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
Flaunders and Normandie Clodamyr King of Orleans and the estates of this realme were all the Duchie of Orleans Bourgongne Lionois Daulphiné and Prouence Thierri was King of Mets and to his realme were subiect the Country of Lorraine and all the Countries from Rheims vnto the Rhin and beyond it all Germany which was the auncient patrimony of the Kings of France Hee was receiued in this royall portion with his bretheren although hee were a bastard the which hath beene likewise practized by others in the first line And as euery one of these foure Kings called himselfe King of France so they also added the name of their principall Citty where they held their Court. Thus they called them by speciall title Kings of the Cittie where they had their residence And in truth euery one caried himselfe as King in the Countries vnder his obedience not acknowledging the elder but by mouth onely As the plurality of Masters is a plague in an estate so is it miraculous that the realme had not beene ruined by so many Kings especially amidst such monstrous confusions Horrible confusion among brethren which then reigned full of treacheries cruelties and parricides I tremble to enter into this labyrinth the which I will but passe ouer measuring the Readers sorrowe by my griefe in reading and writing these tragicall confusions But let vs obserue things by order After these foure brethren had peaceably made their diuisions and taken lawes of their owne accord in the yeare 515. according to the most approued calculation they marry their sister Clotilde to Almaric sonne to Alaric King of the Vuisigoths who had recouered a good part of Languedoc the which Clouis had taken from his father and by this marriage they yeeld vnto him the Cittie of Toulouse But this alliance was the cause of great diuisions and ruine Ambition and Couetousnes good Counsellers of state made euery one to conceiue as great a kingdome for himselfe as that of his father perswading them to attempt any thing to bee great Bourgongne was quietly returned into the possession of Gondebaults children Sigismond had the name of King as the elder and Gondemar a portion Clodomyr King of Orleans as nearest neighbour castes his eyes vpon this goodly Country although hee had no cause of pretension but onely conueniency Yet hee findes a colour to beginne this quarrell The rights pretended by his mother Clotilde issued from the house of Bourgongne and the zeale of Iustice to chastise Sigismond for that he had slaine his eldest sonne to please his second wife and her Children Clodomir takes and is taken He enters into Bourgongne with a mighty army seizeth on Sigismond his wife and children brings them to Orleans and there castes them all into a well Thus God punished the cruelty of Sigismond an vnkinde father by a cruell and disloyall hand Clodomir presumed that he had conquered all hauing slayne the King of Bourgongne But the Bourguignons incensed with this crueltie confirme Gondemar in his brothers seate and leauy an army to defend him against Clodomir The armies ioyne Clodomir puft vp with this first successe promysing vnto himselfe a second triumph thrusting himselfe rashely into his enemies troupes is slayne with a Lance and is knowne by his long haire the marke of Kings and Princes of the bloud as wee haue said The Bourguignons cut off his head pearch it on the top of a Lance and make shewe thereof to the French in derision who retire themselues after the death of their Generall But Childebert Clotaire his brethren returne into Bourgongne with a strong army force Gondemar to flie into Spaine leauing them free possession of 〈◊〉 reâ—â—me the which was their proiect rather then the reueÌ„ge of their brothers death 〈◊〉 was dâ—â—ided among the brethren as a coÌ„mon prey all the realme of Bourâ—â—â—â—â—â— is therin coÌ„â—rehended Thierri King of Metz had his part but the poore children 〈◊〉 are not only excluded Cruelty of brethren but two of them are barbarously slaine by the cruel commaundement of their vnnaturall Vncles 520. and they say that Clotaire slewe one of them with his owne hands Cruelâ—â—e of bretheren in the presence of Childebert the other was thrust into a monastery This confusion was followed by two others Thierri King of Metz making warre against them of Turinge called his brother Clotaire to his aide being repulâ—ed at the first by the force of that nationâ— aided by his brother he preuailes and the vanquished stands at the mercy of the conquering bretheren but behold they fall to quarrell for the spoile Thus the ende of a forein warre was the beginning of a ciuill dissention betwixt them Warre betwixt the bretheren They leauie forces with intent to ruine one another Childebert ioynes with his brother Thierri against Clotaire Such was the good gouernment of these bretheren as desire and ambition did counsell them They are in armes ready to murther one another As their armies stood in field ready to ioyne behold a goodly cleere day ouercast sodenly with such darkenesse that all breakes out into lightening thunder and violent stormes so as the armies were forced to leaue the place and by this aduertisement as it were from heauen An admirable reconcilement these Kings assembled to shed blould change their mindes and turne their furious hatred into brotherly concord Thus God the protector of this estate hath watched ouer it to preserue it euen when as they sought to ruine it and that men hastened to their owne destructions But from thence the vnited bretheren passe into Languedoc against Almariâ— King of the Visigoths their brother in lawe The cause of their quarrell came from their sister Clotilde maried to this Gothe as we haue said so as she which should be the vniting of their loues was the cause of their bloudy dissention She was a Christian and hee an Arrian This difference in religion was cause of the ill vsage shee receiued from her husband and his subiects These bretheren incensed by the complaint and calling of their sister enter into Almarics Country with their forces who hauing no meanes to resist seekes to saue himselfe but he is taken and brought before his brethren in lawe by whose commaundement he was slaine Thus Childebert and Thierri hauing spoyled the treasure and wasted the Country of their confederates returne into France accompained with their sister but shee died by the way inioying litle the fruite of her vnkinde impatience although shadowed with the cloake of inconsiderate zeale Thierri dies soone after leauing Theodebert his son heir both of his Realme and of his turbulent and ambitious humour A part of Bourgongne was giuen him with the title of a King the which he left to his sonne and as a chiefe legacie the hatred he did beare to his brother Clotaire King of Soissons As soone as he sees himselfe King by the decease of his father hee takes part with his Vncle Childebert King of Paris against
the end yeelds by composition and Didier who had hated Charles without cause and attempted warre vpon an houre â—alâ—s into his hands who shewes himselfe wise and modest both to vndertake a warre and to vse the victory Thus Charlemagne hauing wisely vndertaken a iust warre and ended it happily hee ruined the Kingdome of the Lombards carrying Didier prisoner to Lion or to Leege The Kingdome of the Lombards ruined for writers speake diuersely of the place of his imprisonment This was in the yeare 776. A notable date to represent the tragicall end of so great a Kingdome the which continued in Italy onely two hundred and â—oure yeares vnder Princes of diuers humors But iniustice tyranie and pride prouoked the wrath of God against them so as thinking to take from an other they lost their owne to vsurpe the liberties of others they fell into an ignominious slauery and their subtilty was the cause of their owne misery A mirror for Princes and great States neuer to attempt an vniust and vnnecessary warre to vsurpe an other mans right neuer to thinke to preuaile ouer a good cause by craft and policy Charlemagne vsed his victory with great moderation towards the conquered nation to the great content of all the Italians who held it a great gaine to haue lost their old master and to be rightly free being subiect to so wise a Lord for he left them their ancient liberties and to particular Princes such as were vassals to Didier their Seigneuâ—ies to Aragise sonne in lawe to Didier hee left the Marquisate of 〈◊〉 He placed French Gouernors in conquered Lombardy meaning to haue theÌ„â—â—treated with the like mildnesse as the ancient patrimony receiued from his Predecessors During the seege of Pauia a Councell was held at Rome by Pope Adrian in fauour of Charlemagne 778. to giue him honours answerable to his deseruing of the Church and namely the right to giue all benefices throughout all Christendome was said to belong vnto him Charlemagne being returned into France Aldegise the sonne of Didier sought to disquiet Italie aided by the Emperour Constantine and the practises of Rogand to whome Charlemagne had giuen Friul who reuolted from his obedience but all these rebellious were â—oone suppressed by the faithfull care of the French Gouernours whome Charlemagne had left in the Countrie newly conquered and Rogand being seized of it suffered the paines of his treacherous rashnes being beheaded by the Kings commaundement Thus Italie remayning quiet to him and his as conquered by a iust warre it shal be hereafter incorporate to the French Monarchie in this second race being giuen in partage to the chidren of France whilest that the good gouernmeÌ„t of our kings maintaines the dignitie of the Crowne A memorable warre in Germanie But the end of this war was the beginning of an other in Germanie wherof the Saxons were the chief darwing vnto them according to the diuersitie of occasions other people of Germanie their neighbours This war continued 33. yeares not all successiuely but at diuers brunts seasons the Saxons hauing for a perpetual subiect to crosse Charlemagne in his desseins especially being busied in many other matters of great consequence I will breefly relate this war of Saxony reporting with one breath what hath beene seuerally dispersed in the whole history without confusion of times or mater following a stile fit for this history In those times Germanie was subiect to the Crowne of France although it had particular Estates vassals to our Kings whatsoeuer the Germaines say who confesse but a part thereof The Saxons were subiect to our Crowne as appeares by that aboue written and namely vnder Martel and Pepin his sonne The motiues of this warre were diuers the impatiencie of a people desiring their ancient libertie not able to beare an others command as the Germains say the hatred and iealousie of a mighty neighbour thâ—eatning them with seruitude the controuersie for the limits of their lands but the greatest and most important cause of these wars The causes of this wâ—â—re was the diuersitie of religion for that the Saxons would obstinatly hold the Pagan superstition which they had receiued from their Ancestors and Charlemagne vrged them to forsake their Paganisme and to make open profession of the Christian faith moued with zeale to the generall aduancement of the truth and the priuat dutie of a Prince to his subiects to prouide for their soules health A thing very worthie obseruation Belial did then fight against Christ The differeâ—ce betwixt the warres which Câ—arles 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 this day Pagan superstition against Christian veritie But alas by whome and wherefore are these vnciuill warres at this day Christian fights against Christian the most sacred signe of Christianitie appeares on either side in Christian and French armies Christians bloud is spilt by Christians through a blind furie want of vnderstanding in the fundamentall accord of the sauing trueth These are not onely different but coÌ„traâ—ie wars to those of Charlemagne and our inâ—aged tumults are begun nourished without reason both against the good of the Estate and Church Vpon this controuersie of religion the Saxons made war eight times against Chaâ—lemagne especially when they found him busied elswhere watching their oportunitie either to crosse him in his desâ—eine or to frustrate his attempts At such time as hee was in Italie they played the wild colts not onely in reiecting the French coÌ„mand but also making open war against those Cities in Germanie which obeyed Charlemagne they had taken Eresbourg from the Crowne of France euen vpoÌ„ his returne beseeged Sigisbourg robbing spoyling al the Country about Charlemagne assembling a Parliament at Wormes Hee subdues the 〈◊〉 and perswades 〈◊〉 to be a Christian leuies a great armie to charge the Saxons in diuerse places This Councell succeeded happily for hauing vanquished the Saxons twise in one moneth in a pitched field he reduced them to their ancient obedience vsing his victorie with much modestie and wisedome desiring rather to shew them the power of his authoritie then the rigour of his force The chief among them was Widichind as religion was the chief motiue of these ordinary rebellioÌ„ so Charlemagne seeking the establishmeÌ„t of Christian religion in Saxony with great zeale happily eâ—â—â—cted it Hauing vanquished this Widichind by reason and humanitie and brought him to the knowledge of the truth by his graue wise conuersatioÌ„ whom he perswaded without any violence to leaue the Pagan superstition 784. which force of armes could not effect in him nor in the Saxons for Mens soules are not gained by force of armes but by reason By the meanes of this Widichind the greatest part of the Saxons were drawne to the knowledge of the true God and the obedience of the French monarchie the most obstinate were forced eyther to obey or to abandon the country as in deed great numbers of the Saxons retyred themselues into diuers strange
no other respect but for the reuerence of Religion and the zeale of publick peace This famous acte happened at Venice in the yeare 1171. in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kings and Princes of the greatest States of Europe that were Mediators of this Accord From Venice Frederick went into the East with a goodly Armie according to his promise And the dissention was well pacified by his humilitie but not altogether suppressed in Italy for it reuiued afterwards as wee shall see in the continuance of this Historie Thus the Christians liued whilest their enemies preuailed dayly in Asia to the great and shamefull losse of all Christendome Such was the estate of the Church and Empire vnder the raigne of Lewis the 7. 1179. Lewis caused his sonne Philip to bee sollemnly Crowned at Rheims at the age of foureteene yeares in the yeare of Grace 1179. Hee betrothed him to Isabel the Daughter of Baldwin Earle of Hainault and hauing thus disposed of his affaires hee dyed the yeare following 1180. An vnwise Prince and vnhappy with all his pollicies Lewis dyes leauing a Leuin of great miseries to his posteritie Doubtlesse the greatest pollicie is to bee an honest man This assured peace caused the Vniuersitie of Paris to flourish as farre as those obscure times would permit Gratian Peter Lombard and Comesior Complaints against the abuses of the Church learned men liued in that age The inexcusable confusion which raigned in the Church was a iust subiect of complaint to the good as appeares by the writings of Peter of Blois Ihon de Saraburck Bishop of Chartres and Bernard Abbot of Cisteaâ—x great and worthy men Their Bookes liue after their deaths wherein the wise Reader may see an ample and free Commentary of this Text the which the Historiâ— suffers me not to dilate of PHILIP the 2. called Augustus or Gods Gift the 42. King of France PHILIPPE .2 KING OF FRANCE XXXXII. THe title of Augustus giuen to Philip is worthy of his person and raigne who not onely preserued the French Monarchie An excellent King and an excellent raigne amidst so many sorts of enemies and difficulties but enlarged it with many Prouinces diuided to diuers proprietaries by Hugh Capet and vnited them to the Crowne for this cause hee was also called Conquerour His dispositioÌ„ The beginning of his raigne was a presage of happinesse for there appeared in his face a great shew of a good disposition inclined to pietie iustice and modestie being strong quick vigilant valiant and actiue Hee did consecrate the first fruites of his raigne to purge the corruptions which raigned among the people Blasphemies Playes Dicing houses publicke dissolutions in infamous places Tauernes and Tippling houses Hee made goodly lawes which our age reads and scornes doing the contrary with all impuniâ—ie but whilest he raigned they were duly obserued The Iewes were mightily dispersed throughout the Realme who besides their obstinate supeâ—stition vsed excessiue Vsurie and were supported for some great benefit by the Pope and oâ—her Princes and States where as they haue liberty at this day to liue after their owne manner Philip expelled them The Iewes banished out of France although they obtained a returne for money yet in the end they were banished out of all the territories of the French obedience and so continue vnto this day This was a small apprentiship and an entrance of much more happy paine the which hee should vndergoe both within and without the Realme in great and troublesome affaires as a famous subiect worthy of his valour England Flanders and Asia prouided varietie and change of worke to imploy his raigne the which continued fortie foure yeares but the change of his intricate marriages troubled him more then all his affaires 1190. as the progresse of our discourse will shew In the beginning there was emulation who should be neerest to gouerne him Philip Earle of Flanders and the Duke of Guienne were competitors The one as Vnckle to the young Queene Isabell his wife Competitors for the gouerment of the state and named by his Father Lewis The other as his neerest Kinsman and both the one and the other had great meanes to preuaile but Richard was the stronger as well by the Kings fauour as by the forces of England of whence he was an Inâ—ant and well beloued of Henry his brother who then raigned Behold the King is imbarked against the Earle of Flanders by the aduise of his Councell The subiect of their quarrell was for Vermandois which the Earle enioyed the King demanded it being no longer his by the decease of Alix dead without children and therefore must returne to the Crowne From wordes they go to armes Their troupes being in field and ready to fight a peace was made with this condition That Count Philip should enioy Vermandois Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois during his life and after his decease it should returne to the Crowne But this peace continued not long among these Princes The King could not loue his Wife Isabel It seemes this was the cheefe cause of the dislike the King had against the Earle of Flanders her Vncle. In the end hee put her away in the yeare 1188. from which time Philip loued Richard Duke of Guienne But this good agreement continued not long by reason of another coÌ„trouersie betwixt him and the English Marguâ—rite the Daughter of Lewis the 7. sister to Philip marryed to Henry of England as wee haue said dyed then without Children Philip doth presently redemand his Sisterâ— dowâ—ie Henâ—y sonne to Hâ—nâ—y the 1. King of England dyes before the father which was the Countrie of Vexin The King of England is loth to leaue the possession so as they fall to Armes and the mischiefe increased by this occasion Henry first sonne to old Henry dyed Richard Duke of Guienne his brother who might haue compounded this quarrell being called to the Crowne embraceth the action with all eagernesse And to crosse Philip by an important diuersion like to olde Henry auoides the blowe in Normandie and enters Languedoc by Guienne into the Countie of Tholâ—usa renuing the old quarrel he had against Count Raimond Philip being assailed in two places is nothing amased Hauing leuied an Armie with all celeritie Warre with England hee enters the English pale Where he sodenly takes Chasteaucaux Busaâ—cais Argenton Leuroux Montrichard Montsorâ—au Vandosme with other Townes and passing on hee batters and takes Mans and hauing waded through the Riuer of Loire he presents himselfe before Tours which yeelds at the terror of his forces Philip of Frâ—nce and Ricâ—ard of England make â— peace Old Henry amazed at the sodaine valour of this yong Prince faints and oppressed with grieâ—e dyes at Chinon in the yeare 1190. leauing his Realme to his Sonne Richard but noâ— his Malâ—ce For presently after his Coronation hee concludes a peace wiâ—h â—hilip vpon a cause very honourable to them both The
disloyall affront done him by Craon Peter of Craon disgraced fâ—om Court in a verie light subâ—ect but a proofe of his â—ash treacherie vnworthie of so strict a friendship wherwith he had honored him he complayned to the King his Brother who loued him exceedingâ—y Both of them detesting this disloyal rashenes of Craon as a treacherous and an insufficient man holding him vnworthy of their seruâ—ce dismisse him with great disgrace refusing to see him or to heare his pretended excuses Thus Crâ—on retyers to his house wonderfully perplexed with this disgrace and finding himselfe not greatly safe he retiers to the Duke of Brittain his kinsman and deere friend to whome he reports his misfortune The Duke imbraceth this occasion and with a deeper reach perswads him that the Constable is the cause of this disgrace The Duke of Brittain perswades Peter Craon to murther the Constablâ— Clisson making his profit of the passions of these young Princes and proceeding in his discourse thâ—ust on by the inueterate hatred he bare him he perswads Craon to kill him to ridde the world of so pernitious a man and therevpon offers him his means vpon all occasions This was that miserable councell which hatred malice gaue him two bad councellers â—or if choller be a short furie who sees not by the effect that hatred is a continuing rage the moâ—her of reuenges the seede of all miserie to mankind As it was simply concluded betwixt them so was it vainly executed by Peter of Craon He had a house at Paris whether he finds means to send men fit for this muâ—â—her and followes himselfe secreâ—ly an easie matter in this great forest of Paris The Constable assâ—ulâ—ed by Craon who knowing the howers of Court and hauing set spies to obserue when the Constable should goe fâ—om â—he King at night to his lodging he attends him with his muâ—therers in a liâ—â—le house where he should passe and setts vpon him with twentie armed men Thâ— Constable thinking at the first that the Duke of Orleans had done it in iâ—st made no great râ—gard thereof but vnderstanding it was Craon he defends himselfe with a great â—keine such as they did vsually weare in those dayes who beeing charged of all sides by â—hese twentie murtherers and crying for ayde he saues himselfe all wounded in a bakers shop The pâ—ople â—hat were neere came running at this noyse Craon saues himselfe on horsebacke by Saint Antonis gate with the greatest part of these murtherers three onely were taken in this disorder The Constable was carried to his lodging called the house of Mercy it is now the house of Guise as the historie obserues all wounded The King and Court disquietâ—d by so audacious an attempt are all the night in tumult These murtherers being examined confesâ—e that Peter of Craon had not onely caused them to commit this acte but was also pâ—esent at the execution and so they are beheaded The King comes to visit the Constable lying in bed he doth comfort him and assures him that he will not leaue so execrable an acte vnpunished But in effect this affront so impudently done to his Constable in the bosome of his head Citty in the â—â—we of all his Court and in his presence togither with the scorne of his audacious imprisonment and â—he patience of Clisson who keeping sylence the indignities he had so oft receyued of the Duke of Brittain pleaded for him being sealed by these outragious wounds All these things put Charles into such a choller and made so great an impression in his heart of settled hatred againâ—t the Duke 1394. as he was farre more sicke then the Constable himselfe 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 conâ—â—mnâ—d for â—â—â—empting against the Constable King Charles assisted by his Councell declares Peter of Craon guiltie of high Treason and enimy to the Crowne of France hauing attempted against his chiefe Officer and doth cite him to come and iustifie himselfe speedily Hee is called and not appering is condemned for his contempt he is declared a banished man and his body and goods confiscate And in the execution of this sentence his house at Paris was razed The Tragedie began by this acte in the yeare .1393 in the moneth of May but it shall continue with many other mourneâ—ull acts and shall cause newe Scenes vpon this Stage This sentence thus executed at Paris it went into Aniou and Brittain All Craons places and houses were seized on and put into the Kings hands and the Duke of Brittain was commanded by the same Commissioners to deliuer him The Duke of Brittain excuseth himselfe The first act of no mournefull tragedy swears that he hath him not in his power discouers the place where he is makes offer of all his meanes for the execution of Iustice he sends to the King to reiterate his excuses assuring him that he was not priuy to this murther Craon was fled to the Towne of Sable in Maine which apperteined vnto him Charles transported with choller lost both meate and rest incensed by the Duke oâ— Orleans his Brother Charles distempered with chollet and his most trustie seruants Noiant Mercier and Montagu dreamâ—ng of nothing more then to be reuenged of the Duke of Brittain whome he held to be the very cause of this attempt Such as were of iudgement and without passion thought no otheâ—wise But alas how weake is mans vnderstanding euen in the best things wherein there often wants a good proceeding Charles had great cause to be greeued with the Duke of Brittain but he should moderate the heate of his choller by the temper of wisdome expecting wisely a fit oportunitie to punish not troubling the quiet of his minde with such violence in seeking reuenge of his enemie We may well say That Charles had a good cause but it was ill managed and the Duke of Brittain a bad the which he gouerned with policy Wherein our Charles should haue vsed cunning to câ—osse his enemies cunning following the example of his wise father Charles the 5. who vanquished the Nauarrois with patience and flying the vnâ—empered rashenesse of Iohn his grandfather who seeking hastily a reuenge of the same Nauarrois his enemy did thrust himselfe into a mortall prison The Children are neyther heires of their fathers vertues nor of their happinesse whose bodies they haue by the will of God being the insâ—ruments of their â—ssence but he reserues to himselfe the soueraignty of vertue and happinesse to gouerne them in the difficult pathes of this world The Kings Vncles difswade him from the war of Brittain The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne aduise the King their nephew to leaue the deciding of this quarrel to the Constable and Craon and not to attempt any thing against the Duke of Brittain who disauowed the fact who fealing himselfe oppressed wouâ—d sâ—eke for extraordinaâ—y remedies to defend himselfe whereby strange inconueniences might insue But the King was resolute at any hand to make warre against the Duke of
with profit it is necessary to distinguish it in order There are three parts famous both for the subiect and successe The first shewes the confused and troublesome beginning of this raigne The order of this discourse vntill our Charles was sollemnely installed King and thereby acknowledged of all the French for vntill that day the greatest part called him Earle of Ponthiâ—ure or King of Bourges in mockerie and such as were more modest termed him Daulphin of Viennois The second putts him in possession of his royall authoritie shewing by what meanes he reduced the Citties subdued by the English to his obedience beginning with the Cittie of Paris and so proceeding to the rest of the Realme expelling the English from all but onely Calais The third shewes the ende of this raigne discouering the Kings domesticall discontents which hastened him to his graue after the happy euents of all his difficulties So this raigne continued thirty nine yeares variable in good and euill The beginning difficult the middest happy and the ende mournfull This is the Theater of mans life where ioye sorrow happinesse and misfortune play their parts diuersly both with great and small Charles the 7. was one and twentie yeares old when hee began to raigne and raigned 39. yeares for after the decease of his father Charles the 6. hee tooke vpon him the name of King of France notwithstanding the pretension of the English the 22. of October in the yeare Charles his raigne 1422. he died the thirteenth of Iuly .1461 He was married at aleuen yeares of age to Marie the daughter of Lewis of Duke Aniou and King of Sicile By this marriage hee had three Sonnes and fiue Daughters His sonnes names were Lewis Philip and Charles Lewis the eldest shall succed him to the Crowne Philip died very yong Charles liued somewhat longer but without any great successe His childeren hauing only the titles of the Dukedomes of Berry Normandie and Guienne His daughters were Radegonde Yoland Catherine Iane and Magdaleine The first died being betrothed to Sigismond Duke of Austria Yoland was married to Amedee Duke of Sauoie Catherine to that great Charles Duke of Bourgongne who shall be his owne ruine Iane to Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Magdalein to Gaston Earle of Foix and this was his race His manners and disposition His manners will appeere by his life he was of a tractable and gentle disposition capable of counceil but louing his ease too much and suffring himselfe to bee often carried away by his seruants And yet as God would vse him for the establishing of the French Monarchie so did he bring him vp in the schole of affliction to fortifie him against all difficulties assisting him with great worthie persons both for warre and councell by whose meanes he did raise vp this estate yet with great and confused combats and by a long and painfull patience But let vs proceede to that which hath chanced vnder his raigne most worthy of obseruation The miserable estate of this raigne vnto the Coronation of Charles the 7. during seauen yeares From the ende of the yeare 1422. vnto .29 in the moneth of Iune when as hee was solemnly installed King in the Cittie of Poitiers SVCH was the estate of Charles when his fathers death called him to the Crowne Wee haue seene after that the miseries of France had caused his mother Isabell to forget her owne bloud making him to bee reiected from the Crowne and Henry the 5. King of England substituted in his place yet he fainted not in these extreamities but did valiantly withstand the pretended desseignes by whose death God soone laid the foundation of this realmes restoring Yet after the death of King Henry the 5. Charles was incountred with infinite difficulties He had small meanes fewer friends and many mighty enemies He scarce enioyned the least part of his estate followed by intreatie and obeyed by halues euen of such as made profession to be most faithfull The Citties had diuers motions Diuersitie of humours in the Citties as priuate interest drew mens mindes to that partie which they held most profitable There were but too many which followed the fortune of the English being a Conquerour the corruption of man inclining commonly to the stronger But amidest these vncertaine humours of people The enemies of Charles he had enemies which incountred him with aduantages apparently victorious for Henry the 6. although he were very young yet did he exceed him in all things he had a realme hereditarie and absolute The King of England the best part of the French Monarchie the assistance of the Duke of Bedford his Vncle with many worthy men and great meanes To these enemies were ioyned some great men which fished in a troubled streame euery one imagining to haue a part of this garment building their desseignes vpon the Sepulcher of Charles and the alteration of the State Among the chiefest were Philip Duke of Bourgongne Amedee Duke of Sauoie Peter Duke of Brittaine with his Brother the Earle of Richemont Diuers instruments vnder that great engin of England but all these motions were to ruine France and to build their greatnesse vpon her ruines The Burguignon who had a great hand in the State was most interessed and most opposite to Charles being apparently the author of his fathers murther The Duke of Bourgongne Yet Philip a iudicious Prince so hated him whom necessitie commanded him to hate in this accident as if he should loue him in time not wedding himselfe absolutely to the English yet did he so worke for him in shew as making himselfe in effect the stronger he might counterpeise him if necessitie required and strike the last stroake for him to whom the French should incline Reason likewise taught him that the people would respect the lawfull heire of the Crowne louing their Prince naturally and in the end would reiect the Stranger as an vnlawfull Tenant who made himselfe daily insupportable by his imperious cariage Amedee Duke of Sauoye being on the Stage and farre from blowes kept the stakes and entertained Charles The Duke of Sauoye as if he should be an assured mediator in these quarrels to end them with more aduantage then any Christian Prince and so he nourished this diuision by a strict intelligence which he had with the Bourguignon As for the humour of the two Brethren of Brittaine the course of the Historie will soone shew it Thus Charles charged by many enemies The Duke of Britaine had few faithfull and confident friends and in that golden age so small meanes to entertaine his friends as he could hardly supply the ordinary charges of his traine selling and ingaging peece after peece of his inheritance So as he had nothing more assured then the equitie of his cause and his resolution in this great necessitie He had yet some good friends remaining in Scotland whom he bought dearely Charles aduanceth Scottishmen aduancing them to
safetie among other toyes he promiseth In case he giues him an assured passage to inuest him or one of his children in the Duchie of Milan But oh notable policie he desires not to be prest to signe these promises To the end saith he it may not be spoken 1539. that I haue done them by constraint to obtaine a passage and requires the King to take his word for assurance This was to build a Castle vpon a quick sand Notwithstanding the King iudgeth another mans heart and intentions by his owne he grants his brother in lawe such â—ssurance as he demands Being sick he parts â—rom Compiegne to go to meet with him sending his two sonâ—â—â—â—o Bayâ—nne The Emperours passage through 〈◊〉 to receiâ—e him and to accompany him to the place where the King and he might meete which was at Chasteleraud giues him authoritie to make entries and to deliuer prisoners in many Townes of the realme as if he had beene in his owne countrie feasts him in all places causeth him to be conducted by his sayd children vnto Valeâ—â—iennes the first place of his owne territories where hee is moued to confirme that which he had promised before his departure from Spaine but it was to no effect The Emperour defers the matter vntill he had conferred with his Counsell of the Lowe Countries It may be hee would haue kept his promise if hee had found the Gantois so desperately affeâ—ted as hee must needs haue vsed the ayde of France to force them to obedience But seeing themselues abandoned by the King they sought and found mercy vpon certaine conditions which hee prescribed them And â—he Constable who relying vpon the word of such a Prince as the Emperour had giuen the King assurance was for this cause in disgrace with his Maiestie and retyred himselfe from Court to his house from whence wee shall see him called and restored to his dignities Let vs obserue the craft and subtiltie of the Spaniard to bring the King into dislike with his friends and allies The Venetians were ill satiâ—fied of the League they had made with the Emperour against the great Turkes their treasure was wasted and their estates after that great and famous victorie in Hongarie were in danger They were for their owne safety ready to enter into a treatie of peace or of a long truce with the Turke To breake this the Emperour sollicites the King to enter into this common League and the King perswaded therevnto sends by his instigation the Marshall of Annbeault Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie in Piedmont by the death of Montiean lately deceased to go in company with the Marquis of Guast to Venice and the Lord of Gié to the Pope as sollemne Ambassadours and to giue them hope That the King of France ioyning his forces to theirs all ioyntly together would make an armie both by Sea and land to extirpate the race of the Ottomans out of Europe The Emperour strooke three stroakes with one stone he disswaded the Venetians from all accord with the Turke Hee bred a hatred and dislike betwixt the King and the Turke And put the King of England in iealousie who could not well like of this great allyance and fraternitie which the Emperour did cunningly make shew to haue with the King So as the English was perswaded that the King had withdrawne his loue grew strange and began to assure himselfe of the Emperour And which is more all the Kings other confederates seeing that honourable and respectiue entertainment giuen to the Emperour and the Ambassadours of both their Maiesties ioyntly sent into Italie they conceiued many causes of distrust blaming the King in leauing them at neede to the Emperours mercie from whom they could not expect if hee did vanquish them in warre any better vsage then that of the Gantois This yeare William Bude Maister of Requests dyed at Paris 1540. a man of singular learning and godlinesse to whom all men that loue learning are much bound Bude dyed hauing by his learned and laborious writings eased them of much paine whose credit with the King and the Cardinall Du Bellays caused honest pensions according to that age to be giuen to those whom wee call the Kings readers and professors a fountaine from whence are sprong so many great riuers that in the end they are spred ouer all Europe The extreame heate and great drouths did likewise make this season the more memorable by the name which it carryes yet of the yeare of Râ—asted Vines The Emperour hauing by his dissembling disappointed the King of his hopes 1541. it was now needfull to satisfie his friends and Allyes touching the truth of things past for to incense all the Potentates of Christendome against our King the Emperour had vnder hand giuen them to vnderstand that the King treated with him of matters to their preiudice 1541. To this end he sent Caesar Fregose to the Senate of Venice and Anthonie Rinson a Gentleman of his chamber to the great Turke The Kings Ambassadors surprised and murthered The Marquis of Guast hath some notice thereof and to surprise these Ambassadours with their instructions and letters of credit which notwithstanding were not found about them the Lord of Langey who could not disswade them from the passage of Po had so preuailed with them as they sent their instructions vnto him to conuey them vnto Venice an other way hee sets watches vpon all the passages especially vpon the Po knowing well that Rincon a big fatte man would rather passe by water then by land and causeth them to be murthered in their barke passing at Cantalone three miles aboue the mouth of Tesin putting all the Water-men into the dungeon of the Castle of Pauia as well those which carried the Spaniards that were the murtherers as the French they were Souldiars of the garrison of Milan and of the sayd Castle An odious and reprochfull act Some Packets coming from Venice to the King and from the King to Venice were surprised and the carriers wounded by men attired after the Marquises deuise But see the notable pollicie of Langey to discouer the truth of a fact which the Marquis thought to haue managed so secretly as it should neuer haue come to light Gifts sayes an ancient pacifie both Gods and men Langey findes a meanes by money to file a sunder the grates of the prison towards the Castle ditch with secret Files drawes forth the Marriners winnes some of the faction to the Kings seruice learnes from them the number the names and the nation of the murtherers the order the manner and the houre of the murther and all other auaileable circumstances to incounter the dissembling of the Marquis who making a good shew of a bad cause seemed to enquire carefully of the crime by the Captaine of the Iustice at Milan The Emperour was then at the Diet at Ratisbone An Interim graunted by the Emperour where he granted an Interim to the Protestants that
great confusion which the following ages did bring forth the like â—ssistance according to his power but both doe promise ioyntly â—o maintaine by all meanes the dignitie of the Catholike religion to cut off as much as in them lay all lets and speedily to seeke all occasions profitable for this desseigne beginning first with the heads This businesse was not so secretly managed but the Prince of Condé the Admirall and other Noblemen of that partie had intelligence They stand vpon their gardes aduertise their men and for this time preuent surprises The end of the yeare brought the King home much satisfied with the ioyfull entertainment his subiects had made him plunging himselfe with his yong brethren in maskes delights whilest the Queene his Mother with her Councellors gouerned France at their pleasure and layde plottes which shall soone breed as dangerous stormes as the former Whilest our Christian Princes studie by their enterview and League to kindle horrible combustions in their estates The Turkes army at Malâ—a they giue the Turkish Armie the better meanes to land in the Isle of Malta to besiege and take the Forte of Saint Elme latelye built by the Pryor of Capoua and by this victorye to make the siege of Malta more easie Let vs obserue three notable things before we conclude the yeare The first was that braue attempt of Peirot the eldest sonne of Montluc who weary to liue idâ—e rigged out some shippes with a good number of Gentlemen Souldiars and Marriners The death of the Pope and Emperour to make a voyage into Affricke hee tooke and sackt the Isle of Madera but with the losse of his life leauing his troupe excluded from all returne into France by the pursute the King of Portugall made demanding satisfaction of the outrages done to his subiects The Earle of Sanzay was sent to pacifie him and â—uen then was treated but without any effect the marriage of Marguerite Sâ—ster to Charles with the sayd King The second was the death of Ferdinand the Emperour and King of Hongarie deceased in September leauing his Sonne Maximiâ—ian for his successor The third was that of Pius the 4. in whose place was chosen to the Pontificall Chaire Michel Giseleo a Iacobin Cardinall of Alexandria and tooke vpon him the name of Pius the 5. The first fruites of this yeare were very commendable and if they had giuen hope of the like proceeding the haruest had beene very happy but such as trust â—ot but vpon good cautions take not all kindes of money for payment growing very suspitions by reason of the conclusions taken in this voiage 1566. To make it more gloâ—ious and lesse suspect the King calls an assemblie at Moulins of the greatest peâ—sonages of his Realme as well for the gouernment of Iustice as for other causes concerning the good and quiet of the state wherof followed that great volume of statutes of the which they rightly say That they were as iust and holy as ill obserued A 〈…〉 Those of the houses of Guise and Chastillon were called The quarell of Paris inuited the Marshall of Montmorency And the Admirall hauing purged himselfe by oath of the crime wherof they pretended him to bee principall motiue the King hâ—d already pronounced him innocent by his letters pattents the King the Qâ—eene Mother the Duke of 〈◊〉 brother to the King the Cardinalls of Bourbon Lorraine and Guise the Constable â—he Marâ—shall of Bourdillon and Vielle-uille the Bishops of Valence Orleans Limoges Ihou and Seguier first and second Presidents of Paris Dasis the first of Tolouse Lagebaston of Bourdeaux Truchon of Grenoble le Feurs of Dâ—â—on Fourneau the second President of Prouence and many other Noblemen assembled to that effect besides the aboue named Statutes made a reconciliation betwixt the two houses whereof followed imbracings protestations promises not to attempt any thing whatsoeuer against an other But the issue will verifie the saying That there is no trust in a reconciled enemie In the meane time the resolutions of Bâ—yonne appeared manifestly the moderations they made of the Edict the insolencies they committed in many places with all impunity the threats they gaue the protestants amazed them on al sides The Prince and Admirall were vigilant obseruing the countenances of their enemies The preparations of Spaine against the Lowe Countries made them to foresee that this enterprise wold in like sort preiudice their partisaÌ„s in France The Prince of Roche sur-Yon had before his death discouered many particularities they coÌ„plained that aboue three thousand persons had perished of violent deaths sence the Edict without any Iustice and theiâ— complaints had no other satisfaction but goodly words and gratious letters To conclude the winds saied they which did blow at Bayonne must needes cause a strange tempest So the causes of their discontent were manifest and secret and consisted in the dismanteling of some townes to take from them the meanes in the building of Cittadells in some places of their exercise in the ordinary murthering of their men Causes of the Protestanâ—s discontents in the massacring of men of accouÌ„t without punishement in the ordinary threats That shortly they should not lift their heads so high but especially in the leauie of six thousand Suisses made vnder a fained pretence so gard the frontier against the coming of Don Fernand Aluares of Toledo Duke of Alba who marched against the Protestants of the loâ—e Country with a mightie army whom notwithstanding they caused to enter â—â—r within the realme by some letters intercepted being sent from Rone and Spaine they had discouered many practises made for their destruction And the intelligences they had from one in Court well affected yet secretly to their party The 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 That it was decreed in a secret Councell to seize vpon the Prince Admirall to put the one to death and keepe the other prisoner at the same instant to bring two thousand Suisses into Paris two thousand into Orleans the rest into Poitiers then by the abolishing of the last Edict to establish one quite contrary All these coÌ„siderations made the chiefe heads resolue to stand vpoÌ„ their defence to obserue fourethings in this new taking of armes To seize on â—ew townes but of importance To bring a gallaÌ„t army to field To cut the Suisses in peeces by whose fauor the Catholikes should be alwaies masters of the field to chase the Cardinal of Lorraine from Court if they might as the chiefe fire-brand of tâ—e confusions which would consume the whole estate Man purposeth and God disposeth and of many resolutions fewe haue their desired ende The pleasure of God doth often disapoint the desseins of them which are most practised in knowledge valouâ— discours wisdome some enterprises little or not at al premedâ—taâ—ed do oâ—ten fall out veâ—y succesfully For the execution of the first point diuers considerations had made them to name three townes Lions Tolouse and Troyes
the fury of this massacre to the ancient quarrell of those of Guise with the house of Chastillon But the foulnesse of the fact might heape vpon them and their posteritie the hatred of all men The Guisians denie to take the maâ—â—acre vpon thâ—m with whom humane society and vertue is in recommendation For they had not spared an infinite number of learned men of reuerent old men honest virgins honourable matrons women with child chaste maydens young Schollers and little infants hanging at the brests of their mother Arming themselues therefore with the peoples loue they refuse to go out of Paris handling the matter so politikely as they cause the King to auouch all that had beene done So Charles writes other letters to his Ambassadours and Gouernours aduertising them That the tumult which had happened concerned not religion but the preseruation of his estate his house and person against the practises of the Admirall and some other seditious persons who had ioyntly conspired his death his Mothers The Admiral accuâ—ed oâ— conâ—piracie and his bretherens and therefore he would haue his Edict of pacification religiously obserued Yet if any Huguenots moued with these newes oâ— Paris should assemble in armes they should roote them out as perturbers of the pubâ—ike peace referâ—ing the surplusage of his will to the credit of the bearer And the better to authorise this approbation the 26. of August Charles with his bretheren assists in Parliament all the chambers being assembled where sitting in his seate of Iustice he declares openly that those things which had chanced in Paris were done by his owne proper motion and commandement yet making no mention of the cause Chrisâ—opher of Thou the cheife President commended his zeale in the name of all the company But to what end did he write the contrary the next day to his officers and the Magistrates of Townes That to his great griefe the Admirall his Cosin and some others of his party had beene slaine at Paris commanding them to preuent all mutinies and murthers and to proclaime that euery man should remaine quiet in his house without taking of armes or giuing any offence and to giue order that his Edict of pacification be exactly obserued and yet the same day to publâ—sh a declaration of the former tenour conteining that by his expresse commandement the Admirall and other his complices had beene slaine not for matter of religion but to preuent the execution of a wicked practise made by them against the Kings person the Queene Mother his bretheren the King of Nauarre this was for a colour of excuse to such as would obiect why then was this Prince saued from shipwrack and it may be for the loue of him the Prince of Condé his cousin and generally against their houses and the houses of France Doubtlesse there was small likelyhood that a little troope of men dispersed some â—n the suburbes others within the Citty in small numbers should presume to attempt any thing against the Estate Charles had both night and day his ordinary gardes Frâ—â—ch Suisses and Scottâ—shmen the most of the Princes Noblemen and Gentlemen of the realme were in Court to honour the marriage Those which had accompanied the King of Nauarre and the Prince of Condé had no other armes but their swords and for a gage of their innocencie had brought for the most part their wiues children sisters and kinsfolke studying onely to shew themselues at the Tilt and â—ourney The accusation made no mention of time place or adherents neyther of the meanes or any witnesses of this conspiracy If it had beene plotted since the Admirals hurt three hundred Gentlemen vnarmed which had accompanied him could they haue effected any thing vnder a Commander tyed by both the armes and ready to see the one cut off by the aduise of the Physitians and Chirurgians in a mighty Citty and against aboue three score thousand men ready to be opposed at the first alarum Moreouer the King of Nauarre and Prince of Condé who had beene still present at all councells would they haue blemished their honours and houses with so great an infamie And if their innocencie had freed them from the common danger the consultations of the Admirall and his followers had they not beene very childish at such a time in such a place among so many naturall Frenchmen come with him wâ—o had neither goods kinsfolke pleasure nor content without the Realme Besides if the Admirall were suspected of this attempt might they not haue committed him presentâ—y to a safe prison informe of his practises and take such conclusions as the crime might deserue according to the Lawes To conclude admit the Admirall after his hurt or else his friendes had giuen forth some bad speeches must the same punishment deuoure so many persons who conuersed onely with their bookes and papers with their trafike and with their worke so many women who dreamt but of their huswiferie so many virgins and infants whose age and condition kept them from the conference of any councell As for the attempt against the King of Nauarre that accusation is friuolous Had not the Admirall him in his power for the space of three yeares what benefit sâ—ould he reape by his death Haue they not conuersed long togither with an humble sincere respect of the Admirall towards him and a perfect loue of the said King to the Admirall â—ut omitt all other reasons that might refute this slander let vs onely obserue the testimonie which Monluc giues in the 7. booke of his remembrances vppon this subiect The Queene mother saith he did me the honour to write vnto mee that they had disâ—ouered a great conspiracie against the King and his Estate the which was the cause of what had happened I knowe what my belief was it is not good to offend ones master The King did neuer foâ—get how the Admirall made him retire in hast from Meaux to Paris wee loose â—ur iudgments sodenly and doe not dreame that Kings haue greater harts then we haue and doe sooner forget seruices then offences And a little aboue My Lord the Admirall was â—â—l aduised to thrust himselfe into Paris to shew that hee gouerned all I wonder that so aduised and wise a man should comit so grosse an errour Hee payed deerely for it it cost him his life and many more The particularities of such as during this horrible butcherie haue shed their blouds for religions sake at Meaux Troyes Orleans Bourges la Charité Lions Tholouse Fourdeaux Rouan and other Townes in villages and in the open fields as they sought to saue themselues without the realme haue beene obserued in other workes that are extant and the bloud of these murthered persons which amount to aboue thirty thousand hauing died the earth and made the waters redd haue cryed so loude that the heaâ—ens haue contiâ—ued their vengeance ouer great and small for so many yeares as tâ—ere remaines scarse any one of the authors of this violent
were prest to these extremities by the violences of such as would take from them their goods and liberties their religion liues Contrariwise I will giue the Parisiens life which Mendosa the Ambassador of Spaine takes from them by famine As for religioÌ„ informe your selues of these Princes and Noblemen Catholikes if I do force their consciences in the exercise of their religion or otherwise The comparison with them of Gant is not good The Parisiens haue sufficiently shewed their courage in suffering their suburbs to be taken I haue fiue thousand Gentlemen with me who will not be intreated after the Gantois maner I haue likewise God and the equitie of my cause Make a faithfull report of my words to them that haue sent you With this answere other speeches testifying the Kings good meaning the smal feare he had of the League these Deputies go to the Duke of Mayenne and hee sends them backe to the King and giues great hope to incline to a peace But Be not amazed at this treatie said he to the Parisiens by a Secretary of his going after the Deputies I will rather die then make a peace And being aduertised that Paris would shortly bee forced through want to yeeld vnto the King The taking thereof answered he shal be preiudiciall vnto him this conquest shall disperse his armie and then we shall preuaile easily But his Maiestie would neither see nor suffer the ruine of his capital Cittie and his meaning was not to seize vpon Paris in such sort as his enemies supposed It greeued him to see so many ill aduised people And if the Dukes of Mayenne and Parma coming to succour them would hazard a battaile he hoped by their ouerthrowe to bring the Parisiens vnto reason Thus the Duke thought to abuse the King with deuises and vnder a colour of treatie win time in fauour of the beseeged But the King being aduertised that the Duke of Mayenne was parted from Bruxelles The King goes against his enemies and tooke the way to Paris followed by Balagny Captaine Saint Paul and other troupes his Maiestie aduanceth with a troupe of horse and marcheth seuenteene Leagues to incounter him and missing them but one houre he forceth them to flie into Laon. The Duke fortifies himselfe there with his forces and approching vnto Meaux he giues a generall hope of a battile The King goes againe towards him but hee finds the Duke fortified betwixt two riuers attending the Duke of Parmaes comming who being come renues this first hope and with this desseme he goes to lodge at Claye and Fresnes sixe Leagues from Paris The King raiseth the seege comes to meet him appoints the Rendezuous for his armie The next day the tâ—irtith of August on the plaine of Bondy in the way to his enemies he chaseth their quarter masters from Chelles The seege of Paris â—aâ—sed who began to marke out their lodging and forceth a troupe of eight hundred horse to retire into the bodie of their armie The first of September the Kings armie is in battaile aboue the village of Chelles about sixe thousand horse in the which were sixe Princes two Marshalls of France many Noblemen The King ofâ—ers battaile more commaundets more great Captaines then are in all the rest of the woâ—ld foure thousand French Gentlemen whom the bare shew of a combat doth draw more cheerefully to the place of battaile then to a gallant wedding eighteene thousand foote French and strangers The Duke of Parma standing vppon a hill to view them Be these sayd hee to the Duke of Mayenne the tenne thousand men which you assured mee would bee so easily ouercome there appeares aboue fiue and twentie thousand in the best order that I haue seene This Duke made more account to saue one of his men then to kill ten of his enemies So resoluing not to hazard any thing they change their Swords and Lances into shouels and Pâ—keaxes and intrenching themselues in the Fenne auoyded the danger and preserued his armie and neither could skirmishes nor alarums make him abandon his trenches On the eight day of the moneth the miste was great and the winde being contrarie carryed away the noyse of the enemies Canon The Dukes laying holde of this occasion make a bridge of Boates besiege Lagny vpon Marne a weake Towne lying behinde their backes and halfe a mile from their Campe they batter it and take it by force but not without an honourable and vertuous resistance of three hundred men that kept it but holding it not gardable they razed it To drawe them out of their Forte his Maiestie makes shew of a great enterprise against Parts Lagny taken by the Dukes he makes his desseigne knowne that hee will attempt it by scaladoe and the tenth daye at nigâ—t goes from the Campe with a good troupe But they keepe themselues within their Fennes yet could they not long subsiâ—t in this straight where they endured all wantes and hungar in the end would driue the Woolfe out of the wood The King offred them battaile in vaine hee attended the tryall of the Dukes forces in 〈◊〉 Hee therefore mans those places hee held about Paris sends backe some of his troupes into Touraine Normandie Champagne and Bourgongne and retaines a sufficient armie to annoy his enemies This proceeding drawes the Dukes to field to free Paris Parma calles himselfe a redeemer and to make his profit of this aduantage and Corbell hee besiegeth and taketh Corbeil by force and kills all that hee findes in armes Rigaude a braue and valiant Captaine commanded there and hauing not time to fortifie against so great a power hee found there his honourable Sepulcher For dying at the breach hee performed the dutie of a faithfull and valiant seruant to the King But the Parmesan lost the Marquis of Renty with a great number of men blemished his reputation and weakened his armie for whilest that he wastes time the King makes new desseignes which shall bring the League into greater difficulties Euen then the Agents of Philip would haue filled his good Cittie of Paris for so the Spaniard called it with numbers of Spaniards and Walons But on the one side the plague was great and vâ—ctualls very skant and on the other side the forces of Maurice Earle of Nassau pâ—euailed in the Lowe Countries the Queene of England sending great succours thether And the sixteene of Paris seeing themselues at some more libertie thanked the Duke of Parma giuing him to vnderstand that his aboâ—d at Bruxelles would be more pleasing and more safe for him His armie decayed visibly hee sees himselfe in the midest of an inconstant multitude Thâ— Duke of Parmas retreate and to dismember his forces to leaue any with the Parisiens were to loose them to drawe the King vpon him and to bee in danger of an ouerthrowe So in the end of Nouember he gathers together his troupes and makes his retreat beeing pursued tyred and beaten with dayly
Inuentories duely certified of all the peeces of Artillery Powder Bullets and other munitions of War which were in the Townes and Places of the said Marquisate when the Duke entred it shal be faithfully deliuered vnto his Maiesty when as the Duke shall choose the one or the other of the said two offers whervpon his Maiesty shall declare his will for the restitution therof the whâ—ch shall be performed by the Duke as well in their kindes as in money according to the price which shal be concluded betwixt his Maiesty and the Duke 10. All Sutes Iudgements and Sentences giuen in Iustice on eyther side before this present accord when the parties haue contested voluntary shal stand and take effect whether Restitution be made or an Exchange of the Marquisate yet it shal be lawfull for the parties to releeue themselues by prouision according to the order of the Lawes 11. That no serch should be made of any Impositions Contributions and Leuies of Money or Victualls in the said Country against such as had appointed receiued or disposed of them or eyther part vnto this present Treaty 12. And to the end that the Inhabitants of the Townes and Country which are to be restored may not bee ouercharged nor vniustly vexed with leuies of Money during the respite granted vnto the said Duke to make choise of and to effect one of the said two offers vnder colour of payment as wel of Arrerages of the said Impositions imposed before since the Peace of Veruins as for the paye and entertainment of Captaines men of War appointed for the gard of the said Townes and Countries or for any other pretext vntill the Restitution or Exchange of the said Marquisate It is decreed that there shall be no leuy of Money made vpon the Inhabitants of the said Townes and Countries conformable to that which was agreed vpon as well by the Tâ—eaty of Veruins as by the Orders and Accords made since for the paiment of the said Arrerages Money by the Deputies of his Maiesty and the said Duke in the beginning of the yeare for the ordinary entertainment of Garrisons appointed for the gard of the sayd Towns Places and of Officers imployed in the Estates of the said Garrisons without any new Impositions of either part And we declare all that shal be done attempted to the coÌ„tâ—ary subiect to Restitution Reparation 13. And whereas as the said Duke hath requested his Maiesty to allowe confirme the Feoffment made by him in the Marquisate in case he shall choose to restore it his Maiesty doth declare that being informed of the qualitie of the said Feoffments he would haue that respect to gratifie the Duke as his seruice would permit him without being bound to restore that which had bin payde for the said Feoffments but as it shal stand with his good pleasure 14. And for asmuch as the said Duke hath intreated his Maiesty to giue him time to confer with his Vassals Subiects of both parties beâ—ore that he accept of the one or the other his Maiesty desiring to witnes vnto him as wel in this as in al other occasions his good will doth grant vnto the said Duke his choise so as he choose and effect the one or the other of the two offers by the first day of Iune aboue named wâ—thout diminishing or altering of any thing or vsing of any Euasion Delay or Difficulty grounded vpon any colour or occasion whatsoeuer 15. Wherunto the said Duke had bouÌ„d his Faith Word his Maiesty doth the like for the accomplishment execution of all things granted by these present Articles which depend thereof 16. In like sort it hath bin agreed betwixt his Maiesty the said Duke that they shal consent as they do at this present after the Restitution shall be Really and Fully accomplished If the said Duke makes choise therof that our Holy Father Pope Clement the 8. shal iudge of all Controuersies that are betwixt his Maiesty and the sayd Duke according to that which hath bin agreed vpon by the treaty of Veruins and that within three yeares 17. Promising to accomplish performe faithfully on either part whatsoeuer shal be decreed by his Holinesse with in the time prefixed without any delay or difficulty for what cause or pretext soeuer as it is concluded by the treaty of Veruins 18. And for the greater assurance of the execution of the Treaty and euery point and Article therein conteyned the sayd King and Duke of Sauoy humbly beseech his Holines that as by his good and fatherly exhortations they are entred into this way of Accord that it would please him as a common Father to continue the care which he hath formerly shewed to norrish Peace and to assure a firme friendship betwixt them and in all occasions that should be offred to interpose his Authority for the full and reall execution of things promised of either part as it is conteyned in this present Treaty Made at Paris the 27. day of February 1600. Signed Henry and Emanuel and sealed with his Maiesties seale and the Duke of Sauoyes Three or foure daies after this Treaty the Duke tooke his leaue of the King who being followed by all the Court conducted him to Pont Charenton The Duke of Sauoyes departure and gaue him the Baron of Lux to attend on him out of the Realme with commandement to the Gouernors of Champagne Bourgondy where he should passe to receiue him as his Maiesty they would Whilest he was neere the King he shewed such outward content concealed his greefe so cunningly as his owne people did iudge that nothing could better content him But being a little retired The Dukâ— discontent his countenance bewraied his discontent and the repentance of his voiage The farther hee went from the King the neerer he approched to Spaine beeing resolute to reconcile himselfe and to that end he presently dispatched Bely his Chancellor Being in Carosse he sayd sometimes that he had beene deceiued that the words which they had giuen to perswade him to come into France were ill interpreted and that as soone as hee should come to Chambery hee would send to beseech the King to prolonge the time in the which hee would make choise of the Restitution or the Exchange The Baron of Lux obserued his discourses and aduertised the King of the Dukes intention wholy inclyned to Warre rather then to performe any part of the Treatie Beeing vpon Saint Iulians bridge the Baron of Lux hauing commandement from the King not to go any farther tooke his leaue of the Duke and assuring himselfe that his words should bee as pleasing vnto him as he seemed to haue beene content with his conduct hee beseeched him not to transport his Heart out of France as he did his Bodie but to cherish the frindship of so great a King derely who loued him as his Brother That he feared that such as had shewed so great discontent for
diuers Prouinces and many men â—ol 2â— His cruell pracâ—ises to become great ibid. Horrible murther committed by Clouis ibid. The death of Clouis fol. â—1 His vertues and his vice ibid. The Estate of the Churâ—h ibid. The 6. raigne vnder the â—oure sonnes of Clouis Childebert Clodamir Clotaire Thierry Who raigned together 42. yeares as Kings of France but with particular titles vnder this generall but the eldest beares the name Childebert the 6. King of France HOrrible confusion among brethren fol. 23 Clodamir takes and is taken Crueltie of brethren ibid. Warre betwixt brethren fol. 24 A happie reconâ—ilement ibid. A good and happie warre ibid. Warre rashly vndertaken prooues vnfortunate fol. 25. Austrasia now called Lorraine ibid. A horrible punishment of a rebellious Sonne ibid. Clotaire 1. the 7. King of France PRinces ought not to thrust their subiects into despaire fol. 26 Cherebert 8. King of France DIuision of portions breâ—ds a diuision of harts fol. 28. Horrible confusions betwixt brethren and by their wiues One makes warre against another ibid. Sigâ—bert â—laine fol. 29 Chilperic 1. the 9. King of France THe father kils his sonne through the practises of a woman fol. 30 The husband puts away one wife and kils another ibid. He oppresseth his subiects and the punishment of his crimes ibid. Impietie the spring of all euill fol. 31 Clotaire 2. the 10. King of France THe efficacie of the law of State fol. 31 Notable subtiltie of a woman fol. 32 An imaginarie King ibid. A King in his cradle a Conqueror fol. 33 Tragicall practises of two women ibid. â—redâ—gonde dies with her victorie ibid. Brunâ—hault incenseth one brother against another â—ol 34. The husband against the wife ibid. The brother kils the brother ibid. Brunâ—hault murthers her sonne fol. 35 She is put to a horrible death ibid. Mildnesse fit to repaire a decayed estate fol. 36 The greatnesse of the seruant is a blemish to the master ibid. Too great facilitie hurtfull to an estate ibid. Dagobert 1. the 11. King of France HE forceth his subiects to obedience fol. 37 The Iewes banished France ibid. He was blamed for his adulterie ibid. Hee did great exploits of armes vnder the conduct of Pepin fol. 38 He preferred his younger sonne before the elder ibid. Clouis 2. the 12. King of France THe manners of the idle King fol. 38 The Maior of the Pallace gouernes the whole State â—ol 39 The brethrens portions and their good agreement ibid. The â—eligious life of Queene Baudour ibid. Clouis carefull to releeue the poore ibid. Clotaire 3. the 13. King of France CLotaire a cruell and a wicked King oppressed his subiects fol. 40 Childeric or Chilperic 2. the 14. King of France HE takes his brother and makes him a Monk fol. 41. He growes prowd and cruell The French hate him ibid. He is murthered by his subiects his Queene being with child fol. 42 Thierry 1. the 15. King of France OF a Monke he is made a King fol 42 He is taken prisoner by his subiect iâ—â—d A trecherous murther fâ—l 43 Ebroin Maior of the Pallace growes cruell and â—euengefull hee is murthered by a French Gâ—â—tleman ibâ—d Pepin Maior of the Pallace gouernes with gâ—eaâ— credit ibid. Clouis 3. the 16. King of France HE raigned foure yeares and died without memorie fol. 44 Childebert 2. the 17. King of France HE raigned 17. yeares and did nothing worthy to be spoken of fol. 45 Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France PEpin commanded in a manner absolutely 44. yeares â—ol 46 Princes must looke to whom they commit the charge of affaires ibid. Pepins behauiour during his Maioraltie fol. 47 He was incontinent Charles Martell his bastard ibid. Charles Martell chosen Mayor of the Pallace fol. 48. A second victorie to vse it well ibid. Chilperic 3. the 19. King of France A Prince of no valour simple and voluptuous fol. 49. Thierry 2. the 20. King of France CHarles Martâ—ll chosen Prince of the French â—ol 50. Multiplicitie of Masters a ruine to an Estate ibid. The Sarazens inuade France with 400000. men fol. 50. Martel encounters them and encourageth his men ibid. A memorable defeat of Abdâ—rame the Sarazen and his death fol. 52 The fidelitie of the Viennois to the Fâ—ench fol. 53. The courage of a Bishop ibid. New attempts of the League ibid. A new armie of Sarazens in France ibid. Languedoc seuerely punished by Martell fol. 54 Martel forceth the â—risons to be christened ibid. Childeric 5. the 21 King of France the last of that race THe disposition children and death of Martel fâ—â— 55 Pepin armes against the Sarazens and prescribes them a Law â—â—l 56 He repaires the ruines of the Sarazens ibid. The estate of the Church ibid. Pepin meanes to make himselfe King ibid. The Pope dispenced the French from their oath of obedience to Childeric fol. 57 Pepin the short the 23. King of France and the fiâ—st of the second race PEpin chosen King by the Parliament and Childeric reiected â—ol 60 Soueraigne causes of this change fol. 61 The estate of this second race ibid. Instruction for great men ibid. Pepin striues to win the French by good deeds ib. The Saxons rebell and are subdued ibid. Pepin prouides for the affaires of Italy â—oâ— 62 His wiâ—dome in vndertaking a warre ibid. Astolpho breaks his faith and besiegeth Rome ibid. Pepin confirmes his authoritie by a Parliament fol. 63 He makes a forraine warre to auoide a ciuill ibid. Ieffâ—râ—y of Guienne slaine by his seruant fol. 64 Pepin resignes the crowne to Charles ibid. His children his death and his Manners ibid. The estate of the Empire ibid. Italie made desolate by the Gothes and by the Lombards fâ—l 65 They are expelled by the French ibid. The beginning of Mahomets sect in the East ibid. The estate of the Church at Rome â—ol 66 Contention for Primacie A worthy speech of S. Gregory Dispute for Images At the first but a politicke inuention ibid. Estate of the ancient church Insolencie of Popes at this day â—ol 67 Charles the Great or Charlemaigne the 24. King of France PEpins children diuide the Realme fol. 68 Charles the patterne of a great King ibid. His manners his studies and his armes ibid. The successe of his raigne fol. 69 Carolomans iealousie against his brother ibid. Troubles at Rome 〈◊〉 deeds in 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 fol. 70 The Lâ—mbards dissimulation and his presumption in hanging of the Popes Secretaries ibid. Rebellion in Guienne by Hurault ibid. Instruction for Princes fol. 71 Caroloman dies ibid. Charlemagnes wiues and his children ibid. Carolomans widowe ioynes with the Lombards against him 〈◊〉 deeds 〈…〉 â—ntill he 〈◊〉 Empeâ—â—â— ibid. Didier king of the Lombards makes warre against the Pope fol. 72 Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombard ibid. Charles makes warre with the aduice of his estates and deâ—eates the Lombard twise ibid. He takes Verona and is entertained at Rome fol. 73 Pauia taken and Didier in it ibid. A memorable warre in Germanie and
force vs to seeke for consolation My end and purpose in this labour I haue endeuored therefore my Countrymen to trace out some slender obseruations for you in this little worke such as I could I see it is not according to the dignitie and greatnesse of the subiect worthy in truth of a good writer rather fit for that obscure age when the most ancient Druides had a maxime not to write at all or of those which haue left vs these small Abridgements the which we now vse for want of better and without doubt if our History had incountred such spirits as the Greeke and Latin did it had been nothing iâ—feriour to any of them in Beauty and Profit This is the onely cause why our Countrimen haue not read our History hauing not enioyed the light of Excellent Writers to represent her in her liuely colours according to her deserts And although ouâ— France hath heretofore had cause to complaine in this respect yet now that fault is partly repaired by the industrie of some that striue to plant and beautifie it Amongst all that haue laboured in this subiect Du Haillan in my opinion exceeds all others with immortall commendations hauing so happily clensed these ouer-growne busnes and made so plaine a pathe in this thick and obscure forrest if zeale to doe my Countrie seruice and hopâ— by my example to awake the learned to doe better weâ—e not my iust excuse where should I hide me from the blotte of inconsiderate rashnesse especially being in this Citty of Paris nor onely the capitall Citty of France the fertile Mother of goods wittes but also the Rendez-vous of the greatest miracles in the world I will therefore speake freely that in presuming to beautifie this History I haue taken for the onely obiect of my aime To seeke the truth with the vse thereof and to giue you some cause of content Regard not my tongue I offer you the simple truth without painting the which I haue curiously searched for in many good Bookes which my necessary aboade here hath giuen me meanes to obtaine and the desire I haue to serue you occasion to imploy them for as I am wholie vowed to the publike so will I yeeld an accompt not onely of my idlenesse but also of my imployments I haue therefore resolued to vndertake a labour that should not bee vnprofitable in preparing you a way to learne your Historie in the originalls with lesse paine and more profit I do therefore call this my endeuour an INVENTORIE by the direction whereof you may see the body and euery part at your pleasure If I may perswade the Reader to conferre this my labour with the writings of others vpon this subiect both old and new I shall not then need to put in caution but be of an assured hope to obtaine a testimonie of my fidelitie And it may be in time of some diligence at the least I bring nothing that hath not beene well purified and applyed to the vse The fruite depends on the blessing of God by the iudgement of such as shall read mee I will protect onely for that which doth concerne my selfe I haue vsed the Rule Square Lead and Compasse to obserue proportion both in sâ—â—le and subiect that in my course I might direct you to the firme truth if it bee with that light and breuitie I pretended I shall haue cause to thanke God and to labour in some subiect of greater moment yet I haue done my best indeauour that the learned may supply my defect in doing better The course is open euery one may runne it I leaue the prize to them that shall doe best my intent was onely to profit the publique and therefore I bring not an Abridgement but an INVENTORY I haue searched the very Springs of such as went before me The first haue not hindred the second and why should the second take it ill to be followed by others one kinde of meate may be diuersly seasoned to good purpose A small Dyall markes the houres in like proportion to a great Clock It is one of my wishes that this goodlie subiect may be set to open view that the learned may striâ—e to exceed one another and leaue no excuse for our French-men to be any more strangers in France making the way easie and profitable If in this respâ—ct my zeale and integritie may bee approued of my Countrie why should I repent the imployment of some houres in so goodly and worthy a worke as a testimonie at the least that I desire to discharge my dutie To conclude my Countrymen The occasion of this Historie I must not conceale from you the chiefe cause that induced mee to compile this worke About sixe and twenty yeares since I was thrust forth vpon the Theater being very young to represent the Historie of our miseries the desire of forraine Nations begat this desseigne being curious to vnderstand a particuler relation of our Tragedies By reason whereof I presented this my first worke in Latin that Strangers might vnderstand it I held it for an Abortiue and esteemed the losse but lightly yet was the successe greater then my proiect for being imbraced by the publique beyond desert it hath so increased that of one Booke there is made fifteene and corrected with diuerse impressions And as the Child increased so the Father had meanes to do him good GOD suffering me to liue to be a witnesse of great accidents not onely as many of my Country-men that sees the danger from a safe Porte but imbarked in full Seas amidst these common tempests for being imployed in some and no small affayres both within and without the Realme I had the Honor to be admitted into Kings and Princes Cabinets to manage publique causes of Prouinces and to conferre with the heads of Parties to learne from their owne mouthes and from others that had authoritie and imployment vnder them the Truth of all that passed so as being able to giue a reason for many things which I had seene I may likewise giue an account of most that hath passed by the proceedings and instructions of both parties I will adde to this opportunitie the priuate deuotion which hath alwayes held my minde inclined to this care to gather together whatsoeuer was done when as necessity of affaires thrust mee into imployments and this my desire succeeded so happily that both great and small haue fauourablie imparted vnto mee whatsoeuer might benefit concerning this subiect So as I haue made a iust collection of all the substance that may serue for the building of a perfect Historie from the beginning of the troubles to this day The end of this painfull labour depends of him from whom proceeds the euents of all our prayers To him therefore I referre my selfe protesting onely of that which is in mee As therefore I aduow my selfe both Debtor of this worke and Author of these Bookes which wander among men so I protest the fault shall not be mine if all
and Ragnachaire vpon diuerse occasions Hauing seized vpon all that beâ—onged to the Romane name he turned his resolutions against the Bourguignons and the Goths but with an industry fiâ—ting so politike a head seeking some colour of iustice he makes a league of peace with the two nations to pick a cauâ—e of quarrell hauing some controuersie with their Kings for some title in shew lawfull The issue is answerable to his desseigne for he knew so well how to obserue times watch for occurrences creepe so cunningly into their affaires as in the end he dispossessed them both In the house of Bourgondie there were foure brethren Gondebault Gondegesil Chilpeperic and Gothemar the children of Gondioch The iealousie of their portions thrusts them into choller and the fury of couetousnesse polluted the hands of Gondebault the elder with the parricide of his yonger brother Chilperic and of his wife but God preserued Clotilde from the crueltie of this man being the daughter of Chilperic to be the meanes of this murtherers misery She was exceeding faire this qualitie bred a desire in Clouis but especially to get footing in Bourgondie and some interest to deale with the affaires of that state And for that reason Gondebault would by no meanes like of that allyance yet not daring to shew the true cause he made the pretext of his refuâ—all to be the diuersity of religion which could not agree with these vnequall mariages Clouis preuented it with great policy for hauing promised Clotilde that she should haue libertie of Conscience 490. he remoues the let wherewith Gondebault did crosse him so as the marriage was concluded And although Clouis were a Pagan by profession yet was he no enemy to the Christians fitting himselfe to the humour of the Gaulois who generally followed the Christian religion He suffred his wife likewise to baptise her children and she a wiâ—e Princesse insinuating with her husband desired nothing more then to winne him vâ—to God the which chaunced in this sort Clouis did succour the Sicambriens his allies which bee the inhabitants of Gueldres and Iuliers against the Germaines Being in the battell he found himselfe ingaged in the midest of his enemies troupes and in great daunger of his life He then makes a vowe vnto God that if he would giue him the victory hee would presently submit himselfe to the Christian Church and be baptised God heard him He obtaines the victory and being returned he resolues to performe his vowe Clouis becomes a Christian. His wife Clotilde infinitely glad of this holy resolutioÌ„ sends for Saint Remy Bishop of Rheims a man of gâ—eat pietie and eloquence to instruct him in the true doctrine wherein he was very ignorant as a man that had made profession of armes all his life borne and bred in supeâ—stâ—tion and neuer had discoursed of Christian religion but like a souldiâ—r It was necessaâ—y he should be instructed by a discreete man that in leauing the vanity of Pagans he were not infected with the errors of Arrian which then were dispersed in diuerse places And euen his owne sister Lantielde was infected therewith The preaching of Saint Remy had great efficacy with Clouis and the example of Clouis with all his men of warre In this action thâ—se goodly sayings are worthy to be noted Bend thy neck to the yoake in mildenes â—â—ith 〈◊〉 Remy to Clouis worship that which thou hast burnt and burne that which 〈…〉 worshipped And hee answereth I worship the true God which is the father the sonne and the holy Ghost the Creator of heauen and earth So being baptiâ—ed he exhoâ—â—â— his men to the same bâ—leefe They cry al ioyntly We leaue our mortall Gods and are ready to follow the immortall So Clouis was baptised at Rheims by Saint Remy with great solemnity and 〈◊〉 him 3000. of his souldiars to the incredible ioy of the Gaulois greatly affected to Christâ—an religion hoping by this conuersion to haue better vsage in time to come This acte is very remarkable hauing consecrated our Kings to Christian religion the which hath preserued this Realme vnto this day from most horrible confusions Aimoinus saith that a doue brought a viall full of oile in her bill at that instant with the which our Kings are annoynted when they are installed But Gregory of Tours a more ancient Author writes onely that Clouis was baptised They likewise hold that Clouis did at that time chaunge the royall armes and that for three toades or as the learned say three diademes gueules in a field â—â—geÌ„â— he tooke the flowers de-lis without number Many monnuments of our Kings in the first and second race iustifie this chaunge of Armories made by Clouis as we see them in the most ancient Temple Without dilating any more therof Charles the 6. in the Scutcheon of France reduced the flowers de lis to thâ—ee Religion the onâ—ly true bond of â—â—â—â—ctions This publique profession of Christianity won the hearts of al the Gaules vnto Clouis and did perfect the vnion betwixt them and the French making their yoake easie and them tractable He fortified his commaunde with this bond of religion and layed a foundation for the absolute greatnesse of this Monarchie which euen then beganne to take place through out all Gaule Thus Gaule with more solemnity then vnder Merouee was called France by the common consent of all nations the Gaulois were no more grieued to serue the French Gaule called France being victors hauing willingly suffred themselues to be coÌ„â—uered hauing one faith one lawe they could not but wish the good of their coÌ„mon CouÌ„try so much may religion preuaile to â—â—ite menshearts in a coÌ„monweale Iâ— this beginning Clouis shewed an excellent fruite of his bâ—ptisme exceeding all his conquests By his last victory he had subdued the Germains to accustome them to obedience had imposed great rigorous burthens But now he doth relieue theÌ„ sends home their hostages moderates their yoake shewing therby that he is growne milder Humanity 〈◊〉 This humanity was approued as a secoÌ„d victory more honorable then the first Truly it is as great a victory in a great Prince to conquer by clemencie 503. as it is a profitable policie to winne mens hearts by reason The Conquerour that pardons beautifies his triumph adding to their conquered bodies their hearts admiring his vertue no lesse victorious then his forces Clouis was ill affected to the Visigoths who held a great and large Countrie in Gaule obscuring the French Monarchie the which hee desired to establish but hee must finde some honest pretext to make warre Although in effect the right of conueniencie was his greatest interest as it is often the most lawfull title of Princes yet hee seekes a quarell against Alaric King of the Visigoths vpon the alliance he had made with him the which he sayes had beene broken for that the banished men and malefactors of France had found a free and assured refuge in his dominions
Clotaire his other Vncle but by chaunce they were reconciled Theodebert impatient of rest seeking where to imploye his forces findes that the Dane a people of the North A good and a happy warre did scoure along the sea coast to the great hinderance of the French Marchants he marcheth against them being resolute to fight with them These forces were better imployed then against his brother so the successe was more happy for hee chased away the Danes hauing defeated a great number and purged the Ocean from pyrates This exployte wonne him great reputation in all places so as he is sought vnto by the Ostrogoths in Italie beeing pressed by Belisarius Lieutenant generall for the Emperour Iustinian and a very great captaine who had recouered Sicile Naples and Pouille from them and in the ende the Cittie of Rome the which he fortified As the Goths estate declined daylie in Italie Theodat their King reiected and Vitiges chosen in his place Theodebert comes into Italie puft vp with his victorie hee takes footing and makes head against Belisarius but forced with sicknesse he retires to his owne house leauing three chiefe Captaines for the guard of the places conquered In his absence the Goths are defeated and Vitiges slaine Totila succeedes him who hauing taken and sackt Rome did so restore the Gothes estate in Italie as he became fearefull to the Romaines But the chaunce turned against him his army was defeated and himselfe slaine and to increase the mischiefe those great Captaines left by Theodebert were slaine one after another so as the Gothes being chased out of Italie by Narses all Theodeberts great hopes vanished 522 yet he laboured to attempt some great enterprise against the Emperour Iustinian and drew much people to it Wâ—râ—e rashly vndertaken prouâ—s vnfortunate but hauing made this goodly shew and put himselfe and his friends to great expences he was forced to returne out of Italy without effecting of any thing leauing a goodly example to Princes not to attempt lightly an vnnecessary warre least they buy losse and shame at too high a rate In the end Theodebert who thought to haue vanquished the mightiest enemies was slaine by a wild Bull going a hunting and his great enterprises were interred with him in the same graue hauing hunted after vanity and found death at the end of his immortall desseignes Theodebert left Theobald heire of the great estates of Austrasia Bourgongne and Turinge the which hee did not long enioy dying without children Austrasia is now called Lorraine and almost without any memory that he had liued but onely that hee had by will leâ—t his Vncle Clotaire heire of all his goods whereby there sprung vp a new warre Childebert indured this testament impatiently aswell for that hee was excluded as also for that his brother was made more mighty by his nephews estate so couetousnesse and enuie giue him aduise to crosse him Clotaire had one bastard sonne called Granus a sufficient man but very wicked and audacious who for his insolencies was in disgrace with his father Childebert resolues to oppose this sonne against the father and to vse him in the execution of his malitious intent Thus abusing the absence of Clotaire who was busied in warre against the Saxons he goes to field with a great armie supposing to haue to doe but with young men and irresolute and the more to amaze them hee gaue it out that Clotaire was dead This report was coloured with such cunning and as men do often beleeue that which they feare that these young Princes seeing themselues ouercharged with great forces yeeld to a preiudiciall peace with their Vncle. This heart-burning seemed to extend further when as death surpriseth Childebert who dyes the yeare 549. without any children and leaues his enemy Clotaire for successor being vnable to cary his realme with him Clotaire returnes out of Saxonie being offended with his bastard Hee pursues him into Britanie whither hee was fled A horrible punishment of a rebellioâ—â— sonne and by a wonderfull accident guided by the Iustice of God the reuenger of the sonnes rebellion against the Father Clotaire findes his sonne with his wife in a pesants house where transported with furie he burnes them aliue yet not extinguishing the memorie of his rebellion to terrifie rebellious children by so memorable a president Thus there passed forty fiue yeares in the barbarous and vnhappy raignes of these foure soueraigne Maisters children to the great Clouis in the which there is nothing memorable but the remembrance of Gods iust iudgement against those that suffer themselues to bee transported by their passions for all these vitious raignes were vnhappy passed with much paine and ended with much misery represented to the perpetuall infamy of the vnkinde cruelties of their Kings CLOTAIRE the first the seuenth King of France CLOTAIRE KING OF FRANCE VII CLOTAIRE remained alone King of France by the death of his brethren 552. for their children were dead and Childebert the eldest dyed without issue Behold the frute of so great paines after their diuisions to build great Monarchies Clotaire raigned fiue yeares alone he had by two wiues fiue sonnes and one daughter that is Cherebert Chilperic Sigebert Gontran Gautier and Closinde not reckoning Granâ—s wâ—om he had by a Concubine His raigne was short and wretched He sought to extort the thirds of all Ecclesiasticall liuings for his priuate affaires but the Clergie opposed themselues against him so as his threats preuailed not In the beginning he subdued the Saxons subiects to the French but the Turingiens being vp in armes and he about to suppresse them the Saxons ioyne with them to withstand him with their common forces Yet these mutinous nations seeing themselues encountred by too strong a party craue pardon and promise him obedience Clotaire refusing to accept it forceth them to make defence the which they performed so desperately as they defeated the French and Clotaire with great difficulty saued himselfe It is an indiscretion for a Prince to thrust his subiects into despaire An example for Princes not to thrust their subiects into despaire but to imbrace all occasions wisely that may purchase a willing obedience and not to seeke it by extremities After this defeat he returnes into France and being at Compiegne hee desires to go a hunting Being old and decayed he heats himselfe falls into a quotidian and dies the yeare 567. He was much grieued in his sicknes for hauing liued too too ill but he protested that he hoped in the mercies of GOD. As our histories report Before that he ruled as King alone he erected the little realme of Yuetot 567 vpon this occasion On good Friday hee slewe Gawter of Yuetot his seruant in the Chappell whereas he heard seruice They report the cause diuersely The greatest part hold that the King had rauâ—shed his wife lodging in his house so as he that was beaten suffered the punishement Pope Eugenius displeased with this infamous murther
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
Emperour Hunault and Ieffroy being authors of this warre remayned yet vnpunished Martel was diuerted by the warre he made against the Frisons whome he vanquished and forced to become Christians and to that ende he sends them Doctors A pardonable zeale in a warrior for in truth mens soules cannot be wonne by the sword nor religion forced but must bee planted in the heart by reason The punishement ofthese turbulent men was reserued vnto Pepin who knewe well howe to effect it as we shall see At this time King Thierri died hauing raigned fiue and twenty yeares in conceit and left Childeric his sonne not heire of the realme but of his idlenes to make the last release of the Crowne and consigne it into a better hande CHILDERIC the fift the 21 King of France and the last of the first race CHILPERIC .5 KING OF FRANCE XXI HE was King in shewe nine yeares 741. fiue vnder the authority of Charles Martel and foure vnder Pepin who dispossessed him made him a Monke and seated himselfe in his place as wee shall see in order But let vs obserue what remaines of Martel The care and toyle of great affaires with his old age hauing soare broken him hee resolues to dispose of things in time and to leaue a peace to his Children He had foure sonnes Caroloman Pepin Giles and Griffon all of diuers humours The disposition children and death of Martel Caroloman and Giles more modest and of a milder spirit Pepin and Griffon more rough and ambitious Whilest he liued hee greatly honored the Kings person neyther did he in open shewe meddle with that maine point of royaltie but in effect diuiding his authority to his Children with the title of gouernments He purchased them an inteâ—est by his vertue in time the possession of the realme To his eldest son Caroloman he left Ausstrasia to Pepin whom he knew to be of a more quicke and hardie spirit France as the bodie of the Estate And seeing Giles vnfit for armes and giuen to deuotion hee made him Arch-bishop of Rouan To bridle the turbulent spirit of Griffon and to take from him all occasion of debate he would not giue him any certaine portion but the good will of his elder brethren being taught by the experience of former raignes that many commanding brethren are dangerous to an estate shewing himselfe more wise and happy therein then Clouis Thus Charles Martel hauing liued fifty fiue yeares died in the yeare of grace 741. hauing commaunded absolutely in France twenty and fiue yeares as Maior or Prince of the French vnder the raignes of Chilperic Thierri and Childeric One of the worthiest men that euer liued either in this Monarchie or in any forraine Estate He was religious wise iust valiant modest in prosperity resolute in aduersity temperate in authority not passionate nor reuengefull dilligent and happie By these excellent vertues hee did quietly purchase this goodly degree whereby his posterity hath mounted to the royall throne although he had but the payne to get it and the honour to preserue the realme from ship-wrake in the weakenesse of these Kings and the stormes of many confusions His Children according to the diuersity of their humours had diuers euents Caroloman wanted no valour but hauing accompanied his Brother Pepin in diuers exploits in the ende he resignes him all his authority becomes a Monke and dies so at Vienne Giles full of ambitious heat not pleased with the wise resolution of his father did all he could to crosse his brother Pepin although hee had giuen him a sufficient portion in Normandie Transported with this spleene hee stirres vp the Saxons Bauariens and those of Guienne against him at diuers times In the end beeing sâ—ppressed in all places he vndertakes a voiage into Italie to attempt some thing against his brother but he was slaine by the way by a gentleman of Bourgongne as a man of no valour nor quality This fire was thus quenched and Giles died vnworthily leauing this lesson to postâ—rity That ambition hastens ruine and contrariwise That the one halfe is better then the whole Forerunnings or preparatiues to the raigne of Pepin PEPIN seeing himselfe alone in great authority vnderpropt by the merits of his Grand-father and father resolued so to behaue him selfe as his owne deserts should not onely confirme this reputation left him by inheritance but also perswade the French that hee was worthy of a greater command and by their free consents hold him capable of the Crowne He knew the humor of the French who loue and honour their King with an especiall deuotion and cannot bee induced to doe otherwise but by great and vrgent reasons Hee manageth this desseigne with such dexteritie 742. as hee effects it and the meanes which the prouidence of God did minister vnto him did as it were guide him by the hand for to him wee must attribute the principall cause of this notable change The Sarazins infinitly greeued with these two defeats prepare an other armie Ieffroye was also on this partie and it seemed this third League did threaten France with a greater confusion Pâ—pin remembring that his father had beene surprised sends forth his spies and being speedily aduertised he assembles all the forces he could with an incredible celeritie and finding himselfe first in armes he enters into Guyenne and seizeth on the passages of the Pyrenee mountaines Ieffroy being thus surprised sets a good face on it promising obedience to Pepin and is a mediator for the Sarrazins vndertaking that they should renounce their interest and neuer enter more into France Pepin obteining his desire being glad to haue preuented this storme and forced so redoubted enemies to receiue a law from him applied himselfe to the peoples humor who loue peace better then a bloudie victorie He dismisseth his armie busying himselfe in repayring of the Churches which the Sarazins had ruined in diuers places to ease the Citties that were spoiled and in giuing them meanes to recouer themselues to establish Iustice to vnburthen the subiects of publike charges and finally to let the French vnderstand that he was as fit for peace as warre The Church of Rome was then in great reputation throughout all Christendome and the Popes did onely busie themselues with the seruice of God Estate of the Church to maintaine Princes in concord and subiects in their liberties the which purchased them great credit for the singular respect Christian people baâ—e to religion Zacharie held then the Pontificall seat and had the Lombards for a cause of continuall feare being his neere and irreconciliable enemies against whome he could not haue more assured and speedie helpe then in France and by Pepins meanes who held the soueraigne authoritie Martel had alreadie auoided a most dangerous warre through the amitie he had with Luitprand King of the Lombards after whose death Rachise Duke of Friol chosen in his place threatens the Pope openly for all the Lombards faire shewes and his large
greâ—t men are no hereditarie possessions to be left vnto their children but they are the gifts of God the author of all good and their soueraigne Prince to whom they owe homage for their greatnesse as to him of whom depends absolutely all the kingdoms of the earth and whose prouidence is the infallible rule of the changes which wee seâ— incident to mankinde the wâ—â—ch the ignorant without reason attribute to blind fortune Pepin seeing himselfe seated in the throne of the French Monarchie by the honourable fauour of the French Pepin striues to win their loues by good â—eeds he resolues to satisfie their hopes by the effects of his actions and begins to confirme in their mindes the true and firme bond of obedience the which is vnited with these two strings loue and the peoples respect to their superiours No thing being more naturall then to loue him from whom wee receiue or hope for good and to respect him whom we hold sufficient to make vs to liue peaceably and in quiet especially when he hath power and command in the commonweale without the which the particular cannot subsist Thus Pepin assembles the generall estates meaning to laye a good foundation in time for the affayres of the realme by the aduice of such as had called him An assembly of the general estates and according to his Fathers stile hee names this assembly a Parliament wherevnto hee calles the Clergie the Nobilitie the Iudges of the land and the common people that with one consent they might resolue what was necessary for the whole estate consisting of these goodly parts During these alterations the Saxons as farthest from their Maisters had shaken off the yoake of the French obedience The Saxons rebeâ—l and are subdued and by their example and practises had drawne other people of Germanie subiect to this Crowne to the like reuolt Pepin armes presently and goes with such expedition as he ouerthrowes them at the passage of the riuer of Vistula but the Popes distresse giues him presently a new cause to imploy his forces for Zacharie being dead Stephen the second a Romaine borne succeeds both in place and troubleâ— 751 beâ—ng â—orced to defend himselfe against the Lombardes the capitall enemies of the Romane 〈◊〉 Astolpho was then their King who made great preparatiues against this new Pope although he made no shew of open hatred Stephen well informed of the Lombards hâ—mour and intent resolues not to attend the stroake but to fortifie himselfe in time seeking â—iâ—st to Constantine Emperour of the East without any â—uccesse hee intreates Pepin to succour him from whom hauing receiued a fauourable answer the better to obtaine the remedy he expected Peâ—in prouidâ—s 〈◊〉 the affairâ—s of Italy he resolues to go into France where beâ—ng honourably entertained by Pepin he doth againe Crowne him King of France in Saint Denis Church in a great and solemne assembly and makes miserable Childeric a Monke assigning him the Cloister for a perpetuall prison a Friars frock for an ignominious punishment â—ithout any hope of returne Then he imployed all his wits to perswade Pepin to vndertake the voyage of Italy against the Lombards and drew him easily thervnto But Astolpho fearing the Pope imployed Carolomâ—n the brother of Pepin to diuert him from this enterprise This Caroloman was a Monke and in great reputation of piety A wâ—se 〈◊〉 of Pepin 〈◊〉 vndâ—rtaking a warre but he could not disswade Pepin from this desseine yet would he not attempt any thing rashly but first trie mildnesse before force Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to the Lombard to summon him to yeeld Rauenna and all the Townes of the six gouernours to the Pope Astolphe vseth great temperance in his answers to shew the reuerence he bare to the Church of Rome and to Pepins intercession but he resolued neuer to yeeld any thing Pepin finding the Lombards euasions and policie who sought but to auoâ—de this storme assembles a Parliament and layes before them both dutye aâ—d necâ—ssity to succour the Pope To tâ—is end hee resolues to leâ—â—e an Armie against the Lombard Winter being spent in these treaties and in the preparations for warre in the Spring he enters Italy with a strong and mighty armie which marcheth victoriouslie in all places taking Townes and â—poiling the country of Astolphe and then hee went to besiege Pauia the capitall Ciâ—ty of Lombardie Astolphe foreseeing his ruine flies to humble intreaties both to the Pope and Pepin The Pope lulled a sleepe with the Lombards faire promises not greatly louing the French but by constraint suffers himselâ—e first to bee abused and then hee perswades Pepin to returne backe into France Astolpho promiâ—ed to yeeld vp both Rauenna and all that hee deteined from the Church the which â—e could not performe in so great a desolation of his country being 〈◊〉 charged 〈◊〉 such an enemy 〈◊〉 breaks his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Rome Stephen was weâ—l satisfied with this promise forgeting â—he Lombardâ— humour so welâ— knowne vnto him Pepin glad to see the Pope satisfied hauing no other obiect bâ—t to giue him satisfaction returnes presently into France to his â—wne â—ffaires But he had sâ—arce passed the Alpes when as Astolpho assembles all hiâ— subiectâ— being mad with rage for their great losses and infiâ—itly incensed against the Pope who had drawne in the French and enters the terâ—itoâ—ies of the Church in 〈◊〉 manner The Lombard 〈◊〉 Rome and is forced to 〈◊〉 and to sue for a peace sackes and 〈◊〉 all with a fâ—rious cruelty sodenly besiegeth Rome where tâ—e Pope was resident Stephen amazed at this vnexpected violence sends back to Pepin implores his aide laments his credâ—lity and detestâ— the treachery of the Lombards â—e beseecheth him to make hast if he will preserue his old age from the cruell hand of this disloyall and the whole Church from a horrible desolation exceeding that of the Vandales or Ostrogoths Pepin moued with the Popes intreaties and the ancient daunger assembles his forceâ— with a wonderfull celerity and although Constantin by a most affectionate message laboured to dâ—uert him yet he brings back his army into Italy â—he fruite of his returne was both sodaine great for Astolpho at the brute thereof raiseth the siege from before Rome and retires to Pauia the capitall Citty of his realme Pepin besiegeth him anâ—â—orceth him to accept of such conditions of peace as hee wouâ—d prescribe viz. 〈◊〉 Astolpho should presently deliuer vp all that he held of the Church and giue 〈◊〉 and Pepin should remaine in Italy at the Lombards charge vntill hee had 〈◊〉 all things Astolpho sends in forty hostages yeelds Raueâ—na with the Citties of the sixe Gouernours 754. and those hee held in Romagnia but when there remained no more to deliuer vp but the Citties of Ferrara and Faenze the Lombard did cunningly delay the full accomplishment of his promise to finde some meanes to send backe so rude an officer as the
Peâ—ine childreÌ„ diuide the realme Charles and Carolomon his sonnes diuide the realme betwixt them by equall portions Châ—rles was crowned at Wormes Carolâ—man at Soissons writers agree not in the declaration of their portions for that by the death of Caraloman the whole realme came to Charles three yeares after the death of their Father Brothers of diuers humors who in the end had ruined each other by this equalitie of power which proues often an vniust and a dangerous ballance in an estate But Gods will was to preserue so great a Monarchie in Europe to be a harbour for his Church by chosing a great Prince to vnite in him alone the power which is dismembred by the command of many Maisters Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and minde wherevnto by the wiâ—e care of his father Pepin was added as a seale the instructions of a vertuous conuersation Charles the patterne of a great King His manners learning and armes For the ground of all vertues he was carefully instructed in religion the which hee loued and honoured with great reuerence all his life time and likewise the Churches and Pastors Charitie temperance equitie care of Iustice and of order to releeue the people to keepe his faith both to friend and foe and to vse a victory modestly were the noâ—able effects of this excellent knowledge as remarkeable in him His studies as in any Prince that euer liued Hee loued learning by 〈◊〉 and learned men Paul of Pisa instructed him in the Greeke and Latin tongues anâ— â—â—mon in Philosophie and the Mathematikes Hee called these humaine sciences his pastimes and the companions of his Sword and sometimes did recreate himselfe therein Hee tooke a delight in poetry as some of his writings do witnes but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well red The vniuersities of Paris and Pisa built or enriched by him witnesse the loue and honour hee bare to learning In armes hee had his father Pepin for hâ—s chiefe schoolemaster and experience doth testifie how much he profited Before his father left him he had great commands and discharged them with such reputation His armes as the continuance of his armes when he was King shewe plainely that there was neuer soldiar that carried sword with more valour nor great Captaine that commaunded with more obedience nor performed any thing with greater fortune nor vsed his victories with more mildnesse iudgement neyther did euer King or Prince raigne with more authority nor was more reuerently obeyed then our Charlemagne well deseruing the name of great for his vertues He was of a liuely disposition quicke actiue and vehement but modestie and wisdome did season this viuacity and vehemency with so good a grace as iâ— the one could not bee without the other and this moderation of diuers humors made him as admirable in his wit as venerable in his countenance and person There appeared in him a graue sweete Maiesty in a goodly personage great strong and patient of labour A quicke spirit cleere sownd both in apprehension memory and iudgement resolution neuer failed him in difficulties no replie in discours terrible to some amiable to others according to the cause persons and occurrents Vertues which purchased him so great credit as he was beloued respected and feared of all men with such obedience as the effects of his raigne do shewe for hauing receiued a great Kingdome from his father he enlarged it with a wonderfull successe God hauing raised vp these three great Princes one after an other Charles Martel Pepin this great Charles to preserue the Christian name in a great Monarchy The successâ— of his raignâ— amidest the deluge of barbarous nations and the ruine of the Empire I haue coated these his singular vertues in the beginning to giue a tast to the obseruation of his great and admirable actions where there wants nothing but order to relate them fitly in so great a diuersity the which hath ministred occasion to the obscure writers of those times to be too breefe or too tedious ofte-times to report matters very vnlikely for the greatnesse of thingâ— which they haue handled in a fabulous manner and in deed the euents are almost incredible and more miraculous then ordinary Doubtlesse I could gather out of the most confident authors and that according to the order of times as euery thing hath changed and answerable to the greatnes of the subiect that which cannot well be represented without some direction All the deedes of Charlemagne must bee referred to that which he hath done either whilest hee was King alone of France or when he was Emperour and had vnited the Empire to his royaltie And in those times there is first to be obserued what he did in the life of Caroloman in Guienne and after his death in Italy Spaine and Saxonie where he had great matters to decide This is the desseine of our relation The deedes of Charlemagne in the life of his brother Caroloman CAroloman was infinitly iealous of his brothers greatnes whome with greeâ—e he did see be loued honored and obeyed of all the French for his singular vertues both of body and minde This iealousie too ordinary a Counsellor to Princes made him to seeke all meanes to counteâ—mine and ouerthrowe the affaires of Charlemagne who had his eyes fixed vpon Italie as the goodly and most beautifull theatre oâ—â—is vaâ—our the tâ—ue subiect to maintaine his authority and power among Christians and Carolomâ—â— did all hee coulâ— to crosse 〈◊〉 desseins And this was the estate of Rome and Italie 771 Presently after the decease of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practises of Didier King of Lombardie a sworne and capital enemy hauing corrupted some of the Clergie hee caused Constantin brother to Toton Duke of Nepezo his vassall and trustie to bee chosen Pope with such violence as hee made Philippicus being already Canonically chosen to be degraded Troubles at Rome This better party seeing themselues contemned by the Lombard assemble togither and by one common consent choose Stephen the third a Sicilien for Pope who resolues to call in the King of France and to oppose him against his enemies desseins Charles sollicited by the Pope sends twelue Prelates speedily to Rome to fortifie their party against the other meaning at greater neede to apply a greater remedy The matter succeeded according to their desire that had intreated him for the Counsell beeing assembled at Latran they confirme Stephen lawfully chosen and depose Constantin raised by disorder and violence The Lombardâ— dissimulation But Didier would not be controuled with this repulse and seeing that force had not succeeded he resolues to trie policy and to vnder-mine Stephen witâ— a good shew He sends to congratulate his election purgeth himselfe of the Antipope Constantin degraded accuseth both him and his brother of ambition protesting to liue with him in amity and for proofe of this his
good meaning he desires him to be pleased with his repaire to Rome there to confer with him in priuate The Pope who neuer flies to the French but in necessity was easily perswaded by Didier who came to Rome confers with the Pope and makes great protestation of his obedience But this good shew continued not long There was a gouernor at Rome for the Emperour called Paul Ephialte Didier corrupted this Grecian and as the execution of Iustice was in his hands hee makes vse of him so cunningly as in the preseÌ„ce of Pope Stephen he causeth him to seize vpon two of his chiefe Secretaries Christopher Sergius accused by him of supposed crimes and to hang them infamously Their greatest offence was to haue fauored the French This presumption proceeded farther The Lombards presumption hanging the Popes Secretarâ—es for he caused all the principall Cittizens to bee banished whome he noaâ—ed to bee of the French faction that hauing taken away all leâ—s he might be master of Rome in despight of the Pope Stephen discouering the Lombards practise to his preiudice flies to Charlemagne beseeching him to prepare an armie against his force that did ruine him by his apparent mildnes Charlemagne was fully resolued but Didier had prouided a remedy in France by the meanes of Caroloman to stop Charles his passage into Italie making worke for him in Guienne where there grew a perilous warre vpon this occasion Wee haue sayd before that although the Countrie of Guienne depended of the Crowne of France yet were there many tumults through the practises of some Noblemen of the Countrie Rebellion in Guienne by Hunauâ—t who stirred vp the people being mutinous of themselues to rebellion The cause of these reuolts was the abuse of the Kings bountie who suffered such people as they had conquered to inioy their priuileges and liberties intreating them with all fauour Eudon began first vnder Martel Ieffroy and Hunault his children and h eires of his discontent had continued it vnder Pepin Ieffroy being dead Hunault succeeds him with the like hatred the which Caroloman entertayned to imploy him against his brother Charles And as iealousie and ambition thrust him on to attempt against him so did he make his profit of the couetous ambition of Hunault feeding him with the hope of the reuenues of Guienne seing his humour was to bee a Duke supposing to haue credit inough with the people if hee were fauoured by one of the Kings of France against the other Guienne was a part of Charles his portion Hunault layes the foundation of his desseine to withdrawe himselfe wholy from the Crowne of France and to make open warre against Charlemagne in practising the people of Guienne to bee declared Duke by their consent according to the â—ight which he pretended The countenance of Caroloman could do much but the wisdome and courage of Charlemagne preuailed more for being aduerâ—ised of Hunaâ—lts practises and of his brothers secret desseignes hee armed with such speede as hee surprised the townes of Poitiers Xaintes and Angoulesme 774 and by that meanes all the Country adioyning Hunault who made his accouÌ„ without Charles finding himself preueÌ„â—ed fled to a Nobleman of the Country named Loup whome hee not onely held to bee very firme to his faction but also his trustie and affectionate friend Charlemagne sends preâ—ently to Loup hee summons him to deliuer Hunault into his hands as guilty of high treason and in the meane time hee builds a fort in the midest of the Country whereas the riâ—ers of Dordone and Lisle do ioyne the which he called â—ronsac as it were the front of the Sarrazns whom he had caused to feare if these desseins had succeeded Thus getting Hunault with all his family he doth punish him as a rebell he pardoned Loup and all that had obeyed him and so ends a dangerous warre without blowes but he graunts life and libeâ—ty to Hunault and the enioying of all his goods Instruction how Priâ—ces should carry themsâ—â—ues in ciuill warre leauing a memorable example to Princes howe they ought to carry themselues in ciuill warres preuenting a mischiefe by wisdome and dilligence and not to thrust their vanquished subiects into diâ—paire by rigour Caroloman seeing his practises against his brother to succeede ill vndertakes a voiage to Rome with an intent to cause some alteration there yet with a shew of deuotion His Mother Berthe who likewise went this voiage was honorably receiued in her iourney by Didier king of the Lombards treating a marriage betwixt her sonne Charlemagne and Theodora Sister or Daughter to this Didier one of the greatest enemies of her sonnes good fortune Yet Charlemagne to please his Mother receiued this wife but soone after hee put her away as vnfit for his humours and affaires and so that which seemed a cause of loue bred greater hate betwixt these two Princes Caroloman hauing effected nothing at Rome but only made shew of his foolish and malitious iealousie too apparent in this his fayned deuotion returnes into France and there dies soone after in the yeare 77. Now is Charlemagne alone by his Bothers decease Caroloman dies and leaues Charlemagne King alone who quietly takes possession of his Estates and reteineth such of his seruants as he knew to haue beene most trustie to his brother during their common iealousies expecting the like faithfullnes hauing entertayned them when there was least hope The deeds of Charlemagne King of France alone vntill he was Emperour CHarlemagne hauing put away his wife Theodâ—re for susâ—ect of incontinency â—ee married with Hildegrade or Ildegrade Daughter to the Duke of Sueue his vassall by whom he had Charles Pepin Lewis and three daughters â—otrude Berthe Gille the nurcery of his Noble family Carolomans iealousie died not with him but suruiâ—ed in Berthe his wife who impatient of her conditionâ— thrust head-long with 〈◊〉 oâ— reuenge against her brother in lawe Charles retires with her two sonnes to Diâ—â—er King of Lombardy as to the most bitter and irreconciliable enemy of Charlemagne Didier entertaynes her kindly with her children hoping to effect his desseine but this was the Leuaine of his owne ruine His practise togither with the widdowes was to procure the Pope Stephen being dead and Adrian a Romaine gentleman succeeding him to confirme and Crowne the sonnes of Caroloman for Kings of France The Lombard had two strings to his bowe meaning both to put the Pope in disgrace with Charlemagne the easier to suppresse him beeing destitute of French succors whereon hee chiefely relied and likewise to set France on fire by the establishment of newe Lords Didier besâ—echeth the Pope to graunt this confirmation to the children of Caroloman 〈◊〉 his sake But Adrian well acquanted with the Lombards humour was so resolute 〈◊〉 denying his request as they fell to open hatred Didier discontented with this repulse 〈◊〉 and enters the six gouernments with all his forces being a Seigneury vnder the Popes iurisdiction spoiles the Country and
beseegeth Rauenna the chiefe Citty of the Exarchie 757 The Pope sends his Nuncio vnto him to expostulate the cause of this so sodaine warre against his subiects desiryng him to yeeld what he had taken and not to proceed in this hostile manner without any reasonable cause vpon paine of excomunication By his owne practises At that instant there fell out a great occasion to increase the hatred betwixt Charles and Didier for that Hunault who had beene vanquished in Guienne retired himselfe to Didier and is not onely courteously receiued but honored with the charge of generall of the army the which he had leuied against the Pope Didier suffred himselfe to be so abused with the perswasions of Hunault touching the meanes to attempt against the Estate of Charlemagne that holding Italy vndoubtedly his owne hee plotted a warre and assured himselfe of a certaine victory in France Thus pride and iniquitie hastens his ruine The Pope hauing no other defence but his excommunication not defensible against the armies of Didier flies againe to Charlemagne as to his sacred Anchor or last hope intreating ayde from him in his necessity Charlemagne had great reason to arme against Didier who had alwaies crossed his affaires fed his brothers â—ealousies receiued his widow and children labored to haue them chosen Kings of France to trouble or ruine his Estate entertayned his rebellious subiects and with them practised to make warre against him The sute and summons of the Romaine Church was a great motiue to induce him to arme against him who professed himselfe an open enemy to Christian religion whereof the Kings of France had alwaies shewed themselues protectors and gardiens But not to attempt any thing rashely Charles opposeth himselfe against the Lombaâ—d hee first sends his Ambassadors to the Pope to assure him of his good will the which should not be wanting in his necessity but hee thought it best to try mildnesse before hee vsed force against the Lombard He therefore sends his Ambassadors to Didier and doth summon him to restore what hee had taken from the Pope and to suffer him to liue in peace Didier who relied much vpon his policy giues good words to the Ambassadors promising to perfome all that Charles demanded but in effect hee would haue the Pope accept of conditions of peace from him and that the children of Caroloman should be declared Kings of France These demands were found vnreasonable on either side the treaty is broken the French Ambassadors returne and Didier renewes the warre more violently then before against the Church and hauing spoyled all the territory of â—auenna he takes Faenze Ferrara Comachia Compagnia and Romandiola townes of the sixe gouernments Charlemagnes Ambassadors informe their master that the warre with the Lombard is inâ—uitable and find all things at their returne readie to inuade Italy for Charlemagne beeing forced to suppresse the rebellious Saxons who impatient of the French yoake reuolted daylie had leuied a goodly army the which was readie to be imployed against the Lombard He makes warre by the aduice of the Estates But Charles would not attempt any thing in a matter of so great consequence without the aduice of his Estates Yet loath to loose time he causeth his army to march and makes his Rendezuous at Geneua a towne vnder his obedience vpon the way to Italy and hauing diuided his army into two he seizeth vpon the passages of Mont Cenis and Saint Bernard which are the two entries from France to Italie The Estates hauing found the causes of warre against Didier King of Lombardie to be iust Charlemagne causeth his army to aduance with all speed and ioynes neere vnto Verteil Didier attends him there and giues him battaile but at the first encounter he is vanquished by Charlemagne The Lombard twise defeated by Charles The Lombard hauing rallied and fortified his troupes receiues a newe defeate and so great a one as he is inforced to suffer his enemy to be master of the field An infallible entrance to his ruine Thus hauing tumultuously trussed vp what hee could he sends his sonne Aldegise to Verona with the widowe and children of Caroloman casting himselfe into Pauia the which he had carefully fortified as the dungeon and â—ortresse of his last fortune Charlemâ—gne pursues him at the heeles beseegeth him with all his forces in Pauia and resolues to haue it at what price soeuer And to shewe his resolution 775. hee sends for his wife and children into France to the end the Italians that were doubtful might knowe his minde and without attending any newe occurrents resolue to obeye the victor Hauing coopt vp Didier in Pauia and seized vpon all the approches hee resolues to take Verona which they held the strongest place of all the Lombards estate So leauing his Vncle Bernard to continue the seege at Pauia he marcheth with part of his army to Verona His resolution accompanied with these goodly beginnings and this checke of Didier shut vp as it were in a prison gaue a great alteration to the affaires of either party amidest these people of diuers humors The Spoletins the Reaâ—iâ—s those of Ancona of Ferme and of Ossino as it were in spight one of an other yeeld to Charlemagne and detest the wretched estate of Didier as a worthy reward of his trecherous iniustice and violence The Venetians beeing Neuters spectators of this tragedie who neuer had delt in any sort with Didier offer amity and succors to Charlemagne who was desirous they should keepe the sea quiet least the Emperour should be an actor in this quarrell for Didier Charlemagne stayed not long at Verona before the Cittie beganne to yeeld Berthe the widow of Caroloman beeing the chiefe instrument to drawe them to composition his forces beeing as shee saied verie fearefull Aldegise the sonne of Didier finding himselfe vnable to resist so resolute a consent of the Cittizens nor to releeue his fathers misery flies secretly to the Emperour of Constantinople Thus Verona yeelds to Charlemagne by composition Verroâ—a taken by Charles who receiues both Berthe and the Inhabitants to mercie to whome hee performes his promise he inflicts no other punishment vpon Berthe and her children but a gentle admonition of their vnciuill rashenesse and to returne into France there to do better and to liue more honorably This was about Ester which drewe Charles to Rome Charles entertayned at Rome where hee remayned onely eight daies to visit the holy places and to conferre with Pope Adrian They write wonders of the great entertaynment the Pope gaue him and of the shewes of amity of Charlemagne Hee confirmed all that his father Pepin had giuen vnto the Pope and greatly augmented it The Pope made Charles a Patritian of Rome a degree to mounâ— vnto the Empire from thence Charles came to Pauia the which beeing for the space of ten monethes pressed without by warre and within by pestilence and â—amine Pauia taken and Didier 〈◊〉 it in
him but after some yeares patience the French the Germaines by a common consent resolued to dispossesse Charles and to call a more sufficient to the place euery one according to the limits of his countrie Charles dâ—iected from the Empire and â—eâ—lme The Germains made choise for their Emperour of Arnoul sonne to Carolâ—man the sonne of Lewis the gentle retayning the respect they bare to the bloud and memorie of Charlemagne Thus the Eclipse of the Empire chanced not altogither but this change was the first motiue to alter the Imperiall dignitie whereof afterwards was framed an estate in Germanie vnder the title of an Emperour as we shall see The French likewise reiect this miserable Charles from the regencie of the realme and call Eudes or Odon Duke of Anger 's named by the will of Lewis the stuttering So this poore Prince is dispossessed of all his estates and abandoned of euery man reiected both from realme and Empire hauing so ill prouided for himselfe in time of prosperitie as he remained naked without a house where to shroude himselfe from the disgrace of this shipwrack being banished from his Court and dâ—iâ—â—n into a poore village of Sueuia where he liued some dayes in extreame want 891. without any meanes of his owne or releefe from any man in the end he dyed 〈◊〉 dies poorely in a village neither pitied nor lamented of any in a corner vnknowne but to haue beene the Theater oâ— so extraordinarie a Tragedie That one of the greatest Monarkes of the world should dye without house without bread without honour without mourning and without memorie but the note of this end so prodigiously memorable A notable patterne of the vanity of this world in diuers circumstances In Charles in the people and in the Chastisement The fruits of this memorablâ— example In Charles to learne by his example to carry themselues wisely both in prosperitie and aduersity Hee wanted no iudgement and had aboundance of wealth but hee was neither temperate nor wise in his abundance in the which the actions of his life shew him to haue beene imperious and indiscreet purchasing enemies in contemning those that had raysed him to those dignities hauing beene too confident in himselfe and carelesse of the condition of mans life and from this extremitie he fell into another in the time of his greatest afflictions suffering himselfe to be carried away in the current of melancholie and his soule to be swallowed vp in despaire In the People who worship him in the beginning whom they deuoure in the end and with an inexcusable malice tread vnder foote the afflicted and without due consideration of the true cause of affliction they esteeme no crime greater then affliction it selfe whereon they should haue pitty and detest the vice the which they couâ—r with the cloake of prosperity But from Charles the People and the Rodde let vs ascend to him that holds it which is God and learne to depend on him both in wealth and woe not trusting in our selues when we abound nor distrust in him when we are in greatest extreames the which he can easily redresse Doubtlesse greatnesse commeth neither from the East nor from the West God raiseth one and pulleth downe an other that weighing duly the vncertaintie of this life and profiting by the example of others we may learne not to be wise vnto our selues but to stop our mouthes and open our eares and eyes to see what God doth and heare what he saith seeking the true remedies of consolation in him that neuer failes the afflicted which flie vnto him So that great King and Prophet banished from his house said I haue held my peace for thou hast done it and The Lord is iust in all his wayes A most reasonable warrant of Iustice and excellent fruite of afflictions Such was the entrie and end of Charles the Grosse at the first a King and Emperour and in the end lesse then his most miserable subiect After him Eudes came in place thrust forward by them that had reiected Charles the â—rosse EVDES or ODON named Regent by Lewis the second called the stuttetering â—nd receiued by the Estates the thirtith King of France ODON KING OF FRANCE XXX 894. BEhâ—ld Eudes at last who should haue beene in the beginning Hee began to raigne or rather to bee Regent the yeare 894. and raigned eight yeares and some moneths but not without difficulties For the order of the historie wee must carefully obserue his race which in the end shal gaine the hâ—ghest place 〈…〉 whence 〈…〉 We haue made mention of Wâ—aâ—eland of Saxony one of the most famous personages of his time Being greatly fauoured by Charlemagne hee sent a sonne of 〈◊〉 into France named Robert or Rupert who had great dignities This Robert had two sonnes Eudes and Robert who shall soone minister matter to taâ—ke of his life This last Robert was father to Hugh the great and hee father to Hugh Capet who in the end shall sit in the royall throne we shall see by what degrees and meanes But to vnfold maâ—y dâ—ffiâ—ulties which aâ—peare in the reading of this historie and in the diuersitie of titâ—es giâ—â—n those that are descended of Eudes race we must obserue that the name of Eâ—â—â—e and Dâ—ke were titles of gouernment and not of inheritance and that their gouerâ—ments were temporary Duke and 〈◊〉 buâ— titâ—es of Officers so as one the same man being possessed of diuers gouernments at diuers times doth carrie in diuers respects the title of Duke and Earle of those Prouinces whereof hee hath beene gouernour the which was vsually for a yeare or for thâ—ee So as wee fiâ—d in this house Dukes of Anger 's Paris Guienne and Bourgâ—ngne according to their commaunds Eudes vndertooke the gouernment of the Realme according to the decree of the Estates â—hen it had mâ—st need of a good Pilot. He was held to bee a good and a wise man yeâ— could 〈◊〉 not â—lease all the French that had called him to the Regenciâ— They complaine that Eudes was well pleased to rule and to keepe the King in awe 896. being no more a child after so bad gouernment of the former Regents Eudes maligned in his Regencie such as sought to bee partakers of the authoritie vnder the yong King did vehemently insist against Eudes to haue him leaue the gouernment of the realme but necessitie did contradict it not permiting him to abandon the helme in these tempests In the end after many clamors Eudes authoritie is limited to the gouernment of Guienne Eight yeares passed in these contentions but now the seed of innouation was in the heart of the State the libertie of priuate men hauing cast away all respect all the members of the bodie were sicke and the soueraigne authoritie shaken by a generall disorder which in the end changed by degrees Italie wauered France full of â—actions Germanie was quite fallen away as I haue sayed and France
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
Normandy the Earle of 〈◊〉 by the yeelding vp of Melun as they assembled their friends seruants on al siâ—es The Normand calls his farthest friends to his succors Logman king of Sueden and Olane King of Norwaye his kinsmen But Robert pacified this quarrell in time by his wisedome shewing by the effect how much authority imployed in time may preuaile and that wee must speedily quench a small fire the which neglected burns a whole forest There were great personages in all prouinces with hereditary power according to the grant made by Hugh Capet In Normandy Richard the third in Aniou Geoffrâ—y Grisegonelle in Guienne William of the race of Pepin sonne to Lewis the Gentle in Languedoâ— Cont Mathew in Champagne and Touraine Odo all great and valiant men with other worthy personages throughout the Realme al which were rash men of high atteÌ„pts but the name and royall authority of Robert conteyned all these great and couragious spirits with in the bounds of their duty and publike respect And so this raigne passed quietly without any great tumults Leauing a lesson for Princes A notablâ— raigne to ioyne wisedome with authority and valour with mildnes it being as great a conquest to preserue his owne as to get an other mans and to vanquish mens minds by reason as by force A patterne in these two raignes of the meanes to restore an Estate dismembred by the disorders of ciuill warres HENRY the first the 38. King of France HENRY I. KING OF FRANCE XXXVIII HENRY 1031. being in possession of the realme during the life of his father succeeded him in the yeare 1031. and raigned 33. yeares Henryes raignâ— He had two sons Philip and Hugh by Anne the daughter of George or Gautier the Sclauon King of the Russians and one daughter the which was married to Robert Duke of Normandy sonne to that Richard of whom we haue discoursed The beginniâ—g of his raigne was â—ough and vnquiet and the ende more milde and profirable But Henry in the preseruation of his Estate did nothing degenerate from the wisedome and dexterity of his father The cause of this hard entrye was the brothers portion apparently vnequall and preiudiciall although a wise father had so decreed it Queene Constance mother to these two Princes brethren nourished this dislike supporting Robert against Henry that is to say the elder against the younger Contentioâ— betwixâ— the brethren as oftentimes mothers haue the like humours to loue one more then an other The cause was plausible 1037 that it was against the lawe vse customes of France that the yonger should be preferred before the elder in a royalty The partyes were great for Robert Constance mother to the King Bauldwin Earle of Flanders and Odâ— Earle of Champagne a busie man and rash For the King the royall maiesty the will of his father Robert yeelds vnto his brother the forces of the Realme and amongest all those of Robert Duke of Normandy The armies approach ready to fight when as behold Robert for whose interest the question was being a Prince of a milde and quiet disposition giues his mother and friends who had brought forces to his ayde to vnderstand that he would not be the cause to shed Frenchmens bloud and that Bourgongne should suffice him seeing his father had so decreed Vpon this declaration of Robert Queene Constance changeth her mind and sends backe her troupes imbracing peace with her children The armies were dismissed and agreement ratified betwixt Henry and Robert who liued like brethren and good friends That Bourgongne should remaine to Robert and his successors with the title of a fealty to France which they call Peere to be Deane among the Peeres Thus Robert of France enioyed Bourgongne and left it hereditary to his heire successiuely vntill the raigne of Iohn in the yeare 1360. But the County of Bourgongne and Normandy were the cause of much trouble in those times during the which he kept the stakes not onely as a spectator but as an vsurper This Odo Earle of Champagne who had incensed his brother against him lookt for a good part in Bourgongne and had already won Robert to promise him Sens who euen vpon the accord making had seized thereon but being easily expelled by the Kings authority he runnes an other course to loose both himselfe and what hee had supposing to vsurpe an other mans estate He held vnder the Crowne Champagne Touraine and the Country of Chartres Hee had two sonnes Stephen and Thibauld yet he sought to ioyne Bourgongne to his other Estates which was the cause of great troubles We haue before made mention of Boson the husband of Hermingrade daughter to Lewis the sonne of Lewis the Gentle who had the Realme of Bourgongne and Italy He had two sonnes Raphe and Lewis Lewis was ouerthrowne by Beranger Duke of Friul who easily seized on that which remained in Italy of Prouence as lying neere and of easie accesse Raph had the rest of Bourgongne the CouÌ„tie Sauoie Daulphiné for the Duchie of Bourgongne remained to the Crowne of France From this Raph sprong Lewis and from Lewis another Raph who liued during the raigne of Henry being old without children and ill obeied of his subiects He had two sisters the one married to Conrade surnamed the Salique Duke of Francony who was Emperour and an other to the Earle of Champagne father to this Odo who seekes to perswade Raph his vncle to make him his heyre as sonne to his eldest sister and imployes the fauour of many subiects who desired rather a neighbour then a stranger to be their Prince But Raph preferred Conrade before Otho and sent him his testament his crowne and Scepter instituting Henry his son and his Nephew his heire general Conrad made war in Hongary Odo imbraceth this occasion seeing him thus busied he enters into Bourgongne Odo Earle of Champaigne seeks to seize vpon the County of Bourgongne where he takes certaine citties the rest hold at Conrades deuotion being called to the inheritance but these desseines were soone cut off For behold the Emperour Conrad returnes with a goodly and victorious armye who not onely recouers againe the cittyes of Bourgongne that were lost but also takes some in Champagne so as Odo doth with great difficulty hold Troyes hee is forced to seeke by humble petitions to his Vncle who giues him his owne and forbids him to take from another The Earle being thus suppressed Conrad parlees with King Henrie and ratifies the ancient accords for the diuiding of Bourgongne whereof wee haue spoken From that time the Germaine Emperours challenged the right and title of the realme of Arles which the Emperour Charles the fift shall alienate and shal be soone diuided into sundry principalyties as we shall shew in their places Thus the Realme of Bourgongne had an ende in the posterity of Boson The Emperour Conrade beeing forced to go into Italy after all these treaties to
redresse the confusions which grew dayly Behold Odo reuiues the warre more furiously then before and enters Lorraine with a strong army but his enterprise fell vpon his owne head For Gothelon Duke of Lorraine confirmed by the Emperour defeates him burying his ambition and his life in one sepulchre and thus much for Bourgongne Normandy gaue no lesse cause of imployment to Henry Robert Duke of Normandy had mainteyned the hereditary loue of his father with the King greatly relying vpon his friendship Hauing resolued a long and dangerous voyage to the holy Land Robert Duke of Normandy prefers his bastard before his lawfull children he intreated him to affect the protection of William his bastard sonne whome hee had made his heyre excluding his lawfull children This testament seemed vnreasonable to all men but Robert had setled his Estate before his departure appoynting him good Gouernours and putting the strongest places and treasure into their hands as William remayned Conquerour after his death which happened in this long voyage beyond the seas But this was not without great difficulties in the which Henry kept the stakes ballancing both parties with his authority William remaining the stronger Normandy had some rest beeing freed from men of warre by this occurrent A gallant troupe of Warriors weary to liue at home and desirous to see the world led by Robert and Guischard valient Gentlemen Happy successe of the Normans in Italy seeking their fortunes came into Italy where they are imployed in priuate quarrells and there get so great reputation as by their example they drawe many to the same voyage and an other notable swarme of braue souldiers are led thether by Tancred a man very famous for this attempt the partialities of Italy giue them occasions and meanes to seize vpon Pouille Calabria and Sicile as the history describes at large This briefly may suffice to note the Estate of this raigne Thus Henry passeth his raigne amidst these troubles beeing too light to shake the body of an Estate following the example of his Grandfather and Father he causeth Philip his sonne to bee crowned King being but seuen yeares old and gaue him Baldwin Earle of Flanders for Tutor and regent of the Realme He liued little after his Coronation the which be hastened by reason of his indisposition and so he died 55. yeares old in the yeare 1061. Robert dies Beloued and lamented of all his subiects whom he intreated with much mildnes some yeares before his death the beginning of his raigne being disquieted with the feare of ciuill dissention and the end crowned with a plentifull rest PHILIP the first the 39. King of France PHILLIPPE KING OF FRANCE XXXIX 1061. ACcording to King Henries decree Baldwin Earle of Flanders tooke vpon him the gouernment of yong King Philips person Baldwin Regenâ— in Philips minoritie already confirmed by his coronation of the affaires of the realme with quietnes hauing the reputation of a good wise man although he were not pleasing to them all For certaine Noblemen of Gasconie did crosse him charging him with ambition as if he would make himselfe a King like to other Regents whereof the memorie was yet fresh in all Frenchmens mindes But his integritie and wisdome preseruing his credit with the greatest part of the French gaue him meanes to subdue the rebellious Gascons who made this their pretence to fish in a troubled streame during the minoritie of the young King Baldwin doth not winke at this repulse neither doth he suffer it to passe vnpunished He armes wisely with a shew to go against the Sarrazins which sometimes did ouerrunne the frontiers of France bordering vpon Spaine This zeale hauing moued many to accompanie him Baldwin punisheâ—h the rebels of Gasconie he punished the rebels in Gasconie and preuented many which began to mutine in sundry places of the realme as shall appeare in the future raignes It is the ordinarie ebbing and flowing of worldly things in the impatience of the French neuer to liue long in one estate Wee haue now passed aboue seuentie yeares in peace in these three raignes this Prince shall adde fortie nine more of great tranquilitie to this realme But setting before our eyes the horrible confusions in other parts it doth shew vs plainly the occasions whereby the disease grew in the State which in the ende bred so long and dangerous a feauer by ciuill warre For why doth a history represent vnto vs the effect known vnto al men if it touch not the causes and motiues of these great euents the which succeed not presently but by degrees as a Clocke which carried by contrary motiues strikes the houre at the time appointed amongest all the minutes This iudgement is necessary for the right vse of what wee reade The Kings minority passed quietly by the wise gouernment of Baldwin who hauing accompanied his pupill to the age of 15. yeares leaues him his temporall realme in peace and seekes an eternall Crowne in heauen being greatly lamented of the good leauing a memorable example of a good tutor to a King Baldwin dies much lamented and a wise Regent of a realme Philip takes in hand the helme of the Estate beholding from a safe harbour the stormes of other nations which exceed in pernitious furies not foreseeing the seeds cast by himselfe in the bosome of his owne realme that his example giues liberties to his subiects to the like disorder A wise Prince but disloyall taking couetousnes and ambition for his Councellors The disposition of Philip. seekingonely his owne profit and contemning that plaine simplicity which had purchased so much happines to his father grand-fathers to himselfe a respectiue credit withall the French and immortall praise to his posterity A looking glasse for Kings Princes without any deceit wherein they may viewe the true causes of the happines of their Estates Flanders England and Italy beganne first before that France entred who shall act a long and tedious part vpon this stage Baldwin of whom we haue made mention left two sonnes Baldwin and Robert with their mother Richilde Their Vncle Robert the Frison preteÌ„ded the inheritance to belong vnto him or at the least the gardianship of his Nephewes Richilde and the states opposed to both his demands so as they grew to words and then to warre King Philip as their soueraigne ought to bee Iudge to compound their quarrels but he labors to kindle them seeking his own profit in these garboiles Robert the Frison preuents him with promises to do what hee pleased Hee winnes him and gets a promise to be succoured against the right of his Nephews But Richilde mother to these pupills knowing the Kings humour goes vnto him to crosse Roberts desseins who brought nothing but words This woman brought money with her good behauiour and wonne him against Robert who discontent with the King assembles his other means goes to field with his army and gets part of the Country Richilde
Henry but being too weake of himselfe neither hauing any such friend as the King of France according to the triall so often made time out of minde he comes into France but he died at Cluny and in his place Calixtus son to the Earle of Bourgongne was chosen Pope The reputation of the place from whence he was descended was great so as he being a Frenchman easily called a Councell in France to the great satisfaction of the French The Emperor degraded by the Popes decree in a Councell at 〈◊〉 It was held at Rheims where by an ecclesiasticall decree he declared Henry an enemy to the Church and degraded of the Imperiall dignity As this ignominious decree did moue the Emperor so did it minister matter to the King of England his brother in lawe to imbrace all occasions to annoy Lewis his capitall enemie for seeing this Councell had bin held in France and consisted chiefly of the French Church it was very apparant that the Kings fauour was very preiudiciall to the Emperours affaires The English fayles not to harpe vpon this string to the Emperour The Emperor and â—ing oâ— England ioyne against France being already incensed by the thing it selfe promising him all his meanes incouraging him to enter France on the one side whilest that he came on the other with all the forces of Normandy and England The party was not small neither had Lewis small cause to feare being incountred by two such enemies But God shewed him the rod and reserued the punishment for an other season for as the Emperour was going to field the Germaine Princes foreseeing the misery of a warre vndertaken lightly vpon despight and weighing the importance of neighbourhood gaue him to vnderstand that he ought not to attempt warre against the King of France without declaring vnto him the causes of his discontent Hee therefore sends his Ambassadors to this end 1112. Lewis doth wisely answer him that hee is exceedinglie sorrie to see the two great Pillers of the Church so shaken by these dissentions and that it was to bee feared the whole building would bee ruined So as being a friend to both hee desired greatly to be a mediator of concord and not to carrie coales to increase the fire too much kindled alreadie the which ought to be quenched for the good and quiet of all Christendome This Ambassage was pleasing and preuailed so much as the Emperour disarmes The French King and the Emperour reconciled and was content to make Lewis a mediator for an accord betwixt him and the Pope to the great griefe of the King of England who expected a long continuance of this iaâ—â—e The composition was made at Wormes very beneficiall for the Pope in the yeare 1122. whereby Henry grants him the installing of Bishops and other benefices This did ease the sore but not cure it as the sequell of the Historie will shew While that Princes haue leisure to contend the poore people dye for hunger in many places of Europe This famine was exceeding great in Flanders Notable troubles in Flanders who then had for their Earle Charles surnamed the good for his good disposition and great charitie to the poore He sought by all meanes to releeue them But as barrenesse was one of the causes of this famine so the cruell couetousnesse of the rich was a great hinderance to the commoditie of victuals whereby there grew as remarkable an act as the successe was strange the particular report whereof the reader must pardon in the breefenesse of our stile There were three brethren at Bruges of the chiefe of the Countrie the which had gathered together a great quantitie of graine and would not sell it expecting a greater dearth which might cause a greater price that is Bertholphe Wendestrate Pouost of S. Donas and Chancellor of Flanders Lambert and Boussard Wendestrate brethren and an other rich Bourges called Lambert one of the chiefe of the Cittie This dignity of Prouostand Chancellor was so great as hee supplied the Princes place in his absence Vpon the peoples complaint the Earle decrees that all the graniers of these great houses should be opened and the Corne sold to the people at a reasonable rate The Comission was giuen to Thamard Almoner of the Earles house as a thing befitting his charge he causeth the graniers of these rich Bourgesses to be opened the corne is sold to the people and the money deliuered to the owners The people being releeued by the couragious care of Thamard commend him The Wendestrates and Lambert greatly discontented with this sale wherein they held themselues interessed cause many indignities to be done vnto him Lambert is directly accused by informations being a very audatious young man and the Wendestrates were touched therewith The Earle offended with these audatious attempts repaired them by Iustice threatning Lambert that if he continued he would seuerely punish him There was also an other complaint made by an old Abbot against the Prouost Treacherie against the good Earle of Flanders to whom the Earle spake roughly commanding him to restore vnto the Abbot what he ought him These free admonitions of the good Earle Charles did so alter the proud trecherous minds of these Cittizens as they resolue to kill him his milde facilitie giuing these wicked spirits both courage to attempt and boldnesse to execute And the end is answerable to their wicked desseine As the good Earle Charles went ill accompanied in the morning to his deuotion to the Church of S. Donas on Ash wednesday behold a troope of yong mad men led by this Lambert comes vnto him being vnarmed on his knees in a Chappell the Priest attired in his ornaments at the Altar the Earle holding forth his arme to giue his almes to a poore woman without any warning they beat him downe with their swords kill him and so forcing all to giue way The Earle of Flanders and his Almonet murthered they seeke for Thamard whom they find massacre with so great a furie as they leaue him vpon the place hewed into many peeces Their troope increaseth and they flie to the Pallace where all are amazed and finding it without gard without keyes without any gate shut they enter it with horrible cryes they kill sack and spoile and running from thence into the Cittie Crueltie in the Citty of Bruges they commit the like in those houses which they knew best affected to the good Earle Charles This furious crueltie was accompanied with an ouerweening indiscretion as if they had made some goodly conquest they braue it 1117. and play the maisters without feare of any punishment The people exceedingly grieued to see these barbarous cruelties against their good Prince whom they loued as a father durst not speake a word during this furye whereas this troupe of murtherers commaunded absolutely But the wisest Cittizens fled to Lewis as to their soueraigne Lord. Lewis comes to Bruges with great speede
his returne but it cost him deere for Saladin whom he had kept in awe sence the taking of Acon Richard makâ— a truce with Saladin vpon vnreasonable conditions well informed of his necessity resolution makes him to buy a truce for fiue yeares at a deere rate yeelding him vp all that had beene taken sence the comming of the two kings into Asia and so the Bloud Time and Cost spent in this conquest were lost in an hower by the ill gouernment of our Kings Richard hauing left the absolute comande of the affaires of Asia to Henry Earle of Campegne takes his way for England but as he came to Vienna in Austria he was knowne and staied Richard King oâ— England staiâ—d by the Emperour mâ—de to pay a raâ—â—ome first by Leopold Duke of Austria and then by Henry the Emperor for some discontent he had against him Thus Richard was retained 22. monethes and not deliuered but for a ransome of an houndred thousand pounds sterling which was then a great and notable summe This was the successe of that long and dangerous Easterne voiage crossed with so many toyles takings and yeeldings vp and with such troublesome consequences for both Kings and both Realmes for the quarrell ended not vpon King Richards release out of prison as we shall see Richard being returned into England Strange marriages of Pâ—ilip he sought all meanes of reuenge for the Wrongs he supposed to haue receyued vnworthely of Philip in his absence and calamitie But let vs returne to Philip he had put a way Isabel taken Alix the daughter of the King of Hungary who liued not long with him She being dead he tooke Gelberge sister to the King of Denmarke whom likewise he put away and in her place married Marie the daughter of the Duke of Morauia After a long and bitter controuersie vpon the repudiation of Gelberge the king remaning obstinate in his resolution yet in end he receiued her againe beyond al hope and ended his daies with her sending backe Marie with honorable meanes to liue in this kind of sollitary life in manner of a widow But our Inuentary may not excuse it selfe vpon the breuitie of the stile without reporting the manner which Philip held in receyuing Gelberge after so long and obstinat a sute The King of Denmarke pursued vehemently in the Court of Rome for the honor and quiet of his sister reiected Philip not able to auoyd the decision of the cause And yet resolute not to receiue Gelberge prepares his Aduocates to shew the reasons which had moued him to put her away The cause was to bee pleaded before the Popes Legate in the great Hall of the Bishops Pallace at Paris thether they runne of all sides In this great and sollemne assembly Philipps Aduocates pleaded wonderfullie well for him against his wife but no man appeared for her As the Cryer had demanded three times if there were any one to speake for Gelberge and that silence should be held for a consent behould a yong man vnknowne steppes forth of the presse and demands audience An Aduocate vnknowne pleads against the King for his wife Gelberge It was granted him with great attention King Philip assisting euery mans ears were open to heare this Aduocate but especially Philipps who was toucht and rauished with the free and plaine discourse of truth which he heard from the mouth of this newe Aduocate so as they might perceiue him to change his countenance After this young man had ended his discourse hee returnes into the presse againe and was neuer seene more neither could they learne what he was who had sent him nor whence he came The Iudges were amazed and the cause was remitted to the Councell Pâ—ilip relents â—nd takes Gelberge againe Philip without any stay in Court goes to Horse and rides presently to Bois de Vincennes whether he had confined Gelberge hauing imbraced her hee receiues her into fauour and passed the rest of his dayes with her in nuptiall loue 1193 By Isabel he had Lewis the 8 of that name whome during his life he imployed in affaires and left him the Crowne But the peace of his house was blemished by these crooked changes whereby we may obserue by the disquieted mind of this worthy Prince that there is nothing absolutly perfect in humain affaires He which could surmount the insolencies of his enimies could not vanquish his owne passions He that could get else where could not preserue that which was most pretious that is the peace of his howse and of his bed and which is more of his soule who could not liue quietly a midest these contynual debates bred and norished in his bosome This was the banket which was prepared for him at his returne after so many broâ—les passed in the voiage of the â—ast Flanders and England ministred him matter of troubles all his life time 〈◊〉 had â—oudry wâ—rres 〈…〉 King of England and 〈◊〉 Earle of Fâ—andâ—rs and he requited his enemies with the like ouer whome he had victorious aduantages Balâ—wine Sonne to Baldwin Earle of Hainault and Namur called the fourth and of Marguerit of Alsatia the Heire of Flaunders by the decease of her brother Philip dead of late in the East was then seased of these goodly Seigneuries wherevnto he had added Vermandois the which he pretended to belong vnto him by a certaine agreement but in effect it was by the right of conueniencie the which he had seazed on in Philips absence who at his returne recouered it from him by force with the countrey of Artois the which he gaue to his Sonne Lewis being now growne great who tooke possession and receyued homage from them of the Country Moreouer Philip caused Bauldwin to doe homage as his vassal for Flanders and other Lands of the Low countries noted by that name at Paris according to the sollemnities required from thence he marcheth into Normandie takes Gisors and the Country of Vexin giuing it for a dourie to his sister Alix being put away by Richard whome he had married againe to the Earle of Ponthieu But sodenly there are complaints from England That Phlilip did breake his promise He replies That seing his sister was nothing to Richard there was noâ— reason he should enioye her doury But this quarrell must proceed farther Richard receiues his brother Iohn into fauour and pardons what is past so as he will serue him faithfully against Philip and be no more seduced by his practises It chanced moreouer that Otho of Saxony the Son of Richards sister was choseÌ„ Emperour in his absence being then in England froÌ„ whence he presently departs assisted with his Vncles meanes the which hereafter shall import him much Richard seing how much Tholouse did import him for his countries of Guienne enters into a strict League of friendship with Raymond Earle of Tholouse theÌ„ a widower by the death of Constance Aunte to Philip giuing him Ioane his sister in marriage the widowe of
depart from Corbeil and enter Champagne in hatred of the Earle who had forsaken them to follow the Kings partie But Lewis taking him into his protection and marching towards them with his men at armes all their desseignes came to nothing And yet they had imbarked the Duke of Lorraine and the King of England in this quarrell Lewis hauing expelled them Champagne followes his course takes Angiers without any contradiction belonging then vnto the Brittons and from thence hee marcheth into Brittanie Terror opens the Gates of all the Citties The Earle of Dreuz leaues his Brother who seeing himselfe abandoned of them all but first of iudgement confesseth his fault and doth homage to the King for Brittanie The League broken and by this rebellion he gets the name of Maâ—clerck hauing so ill imployed his time as to suffer himselfe to bee vanquished by a Child and a Woman These troubles thus pacified to the dishonor of the Authors the young King wonne great reputation and his Mothers wisdome was generally commended Lewis makes a progresse throughout 〈◊〉 realmâ— who thought it fitte that her Sonne should bee seene of all his subiects As hee went this progresse hee receiued homage from all his Nobilitie and ordained many things according to occurrents It chanced that hauing erected Poitou to an Earledome and giuen it to Alphonso his brother Hugh Earle of Marche which lyes within Poitou would not acknowledge Alphonso for his Lord His Wife Isabell Mother to King Henry of England who had beene first married to King Iohn was the motiue scorning to subiect her selfe to an Earle of Poitou This ambitious passion was the cause of great Warre First shee drewe in the Earle of Lusignan vnder the same pretext for that there had beene Kings of Ierusalem and Cipres issued out of this Noble house and afteâ—wards the King of England The first tumult not preuented had almost surprised Lewis within Saumur and this Woman transported with pride and hatred sought to make him away eyther by poison or sword kindling the Warre in England by hired Preachers In the end after the two armies had made great spoile in Poitou Xantonge and Angoulmois both of friend and enemie a peace was concluded with the English vpon condition that La Marche should remaine in France This was the end of that feminine rage ridiculous in the issue but lamentable for the poore people who alwayes pay for the folly and malice of Princes Prouence was gouerned by the Berengers as wee haue sayd since the ouerthrow of Lewis the Sonne of Boson and then in the hands of Raymond Berenger Prouence comes to Charles of Aniou a sonne of France a fierce and cruell man who had so incensed his subiects being impatient and turbulent of themselues as they had recourse to Raymond Earle of Tholouse his neerest Kinsman to install him in their Earles place with whom they would haue no more correspondencie Being ready to arme the felicitie of Lewis pacified all Raymond Earle of Prouence had foure Daughters Marguerite which was wife to our Lewis the ninth and Queene of France Elenor which was married to Henry King of England Sanchia to Richard his brother Duke of Cornwaile and Beatrix which was to marry Daughters of great hapines hauing had three Kings and a Royall Prince The Earle of Prouence would hardly haue beene comptrould by Lewis but GOD who meant to plant a generall peace in France by the hand of this good King buried Raymond with his rage in one Tombe taking him out of the world whome a whole world could not containe Lewis after the decease of Raymond pacified the Prouençals in marrying his brother Charles the Earle of Aniou with Beatrix the Daughter of their Earle to their great content adding in fauour of this marriage Maine to Aniou And since this Charles was King of Sicilia Robert the yonger brother was Earle of Arthois By this meanes his bretheren remained satisfied Alphonsus being Earle of Poitou and Tholouse by his portion and mariage Charles Earle of Prouence and Aniou and Robert Earle of Arthois and the Realme continued in happy peace These things thus happily performed by Lewis hee imployed his care in the reformation of the Realme beginning first with himselfe and his houshold Lewis his disposition then did he plant Religion and Iustice the principall Pillers of a State for the good and ease of the people Hee lead a life worthy of a King louing and honoring Religion with much zeale and respect taking delight in the reading of the holy Scripures the which hee cauâ—ed to be Translated into the French tongue which I haue seene in a Gentlemans custodie carrying this title He did greatlie honor Clergie men being worthy of their places and was a seuere censor of them that did abuse it whom hee charged to liue according to their Canons and to shew themselues patternes of good life to the people That they should bee preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignities according to order in all libertie and should enioy their reuenues without lett That the exactions and insupportable charges imposed by the Court of Rome these are the words of his Edict on the realme of France by the which it was mâ—ghtily impouerished and which hereafter might be leuied should not in any sort be leuied without apparent cause his expresse command and the approbation of the French Church He had a good soule being iust sober modest The Patterne of an excellent Princâ— temperate in his eating and drinking in his talke habits and conuersation neither melancholie nor exceedinglie merry circumspect of a good iudgement staied charitable moderate vigilant and seuere in the obseruation of that he had decreed And as the Prince is the rule of his house he either chose seruants of his owne humor or else his seruants framed themselues vnto his disposition so as his Court was like vnto a well ordred Church His traine was royall and stately according to the times but there was nothing superfluous not lost so as hee had his Treasurie replenished to giue to such as deserued He paied his seruants wel yet he gouerned his treasure in such â—ort as his officers could hardly steale from him and such as offended he punished with so exact a seueritie as the rest feared to commit the like The orders for his treasure are registred in his Ordinances where you may see them at large He loued learning and learned men and delighted to read and heare good workes fauouring his Vniuersitie of Paris and drawing the Parisians to lâ—ue Scholleâ—s so as in his time the Vniuersitie of Paris had great prerogatiueâ— as the eldest Daughter of our Kings The realme was corrupted with the iniustice extâ—â—sion of former raignes by the sale of offices being most certaine that what we buy in grosse we must sell by retaile He did therefore expresly prohibite these sales and supplied such places as were voide according to the merits of persons after due examination to draw good men and
that go to forrage Lewis who lay in his bed extreamly sick had nothing but courage to maintaine life zeale to die in this holy warre in the which he had imbarked himselfe very inconsiderately Lewis distressed And not to giue his enemies all aduantages to braue him thus daily he makes choise of such as were least sick being resolute to dye vnder the command of Alphonsus and Robert his bretheren This poore maimed troope was easily beaten by a fresh and strong enemy The Kings brethren were taken Lewis being then prâ—st daily by Melexala to yeeld he giues eare to a composition which till then he had reiected seeing himselfe a prisoner without hope of recouerie The conditions were very hard in so great an extremitie Lâ—wis taken by the Sultan of Egipt That Damiette should bee restored to the Sultan all prisoners freed and eight thousand pounds of golde payed to the Mammelucks to redeeme his life the which they held as it were in their hands Lewis payes foure thousand presently hauing left the Hostie the Pix as a most precious pawne he was deliuered Hâ— paies his ransome but before he returned into France he paid the Summe and tooke his pawne 1250. hereof it comes that in the Tapistry of Egipt you shall alwaies see the Host and the Pixe for a memoriall of this worthy victorie Attending the paiement of this summe verie great for that age Lewis fortified the Citties of Iudea and redeemed prisoners and relikes being loth to returne into France with empty hands But these newes were presently brought thether with an incredible celeritie All things semeed to inuite fooles and ambitious men to innouations but God had setled so great a loue in the hearts of the French to their good King as they come all iointly to his mother The French generally lament for their King wonderfully perplexed for her Sonnes losâ—e a greife which caused her to die with as great obedience and respect as if he himselfe had beene present in his greatest prosperitie Priuate houses publicke places and especially Churches were ful of sorrow teares and vowes for the distresse of their good afflicted Prince for the which al sounded out with praiers and deuotion Their purses were as open as their hearts to furnish what soeuer was needfull for their Kings ransome or his returne so much was he beloued and wished for of al men The money is â—pedely prouided sent and deliuered to the enemie and Lewis returnd into his realme fiue yeares after his departure bringing with him Marguerite his deere spouse with the conceyt of the same chastitie he had before But after his absence he neither found his realme so well ordred as he had left it not his neighbour State in any better peace He began by the reformation of his owne making constitutions concerning the Church Lewis makeâ— good Laweâ— Iustice and the releefe of the People against publike dissolution Blasphemies Stewes Dicings-houses Playes and other enormities He made orders for Marriages Debts Impositions Offices benefices the which ar e contayned more at large in the originall Historie this was in the yeare .1251 A true commendation of Saint Lewis The fruits of his voâ—age and affliction was that he became a better man hauing increased in zeale modesty wisdome and dilligence better beloued and respected then before his departure and generally had in great admiration for his good life and constancy in the midest of greatest dangers as a miracle among kings he found his mother Bâ—anch wanting in his house Blanche his mother dies being dead a litle after the imprisonment of her Sonne surcharged with age and the greefe of so great an affliction Lewis hauing ordered the confusions sprong vp in his absence he imploied the rest of his time and authoritie to pacifie quarrells growen among his neighbours as the Generall Arbitrator among Christians The English â—â—bell against their King England did offer a noâ—able occasion The English were reuolted against King Henry vnder the command of Simon of Monâ—fort a man of great credit for some discontentments touching their preuiledges By the countenance and conduct of this commander their complaints are conuerted into open warre in the which Henry and his brother Richard are taken prisoners Lewis exhorts the English to concord and doth not seeke to nurrish these dâ—uisions for his owne benifit as his father Lewis had done Edward Sonne to Henry that was prisoner giues them an other battaile in the which Simon of Montfort was slaine yet his faction dies not but the warre was reuiued vnder the commande of Guy the Sonne of Simon Lewis imployed his authority so happely both with Guy and the people who held his pietie and wisdom in great respect that hauing perswaded his brother Charles King of Sicilia to make Guy his Lieutenant and as it were companion in the conquest of Tuscanie he was a meanes to restore King Henry to his authory Lewis reconciles the Engâ—â—sh to their King and the people to their liberty with a generall content Flanders presented him an other subiect Marguerite Countesse of Flanders issued from Baldwin father to Iane the wife of Ferrand as we haue said had children by diuers men Two by one bed which were held vnlawfull hauing beene abused either by William her scholemaster who was a preest or by Bessard of Auuergne her gouernor or by both of them hauing volontaryly yeeled to eyther of them and three in lawful matrimony by Guy or Dampierre a Gentleman of Champagne The two first were the eldest and strongest in credit whereby must needs growe great troubles among a stirring people as we haue seene a great cumbustion of a smaller fire Diuision in Flanders paceâ—â—ed by Lewis Lewis pacified this quarrell without force as the soueraigne Iudge assigning the Earldome of Haynault to the first and Flanders to the last and so ended a sute which in shew seemed infinite and should immortalize a dangerous dissention 1260. holding those children for legitimate which could not bee reiected without troubling the lawfull equitie of the countrie According to the rule that a common error makes a iust title But Languedoc was ready to rise vpon the controuersie of the Earles of Tholouse and Rossillon both parties were strong his brother Alphonsus on the one part and Iames King of Arragon on the other The question for those lands was the cause This great familie had diuers branches and by this occasion diuers diuisions and so diuers names were giuen to this Prouence now called the Earledome of Tholouse sometimes S. Gilles sometimes Beziers and other whiles Narbone as we shall declare in the Theater of Languedoc Lewis decreed that Iames King of Arragon should enioy the County of Rossillon and all the rest should remaine to his Brother without controuersie the which was obserued by them and their successors Thus this good Prince laboured happily to compound controuersies in notable actions being carefull to pacifie
mountaines deluded the Kings commandements who knew well how to hunt him out of his Rockes and to send him prisoner to Beaucaire with his Wife and Children there to disgest his fellonie and to teache more mightie Vassalls and Subiects what it is to dallie with their Soueraigne Hauing tamed him with a whole yeares imprisonment and drawne from him proofes of a serious confession of his fault hee grants him lâ—bertie his Earledome and his fauour making good vse of him in his affaâ—res But the quarrell of Nauarre was of greater consequence Henry King of Nauarre Earle of Champagne and Brie Troubles in Nauarre had married Isabell the Daughter of Robert Earle of Arthois brother to Saint Lewis and at that time dyed leauing one onely Daughter his heire named Iane with his Widow to whome hee had appointed the regencie of his realme After the decease of Henry which was in the yeare 1274. at Pampelune the Nobility were greeued to bee gouerned by a Woman 1274. shee flies to Philip as to her neere Kinsman The King sends Eustace of Beau-marais a Knight to assist her with his Councell the which encreased the discontent of the Nauarrois who take Armes and beseege the Mother the Daughter and this newe Councellor in the Castle of Pampelune hoping to become Maisters thereof and to settle the gouernement at their pleasures Philip hastens thether releeues the Beseeged punisheth the Rebells setleth the Gouernement furnisheth the Forts and sends Ioane the Heyre of Nauarre into France with the good liking of the Nauarrois by the assurance which Philip gaue them to make her Queene of France in marrying her to his eldest Sonne Nauarre continued thus without any alteration wholy at Philips disposition whose authority was confirmed in all those Prouinces and his Name grewe great throughout all Spaine This worke thus easily ended an other taske began which brought much misery to this raigne The French affayres succeeded not well at Constantinople we haue shewed into what extremity the successors of Baldwin Emperor of Constantinople were brought and now behold the last act of this borrowed Empire Baldwin the sonne of Robert in the life of Iohn of Breyne his Father in Law made head against his enemies so as hauing imployed all his meanes and exhausted his treasure he flies to Frederick the 2. his Brother in Law but in vaine and this was the period of his ruine for his absence gaue his enemies meanes to attempt and his fruitlesse labour was a proofe of his weakenesse at his returne Michel Paleologus a Lord of the Country great both in meanes and courage after the death of Theodore Lascaris The French expâ—â—â—ed Constantinople by the Greekes of whom we haue spoken had so managed this occasioÌ„ as Baldwin could scarse enter into Constantinople to prouide for the safety of the Citty when he was beseeged by Paleologus and so hardly prest as he saued himselfe with difficulty in the I le of Negrepont and from thence went into Italy leauing Constantinople with all this imaginary Empire threescore yeares after the taking thereof by Baldwin the first Thus the Greeks are repossessed vnder the gouernement of Michel Paleologus who in the end seized on the Empire of the East But the comming of Baldwin into Italy was the cause of a long and painefull taske wherein our Philip was so farre ingaged as he shall leaue his life there and cause much trouble to his subiects His Vncle Charles King of Sicilia shall be the motiue Philips disposition but his owne disposition shall thrust him forward Philip was a great vndertaker oftentimes of other mens affayres as the whole discourse of his life will shew wherby it seemes the Title of Hardy was giuen him Not so discreet therein as his Father Why he was called Hardâ— who carried himselfe alwayes coldly a neuter in his neighbours dissentions but when hee found meanes to reconcile them with mildnes Let vs now returne whence we parted Baldwin thus dispossessed of Constantinople flies to Charles King of Sicilia a Frenchman to a French but he had a more strict gage his Daughter Bertha whom Charles had married after the death of Beatrix Countesse of Prouence Moreouer he addressed himselfe to one whose spirit was neuer quiet but in Action A strange man hee was Earle of Prouence King of Naples and Sicilia Vicar of the Empire Senator of Rome holding Tuscane at his deuotion almost all Italy 〈…〉 baâ—enâ— Prince in as great reputation as any Prince of his time yet not satisfied Baldwin arriued presently after this shipwracke perswading him to hope for better he tryes all meanes to leuy a goodly army to go into Greece and to restore him with the rest of the French Nobility to their Estates and Seigneuries whereof Paleologus had dispossessed them not foreseeing how much more necessary it was for him to gard his newe conquests of Sicilia and Naples and to keepe his credit in Italy in well intreating his new Subiects and imbracing polletikely the Italians loue As Charles deuised the meanes to attempt so his enemies sought the meanes to preuent him They were not small nor fewe in number Pope Nicholas Peter King of Arragon and Michell Peleologus Emperor of Constantinople but there wanted a Soliciter There was one found out proued a notable instrument Iohn Prochite one of the greatest men of Sicilia being dispossessed he imployed his whole study to recouer his Estate by expelling of Charles his capitall enemy Pope Vrbain a Frenchman 1280. borne at Troyes in Champagne had called Charles to these goodly Kingdomes and contrary wise Pope Nicholas an Italian borne at Rome plotted this Tragedie to dispossesse him although his successor Martin borne at Tours did fauour him seeking to restore him againe to his possessions but it was too late Such is the ebbing and flowing of the fauour of the Sea of Rome subiect to receiue diuers persons and by consequence diuers humors Peter of Arragon had married the daughter of Manfroy whome Charles had dispossessed of Sicilia as we haue sayd and therefore had reason to attempt any thing against Charles for the recouery thereof A party made against Charles King of Sicilia holding his title better then the Popes guift Michel Paleologus sought to preuent this storme which Charles prepared against his new purchase and therefore had reason to imploy all his forces against him But that which did most preiudice Charles was his carriage and his officers towards the people of Naples and Sicilia whome hee discontented by all kindes of excesse impoâ—itions rigorous exactions of money insolencies against their wiues and daughters and outrages against their persones This vniust and vnchast libertie which exceeded in the manners of our men bred a iust choller against them in the mindes of this poore Captiue people which made them to seeke all meanes to shake off their yoake and to be reuenged But they had cheefely offended the Soueraigne Iudge of all the
Realme of Sicilia giuen him by authoritie of the holy Sea as a holy gage of the Church Peter answeares That Charles is the vniust vsurper hauing violently rauished the Lands of the Empire from Manfroy the lawfull heire That hee could not bee ignorant of his right hauing married Constance his daughter by whom hee had Sonnes to whome he could not denie the dutie of a Father without wronging of Nature Thus he opposeth the authoritie of Nature to the Popes power right to wrong and reason to passion Moreouer to this law of nature he ioynes faith the ground of humane societie being called and desired by a people vniustly wronged in their goods liues and honors Should hee then contemne their teares being bound to succour them He hath therefore done what he ought 1282. a lawfull heire against an vsurper and a tyrant for poore people oppressed resolute to continue so great a worke worthie of a Châ—istian King perswading himselfe that God who had giuen him a good beginning would send him a happy ending leauing Sicilia free and peaceable to his posteritie And thus one for an other The Pope supports Charles against Peter Hereunto Pope Martin the fourth did add his thundrings supporting Charles his cause with as great vehemencie as his Predecessor Nicholas had laboured to plot his practise against him He sends a Legat to the Sicilians to let them vnderstand that they were excommunicated and their goods confiscate The Legat deliuers his Commission freely and cites all the people to Rome with an expresse inhibition to all Preests not to communicate any Sacraments vnto them vnder great paines So all the Churches in Sicilia were shut vp by the Popes authority The same thunderboult is cast against Peter he is Excommunicated Degraded and his realme of Arragon accursed but from words they fell to blowes Charles resolute to hazard all intreats Philip his nephew to succour him with his best meanes in this his great necessitie And the better to ingage him he giues Catherin the daughter of his son Charles the lame in marriage to Charles the yongest sonne of Philip and in consideration of this marriage giues him the Duchie of Aniou Of this marriage shall issue Philip of Vallois who shall be King of France Philip succors his vncle Charles fortie three yeares after All France armes for this warre Philip imployes all his meanes Peter Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Robert Earle of Artois his nephew the Duke of Bourgongne the Earles of Bologne Dampmartin Ioygny with an infinite number of the Nobilitie repaire from all parts of the Realme Charles sending men expresly with priuate letters to all his friends to inuite them to this war And to keepe Paleologus in Constantinople hee workes with the Christians of Asia and with the Ilands of Cipres Malta Rhodes and others to make warre against him and likewise he fought to disquiet Arragon by meanes of the Nauarrois Philip remayning at Tolouse for that purpose Behold the Arragonots in great perplexitie charged on all sides both with spiritual and temporall armes but that which troubled him most the Sicilians excommunicated by the Pope and amazed at so great forces as came to Charles from all parts not not onely grew cold The Sicilians seeke to make their peâ—ce with Charles but also sought to make their peace with Charles To this end they goe to Rome to Pope Martin of whome they craue pardon with an extraordinarie humilitie for the Historie noates that their Deputies being on their knees cryed to the Pope Qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nostri A title belonging onely to Iesus Christ. This deuout respect had in a manner drawne the Sicilians to Charles his obedience wherein Doubtles he had preuailed if he would haue imbraced the occasion for Pope Martin had perswaded them to yeeld but without a French garrison Whereunto Charles would not coÌ„discend seeking to haue them at his discretion Peter was not quiet in mind amidst al these difficulties hauing the Pope in front the people readie to reuolt Philip watching ouer his Realme of Arragon and an armie in the Port of Naples redie to land Peter doth pollâ—tikly auoyd all dangers Hee findes an expedient for all these difficulties to stay all these forces to quiet this storme of Sicilia and to escape all dangers after a manner in shew worthy of commendation for the reputation valour and bountie of so great a Prince Hee giues Charles to vnderstand that hee lamented the common miserie of so much people whome he did see in danger for their priuat quarrels that it were much better to end it betwixt themselues by the sword That if hee were an honest man a souldiar and a King hee was redie to fight with him and Sicilia should remaine to the Conqueror They were both old and broken but both equall Peter had onely the aduantage in one thing he was more cunning then Charles and his intent was to circumuent him as indeed he did A Combat appointed betwixt two Kings Charles willingly accepts the combat The manner is determined by a common consent â—hat either King should take a hundred choise horse and that the conquering troupe should purchase Sicilia to his King Bourdeaux is chosen for the place of combat the day is appointed All Europe flies to this Theater to see an end of so notable a quarrel by such an extraordinary meanes Charles comes to the place at the prefixed day with his troupe chosen out of the brauest Gentlemen of the Armie Peter appeares not nor any one for him 1283. he is called he is summoned they protest against him but there is no newes of him So after all these soâ—lemne protestations euery one retires with laughter Peter fortifies himselfe in Sicilia but Peter was otherwise imployed he assured Sicilia by his wiues meanes whom he sent thether prouiding to fortifie the weaker places both of Sicilia and Naples equally threatned The heate of the French is cooled by this intermission of time by the hope of an accord and by the departure of so great a multitude disbanded to see this sight the Sicilians had taken breath and Peter stood firme to choose his best aduantage The French being out of hope to see this controuersie ended by combate returne to armes but with lesse courage To make warre in Sicilia they must approach and they must land Roger of Lore a banished man of Apulia Admirall of the Arragon Fleete had the garde of the landing Charles the Lame sonne to King Charles offers to land but his Fleete is defeated and he taken prisoner Charles wonderfully perplexed with this losse runnes from Cittie to Cittie in his Realme of Naples seeking to raise new forces when as death calls him to his rest Charles the Lame the sonne of Charles taken prisoner the which in his life time he would neuer enioy hauing giuen to many and receiued himselfe infinite troubles without any fruite In his youth his
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
from whom they could draw no other answer but that he had passed no word to his Brother and that they were his prisoners by a iust warre Philip without any further delay passeth into Flanders with a goodly troope to take possession of the Earledome as Proprietarie and chiefe Lord and to vnite it to the Crowne by vertue of a sentence whereby the person of Count Guy was found giltie of high Treason Flanders vnited to the Crowne and his Lands were confiscate to the King as to his Soueraigne Lord. Hee comes to Gant where hee is receiued with pompe as Prince and Lord hee receiued their homage and makes many goodly lawes for the gouernment of the Countrie appointing Iames of Chastillon Lord of Leuse and Condé for Gouernour and Lieutenant Generall and so returnes to Paris Then were garrisons presently placed and Cittadels made in all the Townes as conquered by the Sword they are charged with contributions taxes and impositions one vpon another to finish the buildings and to nourish the Souldiars with such other things as depended thereon Such was the libertie and confusion of militarie discipline On the other side there were complaints and popular mutinies for the exactions made by the Kings command These popular discontents did sodenly cause a new confusion A people ought to be intreated with much mildnesse The people of Flanders being oppressed râ—uolt against Philip. be they either newly conquered or reduced to their old obedience This ill vsage gaue all the better Townes occasion to reuolt Bruges began and is followed presently by the rest but they must seeke meanes for their preseruation to maintaine themselues against the forces of Philip which vndoubtedly would fall vpon them They assemble at Bruges The first difficultie is to prouide a CoÌ„mander Iohn and Guy of Namur bretheren sonnes to Guy Earle of Flanders were ioyntly chosen by a generall consent and come to Bruges There all the Citties Gant excepted make an offensiue and defensiue league against the King of France for their Earles deliuerie The Dice are cast all breakes out into a furious seditioÌ„ At Bruges the French are slaine by their hosts Count S. Paul who went thether to pacifie these troubles escaped hardly And kill the French furie had found them out Commanders fitte for their humors A wretched Weauer suborned and counterfeit mutinous and full of words named Peter is one of their chiefe Colonels accompanied with like Ruffians the other Commander a Butcher of like qualities to this Tribune But as the baser sort begin these rebellions so great men end them Philip of Flanders sonne to Guy being a prisoner The Nobility ioyne with the pâ—ople flies from Apauille where he was well appointed to succour his Father and Countrie being ready to suffer shipwrack The Nobilitie of the Countrie who feared the furie of this mad inraged multitude ioyne easily with him The popular state seeing how needfull the armes and direction of Gentlemen was for them seeke all meanes to haue their fauour The cause is plausible the deliuery of their good Earle the liberty of their Country Flanders being thus on fire Philip was in no lesse perplexitie resoluing to imploy all his forces to suppresse this mutinous nation In few daies he leuâ—es an armie of 40000. men with exceeding diligence and he himselfe is in field as Generall And yet all this dies like a fire of Ioae breeds euents not foreseene by him who in shew was the stronger but in the end he proues the weaker and beares the blowes for he was scarce entred into Flanders as farre as Boisâ—due but he talkes of his returne pretending the vnseasonablenesse of the time yet the cause was apparantly knowne to be otherwise and some thought that he feared a reuolt at home So this great shew preuailed little in Flanders and bred an infinite charge to France This was the successe of Philips second voyage into Flanders with much bruite no fruite This his sodaine retreat incensed this mutinous people more and gaue courage to their Commanders to be the more resolute against Philip by the renuing of a mutuall alliance and made Philip seeke to repaire the error which he had in his owne conceit committed in not imploying so goodly an armie against the Flemings He raiseth another armie of forty thousand men of the companies already leuied 1302. vnder the command of Robert Earle of Arthois his Cousin accompanied with Arnoul of Neele Constable of France and many great personages The diuers humors of both parties Philip sends an other army which is defeated by the Flemings were a foretelling of the issue of these Armies for the Earle of Artois marched against the Flemings as against abase people easie to be vanquished and this humor of the Generall crept into the Souldiars mindes as going to an vndoubted victory and not to a doubtfull combate Contrariwise the Flemings marched carefully to defend themselues against great warriors for the defence of their liberty against them that were greatly incensed and vnder a Wise and Graue Commander They choose for their Leader Iohn of Namour with his brethren Guy and Philip sonnes to the Earle Guy prisoner accompanied with many Noblemen that were good souldiers and sworne enemies to the French leading a people very resolute for theyr owne preseruations The armies meet nere vnto the Towne of Courtray in a place called Groeminge The Earle of Artois would by al meanes drawe the Flemings to fight who sought onely to defend themselues and therefore had chosen a place for to campe in which was strong both by nature and arte lying close with their battallions This their countenance not to fight made Robert of Artois the more resolute to force them contrary to the Constables aduice The great numbers of the French did at the first terrifie the Flemings but their mindes seasoned with the former considerations they were incouraged by their Leader Iohn of Namour Battel of Courtray famous for thâ— great defeat of the French Robert therefore hauing commanded his Horse to charge their Squadrons furiously the Flemings withstood them as corragiously and hauing disordered them they forced them to retyre vppon their owne foote who were placed with so great a contempt of the enemy as if they were not to fight but to gather the spoyles of vanquished men The Horse-men thus disordered passe through their bands of foote the which thus diuided abandon their rankes and then their Armes Some fight heere others flie there but the horse and foote being in route they could not ioyne againe The disorder was generall some defend themselues couragiously but there remaine no squadrons to fight in grosse Their multitude is a hindrance vnto them the Flemings incourraged with this successe are the more eager in killing for that this defeat of our men was vnexpected and this multitude being victorious is fleshed vpon the French as vppon dead carcases without any mercy glutting themselues vpon theÌ„ whom before
Daughters whose names are buried in the confusion of times troubled by the pâ—etences of Males and Females and his wife with Child as wee haue sayd A wombe which shall breed many long and perilous controuersies Charles dyed in the yeare 1328. leauing the Crowne to the second royall branche of Capets wherevnto the order of the fundamentall law did lawfully call them THE SECOND PARCELL OF THE THIRD RACE OF CAPETS CONTAINING THIRTEENE KINGS in the second royall branche called of Valois from Philip of Valois to Henry the third THE NAMES OF THIRTEENE Kings of the second royall branch of Capets called of Valois Philip of Valois Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. Charles the 7. Lewes the 11. Charles the 8. Lewis the 12. Francis the first Henry the 2. Francis the 2. Charles the 9. Henry the 3. the last of this royall branche From the yeare a thousand three hundred twentie eight vnto the yeare a thousand fiue hundred eightie eight PHILIP of VALOIS the 50. King of France PHILLIP KING OF FRANCE L. THe doubtfulnesse of the issue which was expected from the royall wombe of Iane 1328. widow to Charles the faire held the beginning of this raigne in great suspence and perplexitie Controuersie for the realme betwixt Edward the 3. King of England Pâ—iâ—iâ— of Valois euen for the regencie it selfe for Edward the 3. King of England the sonne of Edward the 2. and of Isabell of France the daughter of Philip the faire and sister to the three Kings last deceased pretended it as his right and in case the child died whatsoeuer it were the realme also by the title of royall consanguinitie according to the lawes of England 〈◊〉 Philip of Valois the first Prince of the bloud of France maintained that 〈…〉 of the male if any were borne as the realme if it were a daughter oâ— the sonne died belonged directly vnto him without all controuersie holding the first 〈…〉 among the Princes of the bloud after the decease of the three brethren who had bin 〈…〉 aâ—ter another For Philip the hardie had left two sonnes Philip the faire and 〈◊〉 Earle of Valâ—iâ—â— of whom it is said That he was the sonne of a King brother to a King 〈…〉 father to a King and yet no King 〈◊〉 Philip and Charles had succeeded to the Crowne one after another so as after 〈…〉 the right came to Charles and his children according to the fundamentall law oâ— State To decide this controuersie the generall Estates were called at Paris Philip of Valoâ—â— preferâ—ed to the â—â—owne with great solemâ—iâ—â—e where they decree That Philip of Valois should be Regent of the realme if Queene 〈◊〉 had a sonne and King if it were a daughter 〈◊〉 was delâ—uered of a daughter the first of Aprill at Bois de Vincennes the which was caâ—â—ed Blanche This quaâ—rell thus decided Philip installed King Philip of Valois was saluted and proclaimed King of France and within few daies after was annointed and crowned at Rheims accordiâ—â— to the vsuall custome And â—hen being well accompanied with his Princes Peeres Officers and an infinite number of his nobility he made his entry into his chiefe Citty of Paris with an incredible ioy and pompe this was in the yeare .1328 Being thus in possession of the Realme he studied to settle his estate much disordered by the ill gouernement of the forepassed Kings 〈◊〉 settles his 〈…〉 France and likewise to satisfie the daughter of Lewis Hutin in regard of the Counties of Brye and Champâ—gne lying too neere to his good Citty of Paris to be diuided from the crowne So he treated with her and held them by his prerogatiue giuing vnto her as much in exchange as the said Earledomes were worth lying farther off in the counties of la March Rouergue and Languedoc But Flanders troubled him much more the Earle and his subiects were greatly incensed one against an other by reason of some exactions of money made by the Earle for the payment of his old debtes due by the accord so as they made warre against their Earle and tooke him prisoner Beeing the stronger they controlled their Lord but soone after they payde for their folly for the Earle being deliuered had recourse vnto Philip as to their soueraigne Philip takes the Earles cause in hand He suppresseth the Flemings rayseth a great armie against the Flemings takes sacks and burnes Cassel where they had made the body of their army after the defeate of two and twenty thousand Flemings in a pitched field Hauing subdued this mutinous people hee aduised the Earle to vse that aduantage modestly to win theÌ„ by mildenes not to thrust them into errors by despight or dispaire the which are sooner preuented then repayred in popular tumults Beeing returned from this voyage Philip found newe worke at Paris The Courts of Parlement and all the Soueraigne Iudges assembled from all the Prouinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France A notable sute of the Patlements against the cleargie they accuse them ofsundry abuses namely that against the due of their charges they intermedled with the politike iurisdiction The sute was vehement famous for the greatnes of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calles a general assembly of his whole realme at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter of Cugnere this is he who by derision they called M. Peter Cugnet whoÌ„ at this day they finde in the great Temple at Paris noted with a little Monkeys head placed betwixt two pillers to put out the candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Aduocates in those times The issue was doubtfull but Philip foreseeing the euent of so important a busines after that he had seriously exhorted the Prelates to reforme themselues in reforming the abuse to auoide these popular complaints he referred the matter to a further hearing But he had other worke in hand Edward the 3. King of England for that he was not receiued King of France practised great and new desseines against him studying onely vpon reuenge He had purposely refused to assist at his coronation makes no shew of any intent to do homage for Guienne whereunto Philip did cal him Edward hauing no colour to refuse so apparent a duty came to 〈◊〉 with so great and extraordinary a traine as it seemed plainly not to be done to honour the king but rather to strike some feare or admiration into the French of his great forces To check this bold brauâ—do Philip shewed himself a King at his first enteruew with Edward who euen then champt vppon the bit and smothered his choler Edward appeares at the place and time prefixt royallie attired with a long roabe of crimson veluet pouldred with Leopardes of gold a crowne vpon his head a sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles He presents himselfe standing before Philip
Earle of Alanson incensed much against the Geneuois for thus giuing backe doubâ—â—s his choler against them The battaile of Crecy crying on like a desperate man Go go sayes he my fâ—iends leâ— vs charge these English horse making our way ouer the bellies of these Geneuois who do but hinder vs. And without any longer stay he gallops through the Geneuois foote who began to gather themselues againe together according to their discipline The Geneuois finding themselues wronged with this new affront crie out againe like desperate men being impatient of any disgrace so as striuing to breake their bowes in â— rage they make way for the horse who passe through them The Earle of Alanson being followed by the Dukes of Lorraine and Sauoy and by the Dolphin of Viennois â—anne with such fury and haste as they were out of breath before they came to charge the enimie whom they found in better order his hoâ—se being flanked on the one side with a good troope of foote with bowes and crossebowes whose strings had not felt the raine like to the Geneuois This troupe of French horse being very violent at the first charge was to be feated bâ—t they were sodainly stayed by a storme of English at rowes which gald both horse and menâ— and for a supply behold a newe troupe of English comes to succour them that were iâ—gaged in the fight and to increase the mischiefe Yong Edward chargeth the French with 〈◊〉 other band of horsemen and his crossebow men in flanke being placed on the one side to fauour their horse and to ioyne their arrowes which played continually with the 〈◊〉 tâ—las masses and lances of their horsemen The which not onely prolonged the parle but also encreased the losse of the French being charged on al sides The Combat growes hot being very equal in valour and courage but not in force by reason of the troupes of reserue which Edward kept for the last charge Philip seeing his brother ingaged among so many enemies runs to his resâ—â—e At his arriuâ—ll the fight is doubled the English bending their forces against Philip and the French against yong Edward Philip is ouerthrowne vnder his horse the which was slayne with many arrowes but he was presently resâ—ued by Iohn Earle of Beaumont and then all the French crye out that the King should retyre himselfe out of the Combat This crye proceeding from loyall and well affected Frenchmen gaue courage to the English beeing in fight seeing the King in this danger Yong Edward was in no lesse perill being compassed in on all sides by the French and assisted by his owne so as they fearing the euent of this charge send to his father to sâ—â—couâ— him who presently demaunded of the messenger What blowe what wound hath my sonne receiued A noble speech of Edward hath he beene ouerthrowne But vnderstanding that there was no such danger and that they onely feared the worst Returne sayes he vnto him with this charge 〈◊〉 him eyther vanquish or die and I will be a witnesse of his valour to second him when 〈◊〉 shall require Prince Edward and his men incouraged with this message doubled both their couraâ—â— and their blowes and behold they are relieued with a fresh supply Then the party â—â—came vnequall these men being fresh and lusty charge the wearied and tyred who see 〈◊〉 hope of succours but discouered a great groue of horse of rescue wherein Edward the father beheld the sport and kept the stakes Despaire should haue made out French troupes resolue to hazard all as it hath chanced in other times but their hearts fainted with their bodies For this last battaillon where Edward remained comming from the hill and charging our men without any great resistance gaue the last blow as checke and mate to our men already much disordered Then they all giue way all are disordered all dispersed The slaughter is generall without respect of persons the butchery is so bloody as in the ende Edward hauing compassion of so great effusion of blood cries out to spare the rest yet he was not able by these first cries to stay the souldiers from so easie an execution who cut in peeces those poore runawayes here and there like scattered sheepe In the end Edward sounds a retreat and riding vp and downe he doubles his command to kill no more although in effect the night and the wearinesse of the victors made an end of this execution So all were not slaine but all ouercome A horrible defeat of the French Some troupes saued themselues in this generall ouerthrowe hauing neere places for a fauourable retreat King Philip after this vnexpected defeat of so goodly an armie being fallen from his hope followed with a small troupe saued himselfe at Bray whether comming by night and approching neere the walâ—es the gouernour being in armes vpon so notable an occasion cries out Who is there Philip â—aues himselfe Philip answers The Fortune of France Being knowne by his voice the gates were presently opened but not without terrible cries and lamentations of his poore subiects flocking about him like his poore children Shall it in like sort be lawfull for mee to weepe in the remembrance hereof being moued by the bitter apprehension of our present losses O my country it is not at this day alone that we mourne for thy miseries King Philip then comforts them with a resolute countenance and intreates them to hope for better He is resolute in this great calamity Hee was to be commended in this that he despaired not in the apparent despaire of his affaires Hauing stayed at Bray some howre to take breath he retires withal speed to Amiens The number of the dead was great they hold for certaine that there were slaine aboue thirty thousand men vpon the place The number of the dead and the flower of all the French Nobility died or was takeÌ„ there as Charles Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Lewis of Luxembourge King of Bohemea Charles Earle of Blois the Kings Nephew Raoul Duke of Lorraine Lewis Earle of Flanders Iames Daulphin of Viennois the sonne of Imbert the Earles of Sancerre and Harcourt with many Earles Barons and gentlemen to the number of fifteene hundred This miserable defeat happened in the yeare 1346. the 26. of August A moneth famous by the euent of many miseries within this Realme Edward King of England had al the markes of an absolute victorie as the place of battell the enseignes many of the greatest coÌ„manders his prisoners and in a manner all except the Soueraigne whom the bounty of God reserued for this Realme the campe the spoiles the bodies of the vanquished which could not be buried but by his mercie Some examine the causes and motiues of this great defeat The causes of this losse the which they attribute to the choler hast and rashnesse of the King and his Brother Truely hasty rash heat is the stepdame of great actions especially in warre
where the Captaines iudgement is more auailâ—able then the souldiers force But why ascend we not from these second causes true in that which doth concerne vs vnto the first and soueraigne cause The arme of the Eternall â—urging this Realme full of vicious and corrupted humours letting it blood but not suffering it to die this bloud letting shal be the beginning of a stronger medicine prescribed by the same Phisition ministred vnto France in the following raignes but in the end we shal finde the operation to the recouery of our estate Let vs now see the progresse of our miseries Edward did all he could to manage this victory wisely Philip to preuent him Edwards procâ—eding after the battell wonne Edward without any stay passeth on without atteÌ„pting the great Citties of Amiens Abbeuille although neerer he makes shew to set vpon Monstreuil Bologne but he posted to Calais a fit place for the passage of England Iohn of Vienne Marshall of France with him the Lord of Andreghan great personages in those daies commanded there with a strong French garnison being assisted with the faithfull resolution of the inhabitants So presently after the bâ—tâ—aile of Cressy Edward did besiege the Towne of Calais A long siege painfull and of remarkable successe He 〈…〉 Philip amazed with these sharp crosses fallen out beyond his hopes of ease slept not although it were with much paine and lesse fruite But his whole care was not for the ouerthrowe at Cressy He had a further reach following the trace of this vnfortunate losse Hee was entred into a newe inheritance this newe losse was to him a newe checke Affliction is a great crime both in great and small A remarkable 〈…〉 this raigne and opens their mouthes which haue their hearts ill affected The people of France were in extreme pouertie and yet the necessitie of the Kings affaires forced them to a new charge The ill gouernment of the publike treasure the falsehoode of the Treasorers who inriched themselues by the pouertie of the miserable people the fall of money imbased the decay of trafficke the increase of taxes A 〈…〉 by a plâ—gâ—e imposts subsidies were the causes of this general want the which drew the people into dispaire in this surcharge of troubles falling vpon the King This burthen grewe the more heauie by a great famine being followed by a strange generall plague throughout the whole realme as if heauen and earth had conspired to the ruine of France Philip inuironed with so many and so great difficulties continues constant with a valorous resolution against them all He prouids for the gard of the Citties of Picardy lying neerest vnto danger and to driue off the time vnfit for armes he calles a great assembly of his estats Philip calleâ— a Parliament to take Councel aide and comfort in the perplexity of so many dangerous occurrents In this assembly it was decreed to call the Treasorers to an accompt and to refer the gouernment of the treasure to Clergie men to the Nobility Therby to free the people from all iealousie of ill imploying it The Abbots of Marmoustier and Corbie are chosen for this Intendancie and to assist them there are ioyned foure Bishops and foure knights Peter of Essars Treasorer of France is committed to prison condemned in a great fiâ—e to the King Many treasorers being condemned iustly or vniustly yeeld that at once which they had bin long in gathering The treasoâ—ers called in question for thâ—â—r charge the sponge being then pressed by necessitie The Bankers Lombards other vsurers are then called to a strict accompt by reason of their vniust exactions The interests are proued to exceede the principall the which is forfaired to the King The interest is remitted to the debitor which payed the principall But the chiefe frute of this assemblie was that the whole body was wel inclined to succor the King in so vegent a necessity Bankers and vsuâ—ers are sifted without any alteration for the new difficulties of State Thus the winter was spent without any memorable acte on either side In the spring Philip goes to field with a great army and approcheth neere vnto Calais to drawe Edward to â—ight but it was in vaine for Edward contenting himselfe with his victorie and not willing to râ—n the hazard of a second battaile kept himselfe within his trenches and to manifest his resolution vnto Philip Edward to 〈◊〉 not to leaue the seege he built houses about Calais to lodge his army drie sends for his wiâ—e protesting publikely by a solemne oth not to rise vntill he did see an end and make the inhabitants pay for their obstinate resâ—lution On the other side Philip labored to crosse Edwards desseines but with small successe To worke a diuersion of this seege hee makes war in England by the King of Scotlands meanes and in Flanders by his sonne Iohn then Duke of Normandy and afterwards King of France but all succeeded ill Dauid King of Scotland hauing by Philips perswasion entred and spoyled England was defeated taken brought prisoner to London through the happinesse of Edwards fortune and the diligence of his officers 〈…〉 losse in his raigne Iohn Duke of Normandie hauing left Guienne by his fathers command comes into Flanders beseegeth the Towne of Cassel held by the English faction but he is forced to rise by theÌ„ within the Towne Then he falles vpon Lislâ— where he hath a newer repulse so as hardly could he retyre himselfe to his father Philip who sees his subiects in danger of shipwracke yet could he not releeue them Guienne abandoned by Iohn for the action of Flanders suffered much for Henry of Lancaster Lieutenant for Edward in Guienne seeing the Country left weake by Iohns departure issues out of Bourdeaux with an army and finding no enemy he doth easily surprise many Townes of Xantonge and Poitou and ladden with spoile he returnes home 1347. In the ende Calais yeelds to Edward standing to his mercy Calais taken after a long and cruell famine and almost a whole yeares siege for the siege began the 30. of September .1346 and the Towne was yeelded vp in August .1347 The French garrison was put to ransome and so set at liberty the Inhabitants were worse intreated the baser sort onely were suffred to depart with what they could carrie about them and in their steed Edward sends a Colony of English to whome he distributed all the goods of the vanquished and fortified the Towne especially towards France to leaue this place hereditary to his posterity who held it .200 yeares that is from the yeare .1346 vnto the raigne of Henry the .2 father to the King last deceased The integrity of these poore inhabitants is remarkable in their extreme affliction Edward had reserued six of the chiefe Cittizens to be at his disposition for the satisfiyng of his oth hauing vowed to make the bloud to flowe in Calais
the goodliest of the Prouince of LiÌ„guedoâ— was purchased by Philip of Iames King of Maiorcâ— to whom it belonged The obseruations of this first authority of the Kings of Maâ—orcâ— are yet remarkable in the priuileges of the commonaltie of this goodly Citty delectable for the fertil situation famoâ—â— being the goodliest Theater for Phisick in Europe Thus in the affaires of this world there is time to loose and time to win that men might season their spirits with this temperature neither to be dâ—ouned with aduersity not drunke with prosperity Queene Ieane of France dies In the flowing and ebbing of these gaines and losses one balancing an other Ioane Q. of France wife to Philip died leauing him two sonnes for gages of her loue most worthy to be noted in the marriages of our Kings Iohn Duke of Normandy and Philip Earle of Valois whereof the first already of yeares gouerned the affaires of the Realme in his fathers life and shall succed him in the Crowne and Philip shal be Duke of Orleans This issue might haue contented Philip being very old and broken yet before the yeare was ended he married Blanche the Daughter of Philip of Eureux King of Nauarre who had an other Daughter Margaret married to Gaston of Foix from whom shall spring Charles King of Nauarre the scourge of this Realme in the succeeding raignes But Philip did not long enioy this vnnecessary marriage the which was a second burthen to his yeares and toyles so as he fell extremely sicke at Nogent and hauing recommended concord and the care of his Realme to his 2. sons leauing the crowne to Iohn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hee yeelded vp his soule to God the threescore and fifte yeare of his age 1350. and of grace â—350 in the moneth of August hauing raigned .23 yeares Philip dies A Prince whose great 〈◊〉 were balanced with great vices for he was deuout quicke hardy valiant resolute in 〈◊〉 couragious in affliction louing order Iustice and the people But the presumption of his valour and his resolution often inclining to rashenesse choler and impatience His dispositioÌ„ 〈…〉 these vertues and were the causes of great miseries both to him and his subiect Trulie he could not auoide it but in taking possession of so great and enuied an inheritance and hauing so strong an aduersarie in front he must indure many crosses but those inexcusable imperfections caused him to suffer much more then he had done if he had â—etled his authoritie with iudgement and patience and incountred his aduersarie alreadie vanquished with modestie and wisdome During the forepassed raignes since the yeare .1300 Estate of the Empire and Church Neither the Empire nor the Church of Rome were in any better Estate by the strange alterations of diuers changes which happened in these two States seeking to ruine one an other vnto the ende of this raigne We haue left this discours at the Empire of Albert the x. Duke of Austria to whom Pope Boniface 8. gaue the title and the armes of France in disdaine of Philip the faire who caused him to bee inuested after an other sort by Felix of Nogaret then hee would doe the Emperour of his realme Albert liued not long after the imagination of this new royaltie for hee was slaine soone after by his Nephew Iohn Duke of Sueâ—ia whome he had spoiled of his Duchie vnder colour that being too prodigall hee could not gouerne it as was â—equisiâ—e Henry 7. Duke of Luxembourg succeeded Albert being chosen with great affection of the Germain Princes who feared least Philip the faire should seize vpon the Empire An Emperour poisoned verie strangly by the Popes fauour being then a Frenchman both by nation and disposition and resident at Auignon But hauing vexed himselfe with those 〈◊〉 dissentions of Guelphs and Gibelins in the ende he was poisoned by a Monke called Bernard a Iacobin vnder colour of giuing him the Sacrament in the Communion at Beneuent in the yeare .1313 To increase this confusion Lewis of Bauiere and Frederic of Austria the sonne of Albert Two Competitors for the Empire contend for the Empire by open force but they agreed to hold it by equall authoritie Yet this dissention was soone reuiued by the meanes of Pope Iohn 22. borne at Cahors in Quercy resident likewise at Auignon who seeking to hold a soueraine authoritie ouer both and to dispose the Empire to whome he pleased entertayned this hatred betwixt these two Princes the which burst out into open warre Dissention betwixt the Emperour Popes Frederic was taken by Lewis in the yeare .1323 who supposing to bee now absolute in the Empire sodenly falles into newe troubles by the same Pope Iohn who did excomunicate him for that he would not resigne the Imperiall dignitie into his hand to dispose soueraignely therof at his pleasure This new affront gaue Lewis of Bauiere occasion to examine the Popes authoritie by the learned and to raise a mightie army to suppresse him So hee came into Italie to oppose the force of the Empire against the Popes excomunications and to giue a Lawe to the Sea of Rome which sought to controule him Iohn fled at this alarum The Colledge of Câ—râ—inalls assemble and vpon the Emperours complaint they depose Iohn as a fugitiue and create Nicholas 4. in his place But there followes a strange alteration Iohn returnes and doth dispossesse Nicholas but in the ende death surpriseth Iohn whome Benedect 12. doth succeede a Tholousane and to Benedict Clement 6. a Limosin who begins more violently against the Emperour then his Predecessor Iohn From .1308 to .1350 for he caused Charles Marquis of Morauia to be chosen in his place being sonne to Lewis King of Bohemia and Duke of Luxembourg of whome wee haue spoken in this raigne So all the world was turmoyled with a generall confusion in this age the which drawes after it a long traine of strange calamities IOHN 51. King of France IOHN THE I KING OF FRANCE · LI 1350. THe difficulties falling in the raigne of Philip of Valois the which we haue represented are but trifles in regarde of the horrible tragicke confusions wherewith the following raignes haue beene afflicted vnder Iohn Charles the 5. Charles the 6. and Charles the 7. I will adde also vnder Lewis the 11. vnto the warre of the common-wealth it selfe the last fit of this intestine disease the which shall ceasse for that time So we will reckon a hundred and twelue yeares of the most wretched time Very considerable obseruations in this raigne that ciuill warres could breed in the bowels of this miserable State The which begins not in our time onely to doe penance eyther for the weaknesse of Kings or the folly of subiects or by the malice of such as haue abused both the one and the other to serue their execrable passions By the effects we shall obserue what a good King is in an estate and how pernitious the command of many is
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
the 19. of May 1364. hauing before his coronation prouided honorablie for his fathers funeralles He raigned sixteene yeares being called and knowne by the name of Wise. In his youth he did taste the bitter rootes and in his age the sweet fruites of vertue His manners beloued honoured feared and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers A deuout Prince wise temperate chast vigilant louing Iustice order and the people indued with as great authoritie as any Prince that euer raigned ouer this Monarchie accompanied with other vertues fit for those tâ—mes to preserue a state the which had more need of councell then of force too venturously hazarded by his grand father and father He was well assisted by the Princes of his bloud and the officers of the crowne very wished worthy aduantages for a King who being the head of an estate ought to be well serued by the principall members to guide and gouerne the whole body We haue said that he had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry Philip Earle of Tourraine to whom according to his fathers testament he resigned the Duchie of Bourgongne with a mariage of great aduancement He gaue to Lewis the Duchie of Orleans Charles augments his bretherens portions and to Iohn he gaue Auuergne Poitou and Xaintonge besides Berry for his portion and Languedoc for his gouernment He was likewise well serued for Militarie causes by Bertrand of Gueselin a Britton an excellent Captaine whom he honoured with the dignitie of Constable in the place of Maurel de Fiennes hauing deposed him for sundrie crimes and for affaires of state he had Iohn Dormans Bishop of Beauuais and Chancellor of France in the end Cardinall whom his brother succeeded in the same charge With these helpes of councell and force he soone restored the realme being dismembred by the strange confusions of the forepassed raignes In his youth during these former broâ—es he was poisoned by the practises of the Nauarrois of whom we haue so often spoken This was preuented by counterpoysons yet left it a great infirmitie in his bodie the which forced him to a quiet life more profitable both for himselfe and his whole Realme then if he had beene a man of action 1364. for he dispatched affaires in his Closset without danger and incountred his enemies with a happie successe In the beginning of his raigne Charles his marriage and his children he married with Ioane the daughter of Charles Duke of Bourbon a Princesse of excellent beautie the which he preferred before the great wealth of the heire of Flanders and the benefit of his owne realme he had three sonnes and one daughter In the former raigne there was nothing but warre desolation teares cryes lamentations despaire and generally the mournfull image of death After these long and insupportable calamities the wisdom of Charles reducing things to their first beginning by his happy dexteritie gaue France a new forme like vnto a man who hauing a long dangerous sicknesse recouers himselfe by carefull keeping But there remained an infinit number of men accustomed to liue dissolutely through the licentiousnesse of the warre the which if he had sought to reforme by any good order it had bred some tumult in the State according to the violent and head-strong or restlesse humour of the French who must be doing at home if they be not imployed abroad The Eâ—glish prouided worke for these warriers in Brittaine in Flanders in the heart of France and in Castille but the wisdome of Charles preuented all I will note what happened rather according to the subiect then the order of times for that the matters are so confused as I cannot represent the dates distinctly without repetition and tediousnesse Brittaine was the first list to trie our men of warre there might they make warre without breach of tâ—uce and the quarrell betwixt Charles of Blois and Iohn of Montfort continued more violent then before for that Iohn of Montfort had married the daughter of the King of England and Lewis Duke of Aniou the daughter of Charles of Blois who imbraced and inkindled their pâ—iuate quarrels by these new occasions Bertrand of Gueselin a Gentleman of Brittanie of whom we haue before made mention had done the King good seruice during the warre with the Nauarrois Warre in Brittaine Charles relying vpon his fidelitie and valour giues him the charge of the warre to assist Charles of Blois being old and broken who was pressed by the enemie being supported with forces from England Gueselin being arriued the Nobilitie of Brittanie which were of Charles his faction repaire vnto him to the number of 1500. lances The Historie names the houses Rohâ—n Lâ—ual Leon Dinan Rieux Chasâ—eau-Briand Tourne-mire Raiz Malestroit Quintin Auaâ—gour Loheâ—c Ancenis Pont and many others This notable occasion was ministred to imploy these forces seeing that Ioane the heire the Dutchesse of Brittanie would not end this controuersie by composition as her husband Charles of Blois desired Iohn of Montfort beâ—ieged the Castell of Aulroy well defended by the contrary faction Iohn Chandos an Englishman a wise and well experienced Captaine commanded the English troupes He had an aduersarie in front no lesse valiant then himselfe Gueselin who â—ought for his countrie and the despaire of Charles of Blois much grieued with the t0ediousnesse of so painfull a processe The French English fight in Brittanie was a new spurre to animate him to fight They ioyne with their troupes the encounter is furious well charged well defended The two commanders made great proofe of their valours Gueselin Clisson are noted to haue omitted nothing of their duties but God who holds victories in his hand gaue it to Iohn of Montfort and the English armie The ouerthrow was great The French army defeated for Charles of Blois the head of the armie with Iohn his bastard brother the Lords of Dinan Auaugour Loheac Malestroit Pont Quergourlay and many others were slaine the Lords of Rohan Leon Raiz Mauny Tonerre Rouille Frainuille Reneuall and Rochfort were taken prisoners and so were Iohn and Guy the sonnes of Charles of Blois with Bertrand of Gueselin the which did greatly preiudice our Kings reputation The place of battaile the ensignes and the dead bodies remained in the power of Iohn of Montfort who sent the body of Charles of Blois with an honorable conuoy to his widow The Castel of Aulroy the cause of this battaile yeeld to the conquerour This hapned the 29. day of September .1364 This great defeat tâ—oubled Charles as a thing beyond his expectation Iohn of Montfort sends his ambassadors beseeching him as his Soueraigne to receiue homage of him and his 〈◊〉 the Duchie of Brittanie wonne by rightfull armes by the defeat of his enemie as God adiudging vnto him this right and possession 1365. Charles imbraceth this occasion he assignes him a day for the performance thereof and to do right and iustice to both
his sonne are contayned in this Empire for he died in the yeare 1â—78 Before his death hee prouided that Wenceslâ—s his sonne should succeed him in the Imperiall dignity At the first he married Blanche Countesse of Valois daughter to Charles Earle of Valois and sister to Philip of Valois King of France beeing very yong for she was but seauen yeares old when shee was betrothed vnto him hee had beene bred vp in the Court of France and learned the French humors he loued our crowne better then our Lawes A Prince wholy inclined to his owne particular making shewe to loue our Kings but vndâ—â—hand hee supported their enimies against them Thâ—s was the principall reason why his comming into France proued fruitelesse after so long a voyage and so great expences ministring a sufficient cause of iealousie to our Charles who gaue him the best entertainement he could to make him knowne that the sâ—ueraignty which he pretended to haue ouer France was but a dreame Yet hee suffered the Country of Daulphiné which they called the Empire as a member of the auncient Realme of Arles to bee wholy infranchised from that subiection to cut of all pretensions from his successors imbracing the commodity to settle his affaires euen by their meanes who he knew were not his friends This Emperour Charles the 4. did all he could both in Italy and Germany to apply vnto himselfe the â—ights of the Empire being wholy inclined to his owne profit The Emperours disposition for the which he vsed the name of Iustice good order being more learned in law then in doing right and hauing more knowledge then conscience It is he which made the Golden Bull both to rule the Election of the Emperour and the rights and dignity of the Empire The former confusions of the Empire had so dispensed all priuate gouernours of countries and citties as euery one played the Emperour in his gouernement These tyrannicall disorders were the cause of the Cantons in Suisserland Originall of the Cantons in Suisserland who since haue established a goodly commonweale consisting of thirteene Cantons who maintaine themselues with great order and force hauing the amity and alliance of the neighbour monarchs and an honourable place among the Estates of Christendome vnto this day Their particular history belongs not to our subiect it sufficeth to haue noted their beginning and the occasion of their common weale newly erected in the disorders of that age The church of Rome was in very poore estate first by the coÌ„tinual factions of the Guelphs â—helins and of it selfe by a distraction bred by an open schisme hauing two Popes Estate of the Church two chaâ—es two seas and a deadly hatred the which troubled al the Kings princes of chrisâ—endome some defending the Pope others the Antipope as his opposite We haue said that in the raigne of Philip of Valois the Pontificall Sea was translated from Rome to Auignon where it continued about 70. years Clement 6. hauing bought this citty for his successors being a pleasant and frutefull seate These quarrells continued with such violent passions had tyred mens minds like as a long processe doth weaâ—y the most obstinate pleaders The Popes beeing absent from Rome goueâ—ned the estate of Italy by three Cardinals their Legats but all went to ruine Gregorie 5. a Limosin being chosen Pope at Auignon went to Rome to redresse these confusions wherein there was small helpe Being receiued with an incredible ioy of the Romanes Diuision at Rome for the Election of a new Pope and of all Italy he returnes no more to Auignon but passeth the rest of his daies at Rome After his death the people with all vehemency require a Romane borne or an Italian for Pope but there was some difficulty in the election for the Colledge consisted for the most part of French Cardinalls who desired to haue one of their owne nation They were much diuided but the Cardinalls fearing the peoples fury armed with an intent to murther them if they did not choose one of their nation yeelded to the election of a Neapolitane named Bartholomew who was receiued and proclaymed by the name of Vâ—ban the sixt But within few dayes after the Malecontents retyred from Rome vnder colour to flie the plague to Fundy a towne in the Realme of Naples of the French faction by meanes of Queene Ioane An Antipope chosen when they did choose Clement the 7. a Limosin who retyred to Auignon and was opposite to Vrban the 6. with open deffyance one of an other which schisme continued vntill the Counsell of Coâ—stance each Pope with his faction Clement had for him the Kings of France Casâ—ile and Scotland Vrban had the Emperour the Kings of England and Hungary Clement held his seat at Auignon and Vrban at Rome In those dayes liued Bartholl Baldus Petrarch Boccatio Planudes a Greeke by nation Bonauenture and Iohn Wicliâ—e These hurliburlies touched the hearts opened the mouthes of many good men wonderfully grieued to see such diuision in the Church apparantly growne by the ambition of such as had greatest authority in the same Their writings lye open to their reasonable complaints which euery one may read without any further discourse CHARLES the sixt 53. King of France CHARLES VI. KINGE OF FRANCE .53 AS it is necessary to haue some direction to passe through a Laborinth so this crooked raigne hath need of some order to guide vs 1380. in the disorder of so many obscure confusions Necessarie obseruations for the vnderstanding of this raigne which we are to represent I will first obserue the most famous acts and worthiest personages of this raigne and then will I distinguish the subiect according to the occurrents This miserable raigne continued 42. yeares beginning in the yeare 1380. and ending in the yeare 1422. The seuerall dates Charles the 6. succeded hâ—â— father Charles the 5. at the age of 12. yeares being borne in the yeare 1368. he was crowned in the yeare 80. married in 84. dismissed his Tutors to raigne alone in 87. falles 〈◊〉 a phrensie in 93. and dyes in the yeare 1422. So being vnder age with his Tutors and of age in peâ—fect sense he raigned 13. yeares and liued in his phrensie 29. yeares Who sees noâ— then the iust calculation of 42. yeares in this raigne Châ—rles the 5. his father had three brethren Lewis Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry and Philip Duke of Bourgogne Queene Ioane daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon The Kings Vncles wife to Câ—arles the fift and mother to Charles the sixt had one brother Iames Duke of Bourbon Thâ—se foure vncles shall plaie their parts vpon this stage in diuers occurrents but let vs adde â—he rest euery one shall haue his turne We haue said that Charles the wise left two sonnes this Charles the 6. whose raigne we now defer be and Lewis Duke of Orleance And our Charles had three sonnes Lewis Iohn and Charles and one
shortest errors being best it were better to retire in time then to make an absolute shipwracke of the Kings person and the honour and good of the Realme too much dismembred by former afflictions The enterprise broken off This checke from heauen which God had sent Winter and the feare of worse made the Regents aduice to be allowed both by the King and his councell who changed opinion for their voyage to England So this great interprise was disappointed being very preiudiciall to the poore people who endured the warre that their enemy should haue felt by an vnseasonable and excessiue charge I haue coated this action in the yeare 1381. vnder the Regency of the Duke of Aniou I know some attribute it to the Duke of Berry but I haue followed the first opinion vpon the relation of true Authors and as it shall appeare by the progresse of this report most likely This action was the cause of seditions at Paris and Rouen bred without doubt by the discontent of this bad gouernement for this great shewe so incensed the people beeing weary and greiued to haue borne so great a burthen for so vaine an enterprise as they rise at Paris Rouen Amiens Pottiers Lions and many other Citties by this new occasion which presently succeeded the first folly The Regent was blamed by the people to haue beene too slacke in his oppositioÌ„ against this preparation for England Sedition at Paris and the chiefe in Court hated him for beeing so hastie for that he was the onely staie thereof Thus ill thought of by both he was maligned of all handes It chanced the realme of Naples was offered vnto him by Queene Ioane and Pope Clement the 7. This was his whole desire but he must conquere it by dint of sword The title only was offered him Naples offered to the Regent both by her that might giue it as being heire and by him that might confirme the donation as being Pope All the Kings councell being weary of the Regents coÌ„mand wished to see him gone but they must flie to the people for money the which was hard to get as experience did witnesse Presently as they heare talke at Paris of a newe imposition although they sweetned these bitter pilles with the goodly name of subsidies all the world begins to crie out and from Paris this bâ—uâ—te flies through the whole Realme The people runâ—e tumultuously to the Greue they desire the Prouost of Marchants to bring them to the Regent thâ— which he delayes from day to day by excuses but in the end he cannot retaine them A great multitude runs to the Regents lodging they giue him to vnderstand by their Prouost into what extremity they were brought and vrge the late superfluous expences To what ende then say they serues a new warre to conquere a new kingdome in the aire with the ruine of the widow and the Orpheline This was not decreed noâ— practised by the good and wise King Charles wherevnto he had bound his sonne who should not suffer the memory of his fathers ashes to be taxed with this dishonour The Chancellour Dormans speakes at the Regents request he layes before their eyes the necessity of this voiage wherby both the King and realme might reape profit honour promising the King should prouide for the reliefe of the people This was gently put off to make them loose this humour in diuiding them but the people continue more obstinate they require a plaine resolute answer to their demaund so as the next day they come in troupe before the Kings lodging where the whole Councell was assembled with the Regent The King giues audience to the prouost of Merchants in the peoples name who deliuers the same complaints Then Iohn de Marais an aduocate in Parliament an eloquent and popular man prepared carefully for the purpose makes a goodly and artificiall oration to diuert the people from this bitternesse laying before them their duties the necessity of the Kings affaires and the good which should redounde by the enterprise of this forraine warre He omitted nothing of the office of a good Orator but he preuayled not for the people going from thence without respect of the King or his Councell runne presently to the Iewes Lombards and such other Marchants houses as had beene accustomed to gather all publike exactions they breake vp their shopps and counting houses they take away what was good and ill intreate all such as they meete of that profession yet they kill no man in this first tumult The Regent winking at this insolencie and fearing least it should encrease by moouing the people alreadie in choller thinks it best to referre the matter to an other time vntill the fume of this bitter discontent were blowen ouer aduâ—rtisments comming from all parts of the realme that the Citties grewe into the like humour But all this disswads him not from his enterprise he imployes all such as he thinks fit to winne the people Iohn of Marais Peter de la Riuiere Iames Andelle and such like Tribuns who seemed to be in credit with the people in shewing themselues affected to the common good And to loose no time he prepars his armie being resolute to leuie this imposition byforce whatsoeuer it cost The farmors of this leuie haue charge to beegin it A Colâ—ector at the Hales requiring a denier from a poore gardiner for a basket of herbes she crying out a great troupe flocke about this Collector and teare him in peeces But this is not all in this tumult all runne to gither on heaps Porters Pedlers The Parisiâ—â—â— in 〈◊〉 Cartâ—rs Butcheâ—s Tauerners and such like the scumme of the baser sort they goe in troupes to the Towne house they breake open the doores and take such armes as they finde By the Constables command they had made beetles or axes to arme their men withall they take them and so vse them as this sedition was afterwards called by the name of Maillotins Being thus armed they goe to the Farmers Lodgings beat downe the doores breake open cofers cubberds and coumpting houses they drawe forth their books and papers they teare and buâ—ne them they take away money and mouables and in the ende they kill and massaker all the farmers they can finde searching all corners of their houses They crie that one had saued himselfe in Saint Iames Church at the Butchery they runne theâ—her and murther him holding the image of the blessed virgin in his armes The cruelâ—â—nsolency of thâ— Parisiâ—ns Some saue themselues in Saint Germains Abbay where they are presently beseeged But whilest that some labour after this seege the rest runne to the prisons of the Chastelet and Fourl'Euesque where they release the prisoners and arme them They bethinke themselues of a head there was a very sufficient man in prison named Hugh Aubriot who in former times had beene Prouost of the Marchants and had with honour executed great charges both in the Treasorie and State but
realme The King followed accompanied with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon his Vncles and the Dukes of Lorraine and Bar he lodgeth at Blandelle two leagues from Cassell with an intent to charge the English who presently leaue the seege of Ypre Cassel and Grauelins and retyer to Bergues where Charles presently beseegeth them The English demande a parle with the Duke of Brittain they put him in minde of the benefits he had receiued from their nation Charles makes a truce with the English and demande requitall in this occurrent The Duke of Lancaster remaines at Calais by reason of his weakenesse the English Captaines requier respit to vnderstand his pleasure In the ende the King receiues them vpon honest conditions to depart with bagge and baggage and to leaue Flanders the which they performe Being returned into England they are accused to haue sold the Earldome of Flanders to the French so as by Richards commands they are beheaded The Gantois made a dutifull answere and promised obedience and loyaltie to the King A Truce was concluded for one yeare with the English by meanes of the Duke of Lancaster for King Richard and the Duke of Berry for our King Charles Such was the issue of this sodaine voyage of Flanders being a meanes to settle a businesse of a deeper consultation and more dangerous consequence seeing it concerned not onely the heart but the whole body of the Staâ—e They sought how to suppresse the sedition which was apparently bred in Paris and by their example in many great citties of the Realme To this ende Charles vpon his returne from this voyage stayed at S Denis with his vncles the Constable Chancelour and his whole Councell they were all troubled to resolue in so important a cause for what should they do To punish the poore people â—yred with the warres threatened with losses halfe dead by the feeling of so great calamities that were to beat one lying sicke in his bed for his waywardnesse The King consults what course to take 〈◊〉 the mutineus 〈◊〉 and not to cure him of the paine which is the cause thereof It were a meanes to driue him to dâ—â—paiâ—e to apply a remedye worse then the disease And not to punish them would argue â—eaâ—e and make them grow more proud and insolent a means to animate them to all impuâ—â—ty and to lay the way open to a disordered rebellion But the last aduice preuailed beeing well verified that since the paiment of the sine the Parisiens were growne worse and more bitter hauing had conference with the 〈◊〉 audacious mutines and the right artisans of rebellion holding it a vertue to play the madde men against their naturall Lords and also had so farre abused the Kings bountie as they had presumed to sollicit the best Citties of the Realme to the like disorder It did greatly import for the good of the Kings seruice and of the State that such phrensies should be suppressed by an exemplarie punishment done vpon the chiefe authors Iohn de Marais was verie deepe ingaged in these tumults and the more dangerously for that he cast the stone and withdrewe his arme and making a shewe of seruice to the King he fed the people in these madde humours very torches of sedition vnder a colour of the Common weale for who can beleeue they would put so famous a person to death without some â—ust cause I knowe they write diuersly and euery man hath his iudgement â—râ—e yet is it not true not likely that in pardoning a whole multitude offending they would punish him in whome there were no shewe of offence If hee were not culpable at the least he was accused of that which was the subiect of a publike condemnation Charles being aduised to punish the Parisiens for the insolencies they had comitted in hâ—s pâ—cience caused his armie to lodge about the Cittie and on a certen day he sends for the Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs who come vnto him to Saint Denis with a countenance full of humility and shewe of amendment The King gaue them to vnderstand by Peter Orgemont his Chanceller that he ment to goe to his Cittie of Paris to punish the rebells and seditions who had not respected his presence The Prouost makes answere That the whole bodie of the Cittie was wonderfully greeued for that which had beene committed by men in despaire worthy to be seuerely punished but the good Cittizens had no comunity with these rascalls and that the whole Citâ—ie was readie to do him faithfull seruice There were many about the King which made all odious that concerned the Parisiens but Charles made them no other answer but that he would be soone at Paris The King enters Paris with his army and doe what reason and the dutie of a good King required He causeth his foreward to march led by the Constable Clisson and the Marâ—shall of Sancerre who seaze vpon the gates the which they found open without any gards The King accompained with the Dukes of Berry Bourgongne and Bourbon with other Lords of his Councell and an infinit number of Noblemen and Gentlemen in great shewe terrible to the people marcheth into the Cittie Being come to Saint Denis gate he causeth the barres to bee beaten downe The Prouost of Marchants the Sheriffs with the chiefe Inhabitants of the Cittie carrying the keys beseech the King to giue them audience hee denyeth them and passeth on to the house of Saint Pol but the army is dispersed throughout all the quarters of the Citty Presently they take away all the chaines and send them to Bois de Vincennes 1385. They search all houses for armes the which are instantly carried to the Louure and the Bastile The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne with the Prouost and his Archers go throughout the citty causing 300. of the most seditious to be apprehended The next day many heads were stroke off at the Halles amongst the rest that of Iohn de Marais Iohn de Marais a fâ—mous aduocate with many others executed whoÌ„ al men had heard of late discours so eloquently with admiratioÌ„ being held for the Oracle of France These executions were done by fits with such a shewe of grauitie as the seat of Iustice did more terrifie then the executioners arme vpon the scaffold A whole day was spent in these slowe proceedings the citty gates being kept so straitly as no man might issue forth houses and shops were shut vp with so great a silence as if all had beene dead euery man being hidden in his house or else so amazed as he durst not looke into the streets The vniuersity which then was in great credit with the King becommeth sutor for the people and beseecheth him not to include the Innocent with the culpable The King answereth coldly that he would aduise what to do willing them to retyre In the meane time a great Scaffold is made on the highest staire of the Pallace before the great image of Philip
but yeeld vnto him as his vassall but as coÌ„stable of France and deerely beloued of his Maister the greatest monarch in Europe and Soueâ—aigne to the Duke of Brittaine herein the Duke must needes respect him his place giuing him auâ—hority in many notable actions ouer the greatest personages within the Realme This was the ground of their hate which not onely embarked King Charles lord vnto them both but carâ—ied him so farre into the maine as he could not auoide a notable shipwracke by their meanes By the former accord Iohn of Montfort was to yeeld vnto Clisson all his patrimonye whereon he had seized vnder colour of a confiscation reuoked by Charles â—he which he had not yet performed And alâ—hough he had promised the King and giuen him a newe assurance Complaines against the Duke of Briâ—taine yet did hee not â—â—ust â—he King but continued hâ—s intelligences with the English fortified his places and coyned boâ—h gold and siluer against the Lawes of State He refused likewise to acknowledge Clâ—ment â—he 7 for lawfull Pope whom France approoued noâ— to suffer the Eaâ—le of Ponthiâ—ure aforesaid to beate the name and armes of Brittaine These were the chiefe causes of their complaâ—nts and differences The King and his most secret councell Mercier Montagu and la Riuiâ—re held for the Constable The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne and the Chancellour Orgemont for the Duke of Brittaine a cunning dissembling Prince and high minded He spake proudly by reason of his intelligence with England which could not fâ—ile him and mildly when as he found meanes to do his businesse vnder-hand not to breake with the King 1391. He comes to Tours vnto Charles where afâ—er many discourses their quarrells are ended by marâ—iages He is reconciled to the king Constable the Kings daughter beeing yet yong is promised to the Dukes sonne and the sonne of Iohn Earle of Ponthieure borne of the Constables daughter to the Dukes daughter who promiseth likewise to restore Clisson his lands in shew friends but in their hearts irreconciliable enimies Hereuppon Clisson goes into Brittaine to receiue his lands The Duke held a Parliament at Vannes whether he called his nobility The Constable comes fearing no enemie the Duke had built a Castle called the Hermine where he feasts the Sâ—ates The Constable is called and welcommed with the first this countenance did not shew what was prepared for the end of the banket against the Constable After dinner â—he Duke taking him by the hand vnder colour to shew him his building and to haue his aduise as of a great Captaine and well seene in Architecture he leads him from place to place through halls chambers and closets vntill hee had brought him to a great Towre hauing an iron doâ—e wherein were armed men The Duke enters first the Constable followes him as viewing the proportion of this worke and the thicknesse of the walles by the windowes But behold the Duke slips out of the Towre where he leaues the Constable and shuttes the doore after him This signe giuen â—he armed men seaze vppon the Constables sword and keepe him prisoner putting irons on his legges The Duke of Briâ—â—aâ—â— â—eâ—zeth treacherously on the Constable The Constable was not so much amazed at this strange vsage as the Duke reioyced at this sweet content of reuenge thinking to attaine the full of his desires to be reuenged of a capitall and cruell enemy and in the heat of his fury he commands a faithfull seruant of his called Iohn Baualan to dispatch the Constable presently Baualan accepts this charge but he doth not execute it He goes to the Towre and assures himselfe of the Constables person retaining the souldiours whom the Duke commanded to â—bey him and so he passeth the night with the constable But the night gaue him Councell The Duke transported with ioy in the heat of his choler goes to his rest but care awaked him and reason of more force then his passion lets him know the fault he had committed and repentance followed this first act A wise seruant in not obeying his masters passion The Duke lying restlesse a great paâ—t of the night riseth â—arely in the morning calleth Baualan and demands what is become of the Constable The Duke of Briâ—tain repents him of what he had done his passion bewrayes his minde before he spake witnessing the shame he had of his choler and his griefe for this furious charge Baualan comforts him and assures him that the Constable is well The Duke wonderfully glad of this newes which freed him from so cruell a torment commands he should be well intreated and with respect attending newes from the King from whom there comes post vpon post with complaints and commandements to the Duke The Duke without any great delay excuseth himselfe of his imprisonment and sends the Consâ—able to the King It had beene more auaileable for him to haue suppâ—essed his choler in committing this errour But he did verifie That he which offends doth neuer forgiue The Constable goes to the King to Blois he thanks him for his care of his deliuery the Duke doth likewise send vnto him to craue a safe conduct to come himselfe to make his iust excuses and to shewe what reason had moued him to put the Constable in prison The Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne holding openly for the Britton obtaine leaue for him to come vppon the Kings word He comes well accompanied and not onely iustifies the taking of Clisson being his subiect and in his owne Country but also hee would haue the King beholding vnto him for the respect he bare vnto his officer whoÌ„ oâ—herwise he might iustly haue put to death It is an easie matter for great men to manage their aâ—fairâ—s at their seruants cost The Constable digested quietly this new affront being glad to haue recouered his liberty but the Duke of Brittaines malice shal be the cause of great miserie both to the King and realme seeking new deuises to satisfie his choler a furious beast which can neuer bee tamed by flattery It burst forth vppon a light and ridiculous subiect which bred a horrible Chaos of sundry confusions Peter Craon a Nobleman of the Countrie of Aniou 1393. had great credit with the King and with Leâ—is Duke of Aniou his Brother who loued him so deerely as he trusted him with his greaâ—est secreats euen with his amorous passions wherevnto his loose disposition his age â—asâ— and Court made him too proane to the great discontent of Valentine his wife who exceeding iealous of her husband and an Italian seeking by all meanes to learne how he was affected feeling him so colde to her she finds no better expedient then to gaine Craon whome shee handled so cunningly as she drewe the worme from his nose Hauing speciall aduertisment of her husbands loues she threatens the Ladie that was beloued and complaynes to her husband naming the reporter The Duke of Orleâ—ns finding himselfe wâ—onged by this
Brittain All â—re sent for euery man doth march the Râ—ndezâ—uous is at Mans. Peter of Craon retyers from Sablé whilest this storme â—iseth but the King marcheth on assuring himselfe that he was in Brittaine although some say that he was in Arragon and that the Queene of Arragon had giuen him intelligence that she held a French Knight prisoner at Peâ—pignan who would not discouer his name This distempered choller had much impayred the Kings health who carried in his face the disease of his minde His Physitians disswaded him from this voyage as most preiudiciall for his health and the Duke of Brittain by a new excuse The King marched against the Duke of Brittain beseeched him to beleeue that he had no dealings with Peter of Craon The King could not bee diuerted by all these difficulties from passing on in this iourney so willfully vndertaken by him although his Vncle 's found newe deuises to stay him both at Chartres and at Mans imploying his physitians to shewe vnto him how dangerous it was to march in Sommer beeing extreamely hot 1393. considering the debility of his health much impayred sence his burning choller the which had altâ—red all his bloud whereof he had proofe by daylie feauers His phisâ—â—ions diswade him But this passion of cholleâ— had so possessed his poore afflicted spirits that such as were about him besides himself perceiued his griefe to be the more weake in that he was insensible of what he suffred his seruants espied that which they could not but see in him by the extreame apprehension they had of the harme which was at hand Moreouer the Duke of Brittain to calme this great storme which was readie to fall vpon him although in truth hee had hidden Peter of Craon at Susmet and was â—oâ—y that he had not slaine the Constable Clisson sends a certaine Bishop of his Country to the King called the Bearded a very famous man for the integrity of his life The Duke of Bâ—ittain labors to satisfie â—he King to beseech him to beleeue that he was nothing guilty of this attempt neyther did he knowe what was become of Peter of Craon whome he would send vnto him with his hands and feete bound if he were in his power That he should not make warre against his owne Country and against a poore people which must suffer for an other mans folly In the ende this man pronounceth the threats of Gods iudgement against Charles if hee should proceede vnto warre so lightly vndertaken against his vassalls and subiects and against the articles of marriage concluded betwixt his daughter and the Dukes sonne as a seale of their loues This Bishop was heard in Councell and the Duke of Berry speaking more boldly then the rest for the authority which his degree and white haires gaue him layed open all that mâ—ght hinder this voyage But Charles stopt his eares to all good Councell hauing his braine disposed to the distemperature which shall presently seize vpon him running headlong into the mischieâ—e which should afflict him and all France He parts from Mans in Iuly in an exceeding hot day as the history sayes as if all things had conspited to affâ—â—ct this poore Prince The King parts frâ—m Mans. at nyne of the clocke in the morning to receiue the coolenesse of the greatest heate at Noonetyde weake in head and minde distempred with choller griefe despight and languishing his bodie weaâ—ied with watching and distast not able to eate nor sleepe hauing his head muffled with a great cap of Scarlet and his body couered with a thicke Ierkin of Veluet too waighty for a sharpe winter marching on a sandie plaine so scalt with the sunne beames as the strongest did melt in sweate and were out of breath Being entred the forest of Mans behold a man bare headed and bare legged attired in a coate of white rugge stepps sodenly forth betwixt two trees A strange aâ—cident bâ—falls the King taking hold of the reynes of his horse he stayes him and sayes vnto him King ride no farther but returne backe for thou art betrayed Charles whose spirits were otherwise dulled was amazed at this voyce and his bloud greatly disteâ—pered His seruants runne to this man and with blowes make him leaue the reines of his horse and so without any farther search the man vanished After this accident there presently followes an other Charles and his Noble men did ride in troupes deuided by reason of the dust and he himselfe was all alone pensiue with the pages of his chamber who were so neere vnto him as they troad on his horse heeles He that was neerest carried his helmet vpon his head and the next his Lance being garnished with crimsen silke As the heate of the Noone day makes men drousie on horse backe it chanced the Page which carried his Lance beeing very sleepy let it fall vpon him which carried the helmet making a great noyse like the rushing of armes The King starts with amazement at this noyse and seeing the crimson bandeâ—olle of the Lance hauing his spirits weakned with the former distemperatures transported with the imagination of this voyce sleepy with labour and heate he imagined himsâ—lfe to be compassed in wâ—th many armed men which poursued him to the death The second season from the time of the Kings sicknesse From the yeare 1393. to the yeare 1422. This time of his infirmity is distinguished into many acts whereof this is the first Scene of a long and mournful Tragedie THVS Charles transported with this phrensie layes hold on his sword drawes it runnes violently after his pages and cryes amayâ—e Charles falles into a phrenâ—ie At these Traitors The pages conceyuing at the first that he had beene displeased for the disorder of the Lance flie from him The King followes after doubling his crie At this noyse the Duke of Orleance runnes towards him to vnderstand the cause The King layes at him not knowing him the Duke flies and the King followes The Duke of Bourgoâ—gne â—ides to him Al gather togither with great outcry Squiers knights compasse in the king till that being wearied and his horse out of breath his most trustie Chamberlaine takes hold of him gently behind and stayes him cheering him with flattering words and speaking vnto him with that familiarity that befitts a faithfull seruant to a good master Then all drawe neere vnto him they take his sword from him they lay him on the ground and disroabe him of his thicke velluet ierkin and his scarlet cap to giue him breath His Brother and Vncles salute him but he knowes them not neyther makes he any shewe to moue The first fitt of the Kings phrensie being pensiue his eyes troubled turning vp and downe mute sighing panting mouing both body and head with great amazement All signes of phrensie appered in this poore Prince The Physitians are sent for in hast they come but hee knowes them not The pittifull estate of the Couâ—â— Brother
the first fâ—eeing the Cittie and retuâ—ning victorious into Italie Milan belonging to Valentine by the decease of Iohn Galeaz her father had beene surprised by Francis Sforce but at the returne of the Marshall Bouciquault it yeelded to the French obedience and so did Plaisance and Pauia citties in Lombardie But these conquests continued not long with them no more then the rest of Italie by the fatall influence which hath alwayes made it a Sepulcher for the French so as this suddaine yeelding of those Italian Citties to the French obedience was like vnto a fire of Strawe Verdun being ill intreated by the Duke of Lorraine although it were an Imperiall Towne cast it selfe into Charles his protection Charles the sonne of Charles of Nauarre rightly marked with the name of bad made great instance for his Seigneuries of Eureux Cherebourg and other lands in Normandy the which Charles 5. had taken from his father 1398. who resigned his interest by an agrement made with him for two hundred thousand franks that were giuen him and the Seignâ—urie of Nemours then made a Duchie vpon that occasion But in these happy euents the â—ealousie betwixt the Dukes of Orleans and Bourgongne continued and encreased hourely through the violent practises of their Proseâ—pinaes of whom we haue made mention who failed not to bring fuell to this fire not only making coales to scorche one an other but also a burning flame to fire both their houses the whole realme The occasion and meanes was very strange Valentine Duchesse of Orleans whome King Charles did know and loue during the sharpest fits of his infiâ—mtie euen when as he knewe not his owne wife Isabel being in the Kings chamber whether she had brought her little sonne to play with the Kings children she cast a faire apple aâ—ter the which the children did runne but Valentines sonne caught it and hauing eaten it â—ell presently sicke and within few daies after died There vpon they concluded directly that this child died of poyson prepared for the Kings sonne which confiâ—med the old opinion That the King had beene bewitched by her so as all respect laide aside they cried out against her as against a rauening woolfe There was no other talke in Court Paris and through all the Prouinces of France The Duke of Bourgongne seemed very busie sent al complaints to the Kings Councell who decreed That to auoid a greater scandale Valentine should retire from Court the which she did to the Castell of Asmiere vpon the waie from Paris to Beauuais the Duke of Orleans disdayning it much who must needs be toucht with this ignommie and the peoples hatred encreasing mightely against him by this new accident Whilest this home-bred hatred continued in Court betwixt the Vncle and the Nephew the Constable Clisson fortified himselfe in Brittaine both with friends and means hauing by his dexteritie gained the greatest Noblemen of the Countrie by whose meanes he made a profitable peace for himselfe with Iohn of Montfort Duke of Brittaine to whom he had beene a capitall enemie The manner of this vnlooked for reconciliation is worthy of memory to giue after ages the subiect of a notable iudgment in so famous an example The Duke prickt in conscience and moued by necesâ—itie hauing banded all his subiects against him seeing apparently the notable wrong he had done to the Constable Clisson he resolued to be reconciled vnto him and to winne his loue But foreseeing that hauing so often deceyued him he would no more trust him but vpon good assurance he resolues to secure him by an extraordinaâ—ie means The 〈…〉 conciles hâ—â—selfe to 〈◊〉 aâ—ter an â—â—traordinâ—â—y 〈◊〉 sending him his eldest sonne as a pledge of his faith The Constable seing himselfe possessed of this younge Prince without any other securitie then his fathers letters stands amazed at so vnexpected a proofe of the Dukes loue and resolues to haue his reuenge by a curtesie not only strange but lesse expected for although he had all the reason in the world to distrust the duke who had deteyned him prisoner vnder colour of a banket and had sought all meanes to ruine him yet taking a newe aduise vpon this new occasion he parts from his house and bringing backe this yong man to his father puts himselfe into his power The Duke more amazed at this strange confidence of the Constable so changeth his mind as after that time he became his most assectionate friend The Duke of 〈◊〉 and the Câ—unstâ—ble reconâ—â—lâ—d hauing built a firme friendship vpoÌ„ this foundation the which continued betwixt them the rest of their daies to the mutuall content of either and the profitable quiet of their subiects verifing That Curtesie is a wise and happy Councellor of State teaching great men That patience triomphes in a good cause and that we must hate as if we should loue euen in the greatest heat of passionate quarrells being well said by the Ancients That Hatred must be mortall and loue immortall The hatred betwixt the vncle and the Nephew ended not so quietly The Duke of Orleans hauing receiued this disgrace in the person of his wife Valâ—ntine Deadâ—◠〈◊〉 betwixt the vncle and the Nephew growing veâ—y impatient redoubles his complaints with great vehemency saying that it was no loÌ„ger time now to obiecte his age against the degree where vnto both nature and the fundamental law of State had opeÌ„ly called him seeing it was now ten yeares since this borrowed aâ—thoritie of the Duke of Bourgongne had giuen him respit to be of age to enioy his right the which they could not take from him without preiudice to the Crowne 1399. that it is a visible vsurpation being no longer able to disguise his grosse practises The Duke of Bourgongne did frustrate these complaints by his coldnesse and authority but the Duke of Orleans grew more vehement falling from words to deedes and hauing had conference with the Duke of Gueldres he raiseth a good number of men at armes by his meanes and lodgeth them about Paris where he enters with the said Duke hauing aduertised no man thereof but onely the King who fauoured his brother exceedingly when he came to his right sense The Duke of Berry made shew to be a neuter but seeing the Duke of Bourgongne to vsurpe all to himselfe tyred with his ambitious dissimulation he inclined more to the Duke of Orleans his nephew although in shew hee laboured to reconcile them The Dukes of Bourbon and Aniou Princes of the bloud were of the like humor The Kings councell labours by all meanes to ende this quarell betwixt these Princes disalowing the gouernement of any one in particular and confirming a command of all the princes together The Councel seekes to reconciâ—e the princes by alliances supporting it by alliances for Charles the eldest sonne of Lewis duke of Orleans married Isabel of France the eldest daughter to our King Charles the 6. Lewis the Kings eldest sonne Duke
wisely weighing the vanity of popular tumults resolues to husband this occasion and to make his peace with the King and the housâ— of Orleans hauing so great an aduantage ouer them to ratifie the abolition which he had obtained against at all euents He then sends his Ambassadors to King Charles to Tours William Duke of Bauiere the Lords of Saint George Croy Viefuille Dolehaing to treat a peace with him and the children of Orleans making great shewes of humiliâ—y and loue This new course mooued the King and Princes the which they expected not from the Duke of Bourgongne Valantine Duchesse of Oâ—leans dies for griefe being so late a Conqueror so as they easely yeeld to an agreement vpon conditions but stil to the preiudice of the poore widowe and afflicted orphans In this confusion Valentine Duchesse of Orleans seeing her paines lost in the pursuite of so iust a cause dies for thought within fewe dayes after leauing great trouble and fewe friends to her Children and great ioy to the Bourguignon seeing his cause wonne by the death of this couragious woman who onely might oppose her selfe The King comes to Chartres to solemnize this peace hee sends for Charles Duke of Orlâ—ans and his bretheren and for Iohn Duke of Bourgongne and al appeere at a prefixed day A counterfeit peace betwixt Ioâ—n and the Duke of Oâ—leans children A scaffold is made where the King sitts in his seate of Iustice enuironed with the Princes of his bloud in great state Iohn Duke of Bourgongne approching neere the King kneeles downe with Dolâ—haing his aduocate who speaketh thus Licge Lord behold the Duke of Bourgongne your seruant and Cousin is come vnto you for that he vnderstands you are much offended with him for the deed done and committed on the person of my Lord the Duke of Orleans your brother for the good of the realme and of your person as he is redie to let you vnderstand when soeuer it shall please you therefore my Lord he doth humbly beseech you that it would please you to forget the wrath and indignation you haue conceyued against him and receiue him into fauour After these wordes the King commanded the Duke to retyre himselfe which done the Queene the Daulphin the Kings of Sicile and Nauarre the Duke of Berry fall on their knees before the King the Queene sayed Dread Lord we beseech you to grant the request of your Cousin the Duke of Bourgongne The King answered Wee will and do grant it for your sakes The Duke of Bourgongne being callâ—d againe kneeles before the King who saies vnto him Faire Cousin we grant your request and pardon you all The Duke hauing thanked the King riseth Behind the Kings chaire stood Charles of Orlâ—â—ns with his Brethren weeping bitterly The Duke of Bourgongne goes vnto them accompanied with his Aduocate and hauing saluted them with a very humble counteâ—ance the Aduocate spake thus vnto them My Lords the Duke of Bourgongne â—ere presâ—nt intreats you to put out of your remâ—Ì„brance that hatred which you may haue against him for the outrage committed on the person of my Lord of Orleans your father The Dukes of Orâ—â—â—ns aâ—d 〈◊〉 reconciâ—ed and that here after you will remaine good Kinsmen and louing friends The Duke added And hereof I pray you But they answered nothing Then the King said vnto them My fayre Cousins I will hâ—ue it so And they answered Liâ—ge Lord seing it pleaseth you to command vs we yeeld thereto for we will not disobey your commandements in any thing The Duke accepted it thanking the king and his Cousins of Orleans Then the Cardinall of Bâ—rr brought â—he holy testament whereon boâ—h parties did sweare a peace neuer to remember what was past and â—o hold a pâ—rpâ—tuall League of friendship And the King saied We will that heareafter you liue likegood Kinsmen and friends together and we straightly charge you not to wrong one another nor any other person that hath fauored you neither shew any malice or hatred vnto them as you tender our displeasure excâ—pt such as committed the said murther whom we banish our â—ealme for euer Theâ—e are the very words faithfully out of the Originall of that age This happened the 9. of March .1409 Then followed nothing but marriages the Duke of Bourgongne married his two brethren Philippe Earle of Neuers with the heire of Coussy and Anthonie Duke of Brabant with the heire of Luxembourg He is greatly in credit both with the King and Queene his â—â—ayne semed greater then his masters The bounty of his Kitchin drawes men from all parts but he had not made his peace with God neither in his heart with thâ—â—e poore orphelins destitute both of friends and means at whose coste this peace was made the which was but counterfait and continued not long Iohn Duke of Bourgongne gouerning all in the Kings name and the Daulphines The faction of Orleans opposeth The ciuill watres reuiue ended with a peace and the newe authority of this Daulphin who dispossesâ—eth the Bourguignon and restores them of Orleans From the yeare 1409. to the yeare 1413. AFter this accord the Court takes a newe forme Queene Isabell thinkes no more of her poore Nephewes of Orleans shee is wholy the Duke of Bourgongnes The Duke of Berry followes the same traine For proofe of a cordial friendship Iohn gouerâ—â—â— the court The Daulphin marrieth the the duke of Bouringongneâ— daughter the Queene doth openly fauour the marriage so long promised of Lewis the Daulphin her eldest sonne with Katherine daughter to the Duke of Bourgongne which marriage was solemnised Nowe Iohn of Bourgongne is father-in-law to the Daulphin it is he which gouerns both his heart and house Moreouer Charles King of Nauarre Lewis duke of Bauierre the dukes of Lorraine Brittaine Bar Alenson Cleues Vaudemont and after their example the greatest Noblemen in Court are all on his side There is nothing but feasting in his house all ioy whilest the Orphans of Orleans weepe Paris honours him as their protector and trusts none but him and Iohn doth affect â—othing more carefully with the King and Daulphin then the loue of the people Hee doth all he can to please them The chiefe subiect of his discourse is to reforme the State to seeme thereby more affectionate to the common weale In a solemne feast where al the court was present he gaue to his friends in stead of a banket plomets of gold and siluer shewing by this figure that his desire was to rule the State â—ell and to shewe the effect of his words he procured this notable occasion All men cried out of the Treasorers as horseleeches of the common treasure the chiefe causes of bad husbandry whereby the King and people were so much impouerished We haue made mention before of one of the Kings chiefe mignons called Montagâ— who had too soone fled the storme beeing returned he growes in greater credit with the King then before who
authority and the Daulphins who was heire apparent to the Crowne of France the capitall Citty of the realme the aâ—pâ—â—bation of the best Cities most of the Prouinces and wâ—thout comparison gâ—eateâ— means of himselfe both for men and mony Thâ—s â—â—cond warre continued a veare it began in Iuly 1411. and ended the yeare afâ—eâ— 1412. in the same moneth far more variable and violent then the first and memoâ—â—ble in this that the vanquished was victor and the victor vanquished The same authoâ—itie which had supported the stronger was in the ende fauorable to the weaker â—uch as most pleased their masters humor receiued death of him for their reward Very necesâ—aâ—â— obsâ—â—uations to iudge of these Ciuill warres The Orlean faction went first to field They were about seuen or eight thousand horse The number of their foote is not specified 1411 Charles Duke of Orleans makes the body of his army in Gastinoâ—s the Duke of Bourbon in Bourbonois and the the Earle of Alenson in Vermandoâ—s Peronne Chauny Neele and Han yeeld vnto them Clermont which belonged to the Duke of Bourbon is fortified they seeke to surprise Reteil and Bapaumes but in vaine This was the first sally begun by them of Orleans But the Bourguignon takes an other course he prepares the Kings Edicts against them he imployes the peoples force within the Citties and armes in field and all availes him at the first He had a great army both of horse and foote the which doth presently march into Picardy where the Orleanois had begun and easily recouers what they had gotten Han standes resolute they beseege take spoile and sacke it The Flemings which were vassalls to the Duke of Bourgongne being laden with spoile craue leaue to returne home neyther could the Dukes promises nor threats retayne them but they leaue his army and depart This had almost ouerthrowne his affaiâ—es he abandons Mondidier the which was presently surprised by Peter of Quesnes Lord of Gannes of the Orlean faction and putting his army into garrisons doubting the euent of this warre he sends with all speede to Henry the 4. King of England crauing succors in this necessity The Bourâ—ignon crâ—ues aide of the King of England Henry makes his profit of these ciuill dissentions in France he presently sends twelue hundred men to the Bourguignon to supply the Flemings want vnder the commande of Thomas Earle of Arondel The Orleanois loose no time and for their neâ—rer approch to Paris they surprise Saint Denis and Saint Cloud places of importance and fortifie Corbeil for the passage of the riuer of purpose to famish this great Cittie which liues by dayly prouisions brought from diuers parts But hee findes one to countermine his practises vsing the same instrument he had imployed to hurt him The Orleanois keeping the field about Paris must needes be the cause of great calamities And all this was acted in the viewe of the King and Daulphin Iohn informes the King of his enemies insolencie who without appealing to his Maiestie presumed to spoile the heart of Francâ— as if they were strangers or enemies Charles apprehends this error but too easily Tâ—e King Daâ—â—pâ—iâ— incensed against the Duke of Orleans desiring nothing but rest but Lewis the Daulphin especially is incensed by these informations and his chollâ—r encreaseth daâ—ly against his Cousins of Orleans The Bourguignon saied that they played the Kings and could not conceale their intention which was to seize on the Crowne seeing they presumed to take armes against the King There are rigorous Edicts made against the Orleans faction as against rebelles and guilty of high treason All their goods honours and persons are confiscate which remayne in thâ—s army if within fiâ—teene dayes after publication of the Kings letters pattents they retire not themselues to their houses And to begin with thegreatest Charles of Albret Constable of France and Arnolde of Corby the Chanceâ—lor are dâ—spossessed of their dignities and the Earle of Saint Pol preferred to the first place and Dolâ—haing the Duke of Bouâ—gongnes aduocate to the last This stormâ— makes worke at Paris they seeke out all of the Orleans partie and presently cast theÌ„ into prison The Parisienâ— mutine against the Orlean faction Peter of Essars being restored to his place remembers the article made against him at Wincestre and aâ—mes the people against them Whosoâ—uer is found out by the Parisiens bâ—eing of the Orleans faction hee is brought with hazard of his lâ—fe to prison All is lawfull in this popular rage so it bee against the Armagnacs All these engins forced from diuets parts do strangely shake the Orlean partie Such as were restrayned within any Townes duâ—st not breath and many in the army slippe away daily fearing the rigour of these Edicts which were executed withall seueritie Chaâ—les Duke of Orleans hauing taken counsell of the Princes and Noblemen his associaâ—s what course to followe in this alteration before a greater in conueniency resolues to drawe the Bourguignon to battaile although he were fortified with these new forces from England So as hauing passed the riuer of Oyse vpon a bridge of boats all the passages being seized on by the Bourguignon in the Kings name he presents himselfe before the gates of Clermont in Beauuoisis 1412. where Iohn his capitall enemie remayned The Orleans aâ—my yet faire beautified with the presence of great personages the Duke of Bourbon the Eaâ—les of Alenson Clâ—rmont Albret Vertus Vienne Bouciquaut the Archbishop of Sens brother to that Montagu which was beheaded Craon Montbason Hangest with many Batons Knights and Squiers all resolute to ende this quarrell by battaile and to that ende hauing defied the Duke of Bourgongne they attend him betwixt Clermont and Cathenay But the Bourguignon leauing them there to spoile that goodly and fertill country of the Isle of France whereby they increased the hatred and curse of the people more incensed then euer against these Aâ—magnacs exclayming of him as of a coward that durst not fight he arriues at Paris to the peoples great content who attende him with all deuotion Hee presently takes Saint Cloud and Saint Denis from the Orlean partie to their great losse notwithstanding any diligence of Charles their head who proclaymed a victory before the combaâ—e Thus Paris is freed without any restrainte and all the Orleans partie brought verie lowe Neyther Charles noâ— his Associats talke any more of fighting with the Bourguignon they had worke inough to retyre themselues and to defend their Townes expecting a present seege Iohn of Bourgongne failes not to husband this good successe and â—o countenance his forces hee doth intangle the King and Daulphin in the pursuâ—e of his enemies halfe vanquâ—shed So his victorious army enters into Beausse turning head towards the Country of Orleans the inheritance of his chiefe enemie Esâ—ampes yeelds â—o the King The Duke of Bourbon is there taken prisoner and sent presently into Flanders Whilest that all things succeeded thus
happily for the Duke of Bourgongne Henry the 4. King of England calles home the troupes he had sent to his succour The English troupes leaue the Bourguignon vnder the Earle of Arondells commande intreating the Duke to hold him excused if he did vse his owne at his neede Hee had no meaning to fauour the stronger paâ—ty but to succoâ— the weaker as experience did soone teach This sodaine altâ—ration did somewhat stay the Bourguignons desseine to attempt Orleans but making warre aduisedly he attends his enemies proceeding and taking an honest leaue to retyre by reason of the winter he comes to Paris where not to loose any time he continues the Kings thundring Edicts and executes many of his prisoners to flesh the people To bloud he addes Ecclâ—siasticall excomunications against the Armagnacs whilest the Orleanois â—ake cold by making warre in Charolois and sending for succors into England seeking for releefe in the same place where their enemy had found a scourge to whippe them Certaine letters carried by a monke from the Duke of Orleans to the King of Englâ—nd were intercepted and brought to Paris being examined in full assembly of the vnâ—uersitiâ— and from thence imparted to the people with the Bourguignons commentaries They made the Orleans faction so much the more odâ—ous as if the Dukes of Orleâ—ns Berry and Bourbon combined togither had sought to take the Crowne from the King and Daulphin and to dismember the realme in giuing part of it to the English and to deuide the rest among themselues Strange newes without any subiect which vanish at their breeding but yet they serue to purpose according to the desseine of their Architect The King and Daulphin being possessed by Iohn of Bourgongne haue no thought but to ruine the Orlean party and pufte vp with this first successe hoping to finish the rest they imploy all their meanes to leuie a great army the which through the Bourguignons care was held to be a hundred thousand men A notable number after so many miseries and â—n so great a confusion The Cittie of Bourges was of great importance for the vniting of the Prouinces on that side Loire where the Associate Princes had their greatest supplies of men The Bourguignons greatest malice was against the Duke of Berry who not onely had forsaken him but â—or his degree and age vnderstood much iâ— his enemies affaâ—res They resolue therefore to beseege it to make the way more easie for conquest of â—he rest In the beginning of the Spring the King and Daulphin go from Paris to theâ—r army which assembled in â—asâ—inois being entred into Berry the lesser Townes yeeld without question Dun le Roy Fontenay and Sancerre Bourges being summoned makes answere That neyther the King nor Daulphin did make this warre but the Duke of Bourgongne The King Dâ—ulpâ—iâ— beseege Bourges by the Bourguâ—gnons â—eane who holding their persones and willes captiue would depriue the Princes of France of their right hauing imbrued his murthering hands in the bloud of the fiâ—st Prince of the Câ—owne seeking to vsurpe the State There were verye many good soldiars within the Cittie which were supplied with all that might be wished for in a long seege They intreated the enemye in korne that hee would approch neere the Cittie and leaue their gates open in a brauery Many fortunate sallies are made by them crying in field God saue the King They take many prisoners The waters abroad are poisoned and many die before they discouer the cause All â—â—ngs out with military raylings of Armagnacs and Bourguignons but the greatest defeat is in spoyling oâ— the Country â—erry made desolate All â—he prouision being carried into the Citâ—y what a spoile shold an army of a hundred thousand men with their followers make and to increase the miserie all the houses of the champion Country were eyther sackt or burnt The English being victors in France neuer committed greater spoiles then these French armiâ—s As the Duke of â—erry the Lord of that Country was much greeued to see these spoyles so the Daulphin â—he heiâ—e apparent of the Crowne was discontented with his father in Lawes ambâ—tion growing odious vnto him His bloud which could not degenerate mooued him to compassion and the bloud vniustly shed troubled his coâ—scieâ—ce Foâ— to what ende should they ruine a whole â—ealme to maâ—ntaine so execrable a murther The Daâ—lphin disconâ—enâ—ed with his father in Law the Duâ—e of Bouâ—gonâ—â—â— If zeale to reforme the State saieth hee bâ—e the Bourguignons intent is thâ—s the way His father being sicke could not apprehend these things by reason of his infirmitie what râ—proch then were it for him being his â—ldest sonne to â—uffer himselfe to be bâ—flâ—d by his father in Lawe like vnto an infant These apprehensions mooued this yoâ—g Prince who nothing dissembling his conceptions told his â—ather openly that he was not pleased with these confusions that they must finde out some meane to pacifie them It chanced one day as they aduertised the King that in a sally made by them of the Towne they had slaine some one of his seruants the Daulphâ—n câ—ied out in the presâ—nce of the Bourguignon Shall we neuer haue an ende oâ— these misâ—ries I am resolued to make them câ—â—sse The Bourguignon hauing before discouâ—red some coldnesse in this young Prince found his mind now to be wholly changed He therefore replyed mildely That it should be well done so as they of Orleans would acâ—nowledge their error How saith the Daulphin shall they acknowledge thâ—ir fauâ—t if wee do not knowe them for our bloud And then they resolued to make a peace The Duke of Berry had layed the foundaâ—ion by Lignâ—c great master of Rhodes who fayled not to imbrace this occasion seeing the Daulphin so well affected The Eaâ—le of Sauoie had sent his Ambassadors to exhort both parties After a monethes seege they begin to treate of â—he meanes to pacifie these troubles The Bouâ—guignon mâ—kâ—s hast to bee the first in all things and parlees with the Duke of Berry betwiâ—t two barres One accuseth the other excuseth but in the ende a peace is concluded by deputiâ—s The Priâ—ces at an enteruewe imbrace one an other with all shewes of cordial louâ— such as their bloud makes shewe of after long bitternesse The Bourguignou onelâ— is tâ—oubled doubâ—ing this peace to them would be a warâ—e to him for that hee had no peace in his owne Conscience The King enâ—ers into Bourges where â—he peace is signed and for that reason it was called the Peace of Bourges the 25. of Iuly in the yeare .1412 â—he peace of 〈◊〉 A Parliament is called at Auxerâ—e to coâ—firme it by sollemne oath The Princes are receiued inâ—o fauour with the King and Daulphin alâ— Edicts made against thâ—m were disâ—nulled and of no force They and theiâ—s restored â—o their degrees and dignities All things to bee forgotten Tâ—e names of Armagnac and Bourguignon as in famous marks of ciuill dissention
especially of the treasure for the releefe of the poore people To make this partie good the Citty of Paris must make the first point The Bourguiâ—non raiseth sedition at Paris but the vniuersity which stood as a newter dealing with nothing but their bookes should make the proposition and first instance The cause was vehemently set downe by a Doctor chosen for the purpose and auoched by the Cittie and deputies of the Prouinces Such as were subiect to accompts were much terrified and the greatest number fled Such as were taken lost their heads at the Halles or Greue to the peoples great content who highlie commend the Duke of Bourgongne as the onely Prince which loued the good of the realme The Daulphin growes â—ealous at the sound of the praises as preiudicall to his honouâ— vowing neuer to suffer the Bourguignon to attempt any thing against his authoritie The Daulphin takâ—s vpon him the name of Regent Such as were interessed fedde the yong Princes humor Who by the meanes of Lewis of Bauiere his Vncle by the mother side perswade him to take the name of Regent for a marke of his greatnesse He takes this title and giues notice to the Duke of Bourgongne that it is nowe high time he were knowne in his degree The Bourgongnon protesting that hee hath no other obiect but the good of the Realme makes no shewe to deale in these affaires leauing the gouernment thereof to whome it appertayned yet vnder hand he caused the Parisiens to arme and least the better sort should be called into question he imployes the basest beeing led by one Caboch a butcher followed by a multitude of rascalles who being armed come in troupe to the Regents lodging and require of him by rowle the chiefe enemies of the Bourguignons house who they sayed had gouerned the treasure or had beene enriched by excessiue gifts A strange sedition in Paris Amongst the which was Peter of Essars who without any long proces lost his head receyuing a iust reward for his great wickednesse by his hands who had then caused him to commit them But this was not one dayes furie the next day the people assemble in great multitudes and taking white cappes for their badge they come to Saint Pol where the King lodged and demaund audience hauing seized on all the passages to his lodging after a terrible manner A Carmelit Frier was speaker for the people accompanied with the Deputies of this multitude as his ruffians Being entred into the Kings chamber after many tedious speeches he demands reformation of the State The Parisiens insolenâ— bâ—hauiâ—r protesting they would not be fed with words they vrged the King to punish such whose names they had conteyned in a liste being guiltie of capitall crimes The Duke of Bourgongne makes a good shewe and answers That the King would consider thereof This Frier replies impudently that they would not depart before they had such as they demanded Their rage was such as the King and Princes tooke white cappes the marke of the seditious They demand the chiefe seruants of the King Queene and Daulphin not onelie men but also women which had beene in any credit and aboue all Lewis of Bauiere the Queenes brother There was not any one but stood amazed at these audacious impudencies The Queene comes weeping shee intreats the King the Monke and the deputies of the people They answere it is their charge and they cannot alter it The people crie fâ—om the base Court with a violent noyse that if they deliuer not these prysoners â—hey will force the lodging So as after all these intreaties Lewis the Queenes brother with the rest specified in the rowle both men and women yeeld vnto the mercie of these madde and furious men and are by them led into diuers prysons The Bourguignon the secret practises of all these insolencies This night passed not without many murthers many were strangled and many cast into the riuer without any other formes of iustice but the Bourguignons secret commandement who with his cold and graue countenance made shewe to haue no interest in the action 1414 The Citty was neuer in so lamentable an estate by this shameâ—full contempt of Law order of the King Princes Magistrates There is no taâ—ke but of bloud killing hanging and drowning of poore prisoners The horror of this confusion toucht the hearts of the most passionate The vniuersity which had b in the mouth of these captious complaints repaires to Henry of Marâ—e the first president to Iohn Iuuenall of Vrsins the Kings aduocate protesting that they were not guilty of these infamous disorders And hauing taken aduice they resolue to go to the King The vniuersity dislikes of these disorders as well to purge themselues of the suspition of these abhominable confusions as to intreat him to giue eare to a good peace They giue him meanes to winne the heads of this popular faction and set vp an Ensigne with the Kings armes crie in all parts of the Cittie Peace peace good people an inuention which preuailed much in this action Ill councell is most hurtfull to him that giues it the Bourguignons practises light on his owne head The people pacified The people seeing themselues disauowed by the vniuersity who then had great credit for their esteeme of wisdom and knowledge hauing the King and his parliament opposite being abandoned by their Tribunes they hide themselues in â—ourgongne and he himselfe feeling the storme to approch retires to Compiegne attâ—â—ding the euent The Orlean faction repaires to Paris with speede and were receiued ioyfully by the people as the Anchor of their hope All the world exclaimes of the Bourguignon as the onely motiue of the troubles of France The King incensed against the Bourgongâ—ion and the people forsake him and vnworthy to hold so honorable a â—ancke among the Princes of the bloud The Queene feedes this dislike for the interest of her brother imprisonned and the King thunders forth his edicts against the Bourguignon the which are seuerely executed vpon such as are apprehended Scaffolds riueâ—s and streetes witnesse the reuenge of the murthers committed by the Bourguignons vppon the Orleanois All Officers preferred by the Bourguignon are displaced and all such as had supported him are ill intreated Valeran Earle of S. Pol is put from the dignity of CoÌ„stable Guichard Daulphin of Auuergne from that of great Maister Charles of Rambures from beeing maister of the crossebowes The Bouâ—guignon faction disgraced and banished the which is at this day as the colonell of the infantery Three hundred men and women of the Bourguignon faction are banished by a decree of the Court of Parliament Iohn Duke of Brittain leaues the Bourguignon comes to court against him To conclude all bandie against the Bourguignon yet he is nothing amazed but continues constant against all stormes He craues ayde of his citties in Flanders in this necessity being thus
of S Treille whom commonly they call Zintrailles the Bastard of Orleans with other braue and fortunate Captaines which shal be famous in the couâ—se of our History But the Realme was stâ—angely diuided into these factions The Kings authoritye and the Capitall Citty were for the Queene and the Bourguignon Picardy Bourgongne and many Townes in Bry Champagne and Beausse obeyâ— them absolutely after these massacres Only Sens in Bourgongne held out the which they could not pull from the Daulphin The Prince of Orange of the Bourguignon faction makes warre for him in Daulphine and Languedoc to crosse the affaires of our Charles The Bouâ—gâ—â—gnons estate who notwithstanding had the greatest part of the country at his deuotion with the friendship of Auignon and of the Earledom of Venaisoin or of Venesse The English possessed all Normandy and a great part of Guienne but Rochell Foitiers S. Iohn d' Angely Angoulesme Fontenay and some other Townes acknowledged the Daulphin All Aniou was his Auuergne Berry Bourbonois Forrest and Lionois obeyed him so as they are deceiued which thinke that he onely held the citty of Bourges in those dayes vnder colour that his enemies called him King of Bourges because he made his chiefe residence there when as his mother called her selfe Regent He likewise tooke vpon him the name of Regent A name which fortified his title with great authority and did countenance his affaires in those difficulties and confusions The Queene and the Bourâ—â—â—â—â—on seeke vnto the Dauphin The Queene and the Bourguignon laboured by all meanes to winne him they sent him his wife honourablie attended with all her iewells promising him his place with respect and obedience but theyr meaning was to bee ridde of him not able to know how to conforme him to their humours In keeping himâ—â—lfe farre from them hee preserued his head for the Crowne the which attended him â—419 he preuented the ambitious desseines of his enimie and made himselfe to bee more respected throughout the Realme At these horrible massacres his Captaines roused vp their spirits Bocquiaux â—â—â—zed of Compiegne Pierre-Fons vpon Soissons for him who molesting Picardy and the Iâ—e of France with their dayly roads held Paris in iealousie He himselfe had part of the honour in the execution of these conquests not leauing all to his seruants for hee leaped out of Aniou into Touraine besieged and tooke the Citty of Tours The Duke of Brittaine seeing the happy successe of the Daulphins affaires The Duke of Brittaine leaues the English and ioynes with the Daulphin leaues the English and ioynes with the Daulphin as the strongest part Behold the estate of our Daulphin who growes constant and resolute amidst these tempests And what was the estate of our Bourguignon In the beginning his partisans were al fire and flame for the zeale of his seruice but finding not what they expected at his hands nor any successe in his affaires but rather the discommodities of Paris and other places vnder his obedience to increase this heat abated dayly â—â—ding by experience that the cause of these warres was light beeing but humors and priuate quarrells very preiudiciall to the State the which the English â—â—d sappe vndermine and ruine seizing dayly vppon whole Prouinces without any difficulty Thus Henries victories were plaine demonstrations to the most passionate to discouer the Bourguignons dissembling for who sees not but his end was to gouerne to the ruine of France In the end euery one comming to his right witts fiâ—des that of a Frenchman he is become an Englishman The folly or fury of a faction could not mortifie the feeling of lawfull obedience vnder which they were borne To â—hat end saies the common sort of these cleere-sighted shall we vndoe our selues The people grow in dislike with 〈◊〉 Bourguignon for the passions of the Duke of Bourgongne opposing himselfe against the lawfull heire of the Crowne Thus the Bourguignon sees the affections of his partakers to growe dayly colde A worme which tormented him hourely hauing grounded his chiefe hopes vppon their constancies who promised to stande firmely to him at all euents Doubtlesse whatsoeuer the Giants of States haue imagined setting one hill vpon another the Pirenees vppon the Alpes with all the Appâ—nin to scale the throne of the French Monarchy promising vnto themselues euents according to the mouldes of their imaginations yet cannot the French yeeld to any strangers command no more then to change nature and become a stranger But to increase the Bouguignons heartes griefe his chiefest instrument not onely failes him but is ready to turne violently against him For what hath he not attempted to winne the loue of this multitude at Paris and of the greatest Cittyes of the Realme making them beleeue that he burnt with zâ—ale of their good and the publike weale the onely ende of all his desseines feeding them with these goodly and popular promises of exemption of charges and impositions But they begin all to mutine seeing he spake one thing and did thinke another and oppressed them more then those whom he had condemned as the causes of publike oppressions for whatsoeuer he imagined yet had he neede of money For howe could hee else make warre how could he entertaine his great traine his partisans and his reputation among Strangers And where should he raise it but vppon such as obeied him to seeke it at such as could resist were to mistake and to make his reckoning alone in vaine Moreouer this people whome he had so much countenanced making themselues maisters by his power to become by their meanes maister of his enemies would be generally obeyed and why not of the Bourguignon seeing hee had opposed himselfe and prescribed a lawe to a sonne of France If the Bourguignon doth worse then he hath done shall not the people reduce him vnto reason He hath promised exemptions of subsidies and they are more grieuous then before We haue preuailed say they against a Constable against a Chauncellour of France yea ouer the King Queene making them to yeeld her brother and most â—â—usty seruants and shall wee not suppresâ—e some few gallants seruants to the Duke of Bourgongne This was the Parisiens ordinary discourse and their Tribunes who were not so well entertained as before begin mutinie They resolue to seize vpon some of the Bourguignons fauorites and to punish them who had perswaded him to renue the impositions contrary to his promise These men the concealing of whose names notes the basenesse of their qualities The Parisiens mutine against the Bourguignon faction hauing intelligence of this search fled into the Bastille and the people followe after as if they would ouerthrow it A great multitude begins to vndertake it had preuailed iâ— the Bourguignon had not instantly come much discontented who seeing himselfe inuironed with so great a troupe of armed men fearing the losse of his head hee was forced to deliuer his seruants to the people who
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
where Charles was resident whilest that his army afflicted these poore people He feasted conducted this Princesse as his own daughter euen with tears of ioy The King of England marrieth but this ioy was sodenly coÌ„uerted into heauines by the death of the Daulphins wife his daughter in Lawe whom he loued deerely for her vertues which made her amiable to all France She was one of the chiefest in this great solemnity from the which she went to the bed of death her death was the sepulchre of her Mother the widowe of Iames King of Scotts who was come to see her and whilest her funeralles were making her Sisters ariue from Scotland to attend on her nay rather to descend with her into the graue if the humainty of Charles had not reuiued them giuing them honest meanes to maintaine their estats in France Thus passeth the Ocean of this miserable life in the which there is more cause of mourning then of ioy The Daulphins wife dies both in great and small The marriage likewise of England wherein were so great shewes of ioy shall end with a lamentable Tragedie as we shall see hereafter The truce was so pleasing to both Realmes A truce prolonged for fiue yeares that before it was expired the Kings of France and England renue it for fiue yeares more in hope of a perfect peace promising by their seuerall writings published generally to meete togither within six monethes in some conuenient place to confirme this peace so generally desired of all their subiects 1445. 1446. 1447. 1448. And to confirme the assurance of their promises the English deliuers Mans to Charles with all thee held in the Countrie of Maine but all is put into the hands of King René his father in lawe Francis Duke of Brittain doth homage to the King for the Duchie of Brittain and the Earldome of Montfort This was at Chinon but some monethes after there chanced a tragicall desaster in that house Francis suspecting that Gyles his brother would deale treacherously with him by the too familiar correspondency he had with the Engâ—ish caused him to bee put in prison by the Councell and care of Charles who had sent him foure hundred lances vnder the comand of the Admirall Coitiuy But they dealt worse with him causing him to die in prison for hungar The history of Brittain describes this accident very plausibly The cruâ—lty of the Duke of Bâ—ittany against his brother but it is true that Gyles died beeing prisoner with his brother Peter who suruiued him not long after hauing a great remorse for this tragicke accident In the rest of this yeare and the three following there is nothing memorable but the pursuts which Charles made for the reunion of the Church But not to breake off the course of our history which is properly to treate of that which concernes our Estate we reserue it for a more conuenient place A worke in truth not onely worthy of a great Monarke but of a peaceable time that in the peace of the State we may see the peace of the Church The soldiars insolencie was nothing abated by this voiage of Germany They returne more flesht then before against the poore laborer Charles made new orders to restraine them causing them to bee duly obserued but the ouerwening violence of the English increased daylie not onely by the negligence but by the command of such as had the charge The Duke of Yorke being called home into England the duke of Somerset succeeded him a proud man who thinking to do better then the rest did absolutely ruine the English affaires in France Hee dispenced with his soldiars in all their villaines 1448 and kept them ready to breake the truce vpon any profitable occasion The English breake the truce In the meane time the Souldiers ordinarie practise was to stand in Sentinell to surprise some good house in the countrie being ill garded to robbe it spoile it and carry away the prisoners by vnknowne wayes To this end they had their spies their guides and their retreats The fields were full of robberies by men disguised in strange and fearfull habits being masked when they espied their pray and therefore they called them counterfeit faces But to draw men into danger they marched like passengers expecting the commoditie to surprize them There is heard nothing but complaints and repulses All the pursuites which were made to repaire the breaches of truce did but increase the paine and charges of the interessed But of these small disorders committed by the Souldiars there grew so great an inconuenience as in the end it filled vp the measure against the English being hated and detested of all the French for their pride and insolencie Fougeres surprized by the English during the truce Fougeres a Towne of Brittanie vpon the confines of Normandie then very riche and populous being without garde vnder the assurance of the truce was easily surprised by Francis of Surienne called the Arragonois a Knight of the order of the Garter and a great Captaine vpon the marches of France obeying the English The Towne being surprised by him being accompanied with six or seuen hundred souldiers suffered all the miseries that might be They kill spoile and sack rauish women robbe Churches take prisoners and from thence they runne into Brittanie and fill all full of feare and combustion The Britton appeales to the King and both complaine to Henry King of England and to the Duke of Somerset his Lieutenant in France they presse them to repaire so notable a breach else they would seeke a meanes of reuenge But they receiue nothing but words disauowed by mouth and aduowed in effect for Somerset causeth S. Iames of Beueron to be fortified contrary to the treatie Charles receiuing these bare answers from England sees which way the chance would fall and that the game would not passe without blowes yet he restrained his men with great modestie holding it for a maxime that he must vse no force But when as moderate remedies can take no place with men not capable of reason then to oppose force against the iniurious passion of his enemie I read with ioy in the Originall that Charles conteined himselfe and was forced to this last warre To haue God on his side and the wrong on his enemie To conclude this moderate proceeding did so iustifie the good cause of Charles as it was continued with a happy euent not onely to abate the pride of the English but to expell them out of the whole realme as the iust iudgement of God pursued their arrogancie in this attempt by the breach of publike faith the vndoubted ruine of humaine societie which hath no certaine foundation but in perfect faith Here endeth the yeare but the controuersie shall begin more hotly by iust armes accompanied with a victorious sentence the which the Iudge of the world shall pronounce against the pretender of this estate Normandie reduced to the Kings obedience THe
daughter to wife the which he did As he prepared for this voyage and a stately traine for his daughter A strange death in the midest of â—oy which might equall or surmount the Ambassage sent from Ladislaus newes comes of the death of Ladislaus a young man of twenty yeares of age and of a generous hope who was poisoned at Prague Whose death was the cause of many miseries as we shall hereafter shew Their ioy in France was changed to mourning and the wedding to a funerall to the great griefe of Charles But to put him in minde of necessary causes amidest these voluntarie afflictions It chanced that the mother of Ioane the Virgin to purge the blot of infamie in the death of her daughtâ—r being condemned as a Sorceresse by the Bishop of â—eauuais to please the English obtaines a reuocation of this sentence from the Pope and Charles confirmes it causing it to be solemnlie published to the content of all Frenchmen to whom the remembrance of this generous spirit shall be for euer pleasing In the meane time this iealousie which was grauen in the heart of Charles is fed by the dayly whisperings of his household flattereâ—s And now behold a strange accident A Captaine in whom he had great confidence assures him that they ment to poison him he beleeues it and plants this apprehension so firmely in his heart as he resolues neither to eate nor drinke The tragicall death of Chaâ—les not knowing whom to trust He continued obstinately for seauen dayes in this strange resolution the which in the end brought him to his graue for being obstinate in this humour not to eate notwithstanding all the perswasions of his Physitians and seruants the passages were so shrunke as when he would haue eaten it was then too late and feeling his forces to decay he prouided for his last will and dyed the 22. of Iuly at Meun vpon Yeure in Bâ—rry in the yeare 1461. hauing liued 59. yeares and raigned 39. leauing two sonnes Lewis and Charles the first shall raigne after his father and the second shall be the causer of new troubles in France but not such as haue raigned vnder our Charles the 7. A Prince who hath as much aduanced the French Monarchie as any King that euer commanded for finding the realme ruined he hath restored it his Predecessors had planted the English in the bowels of the Estate he expelled them bringing in a gentle peace after an intestine warre of a hundred yeares A fâ—iend to Iustice good order and the people His dispositioÌ„ resolute in great affaiâ—es capable of councell wise couragious happy in the execution of good councels and happy in seruants that haue faâ—thfully serued him to the end of the worke of restauration wherevnto God had appointed him But these great and heroike vertues were blemished by some vices which were more visible in his prosperitie His 〈◊〉 then in his aduersitie for affliction restrained him but his happy successe puft him vp and gaue scope to his humours making him suspitious and amourous to the pâ—eiudice of his affaires and dishonour of his person On the one side vngouerned lâ—ue to strange women making him to forget the lawfull loue of his wife and to loose both time and iudgment whereby he blemished his reputation both with subiects and strangeâ—s On the other side presumption of his good successe made him vnpleasing to his best seruants yea euen to his owne bloud and this froward humour causing him to discontent such as hee should haue trusted setled so wilfuâ—l and peeuish a iealousie in his heart as hauing troubled all his house in the ende it brought him to his graue after a most fearefull and tragicke manner leauing in his vertues an example to bee followed and in his vices to bee auoided with a visible proofe in his happy successe That God vseth the weake instruments to the end that he might be knowne the Author of the good worke they haue in hand that his grace seeming strong in their weakenesse the homage and honour of all good might be giuen to him for whosoeuer glories let him glory in the Lord. Charles had no sooner closed his eyes but Poasts flie to Geneppe in Brabant vnto Lewis to aduertise him of his death The originall notes it for exceeding speed that through the diligence of Charles of Aniou father in law to Charles Lewis was aduertitised of the death of his father the very same day he dyed This Poast was speedy yet slowe in regarde of the desire Lewis had to returne into France and to take possession of this goodly Crowne which attended him LEWIS the eleuenth the 55. King of France LVDOVICVS .11 KING OF FRANCE .55 · WAs it not then likely that this so happy a Catastrophe of the latter raigne of Charles should haue purchased Lewis as happy and peacefull a Crowne as his fathers had beene painfull and full of crosses But the heires of worldly possessions which we call the goods of Fortune and of the body doe not alwayes inherit the same humors and complexions of their Predecessors Charles was of a curteous disposition affable a friend to Iustice and capable of councel he leaues Lewis his eldest sonne a Pâ—ince in truth humble in words and shew wise in aduersitie painfull The disposition of Lewis the 11. a free entertainer of men of merit curious to know all men of a good capacity perfect in iudgement and very continent But these vertues were blemished with many vices ill tongued reuengefull cruell full of fraud dissemblâ—ng distrustfull variable a friend to base people and an enemie to great persons yet willing to repaire the wrongs he had done to many But let vs impute this alteration to the multitude of his forraine homebred foes who â—ad greatly altered the good seeds which nature had planted in him That which plunged him in a labyrinth of troubles afflictions during all the course of his life was that at his first comming to the Crowne he discountenanced most of the Princes Noblemen whom Charles had fauoured preferring meane men to their places changed in a manner all the ancient officers of the crowne casierd discharged the old coÌ„panies of men at armes whereby such as hated him did taxe him as an enimy to al valour vertue Lewis the Daulphin at the age of eleuen yeares was rashly ingaged by some Noblemen others of the realme in the war called the Praguery against Charles his father His wiueâ— who speedily suppressed it by his resolution as we haue seene Beeing come to the age of man he married with Marguerit daughter to the King of Scots and as hee fell rashly in loue so he reaped nothing but repentance After her death not able to beare the vnpleasing waywardnes of his father he retires into Daulphiné and takes to his second wife Charlotte daughter to the Duke of Sauoy by whoÌ„ he had Ioachim who dyed young His children Anne marryed
mounted on a horse of the same proportion rushes through them diuids them that held him Then happilie arriues the bastard of Bourgongue and the Earles garde by means whereof the French retire themselues to their ditch Charles of Bouâ—ggongâ—e taken and rescued where they had beene in the morning During the which a false brute of the Kings death had almost ouerthrowne all for euery one began to faint The Earle of Maine the Admirall of Montauban and the Lord of Barde imbracing this common beleefe flie with al the rereward Lewis aduertised of this amazement takes off his helmet shewes him selfe to his soldiars and so assures them that he is aliue On the other side the Bourguignon rallies his men dispersed and wearied readâ—e to flie if they had bin charged At the same instant the Count Saint Paul goes to the field and gathers together vnder his enseâ—gne about eight hundred men at armes and but fewe foote Behold the two armies ranked one against an other noâ— like vnto tired men but hauing vewed one another and mutuallie discharged their Canon The night approched A famous battaile for running away which ended the battaile an in counter where the nâ—table flying on either side did wonderfully moderate the furie of the fight The which beâ—ng thus ended the King was conducted by the Scottes to the Castell of Montlehery hauing neither eaten noâ— dronke all that day and then he retyres to Corbâ—il The Earle keeps the field â—poiles the dead and therfore holds himselfe a Conqueror· Amongest the Kings men were knowne Iefferie of Saint Bâ—lain Charleâ— Earle of 〈◊〉 mastâ—r of the plâ—â—e of Battaile the great Steward of Normandy Captaine Flâ—â— uel Baylife of Eureux with many gentlemen to the number of foure hundred horse and but fewe of foote men Our Burguignons the Lords of Lalain Hames Oâ—gnie Varenne and almost all the Earles Archers Haplainonurt Aimeries Inchy and many others were taken flying and brought prisoners to Paris of footemeÌ„ there were more slaine then of the Kings part A'l which were estemed by some at two thousand of both sides The number the dead others heâ—d theÌ„ three thousand six hundred but al affirme constantly that there were more Bouâ—guignons theÌ„ French although Lewis lost more horsemen In trâ—th the firme resolution the constant labour the dangerous hazards manfully passed by the King were sufficient motiues to incourage his men to honor and if he had beene well and couragiously followed notwithstanding his small number and want of artillery the Earle of Charoloâ—s soldiars had digged their graues at Montlehery Three daies after the battaile the Earle of Châ—rolois being aduertised that his confederates approched Succors come to the Earle of Charolois went to receiue them at Esâ—ampes The Dukes of Berry Brittaine the Earle of Dunois and Dammartin the Lords of Lohâ—ae Marshall of France of Buâ—â—l Chaumont and Charles of Amboise his sonne all disgraced by Lewis and put from their offices although they had well serued the King his father They brought with them saith the historie eight hundred good men at armes most Brittains who had newly lest the companies euery one pretending some discontent Of Archers and other men of war resolute wel appointed six thousand on horsebacke all of the Brittons charge who assured by some meÌ„ at armes that fled vpoÌ„ the Kings death promiseth to himselfe much good in conceit in case the Duke of Beâ—ry come to the Crowne And if at that instant they would haue giuen him credit they should haue suppressed the Bourguignons or at the least dismissed them verifiyng That there is small loyaltie and lesse pitty in men of warre On the other side the Duke of Berry began to loath these broyles for in open Councel hauing vewed seuen or eight hundred hurte men wandering vp and downe the Towneâ— he said how much more glad would I haue beene if this warre had neuer begon 〈◊〉 Duke Beâ—â—y lotheâ— the esâ—uâ—iâ—n of bloud then to purchase my selfe riches and honor which the price of so much bloud A speech worthy of a milde Prince and not bloudie but ill digested by the Bourguignon supposing that Charles would easely make his peace vpon the least motion made by Lewis And to assure him selfe as wel without as within the realme he sends William of Cluni afterwards Bishop of Poitiers to Edward King of England although he had alwayes supported the house of Lancaster from whence he was issued by his mother against that of Yorke Hauing refreshed their troups they all dislodge from Estampes and take the way to Saint Mathurin of Laroham and Moret in Gastinois and hauing an intents to passe the riuer of Sâ—ine the Earle imployes many coopers to make pipes hauing brought great store of stuffe for that purpose whereon a bridge was made for want of conuenient boats through the fauour of the Canon which the Earle had planted in an Isâ—â—nd in the midest of the riuer There ioynes with them Iohn Duke of Calabria the onelie sonne of René King of Sicile the Prince of Orange Thibauld of Neuf-chastel Marshall of Bourgongne Other succors come to the confederate Princes and Montagu his brother the Marquis of Rotelin the Lords of Argueil and Thoulongeon with many others leading nine hundred men at armes of the Duchie and Countie of Bourgongne six score men at armes barded Italians commanded by Galeot and Campo-bâ—sso foure hundred Germain crosse-bowes sent by the Cont Palatin and fiue hundred Suisses the which were the first that came to our warres A fatall and lamentable alliance for the Bourguignon as we shall see in his place of other footeman very fewe All this great torrent of a hundred thousand men inuiron Paris Paris beleagard they seize vpon S. Maur on the ditches Pont Charenton Consâ—ans S. Deâ—is and other Places there abouts they tyre the inhabytants with contynuall skirmishes euen at their gates and shakes theyr affections by practises and deuises The Duke of Berry writes to the Clergie to the Court of Parlement to the vâ—iuersitie which then was in great credit in Paris and to the Bourgesses to euery one a part shewing them that all these forces tend not but to the peoples ease and profit and requires them to depute men of iudgement and learning to vnderstand more at large the causes of this their great assemblie Ten Deputies heare their complaints being led by William Chartier Bishop of Paris they report it to the Counsell of the Cittie who answeres That the Cittie shal be free for the Princes to enter into at their pleasure they and theirs abstaining from violence and paying their expences Surely this would haue beene a Conquest of the cittye of Paris But the great Maister of Nantouillet the Marshal Ioachim and other Captaines take a vew of their forces and by this meanes retayne the Parisiens who changing their minds are fully confirmed by the arriuall of Iohn of Rohan Lord of Montauban Admirall of France with
great troupes of men O light and inconstant people how easâ—y is it to moue thy affections and to make thee in an instant to applaud that partie which euen now thou diddest abhorre But let vs leaue them in this good humour and see what remedy the King had for these garboyles attending the succors the Duke of Milan sent him Lewis being after the battayle retyred from Corbeil to Paris flatters the peoples humours treates popularly with them erects a priuie Counsell of six Counsellors of the Court sixe Doctors of the Vniuersitie and sixe Burgesses to gouerne his affaires according to their aduice and direction he leaues sixe hundred Lances in Paris vnder the command of the bastard of Armaignac Earle of Cominge of Maister Gilles of Saint Simon Bayliffe of Senlis la Barde Craon Charles of Mares and Charles of Melun his LieutenaÌ„t in the said towne Then he goes into Normandy to assemble al the Nobility and men of warre he could from whence he sent the Earle of Eu to haue the commande of the war and of the Cittie followed with two hundred archers well in order The Earle being arriued he sends the Lord of Rambure to the Leagâ—rs offring to bee a mediator for their discontents vnto his maiestie but it was without effect The King hauing intelligence of the confederats trafficke with the Parisiens knowing that this people doth easily change their affections with the successe and foreseeing that this baâ—te of the commonweale would soone bewitch them displeased also that the Bishop had without his knowledge treated of an accord he hastens his returne accompained with the Earles of Maine and Ponthieure and the forces of Normandie And for the first fruits of loue to his subiects hee confirmed all the priuileges they inioyed in his fathers life he abolished all new impositions and retayned none but the ancient and ordinary farmes of marchandise that is sold by great Meanes to pacifie a people that wauer then did hee punish eyther with banishment or death such as had yeelded to the reception of the heads of the League into the Cittie He doth sharpely blame the Bishop and at the Instigation of the Cardinall of Albi to haue beene a dealer in his absence for his enemies with an inconstant and il-aduised people and hauing prouided for the surety of the Cittie hee prepares to offend and defend The Bourguignoâ— likewise vseth all force great and daylie skirmishes with the Parisiens Lewis his proding at Paris Newe succors to both parties sometimes chasing and sometimes chased And therevpon comes newe supplies to the Leaguers the Dukes of Bourbon and Nemours the Earle of Armaignaâ— and the Lord of Albret notwithstanding the former treaty with about six thousand men On the other side the King receiued from Francis Sforze Duke of Milan fiue hundred men at armes and three thousand foote commanded by Galeas his eldest son with this Counsell of State A Politâ—ck aduice That to diuide this company hee should yeeld to all conditions and onely preserue his men An aduice which Lewis shall cuningly put in practise speedily Thesâ— Milanois were imployed in Bourbonois vntill newes of the peace shall come The Earle thus fortified offers battaile but the King would not hazard any thing desiring to disperse this mistie cloud without effusioÌ„ of bloud And to annoye them of Conâ—â—â—ns Charenton he sends foure thousand frank-archers about foure hundred pioners supported by the Nobility of Normandie and some at armes who plant themselues vpon riuers side right against Conflans at the English port where they make a large and a long trench vnto the Cittie with a bulwark of wood and earth whereon they plant many peeces of artillery the which at the first driues the Duke of Calâ—brâ—a out of Charenton with great losse of his men and an extreame terror to the Earle of Charolois who lodged at Conflans in a house belonging to his Father Two Cannon shot passed through his Camber being at dinner and slewe his trompetor carrying a dish to his table This amazement makes him go downe with speed he fortifies his lodging pierceth the walles and plants a Cannon for a counterbatterie But they must dislodge these frank-archers preuent the losse they receyued from the other side of the water A bridge of boats at Charenson For the effecting of this he obtaines a truce for two dayes in which time he made a bridge of boats The bridge almost finished the franke-archers leaue their trenches carrie away their artillerie and retire to the suburbes into the Carthusians cloister A part of the Bourguignons army passeth the water they enter the suburbes of Saint Marceau and skirmish but with little losse on eyther side Herevpon our Captaines resolue to assaile the enemy in diuers parts A page sent by night giues them intelligence At the breake of day some horsemen charge home to the artillery and kil a Canoniere This was in shewe the effect of the pages aduertissement All arme they make barricadoes and stand firme The artillery thunders the Kings answers them They send forth two hundred horse to discouer who see a troupe issuing forth the Cittie to learne the cause of this tumult and moreouer a great number of Lâ—nces in conceit and so they report that all are come forth in battaile but the daye breaking they proue but thistells So this alarme turnes to laughter In the meane time they treate of peace but the demands of the Confederats were excessiue The Duke of Berry demands Normandie for his portion The Earle of Charolois the Townes of Somme lately redeemed For the better effectâ—ng hereof the two commanders conclude of an enteâ—uiew An enterview of the two heads The King mounts vp the water right against the Bourguignoâ—s armie accompanied with the Lords of Montauban Admirall Nantouillet Du Lau and few others The Earles of Charolois and S. Paul come to receiue him He then offers to giue his Brother the Prouinces of â—rie and Champaigne excepting Meaux Melun and Montereâ—u the which he would not accept He graunts the Charolois his desire disauowes Moruilliers in certaine speeches wherein he saith he had exceeded his charge and for the Earles sake he promiseth to giue the office of Constable to the Earle of S. Paul These entercourses of either side proue lamentable for the King Fatall for the King for besides that the Princes doe daily suborne more of his men then he can draw from them behold Pontoise is deliuered to the Britton by Sorbier commanding there vnder the Marshall Ioâ—câ—â—m and to finish so notable a treacherie he marcheth towards Meulan to the same intent but the inhabitants being aduertised he returnes without effect There growes an other vpâ—ore in Paris the Souldiers vaunt insolently The 〈◊〉 ready to mutine that the Cittizens goods are at their free disposition that they will take the Keyes of their houses from them and for a need will pull the cheines out of their streetes Herevpon the
and friends Moreouer Lewis had iust cause to be greeued for the brauado done him at Peronne The nobility thrust him on therto namely the Constable of S. Paul foreseeing that the continuaÌ„ce of peace would be a hinderance to his great offices and pensions He had a pay without checke for foure hundred lances of forty thousand franks yearely besides the fee for his office and allowance for many places where he coÌ„manded Men fish most easily in a troubled water The Constable labors to deuide Lewis and the Duke of Bourgongne Hee offers the King to take S. Quentin by meanes of the credit hee had in the Country most of his lyuing lying there abouts and vants to haue great intelligence in the lowe Countries The Duke of Guienne offers both his person and his meanes 1471. with fiue hundred men at armes for this warre but it was the least of his desires for he was corrupted with the infections of that age in the which all great men sought to maintaine themselues with the ruine one of an other The Duke of Bourgongne takes the alarme putts the greatest forces he can to field entertayned with halfe their pay Lewis suffers him to runne on foure or fiue monethes entertayning him with sundrie Ambassages to free him from all feare so as troubled with that great charge in a season when as money was scant he dissolues this army and leauing his frontier Townes vnfurnished retyres into Holland In the meane time Arthur of Longueuall takes Saint Quentin S. Quintin taken from the Duke of Bourgongne Amiens yeelds to the King the Constable enters it with two hundred Lances and takes an oath for the King They practise Amiens the Kings army comes before it one part holds for the King an other for the Duke who might haue assured it if hee had sufficient forces ready to enter but foure or fiue hundred horse with the the which he came posting would not suffer him to hazard his person The Kings friends discouering this brag double their courages let in the kings army Abbeuille meanes to follow wheÌ„ as the Lord of Cordes enters for the Duke assures the place The Duke vnprouided of men and doubting the intelligences which the Constable bragged of retyres with feare and speede to Arras to hasten a leuie both of men and money Thether notwithstanding the promise which Charles of Guienne had made to the King comes a secret messenger vnto him with this aduise written and signed by the sayd Charles Labour to content your subiects and then take no care for you shall finde friends but these were but iests This letter makes the Duke breathe he sends to the Constable to let him vnderstand that this warre was without defie or summons intreating him not to deale against him according to the rigour of his present forces The proiect of the Dukes of Guienne and Brittain with the Constable was to imbarke these two great Princes in mutuall warre in a season of aduantage for Lewis that the Bourguignons necessity being abandoned of his allies might force him to giue his only daughter to the sayd Duke of Guienne the which he had often promiâ—ed but without performance The Constables malice whom as Oenomaus did his Hippodamia hee promised to many gaue her not to any So this Constable who tooke a delight to nourish these Princes in feare and mutual distrust answers the Bourguignon That the King had a strong and florishing army and great intelligences in his Countries that hee knewe no better expedient to auoide this storme then to accomplish that to the Duke of Guienne which he had so often reiterated which done the Dukes of Guienne and Brittain would declare themselues for him and would succor him with their forces But what shall the Constable get to entertaine these Princes in distrust and iealousie one of an other Charles of Bourgongne abandoned of his friends eyther of them being too cunning to discouer his policies Within short time both of them hauing ioyntlie conspired against him shall set his head to sale and in the ende plant it vpon a scaffold for a spectacle The Britton writes to him in the like and more rigorous tearmes suffring the Lord of Lescut to lead a hundred men at armes Brittons to the King This proceeding caused Charles of Bourgongne to conceiue a great hatred in his heart against them all but misfortune is good for something It made them the more affected to the Kings seruice during this warre so as at this time the Bourguignons estate was in great danger whereas by the sayd marriage he had wonderfully weakened the King but man purposeth and God disposeth It is commonly sayed that halfe the world knowes not how the other liues the ordinary custom of maÌ„ is to be cleere sighted in other mens affaires but blind in his own Behold two Princes incensed one against an other Lewis his army in Picardy yet who so should examine their consciences they could alleage but friuolous pretexts Lewis hauing put fourteene hundred men at armes and foure thousand franke-archers into Amiens commanded by the Constables other chiefe Officers of the crowne he assembles the body of his army at Beauuais hauing with him the Duke of Guienne his brother Nicholas Duke of Calabria the eldest son of Iohn duke of Calabria and Lorraine the onely heire of the house of Aniou a great number of Nobilitie whereby he recouers Roye Montdidier Abbeuille all the Countie of Ponthieu Charles passeth the riuer of Somme takes Piquigny plants himselfe betwixt Bapaumes Amiens keeps the field about six weeks with a firme resolution in shewe to fight with the King if he presented himselfe But blockt vp within his Campe and seing himselfe ready through want to be forced to yeeld at the Kings wil and discretion his Maiesties army in Burgongne comanded by the Cont Daulphin of Auuergne sonne to the Earle of Montpensier in the which were the Earle of Cominges the Lords of Combronde and Charente Maister William Cousinot others hauing likewise vanquished all the enemies forces Charles submâ—ts himselfe taken many prisoners and some places Charles by a letter of his owne hand humbles him selfe to the King he is greeued that he had so wronged him for an others pleasure not being duly informed of all things Vertue finds some respect euen in an enemie Lewis who vnder a simple bait to rerecouer the Townes vpon Somme had not so hotly kindled this quarell And obtaynes a â—ruce without the great intelligences wherewith the Constable had abused him especially in the Towneâ— of Antwerp Bruges and Brussels he graunts a truce for one yeare This was the 4 of May. An vnseasonable truce for the Constable who then serued his maister without dissembling and other horseleches whome neither troubles oppression of the people nor the tediousnes of affaires did any thing touch New troubles by the Duke of Guieâ—ne but as
home but the chance fel vpon Iohn Deymer being quartered at Tours who dying charged the Lord of S. Basill a yonger brother of Albret with this treason being nourished and bâ—eâ— vp in the house of Bourbon for which crime he lost his head at Poâ—â—iers the 7. of Aprill 1473. And to increase Lewis his crosses Parpignan a towne in the Countie of 〈◊〉 is by treason deliuered vp to the King of Arragon the ancient Lord Paâ—pignan deliuered by treason to the King of Aâ—â—agon where he enters with his sonne about the end of Aprill But the Kâ—ng had an armie ready the which he sends thither and besiegeth it hotly the French were yet maisters of the Castell by the faithfull valour of maister Iames of Fou issued out of the house of Bâ—ittanie he recouers it gâ—ues the gouernment to Tanneguy of Chastel Thus the troubles raised by the Earle of Armagnac and the King of Arragon were like to a fire of Straw Let vs obserue in the same course the apprehending of the Duke of Alancon so shall we see the carriage of our Lewis He is accused to haue offred the sale of his Duchie and other lands in Perche and Normandie 1473. to the Bourguignon and then to follow his fortune a crime which shall put him in minde of his condemnation pronounced at Venâ—â—sâ—e he was seized on by Tristan the Hermite Prouost of the Kings house a speedy execâ—tioner of his Maisters will and lead before the King The Duke of Alanson apprehended condemned to dye but pardoned by the King who sends him to the Louure at Paris where by a sentence giuen by the Chancellor of Oriole the 17. of Iuly 1474. he was condemned to loose his head reseruing notwithstanding the Kings good pleasure who in the end of the yeare 75. shall binde him vnto him the second time for his life Lewis hauing recouered Guienne reduced Lestore punished some and pacified Parpignan he assembles all his forces vpon the Marches of Brittanie to the nuÌ„ber of 50000. men ready to imploy them in that country But the duke by reason of the death of the Duke of Guienne being frustrate of the intelligences he had in France too weake to auoid this storme that threatned him Warre in Brittanie pacified sent vnto the King lodging at Pont de See Philip of Essars a gentlemaÌ„ of his house WilliaÌ„ of Soupleinuille a follower of the Lord of Lescut His maiestie giues eare to an accord The duke of Brittany being possessed of so wise valiant a maÌ„ as Lescut might much annoy him For in Brittany there was neither iudgmeÌ„t nor vertue but what proceeded from him so saies the History Moreouer he had alwaies during these partialities shewed himselfe a Frenchman and would neuer yeeld that any places of Normandie should be giuen to the English he must therefore be dealt with To thiâ— end the Kiâ—g commands Souplâ—inuille to giue him the demands in writing which his maister made as well for the Duke as for himselfe He doth it and obtaines them all fortie thousand Frankes pension for the Duke the which was paid two yeares For his maister The conditions of the peace six thousand Frankes pension the moitie of Guienne the two Seneshalships of Vannes and Bourdelois the Captainship of one of the Castles of Bourdeaux that of Blaie the 2. Castels of Bayonne of Dax of S. Seuer foure twenty thousand crownes in guilt payable in foure yeares the Kings order and the Countie of Comminges for Soupleinuille six thousand Crownes payable at like termes twelue thousand Franckes pension the Mairaltie of Bayonne the Bailywike of Montargis and other small preferments in Guienne for Phillip of Essars foure thousand Crownes in reward and twelue hundred Frankes pension the Baiâ—iwike of Meaux and to be maister of the waters and Forrests of France which things they should enioy during the life of Lewis who was alwayes well and faithfully serued by Lescut Now the Britton is satisfied and sequestred from the alliance of Bourgongne against whom Charles now turnes head but the season in the which the Duke of Bourgongne retired into Picardie caused a truce for one yeare ending the first of Aprill 1475. A truce which while the Bourguignon shall giue our French leaue to breath shall imbarke him in so many quarrels The causes of the King and Boâ—â—guâ—gâ—ons hatred against the Constable as in the end the most important shall swallow him vp A truce likewise concluded to the Constables great preiudice for both the King and the Duke hated him deadly as the motiue of these diuisions He had lately seized on Saint Quintin expelling the Lord of Curton and a hundred men at armes which he had in enteâ—tainment from the Kiâ—g Charles had likewise many causes of hiâ— dislike he was the instrument to take Amiens and S. Quentin for the King he sought to reduce him to that estate as to force hiâ— to marry his daughter with the Duke of Guienne but the câ—iefe â—round was that during the seege of Amiens by the Duke of Bourgongne the Constable had made a roade into Hainault spoiled the Country and burnt among other exploit the Castle of Seure belonging to Master Baldwin of Launai of whom the Duke made good accompt for reuenge whereof he passed into Picardie and Normandie as we haue seene Moreouer he had mighty enemies both with the King and Duke who all iointly conspired his destruction and animated their maisters with all their creditâ— So all this yeare of truce is spent chiefely in making marchandise of the Constables life Himbercourt Hugonnet Chancellor of Bourgongne had some priuate splene for in a conference held of late at Roye where the Constable was imployed for the King they grew so bitter in words as the Constable had giuen them the lie to whoÌ„ the Bourguignons modestly answered That they did not impute this iniurie done vnto them but to the King vpon whose word they were assembled and to their maister whose person they did represent to whome they would make report In the end at the instance of either part a day is held at Bouuines 14â—â— for the King there came the Lord of Curton Gouernour of Linosin They 〈◊〉 his death and Maister Iohn Heberge afterwards Bishop of of Eureux and for the Duke the two aboue named They pronounce tâ—e Constable an enimy and guilty to both Princes they promise and sweare one to an other that the first that may apprehend him shall put him to death within eight daies or deliuer him to his compagnion to doe his pleasure That he should be proclaimed by Trumpet an enimy to both parties with al those that should serue assist him and confiscate all his goods mouables and immouables The King promiseth to giue S. Quintin Han and Bohain to the Duke with all the money that might be found within the Realme appertaining to the Constable and all his lands holding of the Duke and at
himselfe forsaken by his most confident seruants Ienlis and Mouy whome the King had receiued These might haue assisted him in his peace making the which hee shadowed with some recompence that the King had promised him for the County of Guise Lewis heares them giues them good words and commands the Constable to come vnto him But it is a grieuous testimony the conscience of our misdeeds The variety of his troubled thoughts will not admit any easie beleefe Hee offers to come so as his Maiesty wil sweare vpon the Crosse of S. Laâ— that he will neyther do cause nor suffer any treachery nor outrage to bee done to his person This crosse hath beene kept at Angiers time out of minde with an old beleefe That whosoeuer swearing theron doth forsweare himselfe he dies within the yeare of a miserable violent death Lewis refuseth this oath but submitts himself to any other The more he excuseth himselfe the more the Constable presseth him Lewis sends an Ambassadour to the Emperour Thus posts flie hourely froÌ„ eyther of them vpon this assurance Behold two great personages of sundry humours wonderfully troubled in minde and it seemed they feared alike to perish or to separate themselues absolutely Yet Lewis was the more cunning did his busines more coueâ—tly But if these two afflicted themselues in this sort Edward of England and Charles of Bourgongne were in no lesse doubt one of an other The King had sent Iohn Tierselin the Lord of Brosse to make his excuse vnto the Emperour for that he had not sent the army promised by the treaty assuring him to do it when he had ended his enterprises begun for the most part well forward both in Bourgongne and Picardie intreating him in the meane time not to make any agreement with the duke Charles in great perpleâ—â—itie that the one should not treat of a peace without the other That he should confiscate all the Duke seigneuries that held of the Empire and that he would seize vpon such as depended on the Crowne of France as Flanders Arthois Bourgongne and many others The Emperour a man of more wit then vertue answers by a gentle Apology That they must not diuide the beares skin before the beast be dead As if he should say Come according to your promise let vs take this man and then weare his spoiles Let vs nowe see what he doth before Nuz where we haue left him much perplexed how to free him selfe with his honor from that enterprise Two mighty armies attended him and cutts of his victualls both aboue and beneath the Rhin al the Princes of Germany both spirituall and temporall had ioyned their forces in infinit numbers all the Townes and coÌ„monalties did willingly contribute to this charge Two other considerations did troubâ—e him The king made great warre against him and had burnt many places in Bourgongne Picardie Arthois and Ponthieu Moreouer hee had labored all his life to drawe in the English but without any effect till now and would he abandon so goodlâ— an army passing now betwixt Douer and Calais complayning of his breach threatning if he delay it any longer to take an other course Yet must the Bourguignon finde some honorable pretext for his rising There was with the Emperour an Apostolike Legat going from army to army to 〈◊〉 a peace The King of Denmarke was there in person for the same effect In the 〈◊〉 tâ—e place is deliuered into the Legats haÌ„ds to dispose as the sea of Rome should deâ—â—ee Thus Nuz after a yeare seege sees the Bourguignon disâ—odge with the losse of foâ—re thousand of his choise men A hard departure that notwithstanding the necessity of his army and this mighty Imperiall power yet not daring to disgrace him He leaues the seege of Nuz he did see the beseeged and Cittizens ouercome with hungar and toyle who had bin forced within ten dayes to yeeld to his mercy Charles would willingly haue bin reuenged of René for his defie yet he forbeares vntil the next yeare but with an other issue then he expected he shal be well beaten and then slaine At this time vrgent necessity drawes him else where and his troupes hauing need to be refreshed he sends them to liue vpon the spoiles of Lorraine and Barr and himselfe with a small traine goes to meet Edward at Calais Edward being yet at Douer sends Garter his King at armes a Normand by nation to Lewis with a leter of defiance the tenor wherof smelt more of the French then the English He summons him To yeeld vnto him the realme of France as his right that he might restorethe Church Edward defies the King Nobility and people to their ancient liberties and free them from their great burthens and afflictions and vppon his refusall he protests of all the miseries that should follow after the accustomed manner and forme in such like cases A bare defie grounded vpon occasion long before debated and often decided The King reades the letter comands the herald to be brought into a Chamber vnto him being alone and saies vnto him That he knew well the King of England was thrust into this enterprise by the people of England The policie of Lewis by the Duke of Bourgongne and by the Constable of Saint Paul That the Duke came from Nuz like a vanquished man and needy that winter grew on vnfit for the effects of warre That the Constable would deceiue King Edward liue only in his dissimulations entertayning euery man and trusting no man In the end he sollicits Garter to perswade his Maister to make an agreement with him giuing him 3. hundred Crownes with his owne hand and promise of a thousand if it might be accomplished and in publicke he caused a goodly peece of crimson veluet to be giuen him containing thirty elles The Herald promiseth to do his best endeauour aduising him to send a Herald to obtaine a safe conduct for the sending of Ambassadors at what time as Edward should haue passed the sea The first cause of Edwards dâ—scontent against Chaâ—les who at his first entrie findes himselfe much deceiued of his expectation for the Duke had promised to ioyne with him with two thousand fiue hundred men at armes with a great number of other house and fote and for his assurance to put some strong places into his hands namely Saint Quintin relying vpon the Constable That finding the King ouercharged and redy to receiue a mate he should begin the warres in France three moneths before the leading of the English army but his army was so weake and poore as he durst not shew it Let vs here acknowledge an other notable fauour of God to this Crowne who had so blinded the iudgment of this Duke as he continued obstinate and wilfull before this strong place resolutely defended An other error of the Bourguignon that disscontents the English where as he should haue attended the English We confesse that both together
a corrupt conscience who in the beginning of the warre of Lorraine entred into practise with Duke René heire apparant to the house of Aniou after the death of King René his grandfather by the mother promising to prolong the seege of Nancy cause defects in necessary things touching the seege He might wel do it Camâ—obassâ— a traitor to Charles of Bourgongne hauing more authority in this army theâ— any other captaine But behold an other act of notable villany The duke of Bourgongne had giuen him forty thousand ducats before hand to raise his câ—mpanie Passing at Lion to â—o into Italie he grewe familiar with a Physitian named Simon of Pauie giuing by him the King to vnderstand that for an hundred thousand crownes in ready money his company entertained and a good Earldome at his returne 1476. he would deliuer him the Duke of Burgongne and confirmes the same to S. Prye He offers to kill the Duke who then was Ambassadour for the King in Piemont Being returned and his troupe lodged in the Countie of Marle he reiterates his offer to the King to kill the Duke when he should come to the Campe if he desired not to haue him brought prisoner vnto him assuring himselfe to execute it easily for saith he he is accustomed to visit his armie mounted vpon a Nag and ill accompanied Or if the King and the Duke should at any time fight a battaile hee would turne to the King with his companie Lewis discouers his treason to Charles Lewis abhorres the treacherie of this wicked wretch and to shew the Duke his franke and royall disposition he giues him intelligence thereof by Contay In the meane time Campobasso diuerts the Bourguignon all he can from the warre of Lorraine and makes the taking of Nancy prooue more difficult The Duke is so much incensed therewith Charles strikes Campobasso as from iniutious words he proceeds to blowes and strikes him A blowe which the Earle will reuenge in time and place Hee dissembles for the present and Charles either thinking the Neapolitane had forgotten this outrage or supposing that his hired souldier had been bound not to reuenge it or happily fearing if he lost him his affaires would receiue some dangerous check he entertaines him still in his seruice yea euen contrary to the Kings aduice he loued or made shew to loue him better supposing that Lewis his intention was to set diuision betwixt him and his most trustie seruants But let vs rather say that he which sounds euen to the deepest thoughts of man had by a iust iudgement altered the sense of this Prince not to taste the holesome counsels that were giuen him with most apparent reasons This proud presumption like vnto Nembroth made him conceiue a world of Chimeres and bring forth a shamefull confusion as we shall read hereafter Hee is now puft vp with the new purchase of Lorraine by the taking of Nancy with the possession of S. Quentin Chaâ—les puft vp with his new conquest Han and Bohaâ—n and with the Constables moueables but he would not make this the limits of his conquests The Suisses had incensed him redeeming of the Countie of Ferreâ—e for Sigismond Archduke of Austria Moreouer they had spoiled Iames of Sauoy Earle of Rhomont Hee makes warre against the Suisses brother to the Duke of Sauoy of the Countrie of Vaux and the Lord of Chasteanguion brother to the Pâ—ince of Orange of many places lying 〈◊〉 their marches These Noblemen were allied and partakers to the Duke and thrust him on to reuenge On the other side the King desired to parle with him after the manner of Picquigny wishing him to lodge and refresh his troupes tired both with the siege of Nuz and the reuenues of Lorrain and to graunt a peace to this mountaine nation being poore but yet froward But Charles prefers the violent passioÌ„â— of his ambition The Suisses craue peace of Charles with great submission before the honest and holesome counsell of Lewis and enters into Suisseâ—land The Cantâ—ns hearing of his approach intreate for peace they offer to yeeld vp the place in question and by a second Ambassage to renounce all alâ—iances that should dislike him especially the Kings to serue him against all men yea against the King with six thousand men for what pay he would giue them and as often as he would call them If he did triumph ouer them by an absolute victory there were no profit to be found seeing the spurres of his horsemen and the bittes of his horses were of more value then all their countrie He proudly refuseth it But he refuseth all accord no preuention can stop this streame He marcheth and after thiâ— imaginarie conquest of the Cantons he passeth the Alpes and layes holde of Italy for that Frederick Prince of Tarentum sonne to Ferdinand King of Naples was lately come to him with hope to marry his daughter Moreouer old René King of Siâ—ile and Duke of Aniou and Vncle to the King seeing his sonne Iohn and his Grandchild Nicholas were deceased promised to resigne vnto him his pretensions of Sicile to adopt him for his sonne and heire and soone after to put into his hands the Earledome of Prouence But wee shall soone learne the causes that mooued him to this attempt hee gaped aboue all other things after the goodly estate of Milan where hee presumed to haue great intelligences The Suisses arme for their defence The Ambassadours being returned the Suisses protest of their submission and of their desire to pacifie all things calling God and the world to witnesse then they prepare for their defence Charles for the fiâ—st fruits of his army fortified with fifteene thousand men from the Duke of Milan fiue thousand from the Duchesse of Sauoy for now he loues strangers better then his subiects and the troubles of his mind makes him conceiue a hatred and iealousie against them takes Lozâ—â—na a mountaine Towne seated vpon the Lake Leman with other places in the Countrie of Vaux causing the garrisons for the most part to be hanged Then he brings the whole body of his armie being about fiâ—tie thousand men and fiue hundred peeces of Artillerie of all sorts before Gransson lying neere to the Lake of Yuerduâ— Câ—arlâ—s his great forces which belonged to Rhomont being defended by seuen or eâ—ght hundred Suisses of the Canton of Berne He batters makes a breach and giues an assault with the losse of a hundred men But the batterie continuing the defendants not able to hold the Towne fire it and recouer the Castell where hauing many Towers beaten downe they compound to haue their liues saued An accord treacherously broken Granssâ—n taken and the souldiers cruelly and treacherously slaine for he cauâ—ed foure score to be hanged some write fiue hundred and twelue he drownes two hundred and puts the rest in prison A detestable crueltie and so odious vnto all the Citties vpon the Rhin as
march vnder their ensignes one bataillon goes towards the riuer the other takes the high way from Neuf-uille to Nancy The Duke of Bourgongne attends them firmely in a place of strength and aduantage hauing before him a litle riuer betwixt two strong hedgrowes nere vnto the hospital of Magonne and at the entry of this gâ—eat hieway where one of the bataillons marched Charles had planted the greatest part of his artillery which thunders vpon the Suisses at their first approch but with smal hurt being far off This battailloÌ„ leaues the hie way mounts vp towards the wood coasting along the dukes army The Duke makes his archers to turne head appointing two wings of men at armes the one led by Iames Galiot a Neapolitaiue an honest man a valiant Captaine The other by the Lord of Lalain lieutenant of Flanders This batailon hauing gotten the aduaÌ„tage on the higher ground stands firme then like vnto a violent streame it fals vpon the Bourguignons armie and with a thundring volle of shot defeates the foote At the same instant the other batailloÌ„ chargeth Galiots squadron who behaued himselfe like a wise and valiant Captaine but the horse seeing the footemen amazed leaue all and flie after The other wing coÌ„manded by Lalain mainteines the fight Charles ouercome and slaine but vnable to withstand the violent shock of the Suisses in the end thy giue way turne towards the bridge of Bridores where was the greatest shew of their men that fled This bridge is halfe a league froÌ„ Nancy towardes Thionuâ—lle Luxembourg Campabasso had stopt the passage so as all such as tookâ— that course were either slaine drowned or taken if any recouered the woods the peasants beate them downe with leuers A chase which continued from noone vntill two houres within night Charles thinking to saue himselfe was ouerthrowne by a troupe of men that followed him discouered by them which the traytor Campobasso had left to obserue him The next day he was found among the dead lying frozen in a ditch well knowne by many of his houshold seruants He had three woundes one with a halbard aboue the eare which cut him to the teeth the second with a pike through both the thighes the third by the fondement René caused him to bee honorably buried in S. Georges Church at Nancy In this battaile there died three thousand Bourguignons and there were taken the Earle of Nassau the Marquis of Rothelin an English Earle Anthonie and Baldouin brethren bastards to the Duke whose ransomes the King did pay and many gentlemen The bootie was small but the victory of Gransson was yet fresh and as they then did sing he lost his goods at Gransson his men at Morat and his life at Nancie Behold this great Nembroth who made himselfe equall with Emperors and yeelded not to the greatest Kings before time the terror of Christendome â—eared by his subiects sought to by his neighbours who had purchased to himselfe the surname of terrible warriour dronke with ambition transported with the desire of an others estate now confounded with his owne greatnesse who with his fall ruines his house Doubtlesse the dayes of mortall man are like to grasse he fades like the flower of the field for the wind passing ouer it it is no more seene nor the place thereof knowne Shame and destruction follow pride at the heeles And who doth not iudge by the effects The causâ—s 〈◊〉 his ruâ—ne that the chieâ—e causes of his ruine were couetousnesse pride and crueltie couetousnesse in that contrary to his honour and faith hee had deliuered the Constable for the gredie desire he had to enioy Saint Quintin Han and Bohain and some mouables Pride in that God hauing raised him to greater dignitie then any of his pâ—edecessors accompanied with many goodly and singular graces yet hee thought that the habitable earth could not prescribe limits to his conquests attributing all to his owne force and not to the power of the Eternall the happie successe of his affaires to his owne iudgement Crueltie for that in the warre of Leege he had bathed himselfe in the bloud of his poore subiects glutting his wrath with that sexe age whom the rigour of warre doth vsually pardon And what shall we say of the right hands hee caused to be cut off of those poore soldiars at Nesle Of the fires wherewith he hath wasted so much couÌ„try Of the Suisseâ— haÌ„ged at Gransson after they had yelded vpon his faith giuen to the contrarie of late had hanged a gentlemaÌ„ being taken in the war He had good parts valiant painful vigâ—lant The disposition of Chaâ—les of Bourgogâ—e desirous to entertaine men of merit liberall but with discretion to the end that many might taste of his bountie He gaue aduice priuatly honoured strangers and receiued Ambassadors with state But since the battaille of Montleâ—erie presuming by his onely valour to haue forced a mightie King to leaue him the field hee conceiued so ouerweening a presumption of himselfe as neuer after would he beleeue any other Counsell but his owne attributing the issue of his enterprises to his owne iudgement industrie with so obstâ—nate a constancie in his vnmeasured desseines as in the end it was his confusion So The voice of the Eternall breaks downe the Cedars yea the Eternal bâ—ates down the Cedars of Libanus God punisheth sinne with the like sinne Galeas Duke of Milan murthered But let vs note the iudgemeÌ„t of God That before Nancy he deliuered the CoÌ„stable before Nancy he was betraied by CaÌ„pobasso And let vs obserue the like in our dayes as we shall see hereafter Eleuen dayes before this battaile Galeas Duke of Milan was murthered in a Church by Andrew of Lampogagno a Milanois who leauing a son very yong left withall many discordes for the gouerment of the Duchie amongst many Noble men one among them called Robert of S. Seuerin neere kinsman to the Duke banished from his house by the stronger factioÌ„ retired himselfe into France hoping to perswade the King to atteÌ„pt something against the state of Milan Lewis taught by former experieÌ„ce that the French haue alwaies lost easily with shame that they had gotten with much paine sweate in Italie would not harken vnto it no nor suffer any succors passe for the reliefe of the FloreÌ„tines being ancient friends allies to the French against whom Pope Sixtus Ferdinand King of Naples made warre 1477. But for that he would not seeme vtterly to abandon them he sent the Lord of Argenton vnto them with some troupes leuied in the State of Mâ—â—an as wee shall shortly see But what doth Francis Duke of Brittaine hauing lost one of the chiefe supporters of his building He sees that of three of the strongest heads of the coÌ„mon weale The practiseâ— of the Duke of Bâ—iâ—taâ—â— two are cut off Charles Duke of Guienne Charles Duke of Bourgongne he knowes ful well that the
not personally performed to preuent the miseries that growe by warre Maximilian was farre of vnacquainted with these practises no man sought to preuent it and these perswasions did ring dayly in the eares of Anne so as in the ende shee yeelds to follow the resolution of her states They were wonderfully toyled and wearied with the warre the people turmoyled the Nobility impouerished the Clergy oppressed some Townes taken and some waâ—ering and moreouer they did see a great Prince demand their allyance with force and the chiefe Noblemen inclyned to the French faction These reasons made it seeme more conuenient and to be preferred before the slowe succors of Maximilian A finall peace in Brittaine by a treaty of marriage Thus was Anne Duchesse of Brittain perswaded and a peace concluded and ratified by a happy and agreable treaty of marriage by the which to maintayne the subiects of the Country in peace that were armed for eyther side it was sayd That all exploits and offences committed and done vpon assurance or otherwise during the warres on eyther side should be forgotten and remayne without reproch to any as remitted abolished and recompenced euery man should returne to his home and all soldiars depart the Countrie A wise aduice to mainetaine these two Countries in loue and concord The Cittie of Rennes yeelds at this happie composition where the King entred in Nouember vpon the assurance and conduct of the Duke of Orleans with his simple traine and without any men at armes for so it was agreed to see the Duchesse and to ratifie the treaty making the Prince of Orange for that he had beene a chiefe instrument in this busines his Lieutenant generall in Brittaine then he tooke the way to Langeais in Touraine whether Anne was conducted by the Chancellor Montaubon Coetquen Lord Steward and by the Lord of Chasteaubriant and the marriage was consumated the 16. day of December The articles of the contract are to be seene in the Originalls The marriage to Chaâ—ls with Anne If this marriage were pleasing to God or not let vs leaue it to the iudicious reader so it is that of three sonnes they could not bring vp one Soone after Francis of Orleans Earle of Dunois died the chiefe fierbrand of this warre and likewise the principall motiue of 〈◊〉 peace From him are issued the Dukes of Longueuille and a littile before Iohn the second Duke of Bourbon was deceased without Children to whome succeeded Peter Earle of Beauieu who hereafter shal be Duke of Bourbon the eleuenth of that name This yeare was borne Gaston of Foixe Duke of Nemours sonne to Iohn of Foix The practises of the English vpon Brittain Vicont oâ— Narbone and of Mary of Orleans one of the greatest Captaines of his age who shaâ—l giue ample testymonie of himselfe in the warres of Italie which nowe approch There died also at Rome Peter of Foix Cardinall brother to the sayd Iohn and Vncle to Queene Katherin of Nauarre Henry of England wonderfully incensed at this marriage sought by all secret practises to surprize some of the chiefe places of the Prouince and at the first retreate of his army out of Brittaine hee caused it to make an offer at Port-blans and some other ports but they were still repulsed by the faithfull care of the Noblemen of the Country namely by the Chancellor of Montauban of Bertrand d'Acigâ—é and other sea Captaines Thus the Englishmen seeing their attempts like to take none effect bent their course to go towards Calais in the company of their King who was making warre in the Countie of Guines whilest that Maximilian should enter the Realme with forces on the other side then they beseeged Boullen by sea 1492. beeing kept from landing by the Lord of Cordes and the bastard of Cardonne Captaine of Arras with such small forces as they could sodenly oppose But oh Bastard whilest thou repellest this common enemie how preiudiciall shall they absence be from Arras Arras betrayed to Maximilian Foure young gallants saieth the history make false keyes to the gates and giue Maximilian intelligence bringing him by night into the Towne vnknowne to Carqueleuant Lieutenant to Cardonne Some write that one of those in whome he trusted for the opening of the gates made this Stratagem But howsoeuer he was taken in his bed sleeping at his ease and for a second token of base cowardise he yeelded vp the Castell without attending the succors that came vnto him The Towne was spoiled without sparing of the Churches or the traitors houses A worthy reward of their treachery Thus can we preserue our Conquests A while after they attempted Amiens A shame to soldiars that a woman should heare the first report that by her aduertisement to the watch in ringing the great bel of Beffroy should put the Towne in armes And as the first aduice came from a woman so are they honorablie qualified in the history To haue borne weapons and armes with their husbands who by the care and command of Rubempré and of Anthonie Clabault Maire of the Towne did their duties so well euery one repayring to the quarter which had beene formerly assigned him as the enemie returned amazed A duty which made them as famous as their descendants infamous by the notable trechery they committed in our dayes Henry loued peace and was imbarked more at the instance of his subiects least they should thinke him more gratious to the French then the ancient quarrells of both nations required then for any desire he had to haue the King his enâ—my to whom he had a great and strict bond as we haue heard The chiefe cause of his grudge was a great sum of money Peace with Henry which he sayd he had lent to the deceased Duke of Brittaine The King hauing discouered it coÌ„mands the Lord of Cordes to treat with him and payes him the money and so sends him home satisfied into England This peace made Maximilian willing to bee reconciled Moreouer the Princes of Germanie laboured in this pacification and the affaires of the Empire in the which his father had associated him since the yeare 1486. began to call him The Suisses laboured it And with Maximilian and the people especially those of the Lowe Countryey as well through the French warres as by their owne priuate diuisions were so toiled as they detested the warres In the end a peace was concluded for foure yeares onely by the meanes of the Dâ—ke of Bourbon the Prince of Orange and the Lord of Cordes So he receiued his daughter Marguerit againe with the Counties of Artois and Bourgongne receiuing the reuenues and homages and the King keeping the Castles to place garrisons in them vntill the end of foure yeares Behold this estate doth now enioy a happy rest by the vnion of this goodly and great Duchie to the Crowne of France and by a peace confirmed with Henry and Maximilian But as Charles had inlarged his Diadem with
the Italian troupes giue way and are put to rout The Suisses pressed to fight answere That they will not fight against their brethren kinsmen and others of their nation without leaue from their superiors And approching neere their Countriemen making as it were but one armie they protest that they meane to returne and so obteine free passage through the French armie Lodowike compassed in in this nation could neither by prayers nor promises diuert them from their disloyall intent only he got a promise To set him in a place of safetie So they agreed that disguised armed like a Suisse on foote hee should march in their rankes But going betwixt two great troupes of men at armes this poore Suisse disguised is discouered in one of their Battailons with Galeas of S. Seuerin Fracasse and Anthonie Marie his brethren and stayed the Italians were stript but the Lansqueuets and Bourguignons were sent away without touch and Lodowike was led prisoner to Lions where the King remained and within two dayes after was sent to the great Tower at Loches Lodowike taken where he continued captiue about tenne yeares vntill his death Behold the ambition and aspiring conceits of him whome all Italie could not conteine now restrayned in a straight prison And to auoyd a greater corsey he intreats Tremouille that he might not see Triuulce his enemie Who being aduertised and hasting thither Sforce sayd hee with a brauing speech thou seest the wrongs thou hast done me are now repaied in the same measure This happened the thursday before Palme sunday Doubtles the circumstances of Lodowike Sforces miseries are remarkable wherein we may learne that the diuine Iustice doth alwaies punish offenders and takes from them at need both iudgement courage wit and all other faculties Let vs obserue in this Tragedie that Lodowike being feareful Lodowikes disposition promising praying sighing flying disguised is mockt taken finally dies in a most pitiful estate A Prince excellent in many perfectioÌ„s of nature industrious eloqueÌ„t of an high and busie spirit but infamous for the death of his nephew couetous vaine ambitious turbulent proud treacherous impious cruell paying a Crowne for euery french-mans head that his hoast should murther going to the Iubile Lodowikes dispositions So as it is not strange if he hath felt the rigour of Gods iustice in his owne person And to fill vp the measure of affliction in his fâ—milie the Cardinall Ascanius vppon the brute of this defeat flying from Milan to recouer â—ome place of safetie with many gentlemen of the Gibelin faction who hauing affected Lodowike dispayred of pardon refreshing themselues at Riuolte in theterritorie of Plaisance Conrad of Lande Lord of the same place his kinsman and ancient friend sends presently for Charles vrsâ—â— and Sonzin Benzon Captaines vnder the Venetians pay and treacherously deliuer vnto them the said Cardinal with Hermes Sforce brother to the deceased Duke Iohn Galeas with most of the gentlemen in their company who presently conueied them to Venice but the Senate at the Kings instant request who considered how necessarie it was for the safety of the State of Milan to haue these men in his power deliuered both the Cardinall Baptista Vicomt and Hermes with all other Milanois that were retyred for the same cause into the Townes of Guiaradadde The Cardinall was sent to the great Tower at Bourges vntill that hauing the whole Realme for his prison hee obteined leaue by the intercession of the Cardinall of Amboise to goe to the election of a newe Pope promising vppon his oth â—euer to attempt any thing to preiudice the Crowne and to bee a meanes to aduance one of the French Cardinals to Saint Peters chaire But oh the ingratitude and treacherie of this Milanois the Colledge of Cardinals inclyning to choose the Cardinall of Amboise hee alone by his faction wrests the popedome from the French to giue it vnto Iules the second a Geneuois in the yeare 1503. Milan being restrayned from all meanes of religion sues presently for pardon Milan pardoned by the King the which they obtaine of the Cardinall or Amboise in the Kings name vppon condition to repaire their rebellion by the payment of three hundred thousand ducats whereof his Maiestie did afterwardes remit the greatest part The rest of the rebelling Citties were euery one taxed according to their abilities Thus all the Duchie of Milan was quiet the Suisses were dismissed who returning to their houses seize vppon Belinzone lying in that mountaine the which not drawen out of their hands as the King might haue done for a little money shall hereafter greeue the author of this error being a most conuenient passage to stoppe the Suissers entrie into the Duchie of Milan and shall giue occasion to liberall tongues to scoffe both in publike and priuate at the greedinesse of Lewis whereof these braue Commaunders returning into France had had more cause to complaine if the Queene had not supplyed this defect with that bountie which the King did owe vnto their merits Doubtlesse she did bountifully repaire those errors which the King did ofteÌ„ commit in that respect And the King restrayning his libertie within the bonds of frugalitie would not seeme bountifull with the oppression of his people Now let vs see how the remainder of the yeare was imployed The exceeding prosperity of a Prince is suspected vnto other great personages who feare some diminution in their estates Maximilian considering how the alienation of so gooly a fee was preiudiciall to the Empire and the blame he did incurre by suffering Lodowike to be thus spoyled who had cast himselfe into his protection hee dismissed the Ambassadors of France and Venice being readie to proclaime warres against them as vsurping the laÌ„ds of the Empire With this desseine he acqauints the Princes Electors with the iniurie done to him to them and to all the Germanie nation the apparent danger least their too still patience should make the King of France seeke to ioyne the Imperiall Crowne vnto his owne like vnto some of his predecessors That partly through necessitie and partly through the ambitious desire which the Pope had to aduance his sonne Borgia Duke of Valentinois he would willingly winke at these proceedings This consideration made the King to put off the war of Naples vnto the next yeare But as the forces of Germanie moue but heauily so had hee leisure to assist the Florentins who had shewed themselues readie in the recouery of Milan for the King to discharge the oath made by his Predecessor The King â—uccors the Florentiâ—â— and his owne with six hundred Lances maintained by his maiesty and seauen thousand Suisses but payed by their common-weale and diuers companies of French with artillery and munition necessary for the recouery of Pisa Pietresancte Montpulcian Mâ—tron and other places vnder the command of the Lord of Beaumont whome they demanded but ill chosen for them To auoide this storme the Pisans Geneuois Siennois and Luquois
a Germaine but aboue all Gonsalue grieued for Dom Hugues of Cardone and Roderike Maurice slaine with a Cannon shot There small good haps were crossed by the taking of the fort of Euandre Aquâ—â—e and al other places of Abruzze the which drewe all Calabria to the Spanish obedience The King in the meane time sent seuen thousand foote The Kings new army for Naples and eight hundred men at armes commanded with the Title of Generall by the Lord of Tremouille who then by common consent was held one of the chief for martiall affaires but surprised by sicknes at Parma he gaue the charge therof to Francis of Gonzague Marquis of Mantoâ—a and eight thousand Suisses to the which the Florentines did adde 2. hundred Lance â—â—e Duke of Ferrare the Bolognois and Gonzague a hundred men at armes and the Siennois a hundred more the which being ioyned with those troupes that were in Caâ—ete made about the number of a thousand eight hundred lances French and Italian and aboue eighteene thousand foote besides the army at sea wherein were great forces For the passage of this army by land the King desired to bee satisfied of the Popes intention and of the Valentinois for the Pope who made an ordinary trafficke of other mens losse and calamity signified that as a common father aâ—d hee to both parties he would remaine a newter suffering either of them to leaâ—y troupes indifferently in the territories of the Church he granted free passage to the said armie And the Valentinois offered the king to ioine vnto his army 500. men at armes and two thousand foote but some letters intercepted from the Valentinois to Gonsalue discouered the very botome of his thoughts capitulating that Gonsalue hauing taken Caiete and consequently all the realme of Naples the Valentinois should seize vpon Pisa and then ioyning their forces they should inuade Tuscane But as the Pope and his Borgia would serue two maisters The estate of the Church and the King pressing them vehemently to declare their mindes plainly behold a strange Catastrophe of the Popes Tragedy The Pope and Borgia had before time poysoned the Cardinalls of Saint Angelo of Capoua of Modena Vrsin and many other rich personages whome commonly by their death they disrobed of their goods They had likewise sworne the death of Adrian Cardinall of Cornete They were to suppe coolely in an arbour in a garden belonging vnto Adrian for the effecting of their desseing the Valentinois had sent before some flagons of poysoned wine whereof hee gaue the charge to a grome that was ignorant of the busiâ—es with expresse commandement that no man should touch them It chanced that the Pope comming before the cloath was layed distempered with heate and thirst called for wine The taster thinking this flagon had beene especially recommended for the Popes owne mouth and his sonnes filled of this wine to the Pope And as he was drinking the Duke of Valentinois comes to whome beeing desirous to drinke they gaue of the same flagon Thus Pope Alexander the 6. died the next day the 18. of August whose immoderate ambition The death of Pope Alexander His disposition vnrestrained arrogancie detestable treachery horrible crueltie vnmeasurable couetousnesse selling both holy and profane things had infected all the world verifying in his person That the wicked man labours to bring forth outrage but he shall bring forth that which shall deceiue him hee hath made a pit and is fallen into it And The eternall God searcheth out murthers and remembers them The Valentinois through the vigor of his youth and speedie counter poysons beeing put into the belly of a moyle newly killed prolonged his dayes to feale many deathes in his soule not dying so soone He had often foreseene al accidents that might happeÌ„ vnto him by the death of his father prouided remedies for theÌ„ all but he reckoned without his host not supposing to see his father dead himself at the same instant in extreame danger of death And whereas hee did alwayes presume after his fathers decease partly by the feare of his forces partly with the fauour of the Spanish Cardinalls which were eleuen to cause a Pope to be chosen at his pleasure hee is nowe forced to apply his Counsells to the present necessity And imagyning that he should hardly at one instant withstand the hatred of the Colonnois and Vrsins if they were ioyntly handed against him he resolued to trust them rather whom he had onely wronged in their estates So restoring to them their lands and possessions hee presently reconciles himselfe with the Colonnois and others of their faction who by the comming of Prosper Colonne to Rome had already fiâ—led all the Câ—tty with iealousies and tumults some fearing least this reconcilâ—ation should drawe the Valentinois to the Spanish party others apprehending the comming of the French army Moreouer the Vrsins assembled all their partisans and thirsting after the Valentinois bloud sought to reuenge the outrages which all their famimely had sustayned So as in hatred of the deceased Pope and his sonne they burne all the shoppes and houses of some Spanish marchants and courtiars at Mont-Iordan All the other Parons in the dominions of the Church by their meanes returne to their lands and goods The Vitelli returne to Citta of Castello Iohn Paul Baillon chased from before Perouâ—e at the first seege returnes and by a furious assault takes it The Towne of Plâ—mbin receiues her first Lord. The Duke of Vrbin the Lords of Pesere Camerin and Siâ—igalle are reestablished in their possessions The Venetians assemble many men at Rauenne and giue cause of suspect to inuade Romagnia which onely remayned vnder the Valentinois command desyring rather to serue one onely a mighty Lord then to haue a particular Lord in euery Towne Notwithstanding all these disgraces yet both the French and the Spaniard made great instance to entertayne him or to winne him to their party the French for that he might beeing armed crosse their passage into Italie if hee discouered himselfe in fauour of the Spaniard and molest them in the estate of Naples the Spaniard for that they desired to make vse of his forces and to get by his meanes the suffrages of the Spanish Cardinalls for the election of a future Pope But the French armie approched Rome and the King might hurt or helpe him more then the Spaniard both within Rome and in his other Estates He therefore passed this accord the first of September the Cardinall of Saint Seuerin and the Lord of Trans Ambassador vndertaking for the King To aide the King with his forces in the warre of Naples and in any other enterprise against all men except the Church And the sayd Agents bound his maiesty as well to protect the person of the Valentinois as all the estates which he possessed and to aide him to recouer those which he had lost The Cardinall of Amboise vp on the first newes of Alexanders death postes thether
he had reason for from that time this army not able to finde a Commander of that credit on the one side rich with spoile on the other weake both of force and courage by this so bloudie a victory seemed rather vanquished then victorious This battaile had filled the Court of Rome with terror and tumult and the Cardinalls running to the Pope prest him with instant praiers to accept a peace with such conditions as the King offred by the Cardinalls of Nantes and Strigonia wherewith the King was yet content notwithstanding the happy successe of his affaires That Bologne Lugo and all other Townes which Alphonso held in Romagnia should be restored and the Councell of Pisa disanulled The treachery o◠〈◊〉 Iulius seeing these conditions very honorable for him that vnder colour of these parlees he should stay the Kings army vntill he heard the resolution of those on whome hee grounded the rest of his hopes subscribed these articleâ— nine daies after the battaile promising on his faith to the Cardinalls to accept them Buâ— our Lewis must try once more how dangerous it is to mooue a warlike nation The Suisses wonderfully discontented with the Kings refusall to increase their pensionâ— by whose valour sayd they hee had conquered so great Estats without his reâ—â—me and â—or that he had entertayned Lansquenets as if he had meanes to make war without their forces they haue no sooner receiued a florin of the Rhin for euery man 〈◊〉 the Pope whereas before the King was inforced to giue much gold and great presents to their Colonells A newâ— descent o◠〈◊〉 to haue them fight but descending into Lombardie with seaâ—en or eight thousand men they force Palisse Lieutenant general of the Kings army to reâ—â—re to deâ—end the estate of Milan Robert Vrsin Pompey Colonne Anthony Sauelle Peter Margaâ—â— and Rance Manâ—in had since the battaile accepted the Kings pay and nowe the descent of the Suisses and the dislodging of Palisse makes some to lead such men as they had leuied with the Kings money vnto the Pope others retaine the money to themselues onely Margane more modest then the rest restores it againe All this freed the Pope from feare Treachery in 〈◊〉 commanders and confirmed him in his obstinacy He begins the Councell of Lateran the third of May pronounceth a monitory vnto the King That he deliuer vpon the pâ—â—nes set downe by the holy Canons the Cardinal of Medicis taken prisoner in the war being a Milan and after some sessions he surceasseth to attend the warre Iohn Paul Baillon general of the Venetian army attended the Suisses in the territories of Verona with foure hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and six thousand foote being ioyned they surprise a letter which Palisse did write to the generall of Normandy who remained at Milan That it would be very hard to resist the enemies if they turned towards the Duchie of Milan A sufficient instruction to direct theÌ„ in their course which makes them march towards Milan Palisse had not with him aboue a thousand Lances six or seauen thousand foote all his other troupes beeing diuided into places for defence and this generall of Normandie as bad a warrior as a treasorer I would not forget to name him if I had learned his name hauing after the battaile of Rauenna vnder colour of sparing for the King contrarie to the disposition of present affaires indiscreetely discharged the Italians foote and some French And besides the small number of men the dissention and disobedience of Captaines and the soldiars contempt of their commander ioyned with the discomodities of a tired army a generall little regarded ill accompanied in a Country farre from succors Disorders in the French army enuironed with mightie and many enemies must needes produce some great and sodden disorder The best meanes our Captaines could finde was to abandon the field and disperse their troupes into the most important places In Bresse two thousand foote a hundred and fifty Lances and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins in Creme fiftie Lances and a thousand foote in Bergame a thousand foote and a hundred men at armes of the Florentins The remainder of the army consisting of six hundred Lances two thousand French foote and foure thousand Lansquenets retired to Pontique a strong place of situation and fit to succour Milan Cremona Bresse Bergame and to withstand the enemy But it is a great inconuenience to relie most vpon forreine forces so subiect to change The Emperour giues the first stroke hee calles home his Lansquenets and their departure making Palisse loose all hope of possibility to defend the Duchie of Milan hee retires to Pisqueton So the Cremonois abandoned yeelds except the Castell at the first approach of the confederats and pay fortie thousand ducats to the Suisses Certaine banished men returning into Bergame cause a reuolt and Palisse beeing too weake to stoppe the enemies passage ouer the riuer of Adde putts himselfe into Pauia But hee sought to preuent the ruine of a great building with a rush Then Iohn Iaques of Triuulce the generall of Normandie Anthonie Marie Paluoisâ— Galeas Visconte and many other gentlemen and seruants to the King The estat of Milon lost by the French sauing themselues 〈◊〉 Piedmont leaue Milan in prey which bound it selfe at the first summons to pay a great some of money Pauia battered and abandoned by the French is saued by the 〈◊〉 meanes from spoile All Townes except Bresse and Creme make hast to do the 〈◊〉 All the Country cries against the name of the Empire All is taken and gouerned in tâ—e name of the holy League for so they called it The Cardinall of Sion gouernes 〈◊〉 his pleasure and causeth all the taxes of the conquered Townes to be giuen to the Suâ—sses so as vpon the brute of this money an infinite number of others runne and 〈…〉 the first Rimini Cesenne and Rauenna returne to the Popes obedience 〈◊〉 and Parma yeeld willingly vnto him as members of the gouernment of Rauenna The Suisses seise vpon Lucarne the Grisons who also in this crosse left the French alliance vpon Voltoline and Chiauenne Genes rebells expells the French and Iohn Frâ—gose a Captaine in the Venetians army returning causeth himselfe to be created Duke as his father bad beene At the same instant the Pope recouers all Romagnia the Bentiuoles abandon Bologne and the Duke of Vrbin seiseth thereon in Iulius name So euery one pulls his peece from the whole and all these estats conquered with so great toyle so much money and such losse of blood are lost at the first attempt after this great victory of Rauenna with little labour and lesse bloudshed Truely the best witts are confounded in the 〈…〉 of these things and wee must confesse that the issue of humane affaires depends of a higher Councell then that of Man Notwithstanding according vnto man to whome shall we impute the cause of these mischances but to the
of Hierges in Ardennes yet through the fauour and credit which Aimeries had with Charles of Austria and the greatest in his Court hee was releeued although hee had not appealed from the said sentence in time grounding the causes of his reliefe vpon the lets and hinderances hee had had during the former warres at the which hee had alwayes assisâ—ed in person So as a Commission being granted before the great Chancellor of Brabant and a day assigned to the heires of Symay 1521. to come to heare the reasons of Aâ—mâ—ries releefe and if neede were to see the former sentence giuen to their behoofeâ— reuoked They found this commission so vniust and vnreasonable seeing that both their father and they had beene in long and quiet possession of the said Towne and that this decree was not subiect to appeale as they repaired to Robert de la Marke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that with their right hee might defend the liberties and priuileges of his Duchie Robert discontented that his companie of men at armes had bin cassierd for the extorsions and robberies they had committed in Italie and else where had left the King and was retired to the Emperour But seeing that iustice was denied him as well for the priuate interest of puâ—â—ls whose vnkle and Tutor hee was hauing married their Aunt sister to the Prince of Symay hee made his peace with the King by the mediation of his wife and his sonne Fleuranges being daughter to the Earle of Brenne with the Kings mother A bold and insolent â—act Robert hauing assured his affaires with the King sent to defie the Emperour at Wormes where he had called a Diet of the Princes and free Townes of Germanie against the new-bred troubles by reason of Luther A bold attempt of a pettie Prince against an Emperour mightie in meanes men and courage A great riuer runs quietly betwixt the bankes that bound it but at the first breach it ouerflowes the whole Countrie so there is nothing more easie then to incense Princes but being once moued they are hardly appeased This defie giuen Fleuranges the eldest son of Robert notwithstanding the Kings expressed prohibition made leuie as well in France as in other places of three thousand foot and foure or fiue hundred horse with the which hee beseeged Vireton a small Towne in Luxembourg belonging to the Emperour But soone after he retired his armie by the Kings commaundement and dismissed it But their spleens were wonderfully incensed vpon new occasions The King for that the Emperour fayled in the payment of the pension for the Realme of Naples and in the restitution of Nauarre and withall his preferment to the Empire had greatly discontented him The Emperour was greeued for the enterprise of Nauarre and the attempt of the Duke of Bouillon being also well informed Lâ—os ordinary dissembling that the King sought the meanes to recouer the Realme of Naples Francis had sent a gentleman to the Pope to know when it should please him to performe his part for the execution of that which they had concluded togither the which his Maiestie knewe according to the disposition of Leo to bee more counterfeit then currant And Leo giuing to the gentleman a note of the horse foot and artillerie that was necessarie for this enterprise assigned the King two and twentie dayes to arme whilest the Venetians might enter into this League The Pope had no meaning that Naples should bee subâ—ect to the French If the King had not in the meane time neglected his affaires Leo had beene forced to runne another course And the Pope glad to haue some colourable shew of disdaine accuseth the King either to be carelesse or ill affected hauing not drawen the Venetians into the sayd League for the defence of Italie He complaines that his maiestie had not payed but the first moneth for the leuie of Suisses which they had beene forced to make against the Spaniard who a little before had inuaded the territories of the Church whereof the King should pay a moitie and makes a shew as if the King had treated some thing with the Emperour without his priuitie and to his preâ—â—dice Thus Leo seeming iustly dspleased receiued into Regium contrary to his agreement with the King all the banished men of Milan hee inuested Charles of Austria The Pope capitulates with the Emperour in the Realme of Naples made a defensiue League with him including the house of Medicis and the Florentines and deuising how to conquer Milan they agreed That Parma and Plaisance should remaine to the Church to hold them with the same rights it did before That Francis Sforce brother to Maximilian should bee put in possession of the Duchie of Milan as hauing right from his father and his brothers renunciatâ—on and that the Emperour should ayd the Pope against his subiects and feudataries namely to conquer Ferrara This mutuall resolution of allyance was a meanes by Gods prouidence to shew his wonderfull iudgements and a scourge to punish both French Italians and Spaniards for many yeares whereby followed so many euersions of Townes oppressions of people desolations of Prouinces and the death of so many men of valour La Marks estate ruined The Emperour in the meane time leuies a great armie of horse and foote vnder the command of Henry Earle of Nassau who tooke Longnes from Robert de la Mark rased the Towne and hanged the Captaine with twelue of the chiefe of his troupe The Captaine of Musancourt deliuered by some of his souldiers with the place to the said Earle escaped the gallowes at the intreatie of the chiefe of his armie but twentie of his Souldiers were hanged and the place likewise razed and spoiled to the ground About this time there was much controuersie touching the Duchie of Milan the Emperour pretending it to belong absolutely to him not onely by conquest but much rather by inheritance concerning which the most learned in the lawes of the Empire produced many and very probable reasons and arguments These two prises caused Fleuranges and Sansey his brother the sonnes of Robert to put themselues into Iametz with a resolution to die or to keepe it The Earle after foure dayes siege hauing seene the garrisons firme resolution raised his campe to take the way to Fleuranges The Germaines which kept it yeelded vp both the Towne and their Captaine the Lord of Iametz the sonne of Robert into the Earles hands who hauing ruined it did the like vnto Sansy Bouillon was afterwards yeelded vnto him by intelligence After this Robert obtained a truce of the Emperour for six weekes But the Emperour Charles dreamed of a more important warre If his spleene had beene onely against the house of La Marck why should he grant them a truce being almost ruined The Kings armie against the Emperour and being a conquerour and strong enough to subdue the said Robert why did he still increase his armie The King hauing
fourscore thousand men whereof there should bee tenne thousand horse with artillerie requisite for the said Campe. And besides this treatie these two Kings had many causes of discontent Our King found himselfe grieuously wronged for that the Pope and the Emperour with theâ—â— partisans had newly made a League for the defence of Italie whereof they had declared Anthonie de Leue to bee generall The King of England had no lesse cause to complayne of the wrong he sayd the Court of Rome did him touching the matter of 〈◊〉 diuorce seâ—king to force him either to go to prison to Rome for to send then with expresse deputation men of great account that should stand to the Popes Iâ—dgement An insolent proceeding in like cases chanced among soueraine Princes seeing thâ—t such a businesse of that importance and touching the conscience so neere did well deserue that according to the vsuall custome they should send Iudgeâ— to the place it being reasonable that the persons should speake personally and 〈◊〉 by their Atturneyes and very vnreasonable that a Soueraine Prince leauing the 〈◊〉 and gouernment of his estates should goe and plead his cause at Rome Moreâ—â—er hee did complaine vnto the King of the exactions of the Romaine Church vppon the clergie and people of England and did instantly require that they two sâ—ould send their Ambassadors ioyntly togither to the Pope to summon him to appeare at the next Councell forto heare the extortions he did vnto Princes and Chrisâ—â—â—n people The King propounded like abuses The Pope had dissembled with him touching certaine tithes which hee had graunted him to leuie vppon the Clergie and the French Church complayned of him of the vndutifull and new exactions which vnder colour of pietie they made at Rome for the expedition of Bulls by meanes whereof all the treaâ—or was daily carried out of his Realme to the preiudice of the Clergie which grew poore the Churches were not restored nor the poore â—â—â—thed nor fedd their yeerely rents were excessiue no equalitie in them many officeâ—s newly created which were payd vpon the dispatch and expedition of Bulls ouer and aboue the iust price which they were wont in former time to pay the offices which fell voyd were sold to the great benefit and profit of Saint Peter entertaining many gromes Chamberlaines Protonotaries their seruants Gardâ—ners and others and for the repairing of Saint Peters Church a great summe of money was leuied the which they did afterwards imploy to make warre against the King Yet the King would neither wholly allow nor disallow of the King of Englands complaints but for that the Pope had sent him a promise by the Cardinall of Grandmont of an enterview at Nice or Auignon after the Emperours returne into Spaine he reqâ—ested the King of England to attend the issue of their parle These griefes of the French Church had beene presented vnto the King in thâ— assembly of the Estates of the Countrie and Duchie of Brittaine with many other things farre from that charitie which ought to be in the Church In the said Estates it was concluded The Duchie of Brittany incoâ—porate to the Crowne That Francis the Kings eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois should be acknowledged Duke of Brittaine that the eldest sonne of France should hereafter carrie the titles of Daulphin of Viennois and Duke of Brittanie and the said Duchie should for euer be incorporate to the Crowne So the treatie made by the marriage betwixt King Charles the 8. and Anne Duchesse of Brittanie and others following were disanulled in regarde of the said Duchie As these things passed in England William of Bellay Lord of Langey promised the Germaine Princes in the Kings name That for the affection he bare to the preserâ—â—tion of the priuileges rights and customes of the Empire if the Emperour 〈◊〉 whom he desired to obserue inuiolably the alliances and treaties he had with 〈◊〉 would in that case imploy his forces to their oppression A treatie betwixt the King and the Princes of Germaâ—â—e he would succour them 〈◊〉 all his power so as neither his men nor money should not be imployed to the offâ—â—ce â—f any of his confederates namely of the Emperour but onely to defend the rights 〈◊〉 priuileges of the Empire A great desseine is alwayes shadowed with goodly sheweâ— Herevpon the Emperour came to Bologne to conferre againe with the Pope The Kings of France and England well informed of the Emperours bad disposition and especially the English of the Popes to him by reason of his preâ—ended diuorce they sent the Cardinals of Tournon Grandmont the Popes seruants that vnder coâ—ourâ—â— accompanie him at this enterview they might imploy their authorities that nothing might be done to the preiudice of their Maiesties The Kings of France and England complaine of the Pope or at the least they should giue iâ—â—elligence of their conclusions And the sayd Cardinals had commission to lay â—pen vnto the Pope the griefes and complaints of the two Kings and to summon him to make reparation if not they would take order for it So as his Holynesse might weâ—l perceiue that they two together were not to be contemned and to wish him to câ—nsider wisely of the support and profit he might draw from these two Kings and what disgrace otherwise in discontenting them especially the King of England whose cause the King did no lesse affect then his owne For sayd these two Princes if wee come to demand a generall councell and his Holinesse doth not grant it or delayes it we shall take his delay for a deniall and calling it without him we will easily 〈◊〉 the fact with other Princes who producing the like or greater complaints would in the end forbid their subiects to send or carrie any money to Rome If his Holinesse for so did our Francis protest will proceed by censures against me and my realme and that I be forced to go to Rome for an absolution I will passe the Alpes so well accompanied as his Holynesse shall be glad to grant it me The scandales of Rome haue already withdrawne most part of Germaine and the Cantons from the obedience of the Romaine Church It is to be feared that if these two mightie Kings seuer themselues for want of Iustice they shall finde many adherents and these two together with their open and secret allyes may make such an attempt as it will be hard to resist That if the holy father be disposed to moderate things especially towards the King of England there is hope that at the first enterview all may be ordered by mildnesse before they should proceed to greater bitternesse by a generall summons from both the Kings Thus the King spake vnto those Cardinals whom he sent to Rome But we haue elsewhere obserued that men of the Church do commonly prefer the Popes respect before the seruice of such as imploy them These flea the Eeâ—e by the taâ—â—e 1533 and in steed of following their instructions from point
place of his named Baux The King gaue money to repaire the losses Amongst his chiefe champions the Emperour lost Anthonie de Leue Marc Busthein another Captaine of Lansquenets his kinsman the Count Horne Baptista Castalde and many other men of accoumpt Let vs apply here that holy Oracle speaking of Senacherib King of the Assirians Thy bragging hath come vnto mine ears I will put my ring into thy nostrils and my bitt into thy mouth and will make thee returne the way thou camest And Thus sayed the Eternall touching the King of the Assirians he shall not enter into this Cittie neither shall â—e shoot an arrow therein he shal not present himselfe before it with shield nor cast c. Behold the Earle of Prouence in imagination who had lately threatned the Prouinces of this Realme with fire and sword and swallowed vp the Crowne thereof by presumption ashamed and confounded in his retreat hauing lost halfe of his troupes turmoyled by the pesants who vsing the armes of his sicke men and of those that were dead seize vppon the passages and straights beat downe the bridges vpon the riuers which were then very violent charge them in front in flanke and behind and the light horsmen led by the Earle of Tende Bonneual Langey and Iohn Paul de Cere follow them so close as they had no meanes to forrage leauing the waies from Aix to Freius couered with dead carcases and men languishing harnes lances pikes harguebuses and all other armes pel mel on a heape The King resolued to march after them and wheresoeuer he should ouertake them to giue them battale and so passe into Italie where at that instant he had a mightie armie in field But he is diuerted from his desseine by letters from the Marshall of La-Marke Hee had no more meanes to hold Peronne long the walls were beaten downe in many places famine pressed the beseeged they wanted harguebusiers and poâ—der So the King caused some part of his men at armes to march speedily and tenne thousand French foote Of the Earle of Nassau resolute to follow after by great marches to raise the seege or to recouer the Towne before the enemie should fortifie it and furnish it with victuals God would preserue him from this toyle and giue him lâ—isure to take breath The Imperials being alwayes repulsed with losse of many and sundry assaults the myne wherin they had long labored prouing fruitlesse besides the death of Phillip of Boâ—linâ—illiers Earle of Dammartin ouerwhelmed in the ruines thereof in a countermine he made to blow vp the enemies myne whose death was reuenged with the slaughter of three hundred Lansquenets and twentie of their men at armes at the last assault giuen by the Tower that was vndermyned and the Towne being releeued with fiue hundred shot euery one carrying ten pounds of powder entring by meanes of a General alarum giuen by the Duke of Guise with two hundred horse and al the trompets he could recouer they dislodged in the night about the middest of September continuing their burning as they had begun France by the grace of God is now free from enemies But nothing is now perfectly happie There are crosse newes which trouble the Court. The English Ambassadors that were neere the King ill affected to his Maiestie and without doubt no faithfull seruants to their master giue him intelligence That the Emperour seeing that hee could neither by spoyle or any other meanes prouoke the King to battaile made shew of a retreat to draw him to poursue him and so to fight or else retyre to take a geeater leape and to inuade Prouence sodenly when as the French forces should bee farthest off That the Emperour himselfe the better to colour his departure gaue out that famine and mortalitie had diminished his forces of one third part and the rest had runne the like danger if he did not retired yet notwithstanding he had no such want of victuals as was supposed and since his comming out of Italie had not lost aboue two thousand men That since the taking of Montiean and Boisy no man durst giue any alarume to the Emperours Campe nor yet follow it at their dislodging These impostures and false impressions had wrought such effects with the King of England as Pomeray being sent from the King to three ends To satisfie him of the truth touching the enterprise of Prouence To procure his liking of the marriage of Magdaleine a daughter of France with the King of Scots and to learne the King of Englands intention vppon the motion before made touching the marriage of the Duke of Orleans with Marte of England daughter to the said King hee had much a doe to alter him any thing from the opinion hee had conceiued But the marriage of Scotland did so incense the King of England as hauing layed open vnto Pomeray his greefes and the causes of his discontent vpon this article hee sent him backe without any conclusion being loath to haue his neighbour so highly allyed The cause of warre betwixt England and France There comes an other matter of greater importance the Country of Tarenâ—aise in Sauoy had lately shaken off the French yoake To reduce it to his obedience the King sent the the Earle of Saint Paul Duke of Esâ—outeuille by his wife with French troupes of horse and foote and the Earle of â—â—rstemberg with his companie of Lansquenets to whome for the purging of their offence the Country was abandoned to the spoile with the Towne of Conâ—â—ans Beeing thus punished they afterwards performed the dutie of subiects and the Duke returned into France with much honour and glory Let vs now discharge our promise and conclude the yeare with the exploits of the assembly made at Mirandole by the Italian Captaines pensioners to the King Their first desseine was vpon Genes and to this effect they came speedily and closely hoping eyther by surprise or by the partisans of Caesar Fregose to become masters of the Towne but a Luquois of the troupes of Cont Guy stealing away in the night had discouered the enterprise to the Cittizens So the Earle retyring his campe halfe a League from Genes betwixt two mountaynes hee suddenly caused many ladders to bee made which prouing too short made the successe fruitlesse These Captaines had no Cannon to make any batterie moreouer Turin being beseeged required their presence They therefore turne head The Imperialls aduertised of the Earles approch abandon the seege and leaue the field at the deuotion of this newe army The Lord of Annebault seeing the Campe disâ—odged sallies out after them and in passing takes the Tower vpon the bridge of Pau by composition the taking whereof the Emperour had so highly commended and the Lord of Burie tooke Groillan the come and wine that was found there serued to refresh Turin The Towne of Quiers was taxed by the Imperialls at fiue and twentie thousand Crownes but whilest the soldiars were busie to force the Inhabitants to pay this
and not couetous The Duchie of Luxembourg and the Countie of Rousillon were worthy motiues in generall besides the priuate interest of inuasion which the King had against his enemie The causes of a new warre The Emperour did possesse them both without any lawfull title Luxembourg by the succession of Charles and Philippe Dukes of Bourgogne his great grandfather and his father who had by force dispossessed the true and lawfull Lords of the said house who had substituted our Francis by a new grant into their rights and actions besides the ancient rights which the Kings of France haue euer pretended thereunto and especially since the purchase which Lewis Duke of Orleans brother to King Charles the sixt made Besides that the Lords of la Marke had of late transported their pretensions vnto him of the said Duchie Rouâ—â—llion by the two scrupulous restitution of Charles the eight being abused and deceiued saith the orriginall by friar Oliuer Maillard his confessor a man in shew holy but in effect an Hypocrite and corrupted with money by the King of Arragon to sell and deceiue his maister King Charles hauing no power to make this alienation in preiudice of the Crowne neither the King of Arragon nor his successors accomplishing the conditions annexed to the Contract Charles now Emperour was but an vsurper and a violent possessor The situation of Luxembourg was commodious to receiue the Germains that came vnto the King Warre declared in Luxemburg but more by this approch to fauour the Duke of Cleues whome the Emperour did threaten to make the poorest man in Christendome So the King sent Charles Duke of Orleans his yongest sonne accompanied with six hundred men at armes six thousand French and tenne thousand Lansquenets and Claude Duke of Guise commaunding the armie vnder him Francis of Bourbon Duke of Anguieâ— brother to Anthony Duke of Vendosme the Earle of Aumale eldest sonne to the Duke of Guise the Lords of Sedan â—amets Roche du Maine la Guiche and many others men of resolution valour and experience And for the enterprise of Roussillon Henry his eldest sonne Daulphin of Viennois Warre in Rousâ—llon assisted by the Marshall of Annebault for the chief conduct of the warre and for an assistant in those militarie toyles the Lord of Montpesat Lieutenant for his Maiestie in Languedoc Parpignan is the chiefe Cittie of this Countie the onely barre and bulwarke of Spaine towards the South the Conquest whereof drew after it not onely the losse of that which the Emperour possessed on this side the mountaines but laied open all the Prouince beyond it and the King conceiued that assayling it being vnfurnished of many necessaries for the maintayning of a great seege either honour or feare of losse would draw the Emperour to fight and with this hope he prepared the rest of his forces to march in person But this was but a great shew without any effects The Duke of Orleans hauing assembled his troupes betwixt Verdon and Dun le Chasteau Exploits in Luxembourg he beseeged battered and tooke Danuillier a place of Luxembourg where there came to ioyne with him the Baron of Hedecq sometimes LieutenaÌ„t to the Earle of Furstemberg the Earles of Mansfeld and Piguelin and the Colonel Reichroc with their regiments of Lansquenets making about ten thousand men Then came Comte Reingraue to the Kings seruice a yong Nobleman and well resolued who promised in his person many good parts as we shall hereafter see Danuillier being burnt as not defensable had opened the way to Luxembourg but news comes that a part of the wall was falne at Yurye the Duke turnes the head of his armie thither makes his approches plants three Cannons and a halfe vpon the brinke of the trench 1539. but vndiscreetly without gabions without trenches this was to contemne the enemie too much and without any couering for them that garded the artillery The garrison â—allies forth in the open day in vewe of the army and tie roopes vnto the ordinance but the weight of them was the let they could not drawe them into the trenches whervpon they burnt their carriages and dismount them They make trenches and batter it towards Ardennes they make a reasonable breach but it was not assayled In the midest of the breach the beseeged had a Casemate in the bottome of their trench thâ— which could not bee taken from them without great slaughter of them that should attempt it They drawe from Sedan Mouzon and other neere Townes a supplie of artillerie and munition and make a neâ—e battery the beseeged being amazed demand a parle The bastard of Sombret the Lord of Noyelles Hannuyer Captaine Famas Gyles de Leuant and others vnto the number of two thousand men defended the place the which could not be assaulted without hazard and losse of men So it was concluded Iuoâ—e taken they should depart with their baggage and to carrie with them six faucons with munition to discharge them sixe times a peece Then William Duke of Cleues fortified the Kings armie with ten thousand Lansquenets and sixteene hundred horse led by Martin de Rossan Marshall of Gueldres William had lately espoused but without any consummation of marriage by reason of the Infants base age Ioan Daughter to Henry of Albret and of Marguerite the Kings sister whome hereafter we may see by the nullitie of this contract to marrie with Anthonie of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme and of their marriage was borne Henry the fourth King of France and of Nauarre nowe lyuing and raigning vnder the fauour of heauen for the happie preseruation of this monarchie Iuoye which men held the strongest place in the Country best furnished with men artillerie and munition by their yeelding caused Arlon to open her gates at the first summons Luxemberg seemed of a harder issue It was kept by three thousand fooâ—e and foure hundred horse But the trenches the approches and a breach made although not reasonable to giue an assault considering the trench was very deepe cut out of the rocke did so amaze the beseeged as they yeelded to depart with their baggage The Earles of Manâ—eild and Piguelin promised to defend it against all men but wee shall shortly see how they will discharge their duties Montmedy a small place situate vpon a mountaine so as they could not approch but on the one side mooued with this happie successe yeelded at the first vewe of the Cannon To conclude such was the successe in this expedition that onely Tionuille remaâ—ned in the Emperours hands of all the Duchie of Luxemberg But the great â—esire the Duke of Orleans had to bee at the battell which in shewe was to bee giuen before Parpignan drew him to Montpellier where the King remayned attending the progresse of the sayd seege of Parpignan to be readie to receiue the Emperour if hee came to succour it The Duke had no sooner dismissed his army and turned his backe to Luxemberg leauing the Duke of Guise
battaile Strossy entertaynes it and with a bloudie fight giues testimony of the valour of his courage But Bighet an Italian being enseigne Colonnell of the army turnes his backe cowardly and the French sauing their liues after him by the nimblenesse of their legges leaue the horse the Gascons and the Suisses to endure the charge who had rather die with their armes in their hands then turne their backs Bighet and the Earle of Alte were afterwards beheaded the first as being the principall cause of this defeate the other for that he had cowardly yeelded Lusignan a place impregnable They reckon two thousand fiue hundred slaine some say foure thousaÌ„d besides a great number wounded to the death and fiue or six hundred prisoners Strossy saued himselfe in Montalein the Marquis recouered Foyan Martian Lucignan some other places which euen then began to force the Sienois to obey the Conquerours command who camped before their towne with all his forces Montluc comforts them and confirmes their resolutions but the comming of Strossy with two enseigns of foot and two companies of men at armes saued in this ship wrake reuiued them more the which he did hazard in fauour of the beseeged vpon a report of the death of Montluc Montluc foreseeing that bread would sooner faile the beseeged then courage had alreadie set an order for euery mans diet The Marquis repulsed by the losse of six hundred men at a sâ—alado giuen in the night to the Cittadell and the fort of Camollia and finding that by skirmishes batteries assaults intelligences nor other stratagems he should neuer bee maister of Siene he reâ—olues vpon the longer but the more easie expedient so as the watches the toyles the diâ—eases and worst of all famine and dispaire of succours forced Montluc the twentie one of Aprill this yeare to saue the rest of his men by an honorable composition which is read at large in the historie of the warres of Italie Siene fell afterwards into the hands of the Duke of Florence· and the Marquis for that he had prolonged the warre of Siene contrary to the Emperours liking and wasted a mightie armie before it died in disgrace in the end of the same yeare Now the Emperour whose humour wee haue sufficiently learned by the discourse of the historie shrinking vnder the burthen of the affaires of this world wearied with the toyles of warre toucht with some remorse for the bloud spilt in those long and mournefull wars of Christendome being perswaded that his discords with our Kings had made the Turke to preuaile much in diuers parts of Europe his coming of late in fauour of the French to the Isle of Corse to assist them at the seege of Calui and Saint Boniface to ayd them to conquer the Island then in their retreat to spoyle the coast of Tuscane to beseege Plombin and the Isle of Elbe of the territorie of Florence to afflict the estates of Naples Sicile and Calabria with infinite miseries and being laden with great spooles to carrie away without controule and to sell infinite numbers of Christian soules at Constaneinople and other places These considerations caused him to call Philippe his sonne from England to Bruxelles The Emperour resignes his Kingdome to his sonne where by autentike letters of the fiue and twentith of October hee resigned al his realmes vnto him commaunding all his estates and subiects to acknowledge him as their true and lawfull King aduising him particularly among other exhortations To make a peace and entertaine loue with the King of France vniting their common forces rathet for the defence then oppression of Christendome Philip was inclyned to peace and his wife Mary Qâ—eene of England more who desired to hold him by her to raise vp an heire for the Realme and by the confirmation of the old religion to restore the Clergie to the possession of their lands held by the Nobilitie So as a truce was concluded for fiue yeeres but it was as soone broken as made Paul the fourth was enemie to the Spaniards and the Colonnes suspecting him to be of the French faction as in trueth the house of Caraffes had of old time fauoured the title of our Kings to the realme of Naples sought to assure their estates and persons To this end they held some secret assemblies within Rome in the houses of Marc Anthony Colonne and the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the house of France The Pope to crosse them imprisons this Cardinall in the Castle of Saint Angelo with Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresâ—gue he summons Marc Anthonie and plants gards and sentinels throughout all the Cittie The Colonnes and their adherents flie to the Castillian He commaunds the Duke of Alua to succour them The Duke marcheth with that desseine and takes from the Pope about Rome Anagne Pilastine Segne Tiuoli and by the seege and taking of Ostia cuts off the victuals fâ—om Rome and the Colonnois fortifying themselues about Rome kept the Pope mewed vp within compasse of his wals The Pope appeales to the King for ayd and sends him by his nephew the Cardinall Caraffe a triumphant hatt with a stately sword Our two Kings did not greatly loue their ancient hatred and discontents were yet fresh and their houshold flatterers to whome common confusions did serue as a ladder to aduaâ—ce their estats and to inrich their houses whereas peace sends the most of them home to line priuately 1557 were glad that Rome kindled the coales of newe quarrells betwixt their maisters So the French meaning to crosse the Castillian in fauour of the Pope sent Strossy Marshall of France in the place of the Lord of Sedan lately deceased after his returne from prison out of the Lowe Countries to oppose against the Spaniards attending the succors led by the Duke of Guise The Duke of Guise arriued at Turin with about fifteene thousand foote eight hundred men at armes and twelue hundred light horse being assured of supplies so soone as the warres should begin hauing ioyned his foâ—ces with those of the Marshall of Brissac he marcheth directly to Valence making this his colour that the garrison had shot at the French going to succour the Pope and for that it was secretly giuen out that the French had taken Pauia hee amazeth Spoluerin who kept the Towne with two thousand men summons him to yeeld threatning him to put all to fire and sword if he enter by force Thus Spoluerin being terr fied departs with bagge and baggage Valenâ—e taken and looseth his head at Pauia for a reward of his base cowardise Oâ— the other side Strossy Montluc and others which were in Rome With Ostia and other places issue forth with sixe hundred horse and fiâ—e thousand foote recouer Osâ—ia by composition and expell the Spaniards from Velitres Tuscule Marin Groteferrate Palesan Saint Angelo Saint Paul Vico Valerio and other small places in the territories of Rome The Duke of 〈◊〉 retreat had opened the way
they kill the more they increase Amongest others Anne of Bourg persisting in the confession of his faith vpon the points of religion in controuersie was on the twentieth of December hanged at the Greue and his bodie then burnt to ashes The Counsellors â—a Forte Foix Faur and Fumee imprisoned for the same causes escaped with some sharpe admonitions Manie could not beare this oppression The Princes were kept backe the greatest of the Realme out of credit threatned and secretly pursued to the death the conuocation of the Estates refused the Paliaments corrupted the Iudges for the most part at the Guisians deuotion the publike Treasure offices and benefices were giuen to whom they pleased Some learned Lawyers and diuines answered That the Princes beeing in that case borne Lawefull Magistrates and called by the Estates of the Realme or the â—ounder part thereof they might with their fauour or of some one of them lawefully oppose themselues against the vsurped gouernment and authoritie of the house of Guise and take armes at neede to withstand their force and violence But with this consideration of the publike they had so manie priuate passions as the enterprise must needes be fatall to the vndertakers The enterprise required a stout and couragious leader for the chiefe plot was to seize at what price soeuer on the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall his brother and then to require a parliamentâ— to make them yeeld an account of their gouernment and to prouide for the King and Realme Lewis of Bourbon Prince of Conde is instantly required to accept therof The Prince examines the consequence of the fact and hauing imparted it to some persons â—ouing the good of the realme he giues comission to informe secretly of the crimes wherewith the house of Guise was charged to 〈…〉 the same as conscience the coÌ„mon good should require They find by informations and certaine personages well qualified being priuie to their secret desseins and â—â—â—nesse that their intention was the King beâ—ng vnable by the iudgement of the Phisitians to liue long nor to haue any issue first to roote out all Lutherans in France then to murther all the Princes of the bloud and to seize vpon the realme Moreouer they were charged with many thefts robings and extortions and by consequence were in many things found guiltie of high Treason The difficultie was how to seize vpon these two persons Godâ—râ—e of Barri Lord of Renaudie a Baron of Perigort accepts the managing of this action Tumult of Anâ—oâ—se and the Prince promiseth to assist him with his authoritie So as nothing bee said or done against God the King his brethren the Princesse nor the Estate protesting to oppose himselfe first against any one that should attempt the contraiâ—e Aâ—l that were in the action bind themselues to the like oth yea to aduertise the King if any thing were pretended against his Maiestie they appoint the tenth of March hoping to fiâ—d the Court still at Blois Fiue hundred French gentlemen with other troupes vnder the commaund of the Baron of Castelnau should accompanie Renaudie followed by a thousand others besides their troups on foote But it is almost impossible to keepe secret an enterprise imparted to so many diuerse humors but some one will discouer it Renaudie lodged at Paris in the suburbs of Saint Germaine in an Aduocats house a Protestant by profession who hauing discouered somewhat of this enterprise vnder colour to imploy himselfe for the aduantage thereof he learned all that passed But hoping of some notable recompence he sodenly went discouered it to Alemand master of requests a fauorite to the Cardinall and to Milet Secretarie to the Duke of Guise And Lignieres one of the Captaines of the enterprise did afterwards bewray the names of the commanders the rendezuous for their troupes with other circumstances to the Queene mother to saue said hee the honour and life of the Prince of Condé whom they accused of high treason To assure their persons they transport the King to Amâ—oâ—se they send letters from the King and his mother to call the Admirall and his brethren to Court they dispatch many letters Patents to Baylifâ— and Seneshalls against all such as should be found carrying of armes vppon the way to Amboise The Admirall being arriued makes great admonitions to the Queene mother in presence of the Chancellor vpon the extreme violences and poursuits against the Protestants and the Chancellor hauing freely propounded the Admirals aduice in councell there followed an edict for the abolishing of that was past for matter of religion But this pardon excluded all ministers and such as should be found to haue conspired against the King his mother his wife or the Princesse his cheefe officers or the estate and all other culpable of like crimes Notwithstanding this Edict Renaudie proceeds and the Prince goes to Court to present the informations to the King against the houâ—e of Guise when as they should be seized on The execution was put off to the sixteenth by reason of the change of the place In the meane time the Guisiens had assembled men from aâ—l parts so as the troupes arriuing one after one to the appointed places were presenâ—ly seized on The Bâ—ron of Castelnau and the cheeâ—e of the factâ—on are at the Castle of Noisay the Guisiens aduertiâ—ed thereof perswade the King that there are rebeâ—s assembled to murther him The King sends the Duke of Nemours wiâ—h a troupe 1560. who at the first surpriseth Captaine Maâ—erâ—s and Râ—unay walking without the Castle and sends them prisoners to Amboise he doth then belegar the Castle summons the Baron to lay aside armes and to go speake with the King binding himselfe by the faith of a Prince that he should haue no haâ—me The Baron trusted to his word But being arriued they speake with no man but with comissioners appointed for their trials Renaudie caused his troupes to aduance couertely through the woods but they had walled vp the gate by the which they should enter and the horsemen sent by the Guâ—siens compassing them in many were led away and presently hanged and afterwards drawne to the riuer And as hee laboured to rallie his dispersed troupe the Lord of Pardillon incounters him in the forest of Chasteau-regnard Cruell executions at Amboise and passing by dischargeth his pistoll the which not taking fire Renaudie had his sword first drawne and as he was about to kill him one of the Pardillans seruants ouerthrew him with a harguebâ—s being slaine his bodie was straightway carried and hanged on the bridge at Amboise with this inscription Renaudie called la Forest cheefe of the rebelles Those of Guise being assured of their enemies and their troupe dispersed they giue commaundement to the Prince of Condé in the Kings name not to depart without leaue They begin to cut off heads to hang and to drowne their prisoners tyed to long poles six eight tenne twelue and fifteene in a companie and although there were
and Councellors of the massacre as he made knowen by his speeches to some of his Court being enemies to iniustice and by letters written out of the Realme for whom he prepared a strange potion if the prouidence of God had not reserued them as scourges and ministers of that punishment hee meant to inflict vppon this Realme to the end that seeing him afterwards to cast theâ—e rods into the fire we should confesse That it is not now alone that hee sheweth him selfe the gardien and Protector of this Monarchie At that time Charles lay taken both hand and foot his cheefe seruants were dead disgraced and absent The motiues of new troubles did much disquiet him Hee did foresee infallible seeds of combustion in the coloured captiuitie of his brother and brother in Law in the imprisonment of the two Marshals in the exile of the Prince of Condé in whose fauour the Germains began to arme Hee sees his subiects cruelly armed one against another and the fire of diuision readie to wast the Realme His infirmitie had some intermission during winter but in the end after he had languished the moneths of February March and Aprill tormented with many pangs hee kept his bed Charles dies and the thirtith day of May hee slept his last sleepe in the Castle of Bois de Vincennes after great effusion of bloud which issued out by all the passages of his bodie the last two weekes of his sicknesse during the which he endured all the violent assaults and combats which the vigour of youth might suffer in the extreamest pangs of death His successour could not come so soone from Poland Catherine therefore to assure his authoritie during his absence had obteined on the nine and twentith day letters of Regencie from the King directed to the Gouernours of Prouinces and the better to fortifie this nomination to restraine the Princes of the bloud and to maintaine her selfe in the midest of confusion she causeth letters Patents to bee sealed by the Councellor of Birague her seruant and by this meanes doth abolish the fundamentalllawes the order of the Realme the priuileges of Princes the authoritie of the generall Estates and the prerogatiue of the Parliaments Charles was borne the seuen and twentith of Iune 1550. and began to raigne the fifth of December 1560. A Prince of a very actiue disposition His disposition inconstant in his thoughts violent in his enterprises impatient readie of conceite the which he did expresse in good termes a diligent obseruer of other mens natures cholerike secret a dissembler cruell and a blasphemer But let vs impute these vices and others not to his naturall inclination but to his gouernours and scholemasters amongst the which the historie doth especially note Martigues and Losses who with the consent of the mother corrupted this yong Prince and made him take the habit of Vices and infections wherein they daily plonged him They might haue pruned this yong plant better to haue brought forth better fruites At the beginning he was open courteoâ—◠〈◊〉 sober and little giuen to women His speech was pleasing hee loued 〈◊〉 and poetrie we reade yet good verses compiled by him in French But the 〈◊〉 of hunting transported him wonderfully and the bloud of wild beasts which 〈…〉 with singular delight made him with long continuance as it were greedy of 〈◊〉 bloud But let vs tremble in this death vnder the Iustice of Gods Iudgements 〈◊〉 suffered after so horrible a butchery committed and commanded 〈…〉 raigne him to bee surprised with a great debilitie in his latter dayes to 〈…〉 his owne bloud vomiting it out pittifully by all the conduicts of his body as a 〈◊〉 iudgement for him that barbarously shed it throughout all the Prouinces of the realme Doubtlesse God loues not the Prince that thirsts after his subiects bloud for the subiects bloud is the very bloud of their Prince HENRIE the third 62. King of France HENRY THE .3 KING OF FRANCE AND POLE. IT is a great comfort vnto mee sayd Charles some few houres bâ—fore his death that I leaue no heyres males lawfully begotten 1574. for lâ—auing him young he must indure many crosses and France hath need of a man But alas we shall now see one aduanced to the crowne whereâ—â—to the fundamentall lawe of State and honour doth call him installed with a confused beginning and afterwards by an Edict of pacification to reduce and reâ—eiâ—e his subiects happily in their obedience vnder a raigne as lasciuious and voâ—uptâ—â—us as the other had beene cruell and bloudie vntill that the house of Guise seeing the King baren and his successor confined in shewe beyond the riuer of Loire shall discouer their ambition and cause but in the end with the losse of the liues of two of the chiefe motiues of confusion the people to breake out into a blind vaine and â—reacherous rebellion beeing too readie to second the ambitious desseins of great men and to runne at randon vnder the libertie of a turbulent raigne and for the last scene of this tragedie they stâ—rre vp a monsterous monke traiterously to murther him and by his death to extinguish the name of Valois and vnwittingly to let the Crowne of France vpon the head of this Henry the first of the branch of Bourâ—ons whome wee shall see happily called from beyond the riuer of Loire miraculously to take the helme of this estate and valiantly to encounter the dangerous attempts of his enemies who had alreadie proclaymed a triumph before the victorie gotten â—isely to quench the fires of diuision kindled in his Realme and nowe to raigne mâ—st happilie and by the admirable fauour and blessing of heauen to gouerne his people in concord peace and loue This is the man whome France had neede of to pacifie the diuisions both of great and small to restore their generall and priuate ruines and vnder so gentle and milde a commande to preserue them frâ—m the proude Emperie of Strangers Doubtlesse France cannot bee gouerned but by a Frenchman as wee shall see hauing learned the beginning progresse and pittifull ende of this Prince vpon whome depended the estate of this great and mightie monarchie Postes flie with speede to carrie newes to the King of Poland of the death of his elder brother whilest the Queene mother attending his comming made a truce with them of Poitou to the end she might with lesse opposition furnish the warres of Normandie and to stay them of Languedoc and other neighbour Prouinces she perswaded the Duke of Alençon and the King of Nauarre to giue them aduertisment of the death of Charles and sollicited the gouernours to write vnto the newe King touching their zeale to his seruice and desire vnder her regencie to obserue the like fidelity to him as they had done to his Predecessors Matignon labored in the meane time to take Saint Lo and Carentan from certaine gentlemen Protestants whome the breach of faith to the Earle of Montgomery had made resolute in the
to fight if they approched The Rochellois to encounter them arme seuen ships those of the Islands fiâ—e and intreat the Eâ—tates oâ— Holland and 〈…〉 good assurance to ayde them with some great vessels to withstand the force 〈…〉 Fleete The Nobilitie by their example inuites all others and of all qualities to charge themselues willingly for the maintenance of this armie The Duke of Mayennes fiâ—st conquests make him proceed And to make hiâ— enteâ—prises vpon Rochelle more easie Siege of Broâ—age he comes before Brouage the 22. of Iune It is a 〈◊〉 square Towne built in a Marish recouered out of the Sea fortified dâ—ring 〈…〉 peace and at that time ill furnished with men victuals and munition and bâ—siâ—e â—ll beloued of the Ilanders about it Those of Rochell whom it doth greatly 〈◊〉 the preseruation of their Estate did greatly indomage the assailants and 〈…〉 sixe hundred of their men in a short time But a diuision happened was 〈◊〉 maintained betwixt the Nobilitie the Rochelois the Prince of Condé hauing vnâ—eâ— the conduct of Clermont Admirall for the Rochelois lost some vessels being 〈◊〉 on ground the rest being dispersed and thereby the Isle of Oleron lost The Kings approche to Poitiers the supply of Suisses in the Campe Lansacs comming into the roade of Chef de Baye neere vnto Rochelle where hee burnt one of their principall ships and tooke another but without the losse of a man the death of Seré chieâ—e of the besieged slaine with ten or twelue others in a sallie by night the number of sicke and hurt which they had to feede the ruine of their Fortes the enemies approche the wants of victuals and the threates of the Duke of Anious comming who would intreate them as hee had done the inhabitants of Issoire all these considerations made them enter into capitulation by the which they departed the 28. of August with their armes and baggage Brouage yeelded leauing the place at the victors deuotion This happy successe should haue made the Duke of Mayenne aduance with his armie· but the progresse was dangerous for the Kings Estate who to maintâ—ine himselfe must proceed after an other sort His manner of life was contrary to the violence of armes hee was of a soft and delicate nature impatient of labour a friend to rest feasts dancing and other pleasures which peace brings to them that are giuen to delights So the peace which had beene plotted during the siege of Brouage was concluded at Poâ—tiers and was receiued in the end of September with so great ioye of eyther party The peace of Poâ—tiâ—rs as the Prince of Condé caused it to bee proclaimed by Torch-light in Rochelle the same night it came although it were not so beneficiall for his party as the first This last Edict cut off some articles of the former made no mention of Strangers left their consciences free yet without exercise but 〈◊〉 Townes and places where as then it was publikly vsed in Gentlemens houseâ— that had high Iustice and â—ees in what assemblies they pleased for others of meaner qualitie a certaine number and in euery Baylywike a fitte and commodiâ—â—s place for the publicke exercise of the pretended reformed religion So the proud desseignes of the Duke of Guise were made frustrate for this time and stayed â—or â—ome yeares vntill that by the death of the Duke of Aniou wee shall see them reuâ—ued but in the end to the Authors confusion Articles of hard execution The partialities and leagues madâ—â—ithin the realme in the which many both great and â—â—all had farre engaged their goods and reâ—â—tations were the cause of great difficulties in the execution of the Edict Thosâ— of Languâ—doc especially from whome the Marshall D'Anuille had estranged himselfe did ioyntly with the other Prouinces sollicit the King of Nauarre to obteine an explanation of many ambiguous and doubtfull articles So a whole yeare was spent in instances pursutes and declarations Explaned by the conference of Neâ—â—c The conference at Nerac betwixt the Queene Mother and the King of Nauar e decided many difficulties but their splenes could not be so easily tempered and sometimes in one Prouince sometime in another the Edict was diuersely and many waâ—es broken The most factious were very loth to laye aside Armes the Politikes 〈◊〉 daylye diuide themselues from the Protestants the Protestants sought to keepe themselues from surprises and full of distrust 1579. mainteined themselues quietly in the middest of many stormes which threatned them As for the King experience hath now taught him The Kings 〈…〉 the peace that the power of man cannot force mens consciences that spirituall diseases must haue spirituall cures that â—aith is not planted in the heart by violence that wee must attend from heauen the conuersion of them are strayed and that the Prince is a patterne whereto his subiects wilâ—ingly conforme themselues He therefore shewes himselfe in publike â—or a myrror of reformation and piety and as a testimony that his greatest desire is to conforme the diuisions in his realme he builds many Monasteries Chappels and Oratoâ—â—es vndertakes many pilgrimages on foote confirmes the Broâ—her-hood of Peritents erects the order of Ieronomites is dayly conuersant with the Capuchins and Fuetllans called â—esuits and by their instructions erects many congregations hee carryes a Crucifixe and Beads iâ— procession with a whippe at his giâ—deâ— hee causeth many Bookes of deuotion to bee printed And to conclude hee leads a life more befitting a Cloyster then a royall Court The order of the Holy ghost erected and following the example of Lewis tâ—e xi his predecessor he institutes the order of the Knights of the Holy ghost binding them to conditions which carry a strict bond to the Church oâ— Rome Hee pretended to giue diuers blowes with one stone To vnite great men by an inuiolable concord and amitie for the good of themselues the State and their Countrie To please the Clergie men and to lead all the Clergie in a leash to winne the peoples hearts who are â—edde with shewes To suppresse the grâ—dging and the ill will which the intollerable oppression of his subiects breds to remedy the extraordinarie expences of his Court in vsuaâ—l excesse and for the entertainmeâ—t of a number of mignous and Horâ—e-leeches to whom they must rather weigh then tell money But chiefely to pull downe the Protestants to vndermine them and bâ— this lure of worldly greatnesse to withdraw the chiefe heads who couâ—d not attaine to this high and stately degree of Knighâ—hood but in renouncing of their religion Henry for trumpets of his deuotion had the Fathers of the Capuchins 1580 Feuillans and Iesuites Dom Bernard Feuillant and Emond Aâ—ger a Iesuit gaue him pâ—blikely in their Sermons and priuatly in confessions and companies the testimonie of the most religious Prince the most curteous and the most carefull to vnite his 〈◊〉 fiâ—st in their obedience to God and then to him that euer France
the Estate and necessarie for his people offering in the name of them of his order the zeale faith and dutie which the gentlemen of France haue alwayes borne vnto their Kings their armes meanes liues persons to maintaine the obedience honour feare respect whereunto the lawes both of God and man tie the subiects to their Soueraigne Michell Martâ—au Prouost of the marchants at Paris President for the third estate first thanked God The third Estaâ—e who had cast his eyes of pittie vpon this realme in the extremitie of their afflictions then the King to haue yeelded to the humble petitions of his subiects heard their greefes and complaints and shewed a great desire to restore his people to their former Estate religion to her former dignitie to rule and settle all orders in their ancient forme being disordered by ths iniurie of times protesting that in so doing their most humble and faithfull seruice should not faile vnto the last breath And so the first sitting ended In the second the twesday following the King at the instance of the Arche-bishop of Ambrun The oâ—h of the vnion renued the Earle of Brissac and the Aduocate Bernard speakers for the three Estates to content the importunitie of the League did againe sweare the oth of the vnion lately made at Rouan and making his Edict of Iâ—ly last a fundamentall lawe of the Realme to bind him them and all their posteritie yet not derogating from the liberties and priuileges of the Nobilitie he caused it to be publikely read by Ruze Seignieur of Beaulieu his chief Secretarie of State And to make the memorie of so solleÌ„ne an othe more autentike to posteritie he commaunded the said Secretarie to make an act that all the orders of the realme had sworne in the bodie of the state all with one voyce the Clergie laying their hands vppon their brests and the rest lifting them vp to heauen An oth performed with great ioy and generall reuâ—uing of that happie acclamation of God saue the King so many yeares forgotten among the French nation and followed with a singular testimonie of the Kings clemencie remitting the Parisiens offence for the common good of the Catholikes of France and the ease of his people whose miseries made him treade vnder foote his iust displeasure Hold saith hee to the Prouost of marchants of Paris this word assured as from the mouth of your King and take heed that Paris fall not into a relaps which will bee fatall and not recouerable Bâ—t there was a brute spred ouer all France that vnder colour of this assembly they practâ—sed an exemplary reuenge against the chiefe of the Estates Aduertisements came from all parts this feare went from Chamber to chamber the most apprehensiue desired to be satified The Arch-Bishoppe of Ambrun makes report vnto the King I knâ—we saied the King the liberties and prerogatiue of the Parliament they ought to 〈◊〉 in my word It is a sinne to growe in iealousie of your King â— and thâ—se reports come not but from such as haue no loue to their King but seeke to make him odious to his people There 〈◊〉 neuer any cause growe from me to disturbe this assembly In the end the familiarity 〈◊〉 shewes of loue from the King to the Duke and Cardinall of Guise and for their saâ—es to the chiefe of the League made them lay aside all sâ—sâ—ition of a bloudie â—ct whereof they were adueâ—tised from all parts And without doubt if the League had not stirred vp the coales of forepassed indignities the fiâ—e of â—is wrath had not perchance deuowred them This blast past ouer there are other attempts no lesse dangerous The League sets them on woâ—ke that beares their badge to hit the marke whereat they aymed To put the King in disgrace and to install the Dâ—ke of Guise in his thorne for the King oâ— Nauarre is nowe by this new fundamentall lawe excluded from the royall succession But what meane they to do The Collosse they seeke to build shall bee their 〈◊〉 the fire they kindle shall burne them the knife they forge shal be sherâ—ed in their owne bowells and finally shall leaue of this League a shamefull and reprochefull memory To hit this pretended marke Practises to make the king odious they must make the Kings actions oâ—ious to all the world reproch to him his vnreasonable prodigality his dissembling the oppression of his people the erecting of newe offices thereby to bandie against him the most apparent families of the third Estate wronged in the suppression of them or else neglecting to redresse it they should declare him an enemie to the people and a tirant ouer his realme and so the people should presently resolue to confine him into a monastery They still lay before him the wonderfull coldnesse of the greatest part of the Catholikes to his loue and obedience seeing themselues forced to liue amongest them that had burnt their Churches profaned their altars massacred the Preestes spoiled their goods They beseech him to defend the Church and to prefer the iniuries done to religion before the violences coÌ„mitted against the state They propound vnto him the excessiue impositions and subsidies which had already withdrawne most part of his subiects and the filthy auarice of strangers who by continual inuentions did cruelly impouerish France They represeÌ„â— vnto him the abuses of the gouernment the bestowing of benefices to all men indifferently either married or souldiars the lechery dissolutnes and ignorance of Prelats the sale of Offices and places of iudgement They exhort him not to deale in spirituall causes or at the least to proceede holily as it belongs to holie things To degrade a great number as well of Prelates as of ciuill maâ—â—strates in soueraigne Courts and inferior Iurisdictions and to punish with death those ministers which by corruption haue crept into the Church Iustice and gouernment else hee cannot preserue the Estate In the ende they presse him to reforme the excesse and disorders of his Court the which are odious to so many Noble spirits fraught with holinesse magnanimity and courage to so many great and rich mindes as be among the Nobility which beeing imployed would in fewe moneths repaire the ruines of this Estate Sâ—ch as find themselues interessed in the cutting off the superfluous number of offices and in the buying of their places disswade the King from this resolution but to maâ—â—taine them in the honours which they enioye vnder the countenance of his Maiesty The third Estate exhibit their complaints of the excesse of taxes and subsidies wherwith they are oppressed of the customes forraine impositions rents vpon salt entries â—oans gâ—ifts increase decrease of the prises of money with many other exactions and surcharges whereof the King receiued not any benefit but what was dipt in the bloâ—d of his poore people The Nobility complaines of seruices done without recompence indiscreet distributioÌ„ of the Kings liberality The Clergy exclaime that money which hath
stratagems making much of his souldiars and honouring his Captaines But a Prince who hath blemished the greatest beautie of his practiâ—es by extreame ambition factions a great bragger vaine in beleeuing of Southsayers who assured him of his greatnes and of the change of his familie into a royaltie proud not able to submit his hopes euen to those from whome hee should hope for his aduancement giuing men to vnderstand by his inclination that he was not borne to obey but to commaund and with this dessein he framed the minds of the French by his first actions to beleeue that hee had partes fit to make a strange alteration in a Realme But let vs applie that great diuine Oracle and tremble at the apprehension oâ— the horror of Gods iudgements For this cause God will desâ—roy thee in the end â—ee will pull thee out of thy tabernacle and thy root out of the land of the liuing The iust shall see it and feare and shall laugh at him saying behold the man that hath not taken God for his ayde and succour but hath trusted to the multitude of his riches and hath fortified himselfe in vanitie At the noyse hereof the Cardinall of Guise being amazed recouers the doore to go aâ—ay Laâ—chant staâ—es him with the Arche-bishop of Lion and lodgeth them in a litâ—le chamber aboue the Kings lately built for Capuchins and Fueillans The Cardinall in the heat of this tumult casts forth some words which he would neuer haue delâ—uered being well aduised They report it vnto the King The King commaunds La â—astide and Valansay being both of the fiue and fortie to kill him The first excuseth hiâ—selfe the other accepts the charge and accompanied with sixe others goes to the Cardinalls chamber to make him a companion of his brothers death but being readie to do the execution I knowe not what cold apprehension quenched this heate which had moued him to bath his hands in the blood of so great a Prelat without resp ect of his order The Cardinall of â—ourbon the Duchesse of Nemours mother to the Duke of Guise the Duke of Nemours her sonne by the second marriage the Prince Ginuille now Duke of Guise and the Duke of Elboeuf had at the same instant gardâ— appointed them to bee assured of their persons Pericard being kept prisoner diâ—â—ouered all the practises of the League and by the instructions hee had in his keeping hee informed the King at large of all his maisters desseins The Earle of Brissac Bâ—is Daulphin and some other gentlemen faâ—thfull to the Duke of Guise the President Neully the Prouost of marchants at Paris Compan Cotteblanche sherifes of the saied Towne and Le Roy Lieutenant of Amiens were put in pryson the rest stayed neither for boots nor spurres to dislodge Rossieux Secretarie to the Duke of Mayenne and sonne in Lawe to Armonuille Maior of Orleans had alreadie by special posts aduertised his master of what had pastâ— so practiseth them of Orleans as Entragues comming from Blois to be assured of the Towne found a generall reuolt Doubtlesse the Inhabitants were inclined to the kings obedience if before he would haue graunted them at their humble sute an other gouernour at his maiesties choise then him who at the first had ingaged them and afterwards by his wilfullnes suffred them to runne into the laborinth of rebellion It is good to yeeld something to a mutinous multitude not to thrust them into dispaire The execution done the King carries newes therof to the Queene mother Madame saieth he I will hereafter raigne aloane I haue no more companions She answered him God graunt my sonne it fall out well for you but haue you giuen order to assure the Townes where the name and memorie of the Duke of Guise hath credit and authority This vnexpected speech did wonderfully mooue the Queene Mother but that of the Cardinall of Bourbon gaue her a deadlie wound Ah Madame saied he she comming to visit him beeing a prisoner and sicke you haue brought vs to slaughter Death of the Queene Mâ—ther She excusing her selfe that shee had neither consented nor giuen Councell in this action left the Cardinall doubling his complaints and transported with griefe she died the fift of Ianuary following At night they drawe the Cardinall and the Arch-bishoppe from their Chamber to lodge them in a straighter and more obscure place and there to passe the night whilest that the King with-held the considerations of the quality of a Prelate a Peere of France Arch-bishop of Reims Cardinall of Rome and President of his order at the Estates consulted either of his execution or freedome from prison Bâ—t Iustice hath no respect of persons The Cardinall slaine and treason is a worâ—e president in a Cardinall then in a simple Preest Moreouer the Cardinall might succeed in his brothers credit and his threats seemed dangerous if he liued longer So the King giues Captaine Gast commission to kill him He craues pardon but foure hundred Crownes do easilie finde foure ministers for the execution The Arche-bishop had his life saued at the humble sâ—te of the Baron of Lux his Vncle. The King loued this gentlemaÌ„ anâ— pretended to drawe from the Prelate all the Quintessence of the League The punisâ—ment of these two freed the King of Nauarre from being the cause of the miserâ— of these ciuill warres seeing the King had thereby noted the first author of these tâ—oâ—bles But this Prince was neuer seene without a singular constancy in his greatest crosses nor an admirable modestie in his highest prosperities Hee vnderstands of the deaâ—h of two of his mightiest enemies and would gladlie haue seene the Kings wrath and forces turned against the house of Lorraine whereby he might make his proffit in Fraâ—ce by the fall thereof and applâ—e it to his aduantage But Noble mindes neuer loâ—ke on their enemies head but with a heauie countenance Hee laments not so much the death but the misery of them of Guise and yet continues his enterprise â—hich hee had vpon Niort and the foure and twentith of December vnder the Conduct of Saint Gelais Parabieres Harambure Ranques Preau Valieres and others hee forced and sâ—aled the Towne beeing amazed and spoiled it without any slaughter but of twentie fiue or thirty men no rauishing of women noâ— iniurie to the Clerge The same daie hee receiued the Castell by composition from Malicorne Niorâ— taken by the King of Nauarre furnished with fiue great Cannons and two verie long Culuerins with the whâ—ch the Lieutenant of the Towne a wicked and a turbulent man vanted when they were cast to salute the King when hee approched the walles of Noirt Bâ—t the great furie of the victors armes hauing slaine him in the beginning of the fiâ—ht was the cause he made not an exemplary compensation for the outrages and the vnworthie speeches hee had vsed againsâ— the saied King and the Princes of the bâ—oud 1589. The Duke of Neuers on the other side
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
vnto him to haue had intelligence with Chastillon Admirall of France and with William of Nassau Prince of Orange touching the Low Countries This as some say was discouered by Don Iohn his vncle bastard brother vnto the King who being inexorable against them that had offended came vnto the Princes chamber in the night whereas hee found two pistols behind his beds head and some papers which did auerre the intelligences he had with his enemies The King first gaue him a gard afterwards he put him in prison and in the end to death But first he propounded to his Councell of conscience what punishment a Kings sonne deserued that had entred into League against his Estates and had conspired against his fathers life and whether hee might call him in question His Councell layed before him two remedies both iust possible the one of Grace and Pardon the other of Iustice and punâ—shment and the difference betwixt the mercie of a father and the seueritie of a King saying that if by his clemencie he did pardon them which loued him not hee could not but pardon that creature which he should most affect They desired him to imitate the Emperour Charlemagne who imputed the fiâ—st conspiracie of his sonne Pepin against him to lightnes of youth and for the second hee confiâ—ed him iâ—to a Monasterie protesting that hee was a father not a King nor a Iudge against his Soâ—ne The King answered that by the law of Nature he loued his sonne more then him elfe but by the law of God the good and safetie of his subiects went before it Moreouer he demaunded of them if knowing the miseries which the impunitie or dissimulation of his sonnes offences would breed he might with safetie of conscience pardon him and not bee guiltie of those miseries Hereat his Diuines shronke in their shoulders and with teares in their eyes sayd that the health of his people ought to bee deerer vnto him then that of his Sonne and that hee ought to pardon offences but such crimes as abhominable monsters must be supprest Hereupon the King committed his Son to the Censure of the Inquisitors commaunding them not to respect his authoritie no more then the meanest within his Kingdome and to regard the qualitie of his son as if he were a King borne making no distinction therof froÌ„ the partie accused vntil they found that the excesse of his offence would no more admit of this consideration remembring that they carried in their soules a liuely Image of the King which had iudged Angels and should without distinction iudge Kings and the Sonnes of Kings like vnto other men referring all vnto their consciences and discharging his owne The Inquisitors for the practises which hee had with the enemies of his religion The Iudgâ—menâ— oâ— the Inquisitors declared him an Heretike and for that he had conspired against his fathers life condemned him to die The King was his accuser and the Inquisitors his Iudges but the Iudgement was signed by the King which done they presented many kinds of death in picture vnto the Prince to make choise of the easiest In the end hee demaunded if there were no pittie in his father to pardon him no fauour in his Councell for a Prince of Spanie nor no wisedome to excuse the follies of his youth when as they told him that his death was determined and might not be reuoked and that all the fauour was in the choise of the mildest death He sayd that they might put him to what death they pleased tâ—hat there was no choise of any death seeing they could not giue him that which Caesar held to be the best These last words A vnloked foâ— death best deliuered with passion were followed with a thousand curses against his Fortune against the inhumanitie of his Faâ—her and the crueltie of the Inqusition repeating verie often these wordes O miserable sonne of a more miserable father Hee had some dayes of respit giuen him to prepare himselfe for death One morning foure slaues entred into his chamber who awaking him put him in mind of his last houre and gaue him small time to prepare vnto God Hee start vp sodainly and fled to the bed post but two of them held his armes and one his feet The deaâ—h of the Prince of Spaine Death of the Queene of Spaine and the fourth strangled him with a cord of silke Many hold that hee died of letting bloud his feete being in warme water The death of the Queene of Spaine foure moneths after made the world to suspect other causes of his death The King was also vnfortunate in his enterprises against Flanders and England hauing prepared a great fleet which perished in the narrow Seas almosâ— without any fight Hee is blamed for his crueltie against the Indians whome hee abandoned to the slaughter like vnto brute beasts Hee had foure wiues aâ—ter that of Portugal He married with Marie Queene of England by whome hee had no children His third was Elizabeth of France surnamed by the Spaniards the Queene of Peace by whome hee had two daughters the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia now Archduchesse and the Infanta Catherina Michelle who was Duchesse of Sauoy The fourth was Anna of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and his owne proper Neece by whome hee had three Sonnes and one daughter of the which there now remaines the Prince Charles Laurence surnamed at his comming to the Crowne Philip the third Hee affected the Empire as much as might be and not able to attaine vnto it hee sought the title of Emperour of Spaine The King of Spaines ambition yea hee was resolued to go to the Indies to take vpon him the title of Emperour of Amerâ—â—a After all his ambitious proiects vppon Affricke his attempts against Ireland and his intelligences with the Turkes Barbarians and Persians whome he hath sought to diuide and to make vse of euen against Christian Princes but chiefly and especially against France yet in the end hee was forced to confesâ—e That all the power and pompe of this world was meere vanitie He raigned aboue fortie yeares and was buried with his Ancestors as he had ordayned We haue said that hee drew a writing out of a little Cabinet and deliuered it vnto his sonne Some writers say that it was a translation into Spanish of the Instruction which the King S. Lewis gaue vnto his Sonne Philip the hardie Others say it was the Instruction which followes Instruction oâ— the King of Spâ—inâ— to the Prince his Sonne My sonne I haue beene alwaies sollicitous and carefull to leaue you your Estates peacefull and quiet but neither the many yeares which I haue liued nor the assistance of Princes my Allyes could euer purchase it I confesse I haue spent in lesse then 33. yeares fiue hundred nintie and foure millions of ducats all which haue bred mee nothing but cares and troubles It is true I haue conquered Portugal but as France did hardly escape me so may
the common licentious conuersing with the people for the auoiding of scandales which do often followe That all reuersions of Benefices may be taken away as well for that it is against the Cannon Lawe and the holy Constitutions of Councells as also for that it is a cause to shorten the liues of the Incumbents That the Contracts before time passed betwixt their Maiesties and the Clergy may be confirmed without breach or supposition for the Subsidy granted vnto his Maiesty by the Clergie That it would also please his Maiesty to prouide them conuenient remedies vpon the complaints which they had presented vnto him Wherevnto the King made a very short but a pithy answer the effect was this I confesse that what you haue saied is true The King â— answer to the Clergy but I am not the author of these Innouations these mischiefes were brought in before my comming During the Warres I haue runne to the greatest fire to quench it I will nowe do what is needfull in time of Peace I know that Religion and Iustice be the foundations and pillers of this Estate the which is maintained by Pietie and Iustice. But if they were not I would plant them by little and little as I do all things with the helpe of God I will settle the Church in as good Estate as it was a hundred yeares since as well for the discharge of my conscience as for your content but Paris was not al built in one daie Let the people bee as much perswaded by your good examples to do well as they haue beene heretofore disswaded You haue exhorted me of my duty I do admonish you of yours let vs all do good Go you one way and I will go an other if wee meete we shall soone haue done My Predecessors haue giuen you Words but I with my graie Iâ—cket will giue you Deeds I am all gray without but I am all of Gold within I will write vnto my Councell to see your complaints and will prouide for you as fauorably as I may During these admonitions of the Clergy The Iesuitâ— seeke to be restorâ—d the Cardinall of Florence mooued the King for the restitution of the Iesuites The 7. Article of the treaty of Peace at Veruins did suffer the Subiects and seruants of either side as well Clergy men as Laye to returne enioy their Offices Benefices Reuenues obtayning permission letters patents vnder the broad seale from the Prince Many thought that the Iesuits should be comprehended in this Article and that if by this Peace the Spaniards were held Allies and as it were Cousin germains to the French those whom the Kings Aduocate had the yeare before in open Parliament termed Emissaires to the King of Spâ—ine shold returne to their Colleges from whence they had bin expelled by a sentence giuen in December in the yeare 1594. But the light ofPeace shines not vpon them The neâ—e world which it doth produce hauing cast the cenders of Warre Rancor and Reuenge into the Aire allowes them no retreat within the Iurisdiction of Paris The decrees which had banished them are grauen in Marble the Water of Praâ—ers Fauours and Teares although it perceth Stoanes preuailes nothing At the same time was concluded the marriage of Madame Catherine Princeâ—se of France and of Nauâ—rre The Kings only Sister 〈◊〉 to the Prince of Lorraine the Kings onely Sister with the Marquis of Pont Duke of Baâ— and Prince of Lorraine after many Iourneyes made by the sayd Prince vnto the most Christian Kingâ— in which accord there were great difficulties as well by reason of the diuersity of Religion the sayd Princesse refusing to leaue the reformed wherein sâ—ee had beene bred as also for that she could not be perswaded to go out off France Sâ—e had beene formerly sought by many great Princes to whom shee would not consent for the one or the other of these two causes and somtimes for both togither Francâ—s Monsiâ—ur Duke of Alenson desired her in the yeare 1582. but the difficulty was then greater for matters of Religion And before that King Henry the 3. comming out of Poland did affect her and it is thought that if he had seene her at Lion at his returne he would haue married â—er but Katherine de Medicis the Queene Mother described her to be a Dwarfe and crooked the which was most false for she was of a meane stature and of a good countenance It is true she had one legge somewhat shorter then an other which is a marke of the house of Albret for so had Alain Lord of Albret Father to King Iohn great Grand-father to the sayd Princesse Katherine The Qâ—â—ene Mother did this good turne for her God-daughter seeking to disgrace the King of Nauarre â—hom she haâ—ed from his youth vpon an imagination beeing told by an Italian Sooth-saier that he should succeed her Children Then the Duke of Lorraine who since was her Father in Lawe sought her The Prince of Condy loued her The King of Spaine sent to see her in the yeaâ—e 1580. promising great aduancement to the King of Nauarre This fayling the Duke of Sauoy sent twise in the yeare 83. promising no waie to impeach her Religion His Agent being refused he went into Spaine about his marriage with the Infanta Catherina Michelle In the yeare 86. the King of Scotland sent Master Meluin a Scotishman and others The Prince of Anhault being come to the succour of tâ—e Kâ—ng her Brother at his first comming to the Crowne of France demaunded her himselfe in person but through the necessity of the Warres which were dispersed throughout all France he returned as hee came with some discontent During these Warres two Princes of the bloud affected her the Earle of Soissons and the Duke of Montpensiâ—r but the neerenesse of bloud the diuersity of Religion and the indisposition of affaireâ— hindred the effect of their desires So as in the end he enioyed her to whom God had appointed her The ceremonies obâ—erued at this marriage wee will shew in the following yeare In Italie there grewe newe â—â—irres by reason of the death of Alphonso d' Esté Duke of Ferrara who was the last of that Noble house of Esté The Duchie of Ferrare is a masculine â—ee for so the Lawes call it belonging to the Holy Sea This fee had in former times beene graunted to the family of Esté by the Holy Sea in regard of seruices done by them vnto the Church Tâ—â—ubles for the Duâ—hy of Feâ—rara vpon condition that the Males onely should hold the sayd Dâ—chie and for want thereof it should returne againe vnto the Church to dispose thereof as it pleased Alphonso then being deceased without lawfull heires Males the Church demaâ—nds her right and for this effect there were great stirres on either side Duke Alphonso had in his life time labored all hee could to settle Caesar de Esté his last Brothers Sonne in the right of this dignity and the succession
the Rhine that it would please his Imperiall Maiestie and their Excellencies to write as well to the Admirall as to Andrew the Cardinall of Austria being at Bruxelles Gouernour in the absence of his cousin Albertus the Archduke and to the Generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces that either side should leaue the Townes which they held with any garrisons vpon the Territories of the Empire restoring euery one to his Prince or proper Lord. The Princes Electors of the Empire being aduertised hereof did write presently vnto the Emperour The Electors write vnto the Emperour to whom they sent an ample information of the hostilities committed by the Admirall vpon the lands of the Empire Vpon these Letters and aduise of the said Electors the Emperour did write as well to Albert the Archduke being at Milan as to Andreas the Cardinall at Bruxelles by the which hee commanded them to make reparation for the wrongs their Armie had done and admonisheth them to carry themselues modestly He did write also of the same date to the Estates of the vnited Prouinces and to the Admirall and therevnto did adde an Imperiall command whereby he charged them to depart out of the territories of the Empire restoring the Townes and Castels which they held vnto their true Lords and repairing the wrongs which they had done vpon paine of Proscription But the Admirall nor his Spaniards were not greatly moued at this charge they must haue other meanes then Edicts to chase as well the Admirall as the Pâ—ince Maurice out of the limits of the Empire All this yeare hath beene very tumultuous almost throughout all Christendom Hungarie vexed by the Turke The troubles of Ferrara had disquieted all Italy if the pietie and wisedome of Pope Clement the 8. had not preuented it Frâ—nce was not fully in quiet but had a suspension and cessation of Armes by the 〈…〉 that Noble King whom God had happily sent them England was troubled 〈…〉 Irishmen who were ayded and succoured by the Spaniard Spaine being exhaâ—sâ—â—d 〈◊〉 money by reason of the many expeditions which they were forced to mak◠〈…〉 feaâ—e to see Portugall wrested from them by the meanes of Sebastian King 〈◊〉 Portugall whom the Portugais hold to bee yet liuing and that they did see hi◠〈…〉 1598. Onely Poland had some rest but sodenly warre disquiets them Sigismonâ— Kiâ—g of Poland by election and by succession of Sueden Gothe and Vandale was â—ome tâ— make his residencie in Poland and had left Charles Duke of Suiderman his Vnâ—le 〈…〉 Fathers side for his Viceroy in his Countries of Sueden By this election 〈…〉 Polanders had made of Sigismond for their King who pretended the Duchie oâ— Liâ—â—nia by the right of his Mother it seemed that these two Realmes vnder one Kâ—â—g should haue enioyed a good and a long Peace But it fell out otherwise for the Duâ—e of Suiderman did many things in Sueden which Sigismond did not allow off Aâ—d therfore he had often intreated the Palatins and chiefe of the States of Poland to suffâ—r him to go into Sueden the which with much importunitie they granted Aâ—â—u tâ—e middest of Summer he imbaâ—kes at Dantzik with an armie promâ—sing to returne presently He arriues at Colmar a Sea Towne in Sueden The chiefe cause which hee pretended of his voyage was to reforme the State of Sueden and to restore the Catholâ—ke Religion But his Vncle Charles who was a Lutheran according to the confession of Ausbourg much respected both of great and small knowing the Kings arriuall and his intention and seeing that some of the best although few in number had gone and yeelded vnto the Kng he puts himselfe into armes leuies men in all parts and opposeth himselfe against the King his Nephew Warre in Sâ—edâ—n going to incounter him at Stekenbourg with whom he had many skirmishes sometimes with gaine sometimes with losse In this doubtfulnesse of the euent which might ensue hee sends Deputies to his Nephew to end their quarrels by a Peace the which the King refused saying that hee would not receiue a law from his Vncle and so the Deputies returned The King finding himselfe wronged with this taking of armes and with these skirmishes and incounters wherein hee had lost much resolues to Warre and marcheth towards the Towne of Lincop Duke Charles hearing that hee was dislodged followes him sodenly and sends him another Mediator for Peace by an Herauld after the maner of those Countries the King giues him no audience but according to their custome appoints tâ—e place of Battaile The Kâ—ngs Armie is ready at the day appointed but Charles and his people appeaâ—e not The Polonians held themselues for victors and went to lodge as they commonly say after the manner of the French Charles discouering their estate by his spies A sâ—â—atagem oâ— warre chargâ—th them being a sleepe and so were the Polonians surprised and defeated The King thinking to do well caused the Bridges to be broken which was the cause of a greater losse of his men The King of Suâ—dâ—n deâ—eaâ—ed who had no other meanes for their safety but to cast themselues into the water so as in a manner all perished that fled from the Battaile The King saued himselfe as well as hee could and sending Deputies tâ— his Vncle for a Peace in the end it was concluded First that all offenceâ— past should be forgotten and neuer more to be remembred That all Officers of the realme of â—ueden Pacification 〈…〉 which were at that time with the King should bee giuen in Hâ—stage to Dâ—ke Charles And that the Estates of Sueden should bee called in the Kings name witâ—in foure moneths to determine of all controuersies to whom they referred themselueâ— promising to allow of whatsoeuer they should determine Things thus concluded the King was expected by his Vncle at Stockholm but in steed of going thâ—ther he imbarked with his Sâ—ster at Stekenbourg and arriued at Colmar from whence hee set saâ—le to returne into Poland Most of his ships were spoiled and some perished in the tempest so as he landed at Dantzik more like vnto one that had escaped shipwrack tâ—en returned from a iust nauigation and it seemed that all adueâ—sities did bandâ—e against his fortune Such was the successe of King Sigismonds enterprise About the end of September Omar Bascha Vizir that is to say Lieutenant geâ—erall to the Turke with an armie of three score thousand men besieged Varadin â— Towne of Transiluania in the which one Melchior Reder a Silesian Gentleman was Gouernour The Turke 〈…〉 in vaâ—ne a man of great reputation as well for his knowledge as for his practise in Warre finding the Towne not defensible he burnt it and withdrew all he could into the Castell whereas the Gouernour Melchior Reder tooke an oth of the Souldiers that none should presume to parlee with the enemie or once to speake of yeelding vpon pâ—ine of death as well for the Author of this Councell as for his Adherent iâ—
vpon his expences Hee would haue the aduice of the Princes and Officers of the Crowne to acquaint them with the estate of his affaiâ—es to the end that if euery man did not obtaine what he demanded he should impute the cause vnto necessity The great tables charged with vnknowne superfluities more esteemed for the price and rarenesse then for the tast or necessity were then cut off by the Kings example which hath alwayes more force then either Law or Correction Excesse was conuerted into frugality Frugâ—litie 〈…〉 va our haâ—h â—otâ—en so necessary in an estate as the Romaines were no lesse bound to the Figges and Carrots of the Fabricij Curij then to their swords Then was there seene a new order in the disposition of the Kings treasure by the care and industrie of the Marquis Rhosny vnto whom his Maiesty gaue the charge of Superintendent From the first day he let them know how hard it was to draw monie out oâ—f the Kings Cofers for so many dealers in it as were wont to be there should now be but one His humor seemed strange hee cared not for all the petty Gods so as he pleased Iupiter as Apuleius saith He refused many things to the end that the grant might be reserued for the King all fauours receiued from his Maiesties only hand not from any other the which hath purchased him many enemies who enuying his prosperitie and condition desire the ouerthrow of his happines and yet are constrayned to admire the force and soundnes of his vnderstanding Those which are raysed to the Solstâ—ce of their greatnes must consider that Princes fauours are alwaies perillous It is a dâ—fficult thing to stand long firme vpon this ice and the fall how gentle soeuer will neuer suffer him to rise againe The which is proued in Tiberius to Seianus Charles the 6. to Iohn Montague and many others I haue learned of a great personage Ambassador to a Prince of Germanie 3. words which he carried grauen in a Clocke Hâ— said them once a day and did thinke of them continually Fauour may turne inâ—o diâ—fauour and grace into disgrace Gnad Kan Wol Zoin Werden Gnad erket nicht But hee that serues his Master according to his owne heart that doth nothing against his conscience and that gouerns his intentions according to Law Iustice and Equitie neuer abandons the Helâ—e although the wind beat his barke he needs not to feare any thing Fortune must alwayes â—eeld vnto vertue The Emperour hauing the last yeere as wee haue formerly sayd sent an Imperiall commandement as wel to the Admirall as to the Prince Maurice to depart out of the territories of the Empire and to restore the places they held vnto their right Lords whereof they made no great account finding many delayes and shifts to continue there still to the end they might haue elbowe roome to rob and steale and to winter there The Princes and Electors of the Rhine of the nether Circle of Westphalia The Deputies of the Princâ—â— and Sâ—â—â—es of the Empire assemble at Collen sent their Deputies to Collen where they did assemble in the beginning of Ianuary to redresse those disorders which the Admirall and Prince Maurice had committed seeing the Emperours letters were so little respected of them To the same end they did write vnto the Princes and States of the Circles of Franconia and base Saxony to moue them ioyntly to prepare to armes to expell as well the Spaniard as Prince Maurice out of the limits of the Empire that to that end the sayd Princes with the fiue Circles would send their Deputies to Conflans the eleuenth of March following The said Deputies being at Collen made new complaints by their letters of the one twentith of Ianuary vnto the Emperour as well of the Admirall and Spaniards as of the Prince Maurice and the States army beseeching him to grant an Imperiall armie which should be commonly of 40000. men to force both the one and the other to depart out of the lymits of the Empire and to repayre the losses sustayned by them The Emperour writes againe the eleuenth of February from Prague to Andrew Cardinall of Austria Gouernour of the Low Countries reiterating his commandâ—ments and also to the Admirall who had newly taken againe the Towne of Emerick in the Countrie of Cleues the which Prince Maurice had taken from him and deliuered freely vnto the Duke It seemed that these two armies played at base in the Countrie of Cleues The sayd Cardinall and Admirall sent excuses for an answere both to the Emperour and to the Deputies at Collen Ferdinand de Lopes of Villanoua The Elector oâ— Menâ—z answere vnto Carâ—inâ—ll Andrew going from the Cardinall to make his Spanish iustifications vnto the Emperour he past by the Archbishop Elector of Mentz whome hee thought to make deafe and blind presenting vnto â—im in the Cardinalls name a tedious writing conteining certaine reasons like vnto those which William Rodowitz Commissarie for the Admirall deliuered vnto the Deputies at Collen wherefore the Spanish armie had entred into the limits of the Empire and why it stayd there but the Prince Elector of Mentz gaue him a short and resâ—lutâ— answere That he could not alow of that which the Cardinall and Archduke had attempted against the constitutions of the Empire As for himselfe he would nâ—t â—aile in that which concerned his dutie for a preseruation of the peace and quiet of Germanie being troubled and disquieted in this manner aduising the Cardinall for for the bâ—st to retire his armie as soone as hee could out off the lymitts of the Empire and not to attend the end of Aprill to repaire the wrongs done to restore what they had violently taken and to make satisfaction for the damages done as well to the generall as to the particular In so doing the Princes and States of the Empire should haue occasion somewhat to excuse what was past to allow of the vrgent necessitie wherewith they seeke to purge and iustifie themselues 1596. This answere was made â—y the Elector the fiue and twentith of February 1599. The Admirâ—ls letter to the Deputieâ— of Câ—llâ—n The Admirall in the behalfe of the King of Spaine of Albert Archduke Andrew Cardinal and in his owne sent a Commissioner to Collen to treat with the Deputies of the Princes and States and especially with that of the Count Lippe Captaine generall of the Lower Circle of Westphalia The sayd Commissioner presented letters of Iustification from the Admirall to the Deputies written from Rees the 20. of Ianuarie full of allegations of the necessitie which had moued the King of Spaine to lodge his armâ—e in those quarters He vpbraideâ—â— them wâ—th 〈◊〉 goâ—d deeds the better to subdue his enemies and the States And first for the great benefits the Empire had receiued from the King of Spaine and the house of Burgundie it was reciprocally bound to ayde and serue him herein
the Peace of Veruins but nothing could bee concluded His Holinesse being made Iudge and Arbitrator of all controuersies betwixt his Maiestie and the Duke the parties produce all their pretensions The Ambassadour of France demanded restitution of the Possession saying That it ought to bee iudged before the Proprietie and that the Possession of aboue a hundred yeares should serue for a good title to France if they had nothing else The Dukes Ambassadour answered That power may giâ—e possession without right and that his Master had preserued his interest with the possession After my difficulties and much dispute the French men that were resident within Rome gaue it out that they had pleaded too much that there was no reason the Pope should ouerthrow the right of a great King Brauerie of the Frenâ—h to please a pettie Prince that they must end this quarrell with the Canon in the plaines of Piedmont As these men braued it in words the others published their reasons in writing shewing that the rule of the Law which will haue the dispossessed restored to his possession is not prâ—ctised among Princes nor for Principalities The French insist vpon the contraâ—y and vrge an end of this businesse with great vehemencie desiring rather to bee preâ—ently dispatcht then to languish in the tediousnesse of the remedie The Spaniards deâ—ayed the decision of this procesâ—e all they could holding the dispute more auaileable to them then the Resolution and the Disease more profitable then the cure The time appointed for the Arbitrement was almost spent in tedious difficulties as vnpleasing vnto the Pope as to the French And although hee had no lesse zeale to maintaine Concord then he had shewed affection and care to suppresse Discoâ—d yet would hee gladly haue beene freed of this Iudgement for the bad effects which hee did apprehend and whereof the coniectures were easie â—y the consideration of things past Hee dâ—sired not that the Iudgement which he should pronounce should giue any cause to the one or the other to complaine of his Iustice being troubled what he should pronounce for that it was a thing without example and was dangerous to determine of that which had beene decided In these two extremes either to iudge the possession of the Marquisate to the King or to ioyne to the Petitorie to content the Duke A â—ropoâ—ition of â—equestrâ—tion hee fiâ—des a meanes to haue the Marquisate sequestred into his hands as a Newter to remaine in deposito vntill it should be adiudged vnto the one or the other To this end F. Bonauenture Calatagiron Generall of the Friars and newly made Patriarch of Constantinople was sent into France with Ronâ—as the Dukes Secretarie vnto whom the King not onely granted against the aduise of his Councell that the Marquisate should remaine in Deposito in the Popes power as one who had no pretension nor title vnto it but also a prolongation of the Arbitrement for two moneths The Duke was well pleased that this sequestration should maintaine the hope of his possession The French desired rather a definitiue sentence then a sequestration for although they had no cause to doubt of the Depositors fidelitie yet through too much trust men doe often fall into great inconueniences The Kings Ambassadour freed them of those apprehensions and managed this Seâ—uestration so politikely as they found it in betâ—er estate then the Kings Councell did expect Hee carryed himselfe herein like a man of great Iudgement neither could hee serue his Maister meanly in a subiect of so great import The Duke grew in some Iealousie of Arconas for that he was a Milanois beleeuâ—â—g that he did rather follow the Spaniards intentions then his wherevpon hee called him back to Turin vnder colour to send him into Spaine Hee that succeeded Arconas in that charge marred all receiuing the Instructions that were giuen him too lightly and deliuering them too indiscreetly for visiting the Cardinals which he thought did fauour the intentions of the King of Spaine and the Duke his Maister hee drew nothing fâ—om them but that the issue of this businesse would not bee as hee expected The rest of the Cardinals which had other desseignes blamed the Dukes Councell who had ingaged him in the expectation of a iudgement both doubtfull and of small honour that the best hee could hope for was the hatred of a great Prince who would alwayes remember this iniurie and that they had caused him to plead so long for his owne The French vsed other subtilties to make him councell the Duke to breake off the Arbitrement And for that this ingagement in an others hands was not pleasing vnto them they held it little for the reputation of France to follow such tedious formes by way of Iustice seeing there was a more speedie course by the way of Armes They gaue it out that the Depositaâ—ie would hold things in that Estate as when it pleased him he would make it knowne that the thing engaged belonged vnto him that he had good correspondencie with the King and that his intention was to make one of his Nephews Marquis of Salusses and Feudatarie of France This feare or rather indiscretion of the Ambassador imbarqued him so farre in this Iealousie Indiscretion conâ—ounds and troubles it selfe as he holds the Iudge for suspect and sends to his Maister that he should dislike of the Depositarie as much as the King And although the Popes intention was not to be corrupted yet he beleeued it to be true by the Popes coldnesse and he did not onely beleeue it but thinking it a baâ—enesse to dissemble it and treason not to speake it hee told the Pope That his Maisters Highnesse did expect an assured Iudgement from his Holynesse to be maintained in possession of the Marquisate as a thing which he held of his Predecessors wherof he had been spoiled by the violence of the stronger had recouered it by the good hap of an occasion The Pope said vnto him that he desired not to leaue these two Princes long in this dispute nor to breake the course of happinesse which their subiects promised themselues by the continuance of the Peace But the Ambassador who was transported added That if his Holinesse gaue sentence in fauour of his Maister he should dispose of the thing adiudged and finde him as full of affection as any other to second his intentions when it should please him to haue the Marquisate for one of his Nephews The Pope who marcht vprightly being offended at an offer so contrary to the integritie of his intention The Arbitrement depost broken sayd vnto the Ambassador that he neuer had any such thought and to free him from all feare he would desist from the Iudgement and deale no more neither with the Arbitrement nor Sequestration All men thought at Rome that the Arbitrement was broken and the consent for the Sequestration reuoked the French cared not and the Duke was content that things should passe by other formes
then those of the Consistorie The Ambassador of Spaine at Rome would not haue the Duke of Sauoy doe his businesse alone nor the controuersie for the Marquisate of Salusses to remaine at his disposition the King his Maister was interessed therein The King of Spaine repaires all it was reasonable he should be the first Moouer of all his motions He therefore intreated the Pope not to leaue things imperfect and not to refuse to end a worke so happily begun for the generall good of all Christendom greatly interessed in the Concord of two Kings who could not long continue if all occasions of Warre that might growe vpon this question for the Marquisate of Salusses were not taken away The Duke had already found in many occasions that the Councels of Spaine were not alwaies put in execution to his content that he fastned his Hopes to a rotten Cable trusting to their resolutions and that their deceits though couered with goodly shews of Loue and affection were so much the more odious vnto him for that he which deceiues vnder the name of friendship The Duke complaines of the Spainards is more to be blamed then he that is deceiued He therefore propounded to doe his businesse without them and from many great discontents hee tooke a resolution to go into France so as from that time hee neuer slept quietly vntill hee were assured of the Kings word The Duchesse of Beaufort had alwaies fauoured his intentions Gabrielle d' Estrey Marquâ—s of Monceaux and Duchesâ—e of Beaufort and desired to assure her selfe of such a Prince who offered vnto her all his meanes to support her fortune hauing sent vnto her tâ—e goodliest Iewell that was in the Cabinet of Madam Marguerite his Mother She also considering that whatsoeuer is done by Men may bee vndone by them againe that Princes fauoures are inconstant and that humane things haue nothing firme nor constant no more then the Sea shee willingly gaue eare to the promises which hee made her for the good of her hopes He could not haue found a better Sollicitor but death tooke her away Shee parted from Fontainbleau in the beginning of the weeke before Easter to come to Paris and there to passe the Feasts The Diuiners whom Idlenesse and Curiositie entertaines commonlie at the Court sayd That a Child should hinder her from attaining to that wherevnto shee did aspire Shee had heard some thing and in this apprehension she tooke her leaue of the King at her departure as if she had beene assured neuer to see him more recommending her Children vnto him the finishing of her Houâ—e at Monceaux and the Rewarding of her Seruants This recommendation of her Children did chiefely concerne the Duke of Vendosme whom she loued deerly and whom she intended to bring vp in the most perfect institution of Vertue Being at Paris shee went on the Wednesday to S. Anthonies Church to heare the Musick where shee was seized with extreame paines which neuer left her vntill that life had left her They killed the Infant in her and tormented her with such cruell convulsions as they drew her mouth to the nape of her neck Shee was first lodged at Zamets house neere Saint Anthonies gate but being fallen into this extremitie shee was carried to the lodging of Madame de Sourdis her Ante in the Cloister of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois Death of the Duchesâ—e of â—eaufort where on the Saterday shee ended her life Vpon the first aduertisment of her sicknesse the King went from Fontainbleau to see her The Marshall d' Ornano met him and beseeched him to returne for that sight could not prolong the life of the sicke and would but increase his greefe Presently after arriued Belieure who brought the newes of her death into whose Carosse the King went to euaporate more at ease his sighes the which hope of recouerie had somewhat restrained Words are not able to charme such sensible blowes and it is an error to thinke that griefe is driuen away by exorcismes that it regardes words or is stayed by discourse Yet this first violence of the Kings affliction was calmed by the wise and graue admonitions of this Nestor who said that France had acknowledged him for her Hercules and as hee had beene like vnto him in many labours equally glorious and admirable so now hee should bee vnlike him in that he did abandon the Argonautes for the griefe he had for the death of Hylas whom he loued This death did much trouble the Couâ—t for the sorrow and lamentation which the King made for her Her beautie and good behauiour had moued the King to loue her for the long absence of Queene Marguerite whose place she was in hope to possesse absolutely She left him three Children Caesar Monsieur Duke of Vendosme Alexander Moâ—sieur who was named Earle of Armagnaâ— at this time is appointed Grand Prior of France and one Daughter She was more lamented of priuate persons then of the publike who found her hopes more insupportable then her carriage She offended few and bound many vnto her A great Personage sayd That she was of such an humour that seeing the King must needs loue he could not loue an obiect whose loue would be lesse preiudiciall to himselfe nor to his people so as shee continued in the first condition of her birth The Duke of Sauoy was much grieued for her death But as Domesticall afflictions which chance to Princes although they bee separated from the publike are not lesse â—eeling and violent his griefe to see his affaires so crost on all sides was augmented by the Death of D. Phillippin his Bastard Brother whom Crequy slue in combate It is a great paine to purchase Honour a greater to preserue it but greatest of all to recouer it when it is lost Speaking of Honour I meane the reputation of goodly and vertuous actions whereof Honour is the recompence and the sweetest nourishment Of those things which do blemish the lustre of Honour the fiâ—st and most base is to speake or do any thing for feare of death The second is to endure and suffer a word of Contempt Iniurie or Affront The third is a Lye This rigorous obseruation of the point of Honour doth now countenance a Combate as memorable for the condition of the persons the forme and circumstance of the combate and the cause of the quarrell as any other of this age Qâ—arrels haue not alwayes reasonable grounds The litlâ— Fort of Chamousset was taken by Les Diâ—uieres in Iuly 1597. this had nothing but despight which D. Phillippin had conceiued being told him that Crequy had vanted he had gotten his Scarfe at the taking of the little Fort built by the Duke of Sauoy neere vnto Chamousset to fauour the passage of his armie D. Phillippin some moneths after thinking that this was spoken to the preiudice of his Honor sent him a challenge Crequy comes to the place appointed by the appeale but the appellant was kept back
incountred by the States and beaten neere vnto Dunkerke The King aâ— Males-herbes with the Marquis of Verâ—nucil Nothing did hinder the Kings exercises and sports at Blots and Males-herbes where hee spent his time with the Marquise of Vernucil in the meane time his good seruants watched both within and without the Realme for the good of his affaires all laboured in diuers actions but with one will and to one end to make the State as flourâ—shing as it had beene and the Maiestie of the Prince to be respected as it is Sacred and Holy Out of this number of good Seruants Officers of the Crowne death tooke away Phillippe de Hurault Earle of Chiuerny and Chancellor of France The death of the Chancelloâ— Chiuerny He had beene at the first Controuler of King Henry the 3. house being Duke of Aniou and King of Poland and by him made keeper of the Seales in the life of the Cardinall of â—iraque and after his death Chancellor and by him dismissed to his house at the States of Blois when as the Seales were giuen to Montheleu Aduocate in the Court of Parliament In this change he made triall that Princes Officers are in his hands as Counters be in an Auditors who raiseth them to the greatest and highest number and sodenly brings them downe to the lowest And although it be not spoken why the King commanded him to retire yet assoone as they saw him disgraced the friends of his fortune and the seruants of his fauours abandoned him He continued a while like an old cast ship which lyes in the harbrough and serues to no vse Hee returned to his charge and serued the King stoutly in the most troublesome and dangerous time of his affaires Complaints against the Chancellor Afterwards he had many crosses There were so great complaints exhibited against him in the Assembly at Roan as he was in danger to haue lost the keeping of the Seales or not to haue a Cardinals Hat demanded of the Pope for him Hee did not affect the second and the first hee preuented considering that they could not take away any thing nor diminish his great Dignities but with Shame and Disgrace Pompone de Belieure Chancellor of France Pompone de Belieure succeeded him after his death he restored the Seales the sacred instruments of Soueraigne Iustice to their honour All corrupt practises which made friends to the preiudice of the Common-weale were banished There is no other fauour then that of Iustice no other expedition but in publike and by order Nothing is setled extraordinarily but by the Kings expresse commandement or for the good of his seruice which may not bee deferred vnto the Sealing day and that in the view of all the Officers of the Chancerie Nothing is presented which hath not beene examined and held iust by the Maisters of Requests that were present The King hauing receiued newes of the Chancellors death he commanded Villâ—roy to dispatch his Letters before he demanded the place which done he presented himselfe to take his oth betwixt his Maiesties hands kneeling vpon a Cushion of Vehâ—eti the which the Chancellor and Constable onely doe and no other Officers of the Crowne His Maiestie would not binde him but to doe what hee had alwayes done for the good of his seruice and of his Crowne To conclude hee was not preferred to this high dignitie before any one that exceeded him in ranke of seruice or in merit and experience hauing vndergone the chiefe charges within the realme and happily performed abroad important and weighty Ambassages for the King About this time Iohn de Schomberg Archbishop and Elector of Treues dyed and in his place was chosen Lothaire Death of Iohn de Schomberg of the noble family of the Meternits a man of great experience and singular learning and aboue all a great louer of peace and quietnesse a worthie vertue in Princes and Prelats Death of the yong Princesse of Conâ—é This yeare also tooke away some Princesses in France amongst others Madamoiselle the onely daughter of the Prince of Condé the which hee had by his first Wife the Princesse of Neuers and Marquis of Lisle Her obsequies were made at Saint Germain des Prez with great shew as it was fit for a Princesse of the bloud Loâ—se de Budos the Constables wife died also a little before the Duchesse of Beaufort hauing left one Sonne and one Daughter whereby the famous house of Montmorency is renued the which was like to fall to the Distaffe The Marquise of Belle-Ile widow to the Maâ—quis the eldest Son to the Duke Marshall of Raiz The Marquise of Belle Ile becomâ—s a Feuâ—llantine at Tâ—oloâ—se a yonger daughter of the house of Longueuille hauing passed fiue yeares of her widowhood brought vp her Son in al vertue and pietie departed secretly out of Brittanie not aduertising any one of her kindred and went to professe her selfe a Nunne in the Monasterie of the Feuillantines at Tholouse Her Brother and her Husbands brethren posted after to diuert her but she was already in the Couent and resolued to end her dayes there A generous resolution of a Ladie issued from that noble house of Longueuille which holds one of the first places in France It is Soueraigne of the Countie of Neufchastel in Suisse and allyed to the house of Bourbon in diuers branches Execution of the Edict of Pacification The Commissioners which were imployed for the execution of the Edict of pacification found some difficulties in those places whereas the Bishops and Pastors of the Catholike Church had neither Temple nor place of retreat yet the Masse was restored to those places where it had beene banished fifteene or twentie yeares and the Preaching appointed onely in those places that were allowed by the Edict They found in all places rough and violent Spirits very hard to be dealt withall which inuented vaine quarrels when as they wanted iust cause of complaint The Commissioners exhort either partie as well to Concord as to Pietie and alwayes to containe their wills within the bounds of Obedience and not of Rebellion and to forget the factious names of Papists and Huguenots the which haue beene no lesse fatall to France then those of Guelphes and Gibellins in Italie They aduised the Preachers to take heed that their discourses were not streames of sedition as they are sometimes of Eloquence for they that make profession to teach the word of God may do as much harme in fauouring a Sedition as they shall gather profit of his Ministerie when hee shall preach Peace The Commissioners did admonish the Magistrates and cheefe of Iustice to preuent the first motiues of sedition which getting credit with the simple is the cause of great disorders So the Edict was executed throughout the realme and the most sauage began to liue louingly togither burying the remembrance of things past Things done cannot be recalled We must grow wise hereafter by the consideration of
rare about Paris the King would shew him his Court of Parliament for al that he had seene was nothing in respect of the admirable greatnes of that reuerent Court whereof in former times many Emperours Kings and Princes comming to Paris had more admited the Iustice that was administred there 1600. then any thing else that they had seene The King aduertised the chiefe President Achilles de Harley that he would go see and heere them They prepared the lodging of the Golden Chamber whereas the King and Duke might see and not be seene There was a most tragicall cause pleaded whereof the first President made choyse The subiect was of one Iohn Prost a Practitioner of the Law who had beene murthered at Paris and the authors could not bee discouered His Mother accused a Baker where he was lodged vpon some apparant presumptions of certaine money which she had sent vnto him Wherevpon the Baker was condemned to bee rackt with all extremity after the which hee was inlarged for a time putting in Caution for his appearance againe in Court It happened afterwards that three Gascons were taken for robbing of a house and condemned the next day to bee hanged At their execution the last of the three sayd that the Baker was innocent for that which he had bin accused of for the murther of Iohn Prost and that it was he with his companion la Sale that had slaine him thinking that he had money and that after they had slaine him they did cast him into the priuy whereas he was yet The which was found true Wherevpon the Baker being declared innocent he presents his petition vnto the Court and demands reparation of honor with his Charges Domage and Interest against the Mother The Mother defends her selfe and saith that her accusations were not calumnious Maister Anne Robert pleaded for the Baker and for theMother Maister Anthony Arnaulâ— and for the Kings interest Maister Seruin his Maiesties Aduocate Generall Anne Robert Aduocate in the Court pleading for the Baker being Plaintife-said thus MAY IT PLEASE YEE THe ancient Poets taking pleasure to discourse of many Combats happened at the battell of Troy report that Telephus the sonne of Hercules receiued in an incounter a sore wound with a Lance by Achilles who seeing his paine to encrease dayly fled to Apolloes Oracle for Councell who answered That nothing could giue him ease or cure but the same Lance wherewith hee had beeene wounded A Lance called Pelias of Mount Pelion in the toppe whereof Chiron gathered it to present to Achilles so as in Telephus accident the Remedy the Cure came from the same Lance which gaue the wound and did the harme The Plaintife with some like consideration hath reason to say that hauing beene by the authority of a sentence miserably tormented A wound giuen by sentence cannot bee be cured but by sentence and exposed to the rigour of the rack and tortuâ—e by the wilfull slander and importune rashnes of a Woman he hath recourse vnto the same Lance of Achilles which did wound him seeing that hee doth now appeale vnto the Authority Iustice of the same Court which hath heretofore giuen the first sentence of condemnation against him hoping that by the examplary punishment of the rashnes and slander of this Woman Alluding to the name of the Iudge which was Achilles D' Hâ—rlâ—y the soueraigne Iustice of this ParliameÌ„t guided by the conduct of an Achilles which doth preside hold the chiefe place shall giue cure to his wounds and bring consolation to his griefes The estate of the cause that is now in question and to be iudged is not whether the Plaintife were falsely and slanderously accused or no for the accident of two murtherers hath auerred and discouered the slander without any doubt But the question is if this Defendresse after so false and calumnious an accusation shall passe vnpunished and whether her pretended excuses shal be receiued and countenanced by Iustice. For one of the chiefe points which she pleads for her excuse is that the Criminall Processe hauing past through the hands of the most famous Iudges of Europe if they haue bin deceiued saith this woman if by presumptions and probable coniectures they haue found cause to condemne this Man vnto the rack if so many worthy Iudges haue bin surprised will you not excuse the simplicity of a Woman and the extreme sorrow of an afflicted Mother for the death of her son hauing had no hatred nor malice in this accusation It is a great abuse to measure the actions of Iudges with the actions of Parties the pursute and proceeding of parties is meerely voluntary no man is forced to plead or accuse the Plaintife should be well aduised before he begin not to drawe any man into the danger of a capitall condemnation if he be not first assured that hee who he calls into question hath done the deed and is author of the crime but the charge of a Iudge is tied to a necessary duty bound to certaine Maximes and subiect to rules established by the Lawes to condemne necessarily vppon presumptions and proofes and vpon the testimony of witnesses examined at the instance of the party Antiquity doth teach vs that Tiresias that great Southsaâ—er foretold things to come by the flying of Birds not that he did see the birds for he was blinde but say the Poets he had alwaies his daughter Manto nere vnto him who told him in what maner the Bâ—rds did fly thereby he diuined Iustice may rightly be compared to this excellent blinde man the comparison cannot seeme bad seeing that the Egiptians thought good to paynt their Iudges with their eyes blindfold Iustice doth iudge of thaâ— which appears For Iudges cannot rightly see nor knowe what doth passe Iustice decrees nothing but according to the reporte and testimony of parties witnesses If any inconuenience happen in the condemnation the mischiefe is to be imputed to the parties and not to the Iudges or Iustice. They report that the Greekes hauing put Palamedes to death his Father Nauplius to be reuenged obserued the time when as the Greekes after the sack of Troy returned by sea in a great tempest Nauplius beeing vpon a Rock in full sea held a burning Torch in his hand as if that place had beene a safe port for the descent of Ships the Greekes abused with this light ran against the Rock and suffered â—hipwracke In this misfortune if there were cause to complayne it was against the malicious inuention of Nauplius but as for the Pilots and such as gouerned the Shipps they were not to be blamed in following the direction of a Lanthorne in a darke night beeing vsually set at safe Ports So in accidents like vnto this in question all the harme all the coÌ„plaints and all the wrong is to be imputed to the accused which kindles the fire of slander and from whom proceeds the practises and subornation of witnesses and the
search and dâ—sguising of presumptions and circumstances Slander is the cause of false iudgment Who doubts but the complaints malicious teares of this Woman were false directions sufficieÌ„t inductions to circumuent the wisedome of the best Iudges who in the middest of the â—ight that is to say in the darknesse of hidden Crimes haue followed the ordinary formes of Iustice. It was with reason that a Grecke Author discoursing of the criminall processe of Orestes who to reuenge the death of his Father slue Clitemnestra his Mother sayd that when he was brought before the Parliament of Arriopage Minerua Goddesse of Wisedome was Precident in Iudgment The Ancients by such fictions would teach vs that in the iudgement of Criminall causes if a Celestiall power doth not assist there doth many times inconueniences happen but the fault must then be imputed to the accuser who giues the first cause by an information framed expresly to afflict and condemne an â—nnocent Appian in his History reports of Iulius Caesar that seeyng a mutiny in his Campe he coÌ„manded the authors theâ—eof to be apprehended A souldiar was brought before him as one of these mutines yet it was presently auerred that he was none Caesar caused him that brought him to be seuerly punished iudging that although hee did it not maliciously yet he deserued punishment for that he had drawne an innocent Souldiar in danger of his life We reade that Martian hauing found a dead body in the night Martian condemned vpon suspition through piety which was theÌ„ greatly recommended among Christians seeking to bury him was taken led before the Iustice condemned vpoÌ„ suspition but at the same instant when as they carrâ—ed him to exâ—cution it chanced happily that the Murtherer was taken and executed hauing confessed the fact to the great happines of Martian who was deliuered and within few yeares after chosen Emperour As also the Ecclesiasticall History doth teach vs that S. Athanasius was accused to haue slaine Arsâ—nius and was ready to bee condemned if by good happe Arsenius had not beene found beeing hidden by the enemyes of Athanasius A late Writer curious in the search of the singularities of the History of Venice reports an Aduentuâ—e somewhat like vnto this Fuscarus sonne to the Duke of Venice had a capitall quarrell with an other Venetian Gentleman called Hermolaus Donat. This Gentleman was found dead and the author of this murther not knowne Fuscarus vpon suspition of their quarrell was called in question condemned and sent into exile where he died for griefe to see himselfe banished from his Country Within three moneths after his death a theefe was executed who amongst other crimes confessed that it was he and not Fuscarus which had slaine that Venetian Gentleman In such and the like inconueniences were it reason to giue absolute impunity to him that was the Calumniator be it that malice or indiscretion hath drawne him to this slander Scipio said that a Generall of an army must be well aduised what he doth for in matters of Warre there is no meanes to erre twise the first fault being sufficient to ruine an Army Euen so in Iustice it must be very exact when there is any question of a capitall accusation for seeing that the life depends thereon there is no meanes to erre twise the first being irreparable It is an approued distinction of all those that haue treated of the punishment of false accusations whether an Informer be induced to accuse slaundrously and wickedly or by indiscretion and without mallice The one differs from the other so haue they diuers effects the one hath some excuse the other is punished seuerely The punishment of false accusations the one Ciuilly the other Criminally for where there is mallice and slander the Law of God doth punish the Calumniator with the like paine Lege Taltonis and at Rome the Calumniator in crimes that were not capital was beaten with a hot iron and branded in the forehead for a signe and perpetuall marke of his slander And the Emperour Maâ—rinus did punish those accusers which did faile in their proofes with death Plynye speaking of such men called them abhominable sacrifices which should be offred vp to the publike quiet And the good Emperour Traian did so detest Calumniators as hee caused them to be put into a ship without sayle or tackling abandoning them to the mercy of that mercilesse element which would haue no pittie of them no more then they had had of many poore innocents But as for the Slander which proceeds from indiscretion without malice the seueritie in truth should not be so great yet is it fit there should be some punishment No seuere or capitall punishment but at the least pecuniarie and ciuil of domages and fiâ—e If she were not excusable as a Mother forced to accuse by extreme greefe without malice what racke what punishment what torments were sâ—fficient to punish her which hath drawne an innocent man in question and in danger to bee broken vppon the wheele The Poets faine that the Goddesse Câ—râ—s by the supposition of Tantalus did eate Pelops shoulder This Goddesse finding her own error although vnaduisedly condeÌ„ned her selfe to make Pelops a new shoulder of Iuorie You are the cauâ—e of the cruell torments which the playntife hath suffered vpon the râ—cke but you say it was by indiscretion and without malice At the least by an award of domages and fine make some Pecuniarie recompence to releeue the miserie of this poore man and to helpe him to finish the remainder of his dayes languishing after so many torments And if this woman represents vnto you the pittie and greefe of a Mother imagine I pray you the miserable sigthes of this innocent in the midest of the cruelty of the most violent tortures hauing no other feeling but his paine and greefe In one houre a thousand deaths without dying a bodie tormented stretched halfe torne in peeces his sinewes dryed and strayned his members broken and his whole bodie in a pittifull estate being bound and miserably racâ—t And to speake truth it had bin a great happines for this poore man to haue died for what remaynes is no more a perfect body but peeces displaced and disioyned members broken lame and feeble hauing his bodie reduced to that miserable estate as hereafter he shall hardly by his labour get a liuing for himselfe his Wife and fiue Children It is the clamor and sigthes of these poore yong Infants whose crie pierceth vp to heauen and their complaints come vnto you to moue you vnto pittie He in the meane time seeing himselfe miserable in his body and his family reduced to beggerie liues and dyes altogether It is a paine which still encreaseth a Greefe which euer doubles and a Death which hath neuer end That great Painter Apelles meaning to paint Slander The picture of slander set him forth in a mourning weed hauing two Wiues one of either side Ignorance and Suspition 1599.
what reason were there to take for payment an auaylable satisfaction the indiscretion of the Defendresse and the excuse of Ignorance an ordinary companion to Slander and to pardon so notable a fault vnder pretext of an afflicted Mothers greefe for the death of her sonne and hereafter when any Murther is committed shall it bee lawfull for a â—ather a Brother or a neere Kinsman with all Impunitie vnder a pretext of Iustice to aâ—cuse whome he pleaseth and to bring him in question of his life or of some cruel torments and in the end to be quitt excusing himselfe vpon his Greefe or Ignorance The rules of Iustice and Law doe not allow it Titus Liuius sayd excellently that the Law was Inexorable Deafe without Pittie and without Passion The Lawe inâ—xorable Why doth that worthie Author say that the Law is deafe but for that it doth neuer giue eare vnto the vaine discourse of Pittie and Commiseration The propertie of Iustice is to bee strict and seuere The Surgion that is pittifull and doth not laâ—ch deepe makes the wound incurable An Indulgent ouer-milde Father makes the Child incorigible So a mercifull Iudge doth norish and increase vice and betrayes the Lawes and Maiestie of Iustice. This cause doth therefore import the Publike for examples sake for although the Plaintiâ—e hath no other quality but of a simple Bourges and handy-crafts man yet to obtaine reason in Iustice and to hope for reparation of the wrong which hath beene done him he thinkes himselfe great inough seeing he hath the happinesse to liue vnder the peacefull gouernment of the best King in the world who hauing heaped all happinesse vpon France mainteynes equally in his protection and vnder the safegard of his Maiesty the life and health of all his subiects Poore and Rich Great and Small The Ancients held that Themis which is the Goddesse of Iustice was the daughter of the Sunne and as the Sunne may be seene in a Glasse by them which cannot behold his beames So the Maiesty of our great King the true and comfortable Sun of this monarchy the eye and heart of France would giue authority to this famous Parlament as the true seate of his greatnesse to the ende that therein as in a Looking-glasse we might admire the Beauty Light and Beames of his Iustice. An Historian sayth that the Emperour Augustus had firy eyes Igâ—eos oculos inferring thereby that he had such glistering eyes and such a piercing sight as it was impossible or very hard to looke stedfastly on him And we in like sort must content our selues that it is lawfull for vs to admire the beauty of this soueraigne Court and to beleeue that our weake sight is not strong inough to inioy fully the presence of our great Prince sitting in his seat of Iustice nor to indure the glistering beames of the Maiesty of our great French Augustus whom God hauing led through so many dangers as it were by the hand to the height of all greatnesse and hauing endued him with the Valour of Caesar the Fortune of Alexander the Bounty of Traian we can wish no more vnto him but the happines the many yeares and the continuall prosperity of Augustus to the end that all we his subiects may liue happy and content vnder the raigne of so great a King and the assured Iustice of this famous Parlament So the Plaintife hauing recourse to this soueraigne Iustice as to the last Port of health beseecheth the Court to allow of his Request and that he may be absolued of the slanderous accusation layde against him that the inrolement of his imprisonment may bee razed and hee discharged of all condemnations which heretofore haue beene giuen and moreouer that the Defendresse may be condemned to a pecuniary reparation such as it shall please the Court to decree and to all Charges Domages and Interest 1600. ANTHONIE Arnaud for the Defendres sayd MAY IT PLEASE YEE Afflictions speake of themselues YOV shal vnderstand in this cause how true it is That ordynarie afflictions speake with iudgement and that extreme calamities do quench or confound the spirit The Pâ—â—â—â—tife hath represented his greefes vnto you in an elloquent discourse full of Arte tâ—e force of eloquence And contrariwise of our part you shall heare nothing but the Sobbs and Sightes of a Mother transported with greefe and reduced to all sorts of dispaire I would to God the torments whereof you speake and all the cruelties that may be imagined had beene executed vpon me poore Mother who haue one foote already in the graue And that the death of my Sonne and the Kinde of death more miserable then the death it selfe had not ministred the mournfull subiect of this miserable cause so as on what side soeuer you turne there is nothing to be seene but Teares Desolalation But there is this great difference that the greefe of the aduerse party if there yet remaines any may be mollefied in time by a thousand remedies which excellent wits haue inuented during many ages to ease the discomodities of the body But contrarywise the extreame affliction which findes no words of force to represent it for the losse of a Sonne of an onely Sonne the onely support and comfort of the trembling age of an olde Mother hath neuer found consolation in all the most excellent discourses in the world beeing the onely phisicke of the minde The Greefe is so violent as it exceeds all Remedy and bleeds a fresh euery day The older it growes the more greuous it is It doth hourely master the resistance which it found in the beginning and doth contin ually vanquish the forces of the Body wih them of the Minde It is a strange thing that my poore Sonne hauing beene thus cruelly massacred you who see him returne no more into your house insteed of aduertising me thereof went into his Chamber to take his money you transported it out of your owne house and hid it in your Brother in Lawes And which is worse being examined by the Iustice you denied it constantly and often vntill that your Sonne to young to conceale the truth discouered the place where you had layed it All this is iustified by the Processe the which remaines in the hands of the Kings Councell So as it was not in you that these Murtherers were not vnpunished but the peercing eye of Diuine Iustice which neuer sleepes for a robbery committed two months after hath brought them to the execution It appeeres by the informations that the very day of the Murther these two Murtherers went into your lodging and brake open my Sonnes coâ—er if you had fled vnto Iustice they might haue beene instantly apprehended Aâ—as peraduenture my poore Childe was not then fully dead Howe many are left for dead which are not so Howe many haue beene taken out of the Cofin yea out of the Graue which haue suruiued their Funeralls fiftie yeares At the least you cannot denie but you were the cause
Diuine Fortune We must not vse the inhumanitie of Gneus Pâ—so although he were an vpright man and free from many vices but hauing not the true rule of reason hee tooke rigour for a resolution of seueritie who being aduertised that two Souldiars going forth togither the one was returned without his companion he condemned him as a murtherer of him that was absent and as the condemned man was in the hands of the Executioner at the place of Iustice his companion whome they held to be dead returned This rigorous Iudge hearing that the officer had protâ—actâ—d the execution he caused him to be apprehended to be brought vnto the scaffold with him the Companion taking for a pretext that he was the cause of this mischeefe by his absence and to him he added the officer iudging him worthy of punishment for that he had brought backe the first condemned whome hee should haue presently executed according to the sentence It is not fit in all causes to stand so stifly vppon Iudgments as Alexander the Great did who had rather pay a fine for Athenodorus then remit it for somtimes a temper of humanitie is commendable as in this case Imitating the example of Pâ—ince Titus the Son of Vespasian when he deliuered Iosephus out of prison saying vnto the Emperour his Father after that hee had commaunded the prisoner to be vnbound It is reason O Father that with his bonds the dâ—shonor should be taken from Iosephus for he shall bee as if in the beginning he had not beene bound But if wee vnbind him we must cut the chaine for so they vse them that are vniustly bound A speech of a woâ—thie Prince witnessed by the History of Iosephus worthy to be spoken before a great King and well approued of by the Emperor As true lippes please Kings and they loue him that speakes iust things with a pure heart Pro. 16 v. 13.22.11 And therefore to make an end of the Plaintifs miserie with that of Iosephs the Court if it pleaâ—e hauing in some sort regard vnto their request shall set them at Libertie declaring them innocents of the cryme of hospitalitie violated and of the murther wherof they haue beene accused without adâ—udging vnto them notwithstanding any Reparation Charges Domages and interests against the Accuser seeing she hath not nor cannot be iudged a Slanderer So either partie obtayning what they may hope for by reason Pro. 21. v. 1. things iudged shall remayne in their authoritie and God who holds the Kings heart in his hand as little brooks of runing water inclyning to his will shall make him raine happely and his Posteritie after him as all good Frenchmen and true Christians doe wish by a happie Marriage so as our great Henry the fourth siting in the throne of Iustice Ibid. 20 v. 8. or represented by his Councellors mayntaining his Countries shall disperce all danger by his looke and euery one will say with Saloman the wel beloued of God That the seat of the King which iudgeth the poore iustly shall bee firme for euer Ibid 29. v. 14 The sentence of the Court vpon these Pleadings pronounced by the first President on Monday the 17. of Ianuary was confirmable to the conclusion taken by Monsâ—â—ur Aduocate for the Kings Atturney Generall 1600. The King and Duke tooke great pleasure to heare them Both gaue their opinions on them that had best pleaded but aboue all they commended the equity of the Court which dismissed the parties free froÌ„ further sute The King at the Dukes request graunted a pardon to a poore woman an Adulteresse that was condemned to die whose Adulterer had beene executed for that he had abused her being a house-hold seruant so had she beene in like sort but that she was found with Child This Pardon was granted by the King vnto the Duke notwithstanding any opposition made by the Court the Kings Councel shewing the consequence thereof His Maiesty would haue it passe of his absolute authority Yet vpon condâ—tion that shee should liue in perpetuall priâ—on and norrished at her Hus bands charge All these good receptions all these exerciâ—es al these pastimes did not make the Duke forget the care of his affaires he had sayd vnto Monsieur de Villeroy That he was not come to yeeld vp the Marquisate The King on the other side being at Fontainbleau sayd vnto him That he shold be alwaies his friend but he would haue his Marquisate The Duke was aduertised that the King had sayd priuatly in his Cabinet That the Duke was a braue and a gallant Prince yet he kept his Marquisate These words made him presume that â—he râ—port which the Cheualier Breton and Roncas had made vnto him that the King was desirous to see him and that they should agree was not true for whensoeuer the Dâ—ke spake â—o the King in priuate touching that businesse he desired him to referre it to their Councâ—â—ls And although this was a very important businesse yet the King had one which did presse him neerer which was his Marriage Being aduertised as wee haue formerly shewed by Sillery his Ambassador at Rome Monsier d' Alincourt come to Genua thâ—t the Pope had granted his desire touching the nullity of his marriage â—e sâ—nt Aâ—incourt Gouernor of Pontoise to thanke him and to aske his aduice vpon the alliance hee desiâ—ed to contract with the house of Florence He came to Lions to passe to Auignion by the riuer of Rhosne and so to Antibo whether the State of Genoa sent him a Galley well appointed to conduct him to their Citty where hee was receiued with all the honors fit for the greatnesse of the Prince that sent him and worthy of the credit reputation which the name of Villeroy carries among the friends of this Crowne They did cast lots there where he should be lodged which fell to the Pallace of Grimaldy where hee was defraied two daies at the charges of the State The Ambassador of Spaine went to visit him He came to Rome on Ashewedensday the 6. of Fâ—buary He went to the Senate was seated in the Dukes place and â—aw the order they held in their Councells and Deliberations where they graunted him liberty for two Galley-slaues Frenchmen that were in the Gallies of the Seigneury the one was a Parisian and the other a Lionois which they esteemed a fit fauour to gratefie a Prince He went in post to Rome the Ambassador met him with a great number of French Gentlemen hee lodged him in his house and the second day of his arriuall he had audience of the Pope He continued in Rome â—ntill Easter during his aboad he did see the Vice-roy of Naples make his entry into Rome comming to do homage vnto the Pope for the Realme of Naples presenting vnto him a white Steede for an acknowledgemeÌ„t of the see â—000 ounces of gold comes to fourescore thousand Crownes for the inuestiture of Naples for that it is
entred without disorder and marched directly to the place before the Cittadell and came not away til ten of the clock whilest that they did capitulate with 200. Suâ—sses which had shut themselues into a Bastion whom they suffered to depart free with what was theirs and also to attend if Bouuens would sally out off the Cittadell as he made shâ—we The Marshall Biron left the Barron of Lux at Bourg and went with fiue Canonâ— to finish the conquest of all that which lyes on this side the Riuer of â—osne taking at the same time Pont d' In Poncin S. Denis S. Rumbert Beley and Pierre Chastel Some yeelded at the reputation of his presence others would see the Canon Therewas â—o Garrison in all the Country but as Seizel A strange humour of an enemy noâ— onely to make Warre vpon bad grounds and to Imbarâ—e himselfe in a rotten Shippe but also to refuse Peace and yet to haue no man in his Country to make Warre Those which made any resistance shewed themselues in the end more valiant in Tongue then with the Sword So as the King beeing at â—renoble receiued in one day and in lesse then sixe houres newes of two memorable exploits the taking of Bourg with seuen Ensignes and one Cornet which the Marshall sent him and the taking of the Towne of Montmelian by les ' Diguires Crequy offered a Sâ—alado to the Curtaine of the Towne of Montmelian towardes the Castell and the Petard to the Port of Arban with such a fury as the Souldiars retired themselues into the Church and the Inhabitants into the Cittadell leauing their houses to the discretion of all that Warre allowes in a Towne that is either forced or surprised The King commanded Grillon to lodge with the Regiment of his Gardeâ— in the suburbes of Chambery all which was done without any great resistance The soldiars did not defend themselues without feare and amazement and the people were so lulled a sleepe with this opinion of Peace as nothing was more hatefull vnto them then the remembrance of Warre holding all care of armes to be vaine and vnprofitable The Duke being aduertised that the King was in armes his Country in prey the meanes to defend himselfe farre of the danger at hand and Hannibal at the foote of the Alpes found no fitter instrument to repaire his affaires then the Patriarke of Constantinople who since his returne from Paris had remained at Thurin in the Couent of the Franciscans The Duke had bin iealous of him at the Treaty at Paris and seeing that by the Popes commandement he would not depart before it were effected he thought that it was but to spie his intentions and to presse him to do that in effect which hee would not do but in wordes Hee therefore shewed him no such good countenance as hee had done when hee past first for the Treaty of Veruins 〈◊〉 friends which did visit him were not held good seruants to the Duke he discouered well this contempt but he dissembled the feeling of it The Duke who had offended him The Duke sends the Patriarke of Constanâ—inople to the King gaue him a good meanes to be reuenged Hee intreats and coniures him to go vnto the King They say that in despight of the bad reception hee had had at Thurin or well acquainted with the Dukes intentions he sent a small noate vnto the King aduising him to continue the course of his armes and not to desist for any propositâ—ons or offers made by the Duke who sought but to deceiue him and withall hee accepted of the charge The Patriarke came vnto Grenoble the 15. of August spake vnto the King coÌ„ming from Euensong He giues him to vnderstand how much the Pope would be discontented with this Warre he coniures him in his name to resolue to a Peace and to returne for that effect to the Treaty of Paris for that in demanding his owne both the Pope and all the Potentates would fauour his demand but in seeking to retaine the ancient inheritance of the Duke of Sauoye The K ngs answere to the Patriarke hee had no reason to hope for any fauour The King answered him that hee was infinitly greeued the Pope should bee any way discontented with his taking of armes the which hee did not vndertake vntill it was apparent to all the world that the Duke deluded him That being the person whom his Maiesty did most Honor and to whom he acknowledged himselfe so much bound as he could not deny him any thing yet hee held him so full of Iustice as he would neuer aduise him to any thing that should be against reason the dignity of his Crowne That the Duke hauing refused to performe the Articles of the Treaty at Paris he was not bound to obserue them The Patriarke layed before him the miseries which this Warre would bring the ruine and desolation of the people and the aduantage which the common enemy of Christendom should get by it The King answered him in this manner You exhort mee like vnto a great Diuine and one of the chiefe Prelats of the Church to desist from this Warre to auoide the mischife that may fall vpon Christendom I knowe not so much Diuinity as you do yet am I not ignorant that I haue a Soule to saue and that one day I must giue an account of my actions and that God wil impute the miseries that shall happen by this Warre vnto him that giues the occasion Let the Duke of Sauoye lay his hand vpon his heart and iudge if it bee not his obstinacy and couetousnes to hold that which belongs to an other which is the cause of all the oppression which his poore Subiects do nowe suffer Hee hath presumed with two great contempt of me to hold that which is mine by cunning against my wil. He that detaynes an other mans vniustly may iustly be depriued of his owne He that denies vnto the stronger that which belongs vnto him abandons vnto him by the same meanes all that he hath as it is no Honour for him to bee obtinate to Warre for the desire hee hath to hold an other mans estate so shall hee reape no other profit then the ruine of his owne I cannot conceale it Reuerend Patriarke that although I haue euer found all integrity in your Negotiations yet am I troubled howe I shall carry my selfe with you touching that which you propounde for in truth I hold you for a very good man a most vertuous Prelate and a Wise Negotiator Oâ— the other siâ—e I can let yoâ— see in writing how the sayd Duke hath giuen authority to Iacob and the President Rochette to treat with mee with a declaration that neither you nor his Ambassadors that are within my Realme are priuâ—e to his intentions Hee â—ath maâ—e them propound that I should moue the Pope to depute two Legats one of them should cause restitutioÌ„ to be made of that which I hold on this side the mountaâ—nes and the
him to intreate Hee therefore thinkes it dishonorable to perswade him to Peace that hath more neede of it then himselfe Hee is therefore resolued to Warre and seeing that the Legate continued still in his complaintes hee commanded the Marquise of Rhosny to goe to Paris to take order for the Munitions of War Beeing readie to take Horse for the execution of the Kings commandment hee goes to take his leaue of the Legat and toucheth some things of the cause of his voyage saying That it was the Kings resolution to make Warre seeing they could not hold themselues to a Peace That for his part hee was sorry that so great a personage as himselfe should take the paines to passe the Mountaines and bring them so neere vnto the Temple of Peace and not to enter into it the Legat answered That he was much grieued that his Legation and the paine hee had taken prooued fruitlesse Monsieur de Rhosny renewes the treaty of Peace that hee knewe well the King in shewe desired Peace but in effect Warre was his delight Rhosny replyed that if Peace were good before the demolition of the Fort it was nowe also good that this accident did nothing import seeing the ground was the Dukes to do with all what hee pleased and that for fifty thousand Crownes hee might build an other Fort. The Dukes Ambassadors gaue the same reasons coniuring him not to abandon the Shippe in this tempest seeing hee had taken the Helme in hand in a calme season Here-vpon the Legat asked Rhosny if hee thought the King would bee pleased to recompence this demolition with money Rhosny answered him that hee knewe nothing but beeing a thing reasonable and the King a Prince of reason hee presumed that if hee should promise it in his Maiesties name he would not fayle of his promise The Legat intreated him to acquaint him with it saying that hee was sorrie hee had delt no sooner in the busines Rhosny tells the King thereof and returnes his Maiesties intention vnto the Legat A Peace concluded and so with a little moderation they finish this worke of Peace The Articles were drawne and agreed vpon and the Ambassadors of Sauoy sent for to signe them they come and tell the Legat in his eare that their Master had forbidden them to signe before that hee had talked with the Count of Fuentes The Legat who would not haue his word giuen vnto the King to remaine vnpâ—oâ—iâ—â—ble nor send backe the Kings Deputies or referre the Assemblie to an other time â—â—treats them not to make any shew of this charge but to signe They answere him that their hands and tongues were bound The Legate doth presse them and they intreat him to giue them leaue to conferre with Taâ—â—s the Spanish Ambassador to the end that their doings might be countenanced by his Councell They repare vnto the Oâ—acle they consult of two letters the first of the eight of Ianuary which commanded them to signe the peace The Sauoy Ambâ—â—â—adors conâ—â—lt with Taxis the second of the eleuenth which did forbid them Taxis who vnderstood the iâ—tents of the Councell of Spaine who knowes that a peace is desired so as the Marquisate might continue on the other side of the Alpes and that there might bee a passage on this side to goe into Flanders who weighed the conditions of peâ—â—e not by the difficulties of reasons but by the prosperitie of euents not by the peeces but by the whole wherein he finds what his Master desired answereth them That seeing his Highnes hath commanded you to signe the peace foure dayes since I â—ee nothing happened since that may be sufficient or auailable to reuoke this commandement nor the word which hee had giuen you to effect it It is true that I thinke by this last letter you are bound to stay the time which hee demands to attend with the Count Fuentes Hereupon arriued the Patriarke of Constantinople great in perswasions sound in Reasons He perswades them to signe the peace profound in Councell and subtill in Inuentions Hee sheweth them the importance of this breach the wrong done vnto the King and the Legats word ingaged That the Duke writing this letter had not considered that the first was effected that the estate of the busines allowed no countermaund that that which was yesterday voluntarie is this day fastened with nayles of Diamonds to an ineuitable necessity The Dukes Ambassadors who feared more to erre by disobedience then by obstinacie stand firme vpon the necessitie of the Dukes command for the order which a Prince prescribeth to his Ambassador may not be altered The Patriarke assures them that the Legat who had authoritie from their master to command them and they bound to obey him in all that hee should iudge profitable for his affaires should warrant them vnder his hand from all blame which they apprehended desiring him that he would take the paines to go vnto his Highnesse to Thurin to let him vnderstand that they had done nothing but what hee should haue done himselfe and that he would imploy all the power his vnckle had both in heauen and in earth to free them from danger The Ambassadors who seemed not to will that which they most desired with such impatience as the houres seemed yeares vnto them were content with this assurance signed by the Legat a monethes respight for the Duke to ratifie what they had signed So the Peace was concluded and proclaymed at Lions the 17. of Ianuarie 1601. the substance whereof was The substance oâ— the peace â—â—â—wixt the Kâ—ng and the Duke of Sauoy That the Duke should yeeld vp and transpose wholy vnto the King and to his successors Kings of France all the Countrie and Seigneuries of Bresse Bieugey and Verromey and generally all that belongs vnto him vnto the riuer of Rhosne so as all the riuer from Geneua should belong to the Crowne of France the which should remaine vnto the King and his successors with all the Soueraigntie Iurisdiction and rights which the sayd Duke might haue ouer the sayd Countries referuing nothing but the bridge of Gressin for the commoditie of the passage the which is vpon the riuer of Rosne betwixt Escluse and the bridge of Arlay which by this present Treatie belongs vnto the King and on the other side of the riuer of Rosne the Duke should enioy the parishes of Ella Luyuent and Cizerre with all the Hamlets and Territories which belong vnto them betwixt the riuer of Varenne and the mountaine called the Grand Credo vnto the village called La Riuiere wheras the riuer of Varenne doth passe with Maigrecombe vnto the neerest entrie into the Countie of Bourgongne vpon condition that the Duke should not leuie any impositions vppon the goods and marchandise nor any tolle vppon the riuer at Pont de Gressin or any other places before mentioned Moreouer the Duke might not build any Fort vpon any place that were reserued for the passage
Iulliers after the decease of the Countesse of Valpurg He sommoned the Gouernor to yeeld who finding himselfe to weake abandoned the place The Gouernor complayned to his Master the Duke of Iulliers but the controuersies betwixt him Prince Maurice and the States were reserued to be determined by the Imperiall Chamber The Arch-duke beseeged Ostend Oâ—tâ—nd beseeged the which continued three yeares and eleauenth weekes it was noted for the most memorable seege that euer was in Europe whereas so many thousands of men ended their daies and which endured so many hundred thousand Cannon shot before it yeelded Ostend which hath beene the place whereas all the brauest subiects of Spaine for the Arch-dukes And al the valiant English and Hollanders for Prince Maurice and the States haue in emulation one of an other shewed their corrages and whereas many French according to their diuers affections haue â—ought Honour This Ostend is a Sea Towne in the CouÌ„ty of Flanders two Leagues from Oudenbourg three from Nieuport and foure from Bruges vpon the riuer of Iperle the which runnes into the Sea making it a good port for shipping It was walled about but in the yeare 1572. and in the yeare 1587. It was better fortefied by the States of the vnited Prouinces The particularities of this seege I omit because they are written at large and published by others Ferdinand the Archduke being at the seege of Canisia demanded succors from the Pope and the Princes of Italy The Duke of Mantoa was Lieutenant Generall The Pope sent him his Nephew Iohn Francis Aldobrandino hauing deliuered into his hands the blessed Standard with Ceremonyes The King of Spaine sent him sixe thousand Germaines and the Great Duke of Tuscany two thousand foote the time was spent in contending for command betwixt the Duke of Mantoa and Aldobrandino who beeing Marshall of the Campe would receiue no direction from the Archduke Great men for the iealousie of command loose great occasions but death ended this quarrell Aldobrandino dying three moneths after of a Qâ—otidian feauer the Troupes which he conducted continued still at the seege The Pope disposed of his Estates to Siluester Aldobrandino his Sonne his obsequies were made at Rome with great pompe Rochepot beeing Ambassador in Spaine 〈…〉 Ambaâ—â—aâ—or 〈◊〉 Spaine certaine French Gentlemen among the which his Nephew was had a quarrell with some Spaniards who did iniury them and cast their Clothes into the Water they being a swimming The Spaniards had the worst and some were hurt and slaine Their Kinsmen demanded Iustice of the King who commanded his Officers to doe it but the Ambassadors lodging was forced and the Gentlemen drawne forth to prison notwithstanding any thing that he could say or doe to maintaine the liberty of his place the which is inuiolable euen among enemies The King was so offended with this iniury as hee commanded his Ambassador to returne giuing the King of Spaine to vnderstand that hee assured himselfe that he would do him reason when hee had well considered what cause he had to complaine Wherevpon all Trafficke was forbidden betwixt these two Realmes The Pope fearing that this violence done vnto the Ambassador of France could not passe without some feeling and that this Coale might kindle the fire of Warre betwixt these two great Kings hee sent into Spaine to haue the prisoners the which were sent vnto him and the Pope deliuered them presently vnto the Lord of Betunes the Kings Ambassador at Rome and so the Peace was continued The Ambassadors of Venice were better intreated in France That great and wise Senate holding themselues bonnd by the Lawes of friendship An Ambassâ—ge from Venice to deplore the misfortune and to reioyce at the prosperity of their friends hauing beene long troubled for the afflictions of France they send a great and solemne Ambassâ—ge to congratulate the fruit of the Kings victories and the beginning of his Marriage The Ambassadors were chosen out of the Procurators of Saint Marck and of the cheife men of the State They came to Paris Donâ—t Dâ—lphin Procureurs of S. Marck Ambassadors Donat was in election to be Duke the King sent the Marquis of Rhosny to conduct them to Fontainbleau and to intreat them to bee contented with their Reception in that place whereas the Queene was seeing their Ambassage was common to both and that for the indisposition of her greatnesse it could not bee at Paris which occasion did renue the ioyes of the Court the which was in so great Tranquilitye as it seemed neuer to haue beene in trouble The Great Turke sent Bartholomew de Cueur his Physition vnto the King Bartlemew de Cueur of Marseilles a Christian Renegado sent to the King by the Turke to acquaint him with the Estate of his affayres and to intreat him to mediate a Truce in Hungary When as this man spake of the Turkes power hee did so extoll it as if hee had beene able to vanquishe all the Princes of Christendome not expecting Pope nor Emperor so as the King of France did not meddle in it Hee presented a Dagger and a Cymiter vnto the Kings Maiesty whereof the Hilts and Scabberds were of Gold garnished with Rubies and a Plume of Herons feathers The King related vnto him what hee had done in Sauoy and complayned that to the preiudice of ancient Capitulations not onely the English were distracted from the Banner of France vnder whose guide and protection they were bound to trafficke but also the Flemings Hollanders and Zelanders were comprehended vnder the Banner of England To this complaint hee added an other against the courses and violencies of the Pirats of Algier and the Coast of Barbary saying that if the Iustice of the great Turke did not cause these Pirracies to ceaâ—se he should haue no reason to beleeue his friendship It was at such a time as the Great Turkes affayres were very confused and troubled in Asia The Seriuano reuolted in Asia by the reuolt of the Seriuano and almâ—st desperate in high Hungary The King of Persia had sent Ambassadors to the Christian Princes to animate them to make War against him promising to contribute an Army of a hundred and fifty thousand horse The King of Persia sent his Ambassador to the Pope Emperor King of Spaine and threescore thousand foote offering vnto the Christians liberty of Religion and free Trafficke in his Kingdomes His Spays and Iannissaries murmured against him and the bad carriage of the Empresse his Mother who during his Delights and Dissolutions held the reyns of Gouernment did alwayes through the mallice and frailty of her Sexe support the worst Councells and Resolutions They complayned dayly of the Mother and the Sonne speaking of her as the Romaines did of Agrippina crying out that they should intreat her worse then by a simple banishment and of him as the Souldiars spake of Gallienus whom they esteemed not to be borne but for the pleasures which are in and vnder the belly
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
Canisia The seege of Canisia raysed in the ende was forced to leaue it with shame and disorder loosing his Artillery and Baggage and abandoning the sicke wounded He lost his reputation there for the good had successe of enterprises are euer imputed to the General although it were true that the diuision among the Commanders of the Christians Army the great want of victuals the â—ury of the Plague gaue this aduantage vnto the enemy The Duke of Biron came to Fontainbleau whereas the King Queene and Daulphin remayned The Duke of Biron returnes out of England to Court he gaue an account of his Ambassage into England deliuered the Queens Letter vnto his Maiesty He continued in Court vntill the ende of the yeare and presented vnto him the three Estates of Bresse Beaugey Veromey and Gex whom the King receiued as gratiously The King coÌ„firmes the Priuileges of Bresse as if they had bin Frenchmen by birth and affection he confirmed their Priuileges and made them â—eele the fruits of this change He erected a Presidiall Court at Bourg depending vpon the Parlament at Dijon notwithstanding any opposition made by that of Grenoble preteÌ„ding that the Countries exchanged should hold the place of the Marquisate of Saluces be incorporate vnto Daulphine He releeued the CouÌ„tries exchanged in their Impositions Taxes and with such moderation as the most miserable promised vnto theÌ„â—elues happines vnder his sweet subiectioÌ„ Among other speeches which the King vsed vnto the Deputies these were noted It is reasonable said he seeing you speak French naturally His speech to the Deputies that you should be subiect to a King of France I am well pleased that the Spanish tongue shall remaine to the Spaniard the Germaine tongue to the Germaine but all the French must belong to me The Daâ—â—phin made his first entry into Paris the 30. day after his birth the Port was beautified with Armes The Daulphins first entry into Paâ—is the 2â— Octob. 1601. The pompe was of a Cradle in a Litter wheras the Lady of Moâ—glas sat with the Nurce The Prouost of Marchants Sheriffes went out off the Citty to meete him The Gouernesse made answer to the Oration His first lodging was at Zamets house Two dayes after he was carried back to S. Germain in Lay to the end the people might see him passing through the Citty the Nurce held him at her Breast The King had determined to conduct the Queene to â—loys but the desire he had to instruct the Duchesse of Bar his Sister in his Religion A Conference to instruct the Kings Sister stayd them all at Paris whether he had sent for the most learned Prelats Diuines to satisfie her in the presence of such Ministers as she had brought with her But they coÌ„iured her not to yeeld vnto this chaÌ„ge nor to dismember her selfe from the body and society of the children of God to bow her knees vnto Idolatry She continued so constant in her beleefe as she made a protestation that if her Religion were preiâ—â—icial to the Estates of the Duke of Lorraine she was ready to returne into Bearn beseeching the King to suffer her to end her life as she had begun it So as the CoÌ„ferences vpon this subiect remained vnprofitable were of no more effect then that which was made at Ratisbonne at the same time for the â—ame cause The King hauing setled as happy a Peace in France as could be desired he sought to redresse the disorders which could not be cured during the violence of the War The King did two things to reforme the disorders of the Treasure in the one he cut off a great number of Officers belonging to the Treasure in the other he caused a great and seuere search to be made of their abuses Many of the Treasury â—ischarged The more Officers the King hath for the managing of his Treasure the lesse profit comes vnto his Coffers for that a great part is spent in their entertainement So as it was resolued at the Estates held at Roan to suppresse the Offices of the Treasurers of the Generalities of France by death without hope of reuiuing As for the abuses of Treasorers their couetousnes was so great and their abuses so countenanced as no man liued happely but they Such as robbe the Poore die in prisons and are hanged but they that steale from the King and the publicke are at their ease When as Rhosny was called to bee Superintendant of the Treasor they were out of hope to do their busines as they had wont By his aduice the King commanded a strict search to bee made of their abuses in the Treasure A Chamber royall eâ—ected and to that ende he erected a Chamber or Court which hee would haue called Royale consisting of Iudges chosen out of his Soueraigne Courts And for that they had giuen the King to vnderstand The transport of gold and siluer â—orâ—â—dden that nothing did so much impouerish his Realme as the transport of gold siluer the which was vsuall by the suffrance of Officers he therefore reuiued the ancient Lawes for the transporting of gold and siluer or bullion out of the Realme adding paine of death therevnto and losse of all their goods that should do to the contrary the third whereof should go vnto the Informer He commanded all Gouernors to haue a care of the obseruation of these prohibitions and not to grant any pasports to the contrary vpoÌ„ paine to be declared partakers oâ— these transports and for their Secretaries that should countersigne them confiscation of their goods and perpetuall banishment The wearing oâ— gold and siluer forbidden But the forbidding of the transportation of gold and siluer is not the onely meanes to make a Realme abound therewith if the vse of it within bee not well ordred And therefore the King did forbid the superfluous vse of gold and siluer in Lace or otherwise vpon garments This Edict did greatly trouble the Ladies in Court yet it was obâ—erued for that it was generall and expected none the King himselfe did frowne of a Prince of his house who had not yet thought of this reformation The King continuing the same care to settle all things in good Estate seeing that forraine Coynes went at a higher rate in his Realme then where they were coyned he commanded that the vse of forraine coynes should bee forbidden after a certaine time giuen to the people to put it away reâ—â—oring gold to his iust value This commandement was iust but it was a great ruine to the peopole for the Strangers seeing that their Coynes were not currant among vs discontinued the trafficke and liued without that without the which wee thought they could not liue Those which were wont to come to Lions went to Geneua where the Duckates were raised as much as we had abated them The King by all these Edicts had nothing releeued the necessities of the
propound the marriage of the Duke of Sauoyes third daughter vnto him which he would not harken unto seeing his Maiestie would take the care to marrie him He intreated and adiured Cerezat to aduise La Fiâ— to dismisse all those that had made the voyages with him especially of a Curat and to lay his papers in some place of safeâ—ie if he would not burne them and to consider in the end that he had in his hands his Life his Fortune and his Honor. La Fin comes to Couâ—t La Fin came to the Court at Fontainbleau in the end of Lent he spake first with the King and with Villeroy alone he had conference with the Chancellor in the night with Rhosni in the forest and with Sillery at the pressing place All had horror to see the writings and to heare the desseins which they vnderstood We must not beleeue lightly for slander is subtill doth seeke to supplant the most innocent actions But when the preseruatioÌ„ of the State is in question the most doubtfull things are not to bee reiected nor contemned The King could hardly beleeue so great a wickednes the facilitie of his bountie made him hard of beleefe La Fin made him to see such apparent and certaine proofs of this conspiracie as he was forced to beleeue more then he desired Hee declared all that had past in his voyages to the Duke of Sauoy and the Earle of Fuentes for the Dâ—ke of Biron Saying that hee desired that the returne of the warre might haue troubled his Maiestie and profited them that were the cause of iâ— But seeing that his sacred and inuâ—olabe person was not excepted and that they made cruell desseigns against him he had such horror as he was resolued to giue him intellegence thereof chosing rather to faile in his promise to the Seruant then in his dutie to the Master The King ful of clemencie and bountie was wonderfully greeued to see so vnnatural a conspiracie Yet he sayd that if the Conspirators did their duties and gaue him the meanes they might to preuent the bad desseigns of his enemies he would pardon them If they weepe said he I wil weepe with them If they remember what they owe me I will not forget what is due to them They shall find me as full of clemencie as they are voyd of good affections I would not haue the Marshall Biron the first example of the seueritie of my Iustice and that he should be the cause that my raigne which hitherto hath beene like vnto a calme and cleere skie should be sadainly ouercast with clouds of thunder lightning And from that time his resolutioÌ„ was that if the Marshal Biron coÌ„fesâ—ed the truth The King expâ—cts â—epentâ—nce oneâ—y of the Duke he would pardon him His Councell were of that opinion so as he would imploy himselfe effectually to doe as much good for the seruice of his estate against his enemies as he had practised il among them Of many papers which La Fin preseÌ„ted vnto the King they mâ—de choise of 27. peeces which were not those which concluded most against the Dâ—ke of Biron but which maâ—e mention onely of him the King being vnwilling to haue the rest discouered to the end that the punishment of one might serue for an example to all The Chancellor kept these papers with such care as he caused them to be sowed vnto his dublet being loth to trust any one with them or shew them till need required The Baron of Lux was at Fontainbleaâ— when as La Fin arriued the King sayd vnto him that hee was very well satisfied that La Fin had spoken so honorably and so wisely of the Duke of Biron that he knew well his intentions were not conuerted to any bad desseignes as they sayd Hee returned to Dijon well content thinking that all things were sound La Fin writes to the Duke of â—iron that he had satisfied the King of his actions and hath sayd nothing but what he thought might serue to banish all bad impressions The King mannaged the busines so wisely as the euent was happy making shewe to feare no enemies but abroad He grewe iealous at the arming of â—o many Galleys at Genoa for the King of Spaine vnder collour of the Prince of Piedmonts passage An army at sea for the King of Spainâ— least they should haue some enterprise vpon Prouence He therefore commanded the Dukes of Guise and Vantâ—dour to be carefull of their charges He writ to the â—ouernor of Lions whose intent was to spend some part of the Sommer at Chaumâ—nt to returne to Lions for that hee was aduertised from all partes that his enemies had some desseigne there whereof they vanted Hee commanded Lesdigâ—eres to goâ— to Horse-backe if neede were and when the Gouernour of Lions should send for him And he caused the Marquis of Spinolas troupes to bee obserued the which were readie to passe at Pont de Gresin to goe into Flanders the which in truth were but to couer the Duke of Birons practises The King parted from Frontainbleau to go to Blois and so into Poiton There are alwaies in States as in great bod es swellings and bad humors The King goes to â—â—ois which are not to bee cured by violent remedies but gently and by the Princes presence There were in Guienne and Poitou diuers motions which could not bee dispersed but by the light of the King He resolued to go into those quarters and to shewe himselfe vnto them Glorious in Peace who had neuer seene him but Triumphant in Warre He past to Blois Tours and then to Poictiers His presence did pacifiâ— all Mutinies which grewe by reason of the imposition of a Soulz vpon the Liure and through the apprehension which was giuen the People The â—ure is two shillings that he would giue Garrisons to some Townes and Citadells to others and to all in generall an increase of their miseries But as soone as the King had said vnto them that he came not to see them and ruine them but to releeue them That he would build no other Fortresses but in their Hearts not vse any more constraints to succour the necessities of the Crowne then their own good wills That he desired more to ad and increase then to take away or diminish their contents And that hee would not haue the gold of his treasure to bee bathed in the teares and bloud of his subiects there was no man but did blesse the yeares of his raigne and did wish it immortall His presence did also disapoint many badde practises which were growing France was so full of badde humors as vpon the least motion that came from abroad it was readie to fall into her former Phrensies The great trouble of the Pallace at Paris by the intermission of hearing of causes and the dismission of Solyciters the which happened the twelfth of May a fatall moneth for the Parisians by a greater reuolt seemed to presage some newe
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
a paine Stantem Imperatâ—rem excedere terris dâ—cet he commanded the Executioner to make an end He desired to die standing according to the aduise of Vespasian The Executioner answered him that hee must kneele that hee might doe nothing out of Order No no said the Duke of Biron if thou canst not doe it at One giue Thirtie I will not stirre They prest him to kneele and hee obeyed willing the Execâ—tioner to dispatch then he start vp sodainly againe casting his eyes vpon the Executioner and looking vpon the standers by hee asked if there no mercy It was imagined that either hee would haue layd hand vppon the Executioners sword or that hee presumed that when he should be readie to receiue the fatall stroake they would bring him his pardon and that the King would doe him no other harme then feare him as Papirius Cursor did one of his souldiars â—or breaking of his ranke The Executioner intreated him to suffer him to cut his heâ—re At that word he grew into choller againe â—e vnbanded himselfe and sware that if he toucht him hee would strangle him You may see in two persons two extreame passions Feare retyred the â—xecutioner within himselfe Choller transported the Dâ—ke of Biron beyond himselfe The one trembled for feare the other for rage Voisin sayd vnto him that he had too much care of his bodie He sweares and growes into choller which was no more his owne He turned to him in choller with an oath saying I will not haue him touch mee so long as I shall bee liuing If they put mee into choler I willl strangle halfe the company that is here and will force the rest to kill mee I will leape downe if you thru si me into dispaire His colour did rise and shewed a distemperature in his face Those that were vppon the scaffold went downe The Executioner remayned amazed fearing death more then he that was to die But this choller preuailed nothing it was like vnto Ctesiphon to kicke against the Moâ—â—es heeles Resâ—â—e horses get nothing but spurring they are neither freed from their burden nor from their iourney hee must resolue to goe this way the which he must passe at length Voisin intreated the Preachers to goe vp againe and to pacifie him fearing least he should fal into dispaire for his Soule being much troubled with the violeâ—ce of so tragicall an end entring into these furious motiues was subiect to great distempratures They goe vp againe and speake some good wordes vnto him in his eare the which doth temper his furious rage and calme the choller which the Executioners presence did thrust him into Hee had alwayes liued in Warre he could not die in Peace All men found these furious passions strange in the last act of his life the which required a great constancie of mind and a perfect Iudgement to know God and to call to him for mercy and to pray him to intreat his Soule more fauourably then Iustice had done his Bodie Hetherto they beleeued that although hee were entring into death yet hee thought not to die and that hee would seaze vppon the Executioners sword Sodenly hee resolues to free this passage and hauing receiued his absolution hee sayd My God my God my God take pittie on mee Then turning to the Executioner hee takes the binder that was in his hand trusses vp his haire behind and binds it vppon his fore-head and with his handâ—kercher hee bâ—inds his eyes and so kneeles downe The Preachers comfort him in his last râ—solâ—tion assuring him that his Soule was readie to see God and to bee partakâ—r of his glory in Heauen I sayd he Heauen is open for my Soule And this done he bends downe his head presenting it as willingly vnto the sword as Agis did his vnto the halter saying vnto the Executioner Strike Strike oh Srike This was to die in commanding and to command in dying The Executioner hauing seene him to rise and to vnblinde himselfe thrise that in turning towards him being not bound hauing the sword in his hand hee might wrest it from him thought that there was no way to execute him but by surprise and therefore hee sayd vnto him that hee must say his last prayer to recommend his Soule vnto God intreating the Preachers that were gone downe to cause him to say it At which wordes the Executioner made a signe to his man to reach him his sword with the which hee cut of his head euen as he was speaking The blow was so sodaine as few men perceiued it He cuts of 〈◊〉 head the Head leaped from the scaffold to the ground The Preachers prayed for the happie departure of the Soule from so vnhappie a Bodie the which was presently stripped into his shirt and couered with a sheete His heart panted as if in rising against the Head it had sayd as Apolodorus thought that his did when hee drempt that one did hewe it in peeces It is for thee that I suffer This Head full of the fumes of Ambâ—tion was the cause of the Hearts death The Executioner stroke him so heigh aboâ—e tâ—e Nape of the Necke as he glaunced vppon his Iawe-bones and left a great 〈…〉 hayre on his Necke Being dead hee shewed Choller in his Countenance as tâ—ey write of the Souldiars which died at the Battell of Cannas Euery one departed commending the Kings Iustice and lamenâ—â—ng the misery of so Valiant a Man beleeuâ—â—â— that of long time they should not see his equall His Kinsfolkes would thinke themselues happy if the Glory of his Life might wipe away the Infamy of this Death if the shining of his first actions were not obsured with the Darknesse of the â—â—st that for a recompence of al his Seruices which haue made him so famous they migâ—t obtaine the fauour that they would neuer speake of him But there is no Lawe of Forgetfulnesse to deface the memory of that which hath beene and of that which is About nine of the Clocke at night he was carried to S. Pauls Church and buried in the middest of the Body before the Pulpit the Celestins hauing refused to giâ—e him buriall Great Gonsalue dying had a hundred Ensignes hang ouer his graue hauing had no permission nor commandment for it He was not distinguished from others by his Funerall Pompe nor by the number of Ensignes I 〈◊〉 that Great Captaine at Granado but by the Holy watter which the Parisians did cast hourely vpon his Graue Such was the ende of the Duke of Biron There is no Caâ—me but hath a Storme one would haue said to haue seene him at the height of his prosperities That he had fixed a Nayle on Fortunes wheele that it might not turne and yet he is sodainly cast downe There past but one night betwixt his Glory and his Ruine This Flower being so sodainely blowne the first Northern winde did wither it and carry it away His Honours and Greatnesse were the meanes to ruine him like vnto Absolons
succesfull within these few yeares as the onely reuenue of silke doth now bring more money to these Prouinces then the Corne Oyle and Woade although they haue great abundance It doth also begin very happily at Lions and if it continues this Cittie wil be as famous for silke as Tire and Bulis were for Scarlett The beginning of this yeare was remarkable by a great and tragicall Mutine in the great Turkes Court. In Turkie all the mischeefs which fall out in the publike gouernment the Spahis and Iannissaries impute vnto the Baschas and if they do not their duties they blame him from whome they haue their authoritie The Seriuano who commanded in Asia being reuolted against the great Turke Rebell on in Asia against the Turke had found such weake resistaÌ„ce as he thought nothing could faile him in his enterprise so as resolution which is tryed in war more then in any other action did not faile him He was so hardie as he came in armes within 3. or 4. dayes iourney of Constantinople wherewith the Spahis and Iannissaries were so moued as they thought this boldnes proceeded for that hee had too much of that whereof their Emperour had too little and from the treacherie of his Ministers They conceiued so great a dispight as they assembled to the number of thirtie fiue thousand with the people and presented themselues before the Diuan or Tribunall of Iustice the which is held in the great Turkes Pallace the foure first dayes of the weeke Hauing set gards at the gates that they might execute their reâ—olution more safely they named tenne Spahis and tenne Iannissaries to deliuer the reasons of this mutinie and what they desired As soone as they were entred before the Baschas whereof the most couragious was not without feare thinking that the greatest courtesie they could expect from these Barbarians was that which Vlisses attended of Poliphemus to be deuoured last They first demanded to haue Assâ—n Bascha deliuered vnto them who thinking his head should serue for a sacrifice to pacifie this furie went all amazed through this mutinous multitude protesting of his Innocency and calling vpon his Prophet to discouer the truth Hauing heaped iniuries and reproches on him they asked him rudely whence it proceeded that whilest the cheefe forces of the Empire were in Hungarie to recouer Alba Regalis they had altogither neglected to stay and ruine the proceedings of the Rebells in Asia Hee answered that hee had done his dutie whilest that he had the charge of the armie in Asia but seeing himselfe readie to die he desired that his death might profit the publike and that in discharging his Conscience hee might declare the causes of these ruines Hee sayd that it proceeded onely from the bad gouernment of the Emperours Mother and of his Cipiaga At these words they demanded to speake with the Emperour who presented himselfe in the Imperiall seat with the high Priest of the Lawe 〈◊〉 Mophty the Emperour hauing commanded the Mophty Presidents the cheefe of the Iustice and the Doctors of the Law to sit downe so great the respect is to men of that sort in a Nation of so small respect the Baschas standing vp the cheefe of the seditious presenting himselfe demanded leaue to speake which being granted hee sayd thus Great Mighty and most Happie Emperour the Spahis and Iannissaries your obedient slaues full of greeâ—e and compassion to see your Highnes Estate in danger to be lost desire to know the cause why your greatnes doth not remedie it and imploy the meanes which God hath giuen you They suppose that the Rebells courses in Asia are vnknowne vnto you seeing they haue beene so hardie as to come in armes so neere vnto your Imperiall aboad without leâ—t or resistance They desire to know if all hath beene made knowne vnto him and if hee will take vpon him the care of the gouernment of this Monarchie the which by his negligence is like vnto great members well proportioned but haue little or no vigour or if hee be contented that all be dismembred and euery one to take what share he can The Iannissaries power in Turkie The Iannissaries are they which may speake boldest in Turkie they are the reynes of the Empire the Princes children acknowledge no other Father nay rather the great Turke is their Creature for they rayse them vp vnto the Empire and are bound vnto them as a Cup of gold is vnto the file the sizers and the hammer that workes it If Mahomet had done as one of his Predecessors aduised in the like mutinie if hee had opposed vertue and courage to this furious multitude it had dispersed of it selfe Hee carried himselfe too couldly and framed his countenance with a Maiestie full of mildnes smoothing the choller hee had in his heart with the best words his tongue could deliuer imputing the disorder of his affaires to the Infidelitie of his Ministers and the disguising of the truth That before their complaint hee had resolued to redresse it and to take from them all occasion of complaint or to vse any such speech which was not befitting them whose example of obedience and respect should profit the rest of his Subiects Then they demanded of Assan Bascha why he had not giuen an account of the Rebels proceedings vnto his Highnes Hee answered that he had neuer fayled of his dutie but that the Cipiaga had alwayes hindred him from doing it saying that it was not needfull to giue him that distaste but to repaire the disorders as well as they could That the cause of all the disorder proceeded from the Empresse his Mother and from his Câ—piaga Then the mutiners sayd that they were there assembled to require their heads being resolued to take a course if he refused it meaning thereby to make an other Emperour The great Turâ—e answered that hee would not for their humors put such as they demanded innocently to death but they should rest contented to haue it examined by Iustice if they deserued death and then he would giue them his owne Sonne if he were culpable The Mutyners replyed that hee had not put his Brethren to death by Iustice but for the preseruation of the State that those which they demanded were soe guiltie as the deserued not to haue their Processe made that the Lawes how iust soeuer should bee vnprofitable and Iustice iniurie if they did not punish them and therefore it must be so else they would prouide for it themselues As for the Emprese his Mother they were contented she should bee confined to some place a farre of It is a strange thing to see a Prince forced by the sedition and mutiny of his subiects A Prince forced to please a sâ—ditioâ—s multitude to deliuer an Officer at their discretions It had beene more Honourable and iust to haue suffred them to take him by force or to haue giuen him meanes to escape The violent resolution of these mutiners made the Emperour wisely to yeeld to what
that it would not bee taken ill at Rome knowing that he did it onely to please the King and to haue audience But he had some difficulty to decipher himself when he was to speake vnto the King for he could not vnder one habit play two contrary personages neither had hee words in his mouth nor teares in his eyes for this sorrow He that will ease an others griefe must shew that he hath a part feeling thereof Hee went after an other maner and his spirit did fit him with an other kinde of complement the which although it were free yet was it not vnpleasing Hee sayd vnto the King that such as knew what he was and in whose name hee spake would wonder at the office which he did but he had more occasion then any other for that al lamented the losse of the Body but his Maister the losse of the Soule The King sayd vnto him that hee beleeued his Sister was saued for that in the last gaspe an extreame griefe might carry her right into Heauen the Noncio replied My Lord that discours is more Metaphisicall then Phisicall and so they both entered into other talke The great Duke of Tuscany had an enterprise profitable glorious for ChristendoÌ„ The Knights of his Order presented unto him often many occasions which might fill their hands with palmes and charge the Turkes with blowes and shame The burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier hee made choise of the most difficult important in burning of the Turkes gallies at Algier that he might make all that season fruitlesse and his preparation vnprofitable The time did hasten the execution but the wisedome of the great Duke did iudge that the stay was more safe then the hazard if a Diomedes were fit to do this enterprise an Vlisses was as necessary to coÌ„duct it Policy Wisdom being better then Force An English Captain arriued happily with a Ship laden with Marchandize for a Marchant of Pisa. The great Duke informes himselfe of him in what estate the Gallies were in the Port of Algier He told him that they were eight in number ready to set sayle in the beginning of Aprill to scowre along that coast The great Duke discouered his desseigne vnto him the Captaine gaue him some reasons to make this enterprise easie and the great Duke â—eanes to execute it He laded his ship with Salt vnder the which he had hidden his Fire-workes Powder Armes and to the end that if the execution succeeded not as he hoped the King of England should not be offended he left the English Flag and tooke that of the Estates of Holland and Zeland Hee entred the Pâ—râ— of Algier making a shew that he would vnlade his Salâ— Where finding two other English Vessells he discouered his desseigne vnto the Captaine offering them part of the Honour and Profit of the execution if they would hazard themselues in the same danger They agree and prepare for it happilie taking such good oportunity to cast the fire as if the great Duke had bin as well serued by them which made the artificiall fires as by them which cast theÌ„ the Turke had saued nothing of his Gallies but the ashes which the Winde had left vpon the Port and the spoyles of this Pyâ—at had beene preuented He had another Enterprise against the Turke where in he was not hindred but by the Infidelity of those to whom he had giuen the Word Faith of a Prince to dwell safely in his Estates An other enterprise of the great Dukes in Negrepoâ—t The Iewes which liue at Liuorno did discouer it giuing intelligeÌ„ce thereof so soone as the Marriners which came from the Leâ—ant and past by the Port said that they attended the great Dukes Gallies in Negrepont The great Duke did but laugh at it Theâ—e be the affects of Fidelity and Affection which Princes may expect in nourishing those Serpents in their bosomes The Iewes bee the Turkes best spies who knowes that they are madde against Christians with an implacable furye Curst Dogges are kept tyed all day and let loose at night But these People should be straitly garded at all times And in all places they should be still kept in seruitude as their rebellion against the Trueth hath deserued The King of Spaine discontent The King of Spaine is offended that the French go to serue Prince Maurice to hinder his brother the Archduke in the taking of Ostend That he lends them money that he prohibits his Subiects to trafficke into Spaine and Flanders The King saies that he hath not therby any cause to coÌ„plaine For the first he doth not aduow them that go to serue the States For the second he reâ—tores that which they haue lent him paies in small summes the grosse which he had receiued in his necessity But the King hath two great occasions to be offended with the King of Spaine The one was that he refuseth to reuoake the impositioÌ„ of 30. in the 100. which he hath set vppon all Marchandize that goes in or comes out off Spaine Discomodities vpon the Inhibition of Trafficke Vpon this refusal he was couÌ„celled to forbid the French to Trafficke into Spaine or Flanders The MarchaÌ„ts of the Towns of Traffike made great sute to haue it taken awaye and deliuered in reason that deserued consideration if the King had not had others of greater importance the which made him to continue constant although he in his own priuate receiued more preiudice then any other by the great dimynution of his Customes But he respected not this losse in regard of a greater good hauing found that the continuance of the Trafficke which the French made into Spaine into the Archdukes Countries would be more ruinous then profitable vnto theÌ„ for the great and insupportable impositions which they lay vpon the Marchandize that went in or out off their Estates An Ambassador fâ—om the King of Cusco at Valence The King of Spaine should haue pleased many if hee would haue made shewe of this discontent vppon this Interdiction But he had other thoughts And hauing had some speech with the Ambassador of the King of Cusco at Valence many beleeued that he would againe attempt Algier for that he caused him to be conducted by a Maister of the Campe an Ingener with great store of munition and wilde fire laden in three Frigats This Inhibition did nothing alter the Peace of Veruins as they desired which cannot carry their Hands but vpon the pomells of their Swordes their Feet but vppon a breath and their eyes but vpon a place of Battaile but a wise Prince doth neuer vndertake any Warre lightly considering that the time of frindship is more sweete then that of reuenge Treason discouered The other cause of offence was that hee did withdrawe the Kings subiects from their faith and loyalties and that he alwaies entertained some Traitors in â—rance Desbarraux the Kings Ambassador in Spaine
Catholike Church but most dangerous at Rome That it was no point of the essence of Faith to beleeue that Clement the eight was the true and lawefull successor of Saint Peter He was committed to prison and if the Ambassador of Spaine had not delt in it hee had sped worse and tried that the Bodie hath often reason to complaine of the paine which the Spirit causeth An other Iesuite propounded a proposition which was held very strange for the Nouelty and the Consequence thereof Which was That Confession might be done by Letters and by Postes These with some other questions were decided before the Pope and the Cardinalls in the following yeare There fell out halfe a sedition in Rome by the meanes of Cardinall Farneze Halfe asedition at Rome One being pursued by the Officers to be carried to prison fled into the Cardinalls Pallace as into a Sanctuary where he found a backe doore to escape This flight was fauored by the incounter of some of the Cardinalls Gentlemen who walking in the Court and seeing the Sargents make a noise at his escape whom they thought to apprehend they gaue them badde words with some threates for the small respect they had borne vnto their Maisters house The Pope was aduertised thereof and the Gouernor of Rome went thether with his Officers The Cardinall Farneze beleeued that all the Consistory was offended at this affront the which troubled all Rome They had giuen the Pope to vnderstand that this did concerne the authority of his Iustice without the which the Citty could not continue happy They had layed open this boldnesse vnto him by many considerations of his owne priuate interest They sayd that this did but increase the discontents which many had conceiued against the house of Aldebrandin The tumult grewe so great as one sword drawne had put all the Citty in Armes The Ambassador of Spaine came to the Cardinalls Pallace with all his friends and there spent the whole night looking on the Romaine gentlemen that played in the Hall and asking who had wonne or lost they tould him that the Duke Gactan had lost six hundred Crownes Seigneur Duke sayd hee in Spanish assure your selfe that you loose nothing this night for the notable seruice you do vnto the King Hee was often herd to say these words the which were fuller of vanity then of necessity or reason A qui quiero morir as if the Pope who had no forces would come to beseege him The next day the Cardinall Farneze retired himselfe to a house of his called Caprarola fiue twenty miles from Rome whether he was accompained with the principall men in Rome The Pope sent the Gouernor vnto him to receiue his gouernment from him as if hee had lost it for that he had entred into his Pallace with his Sargents Hee quenched the heat of those fiery Spirits with his teares and complained that they did not loue him as he did loue and that therein the intention of true friendship was deceiued But hee coÌ„manded his Noncio in Spaine to coÌ„piaine of the King of Spains Ambasador who had openly discouered his passion against him In the end the Duke of Parma brought back the Cardinall to Rome al was pacefied As he came froÌ„ Monte-cauallo where the Pope was he was well accompanied followed into the Court of his Pallace with cries of ioye Viua la Casa Farneza These were the peoples violent passions not so much for any loue of him as in hatred of the Cardinall Aldobrandin But none of them trusted to this reconcyliacion The Cardinall the Duke Gaetan and many others of the greatest of the Citty went out of Rome The Pope caused sixe hundred Corses to come and two hundred Harguebuziers on Horse-backe for the gard of Saint Peters Bourg and if hee had had the Spirit of Sixtus the fift or of Popes that were Predecessors to Paul the third this small beginning had beene the cause of great accidents In the beginning of the yeare the Emperor sent his Ambassador to shew to the Pope An Ambassador from Emperor and Consistory the great occassions that were lost in Hungary for want of meanes to attempt and execute them for although the Bascha were arriued with two millions of Gold they found that this Army mas more capable to coÌ„sume this prouision then to doe any great effect and that they would onely seeke to wast and spoyle The Pope told him that he had no money and that he should be constrayned to impose a â—enth vpon the Clergy of Italy to that effect The Emperors Ambassador wondred that the Pope said he had no money for euery man knoweth what his Treasure is in the Castle S. Angelo It is not toucht but is wholy reserued for the necessities of Rome The Empeâ—our did also command his Ambassador to go to the Pâ—inces of Italy and to intreat the like succors from them but it was without effect Hee was angry that the Dâ—ke of Sauoy Vicar of the Empire did refuâ—e to contribute to the charges oâ— this Warre Hee was not in so good termes with tâ—e Venetians as to hope for any secret succors of money The controuersie grew for the confines of the Earle of Tyrol for the Venetians complayned that they had vsurped vppon certaine Mountaines of the Alpes vpon the passage of Trent for the recouery and maintaynance of their Iurisdiction they made some courses through the Mountaines with their Souldiars to make reprisalls of Men and Cattell and doing other acts of possâ—ssion The Empeâ—or was not â—o much â—roubled for this vsurpation as he was extremely greeued for the losse of Pesâ—a Pesâ—â— abâ—ndonâ—d by the Christians the which happened through want of Courage vnworthy the Glory and Reputation of Christians for there are sinister accidents in Warre which may â—ather be imputed to the rigor of â—ortunâ— and to want of foresight then to cowardise but this yeelding of the place was meere basenesse Those of Buda hauing receiued a great Conuoy or some newes thereof shot off all their Artillery and maâ—e great shouts oâ— Ioy afteâ— theiâ— manner the Christians thinking it was some great assault or some furious charge that would be giuen them were so amazed as they forsooke the Towne without the sight of any enemy But as Christian Princes were cold in so holy and iust a Warre God makes vse of an Infidell Prince to their owne confusion The Persians had beene long oppressed by the Turkes but nowe it seemes they can and will seeke their reuenge If a part of the Turkes Forces were kept occupied in Hungary they would easily preuaile ouer the rest and foâ—ce the Turkes to giuâ— them Water and Earth in signe of their subiection For this occasion the Kâ—ng of Persia sent an Ambassador to the Emperor intâ—eat him not to make any Peace with Amet assuring him to succour him with many thâ—usandes of Mâ—n and Câ—ownes Hee past by Lions and did see the Gouernour to whom he
the stemme foundation of the third royall race which raigne at this day Robert Philip the â—iâ—st Lâ—wis 7. called the Long. Lâ—wiâ— the eight Philip 3. called the bardy Lewis 10. called Huâ—in Henry Lewis 6. called the grosse Philip 2. called Augustus Lewis 9. called S. Lewis Philip 4. called the faire Philip 2. surnamed the long Charles the 4. called the Faire the last of this fiâ—st branch Robert the 37. King of France THe raigne of Robert long happy fol 129 He preferres Henry his younger sonne to the Crowne before the elder ibid. His disposition ibid. Wise Kings and of long life are happie for an Estate fol. 130 He giues Burgundie to Robert his eldest sonne ibid. Robert makes an agreement with the emperor for Lorraine ibid. He reconciles the Duke of Normandie and the Earle of Chartres ibid. Henry 1. the 38. King of France HIs raigne fol. 131 Contention betwixt the brethren ibid. Odo earle of Campaigne seekes to seize vpon Burgundie fol. 132 Robert Duke of Normandie preferres his bastard before his lawfull children fol. 133 Happie succâ—sse of the Normans in Italy ibid. Henry dies ibid. Philip 1. the 39. King of France BAldwin Regent in Philips minoritie fol. 134 He punisheth the rebels of Gascoine ibid. He dies much lamented fol. 135 The disposition of Philip. ibid. Philip forsakes Baldwins children ibid. William bastard of Normandie aduanced to the Crowne of England Philip discontented at his aduancement ibid. The Leuaine of dissention betwixt France and England fol. 136 The English enter Guienne ibid. Confusions in Italy betwixt the Emperour and Popes ibid. The Pope incenseth the sonne against the father and takes both Empire and life from him fol. 137. The beginning of the states of Daulphine Sauoy Prouence and Franche Countie ibid. A voyage to the Holy land and the motiue of this enterprise ibid. The names of such as went to the Holy land fol. 138. The number of the Army ibid. The Mahometans command fol. 139 The Christian troupes twice defeated by the Turkes ibid. Godfrey conquers the greatest part of Asia ibid. He is chosen King of Ierusalem ibid. The sonnes of William King of England fol. 140 Philip dies his disposition ibid. Lewis 6. called the Grosse the 40. King THe estate of this raigne fol. 141 Rebels suppressed and punished fol. 142 The Emperour grieued for the ill vsage of his father comes to Rome and forceth the Pope to take an oath ibid. The Emperour degraded by the Popes decree ibid. The Emperor and King of England ioine against France ibid. The French King and the Emperour reconciled fol. 143. Great troubles in Flanders ibid. Crueltie in the citie of Bruges ibid. Lewis King of France punish the rebels fol. 104 Pretendants for the Earledome of Flanders ibid. William of Normandie made Earle of Flanders ibid. The Flemmings chuse them a new Earle and Thierry the new Earle of Flanders defeated ibid. William of Normandie slaine in Flanders ibid. Troubles in Bourbonois fol. 145 The stocke of the house of Bourbon ibid. Philip eldest sonne to Lewis died by a strange accident ibid. Lewis the yong marries the heire of Guienne ibid. Lewis the 6. dies fol. 146 Lewis 7. called the yong the 41. King of France THe estate of his raigne fol. 146 The Christianâ— affaires in the East ibid. Godâ—frâ—y of Bouillon dies and the Christians loose all in the East fol. 147 The Emperor and King of France resolue to succour the Christians ibid. A horrible massacre coÌ„mitted by the souldiers of Lewis and by his consent fol. 147 The Emperour and Lewis goe into the East ibid. The Emperor of Greece deales trecherously with the Emperour and the King ibid. The Emperor and King of France make a shamefull returne from the East fol. 149 Queene Elenor vnchast ibid. Lewis pretends a cause to be diuorced from Elenor and restores her Guienne ibid. Elenor marries with Henry King of England ibid. The first Warre betwixt France and England for the Earldome of Tholouse ibid. Great troubles in England betwixt the Father and the Sonne fol. 150. Prince Henry â—ealous of his owne Father ibid. The Sonnes make Warre against the Father and Lewis supports his Sonne against him fol. 151. Henry King of England reconciled to his Sonnes ibid. Frâ—derike the Emperor ruines Milan takes Rome and creates a newe Pope ibid The Emperor subiects himselfe basely vnto the Pope fol. 152. Lewis dies ibid. Complaints against the abuses of the Church ibid. Phillip the 2. called Augustus the 42. King of France An excellent King and an excellent raigne fol. 153. His disposition The Iewes banished out of France ibid. Competitors for the gouernment of the State fol. 154. Troubles in Flanders for the Earldome of Vermandois ibid. Henry Prince of England dies before his Father ibid. Phiâ—lip of France and Richard of England make a Peace ibid. The miserable Estate of the Christians in Asia ibi The Christians in Asia at Ciuill warre fol. 155. The Emperor of Greece murthered by his Tutor ibid. King Philip and Richard King of England make a voiage to the Holy Land ibid. Richard exploits in Asia ibid. Philip stirs vp Iohn against his Brother Richard King of England fol. 156. Richard makes a truce with â—elâ—din ibid. Hee is kept prisoner by the Emperor and put to ransome ibid. An vnknowne Aduocate pleads against the King for his wife Gâ—lbâ—rge ibid. Philipâ— warre against the King of England and the Earle of Flanders fol. 157. Richâ—rd King of England dies fol. 158. Iohn succeeds Richard and makes a Peace with Philip. ibid. Warre betwixt Iohn King of England and Arthur his Nephew ibid. 〈◊〉 murthers his Nephew 〈◊〉 ibid. Iohn declared guilty of murther and felony by Philiâ— ibiâ— Philip takes Normandy and Poitou from Iohn ibiâ— Great enemies against Philip and a dangerous League against him ibid. His Victory at Bouines against the Empeâ—or fol. 159. The Emperor dies for griefe of his disgrace ibid. Iohn makes the Realme of England tributary to the Pope â—ol 160 He doth homage to the Popes Legat. 〈◊〉 Iohns oppression of his subiects is tâ—e cause of his ruine 〈◊〉 The English reiect Iohn and offer the Realme to Philip. 〈◊〉 Lewis of France receiued by the English 〈◊〉 King Iohn dies for griefe â—â—l 161. The English change their opinion They â—â—ceâ—ue Henry the Sonne of Iohn and dismisse 〈◊〉 of France 〈◊〉 Philips Actions Testament and his Lands vnited to the Crowne fol. 162. His death and his conditions 〈◊〉 The Estate of the Empire 〈◊〉 The Pope opposeth against the Emperor 〈◊〉 The Emperor muâ—thered by Otho who succâ—eded him ibid. The faction of Guelphes and Gibelius fâ—l 163. The Popes seekes to haue soueraigne authority ouer Christendome 〈◊〉 Orders of Relligious men ibid. Lewis the eight Father to Saint Lewis 43. King of France HIS raigne and death fol. 164. His manners ibiâ— Languedoc returnes to the Crowne ibid. Diuers opinions of the Albigeois and their opinions as some write ibid. The Earle of Tholouse
Churches and publike places in priuate houses in great and smal troups without any feare or respect of the royall dignity The Daulphin more a prisoner then his father durst not repine against these disorders which increased hourely like to a violent streame which falles from a high mountaine through the force of much rayne This furious multitude puffed vp dayly by the practises of the Nauarrois who imployed both heart and hand to ruine the Daulphin falles in the 〈…〉 threats to blowes The Apostum is ripe it must needs breake An exchaÌ„ger named Peâ—eâ— Maâ—â— pickt a quarrel with the Daulphins treasorer killes him in Saint Maries street Hauing slaine him hee flies into Saint Iames of the Butcherie and no man pursues him The Daulphin seeing his authority too much blemished in suffering himselfe to be 〈◊〉 braued he caused the murtherer to be drawne out of the Church and to be executed his hand to be cut off in the place where the murther was committed and from thence to be drawne to the gibet and hanged And to the end the people should not mutine he went accompanied with a gard of soldiars led by Robert of Clermont Marshal of France The same day arriued the Ambassadors of King Iohn being prisoner to sollicit his deâ—â—â— after many voiages made for the space of two yeares King Iohn sends to the Parisiens for his deliuery but in vaine that is to say two ages for a 〈◊〉 prisoner to whome delay is a double languishing But they were too true witnesses 〈◊〉 of the frutlesse tears of this poore Prince and of the barbarous cruelties of these Caâ—â—â—â—â—es They beheld the Bishop of Paris in the Daulphins sight and in the vewe of all the world to take this murtherers carcase from the gibet and to carry it to the Church from whence he was drawne and there to be honourably interred But this was not all Iohn of Piqueny comes to the Daulphin from the Nauarrois to summon him to hold his promise concerning the demands which were granted him in councell And as the Chancellor replied that they had beene performed He answered the Daulphin being present and the two Queenes The insolency of Iohn of Piqueny in the Daulphins presence That whosoeuer would maintaine the contrary had lyed And to heape one mischiefe vpon another the Prouost of Marchants with some of the Vniuersitie come vnto the Daulphin who by a Iacobiâ— Orator called Simon of Langres for it is not at this day alone that Monkes haue beene medlers in State require him to performe the promises made to the King of Nauarre or else the people would rise against him if he refused so apparant and reasonable a dutie A Parliament was likewise called for the Kings deliueâ—y wherevnto the blood of France which cannot degenerate caused the citties to be inclined so as things seemed in the end to promisse some redâ—esse The Parisiens comes in armes to the Daulphins lodging Being assembled at the Augustins the Prouost of Paris gathered together three thousand men of the basest artisans and comes armed to the house of S. Pol where the Daulphin was lodged hauing seazed vpon the gate and stopt all the passages he ascends to the Princes chamber being followed by his armed men The Daulphin was therewith much amazed Feare not saies the Prouost for any thing you shall see for what shall be done hath beene decreed and it must be so The watchword being giuen Horrible murthers comâ—utted in the Daulphins presence behold Iohn of Constans and Robert of Cleremont Marshalls of France two trustie seruants to the Daulphin are slaine before his eyes and so neere vnto him as the bloud rebounded vpon his face Ha cryes this poore Prince what is this will you attempt against the bloud of France No my Lord sayes the Prouost vnto him feare nothing it is not against your person we pretend they be your disloyall seruants we seeke who haue soâ— d aduised you Then he tooke the Daulphins hood and put his vpon the Daulphins head being halfe red and halfe skie-coloured the cittie liuerie and he did weare the Daulphins all that day being of a browne blacke imbrodered with gold in token of his Dictatorship The insolency of the Prouost of the Marchants This done their bodies are drawne to the Marble table and from thence cast into the Pallace yard for a spectacle to this furious people which flock thether from all parts with shouting and clapping of hands He presently sends to the Daulphin cloth both red and skie couloured to make him a hood and assembles the people at the Towne-house at the Creâ—â— where he makes them to approue this massacre and afterwards both the Daulphin and the Estates to do the like which were then assembled for very contrary effects The Parisiens solicite the Citties to rebell And to confirme and iustifie his vnbridled impudencie he writes letters in the name of the Citty of Paris to all the good townes of the realme exhorting them â—o ioyne with the chiefe cittie and to take their liuerie as the Daulphin had done the better to reforme the disorders of the realme As these confusions encreased dayly and hourely William of Mountigu Bishop of Terouenne Chancellor of France The officers of the crowne flâ—e out of the realme with many other officers of the Crowne flie from Paris and for the most part retire into â—ermanie as a shelter to auoyde these stormes expecting a better season The Chancellor had left the great Seale with King Iohn being prisoner so as then they vsed none but the small Seale of the Chastelet as well in the decrees of Parliament as in all other publike acts The Parisiens likewise erect a Councell of State composed of Sâ—â—uen Coeq Bishop of Laon the Cocke of this confusion of Renauld of Corby the first President Stephen Marcell Prouost of Marchants who in the end shal receiue the reward of his wickednesse Iohn Roussac Iohn Lisle with many of the Vniuersitie who had not the least voyce in the new commonweale Affliction is good for somthing as the Parisiens whom their furious ringleaders had fed with an imagination of the soueraigne gouernment of the State The Citties refuse to ioine 〈◊〉 the Parisieâ—â— to dispose of all things at their pleasures had assured themselues of a willing obedience from all the Citties of the Realme to whom as we haue sayd they had written to ioyne with them in a common league So were they greatly amazed that for answer to their imperious letters They receiued a generall denyall from all parts oâ— the realme the Citties refusing to harken to any priuate League 1358. and detesting the excerable example of so audacious a rebellion standing more carefully vpon their gard for feare of a surprise by the Nauarrois whome they confidently beleeued to be the cause of the Parisiens â—rensie and confusions The Daulphin being thus vnworthily intreated by the Parisiens The Daulphin leaues Paris retiers
himselfe out of this great forest of Paris into Champagne to the Towne of Vertus where he assembles the 〈◊〉 of the Country and according to the honorable offers they had made him he obtayned all he could desire answerable to their meanes and faculties But the greatest benefit he did reape was the good example they gaue to other Prouinces who imployed all their meanes not to yeeld to Languedoc or Champagne in the honor of their loyaltie whervnto God and nature bound all good subiects to their King especialy being in necessity Thus the Daulphins courage began to reuiue seeing by effect in his extremest danger that all good â—renchmen were not dead A lesson for great men neuer to despaire in most desperate extremities The Nauarrois had no other care but to ruine the Daulphin the Nauarroiâ— seekes all meanes to ruine the Daulphin Not satisfied with his 〈◊〉 in Paris he solicits the King of England instantly and represents vnto him by sundry messages that a fit oportunity is now offred to make himselfe master of this goodly estate There was great likelehood the King being a prisoner and the affaires brought to that extremity that the English should soone haue preuailed ouer this realme But God had otherwise decreed who shewed the rod but stayed his arme holding in his handâ— both the hearts of men and the euents of things Edward obserued well the meanes to effect his desseins in this confusion but knowing the ambitious disloial humour of the Nauarrois he could not trust him Yet not to contemne so plausible an occasion he assists him with some helpes by degrees Edward distrusts the Nauarrois onely to balance what force should be offered expecting some better and more safe oportunity the which hee promised himselfe rather by treatie with his prisoner then by all the intelligences and practises of this Prince importunately disloyall against his owne bloud and the State the which hee should haue mayntained with the hazard of his life This turbulent spirit not able to containe it selfe within the limits of duty assembles al his forces to beginne the game by open hostility against the Daulphin and to this ende he labours to corrupt the Captaines of places but hee could no more moue their loyaltie then the 〈◊〉 had done the Citties The Daulphin seeing the Nauarrois in armes vnder the commaund of his brother Philipâ— doth likewise arme and very lawfully against so vniust a violence But heerein hee did wisely drawe proffit from his enimy and maintaine his authority not duely respected with 〈◊〉 force of armes nor pleasing if armes had not beene taken by necessity And frâ—m hence there grewe a great occasion to confirme his authority in the reasonable and necessarie imployment of his forces Laques â—orhomme The disorder and confusion of times had wonderfully dispensed the Nobility against the people by reason that the Nauarrois hauing impâ—â—yed them two yeares to make himselfe redoubtable and fearefull and keeping certaine troupes in field which were abandoned to all licentiousnesse for want of pay they had no other enemy but the Oxe and the Asse of Iames the goodman for so did 〈◊〉 soldiars of confusion call the countriman in derision Country men defeated by the Daulphin whome they had long tormented with al impunity But patience too much mooued turnes into surie The poore Country man thus tortured in the ende resolues to shewe his teeth to this 〈◊〉 of the people and to fall on them with open force who had so often oppressed 〈◊〉 without any resistance Vpon this occasion they make a popular League in the Country of Bâ—auâ—ois the people being armed in great troupes skirmish in diuers places and fall vpon the gentlemen by whome they had beene wronged they kill them their wiues and children without respect spoile sack burne and pull downe their houses This armed multitude in the beginning did much harme like to a fire sodenly kindled A dangerous course and of great consequence but it was happily suppressed by the Daulphin payring the fault for the which the Nauarrois was blamed This popular frenzie quencht in the breeding was called the Iaquerie of â— aques or Iames the good man too common in the souldiers mouthes as we haue said more ready to deuoure the couÌ„triman then to looke vpon an armed enimie Thus it was suppressed by the Daulphins diligence who opposing his men of warre to this seditious multitude vanquished them easily as the peoples rage moued against reason cannot long continue dangerous fits of ciuill warre when as such as haue the gouernement in hand neyther can nor will do iustice to the subiect vniustly oppressed who haue reason alwayes to demandâ— and can complaine when it is denied them But they seeke a remedie worse then the disease wheÌ„ as being culpable of the insoleÌ„cles they reprehend in such as oppresse them they will take vpon themselues to seeke reuenge the which they may not expect but from the hand of such as may lawfully take it that is from such as haue the publike authority vnder the law The Daulphin hauing repaired this confusion assembles the Estates at Compiegne to the great dislike of the Parisiens A Parliament called a Compâ—â—gne being partisans to the Nauarrois They sought as it were by especiall priuiledge to hold the possession of the Estates still at Paris and were much discontented they should be held in any place else But the Parliament proceeds without regard of their complaints and decrees That Charles the Kings sonne Daulphin of Viennois who till then had bin called but lieutenant to his father beeing prisoner should be acknowledged and called Regent of the Realme of France that all good Frenchmen should obey him as the King himselfe The Daulphin declared Regent This new title purchased great authority to this yong Prince throughout all France and making him to appeare in these obscure times of afflictions as a lanthorne during the tempest of a cloudy night it reuiued his courage seeing himselfe at liberty without the walles of Paris whereas Marcell should not braue him nor murther his seruants in his chamber yea in his bosome Thus did he settle his authority by degrees wonderfully shaken by the audacious credit of the Nauarrois who hauing another intent did runne a contrary course For as the Nauarrois desseine was to usurpe the state against all order so he troade it vnder his feete hauing recourse to vniust violence So as in the field he had armed troupes in the citty of Paris a sedicious multitude and generally passion and fury The two pillers of his desseins were Iniustice and Violence supported by the peoples fauour who may do much being wel aduised but what mischiefe can we imagin in an 〈◊〉 which a multitude will not attempt being bewitched by such as abuse them like a 〈◊〉 beast which goes where he is driuen The proâ—ect of this Prince otherwise great both by blood and meanes had an vnfortunate issue as wicked attempts
the greatest dignities of the realme· for he made Charles Steward Earle of Boucquam his Constable and Iames Earle Du-glas Marshall of France and to honour the Scottish-mens faith he gaue them the gard of his person an institution which continues vnto this day He institutes a gard of theÌ„ for his person He had likewise some friends in Spaine and Italie who succoured him in due time according to their meanes We haue shewed what Prouinces followed the partie of our Charles amongst the which Languedoâ— was a principall The importance of this countrie did much aduance his affaires This reason moued both the Bourguignon and the Sauoiard against this Prouince The instruments fit for this enterprise were Iohn of Châ—â—lons Prince of Orange and the Lord Bochebaron a Nobleman of Velay one of the 22. diocesses of Languedoc The first by the commodity of his neighbourhood did win Nismes Pontsaint Esprit Aiguesmortes and all the rest of base Languedoc vnto Beziers Warre in Languedoc except the Castell of Pezenas the tower of Villenefue by Auignon the castell of Egaliers now wholy ruined neere vnto Vzez This losse was somewhat repaired by the fidelitie of the inhabitants Aiguesmortes set vp their ensigne of libertie by the direction of the Baron of Vauuerbe and killes the garrison of Bourguignons which the Prince of Orange had placed there To this day they shew a great tub of Stone wherein they did salt the Bourguignons The example of this strong and important Citty A strange cruelty whereby they are called Bourguignons sallies to this day awaked the rest and euen vpon the approch of the Earle of Foix who came with a goodly armye all the Townes yeeâ—d vnto him except Nismes and Pont S. Esprit Townes of great importance in that countrye the one beeing the head of that Seneshauce the other a passage vpon the Rosne towardes Daulphiné But as the libertie of time made the seruant presume aboue the Master so it chanced that the Earle of Foix hauing tasted the sweet of command and transported with the common humour of men seeking to make their profit of the common confusions of France deteined the reuenues of Languedoc by his absolute authority imparting none to Charles being exceeding poore in this confused time This necessity was accompanied with a cruell warre stirâ—ed vp in Velay by the Lord of Roche-baron a partisan to the Dukes of Sauoy and Bourgongne who furnished him both with men and money for this rebellion for it was rather a horrible theuery then a warre These 〈◊〉 occasions drew Charles into Languedoc to confirme his authority and his voyage succeeded according to his intent for he chased the Prince of Orange out of Nismes and Pont S. Esprit he pacified the troubles of Velay and put the Earle of Foix from his gouernement giuing the place to Charles of Bourbon Earle of Clermont a Prince of the bloud to the great content of all the people Hauing thus happily prouided for his affaires he takes the way of Velay to returne into France beeing arriued at Espaly a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Puy he is aduertised of his fathers death Charles mouâ—rnes for the death of his father after Henry the 5. his Competitor He falles presently to teares and mourning yet he buries not his affaires in care His Councell aduiseth him to change his blacke roabes into Scarlet to set vp the banner of France in his name and to proclaime himselfe King for the first fruites of his coronation the which being performed at Puy to the peoples great ioye Charles goes to Poitiers where he caused himselfe to de crowned King and receiued the homage and oathes of the officers of the Crowne Princes Noblemen and gentlemen that were about him with such pompe as the strictnesse of time would permit Then he intituled himselfe King of France and made shew of more authority and greater pompe But on the other side the Duke of Bedford beganne to bandy more strongly against him Henry the 6. his pupill a yong infant was in England He caused him likewise to bee crowned King till the seauen yeares after he should be solemnely installed at Paris in the yeare 1430. He set his name vpon the money of France making a new stampe but without any other change then of his name So that hereafter two Kings two factions two armies shall contend for this goodâ—â— Crowne The heire being the weaker shall fight against a strong pretender Law â—â—uours the one and force the other but the Protector of this estate will giue a fauourable doome for the weaker The Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne hold a counsel aâ— Amiens that the honour of so memorable a preseruation of this monarchy apparently drawne out of the graue may be giuen to him who rules the deluge of our confusions by his miraculous prouidence Scarse had Charles receiued the first fruites of his royall authority when as the Dukes of Bedford and Bourgongne his capitall enemies assemble at Amiens to crosse his new dignity in the breeding There shall be seaueh yeares of exceeding bad time but after this sharpe winter there will come a goodly spring when as all seemed lost and in the ende Sommer shall follow with a plentifull haruest of rest to this Realme whereof the lawfull heâ—e shall remaine in quiet possession and the pretender expelled with losse euen of that which he might haue ciuilly inioyed In this assembly at Amiens great plottes are layde against Charles whose ruine was their soueraigne end All is done at the charge of the English Peter Duke of Brittaine and Arthur Earle of Richmont his brother are there present Amedee Duke of Sauoâ— sends his Ambassadors A great league against King Charles consumed by alliances vnder an other colour but he casts the stone hides his arme The Dukes of Bedford Brittaine and Sauoy make a defensiue offensiue league agaiâ—â—â— Charles The soueraignty of the Crowne should remaine to the English the commoâ—â—ties to the Dukes They set the seale of marriages to this alliance Iohn Duke of â—edford marries with Anne the sister of Philip Duke of Bourgongne and Marguerit his other Sâ—ster takeâ— Arthur the Earle of Richemont Then they seeke the fruits of this alliance with the preiudice of Charles Euery man takes his quarter to torment him on all sideâ— The Bourguignon vndertakes Picardy where he settles Iohn of Luxembourg to expel the Daulphinois out of some places which they held there Henry of Lancaster Earle of Salisbury went into Champagne and Bry to clense the Country about Paris and to budâ—e Orleans The Earle of Warwick vndertooke Guienne to make war against those toâ—nes that held the Daulphins party Lewis Prince of Orange had charge to arme in Languedoc and Daulphiné Behold a great storme rising against the lawfull heire of this crâ—â—ne Amidst all these difficultyes Charles must needs be in great perplexitie but I reade with ioy that he whom God had chosen to