of Brunswike and Hesse and of their Lieutenants In the end the Count of Lippe marching downe the Rhine on the same side the Admirall of Arragon retyred his Spaniards out off Emeric the 7. of May remouing his bridge which he had vpon the Rhine and placing it lower before the Towne of Rees After he had wel manned the said Towne with a
she tasted the effects of the Kings liberality by the increase of her pensions lyuing happily at Vesson nere to Aurillac in the tranquillity and silence of her fortune This change is no let but shee shal be alwaies one of the first Princesses of Europe No man can take from her that which Heauen and Nature haue giuen her It is a Theater which although it hath been beaten with lightning is still admired And to speake the truth without affectation or flatery shee her selfe hath ruined the greatnesse of her fortune in that shee would be what she is This marriage is no sooner dissolued but they treat of an other In the blessings whereof the French promise vnto themselues the increase and continuance of those of Heauen Mary of Medicis thâ— Duke of 〈◊〉 Daughter The great Duke of Tuscany did carefully keepe Mary of Medicis his Neece to increase the Honour of his house by some great alliance It was in a season when as the Soueraigne houses of Europe had no Daughters ready to marry or there was some disparity for their Age or Religion Great and important considerations which Princes should not passe ouer lightly It seemes that the eternall wisdome which concludes the Marriages of Pâ—inces in Heauen and blesseth them on earth would not marry this Princesse vnto the Emperour but reserued her for the good of a greater Empire not being pleased that France should seeke the means to continue the Crowne in the Kings Posterity any where else but at Florence one of the eyes of Italy and in the house of Medicis which goeth equally with the first in Italie The histoâ—y of which house you may read at large in the Oâ—iginall Cosmo surnamed by Pius the fiâ—t the Great of Tuscane had by Madame Eleonor of Toledo Daughter to the Viceroy of Naples Francis Ferdinand Peter Garcia Isabelle and Eleonor Francis married Ioane of Austria Daughter to the Emperour Ferdinand Of this marriage came two Daughters Eleonor Mary the first is married to the Duke of Mantoâ—a the venture and good fortune of the other is reserued to be Queene of France And the King being now set at liberty fixt all his thoughts vpon her marriage The Prince of Orange being returned out of France from his Ambassage and come to Bruxelles Foure knights oâ—â—he golden Fleece made by the Archduke the Arch-duke made him Knight of the Golden Fleece with the Duke of Arschâ—t the Marquis of Haurech and the Count Egmont The Cardinall had beene gouenor in the Lowe Countries almost a whole yeare all his exploits were reduced to the fort which he caused to be built in the Isle of Bommell called Saint Andrewes fort being inexpugnable which coÌ„monly they called the spectacle of Holland the which being finished the Arch-duke retired his army out of the Isle of Bommel and put his men into garrison All the rest of the yeare their Highnesses spent in making their entries into the Townes of the Lowe Countries The Archduâ—es army reâ—â—ers out of the Isle of Bommel trying all meanes to haue a Peace with the Hollanders Yea the Emperour laboring still to make this Peace sent vnto them for his Ambassadors Count Salenduc of Isembourg and Herman Manderschiden who let the States of the vnited Prouinces vnderstand his Emperiall Maiesties intent Wherevnto the States answere by writing That it would please his Emperiall Maiesty to remember their former answeres by the which they had sufficiently declared That they could assâ—re themselues neither of the Arch-duke nor of the Infanta seeing they are in the Spaniards power that also their power and command ouer the Lowe Countries was a manifest fraude The staâ—es answere to the Emperours deputiâ—s and although it were tâ—ue for the Country of Flanders yet doth it not followe that it shoâ—ld hold for Holland and Zelande whereas the King of Spaine hath no right Moreouer the King of Spaine seekes but to command ouer all Estates vnder the pretexâ— of Religion the which hee abuseth for pretext of his Ambition hauing no touch of Piety in his Soule And this is all which his Emperiall Maiesty may expect of the resolution of the sayd Estates being resolued to defend themselues from the tiraâ—ie of the Spaniards and their oppressions And so the Ambassadors returneâ— without doing any thing The Duke of Sauoy had sent many of his Ministers into France to treat vpon the diâ—ference for the Marquisate of Saluces without expecting the Popes sentence Aâ—â— the voiages which Iacob the President Rochette the Marquis of Lullins the Cheualier Breton and Roncas his Secretary had made brought him no other fruit then to haue obserued the State of the Court peerced a little into the Kings desseins the which is alwaies the fiâ—st of an Ambassadors instructions and noted the countenance of some spirits impatient of rest and desirous of change And although the Patriarke of Constantinople had by his perswasions drawne more from the King then the Duke of Sauoy hoped for yet could hee neuer change the resolution which the King had taken to haue the Mâ—rquisate againe He was at Lions wheras sicknesse staied him for a time The King hauing commanded the Gouernor of Lions to Lodge him and supply all his wants Roncas attended vntill he was recouered to conduct and accompany him according to the order which the Duke had giuen him But as things went on more slowly then he desired he thought that this pursute required a greater presence and action that hee himselfe must do his owne Ambassage promising more vnto himselfe by his only shadow then by all the soliciting of seruants He therefore prepared himselfe to go to the King although the chiefe of his Councell disswaded him The onely thought of this voiage made him irreconciliable to the King of Spaine although it had not past the tearmes of a simple proposition The Dukesâ— discontent but counterfet so did he make shew to be desirous to breake wholy with him he had in shew great occasions to complaine of his friendship and succors who did but entertaine his greefe and made the cure desperate It is good for a Prince to know the humor of many nations He knew the Spaniards well their manner of liuing the ruinous conditions which they lay vppon them whome they assist the length and languishing of their promises were odious vnto him He did consider the Iniustice and Inequalitie in the Portion of the Infanta his Wife who of so many Scepteâ—s and Crownes which the King her father had receiued but sixscore thousand Crownes of yeerely pension whereas the eldest had the Low Countries and the Franche Countie in marriage He could not forget that at the treatie of Veruins he had beene in a manner forgotten and that a peace was almost concluded before they thought of him Hee beleeued that if the Spaniard would the question for the Marquisate of Saluces had beene ended the which might heue beene left to him in exchange of Calais Dorlans Ardres and
Iulliers after the decease of the Countesse of Valpurg He sommoned the Gouernor to yeeld who finding himselfe to weake abandoned the place The Gouernor complayned to his Master the Duke of Iulliers but the controuersies betwixt him Prince Maurice and the States were reserued to be determined by the Imperiall Chamber The Arch-duke beseeged Ostend Oâ—tâ—nd beseeged the which continued three yeares and eleauenth weekes it was noted for the most memorable seege that euer was in Europe whereas so many thousands of men ended their daies and which endured so many hundred thousand Cannon shot before it yeelded Ostend which hath beene the place whereas all the brauest subiects of Spaine for the Arch-dukes And al the valiant English and Hollanders for Prince Maurice and the States haue in emulation one of an other shewed their corrages and whereas many French according to their diuers affections haue â—ought Honour This Ostend is a Sea Towne in the CouÌ„ty of Flanders two Leagues from Oudenbourg three from Nieuport and foure from Bruges vpon the riuer of Iperle the which runnes into the Sea making it a good port for shipping It was walled about but in the yeare 1572. and in the yeare 1587. It was better fortefied by the States of the vnited Prouinces The particularities of this seege I omit because they are written at large and published by others Ferdinand the Archduke being at the seege of Canisia demanded succors from the Pope and the Princes of Italy The Duke of Mantoa was Lieutenant Generall The Pope sent him his Nephew Iohn Francis Aldobrandino hauing deliuered into his hands the blessed Standard with Ceremonyes The King of Spaine sent him sixe thousand Germaines and the Great Duke of Tuscany two thousand foote the time was spent in contending for command betwixt the Duke of Mantoa and Aldobrandino who beeing Marshall of the Campe would receiue no direction from the Archduke Great men for the iealousie of command loose great occasions but death ended this quarrell Aldobrandino dying three moneths after of a Qâ—otidian feauer the Troupes which he conducted continued still at the seege The Pope disposed of his Estates to Siluester Aldobrandino his Sonne his obsequies were made at Rome with great pompe Rochepot beeing Ambassador in Spaine 〈…〉 Ambaâ—â—aâ—or 〈◊〉 Spaine certaine French Gentlemen among the which his Nephew was had a quarrell with some Spaniards who did iniury them and cast their Clothes into the Water they being a swimming The Spaniards had the worst and some were hurt and slaine Their Kinsmen demanded Iustice of the King who commanded his Officers to doe it but the Ambassadors lodging was forced and the Gentlemen drawne forth to prison notwithstanding any thing that he could say or doe to maintaine the liberty of his place the which is inuiolable euen among enemies The King was so offended with this iniury as hee commanded his Ambassador to returne giuing the King of Spaine to vnderstand that hee assured himselfe that he would do him reason when hee had well considered what cause he had to complaine Wherevpon all Trafficke was forbidden betwixt these two Realmes The Pope fearing that this violence done vnto the Ambassador of France could not passe without some feeling and that this Coale might kindle the fire of Warre betwixt these two great Kings hee sent into Spaine to haue the prisoners the which were sent vnto him and the Pope deliuered them presently vnto the Lord of Betunes the Kings Ambassador at Rome and so the Peace was continued The Ambassadors of Venice were better intreated in France That great and wise Senate holding themselues bonnd by the Lawes of friendship An Ambassâ—ge from Venice to deplore the misfortune and to reioyce at the prosperity of their friends hauing beene long troubled for the afflictions of France they send a great and solemne Ambassâ—ge to congratulate the fruit of the Kings victories and the beginning of his Marriage The Ambassadors were chosen out of the Procurators of Saint Marck and of the cheife men of the State They came to Paris Donâ—t Dâ—lphin Procureurs of S. Marck Ambassadors Donat was in election to be Duke the King sent the Marquis of Rhosny to conduct them to Fontainbleau and to intreat them to bee contented with their Reception in that place whereas the Queene was seeing their Ambassage was common to both and that for the indisposition of her greatnesse it could not bee at Paris which occasion did renue the ioyes of the Court the which was in so great Tranquilitye as it seemed neuer to haue beene in trouble The Great Turke sent Bartholomew de Cueur his Physition vnto the King Bartlemew de Cueur of Marseilles a Christian Renegado sent to the King by the Turke to acquaint him with the Estate of his affayres and to intreat him to mediate a Truce in Hungary When as this man spake of the Turkes power hee did so extoll it as if hee had beene able to vanquishe all the Princes of Christendome not expecting Pope nor Emperor so as the King of France did not meddle in it Hee presented a Dagger and a Cymiter vnto the Kings Maiesty whereof the Hilts and Scabberds were of Gold garnished with Rubies and a Plume of Herons feathers The King related vnto him what hee had done in Sauoy and complayned that to the preiudice of ancient Capitulations not onely the English were distracted from the Banner of France vnder whose guide and protection they were bound to trafficke but also the Flemings Hollanders and Zelanders were comprehended vnder the Banner of England To this complaint hee added an other against the courses and violencies of the Pirats of Algier and the Coast of Barbary saying that if the Iustice of the great Turke did not cause these Pirracies to ceaâ—se he should haue no reason to beleeue his friendship It was at such a time as the Great Turkes affayres were very confused and troubled in Asia The Seriuano reuolted in Asia by the reuolt of the Seriuano and almâ—st desperate in high Hungary The King of Persia had sent Ambassadors to the Christian Princes to animate them to make War against him promising to contribute an Army of a hundred and fifty thousand horse The King of Persia sent his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor King of Spaine and threescore thousand foote offering vnto the Christians liberty of Religion and free Trafficke in his Kingdomes His Spays and Iannissaries murmured against him and the bad carriage of the Empresse his Mother who during his Delights and Dissolutions held the reyns of Gouernment did alwayes through the mallice and frailty of her Sexe support the worst Councells and Resolutions They complayned dayly of the Mother and the Sonne speaking of her as the Romaines did of Agrippina crying out that they should intreat her worse then by a simple banishment and of him as the Souldiars spake of Gallienus whom they esteemed not to be borne but for the pleasures which are in and vnder the belly
Duke of Biron into the hands of Iustice if he might not otherwise draw the truth froÌ„ him of his bad attempts They continued play still the King taking the Queenes place sometimes attending the end of his resolutions The Count of Avuergne was retryed The King sent for him and walked vp down the chaÌ„ber whilest the Duke of Biron drempt of nothing but his Game Varenâ—es Lieutenant of his Company making a shewe to take vp his Cloake told him in his eare That he was vndon This word troubled him so as he neglected his Game The Queene obserued it and told him That he had misreckoned himselfe to his owne losse The King said That they had plaied ynough commanding euery man to retire He entred into his Cabinet comanded the Duke of Biron to enter with him whose Health or Ruine depended vpon an answer pleasing to his Maiesty Who willed him once for all to declare what he had done with the Duke of Sauoy the Count of Fuentes and that he should assure himselfe his Clemency should be greater then his fault He will 〈◊〉 humble himselâ—e to the Kings Clemency The Duke of Biron who beleeued that he deserued Death that demanded Life had not the Heart to humble himselfe nor the Tongue to craue pardon He answered the King more boldly then euer That they had ouerprest an Honest man and that he neuer had any other desseigne then that which he had sayde I would to God it were so replyed the King but you will not tell it mee Adieu Goodnight As he goes out off the Cabinet and had past the chamber doore he met with Vitry who layes his hand vpon his Sword He is seized on at the Kings chamber dore and demands it of him by the Kings commandment From me said the Duke of Biron to take away my Sword who haue so well serued the King my Sword who haue ended the War and haue setled a Peace in France That my Sword which my Enemies could neuer take from me should be taken from me by my friends He intreated the Duke of Montbazon to beseech the King to giue him leaue to deliuer it into his owne hands The King sent Vitry charge to doe his commandment The Duke of Biron was forced to suffer them to take it from him and in deliuering it he cast his eyes about him to see if hee could seize vppon some other but they had preuented him When as he sawe all the Gard placed in order in the Gâ—llerye hee thought they would haue slaine him and demanded something in his hand That he might haue the Honour to die in dâ—fending himselfe and some little time to praye vnto God They answered him That there was not any man would offend him that they had no other charge from the King but to conduct him to his lodging You see said he in passing how they intreat good Catholikes Hee was conducted to the Cabinet of Armes whereas he neither slept nor laye downe Pralin went to the Count of Avuergne declared vnto him the Kings Commandment and demanded his Sword Hold take it said the Count it hath neuer killed any but wilde Boares The Count of Avuergne taken if thou hadâ—st aduertised mee of this I had beene in bed and a sleepe two houres since These two Noblemen were like vnto two Torches which beeing held downward are quenched with the Waxe which did nourish them and giue them light And as if all the Dâ—kes power had beene in his Sword as soone as he had deliuered it he remayned as a Body without a Soule and was in a moment depriued of all that which Galba held most precious among Men Fayth Liberty and Friendshippe There came no word out off his Mouth but did offend God or the King Hee suffered himselfe to bee carried away with extreame impatience The foresight of miserie which doth moderate it in others made it insupportable to him cursing himselfe and his Indiscretion in that hee had not beleeued his good friends who aduised him to make his Peace a farre off This Choller in effect was not much vnlike vnto a Madde man but in the countenance for sodainly he reclaymed himselfe and considered that all his Cries and Words were not of force to saue him Presently Dispatches were made to all the Princes and Potentats of Christendome to Gouernors of Prouinces and to Ambassadors who were amazed at this accident as of a most odius conspiracy by a person that was so much obliged Those which â—auoured it gaue out false brutes in Italy that it was a blowe giuen to Religion to weaken it in the ruine of him who said that he desired no more glorious Title False bruites of the causes of his imprisonment then to be surnamed The Scourge of the Huguenots That it was an aduice from England to breake the Iauelins one after another The King would haue these false impressions made cleare by the light of truth euen whereas the passion of his Enemies did seeke to obscure it One wryting out off the Realme vpon this subiect said That it was no question of Religion but to dismember the Crowne and to diuide it at the discretion of the Counsell of Spaine A Letter written by one of the K ngs seruants and the Duke of Sauoy rooting out the King and his Race It may bee the Authors and Vndertakers would haue beene troubled in the execution of their desseigne although we had not preuented them as now we haue But it was the end whereunto they aspired The names of many haue beene drawn in vnknowne to them the which the Kings Iustice might well discerne and veresie you must not be moued with the bruits which fly abroad but beleeue what I write vnto you for it is the very truth The next day about Dinner-time the Duke of Biron sent to tell his Maiesty The Duke of Biron thinks to feare the King That if he tooke not order for Burgundy it was lost for that as soone as the Baron of Lux should heare of his Imprisonment he would vndoubtedly deliuer Dijon and Beaune vnto the Spaniard These words did greatly offend the King who said Behold the Boldnesse and impudency of the Marshall Biron who sends me word that Burgundy is lost if I take not order and that the Barron of Lux will draw in the Spaniard when he shall heare of his imprisonment His Obstinacy hath vndone him if he would haue told me the truth of one thing whereof I haue proofe by his owne hand writing he should not be where he is I would I had payd two hundred thousand Crowns that he had giuen me meanes to pardon him I neuer loued any so much as him I would haue committed my Son and Realme into his hands He hath done mee good seruice yet he cannot deny but I haue thrice saued his life I drewe him out off the enemies hands at Fontaine-Francoise so wounded and so amazed with blowes that as I played the Souldiar
would bring vnto his Maiestâ—es seruice and to continue your fauour towardes vs and assist vs with your Wise and Graue aduice c. Many Iudged of the ende of this enterprise by the beginning and were more dilligent to write then they had beene to execute it well They beleeued in Court that Geneua was taken The King had intelligence that the Duke was Maister of the Towne and the manner of the execution was represented with so great ease and happines as there was lesse reason to doubt it then to beleeue it The truth was not knowne but by Letters from the Gouernor of Lions the which came before any discourse that was published by the Towne that was deliuered The Duke repast the Mountaines in post his Troupes remained a league from Geneua in three places The Duke returnes in post at Toâ—non Fâ—ssigny and Ternier He commanded his Ambassador to giue the Senate of Berne to vnderstand that he had not made this enterprise to trouble the quiet of the Cantons Hiâ— declaratioÌ„ by his Ambassador to the Senate of Bâ—aâ—ne but to preuent L'Esdiguieres from beeing Maister thereof who intended to deliuer it vp afterwards vnto the King who had beene too mighty a Neighbour and would haue giuen them alltogether occasion to feare him The issue oâ— this Enterprise did shewe that God will not haue Treaties violated for the assurance whereof his Name hath beene inuocated notwithstanding any preâ—ext of Religion Witnesse Lewis King of Hungary in the vnfortunate battell of Varne against the Turkes where he had broken his Faith The King promiseth to succour them of Geneua The King aduertised of the successe of this enterprise hee sent word vnto the Magistrates of this Common-weale that if their Enemy did attempt by a setled seege or by open Warre any thing against them hee would assist them and imploy all his forces for their defence 1603. commanding the Gouernors and Lieutenants Generall of the neerest Prouinces to ayde them all they could The Cantons of Bearne and Fribourg allied to Geneua being aduertised of this attempt sent twelue hundred Suisses and the King who had an interest that it should not fall vnder the command of any other Prince or Common-weale sent also sixe hundred French All prepares to Warre the Geneuois made some courses into the Duke of Sauoyes Countrye and surprised S. Geny of Aâ—ust they imagined vppon a little good successe to extend theyr limits vnto Mont Cenis The King commanded De Viâ— his Ambassador in Suisserland who returned then to his charge to passe by them to assure them that hee was not of their humors which frame not their affections nor binde not the duties of friendship but vpon good euents louing Friendes no longer then they drawe profit from them That he would neuer fayle them for their defence and protection desiring to know of them what meanes they might haue to make an offensiue War to the end the succours he should send them might bee profitably imployed Monsieur â—e Viâ— â—entto Geneua They receiued De Vic with a publike applause sending forth the French Horse and Foote to meete him but as hee was deceiued in this vnexpected Ceremony so were many others which thought that hee came to incourage them to Warre They heard his Propositions in a priâ—ate Conference exhorting them rather to a long and durable Peace then to a short Warre They intreated him to propound the like in their generall Assembly which no man else durst doe euery one holding it a Crime and a signe of Basenesse not to preferre the Councells of Warre War is pleasing to men that know it not before any Accord and not to enter in Hostile manner into the Dukes Countrye Some which had neuer seene War but in the Idea conceiued Victoryes in their imaginations building vpon the Snowe of Mont Cenis I hat it would not continue aboue sixe months that the Warre would bee no lesse profitable for the good of their Common weale nor lesse happy then it had beene to their Neighbours in the time of Duke Charles and that all that had any interest in their preseruation would assist them That all those great Spirits which delighted in the exercise of Warre would come and offer them their Armes and Liues De Vic through the trueth and excellency of his discourse gaue them to vnderstand That Peace was so necessary for them and Warre so preiudiciall as they had great reason to imbrace the one and to flye the other That although the causes of Warre be alwayes goodly and the meanes made easie yet the effects were no lesse terrible the successe being not alwayes answerable to their hopes That a forraine Warre was profitable and to be vndertaken when as Ciuill Wars could not be otherwise auoyded but a well setled Estate which hath alwayes liued happily by Peace should not seeke these stormes nor take delight to bee at Warre with her Neighbors Thus he perswaded them to imbrace Peace but a Peace with these three qualities Assured Proâ—fitable and Honourable A Peace confirmed by an equall Comerce of all Commodities and which should roote out all occasions of Warre They entred into some Truce with the Duke but hauing required assurances for the obseruation thereof it beeing not honorable they proceeded no farther and the Duke gaue them to vnderstand that it was indifferent to him whether they were his friends or enemies The King who is a Prince full of Iustice and Integrity foreseeing that this Warre would not be ended by them that did begin it Desired to maintaine the Peace which was so necessary for all Christendome for the which hee had layd aside Armes The Cantâ—â—s of the Suisses mediators of a Peace when as he might hope for most fruite for the increase of his Estates His Ambassador therefore in Suisserland perswaded the Cantons of Glaris Basâ—e Soleurre Schaffouze and Appenzel as least suspected and interessed to be the mediators of this Accord There was some difficulty but the Seigneury wearied with a Warre the profit whereof could not repaire the ruines which the want of Peace should cause and hauing tryed that all the profit they could hope for depended on their neighbors succors That hope which is not maintayned but by forraine supports is alwayes ruinous That they had no meanes to reuenge the wrong that was done vnto them That there was no likelyhood that the Catholike Suisses would breake with the Duke of Sauoy for their respect That being so neere they must of force apply themselues to some quiet and equall kinde of lyuing Genâ—ua resolues to a Peace They yeelded to the perswasions of their friends and Allies and by their aduice relinquished many demands which their Councell had resolued and the Duke had reiected as vniust and dishonorable The Conference of the Treaty was at Rouilly with D' Albigny and the Conclusion at Saint Iulien betwixt the deputies of either part If the issue hath beene happy and profitable to
Asse like vnto the Patriarke of Constantinople not on foote as S. Hillarye entred into Rome but on Horsebacke followed by two hundred Horse The Prelats of Germany are dispensed of the condition which Chrisostome desired in a good Bishop not to ride on Horse-backe not allowing Bishops to ride vpon Asles or Moyles nor to be followed by many seruants The Election was made in the Cathedrall Church of Mentz whereas all the people were assembled not to giue any voyce A new Elâ—ctioÌ„ but to see the liberty of Suffrages and the Order and Ceremony of this action The Chanoins began it calling vpon the Holy Ghost to giude their resolutions 〈…〉 of the house of Câ—ombuâ—g chosen Archbishop of Mentz the 7 of Feb. 1604. The went into the Chapter and came not forth vntill two of the clocke in the Afternoone where by plurality of voyces the Election was concluded in fauour of one of the House of Crombourg The Bishop of Wirtzbourg led him before the great Altar where he was set wiping away the teares of Ioy whilest that the Clergy gaue thankes for this Election This done the Chapter gaue him a little note in his hand with the which he went towards the Castle beeing followed by the Popes Nuntio the Emperors Ambassador the Bishop of Wirtzbourg and many Noblemen that were there assembled to honour the election of the first Prelate of Germany Being come vnto the Castle gate he founde it shut and the Gouernour asked him what he would As soone as he had seene the note from the Chapter he did his duty to him and presently all the Gates were opened and the Artillery discharged This forme of Election which is done with Order Liberty and knowledge of Merits is more profitable vnto the Church then all that which is done by the authoritie of Princes who many times commit great charges to men vnknowne and of small merit or by the tumultuary opinions of people The death of the Duchesse of Baâ— who haue nothing to do in it Seeing that our way to returne into France is to passe by the territoryes of the Duke of Lorraine we shall find all there in teares and mourning for the death of the Lady Katherine of Bourbon Duchesse of Bar and the Kings onely Sister shee had beene tormented with a continuall Feauer and there were some signes of beeing with child All the Phisitions sayd shee was not with child one onely maintayned the contrary and she beleeued his opinion for that he was of the Religion neither would she take any thing but from his hands for that we beleeue that easily which we desire She grewe in choller against them which imputed her dissease to any other cause saying That they neither desired her contentment nor her Husbands She thought she could not endure too much to become a Mother This beleefe that shee had a childe in her body made her to bring forth death reiecting all kindes of remedies to preserue her frute If the Phisition which had ministred to her as a Woman with childe had not fled to Metz and from thence to Sedan all his Phisicke could not haue kept him from death The profession of Phisitions hath this Priuilege The priuilege of Phisitions that the Sunne sees their practise and the Earth hides their faults The Duke of Lorraine did her no lesse honour after her death then he had witnessed it in her life Hee sent vnto the King an Inuentory of her Iewells Hee caused the body to be conducted vnto the frontier of France in a Carosso well appointed couered with blacke Veluet and drawne with foure Horses The funerall Pompe of the Duchesse of Bar. The foure Bailifes of Lorraine carried the foure corners of the Cloth which couered the Coffin threescore Gentlemen marched before with the Gards The Earle of Chaligny and some Noblemen of the Country went after it There were twelue Suisses which marched on either side It was receiued vpon the frontier by those whom the King had appoinâ—ed The Inhabitants of Troyes would haue receiued it with a Canopy but Tinteuille thought it not fit neither would the King haue taken it well She was much lameÌ„ted by the Duke of Bar who could not haue beene Husband to a better Wife nor she Wife to a better Husband The fift yeare of their Marriage was with as great respect and loue as the first The affections of this Prince and this Princesse A marriage of great content were in such harmony that besids the diuersity of Relâ—igion you would haue sayd they were but one Soule not in two bodies but in one called by two names for they spake with one mouth and thought with one heart And iâ— there be any content in dying amidst the contents of this world this Princesse protested that she had neuer content in this world more perfect then in Lorraine The Duke of Lorraine and the Duke of Bar desired as well to see her satisfied for doubts of relligion They coniured her in the extremity of her sicknes to thinke of her Soules helth After fiue yeares instances made by the King the Pope granted a dispensation of the marriage but she sayd vnto them that she would die as she had liued She was no more forced in the exercise of her Relligion at Nancy then at Nerac True it is that she went to receiue the Communion without the Towne and had preaching and Praiers in her house but for her selfe onely and her followers without the which shee had bin much honored of the Lorrains and at that time more then before the Pope hauing granted a dispenâ—atioÌ„ of the marriage When the newes of her death was brought vnto the King the chiefe of his Councell came presently to apply some remedy to this wound He found that they came to that end The Kings sorrow for the death of his â—ister therfore he coÌ„manded them to leaue him alone that he would resolue with God He caused the Dores and Windowes of his Cabinet to bee shut casting him else vpon his bed to weepe more freely and to ease his greefe in the liberty of his sigthes All the Court did morne and the Ambassadors presented themselues in that habit vnto the King to condole this death in the behalfe of their Maisters The Popes Noncio was some-what troubled in this complement would not mourne at an accident for the which those of his profession could not weepe The King said that he would not tie him to it against his liking but he would be glad not to see him vntil his time of mourning were past Some other would not haue spoken so mildely we knowe that Princes haue showne strange effects of their choller against Ambassadors The Duke of Muscouy caused an Ambassadorâ— Hat to be nâ—yled to his head that haue failed in the honor and respect of these complements The Noncio being better aduised resolued to apply himselfe to the time and to do as the rest thinking
that might be without preiudice to their Alliaâ—ces to assure a good Neighbour-hood with the State of Milan so as the Count oâ— Fuentes would demolish the Fortâ— within sixe months vpon their Frontier The great Cantons of the Suisses were Actors in this busines perswading the Grisons to trust rather to Courage then to the safety of their mountaines Matters continued in great suspence They sent often to Milan and what was concluded there was dissoluâ—d in the Assembly of the People by the friends of this Crowne and by the Wisedome of the Kings Ambassador who said plainely that his Maiesty would leaue their Alliance if they made not a Declaration that might content him Those iudgments that were sound not preiudicate found it reasonable in this reason the honor of their faith the reputatioÌ„ of their estate as coÌ„trariwise they thought it could not be an act of glory to sel their Alliance as it was not coÌ„mendable for the Spaniards to bâ—ye it if they were of the Romans humor who neuer sought that by Gold which they might do by the sword But against these apparant reasons An Allyance puâ—chased dishonorable the Count of Fuentes had so many Trickes and Deuises as the Ambassador of France had much adoe to retayne this people who promised in words not to forsake the allyance of France and Venice doing the contrarye in effect In former times it was incredible that the Suisse so great an enemy to the house of Aâ—stria from whose subiection they had reuolted and the Grison so contrary to the Spanish fâ—shions would incline that way and contradict the very feeling of Reason and Nature The Truth hath freede the doubt and let vs see that it is of this people as of Viniger the which neuer freezeth for that it is extremely cold The Suisses and Grisons for that they are enemies to the Spaniards will not haue the power of Spaine to bee their enemy The bad successe of this businesse did not concerne France and the Venetians alone the best aduised did fore-see that it might drawe a Ciuill Warre into Italy vnder the pretext of Religion Many Commanders and Captaines Grisons not able to endure the Rigour and Threats of the Count Fuentes were sollicited by them of their Beleefe and Religion lurking in Italy to hold good and to attend vntill the Lord came from Edom to disperse their enemies and to beleeue that as there is no Waâ— more glorious then that which is vndertaken to free their Country from seruitude so there is none more iust then that which is made to deliuer Consciences from Tyranny and that both in the one and the other occasion it is a great happynesse to sacrifice their Liues The King sent aduice thereof to Rome for the Consequence and Danger of Religion Hee did also pacifie the diuision of the people of Valais who were in Armes and ready to come to a generall Combate for the same quaâ—rell In the meane time the Grisons remayned betwixt the doubtfullnesse of Warre and the discommodities of Peace and as in the breeding of such diuisions free and curious spirits cannot reteyne their passions they made Pasquins in Italy vpon this subiect and the Spanish braueries were not mute the which the Grisons answered with the like humour If the Venetians who were the cause of all the mischeefe would haue spoke and set their hand to the worke as they ought the Count of Fuentes who did more by example then by any authority would haue intreated the Grisons more mildly But besides that Common-weales are not good for an offensiue Warre these Seigneures who would not hazard anything but preferre present and assured things before that which was past and perilous would haue beene content to haue inioyed that which they desired without any trouble There was a generall assembly held at Illant at one of the Corners of the Grisons where afâ—er great diuersity of opinions it was concluded by the greater part that seeing the Ambassadors had through their Auarice defamed their Legation and suffered the Count of Fuentes to binde the liberty of their aduice with chaines of Gold and had exceeded the instructions that were giuen them the laâ—t Treaty made at Milan should be declared voyde and of none effect if the Alliance of France and that of Venice were not expressely reserued The Dobles of Spaine had wrought wonders giuing motion to the most heauy and speech vnto the Dombe to fauor the Count of Fuentes intentions with a Nation that loues money beyond all measure But in the ende the consideration of their owne health and the ruines of their liberty were of more â—orce making them to choose the hazard of Armes and of all discommodities rather then to suffer the Fort which the Count of Fuentes had caused to be built to stand vnruined And for that incensed with this resolution he had made shew to seyze vppon Valteline they made a leauy of eighteene hundred Men in sixe companies to oppose against him The Kings intention was that the treaty of Milan should not alter the Alliances of the Crowne of France and of Venice But if the Grisons should breake with the French dishonour their reputation with so foule a defection the French had no great reason to regard it seeing it were a losse but of inconstant friends whose faith was ruined by the same meanes it was preserued True it is they should loose a goodly passage into Italy but when they had any desire to goe thether it should not bee by the Grisons The French Armies were neuer led that way to passe the Alpes It is true that when the Kings of France held Milan this passage was necessary for them to draw in Suisses and Germaines for their seruice But inioying this no more they neede not to care much to loose that which cost them so deere to maintaine This was the beginning of the thirteenth yeare of Pope Clement the eights sitting in the Pontificall Chaire In his youth a Mathematician told him that he should be a Cardinall then Pope and should sit in the seat twelue yeares A Friar had told Leo the tenth as much hauing saued himselfe in Mantoua after the battell of Rauenna assuring him that hee should be Pope â—redictions of â—riar Seraphin of Montoua before he came to the age of fortie yeares A Terme which made this prediction seeme ridiculous and impossible and yet it was true for after the death of Iulio the second the yong Cardinalls being banded against the old chooâ—e him Pope The Astrologian hath spoken very truely in the two first adueÌ„tures of this Pope but hee hath misreckned himselfe in the third yet some feare it is but one yeare for this which wee shall shortly beginne is full of badde constellations vpon that Sea as they hold that haue studied the booke of the Abbot Ioachim Curious questions About that time there was a Iesuite that maintained an opinion that was held very bold throughout all the
concerne the King his Person and his State and if it bee tollerable to heare what is sayd yet is it not lawfull to â—peake or publish it His Maiestie himselfe hath not yet declared the cause of the Count of Avuergues restraint and in the letter which hee did write vnto the Gouernour of Lions vppon that subiect hee did onely send him these wordes The Kings letters to la Guiche from Fontainbleau the 15. of Nouemb 1604. You haue vnderstood how that I haue againe caused the Count of Auvergne to bee apprehended being aduertised that hee continued still in his bad practises and that hauing sâ—nt often for him hee would not come At the least I will keepe him from doing ill if I can At the same time when as the Count of Auvergne was taken the brute was that the Duke of Bouillon had like to haue beene surprised When as he could find no other refuge for his â—ffayres but to retire himselfe out of the Realme hee hath vsed the lâ—bertie of his retreat wisely and hath alwayes sought the Kings fauour for the assurance of his reâ—urne Some forraine Prince of his friends aduised him not to returne to Court to hold all reconciliation suspect and to beleeue that when a Prince is oâ—ce offended he is neuer qâ—iet vntill the offence bee reuenged That hee must not trust to that which hee promiseth nor to that which hee sweares houlding both the one and the other lawfull for reuenge That the word of a Prince that is offended is like vnto Zeuzis cluster of grapes which takes Birds but his oth is like vnto Parrasius vayle which deceiues Men. Those which haue lost the fauour of their master for that they had intelligence with them whome they could not serue without cryme are alwayes in continuall distrust the which followes the offence as the Boat doth the Shippe vntill they haue quenched and smothered the cause and made it knowne that they are diuided and enemies to all their wils that would distract them from their duties for Men that are double and dissemblers are neuer tamed no more then a Batt which is halfe a Ratt and halfe a Bird or the Chastor which is flesh and fish The Duke of Bouillons patience hauing giuen the King time enough to consider of his intentions The Duke of Bouillon is redie through the Kings Clemencie to obtaine all that he could desire to returne to a greater fortune in the which lesse is allowed then to a meaner estate The Duke Tremouille ended his fortune by death Hee might haue dyed when as the King would haue lamented the losâ—e of him more Death of the Duke of Trâ—mâ—uille for hee was not now well pleased with certaine wordes which had beene reported vnto him and if hee had liued he would haue beene in paine to excuse himselfe of the commandement hee had made him to come vnto him to answere it From hence spring two fruitful considerations the one that there is nothing so fearefull and terrible as the threats and disgrace of his King the other that it is alwayes dangerous to speake ill of his Prince For the first Cassander greatlly feared Alexander euen when hee was dead for that hee had seene him once transported with choller against him And although that after the death of Alexander he was aduanced to the Throne of Macedon yet walking in the Cittie of Delphos and hauing seene an Image of Alexanders who was nowe rotten in his graue he did so tremble as his Hayre stood right vp his knees fayled him and the palenesse of his countenance shewed his amazement and the terrible assault which his memory gaue him for the second when a free speech hath once escaped against the respect of the Prince he must haue a great and a strong Citty as Lisander sayd to defend his liberty of speech They haue neither Friendes not Councell against the King and if their misery findes any shadowe or protection it is but like vnto Ionas Gourd of one night Let them not flatter themselues in the greatnes of theiâ— houses nor their Allyances this qualitie doth but increase their offence Princes are not so much mooued with that which the common people do as with the Lycentious words of great men Caius disguised himselfe into as many fashions as he imagined there were Gods A Cobler seing him set in his Pallace like Iupiter with a scepter in one hand a Thunderbolt in the other and an Eagle by his side burst out in a great laughter Caius causing him to come neere asked him why he laught I laugh at this foolerie answered the Cobler The Emperour laught also suffering it to passe freely without choller yet punishing other speeches seuerely which came from persons better quallified Thus ends the seuenth yeare after the conclusion of the Peace FINIS ⧠A TABLE OF THE MOST memorable things contained in this Historie Pharamond the first King of France THe fundamentall date of the French Monarchy Folio 1 The estate of the Empire at the beginning thereof ibid. The time of his raigne fol. 2 The estate of the Church ibid. The French can endure no gouernement but a Royaltie â—ol 3 The Royaltie of France successiue and the efficacie of a successiue Royaltie ibid. A successiue Royaltie the best kind of gouernement fol. 4 The manner of the receiuing of a new King in old time ibid. The people consent not to preiudice the Kings prerogatiue at his first reception fol. 5 In France the Male is onely capable of the Crowne ibid. The fundamentall Law which they call Salique ibid. The practise of the Salique Law â—ol 6 Of the word Salique and what the Saliens were ibid. The death of Pharamond fol. 7 Clodion or Cloion the hairie the second King of France THe first attempt of Clodion fol. 8 The estate of the Empiâ—e fol. 9 A Law â—or wearing of long haire ibid The Estate of the Church ibid. Mâ—roâ—â—è the third King of France HE enters France â—ol 10 The French ioyne with the Romanes and Gothes fol. 11 Orleans besieged by Attila hee is ouerthrowne but not quite vanquished ibid The happie raigne of Meâ—ouâ—è fol. 12 The estate of the Empire and the Church ibid. Childeric or Chilperic 4 King of France HE is expelled for his vice fol 13 He is called home againe ibid. Clouis 1. the 5. King of France and the first Christian King HE aspires to the Monarchy of all Gaule fol. 15. The fiâ—st rooting out of the Româ—ins ibâ—d Clouis becomes a châ—istian fol. 16 Religion the only true bond of aâ—â—ectâ—ons ibid. Gaule called France ibid. Waâ—res against the Wisigothes fol. 1â— Warres in Burgundy and the cause why ibid. Clouis conquests in Burgondie fo 18 A â—recherous attempt of Gondâ—bault hee is justlie punished for his murthers ibid. The first winning of Burgundy Daulphine and Prouence ibid. Alaric slayne by the hand of Clouis ibid. The Emperour sends Ambassadours to Clouis fol. 19 Clouis being conqueâ—or is conqâ—ered ibid. He looseth
make a petition vnto the King fol. 827. The Kings answere vnto the Clergy ibiâ— The Iesuits seeke to be restored ibid. The Kings onely Sister fianced to the Prince of Lorraine fol. 828 Troubles for the Duchy of Ferrara 〈◊〉 Duke Câ—â—sar prepares to armes fol. 829. The Popes entry into Ferrara ibid. The Arcâ—-duke Albert meetes with Marguerite of Austria ibid. They passe through the Venetians Countrie fol. 8â—0 The Duke of Mantoua meetes them ibid. The Pope and Legats receiue them ibid. The Duke of Sessa Ambassador for Spaine attended her ibid. The Queens entry into Ferrara ibid. The King of Spaines marriage ibid. Foure of one Family of the same Name and bearing the same Armes married together fol 8â—1 The Popes nuptiall gift to the Queene of Spaine ibid The Admirall of Arragons exploytes in the Duchy of Iuilliers ibid. Prince Mauâ—ice his exploites fol. 832 The Archdukes Answer to the Ambassadors ibiâ— The Earle of Broâ—ke taken by the Spaniards in his Castle and then murthered iâ—iâ— Wezell forced to furnish Money and Come fâ—l 833. The Electors write vnto the Emperor ibid. Warre in Sueden fol. 834. The Turke beeseegeth Varadin in vaine fol. 8â—5 Bâ—da attempted in vaine by the Christians ibid An Inundation at Rome ibid The Pope creatâ— 16. Cardinalls ibid. A treaty at Boulogne fol. 836. The King sicke at Monceaux iâ—id The Deputies of the Princes and States of the Empire assemble at Collen fol. 837. The Electoâ— of Mexiâ— answer to Cardinal Andâ—ew ibid. The Admiralls Letter to the Deputies at Collen fol. 838. He excuseth the murther of the Earle of Brouk and his otheâ— outrages ibid. The Kings Sister marryed to the Duke of Barfoll fâ—l 839. She refuseth to change her Religion and why ibid. The King desires his Sister should become a Catholike fâ—l 840. The Prince of Lorraine comes vnto Paris ibid. Complaints made by them of the Religion fol. 841. Exclusion from publike charges ignominious â—â—l 842. No man is held a Cittizen if he be not partaker of the honors of the Citty ibiâ— The last Edict for Religion at Nantes ibid. Contestation touching their Synode with strangers ibid. The Court of Parliament opposeth against the edict of Religion fol. 843 The Kings speech to the Court of Parliament ibiâ— A Pâ—ince giues no reason of his Edict fol. 844. Necessity the fiâ—st and essentiall cause of an Edict ibid. The Kings sister pursues the establishment of the Edict fol. 845 The Inâ—â—ntas proâ—laâ—ation against the States of the vnâ—tâ—d Prouinces ibid An answer made by the Vnited Prouinces â—â—l 847. The Archduke comes to Genoa with the Queene of Spaine fol. 848. The magnificence at the King of Spaines mâ—rriage at Valentia ibid. Knights of the Golden-Fleece fol. 849 The life and death of Monsieur de Pinaâ— Archbishop of Lions ibid. Barricadoes at Lions against the Duke of Nâ—mours fol. 850. The Duke of Ioyeuze returnes to the Capuchins fol. 851. The seâ—ond Duke of Ioyeuze drowned fol. 852. The Earle of Bouchage left his habit of Capuchin by the Popes dispensation and is Duke of Ioyeuze ibid. His mother desires his returne to be a Capuchin and the King commends his resolution ibiâ— Iesuites incapable of Spirituall dignities fol. 853. The Marquisate of Salusses in question ibid. The Duke of Sauoy seâ—kâ—s to be reconciled vnto the Kiâ—g ibid. The Pope made Iudge of the Controuersie ibid. Brauery of the French fâ—l 854 The Aâ—biteâ—ment broken The King of Spaine repayres all fol. 855. The Duke complaines oâ— the Spaniards â—bâ—d Death of 〈…〉 Marquis of Monceaux and Duchesse of Beaufort ibid. A quaâ—â—ell betwixt D. Phillippâ—n of Sauoy and Monsieur Crequi fâ—l 856. They fought twiâ—e and at the second combate D. Philâ—â—pâ—â— was slaine fol. 857. Aâ—â—igâ—ac demands D. Philâ—ppins life fol. 858. The Estate of the Kings affayres in Suisse ibid. The petty Catholike Cantons allyed to Spaine ibid. Monsieur Sillery Ambassador in Suisse fol. 859. The King sends money to the Suisses ibid. The Duke of Lerma fauorite to the King of Spaine ibid. Asseâ—bly of the Deputies of some Princes of the Empire at Conâ—â—ance fol. 860. The Iustifications of the Vnited Prouinces ibid. Propositions of the Deputies oâ— Westphalia fol. 862. A Decree made at Conâ—â—ance ibid. The Count of Lippe Generall of the Germaine Army they beseege Rees ibid. Prince Maurice assures them of Bommell by his presence fol. 863. The Admirall takes Creuecaeur ibid. The Spanish Aâ—â—ye and that of the States retire out off the limites of the Empire ibid. The Arch-dukes passage into Flanders fol. 864 Isabelle of Valois mother to Isabelle of Austria called the Queene of Peace ibid. The entry of silkes forbidden in France ibid. The King at the Queenes request reuoaked the Edict for silke fol. 865. Martha Brossier possest with a Diuell ibid. The Bishop of Anger 's discouers her to be a CouÌ„teâ—feit ibid. A decree made by the Court against her ibid. An Attempt against the King discouered ibid. Complaint made by the King of Spaine fol. 866 The Archdukes send vnto the King fol. 867. An Army defeated at Dunkerke ibid. The death of the Chancellor Chiuerny Complaints against him ibid. Pompone de Bellâ—â—re Chancellor of France ibid. The death of the Elector of Treues fol. 868. Death of the yong Princesse of Conde ibid. The Marquis of Belle I le becomes a religious Woman ibid. Execution of the Edict of Pacification ibid. The Duke of Iuilliers marries the Daughter of the Duke of Lorraine fol. 869. The Court of Parliament perswades the King to marry ibid. Monsieur de la Guesâ—les speech vnto the King ibid The King of France neuer dies fol. 870. A Letter from Queene Marguerit vnto the King ibid. Her request vnto the Pope ibid Pope â—râ—gâ—rieâ— dispensation was after the Kings marriage fol. 871. The Kings age ibid. The Kings Letter to Queene Marguerit Her answer ibid. â—oure Knights of the Golden-Fleece made by the Archduke fol. 872. The Archdukes Army retires out off the I le of Bommell ibid. The States answer to the Emperors Deputies ibid. The Duke of Sauoy resolues to goe into France iâ—id Hee seemes to bee discontented with Spaine fol. 873. The Councell of Spaine demands the Dukes children ibid. The King of Spaine offended with the Duke ibid. The King giues order for the receiuing of the Duke of Sauoye at Lyons fol. 874. The Duke of Sauoye comes to Fontainbleau fol. 875. The Duke of Mercures voyage into Hungary fâ—l 876. The Tartares demand a Peace fol. 877. They are defeated by Paâ—fi ibid. Redeâ— and â—ebâ—sse made Knights by the Emperor fol. 878 Ambassadors from the Moscouite to the Poland ibid. The great Duke of Moscouie sends presents to the Emperor ibid. Duke Charles hangs vp the Nobles of SuedlaÌ„d that serued the King And makes seauen demandes vnto the Estates of Sueden 〈◊〉 879. The Christians enterprises in Hongaâ—y 〈◊〉 the Turke A Parle of Peace betwixt the Christians Turkâ—â— and Tartares 〈◊〉 Cardinall Andrew Battory defeated and 〈◊〉 by
they kill the more they increase Amongest others Anne of Bourg persisting in the confession of his faith vpon the points of religion in controuersie was on the twentieth of December hanged at the Greue and his bodie then burnt to ashes The Counsellors â—a Forte Foix Faur and Fumee imprisoned for the same causes escaped with some sharpe admonitions Manie could not beare this oppression The Princes were kept backe the greatest of the Realme out of credit threatned and secretly pursued to the death the conuocation of the Estates refused the Paliaments corrupted the Iudges for the most part at the Guisians deuotion the publike Treasure offices and benefices were giuen to whom they pleased Some learned Lawyers and diuines answered That the Princes beeing in that case borne Lawefull Magistrates and called by the Estates of the Realme or the â—ounder part thereof they might with their fauour or of some one of them lawefully oppose themselues against the vsurped gouernment and authoritie of the house of Guise and take armes at neede to withstand their force and violence But with this consideration of the publike they had so manie priuate passions as the enterprise must needes be fatall to the vndertakers The enterprise required a stout and couragious leader for the chiefe plot was to seize at what price soeuer on the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall his brother and then to require a parliamentâ— to make them yeeld an account of their gouernment and to prouide for the King and Realme Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde is instantly required to accept therof The Prince examines the consequence of the fact and hauing imparted it to some persons â—ouing the good of the realme he giues comission to informe secretly of the crimes wherewith the house of Guise was charged to 〈…〉 the same as conscience the coÌ„mon good should require They find by informations and certaine personages well qualified being priuie to their secret desseins and â—â—â—nesse that their intention was the King beâ—ng vnable by the iudgement of the Phisitians to liue long nor to haue any issue first to roote out all Lutherans in France then to murther all the Princes of the bloud and to seize vpon the realme Moreouer they were charged with many thefts robings and extortions and by consequence were in many things found guiltie of high Treason The difficultie was how to seize vpon these two persons Godâ—râ—e of Barri Lord of Renaudie a Baron of Perigort accepts the managing of this action Tumult of Anâ—oâ—se and the Prince promiseth to assist him with his authoritie So as nothing bee said or done against God the King his brethren the Princesse nor the Estate protesting to oppose himselfe first against any one that should attempt the contraiâ—e Aâ—l that were in the action bind themselues to the like oth yea to aduertise the King if any thing were pretended against his Maiestie they appoint the tenth of March hoping to fiâ—d the Court still at Blois Fiue hundred French gentlemen with other troupes vnder the commaund of the Baron of Castelnau should accompanie Renaudie followed by a thousand others besides their troups on foote But it is almost impossible to keepe secret an enterprise imparted to so many diuerse humors but some one will discouer it Renaudie lodged at Paris in the suburbs of Saint Germaine in an Aduocats house a Protestant by profession who hauing discouered somewhat of this enterprise vnder colour to imploy himselfe for the aduantage thereof he learned all that passed But hoping of some notable recompence he sodenly went discouered it to Alemand master of requests a fauorite to the Cardinall and to Milet Secretarie to the Duke of Guise And Lignieres one of the Captaines of the enterprise did afterwards bewray the names of the commanders the rendezuous for their troupes with other circumstances to the Queene mother to saue said hee the honour and life of the Prince of Condé whom they accused of high treason To assure their persons they transport the King to Amâ—oâ—se they send letters from the King and his mother to call the Admirall and his brethren to Court they dispatch many letters Patents to Baylifâ— and Seneshalls against all such as should be found carrying of armes vppon the way to Amboise The Admirall being arriued makes great admonitions to the Queene mother in presence of the Chancellor vpon the extreme violences and poursuits against the Protestants and the Chancellor hauing freely propounded the Admirals aduice in councell there followed an edict for the abolishing of that was past for matter of religion But this pardon excluded all ministers and such as should be found to haue conspired against the King his mother his wife or the Princesse his cheefe officers or the estate and all other culpable of like crimes Notwithstanding this Edict Renaudie proceeds and the Prince goes to Court to present the informations to the King against the houâ—e of Guise when as they should be seized on The execution was put off to the sixteenth by reason of the change of the place In the meane time the Guisiens had assembled men from aâ—l parts so as the troupes arriuing one after one to the appointed places were presenâ—ly seized on The Bâ—ron of Castelnau and the cheeâ—e of the factâ—on are at the Castle of Noisay the Guisiens aduertiâ—ed thereof perswade the King that there are rebeâ—s assembled to murther him The King sends the Duke of Nemours wiâ—h a troupe 1560. who at the first surpriseth Captaine Maâ—erâ—s and Râ—unay walking without the Castle and sends them prisoners to Amboise he doth then belegar the Castle summons the Baron to lay aside armes and to go speake with the King binding himselfe by the faith of a Prince that he should haue no haâ—me The Baron trusted to his word But being arriued they speake with no man but with comissioners appointed for their trials Renaudie caused his troupes to aduance couertely through the woods but they had walled vp the gate by the which they should enter and the horsemen sent by the Guâ—siens compassing them in many were led away and presently hanged and afterwards drawne to the riuer And as hee laboured to rallie his dispersed troupe the Lord of Pardillon incounters him in the forest of Chasteau-regnard Cruell executions at Amboise and passing by dischargeth his pistoll the which not taking fire Renaudie had his sword first drawne and as he was about to kill him one of the Pardillans seruants ouerthrew him with a harguebâ—s being slaine his bodie was straightway carried and hanged on the bridge at Amboise with this inscription Renaudie called la Forest cheefe of the rebelles Those of Guise being assured of their enemies and their troupe dispersed they giue commaundement to the Prince of Condé in the Kings name not to depart without leaue They begin to cut off heads to hang and to drowne their prisoners tyed to long poles six eight tenne twelue and fifteene in a companie and although there were
death vnlesse after some-time they haue no Children then the Man may be vnmarried and take an other Wife After they be once married they are chast and the Husbands are for the most part iealous giuing presents to the Father or kinsfolkes of the Woman whome they haue married As for their Interments or Funeralls when a man or a Woman dieth they make a pit into the which they put al the goods he hath as Kettles Furres Hatchets Bowes Arrows Aparel and other things and then they put the bodie into the pit and couer it with Earth on the which they lay great peeces of wood and one peece they set right vp the which they painte redde on the â—oppe They beleeue the immortality of the Soule and say that they go to reioyce in other Countries with their kins-folkes and friends when they are dead The Seigneur of Pont hauing spent some-time to discouer the great Riuer of Canada and some other particularities of the Countrye returned the 24. of August and arrlued at Newe-hauen the 20. of September Du Pont returnes into France In the beginning of this yeare Moyses Sikel being reuolted from the Emperor entred into Transiluania with great troupes of Turkes Tartarians and Polonians Many Gentlemen of the Country more through base cowardise then thâ—ough treachery ioyned with him and through their Intelligence Alba Iulia was surprised 1603. but God who neuer shewes the greatnesse of his power in small things and who sends helpe when there is least hope would not suffer his enemies to be long proud with the prosperity of their affaires In September George Basta and Raduil Vaâ—oide of Valachia came to fight with him The Battaile was furious and bloudy Basta sayd vnto his soldiars before the charge that it was not needefull to perswade great resolutions but he did incourage them more by his example pressing into those places where there was most perill necessity and glory The Christians had the victory They had the field The Turkes deâ—eated the triumph the spoyle They sent a hundred two twenty Enseignes to the Emperor being at Prague the which were carried by three and three in a ranke There were two with the white Eagle of Polonia the which were not set vp for the respect of the Polonians The booty was great in Prisoners Horses Aimes and Cannon They had found no place of retreate if the victor had not stayed the course of his victory contenting hiâ—selfe to preserue that in safety which hee could not aduance but with danger They retired themselues to â—emâ—swarr a Towne which had been held these fifty yeares by the Turkes whereof the Emperor of Turkie neuer speakes but he giues it the title of Inuincible Basâ—a was resolued to beseege it or to raise vp his sepulcher vndeâ— the ruines thereof But hee could not keepe Buda from being victueled where about the end of September they lost aboue 2000. men which was the flower of all their horsemen The great Turke seeing the great exploits which the French had done in the Warres of Hungary and Transiluania had ofteâ— intreated the King not to sufâ—er any French to go to the Warres of Hungary and tâ— tie him to make a strict Prohibition he granted all and mâ—re tâ—en his Maieâ—ty could dâ—sire for the reparation of puplicke and priuate Iniuries against the liberty of the Commerce and the safety of the nauigation in the Leâ—ant Seas the which were greatly molested by Pirates Hee sent a Chaours which is a Generall or a Conductor of a Carauane vnto the King in September with very kinde letters and of a stile not vsuall for the Princes of the house of Ottomans who speake as Tuâ—kes and Glorie to speake proudly and Imperiously to the Poteâ—tates of Christendome giuing him this title To the most Glorious magnanimous and great Lord of the beleefe of Iesus Elected among the Pâ—inces of the Nation of Messias the Compounder of controuersies which happen among Christians Lord of greatnâ—sse Maiesty and riches and the cleere guide of the greatest The Tuâ—kes title to the Frence King Henry the fourth Emperor of France that hee may ende his daies with Peace and Happinesse The letter I omit for breuiâ—es sake beeing not greatly pertinent to this subiect And for that the great Turke was informed that the Pirates of Algier and of Thunis made markets of the French which they tooke anâ— sold them vnto the Moores who were alwaies cruell and mercilesse vnto the Christians beeing forced to endure all without complayning and to murmure against the rigour which Fortune allowes the Mâ—ster ouer his sâ—aue hee writ to Amest King of Fez and intreates him to preuent this â—ale as against the Iustice that was left them by their Prophet and to set all the Frenchmen that were in his dominions at libertie The King labored to conuert the Warre of Hungarie into a long truce or an Honourable Peace for the Christians Hee disposed Mahomet therevnto by the dexteritie of his Ambassador and if the house of Austria had trusted that of France they had reaped the fruites of this Negotiation Mahomet to shewe that he had a desire to lay a side Armes presented the Emperour with Armes and Hâ—rses and to Mathias the Arch-duke hee sent a Rich roabe for a present This Mahomet had so abandoned himselfe to all voluptuosnesse and pleasures as hee had no other feeling but for the tast and delights of the flesh Hee had a bodie as bigge as a hogshed of Wine in the which his spirit could neuer bee drie A quarrell betwixt the Count Soissons and the Marquis of â—hosâ—y to make vse of Wisedome and Reaâ—on To this Mahomet the third his Sonne Amet the first beeing a young Infante succeeded There was no talke in Court but of the quarreâ—l beâ—â—â—xt the Count Soissons and the Marquis of Rhosny the which was very hard to reconcile It grewe vpon words reported and disauowed The Count Soissons was much offended many framed diuers Metheors in their heads vpon the consequence of this question some there were that were made damnable vowes the which were as Odious and as punishable as those sellers of Funerall stuffes that were punished by the Senate of Athens vpon the Accusation of Demades The King â—oreseeing that his seruice did suffer in this diuision gaue him to vnderstand by the Chancellor and Sillery and afterwardes by the Count of Saint Paul and the Duke of Montâ—â—son that he desired this trouble were ended and hee satisfied hee answered them all after one sort That hee should hold himselfe vnworthy of the honour to bee as hee was a neere Kinsman to so great and courragious a King if hee had no feeling of so bloudy an Iniury The King considering that this quarrell did nothing aduance his seruice he made himselfe the instrument of this reconciliation Hee sent for the Count Soissons and the Marquis of Rhosny to the Lovure They came both well accompanied They are reconciled by the