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
storme The cause grewe from a decree of the Court giuen against Solyciters and by the Kings authority and expresse commandement who before hee parted from Paris to passe the Easter at Fontainbleau sent for the cheefe of the Court of Parliament and of all the other Courtes to recommend their charges vnto them From whose owne mouth they vnderstoode howe much hee desired that all the Iustice might bee administred with lesse charge and lesse losse of time The Spices is 〈◊〉 vnto Iudges vpon euery 〈◊〉 that is iudged dâ—â—iniâ—iuely in France That there was no Iustice for them that had no money so excessiue were the Iudges Spices and the Soliciters fees The Court of Parliament desiring that according to the Kings minde intention and last comâ—â—unde the excesse whereof they complayned against the Soliciters might bee reduced to a meane and iust temper assembled to redresse those disorders The opinions beeing heard and numbred against Aduocates the first President sheweing that a reformation was as necessary in Iudges as in Soliciters The 〈◊〉 deâ—â—â—â— against 〈◊〉 In the ende 2 decree was made by the which it was ordeyned and apointed that euer Soliciter should set downe vnder his hande in the ende of his writtings what hee had taken for his owne fees to the ende that in case of excesse it might bee moderated when as the Court should proceede to iudgement of the processe Moreouer they should giue a certificate what they had taken for the pleading of causes to be set downe in the taxe of charges all vpon paine of extorsion The Law was not made against the good but onely to restraine the auarice of others who preferre the oportunitie of taking before all reprehension All notwithstanding did oppose themselues against the execution of this Law saying that they would rather leaue their places then subiect themselues to the rigour of the Decree and do so great a wrong to the Dignity and Liberty of their profession The Court made an other Law whereby it was decreed that such as would not pleade should deliuer their names vnto the Register A second decree against Soliciters after the which they were forbidden to practise as Soliciters vppon paine of falshood This second decree was pronounced in open Assembly in the house of the Kings Attornie generall The next day there went out of the Chambers of Consultation by two and two to the number of three hundred and seuen they past through the Pallace hall went to the Register to giue vp their hoods and to declare that they obeyed the second decree seeing they could not obey the first From that time the Pallace was without pleading the Soliciters being busied to defend themselues setting downe al the reasoÌ„s they could for their iustification yet could they not mooue the Court to reuoake or change the Decree they were forced to haue recourse vnto the King who to reconcile this diuision which happened vpon a day which reuiued the memorie of a greater trouble hee sent his letters to the Parliament in tearmes conformable to his Iustice and the wisedome of his Councell By the which it was lawfull for Soliciters to exercise their functions as they had done before the sayd Decree inioyning them notwithstanding to obserue the ordinance made at Blois in that behalfe in the 161. Article The parties which had sutes did languish in expectation of this declaration As they complayned of the corruption so they suffered the inconueniencie of the remedie The Court which had made many iust and seuere Lawes against Combats An â—idict against Combats confirmed the Edict which the King made at Blois Before his Maiesties departure from Fontainbleau hee had commanded the Constable Chancellor Marshalls of France and the cheefe of his Councell to deuise some meanes to suppresse the libertie of Combats being so iniurious and preiudiciall to his estate By their aduise an Edict was made by the which they that call or are called or which assist or seconds him that calls or is called are declared guiltie of high Treason and to bee punished according to the rigour of the Lawes Commanding the Constable Marshals of France Gouernours and Lieutenants generall of Prouinces to preuent Combats and to forbid them vpon paine of death to iudge absolutly as they shall thinke good of all that concernes the reparation of wronges and to force them that are condemned to satisfie by imprisonment The King effected his busines happely in Poâ—tou The King his voyage into Poâ—â—ou in three weâ—kes hee found so great an obedience and affection in them to please him as hee remained very well satisfied His Maiestie left so many testimonies in all places of his bounty as all had cause to prayse him and to blame their practises which sought to trouble the peace The Duke of Biron did not thinke the King should haue found so great obedience and loue among his subiects of that Prouince He had sent some of his seruants to Court to learne how the market went and to shew the discontent he had foâ— the iealousie which was conceiued of his Faith and Dutie The King sends for the Duke of Biron The King who was well informed of his intelligences with the Count of Fuentes reâ—olued to see him and to keepe him from his enemies Hee sent Descures vnto him with charge to say that hauing intelligence of the great Leuies of souldiars made in Italie he had resolued to maintaine the body of an army vpon the froÌ„ter to giue the charge vnto him and to that end he had coÌ„manded DeVic his Ambassador in Suisse to demand a speedy leuy of 6000. men to cause theÌ„ to march wher he should haue directioÌ„s that therein hee followed the Councell of the Constable his gossip whose aduice he sent him in writing and desired to haue his by mouth conâ—uring him to come with speede He stirres not for al that excusing himselfe sometimes vpon the holding of the Estates sometimes that the enemy being so neere it were an act vnworthy of his reputation to turne his backe abandon the Frontier The King sent the PresideÌ„t â—anin a man powerfull in perswasion The President 〈◊〉 sent vnto him who comming to Dijon gaue the Duke to vnderstand howe much the King desired to see him and how necessary this sight was and among many discourses applyed fitly to his humour hee let him knowe the Kings strength and the length of his Arme. This was not able to mooue him He considered that the Duke of Biron must bee perswaded to this voyage by him that was all of his Councell â—home he assured that as he should haue all the Honour of this perswasion Diuers aduises 〈◊〉 to the Duke of Biâ—on so he could expeâ—t nothing but disgrace and ruine of a contrary councell His friends notwithstanding did conâ—ure him not to come one of his best friends sent him word by his Brother that his Gouernment was disposed of and that for his last hope he
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
hands 1303. as a pawne vntill the end of the paiment and he might beat downe what he had built in the Castels of Lisle Douay deliuering them to the Earle as to their lawful Lord. The Flemings tyed to sâ—â—ict conditions That the Flemings should raze the walls and Forts of fiue principal Citties Gaunt Bruges Ypre Lisle and Douay and neuer to build them againe That the King should make choise of 3000. men at his pleasure in Bruges and thereabouts that were coulpable of the seditions and murthers committed a thousand of them to bee imployed beyond the seas and two thousand on this side and that the Flemings should furnish 600. men at armes to serue the King one whole yeare where hee pleased And for the performance hereof the Citties should bee bound Six thousand pounds and should forfaire threscore thousand Liuers for non-payment for the effecting whereof Deputies should bee appointed During this treatie the Earle Guy and his daughter Philip Guy Earle of Flanders and his daughter dye the subiect of this troublesome reuolt died to the great great greefe of Philip who sees himselfe frustrate of al meanes to shew his clemencie and bountie But when these Articles were brought vnto the Citties the people did mutine with great impatiencie so as the Deputies perswaded Philip to moderate those which were most greeuous The demantling of the Townes except Bruges where the reuolt began and the banishment of the men conuerting it into a pecuniary fine and a great summe to an annuall pension prefixt to easie paiments Thus the accord was made Robert William and Guy brethren The conditions moderated the sonnes of the Earle Guy of Flanders were deliuered with all the prisoners but we shal see that in the execution thereof there was much trouble During these hard rough proceedings Edward King of England hauing receiued a check in Guienne was quiet fearing Philips resolution in greatest dangers whereof hee could wisely free himselfe in the end an accord is made by the marriage of Isabel the daughter of Philip Isabel the daughter of Philip married to Edward King of England with Edward the 2. who in regard of this marriage recouered all he had lost in Guienne in the taking of Isabell he left to his posteritie a heauy pawne to pretend a title to the whole Realme Philip had his reuenge of this Emperour Adolphe who had so boldly braued him in the beginning of this quarrell vnder coulour of demanding the lands of the Empire lying in the Countries of Bourgongne Daulphiné and Prouence being in old time the realme of Arles but then in the power of diuers Lords as we haue sayd vnder the Kings authoritie The King of England and Earles of Flanders had great cause to complaine of him hauing receiued two hundred thousand Crownes to make war against Philip the which he imployed in the pourchase of Thuringe taking possession of that goodly Land so vniustly gotten being solde by an vnnaturall Father who would disinherit his Children This filthie traffick agrauated by the complaints of the King of England and Earle of Flanders Adolphe the Emperour deposed made Adolphe of Nassau very odious and contemptible being issued from a noble and worthie race but this Act against the poore Children made him vnworthy of the Empire from which he was deposed by a decree of the Electors Albert of Austria seated in his place who poursuing him with war slâ—e him as they write with his owne hand in an incounter neere vnto Spire But Pope Boniface the 8. Philips greatest enemie remained yet vnpacified who stil continued his chollor against him in a season when as he thought him to be drawne drie both of men and money for they write that this warre of Flanders had wasted aboue three hundred thousand Frenchmen in eleuen yeares during the which it coÌ„tinued We haue seene how he vsed him by his Nuncios this last Act will not onely shew the continuance of his spleene but shal also represent a bad Catastrophé in this Tragedie the which shall light vpon the head of Boniface sought for by himselfe Albert of Austria was no sooner chosen and installed Emperour by the Electors but Boniface applyed his wit to winne him against Philip supposing to preuaile against Philip Pope Boniface his practise against Philip. as Gregorie the ninth had done against Frederic the second Hee proclames him Emperour inuests him King of the realme of France giuing him both the title and armes and taking occasion to sowe deuision in the heart of the Realme by meanes of the Clergie who by reason of their reuenues had great power in the State and for the interest thereof great will to preserue them Hee did also write his letters to Philip in this manner Boniface Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to Philip King of Frenchmen Feare God He write arâ—ogantly to Philip. and obserue his commandements wee wil thee to vnderstand that thou art subiect to vs both in spirituall and temporall things and that it belongs not to theâ— to giue any prebend or benifice If thou hast the keeping of any of them being vacant thou must reserue the profits of them to the successors If thou hast giuen any wee iudge thy gift to be void and do reuoke all that hath beene done and whosoeuer beleeueth otherwise wee iudge them heretikes giuen at Latran the fourth of the Nones of December the 6. yeare of our Popedome The King answeres him thus Philips answere to the Pope Philip by the grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himselfe the soueraigne Bishop little or no health Let thy great follie and rashnes be aduertised that in tempâ—ral things we acknowledge none but God for superiour and that the gift of prebends being void belongs to vs by our royall prerogatiue and the fruits that grow thereby the which wee will defend by the sword against all them that shall seeke to hinder our possession esteeming them fooles and without iudgement that shall thinke otherwise These are the very words drawne out of the originall But Philip to preuent the plots of Pope Boniface asseÌ„bled the Prelaâ—s of his realm at Paris with al speed hauing represeÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ the wrong which Pope Boniface had done him by his decree from the which he had appealed as erronious he makes them to renew their oath of fidelitie Hee thankes the King of England in that he yeelded not to the perswasions of Boniface who would haue incensed him against him and in the end he seekes to stay the violent course of his furious practises There was a Gentleman following the Court whose name was Felix of Nogaret borne in Seuennes a mountaine Countrie of Languedoc of the familie of the Albigeois as in that Countrie there were many reserued from father to sonne since the grant made them by Saint Lewis whome Philip held fit for the execution of this charge there was likewise a guide
spirit as he seemed capabâ—e to gouerne this great barke in the most horrible stormes of confusioÌ„ which happened in this Realme during his fathers imprisonment Iohn continued fiue yeares a prisoner for he was taken in the yeare 1356 in September and was deliuered in the yeare 1361. in the moneth of May. But let vs describe in order the disorders which chanced in his captiuity As soone as the Daulphin so called vntill he be regent came to Paris he imploies al his wits to procure his Fathers liberty and to maintayne the Kings free authority in the Realme the which was as much restrayned as the Kings person But in this good and coÌ„mendable resolution he found strange difficulties He presently calls a generall assemblie of the Estates at Paris in October following an expedieÌ„t remedy for the greatest affaires of this monarchy profitably practised in the most vrgent causes of our Kings There Charles laieth before them not onely the miserie wherevnto the King his father was brought but also the whole realme in his person he intreats them to giue him councell and assistance in this so great an extremitie The cause spake of it selfe his person was an excellent Orator Moreouer he failed in no point of his dutie for his mournfull countenance expressed his sorrow naturallie and he could well vrge the necessitie of the proofe with so wise modest an eloquence as it would haue moued and dissolued euen the hardest Rockes of the Pyrenean mountaines But the answer which was then made him A 〈◊〉 ill 〈…〉 dangerous 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 and the long continuance of crosses gâ—uen him in so commendable an action shew well what an ill councelled people is and how dangerous it is to let slip the reines of restraint to so furious a beast which growes then most outragious when there is greatest need of mildnesse and modestie Without doubt there had beene many disorders in the former raignes and in this new controuersie for the Crowne Philip had made great breaches But is it now time to complaine of the sick when he lyes at the point of death and to represent vnto him his forepassed errors iâ—â—â—eed of applying fit remedies for his griefe So doe the people being wittie and 〈◊〉 complaine of the errors of their superiours and are more ready to increase the diâ—easâ— by remedies worse then the disease it selfe rather then to cure it The peoples inâ—olencie during K. 〈◊〉 imprisonmeÌ„t as shall appeare by the popular actions during the raigne of King Iohn who from complaints haue exceeded to audacious seditions and in the end to cruell and tragicke massacres not onely to tread vnder-foote but to ouerthrow the lawfull authoritie of this Monarchie The Parliament consisted of all the best citties of the realme but as Paris is the chiefe so hauing among the rest the first degree and greatest meanes it was also the chiefe in credit So as when order is well obserued it brings the greatest benefit to this estate but when as disorder raignes the greatest confusion comes from thence Paris the chiefe 〈◊〉 of France â—yther for good or euill The Church holds the first ranke in Parliament and then the Prouost of Marchants in the cittie of Paris whereas the Vniuersitie had then great credit All parts shall play vpon this Theater eyther for good or euill by strange accidents But let vs returne to our Daulphin After that he had made his proposition the Estates being assembled in one body resolued That to auoide confusion there should be fiftie chosen out of all the Prouinces to determine of things necessary according to the instructions remembrances declared to them Thâ—se fiftie deputies assemble in the Gray-friars where by a common consent they resolue what to say vnto the Daulphin who being intreated to come vnto their assemblie and set to heare some notable offer of assistance conformable to the necessitie of the time Robert le Câ—câ— Bishop of Laon spake thus vnto him in the behalfe of the companie The Deputies of the Parliament make vnreasonable demands vâ—to the Daulphin That the assembly beseeched him to sweaâ—e to keepe secret what should be deliuered vnto him by the â—states This young Prince being nothing amazed in this perplexitie answers them presently with a resolution That he should greatly forget the degree he held in the State in receiuing a law from his fathers subiects And therefore he did command them by the naturall authoritie he had ouer them to speake freely what their hearts conceiued Then the Bishop in all their names made knowne vnto him the ill gouerment of the treasure demanding râ—â—â—â—mation thereof with a commission to call the receiuers to an accoumpt that all such as had managed the kings money should be displaced that hereafter both the treasure and the affaires of State should be gouerned by 4. Prelats 12. Bouâ—gesses aâ—oâ—gst the which the cittie of Paris should haue the first degree credit and that without this councell the Daulphin should attempt nothing And for the conclusion of all their demands they require him most instantly to set the King of Nauarre at libertie And vpoÌ„ this condition they promise the Daulphin aide succour for his fathers deliuery The Daulphin noting plainely both the intention of this ill aduised people and that it was now out of season to take exception at the violence of these popular furies demands respite to giue them an answer the next day passeth in this sort without answer to the deputies who intreate him to resolue He makes his excuse vpon the importancie of the affaires and demands a new day to consider thereof And as they pressed him dayly to make his answer so he still prolonged the time by many subtill delaies grounded vpon sundry excuses of purpose to disperse them and to dissolue their councels the which he sees was practised by his enemies 1357. And hauing caused the deputies to attend many daâ—es this plot so hotlie pursued grew colde and tired with tediousnesse they returne home to their houses without any other frute then great sâ—ewes leauing the King languishing in prison and the realme in pittifull disorder But they parted not without leauing the chiefe leuaine of their intended mischiefe at Paris and too many hands to worke in this masse of confusion to the great preiudice of France An ill aduised people hath this humor To complaine still of the present estate and to seeke the future with hope of better The Parisiens who had seized vpon authoritie more caâ—efull for the deliuerie of the King of Nauarre then of their lawfull king summon the Daulphin to set the Nauarrois at liberty according to the decree of the Estates and taking his delaies for a deniall they practise with Iohn of Piqueny gouernour of the countrie of Aâ—thoâ—â— to whom K. Iohn going to the vnfortunate battaile of Poitiers had giuen it in keeping to deliuer him out of the Castell of Alleux in Cambressis where he had remained
parties being hard the widow of Charles of Blois being called King Charles reconciles the pâ—eâ—endants for Britâ—aine and the matter debated he reconciles them vpon these conditions That for the interest which Ioane pretended for her and hers to the Duchie of Brittaine she should haue the Earldome of â—onthieure the Seigneuries of Auaugour Guello Gincamp Rochedorie Lauuton Chaâ—â—eaulin in Cornwaille Dualt Vhelgost and Rospreden to the value of twentie thousand Eures or franks of rent 2000 pound starling and if Iohn of Montfort died without lawfull heires the Duchie of Brittaine it should returne to Ioane and her issue male or female This accord drew Iohn of Montfort to Paris where hauing done his fealtie and homage as well for the Duchiâ— Brittain as the Earldome of Montfort and other Lands hee had in France the widow of Charles of Blois ratified it by vertue of the decree Oliuer of Clisson at the same treatie was restored to the possession of all his Lands forfaited when his father was beheaded as we haue saied He shal be Constable and shall giue vs good cause to speake of his life This accord was made in the Towne of Guerande in the yeare .1365 but it continued not long for Lewis of Aniou the Kings brother sonne in lawe to the Duchesse of Brittain was not pleased with this agreement whereby he saied he was greatly wronged Iohn of Montfort distrusting King Charles had his recourse to the King of England to whome he went in person to require ayde against the forces which he pretended would come against him The warre reuiued in Brittanie leauing Robert Knowles an Englishman in Brittaine who not attendâ—ng Iohns returne began to make warre vpon the French with all violence Charles being pressed both by the Duches Ioane and by Lewis of Aniou his brother declares Iohn guiltie of high Treason for that he had broken the accord would noâ— appeare vpon sundry summons dayly made vnto him So the warre began againe the successe whereof we wil note heere after Thus there passed six or seauen yeares with varietie of accidents in Brittaine In Fâ—anders Whilest that Brittaine was thus shaken with sundrie stormes Flanders was not without trouble by the accustomed practises of the English Lewis Earle of Flanders sonne to that Lewis which was slaine at the Battaile of Crecy had one only daughter named Marguerite who remayning heire of this great and rich estate was the Lâ—uaine of the antient iealousie betwixt the two Kings Charles and Edward striuing who should haue her The Citties of Flanders of greatest power in this purâ—ute held stoutly for the Engliâ—â— Conâ—e Lewis father to the maide was in suspence feaâ—ing both the English and the Freâ—ch for diuers respects and yet hee loued the first and feared the last But in the end by the meanes of Marguerite of Arthois mother to the Earle a marriage was concluded in fauour of Philip the hardy brother to Charles King of France to Edwards great griefe both father and son who in disdaine of this refusal sought al meanes to breed new troubles in France The treatie of Bretigny ministred a newe subiect and apparent cause of discontent to the King of England who complayned that hee had beene deceiued by Charles vnder a shewe of faithfulnesse hauing restored vnto him all his hostages receyuing onely the sommes promised for the ransome leauying vpon his simple word the reuenues of those Seigneuries granted him by the treatie The cause of new warre 〈…〉 and â—nâ—â—and Charles had retyred all his hostages in good time paying readie money and making knowne vnto Edward the sundrie charges he had giuen to the Countries and places comprehended in the treatie to yeeld them selues whollie into his power he likewise signified vnto him his subiects answers who in the beginning excused themselues ciuilly by honest delayes but in the ende the generall Estats giue Charles to vnderstand That the question being for the generall interest of the States they were not to bee forced to yeeld to an vnlawfull action directly contrarie to the fundamentall lawe of the realme which suffers not the King to preiudice the Crowne nor to alienate the reuenues thereof which were not to be alienated That tâ—is accord made in prison for the Kings redemption was forced and so by consequence vneiuill and not to be allowed by the Lawe of nations The effects followed this resolution with such an obstinacie of the Countries Citties Noble men which were charged by this treatie to yeeld as they protest freely to Châ—rles that they wil willingly spend goods liues rather then fal into the king of Englands hands coÌ„trariwise wold imploy al their meanes to liue vnder the subiectioÌ„ of the king of Fraâ—ce This faithâ—ull constancie of the interessed subiects must needs be pleasing vnto Charles 1366. but to that he himselfe had made this treatie his honouâ— was greatly ingaged the which he must 〈◊〉 by good and auaylable reasons and make it â—nowne vnto all Europe who haâ— tâ—eir eyes fixed vpon these two Princes playing their parts vpon so famous a Theater 〈◊〉 complaines by a sollemne Ambassage to the Emperour Charles the fourth 〈…〉 the paines to come into France The Emperor seâ—kes to reconcile theiâ— two Kings with an intent to imploy his authoritie and 〈◊〉 to reconcile these two Princes but it was in vaine The cause of this fruitlesse 〈◊〉 pâ—oceeded from Edward being resolute to haue his part tryed by armes being 〈…〉 by his victorious successe in the former raignes Châ—rles â—ad alwayes protested to obserue the treatie of â—retigny inuiolable But hauing 〈◊〉 the geneâ—all resolution of the States and of the countries and Noblemen 〈◊〉 bâ— the said treatie he resolues to protect them and hauing excused himselfe both to the Emperour and forraine Princes by a publike declaration he sends a Gentleâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Bâ—â—ussâ— called Chapponeau to the Prince of Wales being at Bourdeaux summoning 〈◊〉 to appeare before him at Paris Câ—arlâ—s proclaimes waâ—â—e against the Kinâ— of Eâ—â—â—lâ—nd at the instance of the Nobilitie and commons of 〈◊〉 complaining of him He also sent a Herald to the King of England to proclaime wâ—rrâ— against him The Earle of Armagnac the Lord of Albret who had newly maried 〈…〉 Boâ—rbon and by this alliance was become French the Earles of Perigort Cominâ—â— and Carmaâ— the Lords of Barde Condon Pincornet Pardaillan and Agenois began 〈…〉 against the King of England followed by all those Prouinces protesting 〈◊〉 the crowne of France At 〈◊〉 example all the Townes of the Countie of Ponthieure yeelded to Guy Earle of 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 of Chastillon Maister of the Crosbowes Then the Kings armies marche 〈◊〉 parts vnder the commands of the Dukes of Aniou and Berry the Constable 〈◊〉 to whose wisedome especially to the Chancellor Dourmans The successe oâ— the Frâ—nâ—â— armie in Gâ—â—â—nne they attribâ—â—e the obedience of the people of Guienne discreetly practised by them Limoges and
the faire with great shewe and pompe in the middest was a royall throane and seates on eyther side The Herald giue commandement throughout the citty in the Kings name that euery man should repaâ—re to the Pallace at a certian howre The King sitting in his seat of Iustice hauing on eyther side of him the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon his Vncles with al the rest of his Counsell in order he commanded Peter Orgemont his Chancellour to deliuer his minde to the people of Paris The multitude beeing disarmed compassed in round about with armed men beeing bare headed they fall vpon their knees seeing Orgemont rise from his chaire who hauing made a great obeysance to the King hee turnes to the multitude Orgemonts spâ—ech to the Parisiens If thou haddest quoth he O Citty as much care of thy duty as thy Kings haue alwayes mildely and fatherly intreated thee thou wouldst remember the soueraigne bounty and clemencie of our late King of happy memory Charles truely wise who desirous to tame thy folly rashnes by a wise mildnesse pardoned the strange and cruell errors which thou haddest committed against his father being a prisoner without any respect afflicting the afflicted and supporting his capital enemie against him with all treachery and insolencie Thou canst not denye ingratefull people how much thou wert indebted to that good Prince dutie did binde thee to sacrifice thy selfe cherefully for him in his afflictions But all these things being troden vnderfoot he vsed towards thee al the humanity which the most affectionate and faithful subiect may hope for of his Prince His sonne our King seated at this day in the royall throane and heire to his vertues hath followed his fathers steppes in this mildnesse and clemencie hauing supported thee more then a father could do his childe But thou hast followed beeing mad and ingratefull thy wretched disposition suffring thy selfe to be furiously transported by thy wicked counsellors the firebrands of sedition and disobediâ—â—ce and by the vnruly passions of thy blind furie The goodly worke thou hast made of Late the disloyall intelligences thou hadst with those mutines enemies of all commande and policie the audacious practisies thou hast presumed to make in the Citties of this Realme and thâ— blood which thou hast spilt in the bowels of this thy country whereof shee hath horrour feeling her bosome polluted with the bloud vniustly shed by thy violent hands All th se horrible and tragick effects are knowne to the world for the which thou canst yeeld no excuse which doth not double the offence O wretched people be not these authenticke testimonies to the whole Realme yea to all nations of thy ingratitude disloyalty crueltie villany and fury Miserable what hast thou deserued The Kings bounty But thou hast treacherously abused it Thou hast made shewe to contemne publike authority drunke with thine owne phrensie and of thy wicked councellours The King the King I say shall make thee feele that he hath one arme to support and maintaine the good and another to punish and roote out the wicked Thou hast seene examples vpon these wicked heads which made thee to forget thy duty But the punishment is light in regarde of the offence neyther dost thou feele any smart whereof thou thy selfe art not the cause Orgemont hauing thus ended turnes vnto the King My Liege saith hee is this it which your Maiestie commanded me to say vnto the people 1387. It is answered the King but this sufficeth not in regard of what they haue deserued This short and rough answer from the King the Chancellors speach vttered with great vehemencie and especially the bloud freshly spilt which they did see as it were rebound vpon the place of execution the fearâ—ull armes wherewith the people were compassed in had brought them into extreame perplexitie like men alreadie in the graue so as euery one bethought himselfe according to the offences he had committed and such as had wealth according to the enemies which did maligne them being terrified with the tragick spectacle of Iohn de Marais They stand all mute their eyes fixed on the ground prostrate before his throne men and women young and old infinite in number In this great silence the Dukes of Beâ—ry and Bourgongne rise from their seates with a very mournfull countenance and fall at the Kings feete beseeching him to haue piâ—tie of his poore Cittie of Paris and not to comprehend the innocent with the culpable good men with rascalles vnworthy of his grace Presently after their speech without expecting any answer from the King the sorrow of this miserable people suppressed during these complaints and threats burst forth into so lamentable a crye as if the whole cittie had beene lost All cryed foâ— meâ—cy There was nothing but cryes lamentations and howlings The Parisiens cry to the King for mercie of women and men olde and young The Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Cittie with their haire hanging downe full of teares crye out Leege Lord will you ruine your Citâ—ie of Paris for somerascallâ—s let it begin by vs and ours we desire not to suruiue this miserie Take pittie Leege Lord of your people who sue for pittie The people crie out againe with a fearfull voyce Mercie Mercie This spectacle was pittifull to behold there was no heart so hard but relented The King in the end answered the noise being quieted That he would not punish the good for the bad that he did pardon the people vpon condition they should be better aduised hereâ—fter and not suffer themselues to be seduced by these wicked ring l aders of sedition That for Gods sake and at his Vncles sute he gaue life vnto the prisoners paying such fines as his Councell should decree Those to whom the prisoners belonged cryed out God saue the King and the people freed from their feare redouble their cryes with great ioy and so they all depart The councell decrees That forasmuch as the Cittie of Paris had beene ingaged in this sedition The King pardons the Parisiens they should be depriued of their Magistrates chaines and armes and should loose all priuiledges vntill the King had otherwise determined That for recompense of this capitall crime as well the prisoners as all others guiltie of the sedition according to information duly made should pay the moytie of their goods The which was speedilie put in execution to send home the men of warre by meanes of the great summes of money which they leuied by this exaction Thus the sedition at Paris was suppressed and afterwards at Rouen and Orleance but with farre more rigour then at Paris An example for all subiâ—cts how to oppose themselues against their Lords who soone or late make them to reape the fruitâ—s of their rashnesse and insolencie Their Magistrates chaines armes and all priuiledges were soone restored to the Parisiens by meanes of the Duke of Bourgongne who from that time sought all meanes to creepe into the peoples fauour which
sight That which he ignorant call foâ—tune in dâ—uers â—uents of woâ—ldly things is a secâ—et operaâ—ion of the wisdâ—me of God alwayes iust euen when it is most vnknowen vnto vs the which is no more pollutâ—d with humaine passions then â—he Sunne beames with â—he most infected carâ—on whereon it works by his heat Necessâ—â—ie obseruâ—tions for all men O man distinguish the rod from the hand that rules it do thou thy dutie and leaue the euents to God feare God and thou shalt haue to need to feaâ—e â—ortune An assured pasport not only to a void the strange alterations of Coâ—â—â— but al other accidents of mans life which hath nothing constâ—nt in it but incâ—â—stance it selfe But euery man â—â—eads on him that falls saith the same hiâ—tory Eueâ—y man speaks iâ—famously of the dâ—sgraced Constable they crie out against him as hauing bewâ—â—ched â—he King Thus â—he affâ—icted is alwayes held culpable according to the censâ—â—e of â—his wiâ—e world which â—udgeth onely by outwaâ—d circumstances But who would beleeue that Clisson and his companions who had so great an intâ—rest in the Kings healâ—h wold make him sick The â—sâ—ue wil shew â—he contrarie verifing That as Slander is the touchsâ—oâ—e of vertue so there is noâ—hing more couragious then a good cause nor more victorious thâ—u â—he trâ—â—h Clisson stirres not all this bâ—ute he stands vpon hâ—s gâ—â—d â—ourchaseâ—h â—riends and attends the time which in the ende brought him to a saâ—e poâ—t as we shall sâ—e hereaâ—â—er Aâ—ter his condemnation the Dukes of Bâ—rry â—ourgongne hasâ—ened noâ—hing so much â— to aduance one to this goodly charge wheâ—eby they might tye some greaâ— peâ—son â—nto them Philiâ—pâ— of 〈◊〉 Made CoÌ„ntable They offer it to the Lord of Coussy who reâ—useâ—h it wherevpon Philippe oâ— Eu Eaâ—le of Archois is aduanced and â—or a confirmation of this newe league he giues 〈◊〉 sonne to the Duke of Berryes daughter Tâ—us passed the beginning of this newe authoritie when as Charles by rest a good aâ—â—r the coolenes of the winter good vsage began dâ—â—â—e to recouer his health comming first to the knowledge of such as were ordinaâ—ily about him of his wâ—â—e châ—â—dren and Broâ—her who parted not from his bed whilest his vâ—cles made this goodly worke at Paris 〈◊〉 reâ—oâ—ers hiâ— hâ—alâ—h Hauing recâ—uered his health â—ames Harsely dismissed with an honorable reward all France was reuâ—â—â—d with incredible ioy to see their King as it were raised ouâ— oâ— the graue and giuen deuouâ—ly to his praiers But he hath a gâ—eaâ—er relapâ—e into this miserable dâ—â—ease by a newe accident and this was the occasion Charles returned to Paris to his subiects great comfort who souâ—ht to delight him with alkinds of spoâ—ts Euery man imployed his witts there to â—o as there was a new inuention of a maâ—â— of wild men attired in finâ— linnen cloth all coueâ—ed with very fine flaxe from the foote to the head beeing glued tothe clothe so artificially as if it had growne to the skyn â—hat they which â—â—d weare iâ— had beene naked They were sixe and the King would make the seuenth to lead the daâ—nce for the auoiding of al danger of fiâ—e which might â—asely take the flaxe Commandement was giuâ—n to put out al torches but it chanced that the Duke oâ— Orleans vnacquainted with this maske came into the Hall followed by his pages who carried torches according to the vsuall manner euen as these Sauage men tyed one to an other like prisoners present themselues vnto the Companie the King who marched first goes presently to the Duchesse of Berry she holds him and â—efuseâ—h â—o let him go without knowledge what hee was And euen then the Duke of Orleans with a quicke resolutenesse answerable to hâ—s age and naturall wantonnes takes a Torch and comes neere to these Sauage men to know them by the lifting vp of their maskes when as fire takes hold of this flaxe so sodainely as al wâ—re on a flame not able to free themselues being all tied to onâ— line The violence of the fire kindled with the rozen caused a most horrible crie but generally all men crie out Saue the King whoÌ„ they knew to be one of the Sauage meÌ„ The Duchessâ— of Berry wraps him in her gowne beeing long large after the manner of those times and so drawing him out of the Hall they led him into the next chamber without any hurt to his person But the amazement was such by the horrible cries of these poore men which burnt in the flames The King â—alls into a relapse by a straÌ„ge accideÌ„â— not able to be helped well in so sodaine an outâ—ry as the King could not be stayed in this amazemeÌ„t They lay him on his bed but his spirits could take no rest Thus the night passeth away this poore Prince being much distempered in minde and all his seruants distressed with griefe There fell out another vnhappy accident In the morning it was bruâ—ed through the citty that the King was dead so as the people dâ—d run in flockes to his vncles lodgings exclaiming against them for the ill gard they had kept of his person whom they desire to see eyther dead or aliue so as the Dukes of Bâ—rry and Bourgongne yelding to this violence were forced euen when as the King began to take some rest to raise him out of his bed and to leade him through the Citty to our Ladies Church to pacifie the peoples fury A this returne his spiâ—iâ—s faile him â—he fallâ—s into his former phrensie and neuer after were they setled notwithstanding all the heâ—ps men could apply He languished twenty and two yeares in this pittifull estate and in the tediousnesse of so long an infirmity the Realme was not without languishing Sometimes he was in good temper as phrensies haue their respits The Parisâ—eâ—s mad to see thâ— King and do not alwayes distemper the faculâ—es of the minde but still he fell and euen when as he thought to do best he erred most when as he sought to retaine the authority to himselâ—e and that nothing should be done but by his commaund Hence sprong the horrible confusions in this raigne â—or â—hat dâ—uers pasâ—ionate men ruled his weake braine diuersely one vndoing what another had done couering their passions with the Kings name and authority And al the liberty to do ill grewe from this spring But let vs returne to the end of our painefull web The Duke of Orleans wonderfully perplexed to haue bin cause of this scandale excuseth himselfe presently in the hall and to the king his Brother The Duke of Bourgoâ—gne seeks to makâ— the Duke of Orleans odious Iâ—lousie betwixt â—â—e Dukes of Oâ—leanâ— Bourgongne but all this did not satisfie The Duke of Bourgongne repâ—ocheth him and exceedes the censure of an vncle for he laies hold on this occasion to make him odious to the people as if it had bin done of purpose to kill the King This Maske of burning
of the golden fleese on Saint Andrewes day and the King of Spaine that of Saint Michell on the said Saints day The Venetians also by the Kings meanes had prolonged their truce for fiue yeares with the Emperour But the soueraine Iudge of the world hauing decreed to punish the disorders of Christendome with sundry afflictions tooke Maximilian out of this world The death of Maximilian in whose life we may obserue a strange alteration of affaires for if prosperity did often present vnto him goodly occasions aduersity did as often crosse him in the execution A good Prince mercifull courteous very liberall a great spender the which did many times hinder his good successe painfull secret well seene in the arte of warre but his happie beginnings did commonly proue fruitlesse through his owne delayes and inconstancie This death bred an equall desire in the mindes of two great Princes Francis King of France and Charles King of Spaine Francis sent the Lord of Boissy Lord Stuard of France to purchase the fauour of the Germaine Electors for the Empire Some promised all fauour for the King his master yet the cause was not so fauorable for the French hauing no correspondencie with the Germains neyther in tongue manners nor life Moreouer the Commons of Germanie were sutors that the Imperiall dignitie might not go out of the nation The Pope fauored the King but in shewe onely hoping that by these demonstrations of loue hee would hereafter giue more credit to his Councells whereby discouering that in his inward thoughts the election both of Francis and Charles were alike suspect vnto him hee labored to perswade the King that seeing there was small hope for him to carrie it by voices he should seeke by his authority to aduance some other Germanie Prince to this Crowne rather then Charles But whilest that Francis feeds himselfe with vaine hopes giuen him by the Elector of Brandebourg and the Archbishop of Triers who to drawe money from the King gaue him great assurances 1519. Charles in steed of gold brings armes to the field An aâ—my approacheth neere to Francford for the King of Spaine vnder colour there should be no force in the election the which increased their courage that fauoured his cause made them yeeld that wauered and troubled the French faction So Charles of Austria King of Spaine The election of Charles the fift of that name was chosen Emperour of Germanie the 28. of Iune The Election of a newe Emperour consists in the voyces of sixe Germaine Princes Three are of the Clergie the Archbishops of Maience Cologne and Treues Three seculars the Count Palatin the Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Brandebourg The King of Bohemia is Vmper when as the voyces are equall The Emperour is chosen at Francford and crowned at Aix la Chapelle Who could doubt but these two yong princes hauing so many occasions of Ieloâ—sie and quarrel would soone breake forth into fierce and cruell warres the which had taken deepe roote in both their hearts The King desired infinitely to recouer the Realme of Naples and did greatly affect the restitution of Henry of Albret to â—is kingdome of Nauarre whereof he sees himselfe now frustrate by the sodaine aduaâ—cement of Charles to so high a dignitie and all that which the French held in Italy was in great danger The Emperour on the other side was disconteÌ„ted that the King contemâ—iâ—g the accord first made at Paris and knowing the necessity of his passage into Castille for the which his fauour did much import had in a manner forced him to agree to new Articles Moreouer the king had taken the Duke of Gueldres into his protection an enemy to the Flemings who where subiects to Charles a sufficient cause to drawe both Francis and Charles into armes But aboue all the recouerye of the Duchie of Bourgongne caused strange alterations in the minde of this new Emperour The Duchy of Milan was a sufficient motiue of quarrell the King since the death of Lewis the 12. had neither demanded nor obtained inuestiture and therfore they pretended the possession to be of no validity and his interest to be voide yet all these were not sufficient motiues to stirre vp those horrible confusions which so afflicted the Estates of these two Princes for the space of thirty yeares Ambitious hatred is alwaies grounded vpon light beginnings In the meane time the Preachers of this voyage against the Turke dispersed through out all Christendome 1520. grew vehement promising according to the Popes Bulls pardon for all sinnes and the kingdome of heauen to such as paid a certaine summe of money Without doubt Leo vsed the authority of the Apostolike sea too boldly diâ—persing throughout the world without distinction of time or place most large pardons not onely for the liuing but also to redeeme the soules of the dead from purgatory for money And for that euery one did plainely see that these pardons were oâ—ly granted to get money which the Commissioners appointed for such exactâ—â—â— demaunded after an impudent and shamelesse sort being also well knowne that the greatest part of them had purchased their authority from the Popes officers Leo incurred great dislike many were discontented with this insolent proceeding especially â—n Germany where the ministers of this collection appointed aâ—cording to the common opinion for the deliuery of poore Christians fighting vnder the burthen of the Turkâ—sh yoake sold for a small price yea played away in their Ale-houses their authority to redeeme dead mens soules from purgatory And that which did more increase the peoples spleene it was generally reported that Laurence of Medicis had carried a breefe froÌ„ his vncle to King Francis whereby he allowed him to imploy the money gathered throughout his Realme for this warre to what vses hee pleased vpon condition to yeeld it when it should be demaunded for the voyage beyond the seas and to imploy fifty thousand crownes to the benefit of the said Laurence his Nephew A worthy cause to make the French repine seeing the money they gaue to a good intent was conuerted to contrarie vses But that which made the Germains wonderfully impatient Leo had giuen to his sister Maudlin the profit of the exaction of Indulgences in many parts of Germany who appointed the Bâ—shop Arembauld a Commissioner in that part Worthy saith the history of such a charge the which he executed with great couetousnes and extortion Being the more odious for that this holy money went to satisfie the greedinesse of a woman So as not only this exaction and the Agents thereof but also his name and authority that granted it became odious in many prouinces Martin Luther a religious man of the order of S. Austin learned and vehement The beginning of Lutheâ—â— doctrine began to preach against these indulgences in his publike sermons he taxeth the Popes authority complaines of Albert of Brandebourg Archbishop of Mayence and of the doctrine which these gatherers did teach
and Townes drunke so much Christian bloud and slaine so many millions of men of all qualities reteining nothing but the territories of Boullen and Calais Thus the winde doth sodenly drinke vp all the toile all the trauels all the swear of many ages And the Lord saith vnto man Thou foole this night will take thy soule from thee and who shall haue the things which thou hast prepared And All men are vaine doubtlesse man labours for a shadow he troubleâ—h himselfe for nothing But must the quenching of forraine confusions kindle new fires in the middestand foure corners of the realme without doubt there needed no violent but spirituall remedies to redresse those diuisions which grew daily for a religious cause Henry was of a milde and temperate spirit but hee gaue eare too lightly to such as could not effect their desseines but by troubles The prisons were full of such as they called Lutherans Persecutions for religion and euen then many noble faâ—ilies were toucht with that cause Moreouer many officers of the Parliament wâ—shed a milder proceeding against those prisoners This diuersitie caused an assemblâ—e which they called Mercuriale to heare the opinion of Presidents Councellors vpon this controuersie the which the King was required to countenance with his presence Councellors of the Parliament impâ—â—â—oned Anne du Bourg vsed a great libertie of speech some others did second his opinion This freedome transported the King into the choller hee commands the Constâ—ble to put them in prison and vowes to see them burnt within few dayes if they persist But oh Prince The yeares of thy accoumpt are come and thou entrâ—st into a pathe from the which thou shalt no more returne The Constable deliuers them to the Court Montgomery Captaine of his Maiesties gardes who leads â—ourg to the Bastille and the rest to diuerse â—ther priâ—ons Let vs not iudge hereby but admire howsoeuer the iudgements of God in that we shall see these three personageâ— euery one in his ranke dye an extraordinarie and tragicall death The marriages of the Kings Daughters and Sister were sollemnized with all the pleasures and sports that might be deuised The Court exceeded in sâ—mptuous feasts playes maskes dances and bonfires ordinarie acclamations in such ceremonies testâ—fied the peoples publicke ioy by reason of the peace but this pleasant Comedie was conuerted by a sad catastrophe into a pittifull and mournfull Tragedie The King would the tenth of Iune 〈…〉 the â—â—â—â—â—engers at the Tilt in Saint Anthonies streete being seconded by the Duke of Guise and Ferrare and to runne his last course in fauour of the Queene his wife he sent a Lance to the Earle of Montgomery The Earle excuseth himselfe to runne against his Maiestie the day before hee could not hit any one and it may bee now he feared a second shame But hauing a second charge from the King to enter the Lists he runnes and breakes his Launce vpon the Kings cuirasse and with a splinter thereof his Beauer being somewhat open strikes him so deepe â—nto the eye 〈◊〉 the tenâ—h of Iuly his soule left his body The death of King Henry in his house of Tournelles tâ—e 42. yeare of his age He had by Katherine of Medicis his wife fiue Sonnes and fiue Daughters His children Francis his successor of the age oâ— sixteene or seuenteene yeares Lewis Duke of Orleans who liued few moneths Charles Maximiâ—lian Edward Alexander afterwards named Henrâ—e the 3. and Hercules afterwards named Francis Elisabeth married to Philip King of Spaine Claude to Charles Duke of Lorraine Marguerite to Henry of Bourbon then King of Nauarre Iane and Victoire tâ—ins who dyed soone after their birth Hee was a religious Prince goodly of a milde disposition peaceable affable His disposition not greatly subiect to passions generous loâ—ing his seruants and men of merit but voluptuous and not able to discover in due tiâ—e the ambition and couetousnesse of such as possessing him made â—ale of lawes iustice offices and spiâ—ituall liuings emptied the subiects purses and nourished the warres which we haue before obserued namely since the breach of the truce finding such sweetenesse profit and honour in the managing of the Treasure and commanding of the Kings Armies in the voyage of Italie and especially in this last Lieutenancie generall in Picardie as hereafter wee shall see a young Prince raigne like a shadow and they being seized of the gouernment both of his person and of his realme shall dispossesse the chiefe officers of the Crowne keepe backe the Princes of the bloud the true and lawfull gouernours of the State the King being in his minoritie and to plot the meanes to raise their race to the royall throne 1559 FRANCIS the second the 60. King of France FRANCES THE .2 KING OF FRANCE 60. THis raigne is short but very memorable We behold a Theater whereon is acted a horrible tragedie a King yong of yeares and of iudgement gouerned by his mother and his wiues vnckles a a new forme of Court The Princes of the bloud haue no more credit and seeme to neglect both the publike and priuat interest The Courtiers stand at a gaze and for the most part stowpe to the stronger The Clergie shield themselues vnder those that kindle these fires in France The Nobilitie wearied with former toyles do yet wipe off the dâ—st and sweat from their armes The people diuided for matter of religion and oppressed with burthen of former warres desires to breath The Constâ—ble holds his place yet is he not so surely seated but they will displace him There are two factions in Court the Constable holdeth the one those of Guise the other The first was firme and sincere the last cunning Two factions in Couâ—t and plyable The Queene mother ioynes with the last The King of Nauarre might crosse them and therefore to be the better informed of his desseins she entertaines seruants and pensioners about him The Princes of the bloud the Constable the Marshals the Admirall and many other Noblemen prepared for the funerals of the deceased King when as the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine leading the King Alterations in Court his brethren and the Qâ—eenes to the Louâ—re begin a strange alteration a true patterne of the inconstancie of this world The Duchesse of Valentinois had quietly gouerned the deceased King and by her practices had caused Francis Oliuer a man of a singular reputation and Chancellor of France to bee dismissed At the first entrie shee is spoyled of her precious Iewels which testified the Kings loue vnto her to adorne the Queene that raignedâ— and by her disgrace leaues the place to Catherine to rule hereafter without Companion They take the seale from Cardinall Bertrand a â—eruant to the said Duchesse and to haue a Chancellor at their deuotion they restore Oliuer They giue the Cardinall of Lorraine the gouernment of the Treasure and of the affaires of State and to the Duke of
storme which threatned them flie to Nerac to the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé they present themselues and their meanes shewing them the wrongs done by them of Guise to the King and the Realme and beseech them to vndertake the deliuery of his maiestie and maintenance of the estate These two Princes had alreadie resolued to vse all their meanes to chase the tâ—o Lorrains from the gouernment of France This request confirmed them and euen then they sought out all Noblemen and gentlemen which by their armes and meanes might aduance this worke The Constable with the Vidame of Chartres and a great number of others promise to maintaine their iust quarrell against all men except the King the Queenes and his bretheren Their letters fall into the hands of them of Guise the Prince his Agent is imprisoned and the Vidame of Chartres shut into the Basâ—ill and shall not bee fâ—eed vntill the day before the Kings death and himselfe shall die within fewe dayes after An Assembly of Princes Noblemen Thus all things tend to an open warre The Queene Mother desired to see these two parties fight but not with the ruine of either side for the fall of any one of them had set her beside the sadle She therefore caused to bee propounded in Councell by the aduice of the Chancellor and Admirall whome as yet she did willingly heare That it was expedient to assemble all the Princes Noblemen of the Realme and men of authority to aduise of the meanes to pacifie the troubles growne principallie by reason of the persecutions for religion Those of Guise approue this desseine this was in shewe a pitfall to take the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé Moreouer they hoped to sâ—borne so many witnesses as all things should second their desires and so for that time should dissolue the conuocation of the Estats So the King sends forth his letters into all parts intreating them all to bee at Fontainebleau the twentieth fiue of August especially the King of Nauarre and to bring his brother and those Noblemen that were then with him The Guisiâ—ns also by their letters giue many good hopes and promises But we haue sayd they had in the beginning lodged spies in the King of Nauarres house By their meanes they woâ—ke so as the King of Nauarre stirres not and le ts slippe an oportunitie that he had to settâ—e a lawfull gouernment within the realme The Constable better resolued thinking the Princes would assist arriues with eight hundred horse and by this troupe makes the Lorrains to shewe him a good countenance At the opening of the assemblie the Admirall presents a petition to the King for the Protestants who required to haue Temples graunted them and free exercise of religion throughout the whole Realme There-vpon Charles of Marillac Archbishop of Vienne shewed with such libertie of speech the necessitie to assemble a nationall Councell to remedie these controuersies growne for religion and a Parliament to order the gouernment of France as hee suruiued but fewe dayes after his oration The Amirall toucht the cause of religion and state more vehemently taxing by inuectiue such as giuing the King gards vpon gards entertayned him in distrust of his subiects and his subiects in hatred of their owne King As they had made shewe to like of this assemblie so they seemed to allowe of a Parliament They appoint it first at Meaux and afterward at Orleans the x. of December and the Sinode for the Clergie at Paris the twentieth of Ianuary folowing to determine of what should bee expedient to bee treated of in a generall councell whereof they gaue them hope But as they had vnderhand withdrawne the Princes from comming to this Assemblie so must they make them vnwilling to bee present at the Parliament To this intent those of Guise in the Kings name command the companies of ordinary souldiars to be readie the 20. of September they lodge them in such sort as those whome they suspected had them in front in flanke and behinde them and spies likewise to discouer them and they giue charge to the commanders to cutte all them in peeces that they should finde marching to ioyne with the Princes If their forces were not sufficient to diuert the Prince of Condé whom they knew to bee more busie and to endure lesse they doe also procure Letters from the King to the King of Nauarre whereby hee doth charge the Prince to haue attempted against the estate of France and to haue sought to seize vpon some of the good Townes of the realme Hee desires him therefore to send him his brother with a good and sure garde if not hee himselfe will fetch him well accompanied The answer of Anthonie and Lewis incountring the Lorraines with their owne armes holding them guiltie of the same crimes wherewith they charged them made them to change their note They send a second commandement Policie to abuse the Princes whereby the King giues his word to the Princes to come in safetie hee promiseth to heare all mens admonitions and iustifications willingly to receiue them according to their estates and dignities not to disturbe any Prince in his religion whereof hee now made open profession and that they should returne when they pleased free from iniurie and outrage And to draw them on the Cardinall of Bourbon a Prince not well able to discouer the deceites of the enemies of his house is expresly sent vnto them They marche and are no sooner come to Limoges but seuen or eight hundred Gentlemen well appointed do visit them The Deputies of Prouinces offer them six thousand foot Gascons and Poiteuins foure thousand horse and foote out of Languedoc as many or more out of Normandie and the other Prouinces promise to rise on all sides to fortifie them at this assemblie of States so as it will please the King of Nauarre to declare himselfe Protector of the King and Realme against them of Guise But the Cardinall of Armagnac Escars â—arnac and some other Councellors of the same mould bad seruants to their maister propounded so many dangers so many inconueniences vpon their comming to Court with force and why should they not resist their enemies force as hee sent back all his companie and countermanded such as came promising notwithstanding to imploy himselfe couragiously in the Parliament for the good of all France Heâ—evpon they giue the King to vnderstand that the Lutherans of Orleans practised something to subuert his estate as they had of late attempted at Lions The King câ—mes to Oâ—leans To assure themselues of the Towne and to punish some which were noted in the booke of death whose confiscation was good the Guisiens first send Sipiere Lieutenant to the Prince of Roche-sur-yon gouernour of Orleans to disarme the people and to fill the houses suspected with men of war they call together the nobilitie men at armes of France then they conduct the King thether to make his entry with the
King without consideration of the priuate interest he hath in this 〈◊〉 reuolt hath made a peace with his enemies and hath armed them with his owne forces and authority against his estate his bloud and himselfe He laies open by a pâ—blike declaration the causes which mooued the League to take armes the vanity o◠〈◊〉 pretexts the fâ—â—rts which all France may expect by the treaty of Nemours and theâ— with the Prince of Condé his Cousin the Marshall d' Anuille hereafter Dâ—ke of Montmoâ—â—ncy by the death of his eldest brother and in the following raigne Constable of France and other Noblemen gentlemen Prouinces Townes and Commonalties of both religions hee protestes by a lawfull and necessarie defence to maintaine the fâ—ndamentall lawes of families and the Estate and libertie of the King and the Queene his mother Sixtus th◠〈◊〉 excoâ—munâ—â—cates the king oâ— Nuaâ—re aâ—d Prince oâ— Condé Was it not sufficient for these Princes to haue the King and League against them but they must bee charged â—ith a â—ewe assâ—ult from beyond the mountaines Sixtus the 〈◊〉 a more violent man then his Predecessor castes or this ligâ—tning against theâ—e two Henryes King of Nauarre and 〈…〉 Condé he excomunicates them degradeâ— them and their successors from all 〈◊〉 namely their pretensions to the Crowne of France exposeth their Countries and persons in prey to the first that should 〈◊〉 on them The Popes Bull declared voide and of no force The Court of Parliament findes this act to bee rashe insolent 〈◊〉 and farre from the modestie of former Popes and saies â—nto the King That 〈…〉 finde nothing like to the Apostles successor The Reâ—isters of the 〈…〉 did not teach theÌ„ That the Princes of France were 〈◊〉 to seeke 〈◊〉 at Rome or 〈◊〉 subiects did euer take knowledge of then Princes religion Seeing the◠〈◊〉 â—ew Pope in steed of instruction studies nothing but destruction and that he changeâ—◠〈…〉 into a fearefull fire-brand to ruine those vtterly whome he should 〈◊〉 vnâ—o the Church the Court could not admit this Bull so pernicious for alâ— Christendome and derogating from the souerainty of the Crowne of France The Princes likeâ—ise prâ—test against the said Bull and appeale from it as abusiue and scandalous â—nto the next free and lawfull Councell where they will prooue said they that Sixtus the 〈◊〉 calling himselfe Pope terming them heretikes hath falsely and wiâ—kedly â—â—ed This opposition was set vp in Rome the sixt of Nouember Open warâ—e Thus the Parliament grewe resolute against this Bull but it yeelded easily in other matters which did but impaire the affaires For the fifteenth of October they allowed of the Kings declaration which imposed confiscation of bodie and goods against such as without the warrant of the Catholike Princes had opposed their forces against the League and reuoked the tenne of sixe monethes graunted by the Edict of Iuly to fifteene daies after the saied declaration To crosse this Edict the King of Nauarre by a declaration of the last of Nouember dâ—th seize and giues commissions to sell all the fâ—uites rents reuenâ—es mouables debtes and all other profits whatsoeuer of the Inhabitanâ—es of Townes where the Edict of Iuly touching the sixe monethes and of October touching the abbreuiation to fifteene daies had beene receiued published and executed and likewise of gentlemen and others carrying armes with the Leaguers and their adherents as also of the Clergie resident in the saied Townes or 〈◊〉 for their partie and to leat out their Landes to them that would giue most His wordes and deedes were all one for presently his people lay their handes to worke Saint Mesmes keepes the Marshall Matignon in breath Laual chargeth him in Xaintonge and raiseth the seege of Taillebourg where the Ladies of Tremoâ—â—lle the mother and daughter were beseeged The Vicont of Turrenne ouerruns Liâ—â—siâ— and for a gage of his inroades takes the Bishoprick of Thules The Duke of Mercoeur on the other side thinkes with two thousand men to doe wonders in Poictou but there must bee a proportion betwixt him that forceth and him that hee meanes to force Else hee that furiously or rashly thinketh to daunt another and insult ouer his possessions may soone loose both his courage and what he possessed The Prince of Condé makes head against him and not onely driues him from â—ontenay but also makes him for his better safetie retire farre into Brittanie with losse and disgrace Being freed from this incombrance hee beseegeth Brouage and had alreadie brought it to that necessitie as the most resolute were readie to yeeld when as newes came vnto him that three Captaines du-Halot seruant to the King le Fresne enemie to the Earle of Brissaâ— Gouernour of Anger 's and Roâ—hemorte The voyage of Anger 's a partisan to the King of Nauarre had seized on the Castell of Anger 's one of the strongest places of the Realme garded by a Captaine and twelue souldiars The enterprise was well made well executed but not so well poursued for du Hallot came too soone into the Towne protesting that hee had taken the Castle for the Kings seruice They detayne him prisoner and belegat the Castle whether the whole Countrie comes At night they demaund to parle with Fresné Hee as ill aduised as the first comes forth vppon a little bridge A hargubusier makes an offer to shoot at him whereuppon hee offers to returne but Rochemorte with his companie fearing to bee forced by the multitude that came running drawes vp the bridge Le Fresné hanges by the chaines to pull it downe but the Townsmen cut off his hands and hee falls into the ditch where hee was slaine by a stagge they kept there du Halot was presently executed within the Towne These two being dead they demaund of Rochemorte for whome hee holds For the King of Nauarre sayd hee Hereuppon they cast up a trench against the Castell attending the Duke of Ioyeuse the Kings brother in law During these broyles and troubles Rochemorte slumbring one day in one of the windowes of the Castle was there slaine with a harguebuse shott The Prince aduertised of the surprise of the Castell and of Rochemorts answere but not of that which happened since leaues Brouage and to oppose sufficient forces against the League hee marcheth with about eight hundred masters and twelue hundred harguebusiers on horsebacke passeth Loire at Roisiers betwixt Saumur and Anger 's chargeth home to the suburbes forceth some barricadoes and spends a whole day in skirmishes but hee heares no newes from the Castle neither for the alarume in the Towne nor the noyse of his troupes No man appeares no answeare no signe is made the Actors were buried in their enterprise and sixteene souldiars remayning had alreadie capitulated The Castel of Anger 's yelded Doubtlesse too much courage and too little consideration a dangerous ouersight in any great commaunder in the warre where too much headstrongnesse is no lesse perillous then faint-heartednesse had ingaged
the Dâ—ke kept the Castell the Citadell was at his deuotion might by either of them drawe innecessary succors to vngage him The Seigneur of Tagens the Dukes Cousin aduanced with succors Bordes Captaine of the Citadell beeing prisoner among the conspirators loued the liberty of his place more then his owne life Mere Messeliere Macquerole and Bouchaux summoning the beseeged found nothing in them but a constant resolution to die rather then to yeeld and the people were willing to capitulate when as Tagens by his arriuall pacified the sedition armes were laied aside and the prisoners of both parts deliuered The Duke of Guise hauing made his peace with the King and disapointed his most faithfull Councellors yet one thorne troubled his foote The Huguenoâ—s Estate Hee therefore ceaseth not vntill hee sees them assayled in Poitoâ— and Daulphiné and whilest the Duke of Neuers prepared his armie for Poictou hee sends the regiment of Saint Paul to the Dâ—ke of Mercoeur to annoye the Protestants and not to suffer them to reape any commoditie in the Countâ—ie The Duke of Mercoeur goes into base Poictou beseegeth Montagu repaired by Colombâ—ers whome they of Nantes had hourely at their gates But at the first bruit that the King of Nauarre was come out of Rochelle to succour Montague hee retires straight to Nantes and left the regiment of Gersey to make the retreat Gersey defeated the which â—as ouertaken beaten and defeated two leagues from the suburbs of Nantes On the other side the Duke of Mayenne marched towards Daulphiné but hee planted the limits of his voiage in Lions Now are two mightie armies in field the one vnder the Kings authoritie the other all of Leaguers But this is not enough The King by a solemne oth in the Cathedrall Church at Rouan had sworne the execution of the Edâ—ct of vnion he hath sent it vnto the Bishops and commaunds them to presse the Huguenots in their diocesses to make profession of their faith and to abiure their errors in open Parliaments royall iurisdictions and comonalties This Edict then must bee confirmed as a fundamentall law of State and the King prest to assemble the three Estates of the Realme as hee had promised by tâ—e articles of the peace Henry grants a conuocation the first day of September at Blois Conuocation of the Estates there in the presence of the notablest persons of euery Prouince Seneshalâ—y and Baylewike to propound freely the complaints and greefes of euery man but not medling with any practises or fauouring the priuate passions of any But amidest these Commissions from the King the League wanted no policie to send secretly to them that were most affectionate to the aduancement of their desseins and to the most passionate Leaguers of the Realme articles and remembrances which they should put into their instructions and labour to bee chosen of the Parliament So as in a manner all the Deputies carried the badge of the League and their instructions were conformable to those which had beene sent vnto them The King comes first to Blois hee giues order for the place and for the Deputies lodgings The Duke of Guise followes but it was a great indiscretion for the Duke to goe to Blois seing the King would not come to Paris The Deputies come one after another but the King finding not the number sufficient to begin so sollemne an act he defers it vntill October In the meane time the King studies by the credit which his authoritie giues him oâ—er the three estates of his Realme to bring the Duke of Guise into open vewe and to receiue punishment for all his offences past And the Duke assâ—â—es himselfe that the most part of the Deputies would countenance his cause and would serue him as instruments to controll the Kings power So euery one labours to aduance his desseine and to deceiue one another but hee which shall bee deceiued will verifie that there is danger in delayes The sixteenth of October all the Deputies were readie for the Clergie a hundred thirtie and foure Deputies amongst others foure Arche-Bishops one and twentie Bishops and two Generalls of Orders for the Nobilitie a hundred and fourescore gentlemen for the third estate a hundred fourescore and eleuen Deputies all lawyers or marchants The seuenteenth day being the fiâ—st sitting of the best wits of all France rauished euery man with hope to heare rare propositions The Kinâ—â— speech and resolutions of great affaires for the reformation of the State The Kings oration being full of liuely affection true magnanimitie and pertinent reasons deliuered with an admirable eloquence and grace without any stay will testifie for euer that he exceeded all the Princes of his age in speaking well and that hee could grauely pertineâ—â—â—y and very sodenly make answere to the most important occasions that were offered Montelon keeper of the seale continued his proposition commended the zeale and integritie of his maiesties intentions promised the Estates Mantelon keâ—per of the seale that vnder his happie coÌ„maund they should reape in this conuocation the same effects which had bin tried in diuers raigâ—es hee exhorteth the Clergie to restore the beautie and dignitie of the Church The Nobilitie to frame themselues after the mould of pietie bountie Iustice and other vertues of the French nation so much honoured in all histories The people to reuerence Iustice and to obserue good orders to flie wrangling sutes sweariâ—â— blâ—â—phemies play lust vsurie vniust getting corrupt trading and other vices which be 〈◊〉 seeds of troubles and seditions and the ruine of flourishing Estates He layes open the Kings great debts his charge and care to roote out heresies his religion pietie and deuotion ending his speech with a commendation vnder the Kings obedience of the vnion and concord necessarie for the maintenance of religion The Clergie Renauld of Beaulne Arche-Bishop of Bourges Patriarke and Primat of Aquitania thanked the King for his loue to his subiects and God to haue installed on the throne of this Crowne a King endued from his youth with the spirit of wisedome to gouerne his people who had cast the lightning of the high God euen vpon the face of the enemies of his diuine Maiestâ—e hauing by diuers and dangerous voyages through diuers nations gotten the knowledge of affaires who by his onely wisedome and vertue had lately dispersed a great and mightie armie of strangers and giuen vs hope that vnder so good and great a King wee shall see heresie suppressed peace confirmed the seruice of God established Churches and Temples restored Iustice and peace embraced charitie abound among men by vnitie of religion begin here on earth to raigne with Christ the Idea and patterne of that heauenly kingdome whereunto wee aspire The Baron of Senesei testified the Nobilities affection to the Kings seruice confessing that to him alone belongs to worke those good effects The Nobilitie for the establishment of the honour of God the Catholike religion things profitable for
the priuileges of the Towne In the same moneth the inhabitants of Troyes expelled the Prince of Ioinuille and recalled the Lord of Inteuille their ancient gouernour for the King In Champagne In Poâ—ctou Gasconiâ— The Townes and Prouinces contend who shall haue the honour to returne first to their due obedience from the which these popular furies had withdrawen them Sens Poitiers Agen Villeneufue Marmande and other Townes of Gasconie and in a manner all that had followed the dance of Orleans and Paris do now frame themselues to their tune And all this is done in few weekes The mâ—st factious of the partie did still feed the fire of rebellion in some Townes of Picardie Amiens and Beauuois wauered the Spaniard possessed Laon and La Fere places of importance in that Prouince and the Conâ— Chaâ—les of Mansfield had euen now besieged and taken Capelle a small Towne but strong in the Duchie of Thierasche The King being aduertised thereof went home to their Trenches to drawe them forth to fight but making no show to come forth to get that by force which he could not obtaine by reason hee besiegeth Laon defeates the succors at sundry times that come to the besieged kills aboue fifteene hundred of their men in sundry encounters and taking the Towne by composition in the end of August he ends by this act the furies of ciuill warres without hope of reuiuing and then returnes triumphing to Paris Chasteau Thierry before the siege and after the siege of Laon Amiens Beauuois and all the Townes in Picardie except Soissons and La Fere which the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniard held did shake off the Strangers yoake and tooke the oth of fealtie to the King Cambray did likewise acknowledge him and gaue his Mâ—iâ—stie such aduantage as his enemies remained without meanes to maintaine the warre and without hope to obtaine their peace The Duke of Mayenne in the meane time entertained all his friends and intelligences at Bruxelles but the supplyes of men and money which hee drew â—rom thence were not able to stay the course of the Kings prosperities Hee therefore retyred himselfe into Bourgongne to assure such places as were yet at his deuotion Contrarywise his neerest kinsmen retyring themselues left him almost alone to treat with the Spaniard The Duke of Nemours made his accord at the Castle of Pierre-aâ—cise but being escaped the 26. of Iuly as we haue sayd death depriued â—im of the vse of his libertie as wee shall see hereafter The Duke of Guise did first testifie The Duke of Guise reconciled to the King that hee desired nothing more then the Kings seruice and drawing in the moneth of Nouember to his Maiesties seruice his bretheren with himselfe many Noblemen the Cittie of Reims and many other places it did greatly shake this monstrous building which was now ready to fall to ruine The sect of Iesuits had as chiefe pillars of the League mightily supported it vnto this day and by all meanes laboured to aduance the Spaniard in France Processe against the Iesuits renued they had spred throughout the whole realme the furious effects of the fire which they had kindled and continued in priuate confessions as lately in their Sermons to disgrace the memorie of the deceased King and the Maiestie of the King now raigning and to encrease it the principall of their Colledge and some others had lately approued countenanced and perswaded that execrable attempt of Peter Barriere The Vniuersitie of Paris grounding the renuing of theiâ— ancient Processe against the Iesuites vpon these considerations and motiues demand the rooting out of them Some great men and of the chiefe men of Iustice sue for them the Cardinall of Bourbon supports them The Duke of Neuers makes their cause his owne The respect of their learning and care and diligence to instruct and teach youth did moue them and a very vrgent cause must drawe the Court of Parliament whose authoritie notwithstanding they did contemne and reiect to pronounce and declare this great decree the which an accursed and detestable attempt by one of their owne disciples did in the end extort 1554. They procured that the cause might bee pleaded secretly for 〈◊〉 said their Aduocate to defend my Clyents I shall bee forced to speake some things offensiue to many which haue lately turned to the Kings seruice But their pleaâ—ings are to be read in Arnault against them and Versoris for them both graue and learned aduocates By the reduction of so many Prouinces Townes Comonalties and priuate Noblemen the League shall bee now confined into some corners of Bourgongne Picardie and Brittanie where the Spaniards to haue alwaies footing within the Realme entertayned the hopes of the Duke of Mayenne and Mercoeur The first began to fall from them but the other grounded vpon some vaine pretentions of the Duchie where he gouerned by reason of his wife hoped to preuaile if not of all yet at the least of a good part The Queene Dowager his Sister laboured to make his peace but hee delayed the time knowing that in his greatest extremity he should finde grace with the King The Spaniard being brought into Blauet by his meanes a fort which the situation of the country had made almost impregnable if as they had built a fort neere vnto Croisae to shut vp the entrie of the port at Brest they had also made an other right agaiâ—st it on the other banke hoped that being chased out of the other Prouinces he should yet hold this as a pawne for the money he had disbursed His Maiestie sent the Marshall D'Aumont Warre in Brittanie and Generall Norrice an English man to encounter him who fortified with a Fleete vnder the command of Captaine Frobisher they became maisters of Quimpercorentin and Morlay and then they forced the new fort at Croisae and slue but with the losse of men and of the sayd Frobisher foure hundred Souldiars to whom the gard was committed France grew quiet yet must they imploy the Souldiars and carry the warre into the Spaniards country It seemed this would free the realme but sildome doth it bring forth the effects that are expected In Luxembouâ—g Yet for a triall the King agrees with the Estates of Holland and their confederates to inuade the Duchie of Luxembourg with their common forces The Duke of Bouillon now Marshall of France and the Cont Nassau seeke to enter in October but they finde the passages stopt and the Cont Charles Mansfield before them who by the defeat of the Hollanders troupes made this attempt fruitlesse On the other side the King seekes to keepe the frontiers of Picardie safe from the Spanish forces and threatned Arthois and Henault That if they fauoured the forces of Spaine which molested Cambray and the Countries there about he would make violent watre against them The Estates of those Prouinces make no answer to these threates framing their excuse that they could draw no direct answer
settle concord and to disperse all the miseries which Discord doth bring forth Some haue complained that I would make leuies of Suisses or of other troopes If I did they must thinke it were to some good end by reason of all my actions past Witnesse that which I haue done for the recouerie of Amiens where I haue imployed the money of the Edicts which you would not haue passed Necessâ—â—ie the first reason and essentiall cause of the â—dict if I had not come my selfe vnto the Parliament Necessitie hath foâ—ced mee to make this Edict by the same Necessitie I haue heretofore plaied the Souldiar They haue talked at their pleasures and I haue not seemed to regarde it I am now a King and speake as a King I will bee obeyed There is not any one of you that findes mee not good when hee hath need of me And there is not any one but hath need once in the yeare and yet you are bad to mee that am so good If other Parliaments for that they haue impugned my will haue beene the cause that they of the Religion haue demanded New things I would not haue you the cause of other innouations by your refusall In the yeare 1594. and 95. when I sent vnto you a Declaration vpon the Edict for the prouision of Offices I did then promise that I would not aduance any one of the Religion to Offices in the Court of Parliament Since time hath altered the affaires wee must accomodate our selues therevnto and yet I will bee well assured of such as I shall aduance to those Charges that they shall gouerne themselues as they ought Talke not so much of the Catholike Religion To all these great cryers Catholickes and Ecclesiastickes 400. pound Staâ—lâ—ng let mee giue to one a thousand Crownes a yeare in Benefices to another foure thousand Liueries of Rent they will not speake a word more I haue the same opinion of all others that shall speake against the Edict There are some which hate the sinne for feare of punishment but the good hate it for the loue of Vertue For Gods sake let mee know that you hate sinne for the loue of Vertue or else I will chastice them that hate it for feare of paine and afterwards they will thanke mee as the Sonne doth his Father The Preachers deliuer words in their Sermons more to nourish then to destroy sedition yet no one of you sayeth any thing these faults which concerne â—ee are not regarded But I will foresee that this Thunder shall bring no Storme and that their predictions shall proue vaine I will not vse their remedies which being out of season will but increase the euill Consider that the Edict whereof I speake is the deceased Kings Edict it is also mine for it was made with mee and I do now confirme it I will say no more but aduise you to imitate the example of the obedience of the Duke of Maine Being perswaded to enter into some factions against my will hee answered that hee was too much bound vnto mee and so were all my subiects amongst the which hee would bee alwayes one that should expose his life to please mee for that I had restored France in despight of them that sought to ruine it And if hee that was the head of the League hath spoken in this manner how much more ought you whome I haue restored to the place from whence the League had expelled you yeeld vnto my request that which you would not do for threats You shall haue none of mee do that which I commaund you or rather what I intreat you you shall not do it onely for mee but for your selues and for the good of the peace This speech was pleasing vnto the Parliament the difficulties which were found in the establishment of the Edict were held tollerable by reason of the Kings will and the necessitie of his affaires Yet they continued fortie dayes after before they would resolue of it The Duchesse of Barr the Kings sister would not depart out of Paris before it was established Shee had shewed her selfe burning in zeale and affection in that matter as in all other affaires of that nature and it was not without reason that after the Kings entrie into Paris when as the Deputies of the Churches of Poitou beseeched his Maiestie for some thing depending vppon the execution of his Edicts hee sayd vnto them Adresse your selues vnto my Sister The Kingâ— Sister pursues the establishment of the Edict your Estate is now fallen vnto the Distaffe The articles of the Edict you may reade at large in the Originals The Edict was sent by the care and diligence of the Kings Atturney general vnto al the Baylewikes depending vppon Paris And yet his Maiestie had deputed in euerie Prouince certaine Commissioners for the execution thereof The exercise of the Catholike Religion was restored in Rochelle and in aboue a hundred walled Townes and a thousand Parishes and Monasteries where the sayd exercise had beene interdicted aboue fifteene yeares and in Bearn for the space of one and thirtie yeares Whilest this Edict of pacification was established in France Cardinall Andrew for and in the name of the Archduchesse the Infanta made one against the Hollanders forbidding all her subiects to trafficke with them The tenor of which Proclamation was this That since the beginning of the Ciuill warres vnto this day The Infanâ—taes Proclamaâ—iongainst the States of the vnited Prouinces many offers had beene made by her and her Councell to them of Holland and their Associats which were most reasonable to reduce them to the dutie of their obedience whereas they had rashly shaken off the yoake and refused to vnite themselues to the other Belgicke Prouinces which did acknowledge and obey her but seeing they could not preuaile by that meanes they were forced to come to armes in the which notwithstanding the King her deceased father had vsed all clemencie and mildnes hoping they would acknowledge their error and craue pardon for their reuolt receiue the grace which hath beene often offered them That for this cause he had granted them their nauigations fishing and free traâ—ficke with his obedient subiects fearing that through this occasion the neighbours shouâ—d draw the profit of all negotiations to some other parts the which the Hollanders know well that the sayd neighbours haue laboured to do with all their power But they were so far from being reclaymed by these benefits as contrariwise they grew more insoleÌ„t and are growne obstinate resoluing in their Councels to resist the Peace and to continue the War the which proceeds not from the people who of their owne dispositions loue peace and desire to liue modestly in obedience but from some new men who taking vppon them the authoritie to commaund abuse the poore people in this sort regarding onely their owne priuat profit and not the publike good whereuppon all conditions haue beene reiected by them refusing to heare any Mediators for
is in Hungary in the midest of many discomodities which he holds pleasing for Gods cause but before he goes he giues them occasion to talke of him in the Court of Parliament He had a cause pleaded there and his Aduocate gaue him the quality of a Prince Seruin the Kings Aduocate holding it a base preuarication to be silent at that which ought to be spoken for the Kings seruice and the Lawe of State did shew that that quality did not belong to any but to Princes of the bloud The Duchesse of Mercure who was then in presence sayd that they could not take from her Husband a quality that was due vnto him by the right of his birth and that the King held him so The Duke Mercure holding that which the Kings Aduocate had sayd in discharge of his duty for a brauado and a contempt went the same day vnto his house and gaue him iniurious words The King being aduertised thereof held it a bold act The Court esteemed the iniury done vnto them desired the more to repaire it for that the honor of the Kings seruice was wronged and that it had bin done in sight of the ParliameÌ„t of the Capital Citty of the Realme in his house that was wronged the which should be to euery man an inuiolable Sanctuary The Court decreed that he should be personally adiorned and had proceeded further if the Kings commandement had not stayd them It was a great vertue in the President Lizet when he decreed that the quality of Prince which the Cardinall of Lorraine tooke should be raized out of his Aduocates pleadings The Cardinall complayned vnto the King but the President Lizet answered with sutch Courage and Constancy before the King beeing in Councell that the Cardinall was no Prince nor equall to Princes if you will sayeth he vse it shew vs the place of your Principality A free speech which purchased the old man much reputatioÌ„ In the yeâ—re 1598. yet within two yeares after he made him resigne his place vnder an other pretext There was no Nobleman in France that vsed the benefit of the Peace more worthily theÌ„ the Duke Mercure for disdayning the idlenesse of the Court and the ease of his house hee imployed himselfe to succor the Christians against the greatest enemy of their Religion He leads with him the Count of Chaligny his brother with some gentlemen at his owne charge resoluing to imploy his Goods as well as his Life in this holy warre hauing vowed to serue Christendome two yeares at his owne charge Hee shewed himselfe a great Captaine as well to defend as to assaile hauing kept the enemy with an army of a hundred and fifty thousand men from beseeging of Strigonia this was in his first voiage before whose returne the Emperour desired to see him What pâ—st in Hungary and intreated him to take his way by Prague After the raysing of the seege of Buda or Belgrade the Christian army was dismissed sent to Garâ—isons Buda receiued a new Bascha The Knights of Comorre at the beginning had defeated part of the troupes which were come to coÌ„duct accoÌ„pany the Bascha they spoiled a Ship being laden with spoile they returned to their coÌ„panions The Turke sent fiue Shippes to Buda and changed aâ— the Estate and one of the Baschas which had beene there during the seege who had bene of opinion to yeeld the place was punished It was thought the Bascha of Agria would haue giuen some notable attempt hauing made great preparation for Warre in diuers places and prouided three hundred barrells of poulder Those of Sigeth on the other side hauing made Souldiars Coates of the Germaine fashion thought to surprize the Christians but they fayled being discouered The Tartares The Tartares demand a peace which adhere vnto the Turke by his commandement spoyled the Country vpon the riuer of Hipolis and fell vpon Peste Zolnâ—ek and Hattouan Townes subiect vnto the Turke who being tired with their courses and exhausted of money by the great warres hee had against the Persian hee resolued to demaund a Peace of the Emperour The Tartares came to make this demand at Vienna in the beginning of February who being adressed vnto the Arch-duke Mathias they had no answer The Tartares reuenge for being contemned The Tartares defeated by Palfi but returned as they came by reason of the spoile their men made this request was not reported vnto the Emperour nor vnto the Court at Prague In the meane time the Tartare made a furious reuenge hauing surprised the Citty of Tolice and put all to fire and sword they slue all within it that were of mans age and had done worse if the Lord of Palfi had not made head against them and slaine some among others three Captaines who choose rather to bee slaine then to yeeld except one Vallet who demanded his life and was saued They of Ratzen with all their men retired vnto the Mountaines to auoide the fury of the Tartares but they of Crabatzen resisted them brauely and tooke one of their Captaines Those of Vaxence vnto Buda defeated a great number being gone to freeboote neere to Palaner Meugrade and Zetschen but the rest of the Tartares hauing notice thereof burnt aboue thirty villages neere vnto Calon which had like to haue beene taken and Laomare also if it had not beene well manned but they durst not sally forth for that the enemy was aboue 12. thousand The Fort of Canisia was also burnt at that time whereas the soldiars and the Inhabitants lost all their baggage mouables About that time the garrison of Strigonia defeated a Conuoy tooke a great Booty Orsipetre the Gouernors Lieutenant got much welth and honor among other things he had a Gowne of cloath of Tissue of Gold and Siluer which was sent to the Bascha and knowing that the Fort of Wailes was fallen hee enters it and defeats the garrison with the Aga which is the Gouernor and deliuered them of Bischir The Heiducks which are horsemen led away 800. Sheepe which did greatly releeue Strigonia In the meane time there happened a great alteration in Transiluania the Vauoide Sigismond who had before accepted a recompence of the Emperour to deliuer Transiluania into his hands hauing gonne from his word What past in Transiluania hee prest the Emperour by the Bishop of Alba-Iulia and by Stephen Paschay his Chancellor to restore him Transiluania againe And without attending any answer he goes thether in post takes it againe and makes his Cousine Andrew Battâ—ry the Cardinall to sweare fealty vnto him the which he did also cause George Balte to approue being then at Cassouia in heigh Hungary Generall of the Emperours army who was therein surprized for hee gaue him to vnderstand that it was for the good of Christendome and in the meane time Cardinal Andrew treated with the Turke by safe conduct The Emperour sent Doctor Petzen thether but coÌ„ming to Thorne the Principall Towne
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
a list He that appreheÌ„ds death hath no desire to eate yet hee set him downe rose againe presently and according to his vsuall maner went vnto a window which looked into the Court of the Basâ—ille where hearing the cries and lamentations of a woman hee thought they were for him had this sad content to see they wept for him before his death Soone after the Chancellor goes towards him who crossing through the Court the Duke of Biron espied him cryed out that he was dead You come sayd he to pronounce my sentence I am condemned vniustly tell my kins-folkes that I die an innocent The Chancellor went on without any motion coÌ„manding that they should bring him into the Chappel The prisoner seeing him come a farre of cried out The Duke of Biâ—ons words to the Chancellor Oh my Lord Chancellor is there no pardon is there no mercy The Chancellor saluted him and puâ—ts on his hat The Duke of Biron continued bare and hauing abandoned all the powers of his Soule to greefe and passion hee tooke the aduantage to speake first and to speake all that a tounge ouer greeued might vtter reproching the Chancellor that hee had not had so great a desire to saue him as to condemne him After condemnation all discours is vaine Hee added thervnto certaine words the recording whereof is prohibited and the report punnishable But Princes regard not the rayling of subiects against their Maiesty the which returnes alwaies froÌ„ whence it came The Duke of Biron knowing not whom he should challenge most for his misfortune turned towards the Chancellor and shaking him by the arme sayd You haue iudged me God will absolue me Men condemned may speak any thing hee will lay open their Iniquities which haue shut their eyes because they would not see mine innocency you my Lord shall answere for this iniustice before him whether I do sommon you within a yeare and a day I go before by the iudgement of men but those that are the cause of my death shall come after by the iudgement of God All which was deliuered with such violence as hee cryed out and stormed both against the King and his Parliament They beare with all which proceeds from choller in a condemned man of his humor and quality But this excesse to adiorne a Chancellor to Heauen being 70. yeares old was held vnworthy the great courage of a Captaine blaspheming and brauing death and yet ignorant how they pleade in an other world He was not the first in the like extremities that haue adiourned their Iudges before the Throne of God Iohn Hus sayd in dying That those which had condemned him should answer a hundred yeares after before God and him and the Bohemians who preserued the Asshes of his bones and maintained his Doctrine coyned money with this adiournement But the Duke of Birons assignation was vaine for the Chancellor appeered not but hath bin more healthful since then before He found no means to enter into discours amidest the confusioÌ„ of so many words which were like vnto a violent streame Yet he interrupted him to tell him that he had need of Gods helpe that he should recommend himselfe vnto him He presently answered that hee had thought vpon God and implored his aide to giue him patience against their iniustice but neither he nor his Iudges had thought of it in condeÌ„ning him Passion transports the rounge Passion sayd the Chancellor makes you to speake many things without any colour and against your owne Iudgement There is not any man hath better knowne your merits then my selfe and I would to God your offences had bin as much vnknowne as they haue bin dissembled The knowledge thereofwas so great and so perfect as your Iudges haue bin more troubled howe to moderate your paine then to haue you punnished they haue more labored to iustefie you then to condemne you Whilest the Chancellor was speaking the Duke of Biron turned towards Roissy Master of Requests asked him if he had also bin one of his Iudges Roissy answered My Lord I pray God to comfort you My father loued you so intirely replied the Duke of â—iroÌ„ that although you were one of them that had coÌ„demned me I would forgiue you And so returning to his discourse he addresâ— himselfe vnto the Chancellor who was saying some-thing vnto Voisin I see well sayd he what it is I am not the most wicked but I am the most vnfortunate Those which haue done worse then I would haue done are â—auored The Kings clemency is dead for me Hee doth not immitate the examples of Caesar nor Augustus or of those great Princes who not only pardoned them that would haue done ill but euen them that did ill who were euer sparing of their bloud yea of that which was least esteemed wherin can the King shew himself greater theÌ„ in pardoning Clemency is a Kingly vertue Euery one may giue death Clemency a royall vertue but it belongs onely to Soueraigns to giue life And cruell that he is doth he not knowe well that he hath pardoned me I had a bad desseigne he granted me grace I demand it againe you may easily aduertise him a â—â—st wil soone returne The Queene of England told me that if the Earle of Essâ—x would haue humbled himselfe and sued for grace shee would haue pardoned him Hee grewe obstinate and would neuer implore her mercy taking from her all meanes to shew the effects She like a generous Princesse desiryng to pardon him euen as she would that God should pardon her He was guilty I am innocent he sued for no pardon for his offence I craue it in mine Inoceney Is it possible the King should thinke no more of the seruices I haue done him doth hee not remember the conspiracy at Mantes and the danger hee had runne if I had had intelligence with the Conspirators who found nothing that did hinder the effects of their desseigne then my loyaltie nor a more ready meanes to attayne vnto it then in causing me to be slaine The Duâ—â— oâ— Birons repâ—ochâ—s There is no veine in my bodie which hath not bled for his seruice He shewes that he neuer loued me any longer then he thought himselfe to haue neede of me Hâ—th he forgotten the â—eege of Amiens where they haue seene me so often couered with fire and bullets and to be in so many dangers eyther to giue oâ— to receiue death Hee now quentcheth the torch in my bloud after that he hath vsed it My Father exposed himselfe to a thousand dangers and purchased death to â—et the Crowne vpon his head I haue receiued fiue and thirty wounds vpon my body to preserue it for him and for my reward hee takes my Head from my Shoulders Let him beware least the Iâ—stice of God fall vpon him He shall finde what profit my death will bring him it will nothing assure his affaires but impaire the reputation of his Iustice. Hee
kills her son She therefore giues him a morsell mixte with a languishing poyson which caused him to consume of a bloudy flixe that as he had sâ—ilt the bloud of others so hee might die in bloud and that the same wretched counsell which had bin the sepulchre of his brother should likewise be his owne for a memorable example to posterity that God suffreth nothing vnpunished and doth often punish the wicked by themselues and by their owne practises Such was the tragicke ende of the troublesome life of Thierri But what shall become of Brunehault The Iustice of God goes slowly but he recompenceth the slownes with the grieuousnesse of the punishement Let vs then heare the continuance of our history Brunehault carries a good countenance after the death of Thierri She makes him a stately funerall like a â—ourney and of foure bastard sonnes which Thierri had left she chooseth him that pleaseth her best to install him King in his fathers place and in the meane time she continewes the gouernment of the reaâ—me and calles herselfe Regent To conclude she doth promise vnto herselfe in all her courses farre better successe then Fredegonde presuming that she exceeded her in iudgement and experience no man remayning to controule her actions but her discourses were vaine imaginations and her foolish hopes the snares of her owne ruine The Nobility of Bourgongne infinitely grieued with the horrible wickednes of this womaÌ„ resolute not to endure the new tiranny which she practâ—sed had recourse vnto Clotaire as to their true and lawful Lord. Brunehault playes the resolute she prepares to war sendes diuerse Ambassadors into Germanie the chiefe was Varnare Mayre of the Pallace of Austrasia a man of great authority both at home and with strangers Hauing sent him for succors to some Princes of Germany shee growes iealous of him without cause and sends a trustie seruant of hers named Albon to finde meanes to kill him Albon hauing read those deadly letters teares them but vnawares he lets fall the peeces of this letter the which are gathered vp and caried to Varnare who vpon this new accident takes a new aduise He resolues to crosse the practises of this murtheresse so well knowne and hatefull to all men who likewise would make away her best seruants who had beene too faithfull vnto her in the execution of her wicked desseines Varnare doth treate so politikely in Germany as hee with-drawes their hearts and forces from Brunehault and winnes them vnto Clotaire This Counterbattery thus made hee returnes into Bourgongne His returne bred an vnexpected change for she who had alwaies deceiued was deceiued in the end fell into the pittefall Varnare did not seeme to knowe what she had desseined whereby hee had meanes to countermine all Brunehaults policies with so wise a dissimulation by his great authority as he gaines all the chiefe men for Clotaire deliuers into his hands the children aforesaide pretended to be heires and by this means giues him an easie victory ouer Brunehaults troupes who yeelding vnto Clotaire deliuer vp this wicked woman the cause of all their miseryes So at length the Wolfe is taken vnawares Clotaire a victor was receiued by common consent of the Austrasiâ—ns and Bourguignons and by that meanes beeing absolute maister of that great inheritance of Clouis his grand-father beganne his reigne by a worthy act of memorable Iustice. Hauing in his power the chiefe motiue of all these mischiefes hee caused Brunehaults processe to be made by the greatest personages he could choose in all his dominions that in so notable an assembly the sentence might be irreprochable By their censures Brunehault was found culpable of infinite and horrible crimes and was condemned to die by a terrible and extraordinary punishement for she was tied to the tayle of a wild maâ—e and drawne through a stony and rough Country Brunehault put to a horrible death so as being torne into diuerse peeces she died at diuerse times most iustly as shee had cruelly caused many others to die A notable example to shewe that the greatest cannot auoid the soueraigne Iustice of God who punisheth in this world when it pleaseth him when he spareth them it is a signe that hee reserues the punishment to his last Iudgement 610 Thus died Brunehault onely commended in histories to haue built many temples giuen great reuenues for the mainteynance therof whilest that she wallowed in her pleasures Saint Gregorie hath set downe certaine letters of his to Brunehault wherein hee commends her highly for her piety and singular wisdome Clotaire seeing himselfe King of so great a monarchy after a long and horrible confusion of intestine warres imployed all his eare to pacifie the realme leauing notable examples to princes to cure the wounds of an Estate after ciuill warres by mildenes Hee doth publiquely proclaime pardon of all iniuries both generall and particular to abolish the memory to come making his example a lawe of perpetuall forgetfullnesse This moderation Mildnes a 〈◊〉 remedie to cuâ—e a decayed estate more victorious then any great and seuere chasticement wonne him the loue and obedience of his subiects and confirmed a true and no counterfiet concorde amongest the subiects themselues He gouerned them after their owne humours vsing his authority with mildenes And for that they had liued in the Court of Kings from whome they receiued aduancements and honours the which they could not do by their annuall offices as then the gouernments were hee erected perpetuall magistrates with such authority as it might well bee termed the true patterne of a royaltie The greatnes of the seruant is a blemish to the Master He then augmented the great authority of the Maires of the Palace who controlled Kings and in the end vsurped the royaltie whereas before they were but controllers of the Kings house and not of the realme A notable president for Princes in the settling of an estate not so to communicate their authority to their seruants whome they desire to gratifie as they may haue meanes to become maisters Clotaire layed the first stone in the chaunge which shall happen to his posterity He had one onely sonne whose name was Dagobert It was his greatest care to haue him well instructed committing him to Arnoul Bishop of Metz a learned man and of a good life and likewise to Sadragesille his gouernour But Dagobert discouered euen then his bad disposition intreating his gouernor Sadragesille vnworthily Wherewith Clotaire the King was wonderfully mooued against his sonne who shewed afterwards that this was but a preparatiue to that he would attempt against his owne father forceing him in his life time to giue him the realme of Austrasia for his portion This kinde of rebellion was the fruite of Clotaires too great lenity as also priuate quarells which bred great disorders in the Court. Thus wee see there is nothing absolutely perfect in this world Clotaire dies in the yeare of Chrst 631. hauing gouerned 44. yeares from
whence the name of Austrich is properly deriued being then of a greater command then at this day for it conteined Hongarie Valachia Bohemia Transiluania Denmarke and Poland Then was our Monarchie great but all these nations haue either returned to their first beginnings or were seized on by new Lords It was very needful to shew the estate that we might obserue the declyning thereof with the motiues and seasons of these diuerse changes Thus the French Monarchie grew great by the happie valour of Charlemagne and his children grew in age and knowledge by the wise care of their father who framed them to affaires meaning first to make them succeed him in his vertues and then after in his dominions But man purposeth and God disposeth France Italie Germanie Spaine Hongarie made the Romaine Empire in the West Charles being master of these goodly Prouinces was in effect Emperour therof There wanted nothing but the sollemne declaration of this dignitie to haue the title as he inioyed the thing and to be autentically inuested by a free and publike declaration of his possession The prouideÌ„ce of God who gaue him the thing procured him the title by this means Leo was the Pope of Rome against whome was raised a strange sedition by Siluester and Campull 798 men of great credit in the Court of Rome Vpon a sollemne day of procession they seize vpon Leâ— The occasion why Chaâ—â—emagne was proclaymed Emperour before Saint Laurence Church they strip him of his Pontificall roabes cast him to the ground tread him vnder their feete bruse his â—ace with their fistes and hauing drawne him ignominiously through the dirt they cast him into pryson but he stayed not there being freed by a grome of his Chamber called Albin and hauing recouered Saint Peters Church hee intreated Vingise Duke of Spolete to free him from this miserable Captiuity Vingise fayled him not hee came to Rome and carried him to Spolete Being arriued there hee presently went into France to Charlemagne whome he found full of troubles yet Charles neglected all other affaires to assist Leo in his necessity So as hee came to Rome with a goodly army to succor the Pope where hee did speedily pacifie the confusions where-with Rome was afflicted punishing Leoes enemies according to Lawe They demanded audience the which Charles graunted them assembling the Clergie and people to heare and decide this scandalous controuersie But when as hee demanded their opinions the Prelates told him plainely that the Church of Rome could not be iudged by any other then by it selfe and that the Pope ought not to vndergo the censure of any man lyuing and that he himselfe ought to be iudge in his owne cause Charlemagne willingly leaues the iudgement seate and then Pope Leo mounted vp his throane where after hee had protested by oath to be innocent of those crimes wherewith his enemies had charged him he absolues himselfe and condemnes his enemies according to his Cannon The Pope is Iudge of all men and all things and not to be iudgeâ— by any Charlemagne being drawne to Rome vpon this occasion finds all disposed to declare him Emperour of the West seeing that with the price of his bloud opposing himselfe against the furies and incursions of barbarous nations hee had valiantly gotten possession of the Empire The beginning of the Empire of Charlemagne Acknowledged and installed Emperour by a free consent of the Romaine people in the yeare of grace 800. 800 THE Pope by this possession acknowledging Charles for true Emperour Charlemagne Crowned Emperour crownes him Emperour of Rome with a full consent of all the Romaine people which assisted at his Coronation crying with one generall voice happines long life victory to Charles Augustus Crowned the great and peaceable Emperour of the Romains alwaies happie and victorious This was in the yeare 800. on Christmas day the thirtith yeare of the raigne of Charles Italy hauing suffred a horrible confusion during the space of 33. yeares without Emperour without Lawes and without order The seat of the Romane Empire since Constantine the great remayned at Constantinople a Cittie of Thrace situate in a conuenient place â—or the gard of the Easterne Prouinces all the West being full of new guests who hauing expelled the Romaines the name authoritie and force of the Empire remained in the East where the State was in a strange confusion the mother being banded against her sonne and the people within themselues Constantine sonne to Leo the fourth was Emperour being gouerned from his infancie with the Empire by his mother Irene being come to the age of twentie yeares hee tooke vpon him the gouernment There was then a great diuision in the East continued from father to sonne for 80. yeares touching Images The Bishops would needes bring them into the Christian Church 801. The Emperours with the greatest part of the people opposed themselues This contention had his beginning vnder Philip Bardanes as wee haue sayd continued vnder Leo Isaurus and from him to his sonne Constantin surnamed Copronimus and of Leo the 4. sonne to the sayd Consâ—antin This disquieted all the East with infinit scandals The same fire continued in the minority of Constantin gouerned by his mother a woman of a violent spirit who hauing vndertaken the protection of Images held a Councell of many Bishops for the defence thereof but the people growing into a mutiny expelled them Constantinople by force where their assembly was held But this woman resolute to proceed assemble the same Councell at Nicea a Citty of Bithinia honored to haue harbored the first generall Councell vnder Constantin the great the first of that name where it was decreed that the Images of Saints should be planted in Christian Churches for deuotion Charlemagne did not alowe of this decree and eyther himselfe or some other by his command did write a small treatise against this Councell the which wee see at this day with this title A treaty of Charlemagnes touching Images against the Greeke Synode This cunning woman had made choise of the Citty of Nicea that the name of this ancient first Councell might honour this newe introduction with the pretext of antiquity for there are some that confound the first Councell of Nicea with the second and Constantin the 4. with the first Constantin continued in the hereditary hatred of his father and grand-father against Images so as beeing of age and in absolute possession of the Estate hee disanulled all these new decrees and caused the Images to be beaten downe in all places yet he made all shewes of respect vnto his mother yeelding vnto her a good part of his authority and command This respect was the cause of a horrible Tragedy for this womâ—â— transported for two causes both by reason of her newe opinion and for despight that shee had not the whole gouernment in herselfe growes so vnkind as shee resolues to dispossesse her sonne of the Empire and to seize on it her selfe Thus
France lawfull sonnes of Kings Charles was sonne to Lewis the 4. brother to Lothaire Vncle to Lewis the 5. the last King But it chanced otherwise for Hugh Capet sonne to Hugues the great Maior of the Pallais Earle of Paris and also Prince of the French carried it from Charles being aduanced to the Crowne by the free election of the French assembled in Parliament according to the ancient and inuiolable customes of France By whose decree Hugh Capet was elected King and Charles Duke of Lorraine reiected from the Crowne This election being confirmed by the blessing of God who hath mainteyned the possession thus made lawfull by the consent of the French nation in the successiue posterity of Capet who happily preserued the French Monarchie vnto this day The date of this change vnto the third Race against the sundry violences of strangers This change happened in the yeare 987. in the moneth of Iuly But as this action was one of the worthiest that euer chanced in this realme beeing an estate vnder which our Ancestors haue liued and we do liue at this day which gouernment hath continued 619. yeares Yet all this is handled by our ordinary writers with such obscure breuity as if Hugh Capet had fallen out of the clouds or beene sodenly bred in one night like vnto a mushrome 987. The wise reader which seekes the truth must giue me leaue to dilate my stile to shewe him by degrees the breeding continuance and establishing of this newe royaltie in the house of France transplanted into the house of Capet as I could collect it by the curious search of the Originalls and as the traces of truth could direct me in so crooked a Laborinth vnknowne to the greatest part of our French nation What I haue heere described is faithfully drawne out off diuers authors which liued in those times I haue onely fitted my report to be the more intelligible and will simplie represent what passed in this change not giuing my iudgement but leauing it free to the vnpassionate reader We haue sayd in the second race that Lewis the 5. sonne to Lothaire dying without heires males had buried the royalty with him for Charles Duke of Lorraine whome the Lawe of state preferred to this dignity had by his actions made himselfe vnworthy of this great honour He had recourse to the Emperour Otho and had taken the oth of fealty The reason why Charles was reiected to be inuested in the Duchie of Lorraine So by this homage he had renounced all the interest he could pretend to the Crowne of France Moreouer hee had aggrauated this error by an irreconciliable hatred for being Duke of Lorraine he had shewed himselfe a passionate enemy to the French in maynteining the Germaine saction against them who had not long before with-drawne themselues from the obedience of our Monarchie It is also likely that many priuate men were mooued with the interest of this generall quarrell by reason of the situation of Lorraine the ordinary passage from France into Germany Prouinces of comerce togither These priuate iniuries bred in the end a generall discontent the which was increased by such as had a priuate interest in the wrongs they pretended to haue receiued The feeling of these bad practises acted so lately by Charles against France both in generall and particular did incense the French against him But the example and cries of them of Lorraine added to their experience confirmed their resolution to stoppe his entrance to the Crowne for Charles beeing a rash and a wicked man bearing a Kings minde vnder a Dukes title did infinitly oppresse his subiects of Lorraine for the supplying of his prodigall expences hauing as little iudgement and temperance to intreate them of Lorraine mildely as hee had reason to gouerne himselfe The president of these newe subiects whome he enâ—â—â—ed but sufferance preuailed much with the French in this newe accident 〈◊〉 â—â—at could they with reason conclude of his vsage against them who should be his natuâ—all and necessary subiects being yet terrefied with the memory of that which 〈…〉 â—â—â—red vnder Lothaire his brother This waâ— the preparatiue of Charles his 〈…〉 wrought by himselfe to depriue him of that authority wherevnto God had 〈…〉 These were the causes which made the French resolue to withstand Charles 〈…〉 with all their force in his pretension to the Crowne of France But howe then Charles beeing reâ—â—cted the realme had neede of a King vnable to subsist without one no more then a body can without a head Thus the end of the one is the beginning of the other and necessity gaue the people this first adâ—â—ce to change tâ—rust forward with the only consideration of their quiet and proâ—lit But the Nobility growne great by the disorders of troubles past had yet more interest in this change for the preseruation of their goods and honours They could not liue all equall 〈…〉 command the 〈◊〉 of an â—state This equall commande is a plague to the French they had deuoured 〈◊〉 an other without a great commaunder respected of them all for so many Prouinces so many petty Kings which had neuer yeelded one to an other without a Controuler In this estate they could haue no recourse but to Hugh Capet being accompanied with all the commendable qualities that might make a man worthy of a great commaund Hugh Capet 〈…〉 wot 〈…〉 Crowne with authority power vnderstanding courage wisdome equitie mildnesse dexterity valout and credit both within and without the realme We haue before spoken of his father Hugues the great the sonne of Robert Duke of Anger 's who was the head of the League against Charles the Simple shewing that he not onely maintained himselfe after the death of his father Robert but also built his desseignes vpon the same foundation vnder the raignes of Lewis the 4. and Lothaire Princes hard to bee circumuented They feared him more then they loued him yet hee vsed their authorities to his owne good and did so wisely preuent the practises of these two malitious and reuengefull Princes as hee mainteined his authority firmely by the meanes of his great commands Being Duke of the French The wise proceeding of Hugues the great his father he had the command of armes As Mayor of the Pallace hee held the helme of the affaires of State and being Earle of Paris hee had the chiefe credit with the people who had their greatest trade in the Capitall Cittie of the realme This was the fruite which the respect of these offices brought him being well gouerned by his wise dexterity And although these Kings loued him not yet the alliance hee had with them as brother in lawe but especially vertue countenanced by so great credit were the cause they not onely made shew to loue him as their allie but also to respect him as one of the chiefest pillers of the State But to these offices and dignities hee added the friendship of the chiefe Noblemen
hee preuailed more then all the armes of his Predecessors in preseruing a great Monarchie vnto this day supported with these goodly lawes and ordinances wherein without flattering the truth we may see by the effects that which the most learned Academicke doth represent but in discourse touching the true and perfect patterne of a well gouerned State vnder the fatherly authoritie of a King reuerenced by the hereditarie Law of his race with the free consent of the people confirmed by the Estates counterballanced by the authoritie royall 993. determined by the libertie of those which owe him voluntarie obedience The continuance of ciuill warres had bred such disorders in all parts of the realme as it was not without cause if men which liued in these miseries said that God had sent Hugh to restore the French Monarchie and they auouch predictions and prophesies of this raigne The fruits of Hughs raigne VVilliam Nangius as Oracles Doubtlesse this masse of building was too huge to continue long against so great a storme God made vse of it for a time as he had wisely decreed that is to say to deliuer the west from the blasphemies and furies of Mahomet and there to preserue his Church But it was necessarie this power should bee limited within his bounds to the end it might be well gouerned and in the end giue some rest vnto Christendome This happened in his raigne as if the building had then taken a firme and sure foundation War had raigned too long and ruined the poore subiects to inrich men of warre who being seized of the strongest places had without doubt deuoured one an other an ruined the Realme if a greater authoritie had not shewed it selfe to maintaine euery one in peace vnder the reuerence of the Lawes in the bosome of one common Countrie This confused warlike season had more need of a wise man to saue what was gotten then of a valiant man and stirring to make new Conquests Such was Hugh Capet a wise Prince aduised experienced resolute neither dull nor a coward as he made proofe in the beginning of his raigne against the rebells And whereas he parted with the Crowne-lands so easily to such as were seized thereon seeming therby to haue blemished the greatnes of his State it was like vnto one which had much land lying wast and had let it to farmers at an easie rent yet remaining alwaies master therof and to seize on it againe at his pleasure else all had bin lost for want of good husbandrie in so great and confused an abundance for Hugh Capet leauing to the possessors that which he could not take from them assured the Crowne landes by certaine homages and preserued the royall authoritie throughout the Realme And that which was profitable and necessarie for the State proued the most easie for the gouernours of the prouinces and strong places hoping to hold that which they had in hand desired rather to obey a King with any title auaileable to them and theirs then to play the pettie Kings at their pleasures and commaund absolutely alone for a while ouer few and beâ—n danger to lose all as vsurpers A notable proofe of the Frenchmens humors The French caâ—ot â—ubsist but â—nder a Reâ—â—lâ—e borne to obey a King and not able to subsist but vnder a royaltie The French had no lesse poweâ— then the Germains to make an electiue common weale as they had done but their humor sorted with an hereditary royaltie without the which they could not stand Thus Hugh Capet had setled his raigne with â—o great wisedome and authoritie and was so fortunate in the successe as we may iustly say he restored the Realme of France when it was almost ruined Hee raigned nine yeares foure alone and fiâ—e with his sonne Robert in great peace beloued and honoured of al men France as after a long and tedious winter puts on the new face of a pleasant spring All men honoured him Paris the chief â—lace 〈…〉 as the meanes of their assured rest His most vsuall retreat was to Paris the which was greatly augmented and beautified in his raigne whereas other Kings before him remained in diuerse places at Aix la Chapelle Compiegne Laon Soissons and else where according to occurrents and their humors Wee haue sayd that Arnulphe bastard to Lothaire was the onely man which had fauoured Charles of Lorraine against Hugh Capet The historie notes this man to be peruerse and disloyall hauing deceiued both Charles of Lorraine and Hugh Capet who had giuen him the Archbishopâ—â—ke of Roâ—an in recompence of the seruice he promised him against Charles to whom notwithstanâ—ing contrary to his faith hee gaue meanes to seize vppon the Citties of Rheimâ— LaoÌ„ SoissoÌ„s Hugh taking this presuÌ„ption for a preiudice to come learning by what had passed Hughes proceeding against Arnulpâ—e bastard to Loâ—â—aire who is deâ—osed from his Bishoprik how much the name of a bastard of France might import for a colour to disquiet the State and what danger there was of trouble in the beginning of his new raigne not yet well setled he therefore resolues to suppresse Arnulphe but respecting his qualitie hee assembled a nationall Councell of the French Church in the Cittie of Rheims This assemblie deposeth Arnulphe as guilty of treacherie and a troubler of the publick quiet and they substitute Gilibert in his place 995 who had beene Schoolemaster vnto Robert Afterwards Hugh coÌ„fines him to Orleans with Charles there to end his daies in rest Pope Iohn the 12. very ill satisfied with Hugh for that hee had not appealed to him for his confirmation in this new royalty disanulls this decree of the Counceâ—laâ— Rheims excomunicates the Bishoppes which had assisted restores Arnulphe and depriues Gilibert of the Archebishoprike of Rouan and to temper this sharpe and â—ough proceeding with some sweetnes he doth inuest Gilibert with the Archebishoprick of Rauenna But wee shall presently see that this was a meanes to raise him to the dignâ—â—y of Pope Hugh doth not for all this contend with Pope Iohn but hauing restored Arnulphe hee tooke from him all meanes of troubling the state to his preiudice It is that Pope Iohn The mâ—nners of Pope Ioâ—n the 12. of whome Platina writes so plainly as the wise reader may finde in the originall it selfe where hee shall reade with admiration not only the depraued manâ—ers of that man raised to so great a dignity whome hee disgraceth as a monster terming him most lewd most wicked and most pernitious These are his very words but also the confusions which raigned in those times for wee reade of nothing but partialities and factions one to expell an other and all to ouerthrowe the authority of the Emperour of Rome All these practises were not made without sharpe and long contentions as the history shal note the occurrentts this my inuentory shal be but a simple direction to the Originalls where as the pure truth speaking more freely the
flies to Philip who comes himselfe with a very great army and enters Flanders The vncle supplaâ—â—â— his Nephew for the County of Flanders His meaning was to make a benefit of their common quarrell But it fell out otherwise by his prouidence who doth pull downe one raise vp an other alwaies iustly although the causes be vnknowne vnto vs. Robert defeates the King and his Nephews After this victory hee is receiued Earle of Flanders without any discontent of the King for the distressed pupills who relying no more on him fled for succor to Thierry Bishop of Liege who makes an accord That Robert the Frison should haue the Earledom of Flanders giue his Nephews some recompence After this peaceable possession of the Earledome of Flanders Philip fâ—rsâ—ks Baldwins Children at their neede In England Philip became a deere friend to Robert forgetting the good offices hee had receiued from his tutor measuring friendship by proffiâ— Such was tâ—eÌ„ the state of Flanders England had a greater change we haue sayd that Robert Duke of Normandy had instituted William his bastard sonne his heire and that hee had gotten possession of the Dâ—chie but behold a greater happinesse attends him Edward King of England hauing receiued much kindnesse from him and knowing him fit for the gouernment of the realme names him his heire by his testament by vertue whereof notwithstanding all the policy and force that Herould brother to the Queene could vse William is receiued King of England and crowned in a soâ—lemne assemble of the English homage is done vnto him as to their lawfull Lord this great dignity continued in his posterity Philip sees this new power impatiently Philip discontented at VVilliams aduancement to the crowne of England yet can he not preuent it but God hath prepared it as a rod to correct this realme by the three sonnes which William left to succeed in his Estates Robert William and Henry Ambition is the Leuaine of these warres it shewed it selfe soone after the birth of this new power growen to the Dukes of Normandy whose first breeding we haue seene in the second race by the increase of the realme of England Robert and Henry the sonnes of William come to the King at Constans vpon Oise As they play at Chesse with Lewis the sonne of King Philip there fell some contention among these yong Princes and from iniurious words they fell to blowes Lewis called Henry the sonne of a Bastard Henry struck at him with the Chesse-board and had slaine him if Robert had not staied him This blow being giuen Robert and Henry made all hast to saue themselues in Normandy The Leuaine of distention betwixt France and England where they incensed both heauen and earth with their complaints From this light beginning grew all the troubles which disquieted these two Estates during 400. yeares vpon diuers occasions Robert Henry being escaped the fathers so imbrace the quarrell for their children as they fall to armes Philip goes to field and takes Vernon depending of Normandie Robert goes out of Normandie and doth seize vpon Beauuois King William parts from England and lands in France with a great and mighty power The English enter into Guienne and inuades Xaintonge and Poitoâ— Behold the first check of a dangerous game Philip moued with these losses enters into Normandie with a great and mighty armie but he cures not one wound in making of another William on the other side runnes and spoiles all the Country euen vnto the gates of Paris where hee entred not then but his posteritie did after him Hee dies soone after but the quarrell suruiued in his children who augmented this hereditarie hatred in many sorts While they began to weaue this web Italy was in no better estate being full of horrible combustions and the cause was so much the more lamentable for that the mischiefe came from them Conâ—â—â—â—ons in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes from whom all good was to be expected We haue formerly spoken of the deuisions growne betwixt the Emperours and the Popes of Rome for their preheminences In all ancient times the Popes were subiect to be summoned before the Emperour who had authority to create them to depose them that were vnworthy of their charges to call Synods and to confirme all things which concerned the outward gouernment of the Church The Pope on the other side maintaines that all this authority was his The Popes vsurpation as vniuersall Bishop hauing power to bind and loose to iudge of all men and all causes as the soueraigne Iudge of the Church not to bee iudged by any man and so to dispose absolutely of all matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill as Monarch in the Church not only armed with power of excommunication to damne rebels and authority to remit sinnes but hauing also the temporall sword with soueraigne authority ouer Emperours Kings and Princes of the earth to place and diâ—place and to dispoâ—e of their estates Hereafter we shall find in euery raigne some memorable example of this soueraigne authority This raigne giues a very notable one After the death of the Emperour Conrade called Salique Henry the 3. of that name hauing happily gouerned the Empire left it to his sonne Henry the 4 yet very yong so as the Popes during this weakenesse of the Empire had meanes to fortifie themselues and so imbracing this occasion Gregory the 7. called Hildebrand did prohibite the Emperour all authority ouer the Clergie and forbad vpon paine of excommunication to haue any recourse vnto him for the collation of benefices or for any thing else that depended on the Church Henry moued with so great an affâ—ont Sâ—range confuâ—oâ—s betwixt the Emperoâ—r and the â—ope lets Gregory vnderstand that this his decree was contrarie to the ancient orders the vse of the Catholike Church Vpon this refusall he lets him know that hee will maintaine the rights of the Empire and complaines to the Clergie of Rome in an open assembly Gregorie calls an other wherein hee doth excommunicate Henry and all his adherents and sends forth his Bull into all parts wherby hee declares him excommunicate and degraded of the Empire and in his place causeth Rodolph Duke of Sueuia to be chosen Emperour Thus there growes two factions in Italy and in Germanie one for the Emperour and the other for the Pope behold two armies leuied of these factions ready to shed Christians bloud nine battailes were giuen vpon the quarrell of these preheminences In the end Rodolphe the new Emperour is taken and slaine by Godefroy of Bouillon who followed the Emperour Henry the fourth who after this victorie assembled a great Councell at Bresse where as Gregorie the seuenth is excommunicated and Clement Bishop of Râ—uenna appointed to succeed him they conduct him to Rome with an armie take the Citty after a long siege whereas the new Pope is sollemnlie installed and Henry the 4. Emperour restored
when hee sees Frederecks conquests to increase hee straines his witt to find out remedies to stoppe so dangerous a deluge Hee rayseth some troupes which he calleth holy but they were to weake to withstand so great a force Hee therefore fliâ—s to Councells the firmest bulwarke of his authoritie hee makes a Bull of excommunication proclaymes him a capitall enemie to the Church and layes open the causes by a publike declaration Frederick continuing his 〈◊〉 answeres the Popes writing by an Aduocate of Capua called Iohn de Vignes and so giues words for words But Fredericks forces had preuailed without a better remedie Here-vpon Pope Gregory dies Celestin suceeds him who within fewe daies after his eâ—ection dies and leaues the Chaâ—er to Innocent the 4. with this quarrell not yet determined Innocent in the life of Gregory was a Gibelin and by his death beeing chosen Pope hee becomes a Guelphe as great an enemy to Frederick Gregory turnâ— enemy to Frederick being chosen Pope as hee had beene a fâ—iend a cunning and circumspect man who pollitikely wrought the meanes to vndoe Frederick After his election hee sends his Nontio into France to exhort our Lewis to succor him according to the ancient proofes of the most Christian Kings to the Holy Sea and to assure him the better hee giues him to vnderstand that hee is resolued to come into France as the most safe retreate of Christendome nowe afflicted He comes calls a Councell at Lions whether he cites Frederick but vpon so short a warâ—ing as hee could not appeere Frederick hauing sent his Ambassadoâ—s to the Councelâ— to require a lawfull time and to aduertise the Pope of his comming beginnes his iorney to performe his promise Being arriued at Thurin The Emperoâ— Frederick excommunicated and degraded he hath intelligence giuen him that the Pope had condemned him as contumax excommunicated him and degraded him of the Empire But this was not without the consent of the Princes electors of the Empire who after nature deliberation proceeded to a new election The thundering Bull of excommunication and deposition is no sooner published but the Princes Electors choose Henry Landgraue of Thuringe for Emperour vpon the recepit of these newes Frederick staies at Thurin and hauing sent to sound the Germaiâ—s mindes hee findes strange partialities the greatest part of the Nobility banded against him and resolued to reiect him The Germains choose an other Emperor Thus hee felt the force of the Popes powre The proofe of this resolution was at hand for as Henry of Thuringe the newe Elected-Emperour approched to Vlmes to force them to yeeld to his obedience and that the partisans of Frederick would not receiue him hauing beseeged the Citty hee was wounded with an arrowe whereof he died shortly after wherevpon the Princes Electors of the Empire did presently choose William Earle of Holland for Emperour at the same times the faction of the Guelphes of Pauia being banished found meanes to reenter the Citty where they made a horrible and bloudy massace of Giâ—â—lins with more then ordinary fury vsed in Ciuill mutinyes The Emperour Frederick in this various vncertenty of his affaires being in Italy with his army 1255. he flies to the neerest He beseegeth Pauia and for that he would not hazard his forces whereof he might stand in neede if Germany fayled him hee resolued to block it and builds a Fort which he calles Victoria but hee reckoned ill without him that giues victories measuring the issue too confidently by the proiect Thus God confoundes the enterprises of men when they attribute that to themselues which belongs to his power This done Frederick leauing his Bastard Encius to command the seege takes his way to Lions where the Councell was yet remayning with an intent to repayre his affayres but he is not farre gone when as newes comes vnto him that the Inhabitants had made a great sallye and forced and razed his Fort of Victoria with great losse of his men He returnes to Pauia takes it by force and did execute that which the outrage lately committed might moue a Choloricke man vnto being halfe desperate But this surprise repayred not his Estate for in all the cheefe citties of Italy the Guelphs faction was the stronger through the authority of the Councell of Lions which had wonderfully disgraced Frederick first by Excommunications and then by a ciuil Deposition The death of â—redeâ—ick Frederick seeing himselfe distressed of all sides as in great afflictions one mischief calling another the greatest is to be faint harted he suffered himselfe to be so oppressed with griefe as he falls into a burning feauer and dies burying in one graue his Life his Desseignes and his Imperiall dignity whereof at that time he was depriued Thus Frâ—derick dies Conrad his son poysoned by his Basterd brothâ—r Manfrâ—y leauing Italy and Germany in great combustion and Conrade his Sonne the Successor rather of his miseries then of his enheritance for seeking to effect that which his Father could not doe and to preserue the Realmes of Sicilia and Naples to his successors he lost his Life and both Realmes hauing trusted Manfroy his Fathers Bastard too much who poisoned him notwithstanding hee had appointed him Tutor to his Sonne Conradin not knowing by whose hand he died Manfroy seeing himselfe in possession by this Title giues it out that Conradin was dead and vnder this goodly title to be the neerest kinsman of the lawfull Lordes Manfroy vâ—urps Sâ—cilia Naples He tooke possession of these two Realmes The stronger alwayes preuailes in an Estate Manfroy was master of Naples and of Sicilia although Conradin had the right and to assure the possâ—ssion of what he had gotten he alies himselfe with Iames King of Arragon giuing his daughter Constance in marriage to Petâ—r his eldest sonne This was in the yeare 1255. a remarkable date for so long a quarrell Manfroy could not bee heire to Fredericks Estates but he must withall succeed in the hatred the Popes did beare him the subiect of discontent remayning in those Seigneuries which he enioyed vnder his name Pope Vrban the 4. who then did hold the Sea of Rome did excommunicate Manfroy as a disturber of the Church and of Italy but finding himselfe too weake for the execution of his decree he cast his eyes to the place from whence his predecessors had alwaies drawne assured timely succors Lewis our good King of a contrary humour to their turbulent passions Lewis refuseth Sicilia Naples offâ—red him by the Pope was a spectator of these disorders but so indifferent as athough the councell of Lions had beene held by his consent yet had hee done his best endeauor to quench this fire kindled betwixt the greatest persons of Christendom He could not be mooued by the authority or perswasions of Pope Vrban to take away an other mans estate being well content with his owne But Charles Earle of Prouence perswaded by his owne disposition thrust
nothing memorable vnder his raigne but that through his facilitie all was tollerable to his bad seruants who vnder his name laid great exactions vpon the people the which caused them to mutine in many places neither did he being great of body and therefore called Long but little of witte vse his authoritie Vnder colour of a voyage to the East two seditious men a Priest and a Monke of the order of Saint Benedict 1322. assembled a multitude of mutinous people which committed a thousand insolencies where they passed Rebels calling themselues Shepherds calling themselueâ— Shepheards but in the end they were defeated in Languedoc The Iewes expelled before were now admitted to returne for money a wretched nation giuen to all kinde of wickednesse and therefore odious to the people An artificiall plague who exclaimed against the disorders growen vp by the facilitie of Philip. This generall hatred bred such a rage in the licentious mindes of the Iewes as they brought the plague into diuers parts of the realme vsing the helpe of Lepars Many were greeuously punished by Iustice and the rest banished out of the dominions of France Flanders seemed ready to fall into new troubles but in the end they were pacified by the marriage of Marguerite the Kings second Daughter with Lewis Earle of Flanders Flanders pacified Neuers and Rethel and the paiment of certaine summes due by the sayd accord These are the most famous acts of that raigne for to what end serues it to relate that priuate Iustice was done vpon a Prouost of Paris who was hanged for that he had put to death a poore innocent for a riche man that was guiltie and condemned to dye Or that Philip would make one waight and one measure throughout his Realme but he could not maintaine his authoritie by the rule of reason These things either too common or not effected are not worthy of a Historie Thus Philip the fift died with small fame the fift yeare of his raigne in the yeare 1322. CHARLES the 4. called the Faire the 49. King of France CHARLES .4 KING OF FRANCE XLIX 1322. AS Philip the Long had succeeded Lewis Hutin his brother with some dispute Charles crowned without opposition so Charles brother to Philip the last of the Sonnes of Philip the Faire succeeded without any dâ—fficultie the question being formerly decided He was Crowned King with great solemnitie the Princes of the bloud and Noblemeâ— assisting â—n the yeare 1322. and raigned six yeares A wise and a temperate Prince His dispositioÌ„ louing Iustice and yet vnfortunate in his familie He was thrice married His first wife Blaâ—che was acâ—uâ—ed and conuicted of Adulteâ—ie duâ—ing his fathers life and was confined to Chasâ—eaâ—-gaillâ—rd by Andely vpon Seine His second Wife was Mary the Daughter of Henry of Luxenbourgh Emperor by whom he had one Sonne whiâ—h dyed as he was borne and his Mother soone after at â—â—ssoudon in Bâ—rry His third Wife was Marguerite the Daughtâ—r of Lewis Earle of Eureux by whom he had Daughters onely His issue leauing â—er with Child as shall be said But let vs make a collection of his life which is not long The facilitie of Philip the Long the furie of Lewis Hutin and the long warres of Philip the Hâ—rdie had peâ—uerted all and giuen libertie to euery man to do what he pleased especially the Nobilitie who being armed committed many insolencies by this libertie and impunitie Charles being annointed he held a great Sessions in his chiefe Citty of Paris to heare all mens complaints and causeth many Gentlemen to be punished Câ—arles punisheth disorders without respect Among the rest Iourdain of Lâ—sâ—e a Gasâ—on who vnder colour of being Nephew to Pope Iohn the 22. then resident in Auignon hauing had his pardon for eighteene crimes whereof the least deserued death continued still in his wickednesse In the end he was taken and brought to Paris The remitting of what was past made him presume of Impunitie But the Iustice of God which comes in 〈◊〉 euen when the insolent and obstinate sinner dreames not of it preuented him 1324. 〈…〉 laying all respect aside caused him to be hanged as a memorable examâ—â—â—â—â—at respâ—ct is an enemy to Iustice which must bee executed without sparing of any oâ—â—â—hat is guâ—ltie of any notable crime 〈…〉 second King of Eâ—gland stood vpon termeâ— for his homage of Guienne 〈…〉 sâ—nt his wife Isabel the Daughter of Philip the Faâ—re and Sister to the King 〈…〉 pouâ—d with him Chaâ—lâ—s brought him to reason bâ— his authoritie and as Hugh 〈◊〉 Lord of Montpesat in Agenâ—is would haue fortified his house without his permisâ—â—â—â—â—e forced him to obey razing the Casteâ—l of Montpesat whence the quarrell 〈◊〉 and made him to giue hostages for the assurance oâ— that hee had promised 〈◊〉 lâ—st these generall quarrels Isabel complaines of her husband Edward King of England there chanced a iarre betwixt Edward and his wife Isabâ—â— dâ—â—contented with her husband for that both she and her Sonne had lost their 〈◊〉 wiâ—h him by the pernicious councell of Hugh Spencer Yet was he so supported by King â—harles as he sent her back into England without any countenance commandiâ—g her to apply her selfe to her husbands humors the which she endeuored to doe bâ—ing a wiâ—e and a couragious Princes yet being assisted as it is likely vnderhand by tâ—e meaâ—es of her Nephew Charles the Faire she preuailed in her desseignes causing Hâ—gh to be apprehended and punished as the Leuaine of all their breach and hauing bâ—ougâ—t heâ— Husband vnto reason she confirmed her Sonne Edward the third a Prince who shortly shall be the cause of much trouble to this Monaâ—chie Charles likewise râ—duced Lewis Earle of Flanders to obedience although he were husband to his Aunt 〈◊〉 hauing called and condemnâ—d him by Court of Parliament at Paris he restored hâ—m to his estates the which he had forfaited by fellonie shewing in one subiect both hâ—s seueritie to punish offences and his clemencie to remit the due punishment The same Eaâ—le being fallen in some dislike with his chiefe Townes seeking to reclaime them by force Charles aduised him to winne them by mildnesse The subiectâ— infirmities must be cured by mildnesse a true remedie to reconcile subiects which are accustomed to oppose themselues against rigour and in resistâ—ng to know their owne forces the which belongs to their Princes by obedience Thâ—s he pacified these discontents betwixt the Earle and the Citties of Flanders by a common reconciliation vpon condition That the Earle should bee acknowledged in his degree and the King as Soueraigne Tâ—is is all that chanced worthy of obseruation in the raigne of Charles the Faire A Prince worthy of the French Monarchie and to bee numbred among the greatest aâ—d most famous men of State His life was veâ—y short in regard of his great sufficienciâ—â— yet with more order and authoritie then his brother Philip the Long who left noâ—e but
Lewis of Anion King of Naples Sicile and Lewis of Orleâ—ns were with thâ— Queâ—nâ— at Melun The Dukes of Berry and Bourbon and the King of Nauarre are at Paris wâ—â—h the Kâ—ng and all the faction of Bourgongne The King of Sicile comes to Paris hee leâ—â— the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon vnderstand how necessâ—ry it was to quench this â—ire in â—â—â—e All these Princes are willing to mediate an accord but the indiscretion oâ— the Dâ—ke of Orleans had almost spoyled all Aâ— the first he grew amazed but seeing no man to stâ—rre and hauing some feeling of his authority he began to speake bigge writing to Paris and to the best Citties of the Reâ—â—me against such as had made this petition And contrarie to the aduise which tâ—e Pâ—â—nces his cousins gaue him not to part from Melun he resolues to come to Paris and to oâ—pose himselfe against the Duke of Bourgongne The Duke of Oâ—lâ—aâ—s discontents thâ— Pariâ—ienâ— The Citty and Vniuersity of Paris send an honorable deputation vnto him excusing themselues beseeching him to he 〈◊〉 to a gâ—od reformation but he so checkt the deputies as they returned ill satisfied â—o a peâ—ple big with a seditious humour He shewed himselfe indiscreet in two sorts Excusiâ—g himselfe when no man accused him which was properly to accuse himselfe and in waâ—ing of a sleeping dog incensing this mutinous people who were then kepâ— in awe by hâ—s onely authority not daring to mutter against him but in secret The Bourguignon desired nothing more then to haue some apparent cause to drawe tâ—â—s people into mutinie The Paâ—iâ—â—â—nâ— aâ—med againsâ— tâ—e Duke oâ— Oâ—lâ—anâ— giuing it out openly that the Duke of Orleans came in aâ—mes to â—poyle the citty of Paris Behold the Parisiens are in armes prepared both withâ—n aâ—n without to witâ—stand the Duke of Orleans comming they beat downe pentises witâ—in the Câ—ttie to make the streeâ—es more free for to cast stones The people troupe with the Duke of Bourgongneâ— men and issue forth armed aboue Montfaucon in view of the Orâ—eanois lying in great numbers vpon the plaine The Chancellor of France accompanied with the Presidents and Councellors of the Court of Parliament go to the Princes aduertising the Duke of Orleance of the danger of a great confusion if â—e did nâ—t foresee it Herevpon Lewis commands his troupes to retire and stâ—yes at the Castell of Beautie vpon Marne to haue the better meane A peace betwixt the Duâ—e of Orlâ—ans aâ—d Bâ—uâ—gongne to heaâ—e from his Vncles who by the authoritie of reason and alliance after many voyages reconciled Lewis of Orleans and Iohn of Bourgongne hauing seene and embraced one another like kinde Kinsemen with all outward signes of perfect cordiall loue This was but a coloured peace the which in the end was so heauie a burthen to them both as it weâ—ghed them downe and by their owne wilfull follies as if they willingly sought their owne ruines verifying this assured maxime That man hath no harme bâ—t â—hat he seekes himselfe confirmed by the truth of these Oracles They haue no hâ—rme but by their owne iniquitie and My people haue not obeyed my voyce and Israel would none of me ratified likewise by the experience of all men all estates and all age The Duke of Orleans sought his owne death in prouoking his enemie wâ—thout reason and the Dâ—ke of Bourgongne in murthering him erected a scaffold to sâ—â—ed his owne bloud This agreement made Iohn of Bourgongne informes the King and his Councell how much it dâ—d import to take the Towne of Calais from the English where the commoditie of landing and the neerenesse of the Kings estâ—tes gaue the common enemie great meanes to molest the prouinces of Fâ—anders and Picardie requiring aide and succours from the King to besiege â—t the which he grants Wherevpon he with all his Citties make great preparations to fortifie the French armie the which enters into Picardâ—e aâ—tendâ—ng a coÌ„mandement to beleager Calais The artillerie and munition was â—eady to go to field through the great diligence of the Duke of Bourgongne stirred vp with hope to pull this thoâ—â—e out of his foote and to free the trafficke betwixt his subiects and France when as sodenly the King Letters Pattents come to the heads of the armâ—e commandiâ—g all men of warre of what condition so euer not to passe any farther vpon paine of their Lues This vnexpected countermaund accused the Duke of Orâ—eans as the author thereof A new cause of dâ—sconâ—ent bâ—tâ—â—xâ—â—he Duke oâ— Orâ—â—â—â— and Bourgongne and gaue occasion to all men that desired the good of Fraâ—ce to deâ—est him as seruing his owne passions to the preiudice of the common-weale but aboue all it gaue too important a cause of discontent to the Duke of Bourgongne who infinitly grieued with so inexcusable an affront and such inhumane circumstances of a cruell indignitie for whereto serues it to discouer in particular the grieâ—es of so apparant an iniurie he resolues to haue his reuenge once for all Thus farre the Duke of â—ourgongne had reason to complaine of the Duke of Orleans but he exceeds from reason he fâ—ies to passion the which is a dangerous councellour which presented vnto him a pernitious remedy being then pleasing to his troubled minde leauing him nothing but a late repentance and his body taken in the trappe which he himselfe had made The Duke of Boâ—râ—oâ—gne râ—solues to kill his cousin of Orleans Thus Iohn resolues to free himselfe of his Cousin the Duke of Orleans who he supposed would be a perpetuall and irreconciliable enemie The motiues of this cruell resolution are visible by the forepassed actions But they added iealousie herevnto an intestine fire which consumes him that lodgeth â—t in his bosome The originall of the historie speakes nothing hereof for this shamefull iniurie which the wise conceale was not spoken of by those that were chiefely interessed But the learned obserue that the Duke of Orleans had vsed his cousin of Bourgongnes wife too familiarly when as heâ— husband was in the voyage of Hongarie A young Flemish Princesse browne of whom they had made a song the which the Duke of Orleans caused to be put into musick and to be sung before the iealous husband at a banquet which he had made him hauing the Princesse picture in his Cabinet and vaunting that it was the triumph of his loue These are stabbes which pierce the hearts of generous men with an incurable wound Thâ—s they set downe for one of â—he motiues of the Bourguignons hatred against his cousin of Orleans This vanity cost Lewis of Orleans decre 1407. beeing giuen exceedingly vnto women and as it was one of the causes of his death by the iust iudgement of God so is it considerabâ—e for beeing slaine by his enimie amongst his other vices he shall reproch him of luxury to iustifie the murther But let vs obserue the sequele of this Tragedâ—e Lewis Duke of Orleans is slaine
the Constables good seruices After this shamefull disgrace hee seekes to couer his fault He exclaimes against the King exclayming first against the King as if hee had beene the cause of this infamous disorder happened at Saint Iames hauing too freely discouered his grieâ—es vnto the King he presumed to take Iohn of Malesâ—roit Chancellor of Brittain prisoner as beeing particularly charged to solicit the payement of such money as was appointed for this Britton army Charles was much offended with this presumption and in despight of the Constable caused Malestroit to bee presently released and sent into Sauoy The Constable was greatly discoÌ„tented with this proceeding the which he tooke as an affront done to his person and resolues to be reuenged So great were the confusions of that age as the seruant durst prescribe a Lawe to his maister and his counsell bandâ—e against him to controll his will Yea the Princes of the bloud so great was the corruption of that wretched age were the chiefe controllers of the Kings actions Then was there nothing more miserable then France who discontented with her King A dangerous waywardnesse to make the King odious or contemptible nourished the ambition of many Kings This iealous ambition did nothing cure the infirmities of our Estate Charles found it lost he could not raise it alone To debase his authority was no meanes to cuâ—e the confusions of the realme And as there is nothing more troublesome then affliction the French nation beeing then extreemely afflicted did nothing amend their condition in casting vpon the King the reproches of their calamities This deptiue themselues of their head wherein consists the whole life of the bodie An vnreasonable discontent The whole body of the State was sicke and this distasted people would haue their head sound A notable circumstance for it is strange that after so many miseries this domesticall confusion had not beene the vâ—ter ruine of the State But let vs returne to our discourse The Constable had great credit with the counsell whome in the beginning the King had greatly countenanced but the priuate practises and the generall discontent of great persons had made him halfe a King to crosse the Mignons whome al men hated Great men hated them as possessing the King the people detested them as managing all things at their pleasure to the preiudice of the common weale There were two Mignons that did greatly vexe them Gyac and Camus of Beaulieu They resolue by a generall consent to dispatch them The Princes with the Lords of Albret and Tremouille who had a great interest in the Sate were of the partie But the Constable must do the execution The matter concluded betwixt them was thus executed Gyac was taken in bed with his wife carried to Dun le â—oy condemned and executed that is he was put into a sacke and cast into the riuer The Kings Mignons slaine by the Councell The Constable performed this office without any other forme of lawe then his bare commande Afterwards Camus borne in Auuergne as hee walked in the Kings lodging was venturously slaine by a soldiar belonging to the Marshall of Boussac Charles vnderstood it and in a manner toucht the bloud of his two domesticall seruants beeing wonderfully discontented but the time which did authorise these confusions caused him to swallowe this pill quietly Tremouille married Gyacs widowe the heire of Lisle Bouchart and entred newly in credit with the King giuing him to vnderstand that all was for his seruice so as there was no more speeche thereof euery man shut both eyes and eares But Tremouille shall haue his turne hee shall leaue some of his haire and hardly saue the moulde of his doubled Thus the affaâ—â—es of Court ebbed and flowed the which raiseth vp one and cast downe an other In this deceytfull manner of life there is nothing certaine but incertentie fauours beeing â—â—uen not by desert but most commonly by a blind appetite which hath no other iudgement but the apprehension of weake heads diuiding the happinesse of a 〈◊〉 life into quarters this day to one and to morrowe to an other A goodly lesson for such as are fauored in Court not to bee transported with vaine hope toyes to deceiue the indiscreete The surest gards of prosperity are Integritie wisdome modesty and patience to remember aduersity in prosperitie according to the precepts of the wise This was the good gouernment of the Constable of Richmont a bolde practiseâ— of these domesticall confusions whilest the Bourguignon plied his businesse Wee haue made mention of the sute of Iaqueline Contesse of Hainault and Holland for Humfry Duke of Glocester her pretended husband against Iohn Duke of Braâ—â—nt her lawfull husband for so had Pope Martin pronounced it in fauour of the Bâ—â—bantin but from lawe they go to armes The Bourguignon supported the 〈◊〉 These Princes hauing prepared their forces begin by writing The 〈◊〉 accuseth the Bourguignon of couetousnesse and trecherie The Bourguignon giues him the lie But from reproches they fall to armes The Bourguignon offers the Glocâ—â—â—â—an to ende the question by combate and by that triall to auoide the effusion of theâ—â— sold aâ—s bloud The Glocestrian accepts it all is prepared for the combate but the Duke of Bâ—â—â—ord interpeseth his authoritie To this ende hee calls the cheefe men of all estats to Paris to quench this fire and by common aduice decrees That that day 〈◊〉 disanulled â—eyther should it bee preiudiciall to eyther partie That is to say 〈◊〉 being well vewed and considered there was no iust cause for eyther to call the other to this wilfull combate from the which they could not depaâ—t althouâ—â— it were accepted without great preiudice to both their honours In the meane time neither the Popes authority nor the Regents decree by the generall aduice of the States could preuaile but all bursts forth into open warre The Bourguignon proued the stronger so as the Glocestrian leauing Iaqueline at Mons posted into England for newe forces but all was in vaine the Bourguignon making his profit of this Princes absence did easily effect his desire hauing no oposite but a woman dishonored for her infamous adulteries Hee failes not to enter Hainault with a stronge army and vseth all force to reduce this people to reason The Country seeing it selfe pressed by the Bourguignons forces neyther hoping for noâ— desiring any succors from England The Duke o◠〈◊〉 leaseth on Iaqueline Countesse of Haâ—â—â—auâ—â— and perswaded that Iaqueline supported a bad cause resolue to obey the stronger Hauing to that effect protested vnto their Lady what they thought fitting for their dutie they seize on her person and deliuer her into the hands of the Duke of Bourgongne Philip receiues her honorably and promiseth her all offices of friendship to comfort her From Mons hee causeth her to bee conducted with a goodly traine to Gand by Lewis of Chaalons Prince of Orange a braue Noble man The Gantois imploy their
aboue named ordinances by an Edict The Rector fearing a check keepes all the Schollers within their lodgings and reuokes the commandement he had giuen Iohn Standon a Doctor of Diuinitie a Brabanson and one of the chiefe authors of this counsell was banished the realme Thomas Warnet of Cambraie who preaching had barkt out some thing against the kings authority preuented this decree and â—anished himself Lewis his title to the Duchie of Milan Bâ—ing thus content in minde quiet within his realme his thoughts â—oâ—red beyond the Alpes and now he takes vpon him the title of Duke of Milan He was 〈◊〉 vpon the right of succession Valentine besides her dowry which was the 〈◊〉 and Country of Ast with a great summe of money had obtaymed this clause 〈◊〉 in her contract of marriage That for want of heires male of Galeas Valentine 〈…〉 the Duchie or she being dead her next descendants 〈◊〉 â—â—uention was of no force but the Imperiall seat was then vacant and the 〈…〉 it The Popes pretending the Empire being without an Emperour that the administration belongs to them And seing that by the death of Philip Maria Visconte the masculine line of Iohn Galeas failed who then should succeed in this goodly estate many contended for it the Emperour Frederick mayntained that it should be vnited to the Empire considering the line specified in the Institution made to Iohn Galeas by Wenceslaus King of the Romains was extinct Alphonso King of Arragon Naples armed himselfe with the testament of Philip by the which hee was made his heâ—re But in worldly affaires the strongest most often carries it Francis Sforce one of Philips Captaines sonne to Sforce Attendule an Aduenturer a braue and actiue spiâ—â— had married Blanche bastard daughter to the sayd Philip and hauing no man at 〈◊〉 â—â—stant that might resist his violence hee did so cunningly winne all the greatest 〈◊〉 of Milan as by their support suffrance he soone seized on the state the which 〈◊〉 easily effect hauing all the forces at his command no competitor For 〈◊〉 Lewis Duke of Orleans nor his Children had any meane to recouer this Duâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Francis by reason of the great warres which followed in France by the 〈◊〉 of the sayd Lewis and of the Duke of Bourgongne slaine likewise at Monterea◠〈◊〉 â—â—wis the 6. and 7. Charles sonne to the sayd Lewis taken at the bâ—ttâ—â—lâ— of Azâ—â—â—â— â—â—guishing twentie fiue yeares a prisoner in England and deliuered by Philip 〈◊〉 â—ourgundy could neuer obtaine any aide from Lewis the eleuenth beeing 〈◊〉 by homebred warres from the beginning of his raigne Moreouer Lewis did alwaies make accompt to settle his authority by the suppression of his neerest bloud And for this cause our Lewis his sonne in lawe sonne to the sayd Charles had no whit the more credit with his father in lawe for the recouery of his inheritance And the â—word which hee did vnsheath against Charles the eight his brother in lawe of whome hee pretended the Regencie and after in the warres of Brittaine tooke from him all meanes to attempt this enterprise vntill such time that the King hauing left him in Ast to crosse the attempts of Lodowike Sforce the seized vpon Nouarre but with a â—â—â—â—lesse euent Nowe is he seated vpon the royall throne of his Ancestors peaceable within himself and peaceable with his neighbors Triuulce doth not cease to lay open vnto him 〈◊〉 to expell Lodowike To make the way easie Pope Alexanders friendship 〈…〉 Florentins and other Potentats of Italy was very requisite Hee seeke 〈◊〉 Ambassadors and findes that the death of Charles the eight had bred an alâ—â—â— in their dispositions The Pope conceyuing that the peace of Italy was the 〈◊〉 of his priuate estate did easily alowe of newe troubles The Venetians beâ—â—◠〈◊〉 by the Kings decease from the feare they had of him for the iâ—â—â—gnities 〈◊〉 had receyued did not beleeue that a newe King would so vehemently imbrace 〈…〉 of his Predecessor and foreseeing that also that if S force were once quiet he would oppose him selfe against them for the affaires of Pisa whereof he did â—olâ—â—â— but coldly the restitution vnto the Florentins by the Popes meanes The Florentins had not yet so much estranged their affection from the French but there was good meanes to recouer it Being thus affected they all send their Ambassadors to the King The Popes affection The Pope who 〈◊〉 to nothing more then the temporall aduancement of Caesar Borgia his sonne 〈◊〉 then Cardinall did willingly imbrace this occasion to plant him in the Kings 〈◊〉 sauour and by some especiall bond to purchase his masters loue He knew well 〈◊〉 Lewis would willingly put away Ioane his wife to marrie with Anne the widowe of Charles and euen then hee resolued to exchange spirituall graces for temporall commodities He then agrees with the King for thirty thousand Ducats and drawes a promise from him 1499. He Capitulates with the king to aide him presently after the conquest of Milan to reduce to the obedience of the Apostolike sea the Townes possessed by the Gouernours of Romagna And for his sonne Caesar a company of a hundred Lances twenty thousand Frankes pension a wife in France to his liking and Valence in Daulphine with the title of a Duchie Then he committed the matter of diuorce to Ferdinand Bishop of Sept his Nuncio in France to Philip Cardinall of Luxembourg and to Lewis Bishop of Albi some name George of Amboise Arch-bishop of Rouan who vpon report of the protestation made by Lewis to a Notarie the day of his marriage That his meaning was not to contract any marriage and that the sollemnitie which he did celebrate was onely to please the King whom hee knew to be cruell against those by whom he thought himselfe to bee wronged And moreouer If by chance Lewis eyther by the expresse commandement of his father in law or after of his brother in law did lye with his wife hee did interpose secret witnesses that should depose of his abstinencie And besides the Physitians and Philosophers hauing iudged her incapable of issue they declared the sayd marriage voyde and gaue him liberty to marry with Anne who marrying elsewhere should haue diuided the Duchie of Brittanie from the Crowne of France The Venetians sent to congratulate his comming to the Crowne The Venetians and by way of excuse gaue him to vnderstand that the controuersies they had with King Charles proceeded onely of distrust and iealousie wherof he had giuen them cause seeing that not content with the realme of Naples he had cast his desseâ—gnes vpon all Italie The Florentiâ—es The Florentins did not forget their ancient customes in like cases to the Crowne of France but especially to put him in minde of their deseruings to the deceased King solliciâ—â—d therevnto by Lodowick Sforce to the end that when the two commonweales of Venice and Florence should come to treate of the affaires
in the capitulation expired without any effects of warre the King commands the Lord of Chaumont to begin He thereupon passeth the riuer of Adde the 15. of Aprill and campes before Treui batters forceth it to yeeld at discretion taking prisoners Iustinian Morosin Comissary of the Venetian Stradioâ—s or light horse Vitelli de Cita de Castello Vincent de Nalde other Senators 1509. and with them a hundred light horse and a thousand foote then he repasseth Adde to attend the Kings comming at Milan The Emperour was gone into Flanders to require a leuying of money from the subiects of Charles his grandchild a testimonie that he could not begin the warres within fortie dayes after the King as his promise was The Venetians prepared and seeing a great part of Christendome armed against them they seeke to dissolue this vnioÌ„ by reasonable offers But the Pope could no more accept that which he had before desired The Catholike King had not credit enough to diuert the rest The Emperour full of disdaine would not so much as see Iohn deâ— Estoille their Secretarie As for our Lewis they hoped for nothing from him but by the sword The Venetian armie They therefore entertaine two thousand men at armes barded foure fighting men for euery Lance three thousand light horse and Stradiots fifteene thousand foote of the flower of Italie and fifteene thousand others chosen out of their territories they arme many vessels to garde the bankes of Romagnia the Townes of Apulia the approches of the Lake of Garde Po and other neighbour places fearing to be molested by the Duke of Ferrare Fatall prognostications for the Venetians and the Marquis of Mantoua their enemies But behold bad signes and prodigious fote-runners of losses wherevnto besides the threats of men the Venetians shall be shortly subiect A Barke carrying ten thousand Ducaâ—s to Rauenna was drowned The Castle of Bresse was fiered with lightning the place where the Charters of the Common-weale did lye was sodenly ruined And that which did most terrifie them their great counsell being assembled fire tooke their Arcenall whereas the Salt-peter did lye and burnt twelue gallies with a great quantitie of munition Moreouer hauing entertained Iulius and Rance Vrsins and Troile Sauelle with fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote the Pope commanded them vpon greeuous censures as defendants of the Church not to depart out of Rome And presently did publish in forme of a monitorie a horrible Bull conteining The vsurpations the Venetians had made in the sea of Rome the authoritie they did arrogate to the preiudice of the Ecclesiasticall libertie and the Popes iurisdiction To giue Bishoprickes and other spirituall liuings being vacant To decide spirituall causes in secular Courts and other things belonging to the censure of the Church specifying moreouer all their disobediences past The Venetians cenâ—ured by the Pope and admonishing them To yeeld vp within 24. dayes next ensuing the townes of the Church which they possessed with the fruites receiued since they enioyed them vpon paine to incurre not onely the censures and cursse of the Cittie of Venice but also of all the territories vnder their obedience and of all others that should receiue any Venetian declaring them guiltie of high Treason and detested as perpetuall enemies to all Christians to whom he gaue power to take their goods in all places to make their persons slaues Against this Bull they cast forth a writing about Rome conteining after a long protestation against the Pope and our Lewis An appellation from the monitorie to the next Councel and for want of humane Iustice to the feete of Iesus Christ a most iust iudge and the Soueraigne Prince of all The Venetian armie being assembled made their beginning famous by the recouerie of Treui after the retreate of Chaumont But it was famous to the Conquerour for during the heate of the spoile the King who came to releeue it passed the riuer of Adde with his whole armie without any let the 9. of May. And Triuulce seeing the armie past This day sayd he O most Christian King haue we wonne the victorie The King lodged within halfe a league of the Venetian Campe and holding it more glorie if of himselfe without the assistance of any other he ended this warre he drew the enemie by all meanes to the combate The enemies desseigne was to keepe themselues close in places of strength to flye the necessitie of fighting and to keepe the French from attempting any matter of importance So both armies continued a whole day one in view of an other The next day the King stood foure houâ—es before the enemies lodging with his troupes in battaile and tooke Riuolte in their view without making any other shew then to want courage to come to the fight Necessitie must then force them to it hunger driues the Woolfe out off the wood The king to cut off the vittells that came to them fro Cremona Creme raiseth his campe to lodge at Vaile or Pandin and the Venetians to ingage their enimies in the like difficulties resolue to follow them at the heeles and alwayes to lodge in places of aduantage There were two wayes to the said places The one was longer and lower which going bias against the riuer of Adde was in forme like a bow the other shorter and higher but straight as a line The King takes the lower the enimy the higer Chaumont led the foreward of the French Aluiane the Venetian They approch neere vnto Agnadel when as Aluiane being forced of necessity to fight plants six peeces of artillery vpon the caussie of a brooke which was then almost dry which parted the two armies and his foote in the vinyardes adioyning to it The battell of Agnadel and comes resolutely to charge our foreward The combate was long and doubtfull for that by reason of the stocks and branches the French horse could not fight commodiously And now the Suisses begin to wauer when as the King sending Charles of Bourbon to incourage them and aduancing himselfe with his battaile into a more large and open place hee redoubled the shock fauoured by his artillery the which the enemy could not discouer by meanes of certaine small trees and bushes So as after a resolute fight of eyther side about three houres the Kings presence not suffering any one of faint and the Suisses returning to their first heat the Venetians wonderfully spoyled by the horse and Cannon and hindred by the raine and haile which beat in their faces began to yeeld both in courage and force and finally resoluing to sell this victory to the French very deare fayling rather in force then courage they desired rather to loose their liues then their honours by turning of their backs The Earle of Petiliano with whom was the greatest part of their forces incountred with a squadron of their owne men flying greeued that Aluiane had contrary to his aduice presumed to fight and thinking that
to point beginning with rigour and ending with mildnesse they take a contrary course They feared sayd they in their iuâ—â—ification that his Holynesse holding the Wolfe by the eares pressed on the one side sometimes with promises sometimes with threats by the Emperour and on the â—ther side in a maneâ— despairing euer to finde grace or fauour with the King should in tâ—e end cast himselfe into the Emperours armes and runne the same fortune with him To drawe him therefore to the French party they offer the Pope in the Kings name To make him Iudge and Arbitrator of such controuersies and quarrels as hee had with the Genouois the which his Maiestie pretended were not conteined in his renunciation And the better to drawe him The Cardinals meanes to win the Pope they renued without any speciall commission the proposition first made by Pope Leo and after reuiued by Clement of the marriage of Henry Duke of Orleance with Katherine Daughter to the Duke of Vrbin This did greatly please Clement who then began to hold vp his head and resolued to strâ—ke whilest the Yron was hotte This match was wonderfull honourable and beneficiall for his Holinesse and helpt much for the ratifying and support of his house the which he had in singular regard The Emperour did presently discouer that vpon the comming of these Cardinals the Popes affection to him was greatly altered And vpon the first discouerie of this tâ—eatie of marriage hee imployes the Lordes of Cannes and Granuelle to breake it in fauour of Francis Sforce with the sayd Duchesse of Vrbin and to perswade â—â—e Pope that his practices was artificially brought in by the King to entertaine him onely but not with any intent to conclude it considering the great disparitie of their degrees and qualities and seeing theâ—e two Cardinalls said he had no sufficient authoritie touching this allyance it was an euident proofe of the fraude But by meanes of this marriage the King thought to strengthen his house and to get new footing in Italie and the Pope did thereby free himselfe from the feare of a Councell wherewith he was threatned from France Germanie and England While the Cardinals attend a Commission from his Maiestie to conclude this marriage the Emperour continued his pursute for the assurance and declaration of his league comprehending the estate of Genes And the better to vnite it he required his confederates to make a taxe among them for the pay of such Souldiars as should be fitte to entertaine in Italie for the peace and quiet thereof that the first paiment should bee presently consigned into the hands of a Banker of Genes and that the Emperour should not be tied to any contribution in regard of his great charge to resist the Turkes inuasion and to preuent the attempts of such as would trouble the common quiet of Italy whereof there was now great likelihood By the force of his perswasions the matter was in a maner concluded But through the liuely reasons of the French Cardinals and the Lord of Velly Ambassador for the King shewing That the Emperour had no other desseine but to entertaine his armie vpon the frontiers of Italie at other mens charges being ready to assaile the King vpon all occasions without any charge to himselfe and that without doubt the King hauing reason to looke to his affaires would incounter him with another armie on the frontiers of Italy in the Marquisate of Salusse or in Daulphiné which would breed no quiet but troubles and combustions throughout all Italy for two armies being neere they willingly fall to blowes they concluded not to make any consignation but that euery one of the confederates should taxe himselfe for his portion any warre chancing in Italy and should giue a caution for his part the which did amount to a hundred or sixe score thousand Crownes a moneth So the Emperour sent three thousand men out of his Armie into Spaine as many likewise to Naples and the rest he dismissed Then came authority from the King to the Cardinals his Ambassador with an expresse clause for the confirmation of the marriage And the Emperour seeing himselfe frustrate of his intent to make the Pope declare himselfe openly against the King he imbarked the 8. of Aprill at Genes and sailed towards Spaine the Pope 〈◊〉 towards Rome The Emperor râ—tâ—râ—s into Spaine whether the aboue named Cardinals did accompanie him alwayeâ—â—â—sisting by the Kings importunitie that the troubles of England might be pacified before the fall of that great storme which threatned the Churches But the King of England wearied with the Popes dissembling and delayes â—hâ—m he then called but Bishop of Rome vpon the matter of his diuorce he caused it t◠〈◊〉 decided by the English Church The Arch-bishop of Canterburie Primate of England being president where by sentenceof the said Church his marriage was declared voide The first motiue of the separation of England from the Church of Rome and the dispensation voide as giuen in a case that was not dispensable and which is not in the Popes power not in the Churches According to this sentence he left his first marriage and tooke to wife Anne Bullen and in her name did publish an ample Treatie against the authoritie and preheminences of the Church of Rome resolute to sequester himselfe wholy if the Court of Rome did him not iustice These newes being published the Emperour growes in choller threatens to raise all the world against England takes his Aunts cause in hand summons the Pope to administer the like iustice to her that was put away as her cause required if hee doth it not he protests with an oath to be reuenged The Colledge of Cardinalls stoâ—â—â—â— they enuiron the Pope and all with one voyce demand iustice against the attemâ—t◠〈◊〉 the King of England and the Archbishops hauing taken knowledge of a cause the deciding whereof belonged to Iudges deputed by his Holinesse His Holynesse desired to temporise and to make a more quiet end He did 〈◊〉 that proceeding to condemnation and hauing no meanes to execute it really were a fruitlesse enterprise and would make his Apostolick authoritie contemptible 〈◊〉 no meanes to put it in execution without the Emperours assistance besides they â—ad a great let which was the strict alliance of the most Christian King with the 〈◊〉 who ioyning their mutuall forces offensiue and defensiue might ingage all Câ—â—istâ—ndome in more mortall warres then euer Notwithstanding in the end as well tâ— gratifie the Emperour as his Cardinalls The Pope censures the King of England he pronounced his censures against the King â—f England if within a certaine time he made not reparation of the sayd attempts Tâ—en he prepared for his enterview with the King notwithstanding all the crosses 〈◊〉 the Imperialls gaue him transforming themselues into as many shapes as Proteus 〈◊〉 draw him from this resolution all which are to be read in the Originals Nice had beene appointed for this effect
be called Lieutenant generall to his Maiestie in all his countries and territories But this was but a gouernment in paper these strong partialities of two parties shall brieflie one assaile another making great wounds within this realme from whence wee haue seene the bloud runne euen to these latter dayes This treatie did preiudice them of Guise and in the end peace must needs send them from Court to liue at home like priuate men They had in their conceits the argument of a new Tragedie the which we shall shortly see plaied vpon this Theater The Protestants multiplied and the King of Nauarre supported them openly The Prince of Condé who pursued the sentence of his iustification in the Parliament and the Admirall had preaching in their chambers This string is strained too high They publish generally that these preachings will be the ouerthrow of the ancient religion within this realme and particularly among the Duke of Guises partisans That vnder colour of rendring accounts and of extraordinary gifts they would displace them hauing managed the most important affaires of the realme for the space of fortie yeares The Constable holding for a maxime That the change of religion brings an alteration in the state begins to applaude them the Duke of Montpensier and the Prince of Roche-sur-yon Princes of the bloud of Bourbon vpon this nice point of new religion ioyne willingly with them The people conforme themselues commonly after the patterne of great men Gâ—eat personages looke awrye one on another so do the people one beares the name of Huguenot impatâ—enâ—ly an other cannot indure that of papist in truth turbulent and factions names From hence sprong diuerse mutinâ—es 〈◊〉 Beauuais Amiens Ponâ—oise and elsewhere where the weaker was forced to yeeâ—d to the stronger These new broyles caused an Edict to be made at Fontainebleau where the Câ—â—urt remayned attending the renewing of the estates intermitted prohibiting these maâ—â—a reproches of Papist and Huguenot to serch no man in his house nor to retaine any one in prison for his religon From thence the King made his voiage to â—eims and was sollemnly crowned by the Cardinall of Lorraine The Kings coronation The Parliament at Faris not able to digest this last Edict shewes vnto the King That diuersitie of religion was incompatible in an estate reiects this pretended libertie of conscience and beseeched â—â—s Maiestie to force his subiects to make open profession of the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vppon such paines as should bee aduised on in Councell Now blowes a contrarie wind the which assembles in the Parliament at Paris all the Princes Noblemen and others of the priuie Councell with all the Chambers to the end they might freely Edicts of Iuly and withall puritie of conscience deliberate aduise and conclude vpon a matter so much importing the good and quiet of the Realme This assemblie brought forth the Edict which they called of Iuly an edict confirming the decrees of former Kings commaunding his subiects vpon paine of death to liue hereafter in peace without iniuries without reproches for any respect of religion â—â—nd beleefe But see the firebrand of ciuill warres which now we handle All religion faith or doctrine other then that of the Church of Rome was banished the realme asâ—emblies of Protestants forbidden and they condemned to seeke their abode elâ—ewhere Somewhat to temper this bitternes they lymit their exile by the determination of a generall Councell or next assembly of the Prelats of the Realme at Poisâ—y And at the same instant the sentence of the Prince of Condés innocencie was pronounced in Paâ—liament by the President Baillet in their scarlet gownes the dores open and all the chambers assembled the King of Nauarre being present with the Duke of MoÌ„â—pensâ—er the Prince of Roche-sur-yon the Dukes of Guise Neuers and Montmorency the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Guise Chastillon and other noblemen his remedie reserued against whome it should appertaine as the reputation and qualitie of his person and dignitie should require The King calling the Princes and Noblemeâ— to S. Germain in Laye hee caused the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Guise to embrace each other promising to continue good friends The Parliament remitted to Pontoise hauing produced no other effect but a new approbation of the Regencie for the Queene mother in whose fauour the Admiraâ—l laboured to the Estates relying vpon the great assurances she had giuen him to procure much good for them of his partie And the King of Nauarre by reasonâ— of the refusals which the Deputies made to passe this article declared vnto them by mouth that he had renounced his right and some meanes to open the cofers of the Clergie for the payment of the Kings debts they began to proceed to the conference of Poissy For the Catholiks came the Cardinals of Bourbon Lorraine Armagnac Guisâ—e Chastillen and Tournon Conference of Poisâ—y assisted by a great number of Prelats and Doctors of Diuinitie and Canon Law The Pope doubting least they should make some conclusions preiudiciall to his authoritie sent the Cardinall of Ferrara his Legat into France to oppose himselfe against any alteration in religion and to haue the cause referred to the Councell of Trente the which he had published Theodore Beze Peter Martir a Florentin Augustin Marlorat Francis of Saint Paul Raimond Iohn Virel and other to the number of twelue ministers and two and twentie Deputies of the Protestant Churches offer a petition vnto the King at his first entrie beseeching him that the Prelats might examine the confession of their faith whereof they had had conference since the moneth of Iune to impugne it if they thought good at their first assembly and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches A PetitioÌ„ presented by the Protestants by the mouthes of their Deputies That the King should be president in this conference with his Councell and that the Clergie for that they are parties should not take vppon them the authoritie of Iudges That all controuersies 1561. might be determined by the word oâ— God That two Secretaries chosen on either side might examine the disputations that were daylie written and that they should not bee receiued but signed by either partie Before they entred into open conference the Cardinall of Lorraine would â—eate pâ—iuatly with Beza before the Queene Mother and hauing heard him especially vpon the Lords supper I am greatly contented sayd he with that I vnderstand and hope assureâ—ly that the issue of this Conference will bee happy proceeding with mildnesse and reason It began the 9. of September The King did breefely touch the causes of this assemblie causing his Chancellor to deliuer them more at large The Cardinall of Tournon in the behalfe of the Prelats demands the Chancellors proposition in Writing A 〈…〉 the Pr testants and leysure to consider thereof the which is refused Theodore with his companions brought in by the Duke of Guise appointed to that
causiâ—g the Prince his son to go onâ—e to the Masse the K. of Spaine would giue him the realme of Sardigne The King of Nauarâ—â— â—orsakâ—s the Protestants in recompence of that of Nauarre The Pope likewise confirmes him in this hope This was properly to conceiue a mountaine to bring forth a mouse to take froÌ„ him al means to recouer his realme of Nauarre when he should attempt it So as being drawne by those Spanish and Lorraine practises he estrangeth him selfe by little and little from the protestants sollicits the Q. his wife to retuâ—ne into the bosome of the Romish Church and so to instruct her children Vpon her refusal there growes a breach betwixt theÌ„ and he falls in loue with one of the Queene Mothers maids In the meane time she enteâ—tained the Prince of CoÌ„dé the Admiral whoÌ„ she knew to be yet strong within the realme maintayned the protestants in their peaceable exercise for that end commanded euery gouernor to retire to his gouernment She would haue sent the Prince of Condé into Guienne whose presence without doubt had stayed that horrible and câ—uell shedding of bloud whereby Mouluc vpon his refusall opened the veines of a body wonderfully afflicted But so passeth the world euery one would gouerne the King in his turne and the Regent by little and little did vndermine the â—oundation of the Edict to ouerthrowe the whole body Moâ—eouer those of Guise were desirous to returne to their places neyther had they retyred but to get better footing They are now strong inough hauing drawen the King of Nauarre from the Protestant parte They march towards Paris and passing from Iainuille to Vâ—ssy they dispersed about twelue hundred persons The massacre at Vassy which were asâ—embled for their exercise murther two and fortie wound many to the death leade aâ—ay prisoners and sacke the Towne this was the first firebrand of the ciuill warres which were now a breeding This act puts the Protestants in alarum and makes them to leaue the trowell and the hammer which they imployed in many places to build their Temples euery one skowres his harnes euery one prouides him armes horses Their Churches and Nobilitie complaine and demand iustice of the King The Regent giues them good words and the King of Nauarre rebuks them chargeth them to be the first motiues of this trouble They haue saith he cast stones against my brother the Duke of Guise he could not retaine the furie of his followers And whosoeuer shall touch the end of my brothers fingar shall touch my whole bodie The arriuall of the Duke of Guise the Constable the Marshall of Brissac Montmorency Termes and afterwards of the King of Nauarre to Paris drawes the Prince of Condé and the three brethren of Coligni likewise thether But the stronger carries it They were too weake to incounter the Councels which were held daily at the Constables house To vnderstand what forces the Prince had within the Cittie they make a proclamation That all men of what qualitie soeuer should come and shew vnder what Captaines they were enrolled vpon refusall they should depart within 24. houres So the Prince retyres to Meaux and cals togither such as might by their armes force his enemies to some agreement The Queene mother seeing the Guisiens fortified within Paris and seized vpon the Kings persoÌ„ whom they caused to come from FoÌ„tainebleau to Paris writes vnto the Prince and recommends vnto him both the mother and the children The Princes intention was to come to Court when as newes is brought him Orleans taken by the Protestants That they possesse the King and bring him to Paris He therefore leaues Meaux to go and seize vpon Orleans and at the same instant either faction assures himselfe by diuerse surprises of places exposed to their pleasure The Constable causeth the houses of Ierusalem vpon S. Iames his diâ—ch and of Pepincourt without S. Anthonies gate to be beaten downe where the Protestants did assemble for their exercise in al other places the people transported with the like humour vse extreame violence The Protestants grow egar in all places where they had might reuenge theÌ„selues on the Churches images priests and religious houses To conclude euery Towne thus diuided prepares a wretched Theatre to act a mourneful and bloudie Tragedie Yet euery one iustifies his cause Without the realme the Prince produceth the Regents letters in open ParliameÌ„t of the Princes of Germanie Within the realme he exhorts theÌ„ of his party to prouid men money by an association made with the Noblemen gentlemen of his partie he promiseth to imploy himselfe for the deliuery of the King and Queene and for the maintenance of the Edicts and the Estate of the realme On the other side the King declares by his letters pattents that both hee his mother and his brethren are at libertie forbids all his subiects to arme vnder that pretext commands them that are armed to surcease and to retyre home to their houses and by an other Edict he commands the execution of the Edict of Ianuary but within the Citie of Paris and suburbs thereof But to quite abolish it he cals the Nobilitie the 28. of Aprill and declares by proclamation the Prince and his adherents to bee seditious and bad Christians and that the Prince made prouision of forren forces to disturbe the quiet of France It is an example of dangerous consequence when a people armes vnder colour to set their Prince at libertie for often times in stead of liberty they make him captiue The Queene mother did easily arme that partie which she ment to imploy but great men who most coÌ„monly maintaine their authoritie by armes do more wilingly take them then lay them downe She cannot now cause them to surcease whom she had armed for this deliuerance the confusion is too great their courages are too much incensed and their harts pust vp with many hopes they must come to blowes their fingars itâ—hed on either side In the meane time the heads beeing gone and perswaded to preferre the publike before all priuate respects they offer in shew to lay downe their armes and to retire home to their houses so as their aduersaries will submit themselues to the like But to conclude the companies of men at armes being for the most part arriued at Paris The first ciuill troubles with part of the old bands the King of Nauarre the Duke of Guise the Constable and the Marshall of Saint André the Protestants called the three last Triumuirs and in truth they were but three heads in one hood hauing by an Edict banished the Caluinists out of Paris take the way of Chasteaudun with twelue thousand foot and three thousand horse The Prince was as strong and euen then would haue ioyned with them d' Andelot and Boucart aboue all others vrged it but the Regent abused them with friuolous hopes of an accord whilest the Kings armie grew stronger
Roâ—hell was in the meane time belegard soâ—ldiars arriued hourely giuing terrible threats against the Towne who began to crie tâ— the Admirall for succours In other Townes they heard secret murmurings â—hich terrified the most cleere sighted among the Protestants These aduertisements sound continually in the Admirals eares But he continues alwayes like vnto himselfe constant in the midest of all motions and grew resolute against all such as laboured to call him from Court eyther by mouth or writing As for the house of Guiâ—e sayd hee whereof they will put me in feare the King hath taken order making vs to sweare before him to continue friends and as for them of the religion the marriage of Madam Marguerit whom his Maiestie giues not to the King of Nauarre alone but as it were to all those of the party to ioyne himselfe vnto them by an indissoluble vnion is the finishing of their quiet and safetie To conclude he will be no more troubled touching the Kings ill meaning nor the Qâ—eene Mothers the Duke of Anious the Guisiens nor any others And that which setles the Admirall the more in his conceit he finds the King after the death of Sigismond King of Poland to affect the pursute of that Crowne in fauour of his brother Negotiation of Poland Charles was cleere sighted in affaires of State he was young yet of a quick and ready wit and if bloudie and furious councels had not peruerted him without doubt he might haue brought forth better fruites and this Monarchie â—ad beene freed from the miseries which haue since ruined it His brother had great credit generally in France his mildnesse made him pleasing to his Mother and his liberalitie to the people He desired rather to see him command farre off then neere And the Admirall who knew the Duke of Aniou to be an irreconciliable enemie to tâ—e Protestants supposed that the King would by his absence settle a firme peace that Henry being confined in Poland his adherents would grow more milde that the house of Guise disapointed of this support would feare the Kings lookes the which sometimes appeared terrible and that Charles would soone discharge the Queene â—is Mother from the gouernment of affaires and take it wholy vnto himselfe as already he made some shewes of his intent The Admirall seeing Iohn of Monluc Bishop of Valence a man of iudgment and practised in negotiations departed for this Ambassage hee fed himselfe with new hopes And contrarywise Monluc foreseeing the iminent storme was very glad to be neither a councellor nor a witnesse of the miseries that were like to fall vpon the Protestants And indeed he had before councelled many of the principalls amongst them not to medle in this imaginary warre of Flanders but to retyre in time to theyr houses and not to trust ouermuch in the goodly shewes of Court considering the enuie of the great and the ill will of the people of Paris But thus God confounds the iudgment and blinds the vnderstanding of such as he reserues for an example to their posterity O France my haire stands vpright and I tremble 1972. to enâ—er into the relation of so inhumaine a tragedie And shall wee neuer bee satisfied to heare the lamentable and contiâ—uall slaughter of our countrymen what man would not be troubled what minde would not be oppressed with heauinesse and griefe to see so much bloud vnprofitably spilt in our Citties which should be carefully preserued for the defence of our country against strangers and common enemies yet let vs passe this dangerous passage the course of times inuites vs to proceed A great number of Noblemen both Catholikes and Protestants repaired from all parts to the solemnizing of this marriage Those of Guise come bringing with them a large traine of persons of all qualities faithfull vnto them The water which moues by little and little the birdes which houer aboue it and the ayre colder then of custome foretell a storme to come So the common murmurings the stirring of the quarter maisters and other Captaines of Paris the Kings gards dispersed through the Citty the ordinary threates against the Protestants were certaine testimonies That this marriage should be seasoned more with bloud then water The day appointed comes the Cardinall of Bourbon marries the parties vpon a hiâ—h scaffold The marriage solemnisâ—d built before the doore of our Ladyes Church at Paris Foure dayes are spent in playes feasts dancing and maskes which finished the King protests to the Admirall that he â—â—ll answer and satisfie the Protestants requests Euery one of their Churches had their Deputies in Court for many affaires wherein the Admâ—rals authority was very necessaâ—y They ought a great summe of money to the Germaines due for their entertainment in former warres for the payment whereof the King had suffered them to taxe themselues to the fift part of their estates The Commâ—ssioners and Receiuers prest the collection being desirous to make an end of that businesse the day of payment being past Hereon the Admirall treated with the Priuie Councell on Fâ—iday the two twentith of August where the Duke of Aniou in the Kings absence was president At the rising of the Councel the Admirall hauing attended on the King who went to play at Tenis he retyred himselfe to his lodging at dinner time being accompanied with fifteene or sixteene Gentlemen and reading a petition when as being about a hundred paces from the Louure a Harguebuse shotte from the window of a lodging neere by belonging to Villemur sometimes Schoolemaister to the Duke of Guise The Admiral huâ—t carryes away the forefinger of the right hand and wounds him in the left arme They breake downe the doore of the lodging they finde the Harguebuse but not him that discharged it This was Maureuel vnder a counterfet name of Bolland of the Kings gardes a fitte man for such murthers who mounting vpon a Genet of Spaine which was prouided ready for him fled by Saint Anthonies gate to a place of safetie The King played and vpon the first report of this hurt Shall I neuer haue quiet said he shall I dayly see new troubles And casting his Racket to the ground he retyred to the Louure and sweares with an execration to the King of Nauarre and the Pâ—ince of Condé who were come vnto him to complaine of this outrage to take such exemplary iustice of the offendor his fautors and adherents as the Admirall and his friends should haue cause to rest satisfied Hee presently commands to purâ—ue him that shotte but they go slowly after him hee appoints three of the Parliament to make infoâ—mations against the culpable Thran Morsan and Viole hee leaues onely two gates open with greaâ— gardes vnder colour to search for such as were priuie with this outrage putting the whole Citty into armes The Qâ—eene Mother seemes to â—ee discontented They doe great wrong vnto the King cryes she if hee should suffer this crime vnpunished they would in the end
commentâ—ries in steede of pacifying all things past as he might easily haue done and haue giuen vs peace they cause him to resolue vnto warre making him beleeue that entring into Daulphiné all would yeeld vnto him where as the least dog-hoole made head against him the best of his conquests could neyther recompence the bloud of his men nor the treasure he should spend in this warre The Queene mother the Dukes of Guise and Neuers the Marshall of Retz the Chancellor Birague and some other newe bread Frenchmen disposed of the affaires at their pleasure in the secret Councells of the Cabinet Bad Councelâ—loâ—â— The King did willingly giue them authority and what might bee expected of men who gladlie would people France with newe Colonies of Italians Lorrains and Piedmontoâ—s carying onely to Court Ladies from the which he had beene sequestred almost a yeare with this nation which is lesse lasciuious then ours These pernitious Councellors cause him to protest by sundrie proclamations of his loue to the good of his subiects and to abolish what was past Ill Councell so as they lay aside arâ—es deliuer him all his Townes and liue quietly in their houses without any search constraint or molestation for matter of conscience A policy practised by them to entertaine the fire of ciuill diuisions to rule in this confusion and to fortifie a third partie which in the end we shall see will oppresse the King and bring the Realme to a very miserable estate The Protestants stood then the more vpon their gards they are full of iealousie distrust doubt and feare All those pattents made no mention of libertie for their religion neither of a Parliament for the politike gouernment nor of a nationall Councell for matteâ—s of conscience And what was it to graunt vnto the Rochelâ—oâ—s libertie of conscience and to forbid the exercise of their religion for a certaine season but to keepe their partie at a gase whilest by their great preparations which were made in all parts they should bee able to put a mightie armie to field to râ—ine them without hope of rysing So they arme on all sides espeally in Poictou The Baron of Frontenay afterwards Lord of Rohan in Brittanye beeing followed by threescore gentlemen and sixe hundred good soldiars puts himselfe into Lusignan which the Duke Montpenâ—â—er threatned and according to the leysure hee gaue him hee prouided for the fortifications and all things necesâ—arie to maintayne a memorable seege which might by the meanes of some succours consume an armâ—e before the Castell Seege of Lusignan About the beginning of October the Duke incampes before it and with a batterie of about two thousand three hundred Cannon shot thinkes to drawe the beseeged to a composâ—tion Their importuneâ— them but they answer they will attend a generall peace for all them of their religion He salutes them with twelue hundred and fiftie Cannon shot more makes a breach giues an assault vpon them and is repulsed and beaten back with great losse Fiue daies after the beseeged sallie forth and to reuenge the bloud of seauen yong gentlemen sixeteene soldiars and twentie that were hurt at this first assault they cloye fiue Cannons fire their powder kill nine Captaines and many soldiars bring away many Enseigns and returne laden with spoiles armes and prisoners This disgrace dispersed a part of his campe and made him to spend all the moneth of Nouember without any attempt against the beseeged In December the Duke fortified with twelue hundred Reistres and sixe hundred French foote presseth Lusignan againe and the more to hinder them he batters downe a mill which did furnish them with meale So their hand-mills not able to suffice they began to want bread To ease them of some superfluous mouthes they craue a pasport for some gentlewomen and other persons vnfit for the warre to returne to their houses or some other places of safetie But the hatred this Prince did beare to the Protestants had more force in him than the ordinary curtesie which FrenchmeÌ„ beare vnto Ladies He supposed the wiues Children should be an vrgent sting to draw their husbands and Fathers to yeeld speedely Nowe their horses serued them for foode the soldiars almost starued tooke away the bread violently as they carried it from the Ouen they brake into many houses in the night to seeke for victualls they had no wood but mouables and the ruines of houses ill clothed ill shod ill lodged no cleane linnen toyled with continual trauell to defend themselues both aboue and vnder ground to frustrate the mines which the Duke caused to bee made two of the which in their ruines buried many of the assaylants and gaue the beseeged courage to continue firme in their resolution The 23. of the moneth they begin to thunder with eighteene Cannons and foure Culuerins and the next day they continue the same furie with fiue and twentie peeces After diner they come to the assault the showers of musket shot comming from sundrie flankes makes the enemie retire and to leaue the breach full of dead bodies The greatest force was against the rauelin of la Vacherie which being woone by the assaylants makes them retire to the Castell that had it in gard At the first port of the Castell euery man did shewe his resolution all fight in the midest of the thunder fire and smoake and fiue houres togither dispute it with a doubtfull and bloudie fight In the end both the one and the other being tired with so furious an assault take breath the beseeged remayning masters both of the Towne and Castell being reduced to foure score cuirasses and foure hundred and fiftie harguebuziers resolute to liue and die both in the defence of the place and of their quarrell hoping that la Noue would finde meanes to send them some releefe Lasignan yeelded Not courage but force fayled them So as Frontenay the 25. of Ianuary accepted the articles of composition which the Duke offred vnto him by the Collonel Sarrieu Himselfe and his gentlemen to depart with their armes horses and baggage the Captaines and other Commanders euery one with a curtall if they had any their armes and baggage the soldiars with their harguebuzes their matches out and their Enseignes wrapt vp the gentlewemen and all others that would depart safely to be conducted to their houses or else to Rochelle Thus it was concluded This seege caused aboue twelue hundred men to be slaine a great number to bee maimed and ruined a mighty armie They endured ten thousand Cannon shot with many assaults and lost 25. gentlemen and about two hundred soldiars And the Duke for a memory of his losses caused the Castel of Lusignan to be razed being in former times one of the goodliest fortresses in Europe Such conquests were of more difficultie in Daulphiné the Protestants had mo places and mo Captaines at their deuotion Pousin Liuron Priuas and others did greatly hinder thetrafficke of Marseilles and Lions and
a dangerous and as the Originall saith a detestable example he left it in prey to Tauannes and retyred to Mascon Tauannes goes thither with all speed and presents himselfe at the gates The first seege of Masâ—on hoping by kind offers to perswade the people to receiue him but he finds no admittance So he gathers togither all his forces and the third of Iune beseegeth the Towne His armie consisted for the most part of Bourguignons of the CouÌ„tie carrying openly red scarfs The beseeged countenance themâ—elues with this pretext and make their profit thereof to auoid this present storme that threatned them They giue the King to vnderstand That it was not reasonable they being his naturall subiects and desiring to liue in peace vnder the obedience of his lawes should bee forced to open their gates to Tauannes armed with strangers enemies to the Crowne who is suspected of them for many other great reasons This admonition preuailed somewhat for Tauannes straightwaies retired by the Kings commaundement but it was to prepare for a second seege Those of Lions send Entragues to defend the seege Tauannes makes his trenches wins the suburbs of Saint Laurence and the fourth of Iuly beats downe the defences The seege makes a breach and â—ews it but to their cost whom hee sent So as if some important businesse had called him into Bourgoogne hee rayseth his Campe and making his account that the beseeged would follow him hee layes a strong ambush but Entragues had no men to loose Mascon freed from this second seege behold Belleuille is assailed Saint Poinct with other gentlemen of Daulphiné came from the spoyling of some boates laden with the value of forty thousand Frankes in relikes of gold and â—iâ—uer 1563. which two Sheriffes of Mascon had sent of their owne authority to Lions to bee conuerted to their priuate vses So the robbers are often robbed This bâ—otie puts them in hope of an other The 28. of Iuly he comes with two hundred horse sixe or seuen hundred Souldiars and the common people thereabouts to belegar this littâ—e Towne but the night before two companies parting from Mascon were entred into it by whom the assailants being repulsed with losse turned their reuenge vpon theâ—r neighbours Cattell The retreat of Saint Poinct made Eutragues seeke to exteâ—d the limits of his territory Hee beseegeth the Castell of Pierrecloux forceth Monâ—osat and fiue and twenty Souldiars which hee commanded there to yeeld at discretion and causeth them to bee lead prisoners to Mascon but this was to feed the Fox who in the end shall eate the pullaine During these broyles Poncenat comes to Mascon with Suisses and French drawes forth the chiefe forces beseegeth Tournus and becomes maister thereof But what can the furie of inciuill armes forbeare Clugny forced with the same rage sees that exquisite and famous Library defaced a most precious treasure which made that Abbey to be greatly esteemed amongst others of France The third siege and taking of Mascon Tauannes aduertised that Mascon was vnfurnished and that Entrangues to please Poncenat followed his enseignes parts from Chalons with foure Cornets of horse and eight hundred foote being assured of a practise which he had within the Towne whilest that his enemies transported with their priuate affections imployed their forces elsewhere The 17. of August many waines drawne with Oxen enter by his meanes that â—ept the keyes of one gate being of the intelligence they passe the first and the second gate at the third the fiâ—st Carter ouerthrowes his waine willingly and by this policie staies the rest Twenty men coucht vpon their bellies behind a wall in a garden neere adioyning to the gate runne thether they kill some bring in their men ouerthrow a corps degarde and become maisters of the Towne the Souldiars of Pierrecloix are freed from prison and cut off heads armes and legges of the Protestants they cast many into the riuer spoile their houses and ransome the wealthiest Thus Bourgongne returnes to the Catholikes deuotion and S. Poinct had the gouernment of Mascon a violent and bloudy man who often times glutted his eyes after his meate with the mourâ—full spectacle of such as he caused to be cast into the riuer These confusions did pittifully afflict all the prouinces of this realme when on the other side the heads of 〈◊〉 parties being prisoners did solicit the conclusion of a peace The Admirall by a 〈◊〉 letters to the Queene purged himselfe of the accusation laid against him touchiâ—g the death of the Duke of Guise whereof Poltrot himselfe in the midest of his most seâ—siâ—le torments at his execution freed him And the Queene mother leauing this thorâ—e in the Admirals foote that she might raigne among these combustions of the houses of Guise and Chastillon did cunningly giue two stroakes with one stone for she made the Prince of Condé beleeue That the restraints propounded vpon the Edict of Ianuary tended only to content the Catholikes in some sort and to open the way for the Protâ—stants to haue greater liberty She pleased the young Duke of Guise with the execution of Poltrot and his aduancement to his fathers offices the Constable by the moderatioÌ„ of the edâ—ct for he had protested neuer to yeeld to the edict of Ianuary So the iudicious reader may see by the course of the history which party did first break it But that which did most import Katherine in disarming her enimes she entertained a discord betwixt two mighty families whereby she maintained her authority 1563. In the end a peace concluded the 13. of March gaue liberty of religion to Noblemen The cheefe Articles of the peace hauing al manner of Iustice for them their families subiects To other Gentlemen that had inferiour iurisdiction for them and their families with permission of the Lords of whom they held In al Bailiwikes iurisdictions depending on the ParliameÌ„t a place appointed for their assemblies at the election of the prouince besides al other places where the exercise had bin since the 7. of March The Vicounty of Paris onely excepted Euery one restored to his former possession of goods honors and offices A generall abolition of all things past for matter of armes All offences except robbing pardoned and a forbidding to iniurie one another either for war or religion This treatie did please and displease many It reioyced such as made an account that this sweet and pleaâ—ant name of peace should make an end of all their calamities and restore euery man to his former estate It greeued such as of three mightie enemies seeing two preuented by death and the third a prisoner esteemed that the gouernment of the state was lawfully fallen to the Prince of Condé who by consequence did derogate from his authoritie subscribing to so weake and easie conditions of peace foreseeing also that the secret oppositions of the Parliaments and the violences os the most mutinous who being armed slue daily some of their
men with all impunity would in few yeeres giue cause of new confusions So by this peace the Germaine was sent home Elizabeth Queene of England held Newhauen whereof the Prince had put her in possession as a pawne and securitie for the money wherewith she had assisted his partie To make a breach betwixt her and the Protestants the English must be chased away by them that had called them in Newhauen recouered The King goes thither in person they likewise vrge the Prince to go with most of his partie and cause them to make the point The place is strong both by nature and art but the fresh water being cut off and the plague hauing wasted about three thousand men the Earle of Warwike entred into Capitulation the 28. of Iuly and the next day yeelded the place to the King One of the cheefe motiues that induced the Prince to yeeld so easily to these conditions of peace was the Lieutenant Generall which he expected by the King of Nauarres death and the Queene mothers goodly promises But to confirme her Regencie she puts the Prince from all his hopes She causeth the King to be declared of full age being yet but fourteene yeares old carries his Maiestie to the Parliament at Rouan makes him protest That he will not hereafter endure the disobedience that hath beene vsed against him since the beginning of these troubles that his pleasure was to haue the Edict of pacification duly obserued threatning such as should oppose or make any Leagues And afterwards by an admonition made in writing by the Parliament of Paris touching the Edict of his maioritie confirming that of pacification the Queene mother causeth her sonne to name her ouerseer and President of his affaires and for an answere to the Court according to the instâ—uctions of his mother I do not meane said hee you should deale in any other thing but with the administration of good and speedie Iustice to my subiects Vnderstand hereafter that you are not confirmed in your offices by me to be my tutors nor Protectors of my realme nor Gouernours of my Cittie of Paris as hitherto you haue perswaded your selues The King being returned to Paris the Duke of Guises widow his children and kinsfolk came solemnly and demanded iustice of the murther committed on the person of the deceased taxing the Admirall as the cheefe author thereof But it was not yet time to suffer these two houses to incouâ—ter That of Guise might receiue as much or more losse then the other and Catherine pretended to make her profit of the first To auoyd this brunt she causeth the King to command them to surcease this quarrel appoints theÌ„ another time to aduise thereon In the meane time she honours them with the cheefe charges and giues them all accesse and countenance neere his person The rest of the yeare was spent in the confirmation of many Edicts touching the Eccâ—esiasticall and ciuill causes and then was the Iurisdiction of Iudges and Consuls among the marchants erected and the notaries of consignations established As these things passed in France the Prelats assembled at the Councell of Trent prouided for the support and maintenance of the Catholike religion 1564. namely in this estate The Cardinall of Lorraine a man greatly practised in the affaires of the realme A generall Councel at Trent â—â—th all he can to root out the Protestants To that end they find this expedient That the Kings of France and Spaine should make a strict League and hee of Spaine sâ—â—uld giue the French such forces as were requisite for the execution thereof The holy League and in tâ—e meane time they should seeke all meanes to abolish the Edict which alowed the exerciâ—e of the pretended reformed religion that this treatie made for the preseruation of the Catholike 1564. Apostolike and Romish religion should bee called The holy League The Cardinall promiseth to imploy all his indeuours and meaâ—es to this â—â—fect and assures the assemblie of the willingnesse and good affection of the Queene mother and the Lords of the Councell The cheefe of this League were the Pope the Kings of France and Spaine the Princes of Italie the Common weale of Veâ—ice and the Duke of Sauoy Of the Emperour and the house of Austria they speakâ— diuersly So from the beginning of February they labour to produce some effects Theâ—r Ambassadors come to Fontainbleau demanded the obseruation of the decâ—â—es of the Councel throughout al France wherof the reading should be the fiue 〈◊〉 of March at Nancy in the presence of the Ambassadors of all Cathâ—liâ—e Princeâ— asâ—eÌ„bled to make a general League against those estates that were falâ—e from the obedience of the Romish Church They require also that in fauour of the Clergie the King should cause the alienation of Ecclesiasticall goods to cease as against the law of Gâ—d and preiudiciall to his Maiestie and the Realme That the Edict of pacification should be disanulled and heretikes rooted out namely such as had beene partakers of the Duke of Guises murther Behold new firebrands to cast this monarchie into the flames of a second ciuill warre But the fires of the first did yet smoake And things not being so soone prepared to enter into new homebred combustions the King answeres That he hath graunted the Edict to free the Realme from strangers and that hee hopes henceforth to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Church In the meane time such as were worst affected to the publike peace attempted many things contrarie to the Edict The Comissioners sent for the obseruation tâ—ereof The Edict of peace ill obserued had small credit in many places The Estates of some prouinces sayd plainely that they could no more endure two religions then two Sunnes the execution thereof had small or no effect in places where it was proclaymed the Magistrates delayed to appoint the Protestants places for their exercises and by their â—lacknes caused many to seeke their dwelling elsewhere to liue in quiet and safetie The complaints and discontents which â—ounded in the Kings eares from all parts gaue Catherine vnder colour to lead the King in progresse through the Prouinces of his Realme and by his presence to end many controuersies which euen then seemed to threaten him with some eminent confusion a goodly pretext of conference with the King of Spaine Charles begins his voyage by Champagne and through Bourgongne comes at Lions The voiage of Baâ—oâ—ne forbidding the Protestants the exercise of their religion following the Court yea euen in the Townes that were assigned them for their assemblies whilst his Maiestie should bee resident there The Protestants were here in great numbers and might well fortifie themselues againe at need To take from them all meanes they build a Câ—ttadell and the King stiâ—s not before it be in defence By the example hereof many other Townes receiued the like restraint whilest on the other side they diâ—manteled