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
called the Bald King anâ— Emperour who raigned 33 yeares and to Charles the 2. succeeded 879. 27. Lewis the 2. his sonne called the Stuttering King and Emperour who raigned but a yeare and six moneths   At his death he left his wife with child who being borne was acknowledged for lawfull King and called Charles the Simple his minoritie lasted 22. yeares Many Tutors many confusions These Regents are crowned Kings and acknowledged by that name doe hold the ranke among Kings and so we must diuide these 22. yeares to euery Regent according to his raigne 881. 28. Lewis the 3. and Caroloman bastard of Lewis the stuttering raigne as Regents fiue yeares 889. 29 Charles the 3. a Prince of the bloud called the grosse as Regent he raigned 7. yeares being both King and Emperour he was put from them both 896. 30. Eudes or Odon sonne to Rob. Duke of Aniou as Regent he raigned 10. y. In the confusion of these last Maisters the royall autâ—oriâ—y being greatly weakned many Countries freed themselues from the obedience of the French Monarchie So fell out   THE ECLIPSE OF THE EMPIRE   Both in Germanie Italy The body of the Empire remained in Germanie being afterwards gouerned by an Emperour chosen by the Princes Electors And Italy was dismeÌ„bred into diuers Principalities vnder diuers Potentates In the end after this minority of 22. â—eares 899. 31. Charles the 4. called â—he Simple sonne to Lewis the Stuttering was crowned as lawfull King raigned 25. yeares But Raoul of Boâ—rgongâ—e 923. 32. A Prince of the bloud was called by the League to put downe King Charles called the Simple being imprisoned by them and forced to renounce the Crowne Charles dying with griefe Raoul raigned 13. yeares but in the end was expelled from this vniust vsurpation 936. 33. Lewis the 4 called d'Outremer or beyond the sea sonne to Charles the Simple being called out of England whether his Moâ—her had carried him to preserue him from the League was acknowledged King and raigned twenty and nine yeares 954. 34. Lothaire his sonne suâ—câ—eded him who raigned thirtie and three yeares 986. 35. Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire raigned about two yearâ—s and dying without issue interred with him the race of Charles Martel as his Ancestors had of long time obscured his vertues and that of the valiant Charlemagne vnfortunate in their successors Thus the second race called Carlâ—â—ingiens hauing raigned 230. yeareâ— ended 〈◊〉 Lewis the 5. and gaue place to the third raâ—e which raignes at this day 750. PEPIN the short the 23. King of France and first of the second race PIPIN KING OF FRANCE XXIII THE French thus freed by the Popes dispensation from their oth of obedience assemble their generall Estates and to auoyde confusion in the Realme apparently growen by the negligence of their Kings they conclude to reiect Childeric and to choose Pepin the one vnworthie to raigne by reason of his vices and the other most worthie to be King for his royall vertues And to the end the fundamentall Law of state should not bee directly infringed in this new election they bring Pepin from the race of great Clouis of whome they sayd hee should be acknowledged for the next heire Pepin chosen King by the Parliâ—ment and Childeric reiected seing that vertue his race being duely weighed he approched nerest to him in vertue Pepin himselfe would not assist at this assemblie that the offer of this dignitie being made without his appareÌ„t seeking it might be the more honorable Being called to heare the general conclusion of the Parliament and the common desire of all the French hee presents himselfe being pleasing to all men in more then an ordinary sort little of bodie but shewing in his countenance the greatnes of his spirit amiable by his mild and modest behauiour and admirable for his graue pleasing Maiestie The Assembly lets him vnderstand by Boniface Archbishop of Mayence or Mentz that the French in regard of his vertues and their future hope hâ—d by a free and generall consent chosen him King of France And for execution of the said decree hee was instantly in the presence of them all installed King the royall Crowne was set vpon his head by the said Archbishop and then he was raysed vpon a target and carried about the assembly after the ancient ceremonie of the French And by vertue of the same decree Childeric was chalenged as vnworthy of the Crowne degraded shauen and confined into a Monastery thereto passe the remainder of his daies This notable change happened in the yeare 750. in the Citty of Soissons but with so resolute a consent of all the French nationâ— as there appeared not any one that made shew to dislike thereof A most assured testimony that Goâ— had so determined Soueraigne câ—uâ—es of this chaâ—ge hauing resâ—rued to himselfe the soueraigne authority ouer Kings to place and diâ—â—lace gird vngird raise and cast downe according to his good pleasure alwaies iust alwaies wise To him we must ascribe the principall and soueraigne cause of all changes For God is the gouernour as hee is the Creator It being a necessary consequence that he gouernes that which he hath created and by his prouidence watâ—â—eth especially ouer mankinde for whom he hath made the world If we shall otherwise seeke the neerest causes of this alteration we may iustly say that vice dispossessed Childeric vertue set Pepin in possession of the Crowne loue the reuerence of sâ—biects being the sâ—pport of publike authority hate and contempt the ruine thereof To the end that Princes by so worthy an example may learne to banish vice which making them hatefull contemptible thrusts them from their Thrones and to plant vertue which causing them to be respected and honored makes them to raigne ouer nations Now we begin a new gouernment vnder new Kings and in a new race In the beginning we shall see two great Princes The estate of this second race vnder whom good order shall make an alteration of affaires with an abundance of all blessings both spirituall temporall Iustice wisdom pollicie armes valour large limits of territories abundance of peace the excellent knowledge of learning to raise this estate to the greatest happines that euer it enioyed scarse any other kingdom whatsoeuer let forraine nations say what they please But the happines of these two Kings shall not be hereditary in their posteâ—ity who beginning soone to degenerate shall decline by degrees vntil that vice depriuing them of the Crowne vertue shall giue it to another who shall shew himselfe a more lawfull successor and righter heire to Charlemagne hauing a better part in his vertues This second race shall enioy the kingdom 237. yeares beginning to raigne in the yeare 750. ending in the yeare 987. hauing begun by vertue and ended by vice A goodly lâ—sâ—on for Potentates thâ—t bounty wisdom and valour Inâ—â—â—uction for
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
prisoners and artillerie deliuer vp Arques Caudebecq Tancaruille Lisle-bonne Hâ—nnefleu and Monstreuille The Conditions granâ—ed to the English at Rouen they should pay fiftie thousand Crownes presently and discharge their priuate debts in the Cittie before they departed for assurance whereof they should leaue Talbot the flower of all their men with fiue other hostages such as the King should demande So Talbot remaynes for a pledge After ten dayes all articles agreed vpon beâ—ng performed except Honnefleu all the hostages haue leaue to depart except Talbot who stayes vntill Honnefleu is deliuered But Talbot must haue more time to tast the bountie clemencie of our King and the fruits of French couâ—tesie Thus Charles enters Rouen with great pompe Câ—arles enâ—ers Rouen but the peoples ioye exceeded the statelinesâ—e of his traine Their showtes drowne the Trumpets and Clarons all crie God saue the King 1450. This poore people greedie to see their Prince after so long and cruell a seruitude weepe for ioy men and women young and olde all runne many bonfiers are made but the fire of publike deuotion burnt more cleare This was the tenth of Nouember in the yeare 1449. a notable date for so singular a deliuerance There yet remained some Townes in Normandie to conquer Charles loth to loose any opportunitie or to giue the enemie any leisure to bethinke himselfe would scarse allow of any time for the publike ioy and content of his good subiects but goes presently to field with his armie Honnefâ—eu would not obey the Duke of Somerset the which he must deliuer vp according to the treatie there were fifteene hundred English resolute to defend the place but after fifteene dayes siege they yeelded vpon honourable termes King Charles deales honourablie with Talbot their goods and liues being saued Charles for an increase of the good cheere he had made vnto Talbot during his imprisonment giues him his libertie without ransome with meanes to retire himselfe into England with great gifts but he shall make him no due requitall of this good and honourable entertainment Fougeres the subiect of this last warre and the chiefe cause of this good successe returnes to the obedience of the Crowne through the valour of the Duke of Brittanie and Belesme with the Castell of Fresâ—â—â— by that of the Duke of Alançon As all things succeeded happily for our Charles so all went crosse in England The Earle of Suffolke gouerned King Henry the 6. quietly being a young man and of a weake spirit As all the affaires of England depended vpon this Earle The estate of England so did the reproches The Duke of Somerset a Prince of the English bloud very iealous of his credit and reputation and ashamed to be blemished with these losses in France layes the chiefe fault vpon Suffolke and others that had the gouernment and so incensed the people of London against them The Londoners mutinie and kill the Lord Keeper as the Londoners transported with choller for so great a losse meaning to punish the offenders fall vpon the Bishop of Chichester Lord Keeper of the priuie Seale and kill him in a mutinie they intend the like to Suffolke â—â— by the fauour of some of his friends he had not beene put into the Tower of London to yeeld an accoumpt of his actions Henry who loued him deerely takes him forth The English Chronicle reports quite contrary and sent him into France for his better safetie But it chanced that Suffolke seeking to auoide one danger fell into another where he made his last shipwrack for being met by Somersets people being his capitall enemie he was taken and beheaded his head body were sent to London those cruell spoiles set vp to publike view in places most frequented In the meane time all England troubled for the losse of Rouen and the greatest part of the Prouince resolues to hazard all to saue the rest of their conquests in France They had yet in Normandy the Townes of Caen Vire Auranches S. Sauueur leVicont Falaize Damfront Cherebourg with the strong places of Tombelaine Briquebec New forces sent out of England into France and a great part of Guienne With this remainder the English imagin to recouer the possession of what they had lost So Henry sends speedily 4000. men vnder the command of Thomas Tiâ—el one of his most renowmed Captaines Being landed at Cherebourg without any losse of of time he besiegeth Valonges a strong place and of importance At the brute of these forces all the English garrisons assemble to augment his armie and to fortifie the siege so as being together they make about 8000. men Our armie was lodged in diuers places to refresh themselues since the siege of Honnefleu the season being wonderfull moist in the thawe of the spring when as newes came to Charles of the landing of the English and the imminent danger of the besieged the losse whereof were a foule blemish to his victorie To preuent this he presently sends the Earle of Clermont with sixteene hundred Lances whereof the Earle of Castres the Admirall of Raiz the Seneshall of Poitou and the Lords of Montgascon Couuran and Rouhault were the commanders The English armie was lodged at Fourmigny a village betwixt Carentan and Bayeux in a place of aduantage to keepe themselues free from such forces as they might doubt should be sent from the King being then in the country Matago an old English Captaine came vnto him with a thousand Archers The English being thus fortified set their backes to a Riuer being flanked with diuers Orchards and Gardines before them they make trenches to stoppe their approche and in this sort they attend the enemie The neerenesse of Charles made them to imagine our French to be more in number then they were for this troupe did not exceed sixe hundred fighting men whereof a hundred onely commanded by Geoffray of Couuran and Ioachim of Rouault charged the English vantgard hauing slaine three or foure hundred put the rest of their armie in disorder yet the Earle of Clermont seeing the danger he was in with his troupe if the enemie had discouered his aduantage hauing so great an army against his small troupe sends presently to Charles for speedy succours By good hap as the messenger came vnto the King the Constable of Richmont arriues from Brittaine who marcheth presentlie not giuing his souldiers any leisure to breath exhorting them to go couragiously to an assured victorie His comming strack the stroake and swayâ—d the victory He had 240. Lances and 800. Archers and with him Iames of Luxembourg the Cont of Laâ—all and the Lord of Loheac Marshall of France with the good fortune of Charles He aâ—riues euen when as the Earle of Clermont was farre ingaged in the fight the English had taken two Culuerins from him and in despight had passed S. Clements-forde preparing to discharge these Culuerins when as behold the Constable comes with his troupe with a victorious
mâ—diats the reduction of Tholouse to tâ—e Kâ—ngs obedieâ—ce he consented to returne vnto the world vpon two conditions The one was that it should be with the consent and leaue of the Generall of the Order The other by the dispensation of the Holy Sea and that he might returne againe when God should send rest to the Church and State This obtained from the Pope his Generall father Angelo is againe of the world doth al acts of a Worldling of a Captaine and of a Soldiar applying himselfe to the humors of the time After that hee had pacified many popular seditions in Tholouse and beene a meanes to reduce it to the Kâ—ngs obedience being at Paris hauing witâ— the Kings good liking and pleasure married his only Daughter to the Duke Monâ—pensier a Prince of the bloud he bethought himselfe of his bonde conteined in his dispence and went and yeelded his obedience vnto the Holy Sea to his Order whereas he is nowe one of the chiefe Conductors hauing referred all his domesticall affaires to the Cardinall his brother and to the Duke his Sonne in Lawe Hâ—s Mother desâ—res h s returâ—e to the Capâ—châ—â—â— His Mothers teares preuailed much for his returne She was more afflâ—cted for this change then for the death of all her other Children and neuer ceased vntill shee had drawne Frier Angelo for so she still called him out of the desertâ— of Egipt to Mount Caluaire and that she had seene him in the habit which he had left These be mighty effects of grace which reformes that which is deformed and conformes that which is reformed confirmes that which is conformed transâ—ormes that which is confirmed The 〈◊〉 hâ—s resoâ—â—tion and makes the Soule to lâ—ue more in Heauen whether it aspâ—res then iâ— the body where it breathes The King went to visit him and commended his resolution saying that he did sometimes thinke to speake vnto him of it and had done it but â—ee doubted that he would mistake his meaning and thinke he did it to be rid of him Dyning one daie in a place whereas there was onely his Maiesty and three other Noblemen That is to 〈◊〉 the King the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 the Dâ—ke 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the 17. 〈…〉 he sayd vnto them that in the world there were men of all conditions and qualities to be found but they should hardly assemble foure so different and that in these â—oâ—e wherof he was one there was a Sinner conuerted A Leaguer repented a Capuchin diuerted and a Huguenot peruerted This amazement in Court for the Duke of Ioyeuze was increased by the sodaine death of Schomberg who was taken with an Apoplexie returning from Conflans whereas Villeâ—râ—y had feasted the King and all his Councell It gaue him no respit to speake French nor Dutch 1599. This yeare the Pope made nine Cardinals for the second promotion of his Pontificat among the which was Robert Bellarmine a Iesuite which caused many to murmure being against the Institution of his Order Iesuits incapable of spirituall dignities by the which all Iesuites are excluded from such like dignities being forbidden not onely to aspire vnto them but also to hope for them hauing taken a particular othe neuer to seeke nor pretend any Dignitie nor Prelatship directly or indirectly neither in their companie nor without but by his commandement who may command without replie vpon paine of sinning as it happened vnto Cardinall Toleto and now to Bellarmin Warre dying had left no quarrell in France but for the Marquisate of Salusses The Marquisat of Salusses in question which the King demanded as depending vpon Daulphiné and the Duke of Sauoy sought to vnite it vnto his house from the which hee pretends the Daulphins had wrested it The difference of this restitution must be determined by the Pope who was named Arbitrator by the treatie of Veruins It is the most important sute that hath beene long time in Rome The parties send their Ambassadors to Rome to sue vnto the Arbitrator for iudgement President Brulart goes for the King and the Count d' Arconas for the Duke of Sauoy and they come to Rome in the beginning of the yeare In the meane time the Duke beseecheth his Maiestie that hee will giue him leaue to visit him The King answered the Duke that he would gladly see him but resoluing to accompany his Sister when shee should go into Lorraine hee should not make any long aboade in any one place during the rest of the Winter and therefore hee desired him that hee would deferre his voyage vnto the Spring thinking that he should not bee troubled to â—eeke him any farther then in the Cittie of Lions where he meant to bee about the same time They pursue the Arbiterment at Rome the Arbitrator the best of good Popes shewes as great Integritie as the parties did Passion He was free from all affection that was contrary to Iustice and would do nothing contrarie to his conscience He was carefully instructed by either partie concerning this controuersie You may read the whole processe at large in the Originall The Duke of Sauoy hauing kept the Marquisate of Salusses some yeares whilest that France had turned her owne armes against her selfe considered that so soone as the King should ouercome his other affaires the recouerie thereof would not be the last of his enterprises for the restauration of that to his Crowne The Duke of Sauoy seekes to be reconciled vnto the King Hee was therefore one of the first that sought to reconcile himselfe vnto the King and the first propositions were made by Sebastian Zamet The King could hardly beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy would separate himselfe from the desseignes and councels of the King of Spaine who had alwayes a body of an armie in France being so strictly tyed vnto him Hee therefore sends to Syllery his Ambassador in Suitzerland to enter into conference vpon this matter with the Dukes Ambassadour there and to sound his intention The Duke had sent the Marquis of Aix into Spaine to know how hee should treate with the King At the same time they surprized a Pacquet comming from Spaine the which being deciphred they found the Duke desired to treat in good earnest for his Ambassador writing from Madril sent him word that touching the forme of the accord for the which he desired to haue councell the King of Spaines Ministers would neuer tell it but with many conditions and secretly although it were a thing which they desired that they might retire their forces and imploy them in Flanders whereas all things went to wrack That if his Highnesse whom it did import could finde the meanes to effect it he was assured in the end they would finde it good Multa â—â—eri prohibentur quae tamen facta tenent as they had done many other desseignes reiected by them in the beginning and afterwards allowed according to the successe Many conferences were made concerning this cause before
and to ruine all the world with his delights At this time there sprong vp Religious men in France who said they were true Obseruers of the Order of S. Francis The order of 〈◊〉 and that the Franciscans and Capuchins did not maintaine it so exactly but they needed Reformation The King gaue them a Couent at Beauâ—ort by the example of this piety many other places desired it They would lodge at Balmette neere vnto Anger 's the which had beene Founded by Rene King of Sicilia The FranciscaÌ„s who could not indure to be dispossessed by these Recollets beseeged them offered to force their Gates and to scale their Walles The Beseeged defended not themselues with Words and Excorcismes but with Stones and in such Choller as if the People had not come the Scandall had not ended without Murther The Prouinciall seeing that the Recollets would not receiue him Trouble in the â—ouent of Balmâ—â—te and that the Bishop would not suffer him to vse force appealed as from an abuse of their Establishment The Recollâ—ts shew vnto the Court that they are the true Children and Disciples of S. Francis liuing according to the Rule and Discipline that was obserued in Italy from whence the good Precepts of the Reformation of Regulers were drawne that if those of the Famely of Obseruance and of Capuchins were tollerated honoured in France they should be of no worse Condition This cause was the Argument of a famous pleading in the Court Parliament in the which Seruin the Kings Aduocate said That a Reformation was necessary not only in the Order of the Franciscans or Grey-Friars A great pâ—eadâ—â—g â—n the Court of Parlament but also in all others but they must be careful not to transforme by Nouelties in steed of Reforming by Censures alleadging many reasons against the bringing in of nâ—we Orders Whereupon the Court pronounced that there was abuse and restored the Ancient Religious to the Couent of Balmette forbidding all religious Men of the Order of Grey-Fryars to go out off the Realme without license from the King or their Superiors Iealous and distrustfull heads gaue it out that the Peace was in weake estate when as after the iniury done vnto Rochepott in Spaine The King gâ—es to Calais and the forbiding of Trafficke they see the King gonne sodainely to Calais and that from thence hee had sent the Duke Biron into England The Archdukes tooke a sodaine Alarum and to that end sent the Count Soâ—a vnto the King to deliuer vnto him the state of the Seege to Ostend The Count Sora sent vnto the King and to beseech him not to suffer that their enemies should thinke that these approches should be to their aduantage and that their rebellion should be fauoured by an example so hatefull to all Princes The King sent the Duke of l' Esguillon to visit them The Duke of l' Eâ—guillon sent to the Archdukes and to assure them that his intention was not to trouble the Peace but onely to visit his Fronter and to prouide for the fortifications They did not generally beleeue this for although he made this Voyage in Post many thought that he would imbrace this occasion of the seege of Ostend and all the Court followed him as to some great Exploite And for that he would not haue the world in suspence of his desseignes he gaue the Gouernors of his Prouinces to vnderstand that the cause of his going to Calais was but to visit his frontier and to prouide for that which should bee necessary to assure it not from present dangers but from those that might happen He declared also that he had no other desseigne then the preseruation of Peace withall his neighbours to enjoy that which God had giuen him But there were other practises which could not be dispersed but by the Kings presence The Queene of England sent Sir Thomas Edmonds to visit the King and the King returned her the like by the Duke of Biron Hee went accompanied with a hundred and fifty Gentlemen The Count of Avuergne was there as vnknowne The Duke of Biron sent into England but his qâ—aâ—ity discouered him There was nothing omitted that might be for the reception of an Ambassador somewhat more Being at London many Noblemen receiued him and accompanied him to Basing where he rested a day or two before he did see the Queene who made him knowe that shee was honoured by her Subiects aboue other Princes A Prince should loose no occasion to let Strangers see the greatnesse of his Estate to giue them cause to admire him and to maintaine his Subiects in the dutie which they owe him The Queene of England who hath made good proofe that Wonten may raigne as well and as happely as Men obserues this bâ—â—tâ—r then any Prince of her age making all them that followed the Duke of Biron in this Legation to giue the like Iudgement The Queene beeing set in State all the French Gentlemen entred first His entry to the Queene but when as shee discouered the Duke of Biron whome shee knew by the description they had made of his Face and stature shee spake with a loud voyce Ha Monsieur de Biron how haue you taken the paynes to come and see a poore old Woman who hath nothing more liuing in her then the affection shee beares vnto the King and her perfect iudgement to knowe his good Seruants and to esteeme Knights of your sort As she spake this the Duke made a low reuerence the Queene rose from her Chaire to imbrace him to whoÌ„ he deliuered the charge he had from the King and withall his Maiesties Letters the which she read She thanked the King for his remembrance of her but she said she could not conceale The Queenes speech that as there was nothing vnto a heart like vnto hers full of affection and desire more pleasing then to see and heare what it desired so could she not but feele an extreme torment to see her selfe depriued of the sight and presence of the obiect which shee had most desired whose actions she esteemed not onely immortall but diuine being ignorant whether she should more enuy his Fortune then loue his Vertue and admire his Merits so much the one the other did exceede the greatest maruailes in the world That she could not say that a courage which feared nothing but the falling of the Pillers of Heauen should feare the Sea or not trust vnto it for a passage of seuen or eight houres blaming them rather which had not instructed him as well to contemne the Waues of the Sea as the desseignes of his enemies vppon the Land From these speeches shee fell into some bitternesse of Complaints which shee deliuered with a little vehementie saying That after she had succored this Prince with her Forces Purse and Meanes and if she could haue done it with her owne bloud and had as much desired the happy successe of his affayres as himselfe
force vs to seeke for consolation My end and purpose in this labour I haue endeuored therefore my Countrymen to trace out some slender obseruations for you in this little worke such as I could I see it is not according to the dignitie and greatnesse of the subiect worthy in truth of a good writer rather fit for that obscure age when the most ancient Druides had a maxime not to write at all or of those which haue left vs these small Abridgements the which we now vse for want of better and without doubt if our History had incountred such spirits as the Greeke and Latin did it had been nothing iâ—feriour to any of them in Beauty and Profit This is the onely cause why our Countrimen haue not read our History hauing not enioyed the light of Excellent Writers to represent her in her liuely colours according to her deserts And although ouâ— France hath heretofore had cause to complaine in this respect yet now that fault is partly repaired by the industrie of some that striue to plant and beautifie it Amongst all that haue laboured in this subiect Du Haillan in my opinion exceeds all others with immortall commendations hauing so happily clensed these ouer-growne busnes and made so plaine a pathe in this thick and obscure forrest if zeale to doe my Countrie seruice and hopâ— by my example to awake the learned to doe better weâ—e not my iust excuse where should I hide me from the blotte of inconsiderate rashnesse especially being in this Citty of Paris nor onely the capitall Citty of France the fertile Mother of goods wittes but also the Rendez-vous of the greatest miracles in the world I will therefore speake freely that in presuming to beautifie this History I haue taken for the onely obiect of my aime To seeke the truth with the vse thereof and to giue you some cause of content Regard not my tongue I offer you the simple truth without painting the which I haue curiously searched for in many good Bookes which my necessary aboade here hath giuen me meanes to obtaine and the desire I haue to serue you occasion to imploy them for as I am wholie vowed to the publike so will I yeeld an accompt not onely of my idlenesse but also of my imployments I haue therefore resolued to vndertake a labour that should not bee vnprofitable in preparing you a way to learne your Historie in the originalls with lesse paine and more profit I do therefore call this my endeuour an INVENTORIE by the direction whereof you may see the body and euery part at your pleasure If I may perswade the Reader to conferre this my labour with the writings of others vpon this subiect both old and new I shall not then need to put in caution but be of an assured hope to obtaine a testimonie of my fidelitie And it may be in time of some diligence at the least I bring nothing that hath not beene well purified and applyed to the vse The fruite depends on the blessing of God by the iudgement of such as shall read mee I will protect onely for that which doth concerne my selfe I haue vsed the Rule Square Lead and Compasse to obserue proportion both in sâ—â—le and subiect that in my course I might direct you to the firme truth if it bee with that light and breuitie I pretended I shall haue cause to thanke God and to labour in some subiect of greater moment yet I haue done my best indeauour that the learned may supply my defect in doing better The course is open euery one may runne it I leaue the prize to them that shall doe best my intent was onely to profit the publique and therefore I bring not an Abridgement but an INVENTORY I haue searched the very Springs of such as went before me The first haue not hindred the second and why should the second take it ill to be followed by others one kinde of meate may be diuersly seasoned to good purpose A small Dyall markes the houres in like proportion to a great Clock It is one of my wishes that this goodlie subiect may be set to open view that the learned may striâ—e to exceed one another and leaue no excuse for our French-men to be any more strangers in France making the way easie and profitable If in this respâ—ct my zeale and integritie may bee approued of my Countrie why should I repent the imployment of some houres in so goodly and worthy a worke as a testimonie at the least that I desire to discharge my dutie To conclude my Countrymen The occasion of this Historie I must not conceale from you the chiefe cause that induced mee to compile this worke About sixe and twenty yeares since I was thrust forth vpon the Theater being very young to represent the Historie of our miseries the desire of forraine Nations begat this desseigne being curious to vnderstand a particuler relation of our Tragedies By reason whereof I presented this my first worke in Latin that Strangers might vnderstand it I held it for an Abortiue and esteemed the losse but lightly yet was the successe greater then my proiect for being imbraced by the publique beyond desert it hath so increased that of one Booke there is made fifteene and corrected with diuerse impressions And as the Child increased so the Father had meanes to do him good GOD suffering me to liue to be a witnesse of great accidents not onely as many of my Country-men that sees the danger from a safe Porte but imbarked in full Seas amidst these common tempests for being imployed in some and no small affayres both within and without the Realme I had the Honor to be admitted into Kings and Princes Cabinets to manage publique causes of Prouinces and to conferre with the heads of Parties to learne from their owne mouthes and from others that had authoritie and imployment vnder them the Truth of all that passed so as being able to giue a reason for many things which I had seene I may likewise giue an account of most that hath passed by the proceedings and instructions of both parties I will adde to this opportunitie the priuate deuotion which hath alwayes held my minde inclined to this care to gather together whatsoeuer was done when as necessity of affaires thrust mee into imployments and this my desire succeeded so happily that both great and small haue fauourablie imparted vnto mee whatsoeuer might benefit concerning this subiect So as I haue made a iust collection of all the substance that may serue for the building of a perfect Historie from the beginning of the troubles to this day The end of this painfull labour depends of him from whom proceeds the euents of all our prayers To him therefore I referre my selfe protesting onely of that which is in mee As therefore I aduow my selfe both Debtor of this worke and Author of these Bookes which wander among men so I protest the fault shall not be mine if all
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
forth in the yeare 834. But this deliuery was the beginning of a newe confusion For Lothaire hauing beene forced to yeeld vnto his father goes to field takes him prisoner againe and leads him to the Couent at Soissons where he stayed not long for the French did bandy openly against Lothaire and his bretheren did abandon him He is forced to giue theâ— portions so as hee was forced to yeeld vnto his father and to craue pardon This miserable King thus ledde for a long time giues portions to his Children To Lothaire hee leaues the realme of Austrasâ—â— from the riuer of Meuse vnto Hongarie with the title of Emperour to Lewis Bauaria and to Charles France Pepin enioyed Guienne without contradiction Lewis not content with Bauaria quarrells againe with his father and to force him to giue him a better portion hee leuies an army and passeth the Rhin The pittifull father although tyred with so many indignities yet transported with choller against his sonne goes to field with an army but age and greefe depriued him of meanes to chastise him for hee fell deadly sicke which made him leaue this world to finde rest in heauen He dies This was in the yeare of grace 840. of his age 64. and of his Empire the 27. He left three sonnes Lothaire and Lewis of the first bedde and Charles of the second these two first Children did much afflict the father and themselues and all were plonged in bloudie dissentions the which order doth nowe command vs to represent particularly The Estate of Lewis his Children presently after his death LOthaire as the eldest and Emperour by his fathers testament would prescribe Lawes to his brethren and force them to a newe diuision As he had â—â—ceeded against his father in taking him twise prisoner and stripping him before hee went to bed Diuision among the bretheren and the cause so he sought to disanull his will as made against the right of the elder and the Imperiall dignity the realme of France belonging to the eldest and the goodliest territories of the Empire to the Emperour Thus hee quarreled with Charles King of France and with Lewis who had his part in the inheritances of the Empire in Bauiere the dependances of the realme of Bourgondy that is to say Prouence and Daulphiné and in Italy This was the Leuaine of these tragicall dissentions among the bretheren as Nitard a writer of approued credit learned and a Prince for he was sonne to Angelibert the â—â—nne of Berthe daughter to Charlemagne and was imployed to compound these quarâ—ells doth very particularly describe 820. Behold the direction to a longer discourse whereof I owe but an abridgment noted with the principall circumstances Lothaire then armed with autâ—oritie force malice policie and boldnes thinkes to giue his bretheren their portions and there were great presumptions he should preuaile ioyning his force with the intelligences he had in the dominions of Charles and Lewis This common interest to defend themselues against a common enemie made them to ioyne togither resolute for their generall preseruation Lothaire seekes by secret treaties to diuide them but not able to make any breach in their vnion hee prepares force and â—olicie Lewis was in Bauiere of whome he kept good gard that he should noâ— passe the Rhin to ioyne with his brother hee likewise leuies an armie to surprise Charles in France This preparation of warre did awake the vnited brethren who assemble their forces and ioyne notwithstanding all Lothaires oppositions Lothaires armie was at Auxerre meaning to passe into the hart of France The vnited brethren hauing assembled their forces neere vnto Paris Saint Denis and Saint Germain approche to haue a better meanes either to treat with him or to incounter him Fâ—sâ— with great humilitie they offer to performe what should be held reasonable beseeching him to remember the condition of brethren the holy peace of the Church and the quiet of Goâ—s people suffering them to inioy what their father had bequeathed or elâ—e they would diuide France equally and hee should choose what part he pleased Lothane refusing nothing flatly â—ed them with delayes expecting forces out of Guienne led by Pepin and in the meane time he diuided the Citties by his practises meaning to asâ—aâ—â—e â—is brethren both within and without and to surprise them by authoritie and force as hee had done heretofore his poore father presuming of the like meanes But the subtill was taken in his owne snare for as Lothaire finding himselfe the stronger refused these conditions of peace Lothaire thinâ—ing 〈…〉 his breâ—â—ren is uâ—risâ—â— and defeated saying openly That his brethren would neuer bee wise vntill hee had corrected them behold the armies lying neere to Fontenay after these vaine parlees of peace Lewis and Charles charge Lothaires armie alreadie a Conqueror in conceit with such aduantage as hee was not onely put to rout but also ouerthrowne with a notable slaughter noted vnto this day by the place where the battaile was fought the which for this occasion is called Chaplis and the straight is called by the victors name the valley of Charles to continue the memorie of so bloodie a victorie where euen the Conquerours had cause to weepe hauing shed their owne bloud although forced to fight It is not now that France 〈…〉 to bee indiscreet banding against it selfe and digging in her owne bowels by â—â—â—se domesâ—â—c all and vnâ—â—â—ll dissentions Lothaire after 〈◊〉 defeat changed his huâ—â—r with his estate for hardly could hee retyre with his shame to saue his dominions â—â—e inioyed the â—â—â—arie maske of the Empire with Ausâ—rasâ—a yet very much cuâ—alled and dâ—â—ided to his three sonnes Lewis Charles and Lothaire Of these great inheâ—itances there remaines nothing cleere but Lorraine of the name of Lothaire And so the great discourses of him whome the whole earth coâ—ld nâ—t â—atiâ—fie without taking from father and brethren were buried in a cloister for Lothaire hauing remorse of conscience for attempting against his father and brethren and all to beare rule lost the honour hee had sought with such eagernesse and to â—â—der the paines hee had inflicted vppon his father hee professeth himselfe a Monke in the Abbie of Pluuiers Lothaire 〈◊〉 a Monâ—e and dies a Monke in the yeare 855. taking on him the frocke and being shauen as the ciuil death of a King or Prince of the bloud royall according to the French opinion which continues vnto this day for a note of the greatest paine they could suffer that were borne in this authoritie to bee shauen and made Monkes and to change the crowne of France into a Monkes crowne dead to the world This was the Catastrophe and end of this turbulent Prince by the iust iudgement of God published then in the greatest assemblies and made knowne vnto 〈◊〉 open and publike writings for a notable testimonie and witnesse to all men That whosoeuer disobeyes father and mother deceiues his brethren 824 troubles the peace
the Reader to the whole Historie to the which we leaue him THE FIRST PARCELL OF THE THIRD ROYAL RACE CALLED CAPETS Conteining thirteene kings from Hugh Capet to Charles the fourth called the Faire The names of thirteene Kings of the first royall branch of Capets placing HVGH CAPET For the stemme and foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day ROBERT PHILIP the 1. LEWIS the 7. called the long LEWIS the 8. PHILIP the 3. called the hardie LEWIS the 10. called HVTIN HENRY LEWIS the 6. called the grosse PHILIP the 2. called AVGVSTVS LEWIS the 9. called S. LEWIS PHILIP the 4. called the faire PHILIP the 5. surnamed the long CHARLES the 4. called the faire the last of this first branch From the yeare nine hundred ninetie six vnto a thousand three hundred twentie and eight ROBERT alone of that name 37. King of France ROBERT KING OF FRANCE XXXVII ROBERT began to raigne alone The raigne of Robert â—â—ng and happy in the yeare 996. and raigned 33. yeares Hee had three sonnes Hugh Robert and Henry by his wife Constance the Daughter of William Earle of Aâ—les Following the example of his father Hugh he desired to assure the Crowne in his house installing his heire in the right purchased to him and his by a decree of the States So he crowned Hugh his eldest sonne at Compiegne in the yeare 1028. But God who was wiser then Robert determined to call Hugh to a better Crowne for soone after he dyed being dead Robert continued in the same desseigne to assure his estate in his house and obseruing a more royall disposition in the younger then in the elder Robert prefers Henry his yonger sonne to the crowne before the elder he preferred vertue before the prerogatiue of eldership causing Henry the younger to be crowned in his life time decreeing by his will that Robert should content himselfe with the Duchie of Bourgongne doing homage for it to the Crowne of France So hauing happily disposed of his affaires and raigned with the generall content of his sâ—biects he dyed in the yeare 1031. being three score yeares old Robert dyes hi disposiâ—on A Prince very fiâ—te for the time being wise resolute peaceable and continent But Pietie was the Crowne of all his vertues and the knowledge of Diuinitie seasoned with learning one of the flowers of this goodly crowne for he is commended to haue beene very deuout and to haue loued both diuinity and humanitie They sing Hymnes of his inuention and namely that which is to the honour of holy martyrs which begins O constantia martyrum mirabilis the which bearing resemblance with the name of his wife Constance he was wonderfully pleased with the humour she had to be honoured with his writings being then greatly esteemed throughout the world 1010. There is nothing more dangerous in an Estate than the change of diuers masters 〈◊〉 experience hath taught in former raignes Wile Kings and of long life happy for an estate So God who ment to confirme the Mâ—narchie in this Race gaue a long and a happie life to these first Kings issued from Capet without any sudden change from raigne to raigne For Robert raigned 33. yeares Henry his sonne as much Philip his sonne 49. yeares Lewis the 7. forty four Lewis the 9. called Saint Lewis as much All wise Princes moderate valiant peaceable and happy As good houses are setled euen so Kingdomes are confirmed As when one good hus band succeeds an other adding welth to welth newe vpon olde houses then growe great euen so the long life of these good and wise Princes was continued with much happy successe as we shall see in euery raigne This in particular is remarkable in the raigne of Robert We haue sayd the realme was diuided as it were to many masters As there is small respect among equalls who seeth not what should haue succeeded betwixt so many great lords being equalls and especially in France but Robert did so firmely gouerne the helme of this great barke in the midest of the tempestuous seas of French humors as hee controulled all such as sought to free themselues from the Crowne whose authority by this meanes was great Robert maintaines his royall authoâ—y by the obedience which hee forced all them to yeeld that would plaie the mutines He enterrayned the amity his father had with Richard Duke of Normandie confirmed by allyance and for that there was iealousie betwixt him and Otho Earle of Chartres he could wisely make his profit of them both In the beginning of his raigne one Gautier gouernour of Melâ—n sold the place to the Earle of Chartres aboue named according to the manner of confused times At the complaint of Bouchard to whome the towne belonged He suppresseth the seditiouâ— the King commaunded Otho to restore it vnto him who refused to obey Robert sets the Normand against him who handles him in such sort as in the ende the Earle humbles himselfe vnto the King and deliuers vp both the place and marchant who was hanged Henry brother to Hugh Capet was Duke of Bourgongne by the decease of his brother Otho Henry then died and so Bourgongne returned to the Crowne But passion perswading Landry Earle of Neuers to make a benefit of his right of neighbourhood and time inuiting him to imbrace this occasion to fish in a troubled water hee seized on Auxerre by intelligence But hee was deceiued to thinke this a time wherein all things were lawfull for Robert goes presently to field with his army and beseegeth Auxerre where this ill aduised Landry was but the Inhabitants open their gates to the King and deliuer Landry into his hands All the Auxerrois obeye except Auallon who after a fewe daies yeelds and in the ende all Bourgongne Landry guilty of treason â—â—â—â—ers an easie punishement for his rashenes Hauing confessed his fault he obtaynes pardon of Robert promising all future obedience 〈◊〉 giuâ—s Bouâ—gongne to Robert his eldest sonne Thus Robert being master of Bourgongne hee giues it to Robert his eldest sonne But Robert doubly interested his younger beeing preferred and hee hauing a very small part in the State was not pleased with this portion Bourgongne was then distinguished into Duchie and Countie whereof the Countie belonged to the Empire and the Duchie to the Realme according to the diuision made by the Children of Lewis the gentle At that time Henry the 2. Duke of Bauiere surnamed the holy held the Empire Lorraine was the ordinary cause of debate betwixt France and Germany Robert to ende this controuersie meetes with Henry at a place called Enol Agreement with the Emperour for Lorraine vpon the riuer of Cher and made an accord with him the which continues to this day At that time Gothelon brother to the Earle of Ardenne held Lorraine Herevpon the hatred betwixt the Duke of Normandy and the Earle of Chartres kindled in such sort Robert reconciles the Duke of
FRANCE XXXXVI HE found his authoritie respected within the Realme 1286. as well for his age The dâ—spâ—sition of Philip. as hauing gouerned the State with dignitie vnder his Father Philip. A good Prince Iudicious and of a noble minde and the which was not the least point of happinesse in this life he was well married with Ioane Queene of Nauarre whereof he tooke the name of King before the decease of his father His issue enioying her as a sweete companion of his complexions He had three sonnes by her goodly Princes of body and excellent spirits Lewis Philip and Charles which shall bee Kings successiuely one after another but all so ill matched Philip vnhappie in the marriage of his sonnes as it was his greefe to see his childrens houses infected with three Strumpets and put away without all hope of issue hauing seuerely punished the corrupters of his Daughters in lawe and confinâ—d these inâ—atiat mastiues into Monasteries He had also one Daughter of the same bed named Isabel who was married to Edward King of England leauing vnto France a heauie and dangerous Leuaine of horrible confusion by the meanes of her sonne a fatall scourge for this realme Philip after the decease of Ioane His second wife maried Constance the Daughter of Charles King of Sicilia a faire and a young Princesse whom he left great with a sonne the which was borne eight dayes after his decease and suruiued him but few dayes His raigne He began to raigne in the yeare 1286. and dyed in the yeare 1315. hauing raigned twenty and nine yeares The entrance of this raigne was goodly but Flanders Guienne and the Pope gaue him vpon diuers occasions and at diuers times many great and painfull crosses He loued Iustice and Learning wherin he was well instructed for that age so as he did consecrate the first fruits of his raigne to honor both the one the other as also the Muses did honour him with a goodly Oration which is read in the Originall of this Historie 1287. for a commendable memorie to posteritie of the vertues of this great Prince The Parliament was not tyed to any place but changed according to the necessitie of Prouinces Sutes were most commonly iudged definitiuely by the Bayliffs and Seneshals and the greatest causes were decided Soueraignly in the Kings Councell who gaue free audience to their Subiects Philip hauing obserued by the experience of former raignes that it was very necessarie to haue â—urisdictions distinctly limited The Parliament of Paris erected left a Soueraigne power to his Parliament at Paris a part of his royall authoritie in ciuill and criminall causes and the better to gouerne it he appointed a sufficient number of Presidents and Councellors with his Aduocate and â—roctor which number hath beene since augmented according to occasion and for the greater countenance of this dignitie hee placed it in his chiefe Cittie of Paris and to that end he caused that great Pallace one of the most admirable buildings vnder the coape of Heauen to be built by the meanes of Enguerand of Marigny Earle of Longueuille The Palace built Superintendant of the Treasurie of France Hee first oâ—dained but two sittings of the Parliament in the yeare the which necessitie hath made ordinâ—rie vnder Lewis Hutin his Sonne who also erected an Exchequer at Roan Other Prouinces had their Parliaments at diuers times and vpon diuers occasions With like affection he fauoured his Vniuersities of Paris with all maner of priuiledges hauing his Wife Ioane a companion of the same humour whom he suffered to build in her name that goodly Colledge of Nauarre where at this day in this Iron age Colledge of Nauâ—râ—â— wee may bâ—hold with admiration the great bountie of â—ur Kings in commendable and vertuous actions These goodly beginnings in shew the first fruites of a sound peace were crossed with many difficulties both within and without the realme Flanders gaue the fiâ—st subiect This Countrie is one of the chiefe Seignâ—uries of this Monarchie and in the yeare 1225. this lawfull subiection was acknowledged at Meluâ— by the Earle of Flanders Cause of the wâ—râ—e in Flanders In the beginning of this raigne Guy Earle of Flanders came to do his homage to Philip who required to haue the Citties of Flanders to ratifie this peace of Melun the which was performed but vnwillingly by this riche people who still complained vnto Philip that his Parliament at Paris did infringe their Priuiledges for the which hee wisely prouided but the great securitie of these rich Citties musâ— â—eeds be the cause of their own afflictions as it chanceth ofteÌ„ that a rich people being too faâ—r The cause of quâ—rrell in Guyenne seâ—ke wilfuâ—ly their owne ruine Guyenne did likewise much trouble Philip and these two quarrels were intricate one with another like vnto diseases which come together according to the times and occasions when they chance The King of England was Duke of Guienne since the marriage of Elenor as wee haue seene but many difficulties haue fallen out the accord made by the King S. Lewis specified by vs had limittâ—d the Seignâ—uries of Guienne to the English the which hee should hold by homage of our Crowne but he could not limit his desire being watchfull vpon all occasions to free himselfe from the subiection of France Let vs follow by degrees the actions and the orâ—er of times in the combersome report of these new stormes falling out diuersly and in diuers places like as in a time inclined to raine a Cloud dischargeth it selfe by Planets in diuers parts â—he force and neighbourhood of England increased the quarâ—ell and caused a continuance by diuers accidents Edward the first of that name Sonne to Henry the third liued then in England and Count Guy in Flanders Edward came likewise into France and did homage to the new King for the Duchie of Guienne and other lands which he held of the Crowne Occâ—sioâ—â— to râ—nue the war with the â—â—glish as Guy had done for his It chanced that certaine English Ships scouring along the coast of Normandie made a great spoile of the subiects of France Philip vpon their complaints intreates Edward to cause restiâ—â—â—ion to be made of that which had beene vniustly taken by his subiects Edward neglects it so as Philip causeth him to be adiourned to yeeld a reason of this attempt as vasâ—all to the Crowne He appeares not and so by sentence he is declared guiltie of fellonie and of high Treason and to haue forfeited his interest in all his Seigneuries of France For the execution of this decree Arnoul of Neele Constable of France is sent into Guienne with an armie 1293. in the yeare 1293. a notable date to coate the fiâ—st letter in this Inuentarie of a very long processe although with some inteâ—mission yet so violent as it had a most ruined France The Constable doth his exploit Pâ—ilip sends an armiâ— into
declared capable to gouerne the estate alone be freed from Tutors But oh the weakenes of mans wisedom he did not foresee that his son should be ill gouerned by his Tutors in his minority that the age of 14. should not free him from Tutors and that euen his sonne coming to mans estate should giue more scope to the ambition of his owne vncles more worthily to be called murtherers then tutors then his weakest youth had done He had a Fistula in one arme by the which those ill humors were drawne away which grewe by poison and gaue him great ease when it did run It chanced this Fistula stopt and then his maladie encreased much Charles resoluing by this sharpe alarum to go the common way of all flesh calls for his three Bretheren Lewis Iohn and Philip and hauing recommended his children and subiects vnto them he giues them particular aduise for the gouernment of the Realme leaâ—ing the custody of his sonne and the Regency of the Realme vnto them He died the 16. of September .1380 in the Castle of Beauty seated vpon the Riuer of Marne He commaunded that Oliuer of Clisson should be Constable hauing commended his fidelity and sufficiency and that they should carefully preserue the amity of Germany Thus died Charles the wise wonderfully beloued and lamented of his subiects leauing his Realme in good estate Charles dies after so horrible a desolation And although the confusions passed had wonderfully impouerished the subiects and wasted the Kings Treasor neyther was his raigne free from warre yet did he leaue the Prouinces of his Realme very wealthy and an infinite tresor in his cofers although he had built the Louure S. Germaine in Laye Montargis Creill the Celestures and some other Churches Of such power is good husbandry in this realme as in riches it yeelds not to the treasors of Peru not in â—eâ—tility to any country vnder heauen to subsist amidst so many storms and to be presently restored by good husbandry An example for Princes to imitate and not to despaire in like confusions but to hope for all that may be wished for in the restoring of an estate by paâ—ience and dexteâ—ity vertues proper to our wise Charles A Prince so much the more praise worthy hauing preserued this Estate when it seemed lost His dispositioÌ„ religious wise modest patient stirring and stayed when need required able to entertaine euery man according to his humor hauing by these vertues wonne a great reputation both within and without the Realme and honourable to his posterity as he to haue saued France from shipwracke He loued leaâ—ning and learned men Nicholas Oresme was his schoolemaister whom hee honoured with great preferments He caused the bible to be translated into French imitating S. Lewis I have seene the originall in the Kings lodging at the Louure signed by King Charles and his Brother the Duke of Berry A goodly obseruation of the auntient simplicity of those royall characters I haue likewise seene a Manuscript of the translation made by the commaundement of S. Lewis He delighted in the reading of the holy Scâ—iptuâ—e Phâ—losophy hauing likewise caused the Eâ—hicâ—s and Politicks of Aristotle with many bookes of Tully to be translated into French The fauâ—ut he shewed to learned men stirred vp many good witts who began to draw the Muses from their graues both in France and Italy The History doth paâ—ticulaâ—ly note that he did often vâ—sit his Coâ—rt of Parliament and his chamber of accompts gaue audience vnto sutors read their petâ—tions and heard theâ—r complaints and reasons imploying some dayes of the weeke euen in his greatest affaires to do those fatherly and royall workes of Iustice. He tooke greaâ— delight to aduance his houshold seruants giuing them meanes secretly and without the pâ—iuity of any to instâ—uct their sonnes and to marâ—ie their daughters A testimonâ—e of a good conscience and of a wise man This bond of loyaltie could haue no better foundation then in transpoâ—ting it from the Father to the sonne nor almes be better imploied then from the maister to the seruant Royall vertues and worthy of eternall memory But alas what shal be the successe of this bounty and wisedome The raigne oâ— his sonne Charles shâ—lbe most miserable 〈◊〉 hath done the part of a good Brother of a good master a good Father and a good 〈◊〉 but God the Soueraigne of Kings had limited the euents of his cares To â—each vs 〈◊〉 a notable example That vnlesse the Lord build the house the worke men lâ—bour but â—n vaine if the Lord keepe not the citty the watchman watcâ—eth but in vaine for an eternal maxime of â—â—uernement and state ConsideratioÌ„s worthy to be obserued by Princes Whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. But vertues are noâ— herâ—dâ—â—ie Iohn not very wise begat Charles a wise and happy Prince and he begets a frantâ—ke man vnhappy both in youth and age We may on the other side oppose other considerations very disputable Profit aduised him to marry the heire of Flanders not onely to pacifie that country but also to inlarge his owne dominions adding therevnto that great and rich estate of Flanders from whence so many mischiefes haue sprong to France but his delight made him preferre the fayre before the rich Moreouer the rules of State did not permit him so to aduance his brother making him in a manner equal to himselfe in power the which must needes be the cause of many inconueniences as it after happened The cause of his brother Philip Duke of Bourgongne is ordered by the same rule for who can with reason mislike that Charles giues a portion to his brother by his fathers will and that in the rich marryage of a Prince his vassall and of a neere estate whereby his realme was dayly annoyed he preferres his brother before his capitall enemy But God had reserued the honour to himselfe Bourgongne since Robert the Grandchild of Hugh Capet had beene successiuely in the power of Princes who had alwayes done faithfull seruice to the crowne and now it shal be a scouâ—ge vnto it yet in the ende it shal be vnited vnto the crowne againe and taken from such as had abused it Experience doth teach that in matters of State the ende is not alwayes answerable to the beginning nor the successe to the desseine to the ende that Princes may depend of him who is greater then themselues who hath made them and can marre them without whom they cannot do any thing Behold the life death race raigne and manners of Charles the 5. called the wise But before we enter into the troublesome raigne of Charles the 6. The Estate of the empire Let vs obserue the estate of the Empire and of the Church We haue saide that Charles the sonne of Iohn King of Bohemia had beene chosen Emperour and called Charles the 4. Hee held the Empire 32. yeares beginning in the yeare 1350. So the raignes of Iohn and Charles
forty Lances to draw forth the Townsemen who sallying out as an assured victorie are compassed in like partriges in a net defeated chased and slaine to the number of foureteene or fifeteene hundred many are taken prisoners and of the better sort Iames of S. Paul the Constables brother the Lords of Centay Carency and others At that time the King did set the Prince of Orange at liberty being of the house and bearing the armes of Chalon taken in warre being set at thirty thousand Crownes ransome the which the King did moderate to ten thousand and caused it to be presently payed to the gentleman that held him by meanes whereof he became the Kâ—ngs Liege man and did him homage for the sayd Principality So as the King gaue him power to intitle himâ—eâ—fe by the grace of God Prince of Orange Priuileges granted to the Prince of Orange by Lewis and to coyne money of gold and siluer of as high a standard as that of Daulphiné to grant all graces remissions and pardons but for heresie and treason This transaction with the former prises did wonderfully discontent the Constable iealous of the Kings good successe and fearing likewise some checke by so mightie an army which the Admirall and the Earle of Dammartin had at his gate The Constables malice For the auoyding whereof he giues the King a false intelligence that the English were at sea reâ—die land at Calais he perswades the King to prouide for the places of Normandie he promiseth faithfully to defend the marches of Picardie and in his Masters absence to reduce Abbeuille and Peronne to his obedience But let vs heare an other notable part of trechery hee seekes by all meanes to weaken the King 1475. and yet would he not fortifie the Bourguignon but that the English should crosse both their Estats that his owne might stand firme in the miâ—est of their confusions With this desseine he procures the Duke of Bourgongne to send Philip Bouton and Philip Pot Knights to the Duke of Bourbon and he for his part sends Hector of Escluse The Constable seekâ—s to suborne the Duke of Bourbon to signifie vnto him that the English would soone land that the Duke of Bourgongne and he the Constable ioyning all their powers togither would easily conquer the Realme exhorâ—iâ—g him for the auoiding of his owne ruine and his Countries to ioyne with them the which if he refuse and that it fall out ill for him he was not to be pittied The Duke of Bourbon sends the King two letters of this tenor brought to him at diuers times by Escluse who makes answer to the Duke and Constable that neyther promises nor threats should drawe him from the obedience and faithfull seruice hee did owe vnto his maiesty Lewis will produce these letters to the Constables confusion in the end of the next yeare For the present hee must assure his frontiers There is no newes yet of the English Lewis markes well this chase and will cause the Constable who supposed himselfe to haue the aduantage of the game to loose the partie Poore Nobleman Mournâ—ul presages to the Constable howe many misfortunes foretell they approching ruine Thy Brother prisoner Thy wife dead at the same instant one of the chiefest pillers of thy house who as sister to the Queene might at neede haue preserued thy head Thy Nephewe Scales prisoner with the instructions he brought from England to the Bourguignon And to fill vp the measure thy sonne the Earle of Roussy defeated at Grey in Bourgongne and prisoner with the Duke of Bourbon who shall not leaue him vntill the end of the yeare for fortie thousand Crownes ransom with the losse of two hundred men at armes Lombards the Baron of Couches and many others The Marshall of Bourgongne sonne to the Earle of Saint Martin two sonnes of the house of Viteaux whereof the one was Earle of Ioâ—gny the Lords of Longey Lisle Digoine Montmartin Ragny Chaligny the Bayliffe of Auxerre the Enseigne bearer to the Lord of Beauchamp and many others escaped death but not imprisonment Sufficient warrnings to amaze a resolute minde Hereafter the Constable is afflicted with strange distemperatures fed with the neighbourhood of the Earle of Dammartin being lodged neere S. Quentin whome he knewe to be none of his friends And fearing least the King should assault him he sends to take assurance of the Duke of Bourgongne intreating him to send him his brother Iames of Saint Paul the Lord of Fiennes and some other his kinsmen and friends to put them into Saint Quentin and to keepe the Towne at the Dukes deuotoÌ„i without bearing the Saint Andrewes crosse the which he promised to restore vnto him within a prefixed time They come they present themselues within viewe of Saint Quentin once twise and thrice The Constable seekes to the Duke of Bourgongne deceiues him but the Constable suspects them and sends them backe They came still eyther too soone or too late so as at the bruit of these forces the Admirall casts himselfe into Arras whereof followed the taking of Iames of Saint Paul who being brought before the King hauing liberty to speake he confessed that at the two first iourneyes hee came onely with an intent to comfort his brother but at the third time seeing the Constable had deceyued both his Master and him if he had beene the stronger hee would haue kept the place for his Master without offering any violence to his brother wherevpon his maiestie set him at libertie very well appointed seruing him vnto his death Lewis dissemâ—les with the Constable And although the Constable had lately done a notable disgrace vnto the King yet his maiesty dissembled it wisely and to take from him all cause of iealousie he willes him to go and make warre in Hainault and to beseege Auennes whilest that the Admirall was busied in Artois He goes but very loath and with exceeding feare and staies but little he retyres betimes being aduertised as he informed the King of two men in his army whome he described by apparent signes suborned to kill him He accuseth 〈◊〉 that he â—ought to kill him This newe feare accompained with distrust bred a terrible distemperature in the Constables head who hauing lost his credit both with the King and Duke will yet entertayne himselfe by both and perswade them that he is seruant but to one He sent often to the Bourguignons campe to drawe him from the seege of Nuz that he might ioyne fitly with the English at coÌ„ming on land then vpon the returne of his messengers he gaue the King some plausible intelligence to cause him to like of his conference with the Duke sometimes disgracing his affaires to winne the credit of an affectionate seruant with Lewis sometimes extolling the Duke to terrifie the King But oh policie simply shadowed On the other side hee knewe well that he had greatly offended the King by his last action He sees
of S. Paul to restore those places to the Florentines which they commaunded But these gentlemen are good marchants they sell that which they are commanded to giue Entragues interprets the Kings letters pattents according to his owne couetousnesse The treacherie and couetousnes of Entragues and excuseth himselfe with a secret charge he sayd he had receiued not to deliuer it without the Earle of Lignies hand writing in whose name hee commanded Pisa. But this was the cheife cause hee must haue money Florence did not offer any Pisa must pay it or else fall into their handes whom they hated to the death To draw them vnto it he hath an other wicked practise He sends to the Florentine Commissaries to bring their armie to the port of the suburbes of S. Mare that if the Pisans would not receiue them friendly hee would force them to abandon the sayd gate being so commanded by the Cittadel as it could not resist without the Captaines sufferance Hee did not beleeue the Florentines should so easily haue taken the bulwarke of the said suburbes But when as he sees the assailants enter pel-mel kill some and take others prisoners he turnes his Artillerie vpon the Florentines kills and hurts them and forceth the Florentines to abandon the place In the end prest by the Kings commanding letters both to the Earle of Ligni to him and to all the garrisons to leaue the said places hee deliuers them for twentie thousand Ducats and after sels Pietresanta to the Luquois and Librefacta to the Venetians And the aboue named bastard as good a marchant as the other sels Serezane and Serezanelle to the Geneuois And al to the Kings dishonour his subiects shame and the absolute losse of Naples The King dishonored by two of hâ—e subiects Saillant who commaunded in the port of Liuorne is commanded to haue yeelded the place to the Fâ—orentines at the first summons and Entragues banished the Realme of France by a decree of the priuie counsell Yet the Duke of Orleans his maisters credit caused this sentence to be repealed The Pisans being masters of their Câ—ttadell razed it to the ground And rather then they will submit their neckes to the Florentines yoake they implore ayd from the Pope Emperour Venetians Geneuois Siennois and Luquois But whilest that Lodowike consults whether hee should receiue them into his protection the Venetians preuent him So many dogges fighting for one bone pull one another by the throat whilest the most politicke carries it away The Viceroy in the meane time gathers together the remnant of his shipwracke And as the reuolt of the Colonnois had greatly weakned the Kings partie Virgile Vrsâ—â— in the Kingâ— pay so hee hoped to repaire it by the meanes of Virgilius Vrsinus who seeing the Colonnois his enemies newly aduanced to great authoritie with Ferdinand hee accepted of the Kings enteâ—tainement 1496. being agreed that he with the rest of the house of Vrsin should make a leauy of six hundred men at armes and with the Vitelli crosse Ferdinands attempts who by diuers euents laboured vehemently to recouer that which the King held yet And let vs now see the successe of their affaires The successe of armes is variable but God holds them in ballance and giues the aduantage to whome hee pleaseth Our men had sometimes the better and sometimes the worse But this is but a languishing fit Our French being incamped at Nocere had by an intelligence giuen taken and slaine seuen hundred Arragonois going to surprise Gisone neere to S Sâ—uerin but seeing Ferdinand fortified with the Popes troupes they leaue Nocere to take S. Seuerin and Gosenze which was lately rebelled against them Abruzzo continued firme through the valour of Gratian de Guerres against the attempts of the Earle of Popoli and the comming of the Vrsins and the Vitelli did greatly molest the lands of Montâ—assin and the neighbour countrie of Labour Calabria although the long sicknes of the Lord of Aubigni had stayed the course of his prosperity remained yet at the Kings deuotioÌ„ The Viceroy had mounted armed such as came with him from Naples All these considerations gaue courage to our men and made the way to a battaile which the Viceroy and Vrsins greatly pressed But the want and necessity of money to pay their strangers doth cast an aple of discord in the army eight hundred Lansquenets for want of pay go to the Arragonois who fortifiyng the enimie makes our French so much the weaker Behold a rough shaking for a house that threatned ruine And now comes the blowe which in few monethes shall strike vs dead Ferdinand At the first admitted â—â—to the leagâ—e the Venetians would not receiue Ferdinand into the league of the Potentates of Italy to the end that vrgent necessity might force him to yeeld theÌ„ something watching so long for an oportunity as in the end they finde it Ferdinand had a great action in hand he must hazard all to become as they say a rich Marchant or a poore pedler He accords with the Venetians and in regard of a succour of seuen hundred men at armes He capitulates with the Venetians fiue hundred light horse and three thousand foote led by the Marquis of Mantoue and their nauie intertained which lay then vppon that coast with a loane of fifteene thousand ducats he deliuered vnto them Otrante Brudusium and Thrane and consents they should retaine Monopoli and Pulignane which they then held vpon condition to deliuer them vpon paiment of such money as should bee imployed in the gard thereof so as it amounted not aboue two hundred thousand ducates Moreouer the Pope they and the Milanois sent other companies of men at armes leauied in common And Lodowike who would not directly breake the treaty of Verceill agreed secretly to pay ten thousand ducats monethly towards the warres of Naples If the Earle of Montpenesier were in want Ferdinand was as needy and the Venetian succors could not be so soone ready So the weakenesse of both parties being sicke of one disease kept them from attempting much yet idlenesse makes the souldiers slothfull To keepe them in exercise the Viceroy practiseth an intelligence vpon Beneuent but he was preuented by Ferdinand who had notice thereof he leaues it to take Fenezane Apice and many other neigbhour townes wanting victualls and the season approching to collect one of the most important reuenues of the realme which was the custome for cattle in Apulia he marcheth to frustrate the enemie it mounted yearly to fourescore thousand ducates Ferdinand followes to stay the Viceroys course attending his succours At that time there arriues a French nauy at Caiette of fifteene great ships and seuen lesse A new French fleet in the kingdome of Naples wherein they had shipped eight hundred Lansquenets at Sauone and the troupes appointed for the great ships that should haue beene armed at Genes This armie takes Itri at their landing with other neighbour places Don
he had reason for from that time this army not able to finde a Commander of that credit on the one side rich with spoile on the other weake both of force and courage by this so bloudie a victory seemed rather vanquished then victorious This battaile had filled the Court of Rome with terror and tumult and the Cardinalls running to the Pope prest him with instant praiers to accept a peace with such conditions as the King offred by the Cardinalls of Nantes and Strigonia wherewith the King was yet content notwithstanding the happy successe of his affaires That Bologne Lugo and all other Townes which Alphonso held in Romagnia should be restored and the Councell of Pisa disanulled The treachery o◠〈◊〉 Iulius seeing these conditions very honorable for him that vnder colour of these parlees he should stay the Kings army vntill he heard the resolution of those on whome hee grounded the rest of his hopes subscribed these articleâ— nine daies after the battaile promising on his faith to the Cardinalls to accept them Buâ— our Lewis must try once more how dangerous it is to mooue a warlike nation The Suisses wonderfully discontented with the Kings refusall to increase their pensionâ— by whose valour sayd they hee had conquered so great Estats without his reâ—â—me and â—or that he had entertayned Lansquenets as if he had meanes to make war without their forces they haue no sooner receiued a florin of the Rhin for euery man 〈◊〉 the Pope whereas before the King was inforced to giue much gold and great presents to their Colonells A newâ— descent o◠〈◊〉 to haue them fight but descending into Lombardie with seaâ—en or eight thousand men they force Palisse Lieutenant general of the Kings army to reâ—â—re to deâ—end the estate of Milan Robert Vrsin Pompey Colonne Anthony Sauelle Peter Margaâ—â— and Rance Manâ—in had since the battaile accepted the Kings pay and nowe the descent of the Suisses and the dislodging of Palisse makes some to lead such men as they had leuied with the Kings money vnto the Pope others retaine the money to themselues onely Margane more modest then the rest restores it againe All this freed the Pope from feare Treachery in 〈◊〉 commanders and confirmed him in his obstinacy He begins the Councell of Lateran the third of May pronounceth a monitory vnto the King That he deliuer vpon the pâ—â—nes set downe by the holy Canons the Cardinal of Medicis taken prisoner in the war being a Milan and after some sessions he surceasseth to attend the warre Iohn Paul Baillon general of the Venetian army attended the Suisses in the territories of Verona with foure hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and six thousand foote being ioyned they surprise a letter which Palisse did write to the generall of Normandy who remained at Milan That it would be very hard to resist the enemies if they turned towards the Duchie of Milan A sufficient instruction to direct theÌ„ in their course which makes them march towards Milan Palisse had not with him aboue a thousand Lances six or seauen thousand foote all his other troupes beeing diuided into places for defence and this generall of Normandie as bad a warrior as a treasorer I would not forget to name him if I had learned his name hauing after the battaile of Rauenna vnder colour of sparing for the King contrarie to the disposition of present affaires indiscreetely discharged the Italians foote and some French And besides the small number of men the dissention and disobedience of Captaines and the soldiars contempt of their commander ioyned with the discomodities of a tired army a generall little regarded ill accompanied in a Country farre from succors Disorders in the French army enuironed with mightie and many enemies must needes produce some great and sodden disorder The best meanes our Captaines could finde was to abandon the field and disperse their troupes into the most important places In Bresse two thousand foote a hundred and fifty Lances and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins in Creme fiftie Lances and a thousand foote in Bergame a thousand foote and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins The remainder of the army consisting of six hundred Lances two thousand French foote and foure thousand Lansquenets retired to Pontique a strong place of situation and fit to succour Milan Cremona Bresse Bergame and to withstand the enemy But it is a great inconuenience to relie most vpon forreine forces so subiect to change The Emperour giues the first stroke hee calles home his Lansquenets and their departure making Palisse loose all hope of possibility to defend the Duchie of Milan hee retires to Pisqueton So the Cremonois abandoned yeelds except the Castell at the first approach of the confederats and pay fortie thousand ducats to the Suisses Certaine banished men returning into Bergame cause a reuolt and Palisse beeing too weake to stoppe the enemies passage ouer the riuer of Adde putts himselfe into Pauia But hee sought to preuent the ruine of a great building with a rush Then Iohn Iaques of Triuulce the generall of Normandie Anthonie Marie Paluoisâ— Galeas Visconte and many other gentlemen and seruants to the King The estat of Milon lost by the French sauing themselues 〈◊〉 Piedmont leaue Milan in prey which bound it selfe at the first summons to pay a great some of money Pauia battered and abandoned by the French is saued by the 〈◊〉 meanes from spoile All Townes except Bresse and Creme make hast to do the 〈◊〉 All the Country cries against the name of the Empire All is taken and gouerned in tâ—e name of the holy League for so they called it The Cardinall of Sion gouernes 〈◊〉 his pleasure and causeth all the taxes of the conquered Townes to be giuen to the Suâ—sses so as vpon the brute of this money an infinite number of others runne and 〈…〉 the first Rimini Cesenne and Rauenna returne to the Popes obedience 〈◊〉 and Parma yeeld willingly vnto him as members of the gouernment of Rauenna The Suisses seise vpon Lucarne the Grisons who also in this crosse left the French alliance vpon Voltoline and Chiauenne Genes rebells expells the French and Iohn Frâ—gose a Captaine in the Venetians army returning causeth himselfe to be created Duke as his father bad beene At the same instant the Pope recouers all Romagnia the Bentiuoles abandon Bologne and the Duke of Vrbin seiseth thereon in Iulius name So euery one pulls his peece from the whole and all these estats conquered with so great toyle so much money and such losse of blood are lost at the first attempt after this great victory of Rauenna with little labour and lesse bloudshed Truely the best witts are confounded in the 〈…〉 of these things and wee must confesse that the issue of humane affaires depends of a higher Councell then that of Man Notwithstanding according vnto man to whome shall we impute the cause of these mischances but to the
house of Austria the Suisses in the French armie and those in his which refused plainly to fight one against an other vniting their forces should deliuer him to the enemie for that Iames Stafflet Colonell of his Suisses had with much arrogancie demanded their pay he secretly departs from his armie in the night Maximilian retires with two hundred horse so as he was twentie miles off before they were priuie to his departure His armie wanting both a commander and money tooke the same course The Earle of S. Paul with the Lords Montmorencie and Lescu pursuing them defeated a great number whereof three thousand part Germaines and part Spaniards yeelded to the French and Venetians being in Campe and our Suisses notwithstanding they had beene paied for three moneths went home to their houses except some three hundred which remained with Peter During these garboiles the Pope smothering his conceits laboured to be as pleasing as he could to either party yet was he grieued the Emperour had brought so great forces for he could not remaine a victor but he must afterwards seeke to oppresse all Italy or put Leo from the Papall seat to hold it himselfe according to the common report On the other side as we iudge of causes by the effects the King had many reasons to suspect the Pope He had consented to the Emperours descent Colonne the Popes pensioner did accompany Maximilian He refused to send fiue hundred men at armes for the defence of Milan and to pay three thousand Suisses as he was bound by the treatie of Bologne So as the King to let Leo know that the brightnesse of his Miter did not so dazell his eyes but he discouered his practises he made him Brewiste of the same bread· declaring that seeing the league they had made was fruitlesse in time of warre he would contract a new one which should not tye him but in time of peace The Emperours armie being dissolued the Duke of Bourbon returnes into France and of his owne motion resignes his gouernment into the Kings hands by whose command the Lord of Lautrec Bresse yeelded taking the charge of the armie to free the King from that bond ioyning with the Venetians returned to Bresse which pressed with two batteries one by the French the other by the Venetians yeelded to the King their liues goods saued and Lautrec deliuered it to the Venetians Verona had a harder issue for beâ—ng battred by the French towards Mantoua Verrona yeelded and by the Venetians towards Vincence giuing two assaults afflicted with want of victuals and munition and troubled by the hurting of Marc Anthonie Colonne gouernour of the Citty yet being assured of eight thousand men led by Cont Roquendolfe that came to their succour they held out vntill Christmas at what time famine forced the Spaniards to yeeld the Towne the which was in like sort deliuered to the Venetians The Pope to make profit of the Kings victory and forces solicits Lautrec to aide him to dispossesse Francis Maria of Rouere of the Duchy of Vrbin The motiues of this warre which Leo pretended against him were for that Francis had denied the Pope those men for the which hee had receiued pay of the Church and had treated secretlie with the enemie That hee had slaine the Cardinall of Pauia and committed many other murthers That in the hottest of the warre against Pope Iulius his Vncle hee had sent Balthasar of Chastillion to the King to receiue his pay and at the same instant he denyed passage to some companies that went to ioyne with the army of the Church and pursued in the estate Francis Maria chased from Vrbin and. Laurence of Medicis inuested in the Duchie which he held as a feudatarie of the Church the soldiars which saued themselues at the defeate of Rauenna Lautreâ— desyring to please Leo sent Lescun his brother the Lord of Chifle the Knight of Ambrun the Lords of Aussun and S. Blimond and many other Captaines with good numbers of horse and French foote Who in fewe daies reduced the sayd Duchie to the Popes obedience who did inuest Laurence of Medicis his Nephew in the sayd Duchie Moreouer the Kiâ—gs friendship was very necessary for the Catholike King Charles the Archduke tooke vpon him that title after the death of Ferdinand his grand-father by the mothers side to make his passage more easie from Flanders into Spaine and to assure himselfe of the obedience of those realmes Fitting therefore his resolutions according to the time and necessitie by the aduice of the Lord of Chieures his gouernour hee sent Philip of Cleues Lord of Rauasâ—ein to the King to make choise of a place where their deputies might meete to decide all controuersies betwixt them Noyon was named and for the King there came Arthur of Goufiers Lord of Boissy Lord high Steward of France for the King of Spaine Anthonie of Croye Lord of Chieures both gouernors of their masters nonage and both assisted with notable personages Who concluded That within sâ—e moneths the Catholike King should yeeld the realme of Nauarre to Henry of Albret A peace concluded betâ—wixt the King and the Archdukâ— Charles sonne to Iohn of Albret and Catherine of Foix deceased the same yeare or els should recompence the sayd Henry within the sayd terme to his content els it should be lawâ—ull for the King to aide him to recouer it That the King should giue his daughter Lowise who was but a yeare olde in marriage to the Catholike King and for her dowrie the rights he pretended to the realme of Naples according to the diuision made by their Predecessors vpon condition that vntill shee came to yeares of marriage Charles should pay vnto the King a hundred and fiftie thousand Ducats yearelâ— towards the maintanance of his daughter That shee dying if the king had any other daughter hee should giue her to the Catholike king vpon the same condiâ—ions If hee had none then Charles should marrye with Renee Daughter to the deceased king To propound and conclude marriages so disproportionable of age is it not properly to mocke one an other Seeing that onely two yeares time bring forth occasions which make Princes to alter their courses whose wills are often inconstant This treaty was respectiuely sworne by both Kings who appointed an enteruiew at Cambray attending the which they sent their orders of knighthood one to an other And sence the Emperour ratified these conuentions but wee shall see small fruits theâ—eof France reaped an other benefit of this peace The Suisses seeing a surceasse of armes betwixt the Emperour and the King compounded as the former had doone That the Kâ—ng should paie vnto their Cantons within three moneths three hundred and fiftie thousand ducats and after that a perpetuall and annuall pension That the Suisses should furnish him whensouer hee demanded a ceraâ—ue number of men at his charge But diuersely for the eight Cantons bound themselues to furnish against all men indifferently and
fourscore thousand men whereof there should bee tenne thousand horse with artillerie requisite for the said Campe. And besides this treatie these two Kings had many causes of discontent Our King found himselfe grieuously wronged for that the Pope and the Emperour with theâ—â— partisans had newly made a League for the defence of Italie whereof they had declared Anthonie de Leue to bee generall The King of England had no lesse cause to complayne of the wrong he sayd the Court of Rome did him touching the matter of 〈◊〉 diuorce seâ—king to force him either to go to prison to Rome for to send then with expresse deputation men of great account that should stand to the Popes Iâ—dgement An insolent proceeding in like cases chanced among soueraine Princes seeing thâ—t such a businesse of that importance and touching the conscience so neere did well deserue that according to the vsuall custome they should send Iudgeâ— to the place it being reasonable that the persons should speake personally and 〈◊〉 by their Atturneyes and very vnreasonable that a Soueraine Prince leauing the 〈◊〉 and gouernment of his estates should goe and plead his cause at Rome Moreâ—â—er hee did complaine vnto the King of the exactions of the Romaine Church vppon the clergie and people of England and did instantly require that they two sâ—ould send their Ambassadors ioyntly togither to the Pope to summon him to appeare at the next Councell forto heare the extortions he did vnto Princes and Chrisâ—â—â—n people The King propounded like abuses The Pope had dissembled with him touching certaine tithes which hee had graunted him to leuie vppon the Clergie and the French Church complayned of him of the vndutifull and new exactions which vnder colour of pietie they made at Rome for the expedition of Bulls by meanes whereof all the treaâ—or was daily carried out of his Realme to the preiudice of the Clergie which grew poore the Churches were not restored nor the poore â—â—â—thed nor fedd their yeerely rents were excessiue no equalitie in them many officeâ—s newly created which were payd vpon the dispatch and expedition of Bulls ouer and aboue the iust price which they were wont in former time to pay the offices which fell voyd were sold to the great benefit and profit of Saint Peter entertaining many gromes Chamberlaines Protonotaries their seruants Gardâ—ners and others and for the repairing of Saint Peters Church a great summe of money was leuied the which they did afterwards imploy to make warre against the King Yet the King would neither wholly allow nor disallow of the King of Englands complaints but for that the Pope had sent him a promise by the Cardinall of Grandmont of an enterview at Nice or Auignon after the Emperours returne into Spaine he reqâ—ested the King of England to attend the issue of their parle These griefes of the French Church had beene presented vnto the King in thâ— assembly of the Estates of the Countrie and Duchie of Brittaine with many other things farre from that charitie which ought to be in the Church In the said Estates it was concluded The Duchie of Brittany incoâ—porate to the Crowne That Francis the Kings eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should be acknowledged Duke of Brittaine that the eldest sonne of France should hereafter carrie the titles of Daulphin of Viennois and Duke of Brittanie and the said Duchie should for euer be incorporate to the Crowne So the treatie made by the marriage betwixt King Charles the 8. and Anne Duchesse of Brittanie and others following were disanulled in regarde of the said Duchie As these things passed in England William of Bellay Lord of Langey promised the Germaine Princes in the Kings name That for the affection he bare to the preserâ—â—tion of the priuileges rights and customes of the Empire if the Emperour 〈◊〉 whom he desired to obserue inuiolably the alliances and treaties he had with 〈◊〉 would in that case imploy his forces to their oppression A treatie betwixt the King and the Princes of Germaâ—â—e he would succour them 〈◊〉 all his power so as neither his men nor money should not be imployed to the offâ—â—ce â—f any of his confederates namely of the Emperour but onely to defend the rights 〈◊〉 priuileges of the Empire A great desseine is alwayes shadowed with goodly sheweâ— Herevpon the Emperour came to Bologne to conferre againe with the Pope The Kings of France and England well informed of the Emperours bad disposition and especially the English of the Popes to him by reason of his preâ—ended diuorce they sent the Cardinals of Tournon Grandmont the Popes seruants that vnder coâ—ourâ—â— accompanie him at this enterview they might imploy their authorities that nothing might be done to the preiudice of their Maiesties The Kings of France and England complaine of the Pope or at the least they should giue iâ—â—elligence of their conclusions And the sayd Cardinals had commission to lay â—pen vnto the Pope the griefes and complaints of the two Kings and to summon him to make reparation if not they would take order for it So as his Holynesse might weâ—l perceiue that they two together were not to be contemned and to wish him to câ—nsider wisely of the support and profit he might draw from these two Kings and what disgrace otherwise in discontenting them especially the King of England whose cause the King did no lesse affect then his owne For sayd these two Princes if wee come to demand a generall councell and his Holinesse doth not grant it or delayes it we shall take his delay for a deniall and calling it without him we will easily 〈◊〉 the fact with other Princes who producing the like or greater complaints would in the end forbid their subiects to send or carrie any money to Rome If his Holinesse for so did our Francis protest will proceed by censures against me and my realme and that I be forced to go to Rome for an absolution I will passe the Alpes so well accompanied as his Holynesse shall be glad to grant it me The scandales of Rome haue already withdrawne most part of Germaine and the Cantons from the obedience of the Romaine Church It is to be feared that if these two mightie Kings seuer themselues for want of Iustice they shall finde many adherents and these two together with their open and secret allyes may make such an attempt as it will be hard to resist That if the holy father be disposed to moderate things especially towards the King of England there is hope that at the first enterview all may be ordered by mildnesse before they should proceed to greater bitternesse by a generall summons from both the Kings Thus the King spake vnto those Cardinals whom he sent to Rome But we haue elsewhere obserued that men of the Church do commonly prefer the Popes respect before the seruice of such as imploy them These flea the Eeâ—e by the taâ—â—e 1533 and in steed of following their instructions from point
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
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
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
Nutzel of Honderpuizel his Councellor in the Realme of Hongary to the Estates of the vnited Prouinces who had audieÌ„ce at the Haghe His Ambassage was to perswade the States to admit and heare certaine Ambassadors sent from the Emperour and some Princes of the Empire to finde a meanes for the propounding of a Peace betwixt them and the King of Spaine To whom the States made answer that according to their fiâ—st resolution they desired not to enter into any conference of reconciliatâ—on with the Spaniard That they had neuer refused any Ambassadors from his Imperiall Maiesty beseeching him not to take the refusall which they now made in ill part the which was not done through contempt but rather to auoyde his indignation which they might incurre if such and so stately Ambassadors returned not to his Imperial Maiesty with a pleasing answer Albert the Cardinall to whome the Infanta of Spaine had beene long before promised in marriage with a Donation of the Low Countries by the commaundement and aduice of the King of Spaine The Admirall of Aâ—ragon sent Ambassador to the â—mperour sent Don Francisco de Mendoza Marquis of Guadaleste Admirall of Arragon in Ambassage to the Emperour to demaunde of him 6. poynts of great importance for the surety and augmentation of the limits of his future Estate and of the said Infanta 1. That the Emperour should aduance the King of Spaine to the Lieutenantship or Viconty of Bezançon 2. That he should declare himselfe openly against all such as should hinder a Peace betwixt the state of the Lowe Countries 3. That he should appoint a Gouernour and Councell in the Duchies of Cleues Iuilliers 4. That the sentence giuen against them of the Cittie of Aix should presently bee put in execution without any deâ—â—y 5 That hee should prouide some speedy remedy for the Hans townes to restraine the insolency of the English men 6. Thâ—â— hee will giue permission to lâ—uie troupes of souldiars in the territories of the Empire To the first Demaund touching Bezançon the Emperour who desired to see the iâ—sue as well of the Peace which was treated at Veruins as of his Brothers marriage Albertus the Cardinall answered That he was not ignorant how much it did import the Townes vnder the King of Spaines obedience lying neere vnto Bezançon to haue the said Towne mainteyned in Peace vnder the protection of the Empire That for diuers and notable considerations he must confer with the Princes of the Empire touching the said Vicarship And to the ende it might be done with greater assurance and authority he would perswade them to confirme it In the meane time he desired the King of Spaine to take this delay in good part This Viconty of Bezançon which is an Imperial towne in Bourgundy did belong vnto William of Nassau the Prince of Orange deceased whose goods the King of Spaine had confiscated as wel in the Franche County as throughout all the Countries of his obedience He therefore desired that the Emperour making vse of this confiscate against the said Prince and his heires would transfer the Viconty of Bezançon on him The Spaniard made this demand that in processe of time he might by his Officers attaine to the knowledge of all the exchanges other busines that passe at Bezanson for France Germany the Low countries Italy the which import much to be knowne but aboue all to haue some footing in the Duchie of Bourgundy To the second Demaund That his Imperiall Maiesty should declare himselfe openly against such as hindred the progresse of the Peace betwixt the States of the Lowe Countries The Empeâ—our did well vnderstand that the King of Spaine did couertly accuse some Princes of the Empire as if they had fauoured the warres of the Lowe Countries especially by some words which the Admiral vsed vnto him That it would please his Maiesty to make a difference betwixt the King and his Rebells giuing the world to vnderstand by whom the Peace is hindered punishing the Offendors according to the coÌ„stitutioÌ„s of the Empire But the Admiral could not moue his Imperial maiesty to stir vp new broyles among the Princes of the Empire vpon this cause who answered That till then he had giuen sufficient testimony of the loue he bare to the Peace of the Lowe countries when he hath heard the report of the Deputies he will aduance it as far as his authority will permit him Which Deputies were sent from the Emperour and certaine Princes as I haue formerly sayd To the third Demaund That he would appoint a Gouernour and a Councell for the Duchies of Cleues and Iuilliers His Imperiall Maiesty did answer That he had resolued to send one or two thether good Catholikes to auoide a greater inconuenience In the meane time the King of Spaine should be carefull to keepe good gard on his part and â—â—sure himselfe of all necessary succours the which notwithstanding must be done with discretion to the end that such as pretend any interest haue no occasion of Iealousie the which the Emperour himselfe is forced to intertaine by reason of the concurrence of the time Whereunto the Admirall replied That it was necessary also that his Imperiall Maiesty should commaund those Princes which pretended any right vnto the said Countries that hereafter they attempt not any innouations tending to the diminution of the Imperiall authority or to the preiudice of his Catholike Maiesty and that his Imperiall Maiesty should call home those Deputies which are at Duysseldorp as Authors of badde practises to the ende his Catholike Maiestye may not bee â—oâ—ced to vse other meanes And although it were very conuenient to respect the Princes yet must they not bee so carelesse as in curing the outward griefe not to prouide for all inward dangers To whome the Emperour answered That as for Cleues and Iuilliers he wouâ—d send to the Princes pretending any right that they should not stirre seeing it did belong onely to his Imperiall Maiesty to determine among them hoping they would obey him The cause of this demaund was for that Iohn Duke of Cleues of Iuilliers and of Berghe who is yet in good health was a widower and somewhat distempered in his braine without children without hope to haue any which bred a strange confusion in those Countries which are ioyning to the Lowe Countries Germany The neighbour Princes were much troubled and his Country was made very desolate vpon this pretext during the yeares 1598. and 1599 There were three sorts of Pretendants and before he was dead they seemed to play the Fable of the Beare First the Duke of Prusse and the two Brethren Dukes of Deux-Ponts pretended by reason of their wiues â—isters to the said Duke Iohn of Cleues the 2. The Emperour who maintayned that for want of lawfull heires Males the said Duchy by right of the fee should returne vnto the Emperour their soueraigne beeing as fees masculine of the Empire And Albert the Cardinall brother to
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of
the Pardons and a Wiâ—e tâ—e Pope hauing giueÌ„ him his Neece 〈…〉 daughter of Iohn Francis Aldobrandin who was not yet twelue yeares old 〈◊〉 wherefore the Ceremonie of the marriage was deferred for three or foure moneths This opening of the Iubile was one of the foure great actions which made his Papacye happie and memorable The first was the Kings Conuersion The second the peace betwixt the two greatest Chrâ—â—tian Monarks The third was the reduction of the Duchie of Ferrara without warre He is held a great Prince and a very Father of Concord euen by them that are enemies to his Papacie This yeare there died maâ—y Cardinals Andrew Battory died violently as I haue sayd Cardinall Roderic who was come out of Poland to Rome to gaâ—ne the Iubile died of a feuer The Cardinall Aâ—ragon followed him at the same time Cardinall Andrew of Austria Cardâ—nall Priuly 〈◊〉 of Venice and Cardinall Caietan did see the beginning and not the 〈◊〉 â—f the holy yeare The 〈…〉 In the beginning of the yeare the Dâ—uke of Sauoy sent tâ—â— King 〈◊〉 gâ—eat 〈◊〉 and two 〈…〉 the rarest peeces of the Cabinet of â—eatrix of Portugal his Grandmother and of Lady Catherine the Infanta of Spaine his wife tâ—e which could not be valued nâ—â—ther for the matter nor for the workemanshipâ— and the King returned vnto the Duke a Iewell of Diamonds in the midest whereof there was one Diamond Transparent which discouered his Maiesties portrait the which â—e â—steeâ—ed so much as hauing lost it once in dancing he gaue fiue hundred Crowneâ— to hâ—m that â—ounâ— it The Duke was not to be imitated in his Bountie and when aâ— theâ— thought that he had giuen all â—e inuited the King and the Court to a dancing where â—e shewed himselfe so râ—ch in 〈◊〉 as they were esteemed to bee worth aboue sixe hundred thousand Crownes He gaue presents to all the cheefe in Court who accepted them with the Kings permission The Duke â—â—â—on refuseth the Duke of 〈◊〉 present Onely the Duke Biron refused the horses that he sent vnto him but the King had nothing the better opinion of their intelligences nor the Duke lesse assurance of his affection by this refusall for it was cheefly for his sake that the Duke of Sauoy had made his voiage to draw him wholy from the Kings seruise It was that great occasion which hee carried secret in his brest and would not reueale vnto his Councell The cheef 〈◊〉 of the Dukes voâ—â—ge into 〈◊〉 when they disswaded his going into France the Marquisate of Saluces waâ— the pretext of his voyage but the finishing of this great Conspiracie was the true cause It was a goodly foyle well set out but couered with a false stone La Fin was imployed as a Truchman of the wills of the Conspirators and Confederates The first time that he had any speech with the Duke of Sauoy was the nâ—ght after the feasts of Christmas when he was brought into the Dukes chamber in Nemours house by Seignor Iacob without the priuitie of any other The Duke of Nemours comming to giue the Duke the good night was intreated not to enter for that the Duke would take his rest They would not haue him acqâ—aâ—â—ted with any tâ—ing fearing leâ—st hee should aduertise the King haâ—ing obserued what hee sayd 〈◊〉 first day of the Dukes arriualâ— that nothing sâ—ould draw him fâ—om the 〈◊〉 â—erâ—icâ— The Duke of 〈…〉 Kinâ—s seruice and that excepted he would do any thing for his Highnes There was not any nâ—ght but la Fin spent a good part of it to acquaint him with the State of the Faction Thoâ—â— that were of this intelligence met at the most remote Churches to acquaint one another with that which past Nothing was sayd in the Kings Councel but the Dâ—ke of Sauoy was presently aduertised thereof by tâ—em that were at his deuotion But hee had not yet spoken with the Duke Biron of their desseine but by a third person it was necessarie they should ioyne to knit the knot of their vniâ—n They had both sought the occasion but there was still some obstacle or some spie that hindred them They incountred a fit oportunitie at Coâ—flâ—ins being all alone the King hauing commaunded the Duke Biron to entertaine the Duke of Sauoy vntill his returne they lost no time in plying it but in three or â—oure words of trust and assured intellâ—gence referring the rest to the mediation of la Fin. Their discours was broken off by the comming of the Count Soissons and the Duke Montpensier The Dukes proceeding therâ—in was very cunning and Iudâ—cious for often â—â—mes he would begin a discourse of the valour courage of the Duke Biron The Duke of Sauoyes policy to â—ound the Kings opinion who did not alwayes giue him the glory of those goodly executionâ— whereof hee vanted The Duke did still aduertise the Duke Biron of any thing the King had sayd of him that might any way alter him which made him to breake fortâ— in the bitterest words hee could against all respect of the Kings seruice being very sensible of any thing that was spoken against the reputation of his valour in regard whereof hee esteemed nothing and when hee entred into the Historie of his life hee would speake contemptibly of all the world not sparing the King himselfe 〈…〉 in othâ—r◠〈◊〉 whose valour and experience in militarie actions hath obscured others and forced them to confesse that hee hath not beene aduanced to the Royall Throne by the benifit of Fortune but by the vertue of his vertue The Duke Biron committed great errors against the rules of such as haue a desiâ—e to raise and aduance their fortunes No man must euer enter into comparison â—f valour and sufficiencie with his Prince hee may not dispute of his aduice contradict his opinion nor affect to seeme more aduised more iudicious nor more capable Many haue beene cast away vpon this Shelfe The Duke Biron was of this humor The excesse of his courage made him to disalow with disdaine all that was not done or inuented by himselfe Hee sayd sometimes vnto the King These words were spoken and heard at the seege of Amiens that he would not haue them write in the Historie of France that other then hee had done such and such a thing The second day of the yeare the King went to Saint Germaine in Laie leading the Duke with him to shew him his buildings his Grottes or Caues and his Chases and withall hee shewed him his other houses and all the goodliest places about Paris In the meane time hee dissembled his discontent with so great wisedome as hee seemed alwayes one at the Table at Hunting at Play and at Dancing the King though hee refused what hee demaunded yet did he still shew him new sights to recompence the fayned repentance of his voyage The King leads the Duke to the Court of Parliament After that hee had seene all that was
Accuser That he whih slandereth his neighbour is like vnto a false witnesse which is as a hammer Pro. 2. Veâ— 1â— a sword asharpe arrowe Although he be borne poore and miserable yet is he of a pure innocent life That his Soule and that of his Wiues are no lesse precious before God then the richest that they haue not wronged any man that they haue liued content in their pouerty Pouerty which is a singular guilt of God and vnknowe of men yet they being poore and innocent haue beene afflicted a thousand feares haue seized on them and the life both of the Husband and Wife haue beene in danger The Sonne hath beene heard against the Father all the famylie defamed fearing to loose their credit and to see no more good daies to haue no meanes to get their liuing nor to shewe themselues The troublesome greefe of a mournfull prison depriued of light and cast into an obscure dongeon fit for Murtherers To liue often-times to die as often The Rack giuen vnto the Husband presented to the Wife all danger all greefe their eyes dried vp their mindes oppressed apprehension of Nakednes Hungar and Death yea and of an ignominious death They demand this Day that which the Men vniustly tormented in the Iustice of Athenes demanded that the Altar of mercy might bee adorned with a monument carrying a declaration of their innocency They do moreouer pretend reparation against the Accuser and this demand is not newe noâ— strange there are many Presidents of the like among the which there is one very famous in the Declamations of Marcus Seneca the Rethorician A Father hauing two Sonnes goes into a farre Countrie with one of them the sonne returnes alone his Brother accuseth him of Parricide he is condemned but by reason of some festiuall daies the execution is deferred the Father returnes the Brother condemned accuseth his Brother of false witnesse obtaines Iudgement causeth him to be bound and deteines him according vnto the Lawe which sayd that a false witnesse should be prisoner to him whom hee had falsly accused The inocent Brother sayd that the Accuser was the cause of Parricide in the person of his Father and had committed one in that of his Brother the Minister of Iustice had giuen notice vnto the condemned Brother of the comming of his Father the expected punishment was more greeuous then death It was more troublesome for the condemned Man to apprehend it then to endure it he layd before his eyes all kinds of Death And what can I lesse doe saied this innocent then keepe him in my bonds that might haue taken away my life In an other famous example we see an other controuersie in the same Author A Father hauing two Sonnes deliuers the one into the others hands vpon suspition of Parricide whereof his Mother in Lawe accused him The accused Brother is cast into an vnrig'd Shippe God preserues him from danger he falls into the hands of Pirats and is made their Captaine The Father makes a voiage by sea he is taken by the Sonne whom he had so ill intreated and the Sonne sends him home into his Country Cestius Pius an eloquent man sayeth for the innocent Brother That innocency is a strong fort and a faithfull safegard in danger The Sea compassed in the Shippe the waues tost it the Tempest draue it yet innocency did assure him O Sea more iust then their Iudgement O Waues more mild then the Father what a soule haue you cast into the Port and you haue not onely saued the Sonne but you haue deliuered him into the hands of Pirats it was diuinly decreed that the Father should vndertake a voiage that the Iudge should bee taken to repent him of his Iudgement A Mother in Lawe might accuse yea and cause her Husbands Sonne to bee condemned of Parricide but she could not make him a Parricide no not in condemning him The Sonne herevpon saied vnto the Father Behold my innocency O father in the sea which you would not knowe in your house and then turning vnto the Iudges hee saied I had rather haue mine innocency iustified vnto you then vnto my father Herevpon Aristotle sayeth that by the Lawe of Greece they gaue the right side to the accused And by the Romaine Lawes Iudges are taught to be more inclined to absolue then to Condemne If this bee requisite in Ciuill causes howe much more in Cryminall And the Mother which was the Accuser whome the Demanders say was ill affected to her Sonne when hee liued could she without feare of punishment slander the Complaynants charging them with the vncertaine suspition of a murther committed vpon the person of her Sonne so much hated or at the least not much beloued of her That if the Demanders be not exempt from faults wherevnto all men are subiect yet they may iustefie themselues free from the Crime imposed vpon them by the Accuser beeing this day purged by a testymonie which God hath caused to bee giuen by a Man the which is so much the more credible for that hee Deposed it neere vnto his death not speaking to discharge himselfe but accusing himselfe and confessing the Murther These in some bee the griefes which the Demaunders can propound It being hard yea impossible in such cases to speake words that may equall the sorrowe Contrariewise the Defendresse a poore Mother saieth or cries out in that sort as it is not well possible to represent her passion but we must paint it out as Timanthes did counterfit Iphigenia With her face couered a Lowe voice and a Languishing speech who cannot make you vnderstand what shee hath suffred and doth yet suffer Shee hath lamented her absent Sonne euen when as shee accused the Complaynants shee thought him to bee dead her feare was grounded vpon presumptions the which not onely the first but the last Iudges haue held to be repugnant A voyce was heard from on high the Mâ—ther weeping for her Sonne would not bee comforted Doubtlesse no kinde of affection or commiseration is like vnto that of a Woman but amongst Women none â—o great as that of a Mother So as GOD hath compared the remembrance which he hath of Man to that of a Mother And in trueth Mothers haue more then a Fatherly remembrance Our defendresse in this case is 〈◊〉 by the sufâ—â—â—ges of Nature shee sighes vpon Earth and fills Heauen with her complaynts her lamentable cries and her aboundance of teares are her only defences the which are so much the better for that they are naturall A Mother who knowes not whether to go who findes no place to rest in who seekes her Child as if he were yet liuing who would haue endured his wounds and dâ—es twise 〈◊〉 that she died not before her Sonne she implores Heauen in lamenting her misery and desires her end her sighes moue all men to compassion Griâ—â—e haâ—â— seized vpon her soule and her vnderstanding is nothing else but Sorrow Nothing is
Diuine Fortune We must not vse the inhumanitie of Gneus Pâ—so although he were an vpright man and free from many vices but hauing not the true rule of reason hee tooke rigour for a resolution of seueritie who being aduertised that two Souldiars going forth togither the one was returned without his companion he condemned him as a murtherer of him that was absent and as the condemned man was in the hands of the Executioner at the place of Iustice his companion whome they held to be dead returned This rigorous Iudge hearing that the officer had protâ—actâ—d the execution he caused him to be apprehended to be brought vnto the scaffold with him the Companion taking for a pretext that he was the cause of this mischeefe by his absence and to him he added the officer iudging him worthy of punishment for that he had brought backe the first condemned whome hee should haue presently executed according to the sentence It is not fit in all causes to stand so stifly vppon Iudgments as Alexander the Great did who had rather pay a fine for Athenodorus then remit it for somtimes a temper of humanitie is commendable as in this case Imitating the example of Pâ—ince Titus the Son of Vespasian when he deliuered Iosephus out of prison saying vnto the Emperour his Father after that hee had commaunded the prisoner to be vnbound It is reason O Father that with his bonds the dâ—shonor should be taken from Iosephus for he shall bee as if in the beginning he had not beene bound But if wee vnbind him we must cut the chaine for so they vse them that are vniustly bound A speech of a woâ—thie Prince witnessed by the History of Iosephus worthy to be spoken before a great King and well approued of by the Emperor As true lippes please Kings and they loue him that speakes iust things with a pure heart Pro. 16 v. 13.22.11 And therefore to make an end of the Plaintifs miserie with that of Iosephs the Court if it pleaâ—e hauing in some sort regard vnto their request shall set them at Libertie declaring them innocents of the cryme of hospitalitie violated and of the murther wherof they haue beene accused without adâ—udging vnto them notwithstanding any Reparation Charges Domages and interests against the Accuser seeing she hath not nor cannot be iudged a Slanderer So either partie obtayning what they may hope for by reason Pro. 21. v. 1. things iudged shall remayne in their authoritie and God who holds the Kings heart in his hand as little brooks of runing water inclyning to his will shall make him raine happely and his Posteritie after him as all good Frenchmen and true Christians doe wish by a happie Marriage so as our great Henry the fourth siting in the throne of Iustice Ibid. 20 v. 8. or represented by his Councellors mayntaining his Countries shall disperce all danger by his looke and euery one will say with Saloman the wel beloued of God That the seat of the King which iudgeth the poore iustly shall bee firme for euer Ibid 29. v. 14 The sentence of the Court vpon these Pleadings pronounced by the first President on Monday the 17. of Ianuary was confirmable to the conclusion taken by Monsâ—â—ur Aduocate for the Kings Atturney Generall 1600. The King and Duke tooke great pleasure to heare them Both gaue their opinions on them that had best pleaded but aboue all they commended the equity of the Court which dismissed the parties free froÌ„ further sute The King at the Dukes request graunted a pardon to a poore woman an Adulteresse that was condemned to die whose Adulterer had beene executed for that he had abused her being a house-hold seruant so had she beene in like sort but that she was found with Child This Pardon was granted by the King vnto the Duke notwithstanding any opposition made by the Court the Kings Councel shewing the consequence thereof His Maiesty would haue it passe of his absolute authority Yet vpon condâ—tion that shee should liue in perpetuall priâ—on and norrished at her Hus bands charge All these good receptions all these exerciâ—es al these pastimes did not make the Duke forget the care of his affaires he had sayd vnto Monsieur de Villeroy That he was not come to yeeld vp the Marquisate The King on the other side being at Fontainbleau sayd vnto him That he shold be alwaies his friend but he would haue his Marquisate The Duke was aduertised that the King had sayd priuatly in his Cabinet That the Duke was a braue and a gallant Prince yet he kept his Marquisate These words made him presume that â—he râ—port which the Cheualier Breton and Roncas had made vnto him that the King was desirous to see him and that they should agree was not true for whensoeuer the Dâ—ke spake â—o the King in priuate touching that businesse he desired him to referre it to their Councâ—â—ls And although this was a very important businesse yet the King had one which did presse him neerer which was his Marriage Being aduertised as wee haue formerly shewed by Sillery his Ambassador at Rome Monsier d' Alincourt come to Genua thâ—t the Pope had granted his desire touching the nullity of his marriage â—e sâ—nt Aâ—incourt Gouernor of Pontoise to thanke him and to aske his aduice vpon the alliance hee desiâ—ed to contract with the house of Florence He came to Lions to passe to Auignion by the riuer of Rhosne and so to Antibo whether the State of Genoa sent him a Galley well appointed to conduct him to their Citty where hee was receiued with all the honors fit for the greatnesse of the Prince that sent him and worthy of the credit reputation which the name of Villeroy carries among the friends of this Crowne They did cast lots there where he should be lodged which fell to the Pallace of Grimaldy where hee was defraied two daies at the charges of the State The Ambassador of Spaine went to visit him He came to Rome on Ashewedensday the 6. of Fâ—buary He went to the Senate was seated in the Dukes place and â—aw the order they held in their Councells and Deliberations where they graunted him liberty for two Galley-slaues Frenchmen that were in the Gallies of the Seigneury the one was a Parisian and the other a Lionois which they esteemed a fit fauour to gratefie a Prince He went in post to Rome the Ambassador met him with a great number of French Gentlemen hee lodged him in his house and the second day of his arriuall he had audience of the Pope He continued in Rome â—ntill Easter during his aboad he did see the Vice-roy of Naples make his entry into Rome comming to do homage vnto the Pope for the Realme of Naples presenting vnto him a white Steede for an acknowledgemeÌ„t of the see â—000 ounces of gold comes to fourescore thousand Crownes for the inuestiture of Naples for that it is
easie which the King of Spaine might not make difficult hauing both Land and Sea at his commandement to hinder him Besides it was the Nature of actions of War still to produce vnexpected difficulties You alone added the King caÌ„not succour me I know not how my men will agree with yours And if things should succeed according to your desire I know not what shold become of the fruit of the CoÌ„quest I haue inough to do in my Realme without thinking of others The Peace is but in the flower the vent of such a desseine would wither it I wil haue no War with the King of Spaine vnlesse he be weary of Peace Brother you haue no need of my Councel but affection commands vs somtimes to giue it to him that doth not aske it I would counsell you to liue in good terms with him If there were any troubles betwixt you I would not meddle but to recoÌ„cile you I haue too much care of the honour of my word to breake a Peace so iust and so necessary without a precedent iniury If I did it I should make my selfe the Argument of all the complaints of Christendome the discourse of other Princes the cause of a forraine War and the renuing of infinite calamities It were an indiscretion for me vpon a vaine and imaginary hope to loose the assurance to recouer mine own wherwith I coÌ„tent my selfe without seeking an others The desires which are infinit are vnworthy of a iust Prince they are propper to Tyrants who raigne without Lawe and liue without Feare if I had any will to that which you propound there should not need so many words but hauing no will to it it is in vaine â—or me to speake of it None of these words could content the Duke but dissembling his discontent he answered If I should reape no other good by my voyage but to haue seene so great a Prince whose valour and greatnesse is greater then the report I should not be grieued â—rue it is that the estate of my affayres should haue perswaded me to haue come without the assurance of my Ambassadour that I should receiue more of your Maiesties free will then I could expect of the Popes sentence and that you would not so much presse the Restitution but would be satisfied with a gentler Composition I haue offered you the meanes which lead to so great and so worthy effects as the Marquisate of Salusses is nothing in comparison of them You find difficulties therein There is no great enterprise can be without them but being wel resolued it is halfe executed A courage like vnto yours finds nothing difficult and all Europe admires your actions hauing made that which was impossible possible And seeing that I must attribute it not vnto the violence of reasoÌ„ but to my vnhappines that I cannot perswade a thing which in his Glory and Profit carries his own Perswasion I beseech your Maiesty to intreat me as your most humble seruant kinsman who desires no greater happines for his theÌ„ to be yours They are already by the Laws of Nature they are by my wil shal be more by the fauours of your bounty For one Marquisate you bind many Princes The Duke demands the inuestiture of the Marquiâ—ate for one of his sonnes and by the inuesting of one of my children all the house of Sauoy shall be bound vnto you your Maiesty will say that you make not such large gifts but you must consider if you please that many vertues are common to men but this belongs onely to Kings As it is more royall to giue then to take And they wrong the greatnesse of their courage if they should not giue great things And to giue a thing that is litigious and doubtfull you shall purchase an immortall right of soueraignty Hee added many reasons for the execution of the enterprise and with such vehemence as he seemed to haue some secret to make Mountaines remoue and drie vp Riuers â—he King considered that there was no profit but for the Duke and that the fruite which at the least he promised himself in keeping the Marquisate of Salusses would be more certaine to him then the Conquest of Milan vnto the King If the Duke of Sauâ—y could haue ingaged the King he knew well how to crosse him in the execution All the danger he could apprehend was the King of Spaines indignation but hee might as easily returne into fauour without speaking a word as he came away without bidding him farewell For what should haue hindred him when as the French had bâ—n far ingaged in Italy to haue ioyned with the Spaniards to expell them and to breake the Bridge of his assistance whereby he had made them to passe The Duke seeing that he could not obtaine any thing of the King but that he must make a double recompence for the Marquisate he coÌ„tinued a while in doubt of his returne as he alwayes repented him of his comming The King desirous to free him of all cause of distrust and apprehension The Duke of Sauoy perplexed that should force his will to promise that which hee would neuer hold sent him word that he should not trouble himselfe with the Resolution of his Councell for he should neuer be forced but by the right of Armes and that he should alwayes haue time to thinke of it and to returne to â—urin with his will as free as when he came to Paris The Duke not able to see clearely with his owne eyes nor to distinguish of these difficulties aduised thereof in his Councell But as the eies troubled with those diseases which the Phisitions terme Hypostragma and Ictere haue the operation of the sight so troubled as they cannot well iudge of colours all obiects seeming vnto theÌ„ Yellow or Red. Euen so when Princes Councels are subiect to any passion they giue counsell accordingly nothing presenting it selfe vnto them but through the false sight of Opinion and Choller which doth alwaies make the bodies seeme bigger theÌ„ they are So in the Councell of this Prince those which desired War said That neither the Restitution of the Marquisate nor the Exchange of Bresse might be accepted and that a good Warre should be more honourable Passionate Councells then a shamefull Composition Others hauing no other passion then Peace aduised him vnto it at what price soeuer fearing that if the King should not receiue that satisfaction from them which he expected hee would stay them The Duke woâ—ld depart without takâ—ng his leaue The Duke grew into choller and would haue departed without taking his leaue The most aduised of his Councel told him that his departure in that sort would make him a by-word to all the Princes of Italy Spaine would laugh at him France would be scandalized that all Europe would hold him the cause of this War and in this War of a world of miseries That there needed no other Herald to proclaime War against him which would be in
Inuentories duely certified of all the peeces of Artillery Powder Bullets and other munitions of War which were in the Townes and Places of the said Marquisate when the Duke entred it shal be faithfully deliuered vnto his Maiesty when as the Duke shall choose the one or the other of the said two offers whervpon his Maiesty shall declare his will for the restitution therof the whâ—ch shall be performed by the Duke as well in their kindes as in money according to the price which shal be concluded betwixt his Maiesty and the Duke 10. All Sutes Iudgements and Sentences giuen in Iustice on eyther side before this present accord when the parties haue contested voluntary shal stand and take effect whether Restitution be made or an Exchange of the Marquisate yet it shal be lawfull for the parties to releeue themselues by prouision according to the order of the Lawes 11. That no serch should be made of any Impositions Contributions and Leuies of Money or Victualls in the said Country against such as had appointed receiued or disposed of them or eyther part vnto this present Treaty 12. And to the end that the Inhabitants of the Townes and Country which are to be restored may not bee ouercharged nor vniustly vexed with leuies of Money during the respite granted vnto the said Duke to make choise of and to effect one of the said two offers vnder colour of payment as wel of Arrerages of the said Impositions imposed before since the Peace of Veruins as for the paye and entertainment of Captaines men of War appointed for the gard of the said Townes and Countries or for any other pretext vntill the Restitution or Exchange of the said Marquisate It is decreed that there shall be no leuy of Money made vpon the Inhabitants of the said Townes and Countries conformable to that which was agreed vpon as well by the Tâ—eaty of Veruins as by the Orders and Accords made since for the paiment of the said Arrerages Money by the Deputies of his Maiesty and the said Duke in the beginning of the yeare for the ordinary entertainment of Garrisons appointed for the gard of the sayd Towns Places and of Officers imployed in the Estates of the said Garrisons without any new Impositions of either part And we declare all that shal be done attempted to the coÌ„tâ—ary subiect to Restitution Reparation 13. And whereas as the said Duke hath requested his Maiesty to allowe confirme the Feoffment made by him in the Marquisate in case he shall choose to restore it his Maiesty doth declare that being informed of the qualitie of the said Feoffments he would haue that respect to gratifie the Duke as his seruice would permit him without being bound to restore that which had bin payde for the said Feoffments but as it shal stand with his good pleasure 14. And for asmuch as the said Duke hath intreated his Maiesty to giue him time to confer with his Vassals Subiects of both parties beâ—ore that he accept of the one or the other his Maiesty desiring to witnes vnto him as wel in this as in al other occasions his good will doth grant vnto the said Duke his choise so as he choose and effect the one or the other of the two offers by the first day of Iune aboue named wâ—thout diminishing or altering of any thing or vsing of any Euasion Delay or Difficulty grounded vpon any colour or occasion whatsoeuer 15. Wherunto the said Duke had bouÌ„d his Faith Word his Maiesty doth the like for the accomplishment execution of all things granted by these present Articles which depend thereof 16. In like sort it hath bin agreed betwixt his Maiesty the said Duke that they shal consent as they do at this present after the Restitution shall be Really and Fully accomplished If the said Duke makes choise therof that our Holy Father Pope Clement the 8. shal iudge of all Controuersies that are betwixt his Maiesty and the sayd Duke according to that which hath bin agreed vpon by the treaty of Veruins and that within three yeares 17. Promising to accomplish performe faithfully on either part whatsoeuer shal be decreed by his Holinesse with in the time prefixed without any delay or difficulty for what cause or pretext soeuer as it is concluded by the treaty of Veruins 18. And for the greater assurance of the execution of the Treaty and euery point and Article therein conteyned the sayd King and Duke of Sauoy humbly beseech his Holines that as by his good and fatherly exhortations they are entred into this way of Accord that it would please him as a common Father to continue the care which he hath formerly shewed to norrish Peace and to assure a firme friendship betwixt them and in all occasions that should be offred to interpose his Authority for the full and reall execution of things promised of either part as it is conteyned in this present Treaty Made at Paris the 27. day of February 1600. Signed Henry and Emanuel and sealed with his Maiesties seale and the Duke of Sauoyes Three or foure daies after this Treaty the Duke tooke his leaue of the King who being followed by all the Court conducted him to Pont Charenton The Duke of Sauoyes departure and gaue him the Baron of Lux to attend on him out of the Realme with commandement to the Gouernors of Champagne Bourgondy where he should passe to receiue him as his Maiesty they would Whilest he was neere the King he shewed such outward content concealed his greefe so cunningly as his owne people did iudge that nothing could better content him But being a little retired The Dukâ— discontent his countenance bewraied his discontent and the repentance of his voiage The farther hee went from the King the neerer he approched to Spaine beeing resolute to reconcile himselfe and to that end he presently dispatched Bely his Chancellor Being in Carosse he sayd sometimes that he had beene deceiued that the words which they had giuen to perswade him to come into France were ill interpreted and that as soone as hee should come to Chambery hee would send to beseech the King to prolonge the time in the which hee would make choise of the Restitution or the Exchange The Baron of Lux obserued his discourses and aduertised the King of the Dukes intention wholy inclyned to Warre rather then to performe any part of the Treatie Beeing vpon Saint Iulians bridge the Baron of Lux hauing commandement from the King not to go any farther tooke his leaue of the Duke and assuring himselfe that his words should bee as pleasing vnto him as he seemed to haue beene content with his conduct hee beseeched him not to transport his Heart out of France as he did his Bodie but to cherish the frindship of so great a King derely who loued him as his Brother That he feared that such as had shewed so great discontent for
both parties A Peace concluded betwixt the Duke of Sauoy and the Towne of Geneua in Iuly 1603. they are bound to none but the grace of God and to the Kings wisdome who desiring to entertaine the publike quiet hath made a peacefull vnion of those willes that were so much diuided for at his Instance the Suisses had laied a side more Muâ—kets and Pikes which they had prouided then had beene seene in Sauoy in ten yeares before and they of Geneua did moderate their demands not so much for any respect of their enemy as to please the King yet the malicious gaue it out that the King had incensed them to Warre by his Ambassadors The Consulate of Lions had obtayned of the King at the Queenes intreaty and in consideration of the Honor done her at her entry a Priuiledge by the which none might come to be Sheriffes that were not Towne-borne Children A Primledge granted to the Citty of Lions it was the same prerogatiue which Pescenius Niger had giuen vnto the Romaines forbidding any person to bee admitted to publicke charges that was not borne and bred a Romaine Euery Priuiledge which causeth an inequality among Cittizens lyuing vnder the same Lawes is the Apple of discord and cause of diuision like vnto that of the Bianchi and Neri at Florence This newe distinction of persons must needes cause dangerous innouations in a Cittie where the inner part is more to be feared then the outward Those which pretended to be from their beginning by birth and affection of the Country of Lions seeing themselues perpetually excluded from the most honorable charges within the Citty had recourse vnto the King laying before him the inequality of this Priuiledge the disgrace which they receiued and the ruine which should fall vpon the Cittie when the Inhabitants should abandon the place of their aboade and that they might not remaine in a place where without offence or any iust cause they were for euer depriued of that little Honor they might hope for after they had serued the Publike in many burthensome charges Those which were originally borne at Lions sayd that the Inhabitants of the Country comming thether labored more for their own profit then for the good of the publike did not much affect the publike good if they did not hope for their owne priuate commodities hauing no hands but for themselues That it was neither profitable nor commendable to impart the chiefe Honours and to commit the gouernment of the Citty to newe men for many reasons which haue beene set downe by the wise but especially least they confound the ancient Order Gournement with strange Customes and Manners The King considering that a smal matter doth trouble a multitude as the incounter of a ditch doth disorder the rankes of an Army when it marcheth hee gaue them to vnderstand that he desired they shold agree together The King wil not haue this priuiledge to be the cause of any diuision sending them to la Guiche Gouernor of Lions to reconcile these wills diuided only vpon this subiect but vnited in al other points that concerned the obedience and seruice of his Maiesty This diuision began to decrease when as they vnderstoode that his Maiesties pleasure was to content both parties to reduce things to the ancient order wherin they had liued happily and not to suffer the good correspondency which had bin betwixt the Inhabitants of one Citty to be lost by the inequality of this Priuilege the which by fruitlesse Innouations did alter that which the Ancients had allowed maintayned The King declâ—res that his meaning was not to exclude his subiects but strangers only from the office of Consull The King therfore commanded that the reasons of either part should be carefully examined considered of in his Councell The President Ianin was reporter of this Controuersie The Councell hauing vnderstood the Kings intention and considered of the Gouernor of Lions aduice thought that as they might not change the Ancient Customes in the which they had liued well so it was iust and reasonable to gratefie the Originall families of the Citty for that they had suffred most in these last troubles and had opposed themselues most resolutly against the faction They therefore thought it good that there should remaine a distinction with some marke or prerogatiue of honor reseruing the charge of Prouost of Marchants for such as were Cittizens borne and that those of the Countrie which had continued there for tenne yeares Heads of families should bee capable of the Consulship to enter indifferently with them that were borne there By this Declaration both the one and the other had part of their demands The King sending them backe recommended vnto them Obedience Respect to their Gouernor and Concord and Vnitie among themselues And for that in the last Consular Elections there had beene something done indiscreetly the Chancellor vsed some words upon that subiect both Graue Iust and worthy the greatnes of his Charge It is my opinion sayd hee that as the King hath an interest that none should be chosen for Maiestrates of a Towne but those The Chancellorâ— speech of whose Loyaltie his Maiestie is well assured so the more the libertie of election is left vnto them the more obedience should his Maiestie the Gouernors and Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces finde in the Inhabitants in that which it should please him to command them The King desiring to increase the comodities of the Realme Inuention to make silke in France and to inâ—itch his Subiects hauing tryed in his royal houses of Fontainbleau Madril and the gardens of the Tuielleries that silke wormes might be bred and brought vp as happily in France as in any part of Europe he resolued to add the arte of silke to the felicities of the peace a speedy and fit remedie to auoyd the transport of gold and siluer Hereupon hee had the aduice of Commissioners deputed for the establishing of the trafficke the which he had chosen as well out of his Councel as of the Soueraigne Courts of Parliament Chamber of Accounts and Court of Ayds They gaue his Maiestie to vnderstand that for the more speedie bringing in of this new worke he must of necessitie begin by the planting of Mulberrie trees to feed the wormes that weaue and make the silke And therfore some expert in that Art did bind themselues to furnish a great number of white Mulberrie trees and graynes to make Nurseries in 4. parts of his Realme at Paris Orleans Tours Lions who were bound to make their diuisions by the first day of Aprill this yeare with instructions how to sowe and plant Trees and Kirnels to gouerne the wormes to draw and spinne the silke to prepare it The profit of the art of silke and make it readie to be sold. There could not be found in this age a more profitable husbandrie The people of Languedoc Prouence Daulphiné haue found this labour so
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