Saylers cappes to beare pikes and so to march with this mutinous companie that constrained two brethren called Messieurs de Saulx one a Captaine of the Towne the other of the Castle called Trompette to bee their Leaders and to assist them at the spoyling and robbing of diuers houses of the Cittizens their friendes whom they massacred before their eyes Tho sacking of the towne-house and massacring of the Gouernour The Towne-house wherein there laye great quantitie of armour was sacked and Monsieur de Monneins beeing so ill aduised to leaue the Castle of Du Ha where he was in safetie to go out to intreat perswade the people was cruelly murthered with diuers wounds both before and after his death a Locke-smith giuing him the first blowe and the Fryers that within 3. houres after in the night-time sought to take vp his bodie all filthie and moyled with durt and lying in the streets with a gentlemen called Monteluen were in danger of massacring because they buried them within that Temple But the principall Leaders of this mutinie longing to put water into their wine and such as had made their pray by spoyling houses Execution of iustice against the mutinous hauing withdrawne themselues some in one place some into another the parliament beeing strengthened and assisted by honest and peaceable Cittizens beganne to shewe his authoritie and caused some of the notablest companions amongst them to bee taken whom they executed namely La Vergne that was drawne in peeces by foure horses The Constable with all rigor punished those of Burdeaux The king beeing certified thereof wrote vnto the commons assuring them with all speed to take order therein commanding them to laye downe their armes which was the cause that euery man withdrew himselfe But in the meane time an armie was prepared to enter into Saintonge and Quiennie Monsieur de la Deuese ceased vppon the Castle Trompette and put out l'Estonnac and his adherents The Constable had commissiō to punnish those of Guyenne followed by Francis de Lorraine Counte d'Anmalle after Duke of Guise much renowmed in the raignes of Francis the second and Charles the ninth This Earle conducting 4000. Lansquenets and great numbers of French Horsemen entred into Saintonge which hee pacified without resistance not punishing them for their offences past minding to obtaine the name of a milde and gentle Prince and leauing the report of crueltie and seueritie vnto the Constable who being accompanied with all the forces and both the armes ioyned in one entred into Bourdeaux all armed giuing most hard speeches vnto the Captaine of the towne that at his entrie presented him with the keyes of the towne that at his entry presented him with the keyes of the Citie beseeching him to be fauourable vnto the citizens but he being master of the town without blow giuen bereaued the citizens of al their titles registers priuiledges and franchises depriued them of all honours burnt all their priuiledges caused the Court of Parliament to cease wholly disarmed the citizens pulled downe their belles and constrained the principallest of the citie to the number of seuen score to goe to the Fryers there to fetch the body of Monsieur de Monneins and to conuey it to the Church of S. Andrewes where it should be buried each of them with a waxe candle lited in his hands hauing first before the Constables lodging asked mercy both of God and the king and Iustice Estonnoc the two brethren du Saul and others had their heads striken off He forgot not likewise those that had bene assistant at the murthering of the Gouernor and the sacking of the houses a Prouost Marshall with a great number of souldiers went through Bourdeaux Baradois and Agenois executing such as had rung the belles and in the ende he tooke the two chiefe Leaders of the Commons named Talemagne and Galaffie who were broken vpon a wheele hauing first bene crowned with a Crowne of Iron burning hot for their punishment in vsurping the soueraigne Maiestie Pastime in the Court. This Tragedie ended in Comedies at the court for Anthony de Burbon Duke de Vandosine espoused Ieane d'Albert Princesse of Nauarre and Francis de Lorraine Duke d'Aumalle the daughter of the Duke of Ferrare But among those sweete and pleasant conceits they mixed a most rigorous bitter ordinance establishing within Parris an extraordinary chamber Persecutions against those of the religion therein to proceed against those of the religion as then called Lutherans whom they burnt to death if they remained constant in their profession The coronation of the Queene The pleasures of the Court increased more by the deliuery of the Queene of a young sonne and great part of this yere was passed ouer in playes sumptuous sports The Q. being crowned at S. Dennis vpō the 10. of Iune the 16. of the same month the king made his magnificall entry into Parris there ran at tilt to showe some pleasure to the Ladies and Gentlewomen which being ended he sat openly in the Court of Parliment where in presence of the Princes and Peeres of his Realme he gaue iudgement in diuers causes according to the auncient custome of his predecessors Difference betweene the kings in times past those of our time For the auncient kings of France were carefull and vsed ordinarily to hear the complaints of their subiects but of late yeares they referred that maner of exercise vnto the consciences of their Officers seeing by other mens eyes almost concerning all their affaires which is neither good nor comfortable for the people nor yet any meanes to further Iustice And since this carelesnesse hath entred into the maiesty of our kings the estate of the realme hath bin weakned and the maiestie royall imbased so that in the end the peple haue not refused to rise against the person of the king and sometimes to murther him But remedy herein wil be had when our kings abstain from shameful actions and only do that whervnto God hath called them A generall procession After many sports and deuises the king caused a generall solemne procession to be made in the moneth of Iuly wherein hee was present assisted by the Queene the Princes of the bloud Lords Cardinals Orders Estates and dignities of Parris and at his returne from the Bishops Pallace where hee had dyned hee would see and beholde the burning of certaine Christians detesting the errours and abuses mainteined and holden by the Papists and their Doctors Among the which was a Taylor where not long before A notable Taylor by the force and vertue of the spirite of God had made answere and giuen notice of his saith and religion in presence of the king and diuers Courtiers where hee sung a wonderfull lesson vnto the Duches de Valentimois of whom I spake before saying vnto her that she ought to content her selfe to haue so much infected France without mixing her venome and filthiniesse with so holy
fatned by the confiscations of the goods of those of the religion and by borrowings neuer to be repayed hauing made offer of all that hee had to the house of Guise was receiued into their band The Constable sent home The Constable perceiuing that the king in open Parliament had declared that his meaning was that from thence foorth al men should haue recourse touching matters of estate the crowne and of his house vnto his two Vncles the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine and that by consequent his mortall enemie entered into his place and doing that which wholly apperteined to his offices of Constable and Great-Maister of France yea and in the presence of the Spaniards and other straungers who before had made so much account of him about eight daies after the kings death went to present himselfe vnto the king deliuering vppe the seales to him committed by King Henry and hauing been certified from the king that the charge of the treasures and other affaires concerning the estate were as then committed to the Cardinall and to the Duke of Guise the commandement of all things that belonged vnto the warres and that for his part the king permitted him leaue to depart and go vnto his house saying hee still retained him of his Councell and that whensoeuer hee would come vnto the Court hee should bee welcome he thāked the king for suffring him so to retire beseeching him that as touching his comming vnto the Councell his Maiestie would excuse him for two causes the one because hee could not serue vnder such men ouer whom he had alwaies commaunded the other for that beeing holden and accounted for an olde and simple man his counsell would not bee necessarie otherwise he offered both life and goods to serue the King Which done he went to see the Queene mother that handled him very rudely reproching him that he in presence of the king with smiling countenance should say that he had neuer a childe that in any thing resembled him but onely his bastard-daughter that married with the Marshall de Montmorency Yet for the loue of her deceased king and husband she said she was content to remit her owne particular quarrell for which if it pleased her she could haue caused him to loose his head yet she exhorted him not altogither to leaue the Court but to come thither sometimes He denied the accusation which she alledged touching her children affirming it to be false desiring her to haue in remembrance the many seruices by him done to her and to the Realme and not to regard the euill report of such as were his enemies that shuld not do him all the mischief which they pretended And so hauing taken his leaue and brought his maister vnto his Tombe he withdrew himselfe vnto his house The Princes of the blood scattered Touching the Princes of the blood the Prince of Conde was sent into Flanders there to confirme the peace to whom was deliuered a thousand Crownes to beare his charges The Prince of la Roche Suryon was sent thither likewise to beare the order of France vnto the king of Spaine and at his returne appointed with the Cardinal of Burbon to cōduct the Princesse Elizabeth into Spain The Parlimēts were appointed at the good pleasure of those of Guise The Cardinal de Turnō an old enimy to the Cōstable to al those of the religiō was repealed from Rome reestablished of the priuy councel The Kings Officers of his house chaunged part of the old officers of the kings house were discharged part sent home vnto their houses with half their pensions to giue place to others And to cōclude there staied not one in the Court that fauoured the Constable The Prouinces of the Realme and the frontier Townes were filled with Guisians and all Gouernours and men of warre commaunded to obey the Duke of Guise as the king himselfe All the Parliaments were aduertised Those of Guise haue charge of all that the Cardinall had the whole ordering and disposing of the treasures and of the estate The Queene Mother aduanced aboue all obtained the monies proceeding of the confirmation of Offices and the priuiledges of Townes and corporations whereof shee gaue a part to whome it pleased her although such summes ought not of right to be exacted vnlesse the Crowne fall into an other braunch First Edicts The first Edicts were made against such as bare Armes namely Pistols and Bastinadoes then against long Cloakes and great Hose It was a common saying in euery mans mouth that the Cardinall was a fearefull man if there were euer any in all the world hauing vnderstood by a certaine Magician in Rome that by enuie and then when he should be most in credit his enemies would cause him to be slaine with a Bastianado for that cause hee had procured that Edict being alwaies in great distrust euen at the time when all men were in most subiection to him Among so many affaires the 14. of Iuly Letters Pattents from the king confirmed the Commission vnto the Iudges appointed to proceed in iudgement against Anne du Bourg Proces against Anne de Bourg and other prisoners and foure other Councellours that were committed to prison Du Bourg stedfast in religion was hotly pursued Bertrand Cardinall and Archbishop of Siens beeing one of the principall wheeles of this criminall Chariot and the Cardinall of Lorraine the leader therof Those of the religion perceiuing themselues to be at the point of a more violent persecution by expresse Letters vnto the Queene besought her by her authoritie to commaund the leauing off to persecute them in such great rigor Shee promised the Prince of Conde Madame de Roy his mother in lawe and to the Admirall to cause the persecutions for to cease so they would leaue their assembling togither The Queen-mother promiseth to doo for those of the religion and that euery man wold liue according to his own conscience secretly and not to the hurt of others Shee had been most earnestly mooued by the letters of one named Villemadon that knew great part of his secrets putting her in minde of her great affection vnto pittie at such time as shee was barren exhorting her not to withdrawe the Princes of the blood from the mannaging of the affaires of the estate thereby to aduance and make Kings the house of Guise Those letters were written the 26. day of August and wrought with so great effect that from thenceforward for a certaine time the Queene seemed to hearken vnto the comfort and ease of those of the religion meane time those of Guise to make their gouernment seeme agreeable to al the people and to leese nothing in the kings name published letters of the reuocation of all alienations made Alienations made by king Henry reuoked as well for life as yeares beeing for recompences of any seruices past except those sales whereof the monies had beene imployed for the kings great vrgent
fauor his retire from the Court Others bearing him no great affection spred foorth a rumour that they were in armes prepared to kill the king the Queene and his Councell The first aduise tooke place neuerthelesse to make the latter seeme likely yet vntrue euery man except it were the king Praclises of the Court whereinto sundrie not able to penetrate at the first the gentry of Normandy found themselues deceined whereof ensued the destruction of the Countie of Montgommery perswaded to stay with his traine in great haste dislodging from Saint Germains where they stayed till the lodgings of the Castle of Blois Saint Vincennes were prepared and rid to Parris from nine of the clock till midnight with most great noyse and tumult I must tell you that the Duke of Alencon was in minde to haue departed from the Court and to take the king of Nauarre with him and that this troupe composed of the Gentlemen their seruants came to bring them to the places appointed by them but imagining many difficulties in the executiō hee tooke aduise of la Mole a Gentleman of Prouence that gouerned him who gaue him counsell with al speed to aduerise the king his brother and his mother what his meaning was which was the cause that the king remooued not neuerthelèsse the mother that had som greater matter in her head made that voyage by night and went to the house of the Marshall de Retz in the subburbs of S. Honore The Parisians beleeuing whatsoeuer was told them touching those horses in short time made a great and puissant armie as they said The next day the king went vnto his mother and within eight daies after they went to Blois Saint Vincennes hauing holden diuers councels to deuise the means to intrap the Marshal d'Anuille that gaue them worke to do in Languedoc Meane time the Duke of Alencon and the king of Mauarre vppon the foure and twentieth of March published a declaration touching the matter of Saint Germains protesting their good wils towards the king and that they were resolued to oppose themselues with all their meanes against such as would rebell against him which was an occasion to bring the Marshall de Montmorencic vnto the Court who being come was arested as also the Marshall de Cosse and both most shamefully led prisoners to the Bastille On the other side la Mole Coconnas Tourtay seruants to the Duke of Alencon were committed within Parris and not long after executed hauing onely confessed to haue been of their Maisters counsell to depart out of the Court Diuers Lords and Gentlemen intangled in this processe saued themselues as well as they could the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre were kept more straight and twise examined touching that action The estate of Dauphine Languedoc and poictou These troubles in the Court hindered not those of the religion their associates to looke vnto themselues In Dauphine Mombrun tooke Loriol Linron Alet Graue and Roinac and ouerthrew fiue companies of footmen that sought to impeach them Those of Villeneufue in Viuarais not long before had put certaine troupes to the swood that came against those of the religion without losse of one man and tooke Aubenas a Towne of great importance hauing cut the throates of all the Garrison for the most part composed of the massacres of Lyons The gouernment of Languedoc and Dauphine hauing bin committed to the Prince d'Auphine Monsieur d'Acier ioyned with him the Marshall d'Anuille by letters intercepted discouered what was pretended against him by which meanes hee beganne to draw to those of the religion consulting with Saint Romaine Gouernour of Nismes seized vppon Montpeslier Beaucaire Lunel and Pezenas In Poistou the Polititians ioyned with la Noue tooke Saint Maixaut Melle Fontenay Lusignan and other places In Normandie about the beginning of March What happened in Normandie to the Countie de Montgommery taken prisoner and after executed the Countie Montgommery accompanied with Lorges and Galardon his children departed from the Isle of Gerze and arriued at Rades where Colombieres de Fey with fistie Gentlemen came to meete him from whence hee went to Saint Lo and then with in three daies after assieged and took Carentan by compositiō Within a month after a strong armie of the enemie commaunded by Matignon and Feruaques set vppon him and inclosed him with a little weake towne and ill furnished called Danfrone accompanied with sixtie horse and eight harguebuziers conducted by Captaine la Touche the younger resoluing vppon a valiant defence euen in the beginning of the siege sent foorth siue and twentie horse and some small shot who giuing a sharpe onset slew seuen Gentlemen assaylants and nine horse and soretired with the losse of the Lord of Friaize who was slaine and two prisoners that they left behinde This was the eleuenth of May. The next day the besieged cut in peeces one Corps de garde but soone after some either for feare or won with faire woords forsooke the Countie and yeelded to the assaylants who in reward stripped and put them to their ransome The Queen-mother vnderstanding that the Countie whom shee hated to the death was in her nettes sent forces day and night to strengthen Matignon as also the armie that lay before Saint Lo was commanded with all speed to march to Danfrone where they had in the beginning of the siege six thousand small shot and fifteen hundreth horse The king being very sicke vpon the 23. of May the Castle was battered with six peeces of cannon that in fiue houres shot aboue fiue hundreth times and made a breach of fiue and fortie foote broad Then did most of the Counties men forsake him and in liew of entring the Castle with him fled out of the Towne into the campe where they receiued their deserued entailment as their former companions About two of the clock at after noone the assay lants came fiercely to the breach where they found the Countie on the right side with the lords of Brossay Chauuiny Cornieres Tere yong Touche Mahiliere Crosse Oulfe and others to the number of twentie On the left side were the Lords of Sey Hayes Vaudore Sanssaye Villenenfue and others in like number of twentie All togither fell vpon their knees to hear the prayer which one of the three Ministers there present made in the presence of the assay lants who when it was done came to handie blows in the order following Out of tenne companies of men at armes present at that siege Matignon the other Captains chose one hundreth Gentlemen even ten out of euerie companie well armed followed with 600. small shot with murrians 100. pikemen with their corselers These 800. men with some 200. voluntaries mixed among thē were led by the LL. of Fernaques Villermois S. Golombe Raberprey Lauerdin and others The fight lasted siue hours neither did the cannon cease which indomaged the defer dants with stones wherewith also the Countie was
is much more conscience then in that which Phillip le Long demanded of all his subiects of what estate soeuer beeing the fift part of their reuenue and more reason then that tyrannicall extortion of the tenth part of all the expenses of seuenteene great Prouinces whereof the Author boasted to haue found a fountaine that wold yeeld golde in peeces as big as a mans arme This sale of offices is not so new but that it hath been vsed long since in those estates that are thought to bee most polliticque the Venetians hauing so great enemie as the king of France made a great breach in their treasures to resist him his entrance into Italy cost him aboue fifte millions of duckets which to recouer againe they inuented the meanes of selling the offices of their Common-wealth whereby they pursed one hundreth millions Offices for the imployment of the youth of France And the French king perceiuing it to be a continual spring into their coffers brought it into his Realme to support the necessitie of the most oppressed and the same necessitie hath constrained his successors to continue the means to resist the same and to honour the best families among his subiects who without this splendure would bee hidden among the rest and youth without imployment would fall into those vices that are incident to that age but let vs now returne againe to your complaints When you are forced to confesse that other causes made you to enter into the course and sauor of these rebellions you say that the king did neuer approoue nor aduance your league Hee hath loued it too much If hee had choaked this Monster of diuision if hee had not by his authoritie strengthened the furious temeritie of the Leaguers pretences hee would liue like a king command like a king and be in the Louure like a king and had not gone out of Parris like a Gouernor of a countrie that issueth out at one gate when his enemies entereth at the other Did you neuer heare that a king that had two factions in his Realme bending more to the one then to the other hath in the end beene a pray to one of them What ouerthrew Carthage two factions Barchinienne Ruine of estates by ciuil warres and Hannonienne What nourished wars in France of sixtie yeares long and made it a praie to the Englishmen the quarrell of the house of Bourgongne and Orleans What troubled England with so many mischiefes of seuen great battelles wherein aboue sixtie or eightie Princes of the blood royall of England were slaine the factions of the house of Lancaster and Yorke What impeached the Empire of Constantinople but the great faction of Prusins and Venitiens which at one blowe spoyled fortie thousand men What ouerthrew the pollicie and tranquillitie of Florence but the faction of white and blacke To the contrary what maintaineth the Empire of the Turkes their concord enemie of ciuill descention they make their profit of our losses they aduance themselues vnder the couerture of our warres grounded for the most part vpon the foote of a flie and there is nothing that hath so much increased nor as yet doth more increase their alcaron then our diuisiō which euery day giueth them sufficient christians heads to triumph vpon in stead of stones or other spoyles as Thuracan did with the heades of the Albanois League a continuall feauer to an estate To be short that hurt which a continuall feuer is to a mans bodie the same are Leaguers vnto a Realm the Prince that nourisheth and entertaineth them is no lesse odious then the Phisitian that hatcheth and couereth a disease The Common-wealth is a ship the Leagues and factions are the holes and leakes by the which while those that are in the ship are at strife the water entereth in such aboundance that it causeth the ship to finke and all that are within her A wise Pilot shuld calke stop those leakes and diuisions reseruing the rurther for himselfe without trusting to any other neuer being factious nor head of any parties but all king and alwaies Maister of the ship and doubt not but these drone Bees that eate vppe the honie of all the rest and these composers of the league which make so great a ruine for two or three months of spring-time had ouerthrowne themselues if the king had not nourished them Machiauille chap. 20. of the Princes with the fairest flowers of his authoritie And who euer counselled a Prince common father of his subiects vnlesse Machiauel chap. 20. of the Prince it were Machiauel to entertaine partiallities among them You are sorrie that the king doth not as willingly imbrace the pretences of your League as you do and that hee hath not suffered you to make a table of his backe whereon to playe at dice for his Crowne You haue somewhat to say to those whom the king hath aduaunced so the heeles murmured because they had not the place of the head the Asse would clime vpon a cushen of veluet to faune vppon his Maister like a Spaniell puppits would play vppon kings cabbins Know you not that they are like counters in the kings hand whereof hee maketh one to bee a hundreth some a thousand and others tenne thousand Do you not shew more fauour and credite in your bankes towne of your seruants then to an other and vse you not to say that you may doo with your owne as pleaseth you is the king countable to your humours If he holdeth the Crowne of God and the auncient lawes of this Realme wherefore seeke you to bee his Tutors and to hinder him from distributing the honours and recompences thereof at his pleasure It is no reason to prescribe or limit him whom or what hee shall cherish loue and aduance if you conferre things present with those that are past you shall finde no Prince but hath had some whom hee specially fauoured and that the iealousie nor enuie of others farther from his fauour hath not beene strong ynough to erect Barricadoes against them as you haue done The League hath no iust cause to take armes But seeing all your complaints are ridiculous your reasons without foundation and your discourses without assurance what inchantment hath made you to rebell Say that this great disorder knowne to bee in the Court of your king hath put that wilde fire into your heads which hath mooued and tolde you therefore to remedie it you must driue him our you must assayle the Louure or torment his seruaunts to reuenge your selues against the Duke of Espernon being at Roane I will not so much excuse the king or think that hee hath not committed some faults nor say as the Parasite Anaxarchus that Alexander had reason to kill Clytus or that the two Goddesses Dice and Themis are alwaies at their sides to keepe them from committing iniustice certainly there were many faire and shining vertues in this Prince Optimum est pati quod emendare non
expressely to forbid the Princes comming vnto the court vppon paine of death not to enter into any of the kings walled Townes as then they were alreadie inclosed among the forces of their enemies vnder the conduct of Marshall de Termes The Cardinall d'Armaignac Descars and others vntrustie seruants made the king of Nauarre beleeue that this verball commaundement of Montpesat was onely but a meere brauado of those of Guise which both the king and his mother would disauouch The Princes refusing all aduertisements went vnto Orleans The Princes hauing past Chastelleraut were more certainly aduertised of their michiefe to come and counselled to keepe the high waies because of diuers Ambassadours that were appoynted and set to kill them if they once went out of the way vnder pretence that they sought to saue themselues and at the same time means was offered vnto them to bring them vnto Anger 's and so into Normandie where they shuld want nothing but they continued in their first resolution trauelling by easie iourneyes and it seemed that one of the bretheren was as a Prouost Marshall that ledde the other to prison Therevpon those of Guise led the king to Orleans thither calling al the Nobilitie men of armes which made both young and olde to thinke that some pretence was ment against the Sates but by a rumour spred abroad it was said that all those forces beeing assembled and brought togither was to assiege and chastice Orleans whereof the principal Citizens were registred in the Criminal bookes to passe the daunger and by their confiscations to grease the hands of diuers hungrie Courtiers vnder pretence that they had beene of the enterprise of Amboise Rigorous dealing towards those of Orleans For this cause Mansieur de Sipierre a slaue to those of Guise appoynted for Lieftenant to the Prince de la Roche Suryon Gouernour of Orleans being arriued in the Towne about the beginning of October disarmed the Inhabitants filled such houses as were suspected with Souldiers and committed the custodie of the Gates vnto the Sheriffes The Prince their Gouernour beeing entered therein about the twelfth of the same month and receiued with honour by the principall Cittizens aduertised them that the king would make his entrie therein vppon the seuenteenth day ensuing which terme beeing prolonged for the space of one day vppon the eighteenth hee made his enterie The troupes of the Towne being in number about foure thousand men to whom they had restored their armes onely their Bastianadoes the principall Cittizens following in good order and all the streets hanged with Tapistrie and other hangings The king beheld all those troupes passing along through the Subburbes which beeing reentered into the Towne hee mounted on horsebacke riding vnder a Canapie of cloth of Gold and so went straight vnto the Church and being on the way his horse stumbled in such maner that he had surely fallen if he had not presently bin relieued After dinner al the troupes went to meet the Queene who likewise made an honourable and braue entrie but those of Guise were at neither of both fearing as some say to meete with some desperate fellow that might hurt them because a Magician in Rome had shewed the Cardinall that both hee and his brother should die a violent death The arriuall of the Princes in Orleans and bow they were receiued The Euen before all Saints day beeing the last of October the Princes trusting to their innocencies and reposing themselues vpon the grace of God to whom they recommended themselues as also caused al those of the religion by praiers to doo the like arriued at Orleans and past from the beginning of the gate vntil they came to the kings lodging in the Estappe through diuers souldiers all footemen ranged along in rankes so close togither all armed that all that long way not any man could passe betweene them Not one Courtier nor Townes-man stepped foorth to meete them onely the Cardinall de Bourbon and the Prince de la Roche Suryon who by expresse licence had obtained that fauour receiued them The king of Nauarre according to the custome desiring to enter on horsebacke within the Court Gate was put backe with a rude aunswere that the great Gates might not bee opened they being then constrained to light went into the king that stayed for them in the great Hall accompanied with his vncles of Guise and other Courtiers whereof not one of them once stepped forward to meete them Their entertainment was but meane and after due and solemne reuerence night grewe on which caused the king to go into his mothers Chamber followed onely by the Princes those of Guise not once seeking to enter The Queen mother hauing receiued them with the water standing in her eyes the king speaking vnto the Prince of Conde said hee had beene aduertised from diuers places The Kings speech to the Prince of Conde The Princes answere that hee sought to make diuers enterprises against him and the State of his Realme for the which cause he had sent for him to heare what hee could say by word of mouth The Prince that neither wanted courage nor audacitie aunswered boldly in his owne defence and in such sort discouered those of Guise his enemies His imprisonment that the king could not otherwise iudge but that great wrong and iniurie was offered vnto his blood neuerthelesse according to the conclusion made before his arriuall the king commaunded Chauigny Captaine of the guard expressely sent thither by those of Guise to take the Prince which hee did and ledde him prisoner vnto a house not farre from thence before the which there was erected a Fort of Bricke fluncard and filled with field-peeces and diuers cannoniers to keepe them which peeces beate along three streetes whereby it was able to defend all men from comming neare vnto the prison The windowes of his chamber were closed vppe and he was kept so straightly that no man spake vnto him but onely his Chamberlaine The king of Nauarre desired that his brother might bee committed vnto his charge The entertainment of the King of Nauarre and others and hee would gage his life for his foorth comming but it was refused him and touching himselfe his guard was taken from him and still hauing watch about him both by night and day At the same time certaine were sent to cease vpon Madame du Roye mother in lawe to the Prince being in her house of Anicy in Picardie from whence with great rigor she was brought vnto Saint Germains by Monsieur de Renouart and de Caronges executers of that commission They likewise sorgot not the Councellour la Haye at Parris as one that dealt for the Prince such as were his faithfull friends within Orleans withdrew themselues out of the daunger Bonchart Chauncellour to the king of Nauarre at the same time was taken in his owne house by Iarnac who in shewe made great apparance of disliking Bouchart threatning him in presence
Court of France with all their principall seruants and there to giue them that entertainment which after fell out In March the Romish Catholicques at Roane murthered diuers protestants as they returned from a Sermon and beate others shrewdly meaning to haue proceeded further had not Marshal Montmorencie whom the king sent made the more haste to suppresse the violence of the seditious who after many pursuites hanged vp three or foure the rest escaped albeit 400. were guiltie of innocent blood Sixe weekes before the protestants had been most cruelly murthered at Aurange by their enemies whom Berchon soone after made Gouernour by Countie Lodowic found means to intrap and punish accordingly Not long after by the kings consent those of the religion were taxed to paye the 5. part of their reuenue towards the payment of the Rutters which produced much discontentmēt About the same time the king and the Queene made their enterie vpon seuerall daies into the capitall towne of the Realme with great pompe The protestants also held a Sinode nationall at Rochel wherein they confirmed the articles of the confession of their faith and discipline of their Churches in the presence of the Queene of Nauarre the Princes and many other of the Principall among them The king hauing made his entrie the eleuenth of March the Queene beeing crowned the 25. of the same moneth at Saint Deunis and the 29. receiued with great magnificence into Parris hee went to sit in his place of iustice in the Parliament where hee made a long Oration to his officers of the Court for the obseruation of his Edicts In witnesse whereof in the moneth ensuing the people of Parris beganne to mutine against those of the religion sacked certaine houses and began to proceed further prouoked by their Preachers because of a certaine Crosse placed in S. Dennis street in a place where in times past stood the house of Phillip de Gastines rased to the ground because that certaine sermons and the Lords Supper had beene made and celebrated therein Gastines for that cause hauing been executed to death during the troubles that had beene carried into S. Innocents Church-yeard This mutinie appeased the king that shewed great fauor to Teligny his companions sent them to the Q. of Nauarre the Princes in Rochel to assure them that all his desire was to maintaine the peace that for his owne part he bare them great affection procuring that the Q. his mother the Duke of Aniou his brother should from day to day leaue off their rigors And at their departure gaue them diuers presents giuing them likewise to vnderstand that his minde was to proceede with war against the Spaniard in the low Countries and to marrie his sister to the Prince of Nauarre Biron was sent after to certifie the like and men began to speake of that marriage in diuers sorts their opinions being diuided some esteeming it to bee a snare to intrap those of the religion others deeming the contrarie The king caused certaine consultations to be made in Rome because of the alliance between both the parties Pope Pius the fist seemed to bee much troubled about the same for that effect sending Cardinal Salutati into France who hauing had certaine conference by word of mouth with the king returned satisfied The effect of that the king said vnto him was that the king would alwaies shewe himselfe to deserue the name of the eldest sonne of the Romish Church and that all his intents tended to no other end but only to the suretie honour and aduancement of the Catholicque religion whereof the Pope should receiue great testimonies before long time should passe But notwithstanding that diuers maruelled much at this suddaine alteration of the king the Queene of Nauarre much sought vnto by diuers great persons of both partes went to the king followed by the Countie Lodowicke great numbers of Nobilitie The king and the Queene his mother were at Blois where they receiued and welcommed her with great ioy and good countenance and after many disputations touching diuers particular poynts specially the cerimonies the agreement vpon the marriage of her sonne with the kings sister was concluded and the place of the espousals assigned at Parris Not long after the Prince her son accompanied with fiue hundreth Gentlemen came to Blois where the marriage of Nenry de Bourbon Prince of Conde with the yongest daughter of the house of Neuers was agreed vpon During these parleyes of mariages with the Princes the Admirall that had buried Ladie Charlotte de Laual his wife a woman of excellent pietie that died at Orleans in the second troubles beeing in Rochel married the Counties of Ancremont in Sauoy and gaue Louyse his daughter in marriage to Monsieur de Teligny At the Court one named Lignerolles a simple Gentleman made knight of the Order Captaine of a company of launciers Gouernor of Bourbonnois and one of the Duke of Anious mignions was slaine openly in the Court for discouering certain of his Maisters secrets Lignerolles slaine by the D. cōmitted vnto him touching the enterprise that was ment against those of the religion On the other side Death of the Cardinall of Chastillon the Cardinal of Chast being readie to depart out of England to go to his brother the Admiral was poysoned by one of his Chamberlains and died to the great great griefe of all his friends and seruants The prisoner that did the fact beeing after taken at Rochel was executed Articles of marriage betweene the Prince of N. and the kings sister This is the yeare wherein is set downe the arriuing of the Queen of Nauarre the Princes and the Admirall in the Court the articles of the marriage of the prince of Nauarre and the kings sister were made at Blois the eleuenth of Aprill The Countie Lodowicke at the same time trauelled with the king touching warres to bee made in Flaunders to the which ende preparations were made at sea by Strossy and the Barron de la Garde but at the end of three moneths Flaunders was found to be Rochel Long before the king had caused the Admirall to bee solicited to come vnto the Court and to drawe him thither hee caused those of Guise to retire who thereat counterfetted to bee discontent The Marshall de Montmorency by letters assured his Cousin the Admirall that the king was fully determined to make them friends and to reconcile him with the Duke of Guise the better to be serued by him and his Councell touching the affaires of his Realme and beganne to fauour those of the religion and to put the Admirall out of all distrust the king sent him letters that he might bring fiftie Gentlemen armed with him vnto the Court whither in fine the Marshall de Cosse conducted him with diuers Gentlemen At his comming hee was honourably receiued and welcommed by the king that called him his father Welcomes to the Admirall and others of the religion in the Cout
receiue her Cittizens for his true faithfull and naturall subiects and not to put any difference between them and others vnlesse it were in this poynt to haue in remembrance that they were the first who without constraint acknowledged him for their king and by their example haue gotten vnto him the best part of his flowrishing Scepter Behold the iust reasons and causes of this so suddaine change if the obedience which the subiect draweth from the yoake of strangers to yeeld it vnto his owne superior may be called a change And the more commendable it wil be in so much as that the seruice of the king is not contrarie to the commandement of God that religion remaineth firme within her franchises shining in her glorie inuiolable vnexpugnable in her forces As long as the wars were wholly for religion they contributed whatsoeuer they had but when they once perceiued that the holy conuersion of the king made this war no more war against religion but onely against the estate they could not longer delay nor withdraw out of their mindes the feare and reuerence they owe to the true image of God which is the king beleeuing certainly that those beare armes and fight against God that rebel against a most Catholicke and Christian Prince In this so great disorder great wisedome good order hath bin seene for that the most aduised and best experienced concerning matters of estate iudged this quotidian feuer could by no meanes bee healed but by some strong and violent remedie But by the prouidence of God the disease that in mans iudgement seemed incurable hath been healed without shedding one drop of blood by the constant and firm resolution of those that rather desire to die then not to see themselues franchised from this gouernment which is contrarie to the royall estate and losed from the middle of so many protections which how holy or iust soeuer they be are altogither dangerous and the best title they can bear is of no value To be short this towne which hath alwaies made shew of pure religion towards God and fidelitie to her Prince hath well shewed that the flower de luce which for the space of so many hundreth yeares had been grauen in her heart could not be pulled away but by cleauing and renting in peeces the hearts of all her Cittizens that she could not brooke nor once indure such Frenchmen as are transubstantiated into Spanish minds that gape onely to see this Scepter broken this crowne in peeces that they might gather the remnants and plucke off the flowers Thus much I thought good to speake before I enter into the Historie THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF the last troubles of France vnder the raignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth now liuing M.D.LXXIIII I Am not abashed if such as at randon discourse speake of our great miseries do so oftentimes run into fond opinions A Historie ought to be without passion because that to get out of so great a laborinth they followe not the right way of the trueth but rather taking the crosse-path of their own passions they leaue the high-way and approache the ditches Their writings are of blacke and thicke cloudes which neuer appeare without some thunder of euill reports iniuries and slaunders Tables representing nothing but infamous pictures of Monsters and Arches of imperfections And when they enter into the deepe consideration of the Authors of our euilles they throwe the fault and mischiefes of these deuisions sometimes vppon one and some times vppon an other their opinions beeing furred onely with the drugges of hated or of zeale which transporteth their mindes Such people that like serpents nourish themselues by poyson The causes of the troubles of France imputed to diuers things and that are better pleased with the darke Eclipses then with the bright shining beams of the Sun and do more reioyce to shewe some execrable action then to speake of any memorable and woorthiething haue in this season raised most straunge mutinies mooued the people armed the greatest cowards with their seditious writings troden the Maiestie and reuerence of Princes vnder foote bannished modestie in her place established insolencie despigh and confusion Therefore to make knowne Against such as say that the King of France and Nauarre are the causes of the troubles through all the parts of the world the beautie excellency and woonders of the royall actions of their liues to drawe so many Princes and great and valiant Captaines out of the circle wherein by these diuisions they are compassed to shewe the Maiestie of our King to bee farre distant from the many vnworthy slaunders of those that affirme and accuse him to bee the onely motion of our countries troubles to declare in this discourse the royall vertues that shine through the thicknesse and obscurities of impietie and rebellion and to disswade mens mindes from so many false perswations I haue drawne out of the most staied and certaine opinions the truth concerning the beginning and proceedings of the last troubles that haue vexed this Realme by the renewing of seuen most cruel bloodie warres a Frāce hath indured seuē warres and hath seene 6. Edicts of pacification God grant that the 7. peace may be the last and the end of ciuil miseries The peace for forraigne warres was made in Ann. 1559. There is no opinion that is deeper with in the hearts of men then the opinion of religion by the hazard of so many battailes the ruin of so many people the taking and spoyling of so many townes and the death of so many Princes that the only remembrance taketh away my sences stoppeth my speeche and maketh my pen to stay◠therefore to begin this matter and to voyde the spindle we must first finde the ende of the third and by the ende of forraigne warres weaue this cloath of ciuill Commotions All war is cruell and endeth with more difficultie then it is taken in hand but those diuisions that happen in any estate touching the point that ought to knit and vnite the spirits of men are more bloodie their beginnings more terrible and their endes more dangerous and the more the pretences are large and faire the more men enter into the sustaining and defending of them for there is nothing that doth mooue them more then the defence of their religion nor any thing that doth more animate nor sooner put them in obliuion of the consideration of respect dutie and obedience then the quarrell concerning the saluation of their soules and the manner of the seruice they ought to minister vnto God euery man esteeming that religion he followeth to bee the true and purest manner of woorshipping condemning and reiecting all that which is not conformable vnto it n = b The Oracle of Apollo gaue answer to the Troiāt that their towne should neuer be takē as lōg as they kept that image of Pallars This is the Paladium of Troy our rest and welfare
Princes of his blood But God shewed that he loueth not disturbers of the estate nor such as bath their handes in their owne blood that take courage by the indiscreet opinions of certaine pretences The enterprise of Amboise ciscouered in Ann. 1560. the enterprisors pursued by the Duke de Nemours The gate of Hugon in Tours by the which they assembled or of the first accords of the declaration of protestants made in Latin which are Huc nos venimus and that vse remedies crueller then the disease it selfe For that he ouerthrew this first enterprise and the actors thereof beeing taken vppon the suddaine obtained paine and punishment for reward and so were hanged in their bootes and spurs at the castle of Amboise But the sparks that issued out of this flint after that set fire to the ciuill warres of France and because the greatest part of those alterers of estates were of the new religion that as then were called Huguenots of the place where they first assembled themselues in Tours the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to crie out against Hereticques and to make them more odious he caused it to be reported throughout the Realme that their enterprise was against the king wherein they induced the Prince of Conde who to iustifie his innocencie and to shewe the integritie of his heart to the seruice of the king in his presence and others the Princes Lords and Officers of the Crowne spake openly and said That his Maiestie excepted and with reuerence to the Princes his bretheren the Queene his mother and the Queene then raigning those that had reported him to bee of the enterprise of Amboise lyed falsely and if they would seeme to iustifie it hee offered to fight with them and that if they were not comparable vnto him for degree hee would imbase himselfe for that time and make them either by sword or launce confesse themselues to bee vilaines and traitors And thervpon this Prince not induring to liue among so many suspitions and distrusts as beeing the But and marke of his enemies left the Court and went vnto his brother the king of Nauarre whither such as professed reformation withdrewe themselues This disease increasing more more and the corrupted humors therof breeding to a dangerous and mortall palsie the Queen-mother that knewe better the disease then the cause thereof The assembly of Fontainbleau Anno. 1560. the 21 of August where the King the Queene and diuers Princes sat there the Admirall presented a Petition and said that he would cause it to be signed by 50000. men and the Cardinall of Lorrain said the King should oppose 100000. against it They were not permitted to alight as the manner is at the kings Pallace She said that no man euer bandieth against the blood of France with out repētāce Iustification of the Prince of Conde Agreement made betweene the Prince of Conde and the house of Guise the 14. of August 1561. La Popelimere saith that the king of Na. promised the am bassador of the K. of Dēmark to cause the religiō to be preached throughout France within one yeare after perceiuing that by sharp and bitter remedies it was nothing healed beganne to vse gentlier and more easie and to the same end she caused the most learned and wisest men in al France to be assembled at Fontainbleau there to debate the causes of religion Where the Admiral presented the request of those whō he supported which was to haue libertie of churches and freedome of conscience wherevnto the Cardinall opposed himselfe And the Lords of Monluc Marillac were of opiniō that the most assured means to stop those new sprung sects was to submit themselues to a generall Councell and in fine the conclusion of this assembly was that a Parliament of the generall States should be holden at Meaux in the moneth of December after and a nationall Councell the tenth of Ianuary then next after ensuing The Parliament was holden at Orleans and the king sent for the king of Nauarre to come thither and to bring the Prince of Conde his brother with him that there hee might cleare himselfe of the hard report that ranne against him to the which end they set forward and arriued at Orleans presenting themselues vnto the king that intertained them not as their qualities and nearenesse of blood required For the Prince of Conde was committed prisoner whose deliuerance was sued by the Ladie Renee duches of Ferrare neuerthelesse his processe was framed wherevnto hee pleaded not guiltie yet in fine hee was condemned to haue his head striken off before the kings Pallace and at the entrie of the States vpon the which iudgement he continually expected the houre of death But by Gods prouidence the death of the king procured both his life and libertie for king Charles iudged him to be innocent At the same time the Court of Parliament in Parris made an Edict the Parliament of Estate continued and the difference of religion was appeased by staying for a generall Councell Meanetime Messieurs de Guise being in hope that their greatnesse would still increase and spread abroad were much abashed to see it shortened by the death of the king their Nephewe and thereby to be constrained and put in minde to thinke that they were no more as they had been So that they yeelded their place to the King of Nauarre but not the opinion nor the hope to recouer it once againe By that means their great affaires left off but they forsooke them not seeking by all meanes to be reconciled to the Prince of Conde alwaies keeping their owne like the Maister of a shippe that hoyseth and pulleth downe his sayles as time serueth and alwaies stopped the holes wherein they foresawe the round world enter ceasing not to speake most assuredly and openly against heresie which they so much the more detested as that they perceiued the Princes of the blood to lend their helping hand towards the aduancement and establishing thereof and that the king of Nauarre that made account thereof began to like it hauing more desire to the Realm of Nauarre that was promised to be restored vnto him and to that of Sardaigne offered him if he would separate himselfe from the Princes reformed and the protection of the protestants Churches then to the consideration of the quarrell of his house The greatnesse of those Princes could not continue equall by reason of the vnequallitie of their houses Yet they sought to go all in one ranke whereby the kings fauor could no sooner giue countenance to the one but it mooued the other His fauour is like a faire Ladie euery man seeketh and courteth her and if she smile more vpon one then vppon the other it breedeth but iealousie despight quarrell she cannot diuide her heart in two without a a mortall diuision Euery man hath his turne and both Catholicque and Huguenot vnder pretence and zeale of religion seeketh to get the good wil of the king his
that which went for Poitou where hee assieged Bar Taking of la Charite and Issoire Anno. 1577. and tooke diuers Townes His Maiesties armie incamped at Brouage and costrained it to yeelde And Lansac Gouernour thereof would haue gone into the Isle of Re but hee could not And to conclude the warres were so long and tedious that the Generalles wel perceiued themselues to bee too olde to liue to see the end thereof And the king that neuer had tasted the sweetenesse of peace beganne to dsire it hauing first prooued so many troubles and vexations of warre therevppon hee determined to establish a good and holy peace Reason to induce peace and against warre in An. 1577. Great numbers are not the cause of victories God is the God of battelles A discourse polliticke and military The chance of warre vncertaine which should bee well obserued to the which end hee heard debated examined and considered diuers and all the reasons that could bee alleadged both for the establishing and dissoluing thereof Those that desired no peace deuised many arguments which they framed for the purpose as first they sayde That the king ought not to make peace hauing meanes to make warre with more men and aduantage then his enemies But they were aunswered that the multitude of men is not the cause of victorie and that a smal handful of desperate souldiers had ouerthrowne a great armie The kings cause is more iust The Princes shrowd themselues vnder a iust enterprise when God is offended and that the war is not made for the defence of his quarrell but for particular reuenge The Huguenots haue neither mony nor credite for the souldier himselfe among them is constrained to contribute mony to pay forraine ayde instead of receiuing his own wages With a little they do much necessitie is their vertue and the ground of their cause is so deare vnto them that they will rather fight without mony or meat then liue without their libertie or preaching of the Gospell There needs but one battell to ouerthrow and destroye them Victorie resteth in the hands of God it is a both doubtfull and vncertaine battels in these daies are prolonged and neuer giuen without aduantage of the one side or the other And again it is impossible with an armie of 10000. men to roote out a 100000. Huguenots The K. wil neuer hazard battel but he is assured to haue the victorie to triumph ouer his enemies This is as much to say as he reckoneth without his Host for it coÌ„sisteth in God there needeth but a small matter to put all your forces in disorder and make them a praye to their enemies For if in times past 500. Actolians Iustin lib. 24. Xâ—nop hist. lib. 7. Bap. Egnat The battell of Poictiers Lois the last Earle of Flaunders Froisart li. 2. cap. 95.96.97.98 better shepheards then souldiers put 900. Lacedemonians to flight If Epaminondas with 4000. men ouerthrew the Spartans armie beeing sixe times as many If among the Christians Baudonin brother to Godfrey of Bullon with 300. horse and 900. foot all Frenchmen caused the Caliphe to yeeld and leaue the field being inuironed with 9000. horse and 20000. foot If a litle troupe of English souldiers halfe in dispaire before Poictiers triumphed ouer a great armie of the most puissant warlike Nation in the world Is it not a most foolish temerite to put confidence in the doubtfull chance of a battell It is neuer good to assayle those that hope for nothing but dispaire The last Earle of Flaunders hauing brought the Towne of Gaunt to an extremitie of victuals would haue them to present themselues before him bare-headed footed with halters about their necks and so to aske pardon for their liues without any assurance thereof But 5000. of those miserable people that had nothing left but their armes and in dispaire He was constrained to hide himselfe in the strawe of a poore womans bedde where he saued himselfe and the next day went out disguised The peace of the low countries issued out vpon him like hungrie wolues fought so desperately that in fine they ouerthrew his whole armie coÌ„posed of more then fortie thousand men There is no peace to be granted to heretickes It is done continually for it is not yet a yeare since the king of Spaine granted peace to the Islands of Holand Zeland not only giuing them the libertie of their religion but withdrawing the exercise of his owne Peace giueth that to the Huguenots which warre taketh from them And what the libertie of conscience Many polliticke and wise men haue acknowledged and confessed that force constraineth not mens consciences that sword and fire haue not power to extirpe the opinions of religion that are once entered into the mindes of men that such victorie ouer mens consciences belongeth onely to God the father of light and trueth and that force may well make Hippocrites and Atheists but not religious or christian people If the king suffreth this libertie of conscience 1576. Libertie of conscience Catholicque religion will bee cleane consumed vnder these nouelties and all his Realme wil be poysoned with sects Schismes errors The free exercise of this new religion will be lesse aduantage to the perticipants thereof then it would be if it were but secretly vsed Religion increaseth more being persecuted and forbidden then wheÌ„ it is permitted Read a booke touching this point imprinted at Antwarpe An. 1579. Dialogus do Pace For the people are light impatient with long rest and quietnesse and to the contrary things least permitted and vneasie are most pleasant and agreeable And therefore desire nothing but change and dislike nouelties with more disdaine then euer they had affectioÌ„ or vehmeÌ„t desire to see theÌ„ aduaÌ„ced They alwaies fal headlong into that which is forbidden theÌ„ The more they presented tormeÌ„ted troubled the hereticques at Prague and in Ausbourg and the more they were forbidden to assemble and meet togither so much the more they in creased and had assemblles and with fiers whippings hanging and prisons became innumerable And when they haue the free libertie of that they desire when rigor is layde aside the thing becommeth so common and discouered that many refuse it entering againe into the great and broad way which they had left And therfore diuers men haue thought that there is no better means to shake Apollitike maxime Vnitie of the sectaries in matters of pollicie and in the end to ouerthrow a new religion then to permit the free exercise thereof For as a man of great iudgement in our time saith As much as man loueth his libertie and yet abuseth it so much the more hee hateth seruitude and constraint wherin notwithstanding he behaueth himselfe better then in the enioying of his freedome There ought to be but one religion in one Realme It is well said but when a king findeth more it is very hard for him to roote them out Would you
of the King of Nauarre the conspiracies made the last yeare about Easter and the many aduises and prognostications he had receiued by the singes hee had seene The Queene-mother was not of that mind The 13. of May. 1588. and promised to perswade the Duke of Guise and for the same cause went to find him out desiring him to quench so many fiers alreadie kindled to come speake with the King of whom hee should haue contentment at his pleasure and thereby let him see that in so vrgent an occasion hee had greater desire to serue then to ouerthrow his Crowne to repaire rather then throw downe the edifice of the estate which that commotion had most mischieuously shaken The Duke of Guise betweene hope and feare that neuer esteemed man to bee greater then himselfe as long as hee held his sword in hand making shewe of innocencie and laying the fault vppon the people said that he suffered himselfe to bee borne in that sort by them rather by force and necessitie then that he had any desire so to do That touching the Louure it was but athing falsely deuised against him that it should be a great folly for him to go thither things being in such hatefull estate and so to cast himselfe weake and in his dublet into the mercie of his enemies The Queen-mother aduertised the King by Secretarie Pinâ—rt The Queene marking the stubburnnesse and resolution of the Duke of Guise concerning her requests caused the King to bee aduertised who desiring not to stay any longer in that trance issued out of Parris by the new gate and that night lodged at Trappes It is said that being at Mon-martre he turned towards the Towne and cursing it for the infidelitie ingratitude and disloyaltie thereof in respect of all the benefits it had receiued at his hands hee sware hee would neuer enter into it againe but by a breach his seruants the companies of his guard and men of warre with the Switzers followed him and left their lodgings to those new Kings of Parris The Duke of Guise that had written to the Gouernour of Orleans The Duke of Guises letters to the Gouernor of OrleaÌ„s that he held the Louure so close shut vppe that hee would giue good account of that which was within it knew well the victorie was not performed and that his reputation would be stained if the newes of the Kings retrait were carried out of the Realme by other meanes then by him selfe hee considered that whatsoeuer is attempted against the Kings person toucheth and concerneth all his equalles that as the Prelates the Officers the Senators and Knights and all Kings are bretheren that one blood royall calleth the other that all soueraigne Rulers do blason rebelles and disturbers of estate although they helpe themselues by the same meanes He thought it good to send Monsieur de Brissac to the Ambassadour of England to shewe him the cause of the erecting the Barricadoes I make no difficultie to write whole leaues of a discourse when it is not out of purpose neyther any disgrace to the matter propounded therefore I haue set downe the same words that passed betweene the Ambassadour of England and the Counte de Brissac which were faithfully reported vnto me The Counte de Brissac accompanied with certaine Gentlemen went to visit the Ambassadour of England at his lodging in those commotions and populer insolencies to offer him a safeguard or protection and to desire him not to bee abashed nor to stirre as beeing assured of the protection of Mensieur de Guise The Ambassadour made him aunswere that if hee had beene in Parris as a particular person he would fall downe at the feete of Monsieur de Guise and giue him humble thankes for his great and courteous offers but beeing there hard by the King and for the Queene his Mistresse that had peace and amitie with the King he neither would nor could receiue any protection but from the king himselfe Monsieur de Brissac shewed him that the Duke of Guise was not come to Parris to enterprise any thing against the king or his seruice but that hee had onely put himselfe in defence that there was a great conspiracie made against him and the Cittie of Parris that the Town-house and other places were full of gibbets whereon the king had determined to hang diuers of the Town and others and that the Duke of Guise desired him to aduertise the Queen his Mistresse thereof to the end it might bee known The Ambassadour aunswered that he beleeued the Duke had willed him to say so that the highest and hardiest enterprises often times lye hidden and secret in the minds of those that vndertake them and that when they thinke good they make them knowne with such colour and shewe as they thinke best for their purpose that he could not chuse but tell him plainely that that which passed in Parris would bee found very straunge and euill thought of by all christian Princes hauing interest therein That no cloake or couer how faire soeuer it might bee could cause it to bee liked of it beeing the dutie of a subiect to continue in the iust obedience of his Prince That if there were so many gibbets prepared it would be the easilier beleeued if the Duke of Guise would cause them openly to bee shewed And againe if it were so it is a most odious and intollerable thing that a subiect by force should seek to impeach the iustice that his Soueraigne would execute against offendors That hee would promise him that most willingly and with all speed hee would aduertise the Queene his Mistresse of that had passed but to bee his Interpteter vnto her of Monsieur de Guises intents and those of his confederacie it was no part of his charge the Queen his Mistresse beeing wiser then himselfe both to beleeue and iudge what she thought good Heere endeth the second Booke THE THIRDE BOOKE OF THE LAST troubles of France containing that which passed after the Barricadoes in Parris and there trait of the king to Chartres vntill the Edict of pacification and assembly of the generall estates at Blois in the moneth of September Barricadoes the 12. of May. 1588. O Accursed and fatall day that haste defaced the beautie and pleasure of the twelfth day of May which euery yeare vsed to put vs in minde of the solemne and triumphant enterie of Charles the eight into the Realme of Naples what coale can bee blacke ynough to note thee in our Ephemerides and so leaue to our posteritie the rememberance of the shame and reproach of the rebellioÌ„ which thou breedest vp by driuing the king out of Parris and making knowne the hideous spectacles of the tyrannie of the League There is no memorie that forgetteth the remembrance of thy ingratitude no abolition that defaceth thy felony nor any defence to bee sought that might hide thy shame and there is not sufficient water in the riuer of Seine to wash away the
hee vsed to impeach the reducing of Ausonne do sufficiently discouer their pretences And when it pleaseth your Maiestie to haue further declaration hereof with the generall consent of all your subiects wee will bring diuers sufficient proofes which at this present would bee ouer long to set downe and which for diuers good causes wee will now omit This common opinion of the intelligence that the said Duke de Espernon and Mousieur de la Valette haue with the Hugunots and the high estate whervnto it hath pleased your Maiestie to aduance them maketh your good subiects to feare specially the Catholicques that if your fauor should once bee withdrawne from them as it is impossible that their insolent behauiors can long time be indured by so great and wise a King not finding any entertainment among the Catholicques they will take part with Hereticques and thereby deliuer all the Prouences and strong places that are in their possessions into their hands whith whom alreadie they haue so great intelligence in such manner that France that may shortly be deliuered of heresie should become more subiect to their tyrannicall dominion then euer it was The Dukes answere Vpon the taking of Dauphine The Duke de Espernon replyeth by his Councell and saith that hee tooke Valence and other places in Dauphine and put out those of the league that had no authoritie therein to place his Maiesties souldiers if that deserue not an excuse I referre it to the iudgement of all honest men I would to God he had also taken Chaalons Dyon Montreuil and all that acknowledgeth not your Maiestie within the heart of the Realme and yet hee hath not done it without cause and lawfull excuse which hath beene often debated before your Maiestie and your Councell The fauour which he bare to hereticques As touching the other poynts of their accusation touching the fauour which the League saith the Duke d'Espernon beareth vnto Hereticques your Maiestie knoweth and can disprooue their vntrueths if they bee so in this that as touching the ouerthrow of the Rutiters there was not any man that trauelled so much therein as the saide Duke d'Espernon who onely by your Maiesties good pleasure and authoritie hauing effected the disvnion of the Switzers The King of Nauarres complaint against the Duke de Espernon caused their confusion and by that meanes gaue the Duke of Guise occasion to set vppon them at Auneau for the which hee is so much commended to the disgracing of your Maiestie and the honour of that victorie that is due vnto you By this your Maiestie may iudge the truth of all their accusations that knoweth the particularities of the voiage to Guyenne what was done by the Duke d'Espernon and what followed all contrary to their declarations Whereby I dare say the King of N. was so much displeased at the said D. of Espernon that there is not any man in France with whom he is more offended The League addeth that the D. of Espernon his brother are the authors of the disorders in all the good gouernments and pollicie of France that they haue gotten into their Coffers all the treasures of the Realme that they haue aspired to the principall offices of the Crowne separated from it diuers of those that would serue it both well and wisely and besought the King seeing he knew them to be the cause and original of the mischiefe that it would please him to bannish them both of his Court and fauour and discharge them of all the gouernments and offices that they hold within this Realme without any desert The Duke d'Espernon saith that all whatsoeuer they say are but chimeres and inuentions maliciously deuised for the iustification whereof The Dukes offer to testifie the truth of his innocencis hee will gage his head to bee layde at the kings seere if it bee found that hee once so much as dreamed thereof And to the contrary hee reputeth all the causes of miseries vppon the heads of the house of Guise Who hath brought disorder saith hee in the treasures whereof you make so great a matter but your predecessors you that follow their steps Who constrained the king to exact vppon his people but onely the warres which the vnmeasurable ambition hath renued put them vpon the Kings charges let the chamber of accounts be examined there it shall be seen who without contradiction hath handled and gouerned the treasures of the late kings Henry and Francis the second let the most auncient Histories be pervsed to see what house in France hath risen from a most meane beginning to a high and great estate I will name no man euery man knoweth sufficiently what house it is that would thrust his head into the cloudes Gifts of the king without importunitie and with his foote spurne off the kings Crowne wee most humbly call his Maiestie to witnesse as our king the author of our beeing our Protector and our good Maister if wee euer were importunate with him for any benefit we haue receiued at his Graces hands and whether all whatsoeuer wee haue both riches and honour haue not proceeded from him of his free and voluntarie libertie Wee praise God that wee cannot bee accused to bee Pensionaries to the king of Spaine or to haue receiued mony from him to make war against our king and impeached him from taking into his protection the gouernment of the lowe Countries nor by force to haue taken the monies of his generall receipts robbed the waggon of Bourges and in time of open peace constrained the mony of Normandie to bee conducted by a hundreth men of armes euen to the Gates of Parris It shall not bee long of vs that this reformation should not bee performed in France wee will absent our selues from the Court and from the presence of the king Now my Maisters the reformers let vs see some goodly beginning of your policie Is your ambition deuises practises or inuentions The Duke d'Espernon is forbidden the Court. to attain to the highest dignitie therby any thing ceased Haue you left Paris restored it into the hands of her naturall king and Princes No but to the contrary you haue made Melun and Corbeil to reuolt in the very sight of his Maiestie and all the best townes in this Realme which by false perswasions you haue ledde out of the right way And to conclude wee will refuse no condition that may restore and establish this Realme to peace and tranquillitie and as wee do most willingly craue your Maiesties presence in a time wherein wee ought not to doo it thereby to giue no cause of dissiking to our enemies so will wee bee alwaies readie to yeelde vnto your Maiesties hands both liues and goods The Kings answere to the request of the league with all estates charges gouernments places and Castles that it hath pleased you to commit vnto vs vppon condition that our accusers will doo the like And if
which is of the third estates of the land which represent the whole Realme Although since that time the name of Parliament is applyed to the companies of Soueraigne Courts that haue the ordering of causes both criminall and ciuill That first age of our Monarchie although rude and simple that held our kings like puples vnder the Maiors of the Pallace assembled the Parliament as often as the publike affaires of the Realme required The kings of France were not seene but once a yeare Aymon lib. 4. cap. 30. and the kings that as then retained the grosse vapors of the Daâ—ubian ayre and of the Orientall France were neuer seene but once euery yeare vppon the first day of May in their Parliaments that is in the assembly of the third orders or estates of their Realme in a place called the field of Mars where the king was borne in a Chariot of flowers Aymon li. 4. cap 30. drawne by foure oxen after the rusticall manner and there placed in a royall throne assisted with his Nobilitie hee heard the complaints of his subiects gaue order for all things that were to bee done that yeare and dispatched the Ambassadors of forrain Princes Vnder the second lyne of the kings of France The estate of France in the second line of the kings of France the Empire inlarging it by force and the kings leauing that seuere greatnesse to haue conuersation with their subiects the estates assembled more commonly not at a certaine and fixed day but according to the opportunitie and necessitie of their affaires therefore Pepin that had caused Childeric to bee shorne put into a Cloyster desiring to establish his vsurpation by the vniuersall consent of the people caused the States to bee assembled at Soissons that confirmed it and another time at Compiegne since that time the diuisions and iealousies of the Princes made those assembles to bee more difficult the kings contented themselues with the Parliament as an abridgement of the three estates wherein there was Prelates Noblemen and Deputies of all townes with the Councell of Parris to determine all things that belonged to iustice the Bailiffes and Stewards euery man in his iurisdiction administring the causes of the Common-wealth but when ignorance auarice and cupiditie entered into that first order that an euerlasting and continuall obscuritie had infolded the beautie of lawes men waxing more malicious and thereby fell into diuers deceits and frauds brablings and quarrellings tooke place Bailiffes and Stewards not administring iustice with such integretie and seueritie as was conuenient and our kings hauing not meanes in their Parliaments that alwaies held about them to bee still imployed in hearing particular mens suites the affaires of estate that daily increased as the Monarchie augmented King Philiple Bel caused the Pallace to bee made where soueraigne iudgements should bee giuen Since that Philip surnamed the Long ordained that it should bee composed of a certaine number of persons Controuersies vnder the raign of Philip le Bel. Vpon this President he tooke the order of knighthood one or two Presidents the first President beeing the Counte of Bourgongne a Prince of the blood eight Clarkes and twelue Lay-men foure Maisters of Request two chambers of Requests wherin were eight Lay-men eight Clarkes as Iudges and foure and twentie Atturneyes he called Clarkes men with long gownes married and vnmarried and the rest Laye-men Noblemen or GentlemeÌ„ The Parliament that serued only for iustice hindered not the assembly of the estates for the benefit of the Common-wealth not at a certaine or ordinary time as in England euery three yeares This is a false surmise of the Author Reasons and necessittes vrging the assembly of the Estates but as often as it pleased the king and no other to summon them for one of these three occasions The first when the succession or right of the Crowne was doubtfull and in controuersie or that it was necessarie to prouide for the ruling and gouerning of the Realme during the captiuitie or minoritie of the kings or when they were troubled and wanted the right vse of their memories and sences The second when it was necessarie to reforme the Realm to correct the abuse of Officers Magistrates by troubles and seditions and to reduce things to their first order and integretie The third for the necessities of the kings and their Realmes in those assemblies of the Deputies of all the parts of the Realme they shewed the people in what estate the kings affaires were and they were courteously mooued intreated and exhorted to graunt subsidies aydes and assistances vnto their kings which otherwise would haue contented themselues with their rents and reuenues to maintaine the glorie of royall dignitie they neuer vsed to impose any subsidies or tallages without the consent thereof and said not as Lewis the eleuenth said that Frunce was a medowe that vsed to bee mowed thrise a yeare so for one of these three causes the estates haue been seene to assemble in diuers places and times The yeare 1327.1380 Frosard li. 2. chap. 58.60 In the yeare 1484. In the yeare 1356. In the yeare 1412. Philip Earle of Vertus They assembled in Parris to chuse a Regent during the minoritie of S. Lewis an other time in the same place to prouide for the gouernment of king Charles the sixt in his minoritie and at Tours for Charles the eight that Lewis the eleuenth had left in infancie They assembled in Parris for the libertie of king Iohn prisoner in England and for the phrensie of Charles the sixt whose gouernment was referred to his two Vncles the Dukes of Berry and Bourgongne They assembled at Auxerre to sweare a peace betweene the children of the houses of Orleans and Bourgongne and by their aduice the marriage of the Counte of Vertus brother to the Duke of Orleans with the daughter of the Duke of Bourgongne was made among the ioyes of this peace the Dukes of Orleans and Bourgongne were seene booth vppon a horse sporting themselues with the other Princes to witnesse their amitie and reconciliation yet it was but a fained peace Monstrelet lib. 1. chap. 59. They were againe assembled in the raigne of Charles the sixt at Parris vnder Francis the second at Orleans and vnder Henry the third at Bloys to appease the difference of the new religion abuses desolations excesse to take order for the administring of iustice to rate the monies and to institute the offices for the gouernment of the treasures in the two last the Deputies required two things one the extirpation of heresies but without wars by a free legitimate Councell the second the easing of the poore people by taking accounts of such as abusing the fauour and libertie of the king had inriched themselues by the oppression of his subiects to the end that the blood being drawne into an other part might be brought into the emptie vaines to quicken the head and animate the most
of Beaulieu and Monsieur de Reuol their backs towards the king and their faces to the people and before them the Heralts on their knees and bare-headed on each side of this table stood the seates of the kings auditors of all affaires on the left hand Monsieur de Bellegarde chiese Gentleman of the kings chamber the Archbishoppe of Lyons Monsieur Miron the kings chiefe Phisitian on the left hand vpon an other banke Monsieur de Longenac an other of the Gentlemen of the kings chamber Monsieur des Escars Monsieur de Souuray Monsieur d'O three Commanders of the Order of the holy Ghost at the end of the bankes aforesaid there stood two banks one at the end of the other along on both sides that made an Allie about two or three foote broad vppon those of the right hand sat Messieurs of the Councel of estate of the long gowne Monsieur d'Espesse the kings Aduocate in the Parliament at Parris Monsieur de Chastelliers Monsieur Falcon Sieur de Riz Monsieur Marcel Receiuer of the Treasurie Monsieur de la Guesle Atturney generall for the king Monsieur Campigny Monsieur de Pont-carre Monsieur de Ville-roy Monsieur de Viart President of Metz Monsieur Petremol Sieur de Rosiers Receiuer of the finances Monsieur de Thou Sieur de Emery And vpon the other two bankes on the left hand sat the Councell of Estate of the short gowne Monsieur de Schomberg Earle of Nantueil Monsieur de Cleremont d'Antragues Monsieur de la Chastegneraye Monsieur de Rochefort Monsieur de Pongny Monsieur de Richelieu Monsieur de Liancourt Monsieur de Menneuille And vpon the other banke Monsieur de Chastre Monsieur de Grillon Monsieur de Birague Monsieur de Chemerault Monsieur de Manou all Commaunders of the Order of the holy Ghost except the Sieurs de Schomberg de Menneuille And these Lords were they that had the handling of cōmon causes for the ordinary of the Realme or other particular Gouernments of Townes Prouinces and affaires wherein the king onely might take order Behinde the bankes of the Councell of estate of the long gowne on the right hand of the king there stood eight great bankes before the scaffold for the Deputies of the Clargie on the other side vpon the left hand behind the Councellours of estate of the short gowne there stood nine great bankes for Deputies of the Nobilitie crosse hard by on the sides of those bankes was that of the Maisters of Requests and after them the Clarkes of the house and Crowne of France All these were inuironed and closed with great and strong railes of three foore high hauing but one entery that was right before the kings face Betweene the aforesaid third and fourth Pillers whereat the Deputies entered and within the inclosure of those Barricadoes round about were the bankes for them to sit vppon The space about the Railes without was in bredth betweene sixe or seuen foote for the better accesse and ease of the people to leane vppon them The Legate the Ambassadours the Lords and the Ladies of the Court were in the Galleries closed with latises vnder the which were erected diuiers scaffoldes eight or nine steppes higher one then the other thereon to place great numbers of people The Deputies according to the order were called a Hussier standing in a windowe that looked into the Castle-yeard such as hee called were receiued by the Heraults named Normandy d'Alencon and Valois apparrelled in their Coate-armours of purple veluet into the railes that stood at the foot of the steppes which they still shutte as the Deputies entered and from thence ledde them to the enterie of the railes of the Hall where the Herault Brittaine Dauphine receiued them and brought them to the Lords of Roddez and Marle Maisters of the ceremonies telling them of what Prouince they were Deputies and setting them in their places they beeing in that order ledde forward the Herault at the windowe called others which were receiued led and placed as the rest the order vsed in calling them was thus First the Towne-Prouost and Vicounte of Parris the Duchie of Bourgongne and Baliage of Dyon the Duchie of Normandie and by order the Baliages of Roane Caen Caux Constantin Eureux Gisors Alencon and Mortaing The Duchie of Guyenne and by order the Stewardship of Bourdeaux Bazas Perigort Rouergue Xaintongue Agenois the Countrie and Countie of Comminges the Stewardship of Launes S. Seuer Condounas High Limosin and the Towne of Limoges Lowe Limosin the Stewardship of Quercy The Duchie of Brittaine and her dependances the Earledome of Champagne and Baliages of Troye Chaumont in Bassigny Vitry Meaux Prouince Sesanne Sens and the Castle of Tyerrie The Earledome of Thoulouse and gouernment of Languedoc the Stewardship of Thoulouse Puy the Baliages of Velay Mompelier the Stewardship of Carcassonne Narbonne Beziers the Stewardship of Lauragais Vermandois Poictou Chastelleraut Fantenay and Niort the Stewardship of Aniou and of Maine the Baliages of Thouraine and Amboise the Stewardship of Loudunois the Baliages of Berry and S. Pierre le Monstier the Stewardship of Bourbonnois the Baliages of Forest and Beauioulois the Stewardship lowe countrie of Auuergne the Baliages of the Mountaines of Auuergne the Stewardship of Lyon the Baliages of Chartres Orleans Montargis Blois Dreux Mantes and Meulan the Baliages of Gien Percht Chasteauneuf Amiens the Stewardship of Ponthieu Boulonnois Peronne Montdidier and Roye the Baliages of Senlis Vallois Clermont and Beauuoisis Melun Nemours Nyuernois and Douziais The countrie of Dauphine and that which dependeth thereon the towne and gouernment of Rochel the Stewardship of Angoulmois the Baliages of Montfort Houdan Estampes Dourdan the Counte of Prouence Grasse Draguignan Marseille the Counte de la Marche both low high the Marquisat of Saluce and the Baliage of Beauuois in Beaunoisis So that to conclude the Clargie had 134. Deputies among the which were 4. Archbishops 21. Bishops two principals of orders the Nobilitie 180. Gentlemen and the third estate 191. Deputies The number of the Deputies all Ministers of iustice or of the short gowne The Deputies being entered and the Gate shut Monsieur de Guise sitting in his chaire apparelled in a roabe of white Satin the cape hanging backward about his shoulders with his eyes pearcing through all the assembly therein to know and distinguish his seruitors with one onely glance of his eye to strengthen them in the hope and assurance of his pretences greatnesse and fortunes and thereby without word to tell them that he saw them rose vp and hauing made a great reuerence to all the companie beeing followed by the 200. Gentlemen and the Captains of the guard he went to fetch the king that entered in great Maiestie with his principall order hanging about his necke When the company perceiued him to come downe the staires that went straight to the great scaffold euery man rose vp and stood bare-headed which done the king tooke his
in Citties and Townes in which cases they are vnited by well gouerned lawes and ordinances euery one according to his charge and necessary function but that the mischiefe was that in these daies lawes are nothing else but written papers hee set downe the vnexcusable faults committed in obseruation of lawes pollices and ordinances made for the punishment of swearers blasphemers players idle persons vsurers vnlawfull exacters cousoners wicked liuers men vsing prohibited and vnlawfull places with all such kinde of vices Idle Schollers the libertie of liuing idlely and desolutely without pollicie or gouernment but only by bad and disordered meanes causes and originalles of troubles and seditions which ouerthrow and subuert all kingdomes and good Common-wealths adding therevnto a most earnest exhortation to seeke remedies to all those michiefes The kings debts Lastly hee shewed the great debts the king hadde fallen into his great diligences and hazards by making warres against the hereticques his pietie religion and deuotion to the Romish Church with the rare behauiour actions and counsell of the Queene his mother Ending his Oration with the vnitie and concord that ought to bee as a most necessary thing in that assembly thereby to holde the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane Church with general and particular estate of all that are comprehended therin in true obedience to the king in all vnion and concord which doing this Monarchie would bee found to be inuironed with all happinesse vnder the authoritie of the most christian king and to the contrary dooing otherwise they should feele a continuall greefe and remorse of conscience within their mindes for disobeying God their King and countrie The Archbishop of Bourges Oration The Archbishop of Bourges Patriarch and Primate of Aquitaine thanked the king in that it pleased him to shewe his great good will towards his subiects saying that thereby the poore and miserable countrie of France which for the space of eight and twentie yeares hadde beene so much tormented beganne to receiue some strength and to take courage hearing the sweete and pleasing voyce of her king witnessing his more then fatherly affection towards his subiects which would cause him to bee honoured and belooued within his Realme as much as in auncient time the world worshipped Herculus Theseus and other valiant men that eased and relieued them from the burthen of oppressions and violences vsed in those daies by Tyrants and monstrous Gyants Saying that as God when his people were afflicted raised Moyses Iosue Dauid Manasses Iosaphat Ezechias and other good kings so by his prouidence hee hadde sent into this desolate kingdome a King who from his young yeares hadde beene guided by the Spirite of the Kings beloued of God wisedome of God to gouerne his people and as the young Eagle a celestiall bird comming out of her nest his Maiestie pricked and prouoked by the vengeance and generositie of his Predecessors hath throwne the thunder of the eternall GOD vppon the faces and heades of the enemies of his diuine Maiestie not once sparing his owne life for the honour of God and tranquillitie of his Realme who in his voyage to Polonia His voyage to Polonia passing and repassing through so many and diuers Nations hath hadde and gotten so much experience in all actions that by the onely wisedome and eye of his vertues hee hath dispearsed a great and puissant armie of straungers Rutters and Switzers A happie houre of his raigne Concluding therewith by so certaine a hope that vnder so good and so mightie a king they should see heresie suppressed and repulsed peace assured the seruice of God established all the Churches restored and reedified Townes franchised and freed from caliuers and drummes the Temple of warres closed and shutte vppe and that of peace opened vnto all men iustice and peace imbrasing each other lawes flourishing charitie abounding among men and by one consent and vnion of religion vnder the obedience of God and the King who representing the person of GOD beareth the sword of Gods iustice heere on earth the kingdome of Christ would thereby beginne to flourish as an example of all goodnesse in the world to come wherevnto wee all aspire Great ioy made by the estates And therewith in the name of them all adding this exclamation Viue Rex in sempiternum Liue King liue and liue eternally and for the gracious vertues and notable inspirations wherewith God hath touched your Princely heart all your Realme of France singeth Benedictus Deus qui misit talem voluntatem in cor regis Blessed and praised bee God that hath inspired so good and notable a desire into the heart of our King which wee beseech his diuine Maiestie to assist fortifie and conduct to a most happie and prosperous end for his honour and glorie The Earle of Brssac his OratioÌ„ made in â—ame of the whole Nobilitie After the Archbishop of Bourges sat downe the Earle of Brissac stood vppe and for a congratulation of those of his order hee shewed the King that the Nobilitie in generall hadde giuen him in charge to thanke his Grace for the good and honour they receiued beeing by his commaundements called and conuoked togither by an assembly of the generall estates and in his royall presence there to heare and vnderstand his holy and good resolutions assuring themselues that the effects would bee as prompt and certaine as it was a naturall and iust thing in him to be a true king acknowledging that by that meanes onely it would make them such as they ought to be The affectioÌ„ of the French Nobilitie in the seruice of the king and state touching the reestablishing of the honour of God the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romane religion and of other things profitable to his estate and necessarie for his poore people Promising for their partes to vse the fidelitie zeale affection and generositie that hath allwaies beene naturall in the Gentlemen of France towardes their Kings and soueraigne Princes Offering vnto his Maiestie the most humble seruice of their armes persons and liues to cause him to bee obeyed honoured feared respected and acknowledged of all men as both diuine and humane lawes haue constituted and appoynted And withall to restore his Realme purged of heresies the spring and cause of all diuisions to her first and ancient dignitie wherevnto they would expose themselues freely generously and liberally vnder his authoritie euen to the last drop of their blood The Crati of the third estate The Prouost of Merchants within Parris President for the thirde estate fell on his knees and for those of his degree spake and sayde That seeing it had pleased his Maiestie so to open his minde and to declare his holy intents vnto his people thereby assuring them of his great charitie truely named most fatherly in their behalfes his most humble most obedient and most faithfull subiects of the third estate first praised God that it had pleased him to cast the eyes of his mercie
Ecclesiasticall persons opened their intent vnto the Nobilitie and the rest of the estates who altogither entered into conference touching the waightinesse of that action and conforming themselues vnto the first aduise of the Cleargie they appoynted twelue of each degree to giue the King intelligence of their determination and the Archbishoppe of Ambrun in the name of all the estates opened it to the King But his M. remeÌ„bring that the king of N. had often shew'd him that he had bin born bred vp in that form of religion that in conscience he could not leaue it without instruction that if he did it in hope or dispaire of enioying a kingdome hee should thereby reape the blasone of inconstancie infidelitie and hypocrisie thereby not to make himselfe capable to be a king but rather vnworthie for the place that hee was readie and alwaies will be to bee instructed by a free and lawfull Councell and to leaue his error truth being made known vnto him found this proposition very strange and passionate wherwith he rested wholly vnresolued Such as preferre the hopes and right of succession in this Prince shewed him that the submission he had made The king of Nauarre in hope of a Crowne wilt not be instructed A discourse taken out of an answere made by the king of Nauarre The Edict of the libertie of conscience in an 15â—1 which he still continued to make during these troubles are full of iustice all good consideration because he doth not willingly defend any thing but that only which honor zeale of conscience forceth him vnto that the law of this Realm depriueth not a child of a direct or collaterall succession because of religion why then should it depriue a Prince The law admitteth all persons indifferently into any office why shuld it not do the like in an estate The law permitteth euery man the exercise of his religion excludeth no man why then shuld the Prince be debarred from this priuiledge and the Prince that maketh it why shuld he be burt hened in his conscience in the thing specially that toucheth him most neare it being he that giueth libertie vnto others I say the law of this estate for it is the law whereby we liue in peace that is to restore this estate vnto her first being thereby to withdraw it from continuall miserie A law made determined at the Parliament holden in Orleans not a forced Parliament not suspicious not leagued by the deuises and subtill practises of such as at this day trouble the Realme of France and which is more a Parliament summoned by themselues in the time of their greatest credite and namely at their instance which from that time hitherto wee neuer desired to infringe vntill we were constrained to enter into ciuill warres and when I speake of ciuill warres vnder that word I thinke may well comprehend all sorts of calamities and confusions a lawe that is very iust as beeing most necessary a lawe which at this Parliament is not allowed for that the reuocation thereof is our destruction a law iudged a lawe sworne vnto by all the Princes Gouernours Lieftenants Councellours Courts of Parliament Presidents Townes and communalties of this Realme and by those namely who at this day would protest against it And yet hee remitteth mitteth the deciding of the cause of religion to a free Councell and til then no man in this estate can bee esteemed or holden an hereticque and whosoeuer submitteth himselfe vnto it by all right cannot bee said or reputed for an obstinate or schismatic que person The king wold they should summon the King of Nauarre The King prouoked by these reasons thought it vnreasonable to condemne the king of Nauarre before hee aunswered for himselfe and therefore made aunswere vnto the Lords and other Deputies that it should by to see if that were good and expedient to summon him once againe to sweare vnto the Edict of vnion and so to declare himselfe a Catholicque The League would not heare of that aduise This aunswere made by the King was shewed vnto the estates and by them a collection was made of all the means that had the king of Nauarre vnto the Church the absolution which the Cardinall of Bourbon his vncle had obtained for him his Relaps into his errors that he had abiured the voyages made by the Queene-mother to seeke to win him the Doctors whom the king himselfe desirous of his conuersion and his good had sent vnto him and the excommunication pronounced against him in the Consistorie of Rome They set downe the paines due vnto hereticques as also to such as are relapsed they accused this Prince to bee both the one and the other nourished and brought vp from his infancie in that new and erronious opinion and that beeing such a person hee was not woorthie eytherof respect or obedience no not of so much honour as once to bee saluted that they might not communicate with him by any meanes that there is an eminent daunger of the losse of religion and that it would bee put in great hazard if once they should acknowledge him for their king who both by his power and example might easily compel his subiects to yeelde to his religion finding nothing more assured nor certaine in all auncient Histories then the decay and ruine of religion when the chiefe Magistrate sought not to preserue it in all puritie Hereticum ho minem deuita Nee aue dixeritis illi 1. Tim. 3. Iohn 2. They said the King of Nauarre held the same opinon that had alreadie beene condemned in the Councell of Trent and by other Councelles that hee perseuered therein and that hauing oncereiected it hee receiued it againe and thereby constrained the holy Sea of of Rome to declare him a Relaps excommunicated and vncapable of the succession of this Realme concluding thereby that hee ought by that assembly to bee declared such a person and to leaue this lawe for a perpetuall memorie vnto the Realme of France that an hereticque may not enioy the Crowne of France and that it is a thing wholly against his sacrying and the oath which at his coronation hee should make but much more preiudiciall vnto the honour of God and the good and quietnesse of this estate The lawe to heare such as are accursed is not ciuill and particular nor obserued in one or two Common-wealths it is a lawe drawne from nature it selfe and the common consent of all nations practised by those who for their guide haue had a true and perpetuall reason in all their actions and it seemeth that God himselfe to whom all the secrets of mens consciences are open that knoweth all things that hath no need of humane witnesses nor yet to follow the order or manner of a Parliament would not pronounce his definitiue sentence against the ingratitude felony disloyaltie pride and presumption of the first man Adam before hee had called him to iudgement examined confirmed
at Moncontour and brought honourable markes of his courage from the battel fought against the Rutters Caezar vsed so great diligence in trauelling that hee departed from Rome Hic diligeÌ„ce and within three daies after he arriued at Rhosne The Duke of Guise made such speedie iourneyes that when some thought him to be fiftie leagues off hee was found to bee in a manner at their heeles The promptnesse of his exploits Caezar had no sooner begun an enterprise but he finished it with speede The duke of Guise was so vehement and hastie to execute his enterprises that many esteemed his celeritie to bee a kinde of rashnesse Veni vidi vici His dissimulation Caezar vsed dissimulation wisely and happily to serue him for aduantage The Duke of Guise was so expert therein that hee dealt in his exteriour affaires as hee thought good to hide the secrets of his heart and although hee desired nothing so much as the raising of armes by the league yet hee made his bretheren beleeue when they prouoked him to take occasions offered that it was not his desire wisely dissembling it to the end that if the effect had not fallen out as they desired hee might impute the fault vnto their Councelles or at the least obiect against their pursuites or else he did it to the end hee might holde them stricktly bound and ingaged vnto the enterprises which of themselues they counselled him to take in hand His foresight His cunning and slights Com. de Caezar Lib. 1. of ciuill wars Caezar was maruellous expert in the science of taking occasions when time serued and to vse them to his aduantage whatsoeuer it cost him oftentimes hee made shewe to agree to that which he sought to impeach as the meanes which the Switzers desired of him to passe through France wherein hee made a good shew and countenance vnto their Ambassadors that made suite vnto him for the same vntill hee had meanes and force to withstand them The Duke of Guise was an excellent cunning Prince to vse both time and occasion and his subtilties were notable stratagems against the most violent effects of his enemies The Reisters bare with them into Saxen and Pomerland the effects of his so subtil practises by their incounters at Auueau and Vimory Caezar with a small force and wholly contrary to militarie reason enterprised all things and durst set vppon the forces of Scipio and Iuba beeing ten times greater then his owne His armie were of more courage then number The Duke of Guise saide with Caezar that high enterprises ought speedily to bee done and not long consulted vppon and with a small handfull of men determined to oppose himself against the furious armie of the Almains he discommended and disliked the monstrous multitudes full of disorders and confusions that forme and frame a most daungerous confidence in the hearts of the greatest cowards that trusting to their great numbers despised the power of their enemie he had a small number of souldiers ruled and gouerned within certaine limittes that need no great quantitie of ammunitions nor retrait His courtesie towards his souldiers Dux plerumque in opere in agmine gregatio militi mixtus in corrupto ducis honore Tacitus His credit with his souldiers Caezar flattered and fauoured his souldiers terming them companions and calling them by his owne name The Duke of Guise knowing the humour of his souldiers and that there is nothing which so much inflameth the heart of the souldier to a desire of honour and glory then when he is noted and marked by his Generall hee fauoured his souldiers and honoured his Captaines promising them more then hee could do and neuer denied them any thing that lay in his power Caezar had such credite among his souldiers that they offered him in the beginning of the ciuill warres to follow him at their owne expences and many of his souldiers that were taken prisoners offered rather to die theÌ„ to bee constrained to change parties and sooner to indure most extream famine then to yeeld vppe the Townes they held for him witnesse the honorable siege of Salone wherein beeing vexed with famine and constrained to cut off the haires of their wiues heades thereof to make stringes for their bowes hauing placed their women and childreÌ„ vpoÌ„ the wals to make shew they made so furious an issue that therewith they put their enemies to flight The Duke of Guise ordinarily termed the father of men of war so much respected and beloued of his souldiers that neither for want of pay nor discommodities there was euer any mutinie seene among his troupes and fewe or none were euer found that during his life forsooke him to serue vnder any other Generall And yet the Captaines that were brought vp vnder him are still imployed The execution of his commaunds Facta non dicta mea vos milities sequi voloâ—nee disciplinam modo sed exemplum etiam à me petere Liuius His strange ambition Caezar neuer sent to any place where hee might go himselfe nor commaunded that to bee done by other which by himselfe might bee effected The Duke of Guise alwaies beeing first at any exployt neuer trusting to any thing but his owne watchfulnesse and diligence the enemie found him alwaies before them with a magnanimitie and resolution rather to die then to bee vanquished Caezar suffered himselfe to bee wholly led by the furious passion of ambition to make himselfe great by the ruine of the Common-wealth of Rome The same vice was the cause that the Duke of Guise lost the greatest part of his praise Caezar enterprised to ouerthrow the lawes and orders of the Common-wealth passed the Rubicon entered Italie with armes tooke the treasures of the Common-wealth vsurped the office of perpetuall Dictator wan towns by force The Duke of Guise enterprised to trouble the order of succession caused the drumbe to strike vp in the midle of peace tooke the kings towns placed Garrison therein and fortified himselfe He could not indure acompanion Caezar could not indure a companion in his gouernment The Duke of Guise for the same cause mooued the great trouble of Barricadoes and constrained the king to quit him the place His debts Caezar when hee passed Rubicon hazarded either to winne or loose all The Duke of Guise by a popular fury hazarded both his life his honour and his place Caezar was indebted a million of gold more theÌ„ he was worth The Duke of Guise to accomplish his enterprises died poore and almost as much indebted Caezar vsed the fauour of the people and the tribunes for the whing of his ambition His purposes grounded vpon the common people His popularitie The Duke of Guise found the principall support of the League to consist in the good wil of the people and in the multitude being desirous of nouelties Caezar marched alwaies bare-headed to make himselfe more common gentle and amiable The Duke of Guise to commaund great men
certaine Lords and wealthie Merchants of her kingdome lent the king mony for the comforting of his forces Dauphine gotten againe for the King Francis de Bonne Lord of Diguireres chased the leaguers out of the Countie of Dauphine and became Maister of Grenoble which is the seate of the Parliament of the Prouince constraining the Lord d'Arbigni who commanded there to depart before the Duke of Sauoy or any other of the League could come time ynough to succour them In Normandie the Duke de Montpensier wonne Honfleur and inforced the Leaguers to forsake the field The Vicounte of Turenne came into Almaine to leuie a band of Rutters and hauing gathered an armie Christian Prince of Anhalt was made chiefe commaunder thereof On the other side the new Pope beeing a partaker with Spaine The Pope an ayder of the Leaguers promised to the league eight thousand footemen and fiue hundreth horse vnder the conduct of his cousin Francis Sfondrate and during these enterprises the Cheualier d'Aumale set vpon the Towne of Saint Dennis neare Paris supposing hee should winne it Hee was followed with many approoued warriours The Lord of Vic which commaunded in that place shewed good proofe of his skill and courage for although the knight and his followers were entered without losse hee ranne vpon them and charged them so roughly that the knight and the most of his people lay dead vpon the ground The Cheualier d'Aumale slaine with all his companie This knight was one of the principall Captaines of the league but in his deedes so strange and desolute that hee could no longer support himselfe otherwise hee was very hardie and valiant This was cause of great greefe among the seditious who had fewe men left that had more mischiefe in their heads then hee Many hath reported that his bodie hauing beene wrapped in a searcloth and laide in a Chappell within the great Church rested their til they migh know what the kings pleasure was to bee done therewithall Rattes and Mice found about a dead man On the morrow after as they would haue drawne foorth the corps to imbalme it the searecloth was found full of rattes and mice in such number that they had much ado to driue them away till such time they were faine to lay vpon them with hand-strokes and teare them out from the woundes The king that on his part would not bee ydle addressed himselfe to certaine enterprises to giue an alarme to the Parisians that by this occasion bee might awake and cause them to remember themselues They tooke such an alarme that they came to the gate of S. Honore where they had knowledge giuen them that the kings troupes would come and giue them battell the 20. of Ianuarie The Spaniards shifts to corrupt Paris All this vanished away without any incounter or losse of the one side or on the other The Spanish Agents tooke this occasion to put the Parisians in feare for the aduancement of their affaires for they thrust certaine Regiments of Spaniards and Neopolitans into Parris and Meaux staying till they might conuey thither a farre greater number which the Duke of Parma was gathering togither with great diligence vnder pretence to come with them to the succour of Parris The packets and letters of the succours comming from Spaine and Italy serued for a very good remedie to the leaguers thereby to content the Parisians And to comfort and incourage them the more the new Pope assisted by many Cardinals did againe excommunicate the king and his adherents And sending a monitorie bill put it in the handes of his Nuncio called Marcellin Landriano to bee carried to the Cardinall of Plaisance his Legat at Parris The succours by him promised beganne to assemble The Popes forces against France As for the king of Spaine following the particular intelligences which he had with the Duke of Mercoeur his armie by sea came into the Castle of Brittaine and seized on the part of Blauet greatly fortified since that time Monsieur de la Noue was sent to make heade against the Spaniards And while they stayed for the succours of the lowe Countries the Earle of Brissac made a voyage toward the Duke of Parma who brought mony from them to pay the Pentioners thereby to entertaine them in hope of continuation The siege and yeelding vp of Chartres to the king The King retired to Senlis tooke his way to Brie stayed about foure myles stom Prouence accompanied with the Duke of Neuers each one thinking that hee would haue besieged that Towne which is not strongly situated hee made such a shew and in such sort that the League sent thither speedily fiue or sixe hundreth foote and two hundreth horse But because hee came no nearer therevnto they verily thought hee would haue set either vppon the Towne of Troys or on Seni staying onely for the Marshal of Birons comming who had receiued at Deepe certaine barrels of powder and bullets which was sent from England They continued firme in this opinion till such time the King marched towards Montereau Heerevppon rose an other report that the King went to Tours for the redressing of certaine disorders such as the leaguers blazed abroad euen to the very slaundering of the Princes of the blood But such thoughts did greatly hurt the league For the King holding himselfe close tenne or twelue daies with the Duke of Neuers sent word to the Marshall de Biron who was come toward Mant in his returne from Normandie after he had taken Caudebec Harfleur Feschamp and other Townes in briefe when hee brought all Prouence vnder the kings obeysance Horsmas le Haure Roane Pontoise and two or three other places that hee should crosse to Beausse as though hee ment to ioyne with him But that on a suddaine hee should turne toward Chartres to recouer it before any succour should enter into it for as much as the town had no other garrison but the own Inhabitants who were also diuided many bearing good affection to the King especially the Bishop which thing the Marshall performed so suddainly that Chartres was inuironed round about and besieged the tenth of Februarie A Captaine of Orleans named la Croix attempted to come to the succour of the Towne with his Regiment of threescore Curates and two hundreth harguebuziers But hee was incontinent inclosed and ouerthrowne in such sort that of all his followers there escaped but four and himselfe which made the fift who with the rest beeing very well mounted had all their mindes bent vppon flight while their fellowes throates were a cutting The Lord de la Chastre chiefe Captaine of the siege in Berry was constrained the same time to raise his siege from before Aubigni and soone after his troupes were ouerthrown by the Lord of Chastillon who came to the king at the siege of Chartres who by his valour and notable inuention of a bridge to go right vpon the breach was the principall cause vnder God that
where it was openly proclaimed throughout the Prouinces The Guisarts not content with the troubles in France mooue warres in Scotland but to their owne confusion The religion multiplieth in France euen in the middle of their persecutions and next after God submit themselues vnder the protection of the Princes of the blood determining to oppose themselues against the house of Guise who by diuers subtilties receiue and award their blowes discouer the enterprise wrought against them cause the principall Nobilitie of the Realm to be assembled at Fontainbleau where the Admirall galleth them on all sides This assembly produced an aduise and consent of a Parliament to be holden in the end of that yeare The Princes are summoned to come vnto the Court and all subtile practises vsed to get them thither being arriued at Orleans where the Court was holden They were stayed as prisoners specially the Prince of Conde the house of Guise practising the totall ruine of the Princes and all others of the religion leaue no meanes vndeuised which by the sequell is well perceiued While these actions were in hand the king fell sicke in the end the Queen his mother got the Regencie with the ayde of the house of Guise and the king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and those of the religion are relieued by the kings death CHARLES THE NINTH I Account the raigne of Charles the ninth to be the time of wonders in France his beginning was the assembly of a Parliament where nothing was done but onely in words Those of the religion openly increasing the house of Guise began to practise against the estate many edicts were made to pacifie the troubles The Queen-mother vseth practises that ouerthrew the lawes of the realme to satisfie those of the religion an assembly was holden at Poissy which ended in words and no resolutions and lastly with mutinies in Parris The Edict of Ianuarie was made whereby the Duke of Guise vndertooke to commit the massacre at Vassy inducing the king of Nauarre to consent with him hee seizeth both of Parris and the king which bred the first ciuill warres which on the one side containe infinit exployts of warres as battels incounters assiegings defenses and taking of places on the other side spoyles and horrible murthers of those of the religion in all the Prouinces of the Realme The troubles being ended by the death of the Duke of Guise slaine at the siege of Orleans the first Edict of pacification abolishing that of Ianuarie was established After the peace the Englishmen were driuen out of New-hauen the king is declared to bee of age to gouerne without a Protector and causeth diuers Edicts to be made He is solicited by the Spaniard to breake his Edict of pacification which is weakned in diuers poynts the beginning of the voyage of Bayonne diuers Citadels builded many Townes vnwalled those of the religion sacked and spoyled in many places leagues made against them Edicts reuoking those that had been granted vnto them The shamefull entrie of the Cardinall of Lorraine in Paris Councels holden at Bayonne the kings progresse throughout France A dissembling reconciliation made between the houses of Guise Chastillon the miserable state of France a notable processe at Paris between the Vniuersitie and the Iesuites Vnder pretence of a passage to bee granted to the Spaniards to passe into the low Countries preparation was made to ouerrun those of the religion which constrained the Prince of Conde and his associates to seeke to defend themselues whereof ensued the second eiuill warres set downe with the most notable accidents therein happened Negotiation of peace which the Prince is constrained to accept This peace presently after conceiued a third ciuill warres The Prince and the Admirall hauing hardly saued themselues in Guyenne followed by diuers others The Princes first exployts edicts against those of the religion many warlike exployts betweene the contrarie armies Warres began to be in greater force in the yeare 1569. then euer they were before The Prince was slaine after the battell of Bassac the Prince of Nauarre declared generall of the armie and the Prince of Conde assistant A puissant armie of Almaines vnder the conduction of the Duke de Deux Ponts commeth to ayde them the incounter of la Roche la Belle the warres of Bearne the siege of Poictiers and Chastelleraud the battell of Moncontour What both the armies did after that The siege of S. Iohn d'Angely ouerthrowne the armie victorious Diuers exployts of wars in Poictou Guyenne Xaintongne and Angoulmois a great voyage through the Prouinces after the battell of Moncontour continuance of warres which is ended by the third edict of pacification and about the end of the yeare the king married the Emperours daughter a voyage made vnto the Queene of Nauarre for the marriage of her son with the king of France his sister Councels among those of the religion the death of the Cardinall of Chastillon The marriage aforesaid agreed vpon warres were pretended against the Spaniard the secret of the Court discouered the Queene of Nauarre went to Parris where she died the Princes and the Admirall came thither Contracts and espousals of the king of Nauarre most horrible bloodie and cruell councels and massacres of the Admirall and thirtie thousand of the religion in Parris and in many other Townes all the circumstances precedent and following set downe at large Many deuises to destroy those that were resting of the religion who in Rochel Sancerre Languedoc and other places resolued to stand in a iust defence of their cause the assieging and yeelding of Sancerre A notable discourse of the siege of Rochel from the beginning vntill the peace granted The state of those of the religion in Quercy Languedoc and other Prouinces where they ouerthrew their enemies and presently after reduced the king to such a stay that he was forced to begin againe who fell sicke as his brother went into Poland A deuise not ouer good for those of the religion The fourth troubles beganne at the massacres and ceased for a time at the peace of Rochel and began the fift by the enterprises against Rochel and Languedoc The wonderfull practises of the Queene-mother to maintaine her actions and to serue her turne by her third son against those of the religion The estate of diuers prouinces specially of Normandie where Monsieur was taken prisoner Warres in Poictou against those of the religion The Prince of Conde goeth into Almaine The sicknesse and death of the king HENRY THE THIRD THe Regents dealings during the warres in Normandie The estate of Languedoc Viuarais and Dauphine Montgommery beheaded in Parris The Prince of Conde chosen generall by those of Languedoc Warre in Poictou The arriuall of the new king escaped out of Poland The beginning of his actions The siege of Lusignen Warres in Dauphine Practises against those of Languedoc The death of Charles Cardinall of Lorraine The memorable siege of Liuron Conquests in Languedoc and elsewhere Negotiation of
of the league and resistance made by the heads Arrest of the Parliament of Chaalons against the Popes bull and assembly of the estates of the league Proceedings of the heads of the same Death of the Duke of Parma Attempts of the Duke of Maine after his death His declaration against the king 93. The king maketh answere to the Duke And his Councell offer a proposition to the estates of the league who are turned aside out of the way of peace by the Popes Legate and Spanish Ambassadour The king is solicited to go to Masse wherevnto the leaguers apply all their pollicies ouerthrown before by the Parliament of Parris The king maketh profession of the Romaine religion wherevpon ensueth a generall truce and new practise of the leaguers to withdraw the people from acknowledging him In the meane while the tragedies of Peter Barriere are a playing who desirous to haue a part in the league conspired against the life of the king and Duke de Nemours The leaguers turne themselues on euery hand for ther owne maintenance and to ruinate those of the religion Stratagems of certaine Polititians against the king who expresseth his good will to those of the religion and looseth that which he had conquered in Piedmont 94. He bringeth the league vnder subiection enforceth rebellious townes to their former obedience namely Parris where the Parliament opposeth it selfe against the Spanyardes After certaine goings too and fro to Rome the lesse desperate Leaguers are receiued to fauour Amongst others the Parisians who are woont to chase away the auncient enemies of France published a decree or arrest against the league and the Duke de Maine What ensued vpon a fauourable declaration of the king who in Picardie pursued the remainders of this vnion During this the Vniuersitie prosecuted the Iesuites Warre is noysed in Brittain and towards the lowe Countries About the end of the yeare a disciple of the Iesuites attempted to kill the king 95. Processe against the Iesuites and their secret complots discouered Warre proclaimed against the king of Spaine Leaguers of Soisson hewen in peeces Spaniards discomfited in the Dukedome of Luxembourg Warre in Franch-Countie Beaune surrendred to the king Memorable explopts both of one and other part Duke d'Aumale executed in his image and portrature The siege of Fere. The king obtaineth absolution from the Pope Estates of Picardie 96. Marseilles reduced vnder the kings obedience The Cardinall of Austria releeueth Fere and by force of armes taketh Callais and Ardes Neuerthelesse Fere is by composition deliuered into the kings hands Afterwards Marshall Biron made diuers incoursions into Artois And the amitie betweene the king the Queen of England and the vnited Prouinces of the low Countries was confirmed The king conuocateth the estates at Roan discouering briefly vnto them his intention Henry the seconde M. D. XLVII HENRY the second of that name and the 59. King of France Pharamond the only sonne of Francis the first that died vppon the 30. day of the moneth of March in the year of our Lord 1547. succeeded in the Crowne by order of succession according to the auncient salicque lawe of the land Hee while the Nobilitie were busied to prouide for the obsequie and funerals of his deceased father and staying for his sacrying anoynting in the moneth of Aprill following made and ordained an edict An edict against blasphemers to be published against blasphemers of the name of God which action made shewe of a notable and commendable beginning yet that so laudable a worke continued no longer in force then many others had done before it Neuerthelesse it wrought this effect that thereby it euidently appeareth that succession and not the sacrying and annoynting of a Prince is the chiefe originall of royall authoritie The 16. of Iulie the Court was much troubled by a contention and memorable action that happened betweene Messieurs de Iarnac and Chastegneraye gentlemen of great account that had defied each other by reason of certaine words vsed by one of them which had procured the other to giue the lie The King in steade of ending their cause by aduise of his Councell and to constraine the offender to satisfie the offended graunted them the combat wherevpon according to the Kings appoyntment they appeared vpon the day aforesaid at S. Germaines in Laye where in the presence of the King Princes Lords and others they entred into the lists There Monsieur Iarnac who by all the company was esteemed the weaker by reason he was newly recouered of a certaine sicknesse withall despised and litle fauored ouercame the other to whom before they entered into the combat euery man adiudged the victorie and wounded him in such sort that not long after he died to the Kings great griefe who vppon that occasion expresly forbadde all combats whatsoeuer in this manner hee beganne with a bloodie tragedie and ended with the like as heereafter you shall heare The King sacred at Reims The 27. of Iulie after hee was sacried and annoynted at Reims with all the auncient accustomed ceremonies therevnto belonging in the presence of twelue Peeres spirituall and temporall The spiritual were the Arch-bishop of Reims the Bishop of Langres Beauuais Noyon Laon and Challons the temporall the Duke of Bourgongne Normandie and Guyenne the Earles of Champagne Flaunders and Thoulouse Most part of the Princes Nobilitie of the Realme being likewise present with diuers Ambassadours of straunge nations But the Ambassadours of Florence Mantoue and Ferrare came not by reason of a controuersie that fell out between them concerning their preheminence of places and for that they could not agree therevppon they absented themselues till the cause was further debated The Constable exalted Anne de Montmorency Constable of France who certaine yeares before had been bannished the Court and secretly held at Chantilly as soone as Francis the first died was repealed againe and the new king committed the principall charge of the affaires of the Realme vnto him which at that time were executed by the Cardinall de Tournon the Admirall Annebaut who as then had good leisure to repose themselues yeelding their place to him whom the king termed his Gossep one that in times past had done him many seruices as afterward hee did Mesieurs de Longueual d'Espars de Boncour de Framezelle de Antipe the Barron de la Garde the Generall Bayard and others were narrowly sought and pursued for diuers secret causes in such sort that some of them were forced to saue themselues by the gilded Gate others by meanes of their friends Warres in in Scotland The king hauing made a Progresse into Picardie went further into the Realme and caused an Armie to bee leuied vnder the conduct of Monsieur D'esse to ayde the Queene Dowager of Scotland against the Englishmen causing her to be safely conducted into Scotland to the end to impeach the vnion of both those Realmes which might bee to the preiudice of France and thereby to
maintaine the ancient amitie that had long continued betweene the countries of France and Scotland Monsieur Pierre Strossie Coronell of certaine Italian companies Monsieur D'andelot Coronell of the French Infanterie the Rhingraue General of the Lansquenets accompanied Monsieur D'esse And while they with their Troupes kept the Englishmen from inuading Scotland by land Leon Strossi Prior of Capoue with his Gallies and certain French ships came close vnder the Castle of S. Andrew which he entred by force and taking all that hee found therein returned into France D'esse presently after draue the Englishmen out of a Fort by them erected hard by that Castle but before the fire waxed greater by meeting of Ambassadours on both sides the peace before spoken of and propounded at Ardies betweene the kings of England and France was made and concluded whereby that warre ceased The rest of this yeare passed ouer without any matter of importance done in France The king hauing taken such order in Guyenne touching the Impost of Salt and other customes that in fine it prooued the spring and beginning of those insupportable exactions that bred and produced the seditions of the yeare ensuing Ordinances for custome of Salt and other things Autome all the rest of the year was much troubled with showers of raigne whereof ensued great ouerflowings and invndations of waters foreshewings and prescriptions of the troubles that after ensued both within and without the Realme The house of Guise being insinuated into the kings good fauor by means of Diane de Poictiers Duches of Valentinois that wholly ruled him hee gaue the Arch-Bishoppricke Bishoppricke of Reims to Charles yonger brother to the Duke of Guise to whom not long before Pope Paul Farnese had sent the Cardinals Hat this was The Cardinal of Lorraine solicited the Pope to take part with the king of France that great and so much renowmed Cardinall of Lorraine that liued in such fame in the times of the Kings successors to Henry the second Charles of Burbon brother to Henry Duke of Vandosine and after King of Nauarre was also made Cardinall at the same time But the difference was great betweene these two Cardinals The Lorraine a man of great iudgement and one that seemed to be borne onely to stirre vp strife within the Realme was as then sent and imployed in Ambassage vnto the Pope to drawe and perswade him to fauour the King of Francis part and wholly to disswade him from the Emperour against whom as then he was much incensed because his Lieftenant in Italie had ceased vppon the towne of Plaisance after the murther of Pierre Louis the Popes sonne slaine by the conspiracie of his owne subiects the 10. of September 1547. The Emperour and the King sent vnto the Councell The Emperour sent his Ambassadours to the Councell as then holden in Bologne to protest against such as were assembled in that place thereby to induce them to returne againe vnto Trent The King likewise sent his Ambassadors thither to exhort thē to looke vnto thēselues and to prouide for their affaires These practises and deuises in time prooued the sparkles of the fire of vengeance and desire of reenterie into warres inclosed within the hearts and breasts of those two Princes specially of the King who partly prouoked by the opinion of his meanes and partly solicited by such as knowing his nature much inclined to the delights and pleasures of the Court and of a soft spirit little practised or brokē with matters of estate thought to fish in a troubled water as the common saying is not beeing able to distresse the peace made with the Emperor at Cresoy in the year of our Lord 1544. complayning against the animositie of the Emperour vsed towards France and among other examples to pricke him alleadging the death of Coronel Vogelsberg beheaded at Ausbourge at his returne from the warres of Scotland where he had serued the King While the King made preparation to ride on progresse throughout his Realme Gasper de Colligny sieur de Chastillon sent into Picardie The Fort of Chastillon caused a fort to be erected near vnto Bullen that as then was holden by the Englishmen which after annoyed them much The King beeing in Bourgongne made his entrie into most part of the Townes and hauing visited La Bresse Sauoye and Piedemont returned vnto Lyons where hee held a feast for the Knights of the order of S. Michaell Commotions in Guyenne by reason of exactions During his voyage into Sauoye and Piedemont the commons of Guyenne Saintonge and Angoulmois rose vp in armes because of the extortions vsed by those that had farmed the impost of salt and in short space assembled to the number of 40000. men wel armed besides those of the ylands and by common consent set vppon the farmers of Salt and although in the beginning the king of Nauarre had sought by all meanes to disswade them neuerthelesse they held firme and earnestly pursued their enterprise against those of the farmers vppon whom they might lay hands The commons of Gascoigne likewise rose vppe and followed the pernicious examples of the rest whereof ensued the massacring of many of the Kings officers in diuers places of the countrie who abusing their offices had beene the causes of that mutinie Fault of the Gouernour the Iurats of Bourdeaux The Maior and Iurates hauing charge within the Cittie of Bourdeaux the parliment of Guyenne and Monsieur de Monneins that therein commaunded as Lieftenant for the King in stead of remedying and taking order for those tumults defended it too long specially Monsieur de Monneins who not reproouing the insolencie of one of the principal leaders of those troupes named La Vergne made him become so bold and impudent that not long after he presumed to rayse and call the people togither by sound of bell besides this he committed an other fault which is that beeing fearefull and hauing withdrawne himselfe into the Castle of du Ha thereby as hee supposed to put the people in some doubt He sent out diuers Caliuers at seuerall times to represse their insolencie but it fell out contrary to his intent For that this issuing of the Souldiours set the people in such a rage that hauing found mutinous companions for the purpose as La Vergne l'Estonnac Maquanan and others presently they fought where the farmers and their partakers were put to flight and many gentlemens houses vnder pretence of searching for the exactors of Imposts whom they affirmed to bee hidden therein were robbed and spoyled Disorder in the capitall Towne of Guyenne The commons entred into the Towne where they rung a bell to assemble the people no man daring to passe through the streets vnlesse hee were armed and in company of the Nobles otherwise they were cruelly massacred and murthered by such as met them The Councellers of the Court of parliment were constrained to put off their gownes and in their dubblets and hose with
the 25. of Aprill insuing Bullen was deliuered into the hands of the king of France who made his entrie into it vpon the 25. of May after About that time died Claude de Lorraine first Duke of Guise and Iohn Cardinall of Lorraine both beeing poysoned with Humieres the Cardinall of Amboise and Iohn of Caracciol Prince of Melphe Lieftenant generall for the King in Piedemont and Marshall of France after whom succeeded Charles de Cosse Barron de Brissac in his time a most valiant Captaine Now wee enter into warres Occasion of warres begun betweene France and Spaine as hotly begunne as euer they were betweene the Frenchmen and the Spaniards The king from time to time casting his eyes vppon the Duchie of Millan and withall remembring the titles therevnto pretended by the house of Orleans wherevnto they neuer renounced beeing no lesse sorrie for that which had happened in Plaisance in regard of Pierre Louis sonne to Pope Paul Fernese who therin had been slaine by his houshold-seruants For besides that the report went that it had been done and practised by the subtill meanes of Ferdinand de Gonzague Lieftenant for the Emperour in Lombardie thereby to aduance his maisters affaires he had ceased vppon Plaisance The Pope desirous to reuenge himselfe and hauing not an arme as strong as his heart had sent Camille Vrsin to keepe and defend Parma and accepted the offer by the king in ayde vnto him which was to receiue the familie of Farneses and al their lands and goods into his protection The Pope had giuen Parma vnto his Nephew Octauian who not long after was inuested therewith by Iulius the third successour vnto Paul but the Emperour pretending that the Title of protector belonged better to him then to the King that had nothing to doo in Italie and perceiuing that accord between the king and the Pope to be as a thorne within his foote determined to assure himselfe of Parma wrought in such maner that Pope Iulius abandoned his vassall Octauian that had espoused the Emperours Bastard-daughter Octauian repaired to the king that named himselfe Protector of the lands of the Church and of the Ferneses and Pope Iulius being solicited to take order therein made no account thereof wherevppon the king determined to ayde Octauian and not long after Gonzague besieged Parma which caused the king to commaund the Marishall of Brissac his Lieftenant in Peidemont to fortifie and strengthen Mirandole but Gonzague hauing discouered the enterprise surprised the Soldiours that Marshiall Brissac sent thither and caused them to stay On the other side the Pope began to threaten the king because hee had receiued Octauian into his protection and said he would excommunicate him and all the Realme of France To coole the Popes chollor the king expresly forbadde all his subiects not to carrie any mony to Rome neyther yet to go thither for any cause whatsoeuer ordaining the Metropolitans of his Realme to supply their default therein vntill further order should bee taken This was no small blowe vnto the Court of Rome and surely if the king had still continued in that mind the Popes had neuer pilled France in such maner as afterward they did but thereby they had beene taught to become wise Which had surely beene a beginning of reformation throughout Christendome but it being grounded onely vppon temporall considerations and commodities it proceeded to no good end Octauian was declared a rebell vnto the Sea of Rome and presently war was proclaimed against him Gonzague entering by armes into the territories of Parma Beginning of warres beyond the Mountaines On the other side the king dispatched newe forces into Piedemont commaunding the Marshall of Brissac to ayde those of Parma and Mirandole From whence proceeded the taking of Quiers S. Damian with certaine Forts Castles in the Marquisall of Montferrat Whereby Gonzague was constrained to leaue Parma to defend the Millannois At that time the Emperour found himselfe much busied with many important affaires hauing to doo both with the king of Fance the Turkes and Affrica besides the troubles which as then were not fully ended in Almaine The Histories are very diuers touching the breach of this peace betweene the Emperour and the king but it must bee vnderstood by this newe commotion happened betweene two so puissant Princes for asmall matter as it outwardly appeared that they sought some former quarrell whereinto both of them most willingly entred vnder pretence of their new warre for Parma but aboue all things the iust iudgement of God minding to scourge Christendome as then filled with all disorders and culpable of greeuous crimes was the onely cause thereof Preparation for warres in Picardie In the beginning of the yeare 1551. Marie Queene of Hungaria sister to the Emperour and Gouernour in the lowe Countries made great preparations for warres both by sea and land And vnderstanding that the Marshall de S. Andre was readie to sayle into England to beare the order of France vnto Edward king of England sent certaine shippes to lye betweene Douer and Calis to take the Marshal who taking shippe at Deepe held an other course and so performed his voyage And for his securitie hee caused certaine Flemish shippes to bee stayed at Deepe which were presently released assoone as they vnderstood of his arriuall in England On the other side Queene Marie caused an arest to be made of all French Marchants shippes that as then were in any Port within the lowe Countries wherewith diuers Marchants were not very well pleased by reason of the disorders and losses that commonly happen by such arrests Monsieur de Villebon minding to refresh Turouenne wherein hee commaunded with new victuals Monsieur du Reux a great aduersarie to France sent certaine Souldiours to lye in Ambuscado and to impeach that enterprise but in the end hee was constrained to retire without effecting that they went for Irons in this sort beeing heated commaundement was giuen to the Ambassadors on both parts to depart The Queene of Hungaria stayed the Ambassadour of France prisoner in a certaine Castle with a great guard where hee stayed for a time The kings proceedings towards the Pope the Emperour and the Councell of Trent But before further proceeding vnto warres the king sent Monsieur de Termes to Pope Iulius to excuse himselfe in respect of that which he had done in the behalf of Octauian Fernese hee likewise shewed vnto the Emperour what reason mooued him to take armes and sent the Abbot of Bellosanne to signifie vnto the councel of Trent that hee could not send the Bishops of his Realme vnto such a Councell neyther yet esteeme that assembly to bee a generall Councell that they should respect the animositie of the Pope against the Realme of France and the eldest sonne of the Church and therefore that they should not finde it straunge if hee seemed not to shewe obedience to that assembly not made for the common benefite of Christendome but onely for
for a long time he helde the King in hope to follow the warres for him and all that time his troupes ouerranne the plaine country and there forraged themselues after most strange maner but in the ende he found the meanes to withdraw himselfe from the Kings armie and hauing impeached those of Metz from victualls he departed with all his troupes Difficultie of the siege of Mets. Winter approaching many were of opinion that the Emperour would not hazard so puissant an armie as he then had vnprofitably to fight and striue against the colde and the Ice and by that meanes constraine it of it selfe to be dispearsed and miserably ouerthrowne But the hope he had to recouer the Towne of Metz wherein were many Princes Lords and Gentlemen caused him to reiect all other apprehensions whatsoeuer in such sort that his Forces began to marche and set forward towards the countrey of Lorraine meane time the Duke de Neuers fortified Stenay and constrained the Burgonian Garrison of Vireton to yeeld themselues to him A company of the old bandes being in Roc de Mars were drawne from thence Those that commaunded in Verdun Iuoy Danuille and Monmedy strengthened themselues and made prouision for their owne defence not long after the Emperour came to Sarbruch The Emperors approach a Towne lying within seuen myles of the Citie of Metz from whence hee sent the Duke of Alue his Lieftenant General and the Marquesse of Marignan with 4000. foote 4000. horse and sixe field peeces vnto the Towne to view it and to chuse the most commodious places wherein to lodge his men about it The Duke of Guise being Lieftenant Generall for the King within the Towne caused certaine troupes to issue forth that skirmished with the Emperours Forces A skirmish wherein the Duke of Alue lost aboue 150. men on the French part there was fiue souldiers slaine and one Gentleman of Picardie named Marigni and two Captaines hurt that died not long after The King being at Rheims was aduertised by the Duke d'Aumalle touching The Marquesse of Brandebourg ouerthroweth the Duke d'Aumalle and taketh him prisoner the practises of the Marques of Brandebourg with the Emperour required to send some forces of 200. men of armes with whose helpe and the rest of his troupes he said he doubted not but easilie to ouerthrow the Marques to the which end Monsisur de Bourdillon was sent thither but the Duke for that time sent him backe again esteeming that the Marques as then hauing past the Meuse ment to ioyne with the Emperours armie but about the end of October the Duke beeing aduertised that the Marques beganne to dislodge placed himselfe in order of battell with al his horsemen vpon a plaine called la Croix du Monstier to see what way the Marques held who hauing intelligence that the countrie people and certaine Frenchmen skirmished and spoyled some of his footemen would himselfe in person go to see what they were and went so neare that his Interpreter was slaine with a caliuer standing close by him who therewith reâ—urning in great chollor appoynted his horsemeÌ„ to aduance themselues to set vpon the enemie and so in great furie charged the Dukes companies who as then thought to retire At the first onset the Marques set vpon a great troup of Pages and others that were placed there to make a shewe who were presently dispearsed The second charge was made vpon a squadron of Light-horse and Argolets who in a manner made no resistance and so all the strength fell vppon the Lanciers who presently by the Rutters Pistols were forced to retire beeing ill prouided of Lances to make resistance The Duke perceiuing his horsemen to bee disranked and flying to saue themselues and the Marques at hand-blowes with diuers of his Leaders rancked himselfe in order againe with some fewe of his men and entered into the skirmish where his principall Gentlemen hauing beene slaine before his eyes the rest hurt beaten downe and taken prisoners and all his men put to flight and chased himselfe beeing hurt in two places and his horse slaine vnder him in the end was taken prisoner and all his company in a maner ouerthrowne The Vicount of Rohan slaine by them that tooke him and many Cornets Captaines and Gentlemen to the number of two hundreth and more slaine in the field the number of the prisoners beeing many more this Josse of so many Gentlemen was a mends for the happie successe which the king had about a month after against the Emperour The Marques beeing victorious sent the Duke d'Aumalle his prisoner into Almaine for whom afterward hee got 50000. Crownes for a ransome which the king payed at the instant request of the Duches de Valentinois mother in lawe vnto the prisoner which done he went vnto the Emperour as then beeing before Metz with all his campe at the same time The Counte de Reux Lieftenant generall for the Emperour in the lowe Countries entred into Picardie with a great armie Taking of the towne Castle of Hesdin from the King and the spoyling of Picardie by the Emperours armie where hee burnt Noyon Nesse Chauni Roye and the pleasant Castle of Foulenbray with more then 800. Villages which done he besieged Hesdin the Towne beeing taken they inclosed the Castle hauing beaten downe a great Tower that stood on the Parke side and caused a great peece of a wall to bee vndermined filling the ditches with the rubbish therof which serued the assaulters for a bridge to passe ouer to make the assault wherewith the defendants were striken in such feare that without further resistance they yeelded the Castle vpon condition to depart their liues goods saued A gentleman named Monsieur de Rasse who as then commanded in the Castle in fauour of the Constable made that composition but if his maister had not intreated for him it had cost him his life because hee neuer defended himselfe and not long before had sent word vnto the King that hee doubted not the Castle But for the same cause hee was sent home vnto his owne house and neuer after imployed in the warres Resolution of the assieged within the Towne of Metz. The king hauing receiued that second losse wrote vnto the Duke de Guise to knowe in what disposition he found himselfe to bee within the Towne of Metz. The Duke sent him aunswere whereof the effects prooued correspondent with his words and with all certified him of the order holden by the Emperour in his campe When the king perceiued himselfe to bee secured on that side hee left the Duke de Neuers for Generall of his armie in Lorraine made Monsieur de Chastillon Admirall of France and his Lieftenant in Picardie in place of Monsieur d'Annebaut not long before dead within la Fere. The Admiral de Chastillon presently went to Hesdin the companies of the Duke de Neuers beganne to trouble the Emperors armie by surprising their victuals great pittie it was
the king and the Admirall de Chastillon went to Bruxelles to the Emperor and king Philip to do the like For certaine moneths that this peace endured one called Villegagnon a knight of Malthe rigged and prepared certaine vessels and made a voiage vnto Amerique Villegagnon saileth for Amerique promising to do woonders for the king in that new world but his minde not well setled and his vniust behauiours wrought him discredit whereby he did nothing to any effect But if this enterprise had beene taken in hand by a wise leader it had surely beene an ouerturne to the execution of great matters But the ruler and disposer of all mens actions had otherwise ordained Beginning of the breach of peace Pope Paul the fourth of the familie of Caraffes in Naples enemie to the Spaniard being aduertised that within Rome certaine assemblies were made and holden in the houses of Marke Anthonie Colonne the Cardinall of Saint Fior enemies to the King of France tooke that for an occasion to reuenge himselfe and without much examination caused the Cardinal Camille Colonne Iulian Cesarin and the Abbot of Bresegue to be committed prisoners in the castle of S. Ange summoned Marke Anthonie watched carefully to take intercept all letters and pacquets disarmed all strangers and placed straight and hard watches and sentinelles throughout all the Citie of Rome Some write that the Colonels suspecting the Pope to be a French man and fearing some surprise thought in time to prouide for their affaires And the Pope taking the matter to bee other then it was vsed the meanes aforesaid The oppressed beeing seruants vnto the king of Spaine gaue him to vnderstand howe they were vsed hee commaunded the Duke of Alue to ayde the Colomnes and others their participants Whereuppon the Duke presently went to Naples and did what hee could to reestablish the Colomnes and Vrsins in their Segneries They on the other side fortifying themselues about Rome and holding the Pope inclosed he determined to demaund ayde of the king of France For the which cause hee sent his Nephewe Cardinall Caraffe that bare a triumphant hat and a sword vnto the king beeing at Fontainebelleau about the ende of the moneth of Iune The king granted his request adding that he would aduertise the king of Spaine thereof which hee likewise did but the answere hee receiued litle pleased Caraffe Whereof ensued the beginning of a fyer that after produced great flames The Annalistes and Hystories of France Italie and Spaine make different discourses of the breach and rupture of this peace which would desire a bigger volume It suffiseth mee to passe it ouer in breefe The Pope was the first that put the Irons into the fyer and the Kings did not greatlye withdrawe theyr eares to lende theyr helping handes as not wishing great good vnto each other Theyr principall officers prouoked by many and diuers passions and those that gouerned them hauing desire to mount aloft and to rise higher and perceiuing that truce imbased them were very well pleased that within Rome they had begun to erect the Scaffold whereon to act some newe tragidie in Christendome and specially in France Warres betweene the kings begun about Rome So the French men would oppose himselfe against the Spaniard for the Popes cause Strossi Marshall of France in place of Monsieur de Sedan deceased at his returne from prison out of the lowe countries was sent to Rome there to resist the Spaniards vntill the ayde of France came thither on the otherside Don Iohn de Lume gouernour of Millan came into France and Duke Octauian Farnese restored to the possession of Plaisance by the Spaniards forsooke the King of France In the meane time the Duke d'Alue forraged the country about Rome tooke Anagne Pilastrine Segne Tiuoli and besieged Ostie cutting off their victualles holding Strossi with Monluc and theyr troupes inclosed within Rome about the end of December the king sent the Duke of Guise to be his Lieftenant General in the armie that marched to help the Pope The Duke of Guise being in Piedemōt giueth alarū to Italie In the month of Ianuary 1557. the Duke of Guise well accompanied being arriued at Turin the Capitall towne of Piedemont the Spaniards fortified Millan and refreshed the Garrisons of the places of importaunce in Italy The Duke of Ferrare armed and lodged souldiers vpon the frontiers of Ferrare garrishing Florence and other townes vnder his obedience specially those that bordered vppon Bologne The Duke of Alue prouided for the townes within the Realme of Naples and vppon the sea coast of Calabria as then all Italie was in armes euery one standing vpon his guard diuersly discoursing vpō the Duke of Guises arriual intents hauing a strōg armie of 14. or 15000. foote 8000. launces and 1200. light-horses some say more the report being giuen forth of an other supply readie to march forward assoone as war shuld bee opened in those parts but it was as necessary to imploy them elsewhere Ostie taken from the Pope by the Spaniards In the meane time the siege of Ostie continued those that kept the Fort hauing sustained many assaults their powder fayling and the Souldiers and Cittizens for the most part beeing hurt a composition was graunted and the place yeelded vnto the Spaniards that agreed with Cardinall Caraffe for fortie daies truce to the end the Pope might haue some time and leisure to thinke vppon some good agreement The Cardinall to the contrary stayed for the Frenchmen and solicited the Venetians to take part with them which they refused Agreement betweene the Pope the King of France and the Duke of Ferrare desiring not to obtaine the King of Spaines ill will but the Duke of Ferrare tooke the French Kings part and receiued the title of Defendor of the Church and betweene the Pope the King and the Duke it was agreed that hee should prouide 20000. foote and 1000. horse and pay al the charges of the armie The King should furnish as many foote and twise as many horse and the Duke sixe thousand foote two hundreth launciers foure hundreth light-horses and twentie Peeces for batterie which had beene sufficient forces to haue made and wrought great conquests if the Popes Cofers had not beene stirred but that Article made all the rest of no effect And how would hee haue furnished mony for so great and puissant an armie whē in effect he suffered the like armie of the Duke of Guise to maintain it selfe or rather to bee dispearsed in such sort that the returne therof seemed rather a company of men ouerthrown and spoyled then a braue retrait of Souldiers comming victorious The nature of the Popes The Popes in these latter times haue alwaies vsed to hold on the stronger side to aduance their affaires at the cost and charges of those that hearken vnto them and when they haue obtained their desires to leaue forsake such as assist them in their greatest need as
assure his capitall towne and at the same time raised a subsidie of 300000. Frankes to satisfie his most vrgent affaires while king Phillip receiuing the Ensignes taken from the Frenchmen and beholding the prisoners who in a maner were led before him as in a triumph contented himselfe with that victorie without enterprising at that time to enter further into France whereof neuerthelesse many Townes were in great feare King Henry by his Lieftenants prouided for his Frontier-townes and gathered his campe at Laon causing 14000. Switzers to be sent for Touching those that were besieged within Saint Quintins at the comming of d'Andelot The Towne of S. Quintins taken by assault they were relieued with foure hundreth souldiers and about 50. men of commandement with some Gentlemen of name and certaine Canoniers but king Phillip being arriued in his campe the batterie began most furious the assieged by no means could be ayded but onely with three hundreth men whereof a third part were slaine in entring The Towers and fortifications from S. Iohns Gate to the Tower standing vpon the water hauing been battered with the Cannon shotte the Spaniards became maisters of the Duches and vpon the 20. of August the Erenchmen diuided and placed in eleuen seuerall breaches sustained a generall assault and could not bee forced yet the Towne was taken by entring at a tower which no man guarded the French souldiers therein were most slaine the Admirall his brother that not long after saued himselfe Iarnac S. Remi de Humes and other Captaines and Gentlemen of name taken prisoners and the son of Monsseur de la Fayette the Captaines Saleuert Ogier Vicques la Barre l'Estang and Gourdes slaine During these stormes The King threatned to be slaine the king being in Parris as he went to masse a yong man named Caboche borne in Meaux who ordinarilie and of long time had followed the Court and because of his faire writing serued the kings Secretaries whether being out of his wits or stirred by some other motion presentented himselfe before him with a naked sword in hand and crying out said Stay King God hath commanded me to kill thee but presently the Switzers of the guard fell vpon him wherewith he was committed and by the Court of Parliament condemned to be hanged for that attempt After the taking of S. Quintins the Counte de Aremberg with 1200. horse and 3. Regiments of Lansquenets besieged Castellet The taking of Castellet where he made a furious batterie The Barron de Solignac that commanded therein peceiuing himselfe destitute of the ayde that had beene promised him and that the place was not strong ynough to defend an assault not hauing aboue three hundreth men therein and they not greatly bent to make resistance yeelded the place for which cause he was sent prisoner vnto Parris and if by chance he had not saued himselfe by an escape out of prison he had surely lost his life because as it was said he had made promise neuer to yeeld the place before hee had sustained an assault While the King of France assembled a great armie as well without as within his Realme and by his Lieftenants prouided for his townes in Picardie and that the Parrisians made generall Musters of their companies where were found between thirtie fiue and fortie thousand men The assembly in Same Iaques street discouered Those of the religion multiplied and began to increase in diuers parts of the Realme specially within the Cittie of Parris where hauing bin discouered in an assembly made by night in S. Iaques streete many were cast in prison some burnt and the rest escaped by diuers meanes in other places also many were taken and executed the people verilie imputing the causes of the troubles in France wholly to them But the king of Spaine imploying his armie Han taken by the Spaniards vppon the 12. of September tooke Han the Castle being yeelded and the Towne burnt by the Frenchmen themselues Besides that hee tooke all such places as might in any sort impeach or trouble that Castle and S. Quentin which hee ouerthrew and spoyled further his troupes surprised certaine companies of Scots within Noyon and tooke Chauni wherein he placed a great Garrison there to make prouision of wines wherewith to furnish the places which he had taken Ayde comming out of Almaine and Switzer-land into France the king for a time caused the troupes that came out of Italie Polleuille driuen out of Bresse vnder the conduct of the Duke de Guise and Aumalle to stay in Bresse and Lyonnois thereby to impeach the pretences of the Barron de Polleuille who with twelue thousand foote and one thousand two hundreth horse for the Prince of Piedemont came to besiege Bourg in Bresse from whence he was constrained in all haste to retire otherwise both he and all his troupes had wholly been spoyled who in dislodging dispearsed and separated themselues in such sort that in fewe daies after it could hardly be perceiued what had become of that great number of men The kings enterprise against Callais The Duke of Guise beeing arriued at the Court lying in S. Germaine in Laye because of the Constables imprisonment was appoynted Lieftenant Generall for the king in all his countries Wherevpon the secret practises long pretended were then pursued and fully executed in this sort Edward the third of that name King of England had taken Callais in the yeare of our Lord 1347. a Port of the sea and a place of great consequence for the Frenchmen since which time the said Towne had still continued in the Englishmens hands and by them much fortified The Constable long time before the battell of S. Lawrence by means of Monsieur de Senarpont Gouernour of Bullen had vsed such meanes and practises touching that Towne which is a parte of the ancient Domaine of the Crowne of France that without his ouerthrow and imprisonment it was most apparant he would haue executed his pretence In his absence it was concluded while king Phillips forces by reason of the winter season were dispearsed to execute that enterprise so much for the aduantage of the Realme of France And therevpon the king of France raised two armies one conducted by the Duke de Neuers making shewe to enter into the Duchie of Luxembourg the other ledde by the Duke of Guise vnder pretence therewith to hinder the victualling of S. Quentins The Duke de Neuers marching towards Luxenbourg the Spaniards and Wallons ranne thither to defend it but suddainely hee sent his forces to ioyne with the Duke of Guise that made shewe of victualling Amiens Ardres and Bullen and in great haste vppon the suddaine turned all his forces against the Towne of Callais wherein as then there was no Garrison The Princes of Conde and la Roche Suryon the Duke d'Aumalle and the Marques d'Elboeuf bretheren Strossi Marshall of France Montmorency the Constables eldest son Monsieurs de Termes d'Andelot de Sansac d'Estree great
the estates of the land they perswaded the king to hold him whatsoeuer he were for a mortall enemie to his authoritie and guiltie of treason that should once speake or mooue the question to bridle it or to appoynt a Protector ouer him that they were but practises and deuises of such as liued discontent solicited therevnto by Hereticques that onely sought to ouerthrowe and spoyle the religion of his fathers Meanes to interrupt the Parliament The Queene-mother likewise no lesse then they doubted the assembly of this Parliament and at that time things were so gouerned that the King of Spaine wrote letters to the King his brother in lawe which were openly read in the Councel-chamber the king of Nauarre being present wherin he said hee vnderstood that certaine mutunous and rebellious persons inforced thēselues to mooue and stirre vp troubles thereby to change the gouernment of the Realme as if the king as then raigning were not sufficient and capable thereof and to giue the charge to whom it pleaseth him without the consent and will of others or of any his subiects that for his part hee would imploye his whole forces to maintaine the authoritie of the King and of his officers whatsoeuer yea that it shuld cost both his and fortie thousand mens liues alreadie prepared if any man were so bolde to attempt the contrary for that hee bare him such affection The King of Spaines declaration as hee said that from thencefoorth hee declared himselfe both Tutor and Protector of him and of his Realme as also of his affaires which hee no lesse regarded then his owne Not long after the king of Nauarre returned vnto Bearg Petitions to the Queene and what ensued The pursuites against the Councellor du Bourg proceeding moued those of the religion in Parris to present a petition to the Queen-mother exhorting her vnto her dutie withall setting downe and threatning the vengeance of God and the daunger that might ensue by meanes of those so hard and rigorous dealings which in the end might turne vnto great troubles At the first she aunswered them with an angrie countenance but in the end she became somewhat milder making shew to desire to see one of the Ministers of Parris to conferre with him Madame de Roy prouided one and this Minister went as farre as Reims where hee stayed a certaine time but neuer could speake with her but shee still found some excuse when any man tolde her of him Besides du Bourg about the end of this yeare diuers were imprisoned within Parris for the religion and their houses pilled and robbed as if it had beene in a Towne taken by assault witnesses beeing seduced Slaunders and false witnesse against those of the religion to protest and verifie that in a certaine assembly made vppon the Thursday before Easter in the place of Manbert at a Councellours house great numbers of Lutherians men women and maides after the sermon and solemnisation of their Sabbaoth had eaten a Pig in stead of the Pascal-lambe and that the candles being put out euery man tooke his woman and had his pleasure with her The Cardinall by these informations mooued all the Court but the Queene-mother for that cause hauing spoken against certaine of her Gentlewomen that were of the religion they found the meanes that in her presence the two principall witnesses were examined beeing two young boyes who said and affirmed both then and many times before they had had their pleasures of that Councellours daughters but in fine they began to stagger and couertly to deny in neuerthelesse the accusation and proces went forward and because that at the taking of the prisoners there had beene some resistance in the subburbes of S. Germaine they sent from house to house to search for all their weapons and tooke them away not leauing them so much as a knise which were carried into the house of Guise The Councellour so shamefully slandered went with his wife and daughters and yeelded himselfe prisoner Innocency found but in no sort maintained as it appeareth where the daughters were sound to bee Virgins but without doing iustice vppon the false witnesses and such as had procured them by vertue of a certaine edict that set prisoners at libertie which were accused for religion and notwithstanding their complaints and declarations they were in a manner forcibly thrust out of the place and while they were holden prisoners diuers were burnt wiihin Parris and other Townes onely for the religion which among all those troubles did much increase A declaration against the authoritie vsurped by strangers On the other side hatred increased both from great and small against the house of Guise About the end of October a Proclamation was made touching the assembly of a Parliament wherein was prooued that it appertained vnto the Parliament to prouide for the gouernment of their kings that were in minoritie that the king spake nothing but by the mouthes of the Vncles of his wife that the Cardinall of Lorraine and the Duke of Guise were vncapable of the Gouernment the one beeing a Priest and a creature of the Pope the other and all his familie euen in the life of the late deceased king hauing beene so bolde to say that the Realme belonged to the house of Lorraine as issued from the race of Charlemaigne vpon the which Hugh Capet had vsurped that they had manisestly striuen for certain members thereof as the Counte of Pronince and the Duchie of Aniou they set downe the lamentable effects of their ambition in the breach of peace and in the last voyage into Italie cause of the ouerthrowe of the battell of S. Lawrence and danger of all the Realme which to auoyde they were constrained to yeeld vppe all the conquests of Francis the first and Henry the second they forgot not likewise their exactions their dealing with the treasures and the great debts of the king Meanes to vphold that authoritie They perceiuing that the king which beganne to growe vppe gaue no great hope eyther of long life or issue beganne likewise with more care to prouide for their affaires They sought to obtaine and procure vnto themselues diuers seruants and friends in the Parliamant inticed the Courtiers and all the captaines and men of warre to fauour them shewing a great zeale to the Romish religion thereby to winne the hearts both of the spiritualtie and the Cannons And in the month of Nouember to please them a rigorous edict was published against the assemblies of those of the religion who being found with the maner were presently condemned to die their houses rased and great recompence promised vnto such as should disclose their assemblies These edicts published the persecution followed but the spies beeing abashed of themselues there were other edicts published against all those that fauoured any of the religion and that once seemed to abash eyther the Iudges or the witnesses in any such proces The President Minard and
hauing inuironed the Castle with a strong guard brought them two vnto Amboise after dinner returned againe with a troupe of fiue or sixe hundreth horses The Barron had sent Renaudie to make haste to come to relieue him not minding to abandon the place wherein hee found both armes powder and munition But perceiuing himselfe inclosed and the Duke returned againe hee beganne to parley being required therevnto and hauing at large declared the causes of that their enterprise the Duke oftentimes desired him to leaue his armes and to come and speake with the king binding himselfe vnto him by the faith of a Prince that neyther hee nor any of his should once be hurt but all freely set at libertie The Barron assuring himselfe vppon the word of a Prince was content to doo as hee desired the like did all the rest But beeing in Amboise they spake not vnto any man but onely to such as the Duke of Guise would send vnto them La Renaudie the same day being aduertised what had past at Noisay commaunded the troupes that were beyond the riuer to march straight vnto Amboise which they did within the wood but beeing stayed and intrapped The troupes sent by Renaudie taken and surprised by the horsemen sent thither by those of Guise most of them were taken who being ledde prisoners were presently hanged and then cast into the water those that were best apparrelled and likeliest men were slaine within the woods to spoyle them of that they had Therest of the troupes stayed for in the place appoynted were taken and the Souldiers were tyed by 15. in a companie at horses tailes and so cast into prison The Duke of Guise king in effect Therevppon the 17. of March letter were sent out by the which after a long discourse made against the prisoners of Amboise the Duke of Guise was by the king declared his Lieftenant Genenerall with all power to raise in both foote horse therewith to punish the rebelles without any other forme or manner of Iustice Other letters were sent out the same day with commmaundement vnto al those that were in armes readie to come vnto Amboise beeing aduertised by their leaders Meanes to dispearse the troupes and vppon their faiths giuen should within 24. houres after the sight of those letters depart and get them home into their countries vpon paine to bee hanged if they once presumed to do the contrary The death of Renaudie The next day as Renaudie sought to assemble his troupes hee was met in the Forrest of the Castle Regnaut by one named Pardillan that shot a Pistole at him but hauing fayled Renaudie slewe him but one of Pardillans seruaunts with a shot of a Caliuer flewe Renaudie his bodie was carried vnto Amboise hanged vppon the Bridge with a writing made fast to his necke containing these words La Renaudie called la Forest chiefe of the rebels The death of la Renaudie was the cause that diuers of those which ment to assemble separated themselues and so retired But no man made any great pursuite after them Renaudie had with him fiue hundreth horse followed by 1000. more not accounting the footemen Among the rest of the prisoners there was one la Bigne that had beene Secretarie vnto la Renaudie about whom was found a paper written in Ciphers and to saue his lise he disciphered the paper which contained nothing but onely that which had been concluded by al the Associates with their expresse protestation not to attempt any thing against the kings Maiestie the Princes of his blood nor against the State of the Realme the articles tending onely to this poynt to take the Gouernment from those of Guise and to cause the auncient custome of France to be obserued by a lawfull Parliament Hee was likewise found ceased with an humble petition vnto the king in the behalfe of those of the religion wherein the vniust proceedings of the Cardinall against the Parliament of Parris Anna du Bourg with others were fully discouered Those of Guise at the first The souldt-diers that were prisoners released wold not haue saued any of the prisoners but thinking that the ouer great number that should bee executed would make them to be hated of all men caused the souldiers to bee set at libertie and to each man they gaue a teston to bring them on their way The Captaines la Motte Cocqueuille and others had not lost courage but gaue a whot alarme vnto the Courtiers of Amboise and had it not beene by meanes of some wrong intelligence that constrained them to retire without losse of their horsemen the enterprise had surely been executed but it was nothing but a meanes to kindle the chollor of those of Guise who that last time caused all the footemen that might bee taken presently to bee hanged and as then it was a most daungerous time for all sorts of men eyther souldiers Marshants or others to bee found abroad without Amboise for that the least hurt they could receiue was presently to bee spoyled and stripped of all they had and then the theeues who vnder colour to ayde the king to whom a new guard was giuen composed onely of such kinde of men both horse and foote committed most straunge and cruell extortions The first execution of the prisoners Those of Guise perceiuing the troupes that ment to cease vpon them to bee gone and the rest in prison and being ayded by those that from all places came to helpe them beganne to make pursuit after such as were retiring whereof some they tooke they commaunded the Prince of Conde in the Kings name not to depart from the Court without expresse licence and beganne to hang drowne and behead their prisoners which continued for the space of one whole moneth All the riuer of Loire being couered with dead bodies tyed by sixe eight tenne twelue and fifteene at long Poles the streetes of Amboise lay full of dead mens blood and euery place was hanged with dead bodies many were hanged at the windowes of the Castle and to make men beleeue that all this proceeded onely from those of the religion that sought to establish themselues by armes they questioned with the greatest part of them touching the Articles of their faith The kings complaints against the Guisians and disputed with them of the poynts of the religion now in controuersie therby to blinde matters and not once touching that which wholly concerned the Estate and for which cause the enterprise was taken inhand Some that returned according to the kings permission being intrapped and brought prisoners to Blois found frends that sent vnto the king the Queen his mother to procure their deliuerance but by no meanes they could be spoken withall the soliciters beeing threatned to bee cut and hewed in peeces if they happened to present themselues before the king he would oftentimes in weeping say vnto them What haue I done vnto my people what mean they to deale thus with
mee I will heare their complaints and doo them iustice Sometimes hee said to those of Guise I knowe not what the matter is but I vnderstand they haue nothing to say but vnto you I would that for a time you should absent your selues from hence to the end that men might see if it bee against mee or you that they complaine They very cunningly and presently bandied such blowes and to diuert the people from giuing credite vnto the demonstrations made touching the cause and iustification of their enterprise they sent letters in the kings name vnto all the Parliaments and Iudges of seuerall prouinces wherein those of the religion were accused to haue conspired against the King A combat of pennes against swords the Princes of the blood and the Estate of the Realme wherevnto was made a most large and ample aunswere wherein all the dealings of those of Guise were fully discouered with plaine and most euident proofes against them to bee guiltie of high treason and not those that had assembled to reduce the King and all his realme into true and perfect libertie There was likewise published an other pamphlet shewing by the example of Phillip de Commines in the last chap. of his first booke that such are open enemies vnto the Estate that say it is treason to speake o◠the assembly of a generall Parliament And that it is the meanes to lessen and diminish the kings authoritie There was likewise aduertisements vnto the people and complaints vnto the Parliament and so some ayded themselues with pen against the swords of their enemies Reuocation of the abolition giuen by the king The 22. of march other letters were sent foorth whereby the king declared that his meaning was not that the abolitiō of the 17. of March shuld extend further but vnto those that simply of ignorance had assembled and trauelled for the keeping of their promise and that therein were not comprehended such as had guided the conspiracie made against his person the Queens Princes and Noble personages that were about him in the which number are contained those that came in armes into the subburbes of the Towne and such as had beene taken about and within the Castle of Noisay which serued for a dispensation of the faith giuen by the Duke de Neuers vnto the Barron of Chastelnau and others Presently after these letters they returned to executions wherin neither day nor night passed but that a great number of prisoners were put to death and all men of quallitie some hanged some drowned the rest beheaded without any publike sentence giuen without declaring the causes of their deaths or without telling their names They constrained the king and his young bretheren to bee assistant at those spectacles Besides that the Duke of Guise many times for a pastime after his dinner caused some of those whom hee most hated of the prisoners to bee brought foorth and hanged out at his chamber windowes The Barron de Chastelnau made a maruellous proces against those of Guise and the Duke de Nemours they beeing present thereby made the Chauncellor stand still and all amazed that dealt in those affaires against his conscience and appealed from the sentence giuē against him before God the like did most of all the rest to the great astonishing of all the assistants perceiuing a most inuincible constancie in all those men but neither the stout courages of the prisoners nor yet the cries of both great and small that as then were present at those executions could not in any sort once mollifie the harts of those of Guise nor yet diuert the rigor of their cruelties A Gentleman named Villemongis beeing vppon the scaffold readie to bee beheaded hauing wet his hands in the blood of his companions lifting them vppe to heauen cryed out saying Lord behold the blood of thy children thou shalt reuenge our cause The death of the Chancellour Oliuier Among the prisoners that after the Barron spake most boldly vnto the Chancellor there were two the one named Picard the other Campagnac that shewed him his petegree from one poynt to the other but the last of them touched him so neare vnto the heart that with griefe thereof the poore Chancellour fell sicke wherein hee continually sighed and murmured to himselfe tormenting his bodie in most straunge manner for that all crooked aged as he was yet he stirred his bodie with such force that he made the bed to shake with greater force then a young man of Iustie yeares could doo The Cardinall going to visit him his paines beganne to increase and perceiuing him a farre of hee cried out and said Ha ha Cardinall thou haste made vs all to be damned But when the Cardinal went neare him saying vnto him that the wicked Spirit sought to seduce him and that hee should remaine constant in the faith That is well done now said hee and so turning his backe presently lost his speech in his great torments many times lamenting the death of the Councellour du Bourg Behold how the chiefe and principall condemners of the prisoners in Amboise was taken and first executed vppon the scaffold of the terrible and manifest iudgements of God The rest in time likewise were brought thither each of them in his turne Monsieur Michell de l'Hospitall an excellent man as then Chancellor of the Duchie of Sauoy was repealed from Nice where he remained to succeed in Oliuiers place and till he came Moruilliers Bishop of Orleans kept the Seales and vsed all the meanes hee could to please the house of Guise The Prince behaueth himselfe boldly in his innocencie against all men The Prince of Conde was in Amboise during those horrible tempests where hee behaued himselfe like a man wholly without feare as knowing himselfe to bee vnculpable Those of Guise animated the king against him setting and appoynting men to watch and looke into his behauiour whereof the Cardinall kept a Register specially of one word spoken by the Prince in chollor perceiuing certaine of the prisoners to bee executed at the Castle windowes saying that the king was counselled otherwise then hee ought to bee to cause such Lords and honest Gentlemen to bee put to death not considering the great seruices by them done vnto the late deceased king and all the Realme of whom beeing so depriued it was to bee feared that during those great troubles straungers would enterprise against the Realme and that if they should bee ayded by any of the Princes they would easilie ouercome it Presently after they caused du Vaux his Sewer to bee committed prisoner and caused the king to send for him into his chamber to shewe him that by the information giuen hee had vnderstood him to beee the chiefe of the conspiracie wherevpon the king added many sharpe threatnings The Prince for answere besought his Maiestie to assemble all the Princes and knights of the Order that as then were within Amboise togither with his priuie Councell to
the end that in so great a presence they all might heare what aunswere hee would make Presently therevppon the companie was assembled in the great Hall of the Castle and in the kings owne presence where the Prince hauing recited the speeches by the king vsed vnto him and what therevpon had followed said that the person of the king excepted with those of the Princes his bretheren and the Queenes and with reuerence vnto them all those that had said and reported vnto the king that hee should bee the head and conductor of certaine seditous persons that were reported to haue conspired against the person of the king and his estate had fallely and wickedly lyed And that to prooue his innocency therin he would leaue his place dignitie of a Prince of the blood to fight with them and cause them with his sword or launce to confesse themselues to bee right villaines and that they themselues onely sought the ruine of the Estate name and blood royall for the conseruation whereof hee said hee would imploy both life and goods as hee had alwaies made good proofe as also for his interest to the Crowne and house of France the title whereof hee ought to procure with much more right then those that were his accusers summoning all the company that if among them there were any that had made the report or that once would seeme to maintaine it presently to shewe themselues wherevppon no man presenting himselfe he besought the king to esteeme him for an honest man and from thencefoorth not to bend his his eares vnto the secret tales of such flaunderous and bad persons but rather to reiect and bannish them from his presence as enemies both to him and publike peace which done he went out of the Councell to giue them leaue to consult But at a certaine signe made by the Cardinall the king brake vppe the assembly without asking their aduise where as then hee might haue made some alteration or disaduantage to those of Guise The Admirall sheweth himselfe a faithfull seruant to the king and the Realme The Queene-mother much troubled in these tempests yet according to the maner and custome of all the world seeking to holde on the strongest side sent the Admirall into Normandie to know the cause of their commissions desiring him most earnestly without dissembling to certifie her the truth thereof with promise not onely to acknowledge his trauels in that behalfe but to keepe it secret Hee executed his commission with all diligence and without feare of any man nor long after sent a Gentleman to the Queene with large and ample letters therein containing that those of Guise were the onely cause and true originall of all the troubles that happened in France because of their violent and vnlawfull government shewing the proofes thereof adding that the faithful subiects of the Crowne held for certaine that the calamities would neuer be ended as long as straungers gouerned the King and his Estate hee exhorted her therevppon to take the cause in hand and to giue ease and quietnesse to those of the religion causing the edicts that tended therevnto to be well and truly obserued Comfort to the prisoners for religion These aduertisements bred letters that were directed to al the Parliaments and other Iudges freely to release all such prisoners as were detained in their Prisons for the cause of religion the execution of which letters neuerthelesse were long performing an other thing likewise draue forward this wheele which was that cerraine prisoners at Blois and Tours for the enterprise of Amboise hauing found the meanes for to escape out of prison wrote a letter vnto the Cardinall partly in iest and partly full of threatnings that it should not be long before they would come to see him with all the rest that were not in his keeping and that had wholly determined to spoyle his person Hee beeing a man very fearefull for that time put water in his wine which caused the generall inlargement of diuers prisoners throughout all the Realme and it was spoken by diuers men that the Cardinal verified the ancient Prouerbe which is If you touch pitch you shall bee defiled therewith Letters in fauour of those of Guise Further those of Guise perceiuing themselues to bee assayled on all sides by diuers writings beeing as it were the forerunners of some new onset the last of March they caused certaine letters to bee dispatched to all the Parliaments Bailiffes and Stewards as also to straunge Princes wherein such as had beene present at the enterprise of Amboise namely the heads were accused of high treason both against God and man specially those of the religion and their Ministers were therin abused in diuers sorts to the which was added a number of great and large promises of reformation both in the Politicque and Ecclesiasticall Estate Answere to their letters To these letters a most ample and large answer was framed directed vnto the Parliament which painted out the house of Guise in all their colours requiring that they in open Parliament of all the Estates might yeeld account of their behauiour in the gouernment of the Estate The Parliament of Parris sent this answere by one of their Vshers vnto the Cardinal But that of Rouen seeking to doo more their deputies beeing sent vnto the king were constrained presently ro retire and could do nothing Letters vnto the king of Nauarre The ninth of Aprill letters were written and sent in the kings name vnto the K. of Nauarre to the same effect as those that were sent vnto the parliamēts being desired to cease vpō certaine persons that attended about his person accused to be of the enterprise of Amboise therin likewise was set downe the acculatiō imposed against the prince of Conde who for the same cause had iustified himselfe mean time a consultation was holden to cease vpon the person of the Prince of Conde which the Duke of Guise wholly seemed to dislike Hee on the other side sent his Secretarie vnto his brother to aduertise him what had past to aske his counsell and to write him answere thereof This beeing discouered to those of Guise they wrote a letter vnto the Prince full of excuses to the end hee should content himselfe which hee likewise sent vnto his brother that made him a plaine answere fearing to bee discouered Warres in Scotland mooued by those of Guise At that time those of Guise thought to trouble and ouerthrowe the Estate of Scotland which their sister the Queen Dowager and monsieur d'Oisel gouerned peaceably they hauing made the marriage betweene their Cousin and King Francis caused their Cousin to take vpon her the title of Queene of England and of Scotland onely vpon some vaine imaginations and not content therewith they sent certaine intelligencers into England there to mooue the people to fauour their Cousin and to bring the Q. of England in hatred with her subiects specially because of thereligion Their intent
with them Hee likewise made a long answere touching the accusation made against the Prince of Conde shewing it to bee a meere falschood once to thinke or suppose that the enterprise of Amboise was thought or ment against the person of the king or for to trouble the Estate After that he desciphered the originall of those of Guise behauing himselfe in such sort in all his aunsweres like a good Politian and that with so good reasons that thereby hee escaped from the Court and nothing was done either touching him or against the Constable nor any of his Those of the religion next to God commit themselues vnto the protection of the Princes of the blood Those of the religion hauing vnderstood by aduises giuē thē by many Gentlemen in diuers Prouinces that their ouerthrow beganne to approach if with all speed and readinesse they prouided not for themselues Hauing recommended themselues by heartie prayers vnto God determined to cast themselues into the armes of the Princes of the blood as Fathers Tutors and Conseruers of the innocencies of the poore afflicted people and that by the natural lawes of the countrie were called vnto that charge during the minoritie of the kings And for the same cause certaine notable personages were appoynted among them to go vnto the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde at Nerac to whom with all their meanes he offered a large declaration containing a rehearsall of all the wrongs by those of Guise committed against the king and the Realme with a most humble supplication that it would please the said Princes to deuise the meanes to deliuer the king and his Estate out of their hands The explort of Monsieur de Mombrun About this time Monsieur de Mombrun a Gentleman well affected to thereligion beeing narrowly sifted by the Parliament of Grenoble and brauely escaped out of his enemies hands was desired by diuers of the Venitian Marchants to ayde and assist them against the violences and extortions vsed in their behalfes by the Popes Vicelegat contrary vnto their priuiledges and auncient franchises La Motte Goudrin Lieftenant for the Duke of Guise in Dauphine was likewise entertained by the Vicelegat to helpe him with all his forces And although Mombrun had very fewe men yet hee constrained his enemies to seeke for an accord which hauing but violated and broken in all the articles by the Vicelegat and la Motte Goudrin Mombrun raised armes againe and handled the Priests hardly that had slaine some of his men after the accord was made and sworne which done hee put a great number of la Motte Goudrins souldiers vnto the sword and vsed him in such sort that hee made him leaue his fence but hauing beene constrained to dispearse his little troupe and soone after betrayed by one of his domesticall seruants hee saued himselfe by flying out of the Realme hauing trauersed through many daungers and saued himselfe in the territories of Geneua and about the countrie of Berne The Princes counsels discouered by la Sagne wherof ensued the imprisonment of Vidame de Chartres To returne vnto the Princes they beeing much confirmed in the resolution by thē taken to discharge their duties touching the relieuing of the realme of France by the declarations and offers of those of the religion they began to deale therein and among other agents imployed in those affaires the Prince of Conde sent one named la Sagne vnto diuers great Lords to desire them not to saile him of their aydes La Sagne hauing receiued an answere from the Constable and Vidame de Chartres came vnto the Court where hee deliuered certaine letters and as hee stayed fro an aunswere hee was so vndiscreet that hee suffered himselfe to bee vndermined by one Captaine Bonual who hauing discouered it vnto those of Guise ranne after him and brought him prisoner to Fountainebleau where the letters of Vidame de Chartres beeing read wherein he promised the Prince to maintaine his iust quarrell against all men except the king his bretheren and the Queenes those of Guise sent to apprehend him within Parris and to keepe him prisoner in the Bastille where they vsed him with most great rigor vntill hee died They found not so good a baite in the Constables letters or at the least would make no shewe thereof because they would not trouble themselues with so many things at once La Sagne was well payed for his prating for that his nostrils were stretched in such sort that hee tolde all whatsoeuer hee knew and more then truth to prolong his miserable life Mean time his cōfessions made vppon the racke caused those of Guise in all haste to dispatch their affaires for first to their great dishonour and disaduantage of their kinswoman they agreed with the Queene of England prouided for the frontiers of Lorraine caused the olde troupes that came out of Dauphine and Piedemont to lye along by the riuer of Loire writing on both sides to their partakers A proposition in the Councell for calling a Parliament at Fontainebleau On the other side the Queene-mother that feared least shee should bee disgraced whatsoeuer might happen by the aduise of the Chancellor and the Admirall to whom as then she made shewe willingly to hearken she resolued to cause a motion to bee made in open councell that it were requisit that the king should assemble all the Princes Lords knights of the Order and men of authoritie in his Realme to take order for the pacifying of the troubles which they esteemed specially to proceed because of the persecutions against those of the religion Those of Guise found this resolution to bee good thinking thereby to finde a meanes to intrap both the king of Nauarre and his brother trusting likewise for that most part of those that should assemble were of their retinue that nothing should passe therein but for their aduantage and that this meeting would wholly breake off the calling of the generall States and by that meanes make a sure ground for their affaires Wherevppon they began to write into all places in the Kings name who desired euery man to bee at Fontainebleau vppon the 15. day of August for the causes aforesaid Those of Guise sent letters likewise from themselues full of all good promises and rewards The King likewise wrote vnto the King of Nauarre desiring him to bee there with his brother and all such Lords who as then were with him But couertly by the meanes of secret practises those of Guise dealt in such sort that the King of Nauarre resolued not to come and that against the aduise of the Constable and diuers great Lords who said and affirmed that as then the meanes presented it selfe whereby to put downe those of Guise and to reestablish the lawfull gouernment of the Realme And to conclude the Constable verilie supposing that the Princes would bee theee sayled not to come thither with aboue 800. horse which constrained those of Guise as then weake to flie softly
and to shew a good countenance vnto the Constable and his Nephewes The Admirall presented a petition to the King in the behalfe of the religion The 21. of August they were assembled wherein there was not one of the Princes of the blood and before they began to debate of any matter the Admirall presented a request vnto the King for those of the religion in France whose desire was that it would please his Maiestie to graunt them libertie of Churches and free exercises of their religion in all places The King hauing hanked the Admirall for his vigilancie fidelitie and sincere affection caused the petition to be openly read and then hauing declared from poynt to poynt the cause of that assembly desired the assistance euery man in particular freely and without feare or passion to giue him counsell as occasion and necessitie therein should require that done the Queen-mother and the Chauncellour spake and the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall offered but in generall to render vp an account of their administration which finished that daies meeting the assembly beeing remitted vntill the 23. of August wherevnto Monluc Moruilliers du Mortier and d'Auanson al foure of the priuie Councel opposed themselues But hee that spake most to effect and that deserued most praise to bee a faithfull Councellour was Charles de Marillac Archbishop of Vienne Oration and aduise of Marillac who by notable reasons liuely desciphered shewed that it was requisite to assemble a nactionall Councell thereby to remedie the differences in religion and the third Estate to direct the gouernment of the Realme But hee liued not long after this Oration made and many spake diuersly of his death The Admirals Oration censured by those of Guise The next day beeing the 23. of the moneth of August the Admiralles turne fell out to speake whose Oration tended to the ordering of religion and the Estate before mentioned by Marillac but with farre more eloquent phraise wherevnto hee added a most graue and wise censure against those that by inuironing the king with double guardes learned him to feare his subiects and his subiects to hate their Prince desiring the king most certainly to be perswaded that all his subiects reuerenced him and bare most earnest and hartie affection vnto him The Duke of Guise much greeued and offended at that which the Admirall had spoken specially touching the new guards made a large discourse vnto the contrary in such sort that he shewed himselfe in great perplexitie with all the wit hee had to defend his broken cause His brother the Cardinal walked with some more deliberation vppon those pricking thornes assaying to refute the humble protestations contained in the request presented by the Admirall in the name of all those of the religion who from that time foorth was most extreamly hated by those of Cuise who neuerthelesse at that time made shewe not to dislike in any sort that a generall assembly of the Estates should bee assigned and that as touching religion they propounded an other aduise which likewise was allowed as in the articles following you may reade A Parlia-assigned the 10. of December And according to the resolution vpon the last of August letters were dispatched vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards signifying vnto them that the Estates generall were assigned to meete vppon the tenth of December next ensuing within the Towne of Meaux to the end they should take order to cause Deputies to bee chosen against that time But in this Commission there ranne a clause which was that during such elections the Gouernours and Lieftenants of Prouinces should seuerally visit the Townes to inquire and vnderstand the peoples griefes and to bring them vnto the King that prouision and good order might bee taken for the good of euery Prouince A Sinode of the Clargie the 20. of Ianuary By the same letters he assigned the Bishops Prelates and other Ecclesiasticall persons to bee at Parris vppon the 20. of Ianuary next after ensuing to aduise and take counsell what shall be fit and conuenient to be shewed vnto the generall Councell exhorting them in the meane time to reforme that which belongeth to bee reformed and amended by the Church further commaunding them to be watchfull ouer their aduersaries termed wicked spirits composed of the remnants of the rebellion and tumult of Amboise Gathering of troupes of Souldiers Those of Guise hauing by this means assured themselues against the Princes the next day sent letters in the kings name vnto all Bailiffes and Stewards for the assembly of men at armes or lanciers to be readie by the 20. day of the month of September the distribution whereof was done in such manner that the companies were all mingled the suspected inuironed with others that might set vpon them both before behinde the commanders hauing charge to take put to the sword al such as they once esteemed or suspected to march to ayde the Princes On the other side because the declaration which those of the religion had directed vnto the Princes in many points concerned those or Guise At the deniall of Iohn du Tillet a certain yong Councellour named Des Autels of Charrolois presented himselfe that vnder the title of an Oration vnto the people of France made an answere vnto it and with priuiledge from the King caused it to be imprinted But this Orarout was so well schooled by a replye made therevnto that neuer after hee durst hold vppe his nose and was disauouched by the Cardinall that onely had set him on worke saying that both time and his actions would soone procure him reason at the hands of his enemies And those of Guise hauing ioyned the forces Letters from the king to the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde with their answeres returned out of Scotland with the olde troupes of Piedemont Metz and Picardie they caused them to approach near vnto them with 1200. launciers reserued besides the deuisions made within the Prouinces sent a message in the Kings name vnto the King of Nauarre whereby the Prince of Conde was charged to haue enterprised against the Estate of France and to haue sought to cease vpon the least Townes to haue them in his possession for which cause hee desired the King of Nauarre to send his brother vnto him vnder strong and safe conduction which if hee refused hee said hee should in person be constrained to go thither with such a traine that it would not be for his commoditie The King of Nauarre and his brother made a graue and bolde answere which was that if their accusers would make themselues knowne and seeme to defend the accusation against them and beeing bereaued of that authoritie which they vsurped they with a small company would present themselues before the King where in his presence they would euidently shew him that such accusers were the parties guiltie to whose most false reports they besought his Maiestie in any sort not to giue
credit The kings word giuen to the princes to intrap them This aunswere made those of Guise to seeke another course and therevppon dispatched an other message whereby the King sent word vnto the Princes that they might without all feare come vnto him and returne again when they thought good assuring them by the word of a King that nothing should be done or attempted against their persons in any sort whatsoeuer that he would peaceably heare both their causes and instifications without committing them to prison or once making proces against them that his desire was onely to haue an answereby word of mouth touching the poynts wherewith the Prince was charged which the King could not in any sort beleeue and to conclude that they should bee receiued and vsed according to their estates and dignities yea and that they should haue their places restored that of order and custome belonged vnto them touching the mannaging of the affaires of the land to the end to haue their counselles and aduise thereby to reduce all thinges into a good and polliticke order They were betraied by Amaury Bouchart Chancellor of Nauarre without any troubling or molesting the Prince concerning the religion which hee professed The like letters were written vnto them by the Queene-mother At the first the King of Nauarre had a good courage but hauing heard that the affaires in Lyonnois Dauphin had succeeded otherwise then he esteemed begunne to drawe backe although the Deputies of the Prouinces offered to assemble their troupes for his securitie before the French launciers had stopped the passages or if he found that not to be expedient they promised to assemble themselues in all places to strengthen him when hee should go vnto the Parliament He had a Chancellour named Amaury Bouchart Maister of Requests vnto the king who from the beginning had beene very earnest to mooue him to hearken vnto the declarations and requests daylie made vnto him from all the parts of the Realme but this Bouchart hauing heard that the enterprise made against Lyons by Maligny had taken an other effect then he expected wrote secretly vnto the king desiring him to separate the Prince of Conde from the king of Nauarre his brother because that without ceasing hee neuer left off to solicite him to doo diuers things against his Maiesties officers as also to trouble the Realme at the onely instance of certaine Lutherians and Preachers that came from Geneua wherevnto hee said his maister would by no meanes hearken but that it was to bee feared that in the end by long and importunate sute he would diuert him whereof hee said hee could not chuse but aduertise his Maiestie whose most humble natural and faithful subiect hee was and alwaies would bee as also one of the Ministers of his iustice Hee wrote other letters of the same effect vnto the Cardinall promising him by word of mouth to certifie him of certaine things of great importance which as then hee durst not write and to conclude hee promised him the meanes to giue him intelligence how and in what sort hee should deuise and frame proces against the greatest Lords of the Realme Speaking of Geneua hee ment Theodore de Beza whom the King had expressely sent for by the counsell of the said Bouchart himselfe to meete with diuers other notable personages from all the parts of France whose aduise specially of Beza was in any sort to procure that the conclusion of Fontainbleau touching the assembly of the Estates should bee obserued and fully executed But that aduise was not followed and that touching Beza hee returned with great daunger of his person hauing begun to preach publikely in Nerac where the king of Nauarre in person was assistant Some were of opinion that Iarnac who had wholly withdrawn himselfe from the Princes with S. Foy his brother before that Lieftenant of the company of launciers belonging to the Prince of Conde had practised with Bouchart to write those letters They determine to go to the king The Princes giuing credite vnto the kings word and vpon the protestations and promises made vnto them by his Agents and among others the Cardinal of Bourbon his brother sent expressely vnto them accepted the Kings offer and hauing writtē vnto the king that they would ride to Orleans with a small traine before the assembly of the Estates should bee prepared And beeing at Limoges they were presently visited by diuers Lords and Gentlemen to the number of seuen or eight hundreth well mounted and armed at all poyntes they made them offer of sixe thousand footemen out of Gascon Poicton mustered and reaeie to march 4000. both on horse and foote out of Languedoc and as many or more out of Normandie with ful assurance of the good willes of most part of the men at armes or launciers and presents of mony so it would please the king of Nauarre to declare himselfe Protector of the King and of the Realme against the house of Guise But the euill seruants which as then attended on him as Descars and his companions for Bouchart had withdrawn himselfe gaue him so many alarmes deuised such inconueniences vnder pretence that they did not deliuer vnto thē a summe of mony of three or foure hundreth thousand crownes to looke better into those affaires that beeing at Vertueil where another good Agent being the Cardinall of Armaignac came vnto him hee dismissed all his company and countermanded those that were comming with many thankes and promises most earnestly to imploy himselfe in the Parliament for the good and benefit of all the Estates of France They hauing shewed him many reasons for the same and desired that at the least the Prince of Conde might stay behinde thereby to hold their enemies insuspence he answered that their innocencie should suffice that it was no easie matter to put the Princes of the blood to death that if their liues were taken away they would receiue their deaths with patience that God had meanes sufficient to deliuer the Realme of France which that they should bee the cause of the losse and ruine of so many honest men that desired to ioyne with them The Princesse of Conde a Lady for her time as wise vertuous as any could be found vsed all the meanes shee could to diswade her husband from that voyage but all in vaine the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the Princes being vppon the poynt of their retract after many humble congratulations protested that by those meanes being so vnfortunately destituted of their heads yet they doubted not but that God would raise them others thereby to saue and deliuer them from the oppression of Lyrants Those words vsed in the presence of their secret seruants being rehearsed to those of Guise were causes to hang newe belles at their eares and in the meane time vnderstanding that the Princes were alreadie entered into their iourney they caused Monsieur de Mompesat one of their confederates in the kings name
of those that tooke him to cause him as a Traitor to loose his head but all this was but words and nothing else The papers were not forgotten Bouchart taken and ledde to prisoâ— Imprisonment of the Bailiffe of Orleans and Bouchart was ledde to Orleans and then to Melun with other prisoners that came from Lyons by that meanes to make readie the proofes against the Prince whose proces was followed with all diligence Hierome Groslot Bailiffe of Orleans a man both learned vertuous and full of pietie a louer of the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth and an enemie to all Tyrants and factious persons abhorring auarice ambition within two daies after the Princes arriuall was likewise committed prisoner hauing three daungerous witnesses against him which were his office a goodly house within the the Cittie and another in the countrie The cause pretended was that his father had beene Chancellour to the deceased king of Nauarre and he in Orleans the Protectour of those of the religion and an affected friend vnto the Princes Further when time came that hee should make an Oration vnto the king at his entrie into the Towne the Bailiffe mooued at some wrong offered vnto him as it appeared as he went towards the king togither with the kings countenance that looked frowningly vppon him hee could not vtter his minde as hee had first determined and therevpon those of Guise tooke some occasion to accuse him vnto the King saying that hee felt his owne conscience to be guiltie of his treason Being in prison false witnesses whereof the Curate of Saint Paterne and the Vicar of Saint Catherine were the principall with Iaques Aleaume Iaques L'huillier le Borgne le Alemant and Iaques Masnet accused him to haue determined to deliuer Orleans vnto the King of Nauarre to be of the intelligence of Amboise and to haue beene in a certaine assembly holden by night within the great Church-yard as also to haue manifestly supported those of the religion Dauanson maker of the proces The maker of the proces was Dananson a slaue to those of Guise that sent such witnesses as hee perceiued not to bee sufficiently instructed vnto the Curate of Saint Paterne that by him they might vnderstand their lesson Marshall de Brissac had alreadie laid hold vppon the house in the countrie named l'Isle and in fantasie made diuision of the goods in Sipierre and Boyuin his Secretarie was so bold to say vnto the wife of Groslot that if she would speake boldly shewing her that shee must come off with mony vnto his Maister the Bailiffes affaires might speede the better The Guises practises open the mouthes of the estates of the Prouinces Out of the Kealme those of Guise had made the Pope the king of Spaine and others to thinke that at that time they would roote out all those that bare the name of Lutherians within France whom they held bound both hand and foote hoping that winter to cleare them all out of the countrie in the spring-time to send them into Almaine and Switzerland to visit their friends but their deuises could not impeach diuers and seuerall assemblies in many Prouinces to determine and deuise what were best for them to present at the Parliament to giue them some new worke whereof the Orations made at Blois Anger 's Parris Bazin Plessis Grimaudet Capel and others are proofes sufficient as also in most part of the other Prouinces when the oppressours were discouered and the people disposed to prouide by lawfull meanes against so many disorders introduced and maintained by straungers many of them hauing openly said that they would not indure that those of Guise should so oppresse the Princes of the blood whereof most part that vsed that speech Conspiracie to extirpe those of the religion were men of the religion and those of Guise beeing aduertised could well shewe and propound this article of religion vnto the Duke de Montpensier and other great Lords in diuers places of the Realme to make them the readier and more prompt to leane vnto them The hope of confiscations being mixed therewith which made many rauening fellowes to looke about them there was nothing offered but Estates Offices Benefices Mountaines of Gold to such as would ayde and assist the King to extirpe and roote out the enemies of the Church of Rome Passages kept that no aide should come Besides that the kings forces were diuided by those of Guise into the Townes next about Orleans as farre as Bourges Moulins Blois Tours Saumur Anger 's Chinon Loudun and Poicton and in all the passages from whence they esteemed that any ayde might bee procured to helpe the Princes that were prisoners Those of the religion were narrowly looked vnto in diuers Townes specially in Parris meane time they proceeded vnto the framing of the proces against the Prince But because of the obseruation of the formes of iustice The maner of proceeding against the Prince neither the informations made at Lyons against the Marshall of Saint Andre nor the prisoners of Melun were sufficient they produced the Princes words vsed at Amboise lamenting the death of so many Gentlemen that were executed with that which hee had vttered riding to Bearn vnto Monsieur de Genlis that had renounced the Cerimonies of the Romish Church to the end that not being able to accuse him of high treason they would condemne him of Heresie To strengthen this second proofe those of Guise sent a Priest vnto him apparelled after the Romish manner which certified him that he had expresse commaundement from the King to sing Masse before him in his chamber But the Priest with a rude aunswere was sent backe againe by the Prince with commission to shewe the King from him that hee was not come thither in any sort to bee perticipant or communicate with the impieties and pollutions of the Romaine Antichrist His magnanimitie in Religion wherevnto long before hee had renounced but onely to yeelde him an aunswere vnto the false and forged accusations imposed against him Which answer was not forgotten but thereof a large article was framed both by the deposition of the Priest and of the guarde As also his accusations against those of Guise This magnanimitie much mooued those of Guise but much more in that the Prince spake openly against them to their discredits oftentimes shewing a bag which hee helde in his hand affirming it to be the processe of those Brigands and Guisian theeues by the which many points of high treaon whereof they were culpable were well prooued and verified which hee kept and reserued to present vnto the estates thereby to giue them knowledge of their subtill and vnlawfull gouernments that imputed their owne treasons vnto the Princes of the bloud that sought to oppose themselues against theyr tyrannies and that if euer any man euer sought or ment to enterprise any thing against the King and his Realme it would bee those Harpiers and vpsprung house of
Lorraine A Gentleman one of their Participants and in time past very familier with the Prince was appointed by them to conferre with him He pronounceth warre against the Guisians as also to sound his full meaning and intent and therewith to seeke to abate his courage which hee pretending the Prince desired him to shewe those of Guise that for his part hee hadde receiued so many and great wrongs and iniuries at theyr hands that their quarrell could neuer bee fully ended eyther at the swordes poynt or else by Lanuce which if hee coulde not effect yet hee hoped before his death to make them manifestly to bee knowne and founde culpable of those faultes by them imposed vppon him This most haughtie resolution caused them to sende for the President de Thou Barthollomewe Faye and Iaques Violle Counecllours of Parris certayne Maisters of the requests Bourdin Attourney Generall They seeke to make his processe and du Tillet the Clarke to examine the Prince vppon high Treason and that if they coulde not finde him guiltie thereof they shoulde then examine him vppon the Artickles of his fayth The Prince aunswered them that it belonged not vnto them to put any such questions vnto him not specifying diuers causes of refusing them therein which hee might well haue shewed specially against de Thou whome hee most sharpelye reprooued and when they enterprised to proceede further in lawe the Prince appealed vnto the King But the next day being the 15. of Nouember the peale was declared by the priuie Counsell to bee of no force from which the Prince hauing once againe appealed hee was commaunded vpon paine of high treason to aunswere before those Commissioners He purgeth himself of treason and openly professeth religion which he did hauing two Councellers to helpe him And before them he clearely acquited himselfe of treason and boldly confessed and auouched the religion Not long after the Secretary Robertet brought him a certaine paper containing diuers speeches pretended to haue beene spoken by him at Amboise beholding the execution of certaine prisoners Hee therewith at large expounded his meaning vpon those speeches yet was there no witnesses produced against him for the same no nor Bouchart himselfe that had faithfully promised vnto the Cardinall by word of mouth to shewe him many wonderfull things touching the Prince but they proceeded so farre that vppon his aunsweres hee had iudgement of death pronounced vppon him and his head to bee striken off vppon a Scaffold before the Kings Pallace vppon the tenth of December then next ensuing at the entering of the Estates into the Parliament He is condemned by the priuie Councell and participants of Guise It is affirmed and published by writing that this iudgement was vnderwritten and sealed by all the priuie Councell onely the Chauncellour and Monsieur de Mortier that delayed it off as also by diuers great Lords and Barrons by the eighteene knights of the Order newly chosen and by diuers others participants of the house of Guise and by more Maisters of Requests and Councellours of the Parliament which the king sent for and caused to come thither that not once dealt in the cause The Counte de Sancerre refused to signe it desiring the King with weeping eyes rather to cut off his head then once to mooue him therevnto whereat the King much abashed dismissed the Counte not pressing him any further therein They likewise vsed many rude and hard dealings towards the Princesse of Conde who very stoutly and with a meruellous courage sued for her husband Meanes and subtilties vsed that no speech should be had in the Parliament touching religion At the sametime the Pope published a Bull bearing date the twentieth of Nouember wherin hee promised a generall Councell for the ordering and determining of matters of religion assigning it to be holden within the towne of Trent vppon Easter day then next ensuing On the other side the Cardinall of Lorraine had giuen order to write and Register the names of all the principail of the religion in euery Prouince throughout France which rolles were made and diliuered vnto him All those that held on the Princes parts and with religion were as then iudged to die thereby to cease all quarrelles and that no more speech might once bee mooued touching the reformation of religion seeing as then the affaires concerning the same were in that estate which those of Guise desired and for the execution of so high and haughtie enterprises as the assembly of the Estates whereby the libertie of France should wholly haue beene ouerthrown the forces of the Realme diuided into foure parts vnder the conducts of the Duke d'Aumale the Marshals of Saint Andre de Brissac and de Termes marched to clear the Prouinces of all suspected persons touching religion to furnish the charges thereof they tooke the third part of all Ecclesiasticall reuenues the Gold and Siluer of Relicques and the Treasures of the Temple with promise that the confiscations should restore it all againe For supply of Souldiers the Pope dispensed with all the Cleargie and promised to furnish them with a great number of men of that calling As touching the extermination of the Princes and Lords they proceeded therein with time and leisure The King of Nauarre was to bee confined vnto the Castle of Leches the Admirall into the great Tower of Bourges with all his children his Nephewes in another Tower within Orleans which after that was called the Admirall hard by that of Saint Aignan prepared for the chiefe Cittizens of the Towne Determination to kil the king of Nanarre marnellously preserued The Marshals of Saint Andre and Brissac beeing arriued at the Court were of aduise that the King of Nauarre should bee slaine without troubling themselues to set a guard to keepe him wherevppon they determined to poyson him at a banquet and then vppon an euening to kill him as hee went from the kings chamber which taking no effect the king was desired to do it and to stabbe him with his Ponyard and so to shedde his owne blood which Gods mercifull prouidence would not permit although it seemed to bee almost vppon the poynt of execution the King hauing the Ponyard readie vnder his Gowne beeing alreadie entered into certaine rough speeches against the King of Nauarre who in presence of those of Guise made him so sufficient and good an aunswere that hee escaped An other pretence was sought to get him to ride abroade to hunt and in hunting to kill him The Constable had not as yet entered into the Lackes but they were minded to constraine him therevnto hauing alreadie sent out commission to laye hands vppon Monsieur d'Anuille his second sonne As touching the Admirall and his two bretheren the declaration by them made specially the Admiral d'Andelot to bee of the religion was cause sufficient to condemne them Meanes vsed to intrap and extirpe all those of the religion Which to effect the king sent commission to all
inioyne all his subiects whatsoeuer to obserue and keepe it vppon such paines and penalties as hee and his learned Councell should thinke most conuenient There were other declarations made touching the wordes of Papistes and to liue Catholickely contained within the edict wherevppon those of the Parliament propounded many difficulties to the great hurt and detriment of those of the religion that were wholly and openly condemned and the Pope expresly named the head and Gods Vicar vppon earth This winde serued but onely with more speede to assemble and bring togither the tempests of ciuill warres which at this day as yet continueth Sacrying of the king The Cardinals complaints In the moneth of Iune the king was sacred in Reims where were present thirteene Peeres of France the kings eldest brother beeing the first and all the other Princes of the blood sitting in their degrees there the Cardinall of Lorraine made great complaintes against those of the religion wherevpon it was determined that a new assembly of the Princes Lords and others of the priuie Councell should bee made in the Court of Parliament in Parrris to take order therein Not long after letters pattents were sent vnto the Presidents de Thou and Seguier to assemble the particular Estates of Parris but vpon the opposition framed by the Councellour Ruze in the name of the Nobilitie those assemblies of Estates were broken vppe without any resolution onely in one poynt which was that the payment of the Kings debts should bee imposed vppon the Cleargie About the same time the act for the clearing the Prince of Conde of treason was newly published proclaimed openly in the Court by President Baillet the doores being open and all the Iudges and Councellors being present in their Scarlet gownes within the great chamber where were present diuers Princes and Noblemen A decree in the Court of Parliament to iustifie the Prince of Conde and others the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraine beeing of the traine There the Prince was declared innocent in that which had bin imposed against him and free libertie reserued vnto him to haue lawe against all such as hee therein suspected to bee his enemies and false accusers and such recompence in that case to bee allowed him as to a man of his estate might appertaine The like Actes were read and pronounced at the same time for Madame de Roye Vidame de Chartres deceased Monsieur de Cany and the Councellour de la Haye Not long after the king the Queene his mother and the priuie Councell came into the Parliament and there after many and diuers opinions giuen foorth concerning religion in the moneth of Iuly The edict of Iulie an edict was published vppon paine of death forbidding al iniurious speeches words whatsoeuer on both sides to bee vsed all leagues and things tending vnto sedition all slaunderous words against Preachers and assemblies forbidden to those of the religion who neuerthelesse could not haue beene condemned to indure a greater paine vnlesse it had beene bannishment out of the Realme all which prouision vntill a full and ample declaration should bee made by a generall Councell or by the next assembly of the Prelates all faults past in respect of those of the religion to bee remitted with commaundement to punnish all such as should seem to delay them Bastionadoes forbidden but onely to men of qualitie In like sort the Prelates were sent for to bee at the conference and safe conduct giuen vnto all Ministers freely to come and dispute of their religion Practises against the King of Nauarre The place beeing assigned at Poissy while those of the religion were in good hope because the Cardinall of Lorraine and others protested to reason quietly touching the articles debated by the parcelles of the holy scripture means was practised wholly to diuert the king of Nauarre from the affectiō by him shewed to those of the religion and by the means of the assembly at Poissy to breake off the Parliament as then reiourned vntil the month of August next after ensuing because the Queene-mother knewe full well that the Gentlemen and the Commons would aske to haue Churches allowed vnto them which being agreed vnto would make the Princes part too strong which she doubted Such order therefore was taken in that poynt that Descars before that Chamberlin to the king of Nauarre and put from his Maister Descars entertained hauing discouered him to bee a Pensioner to those of Guise was restored to his place and became in more fauour then euer hee had beene Also the Duke of Guise being returned from Callais where hee had been with Monsieur d'Anuille second sonne to the Constable and a great number of other Courtiers to conduct the Queene of Scots widdowe to Francis the second solicited the Prince of Conde An agreemēt between the Prince of Conde and the Duke of Guise to bee reconciled vnto him at the which agreement made at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August with the king and the Queene-mother there were present all the Princes Noblemen Cardinals Councellours and Knights of the Order The king hauing spoken of the cause of the assembly commannded the Duke of Guise to speake who turning vnto the Prince spake and said Sir I neither haue nor euer ment to do or execute any thing that should bee against your Honour neither was I eyther author meanes or moouer of your imprisonment The Prince of Conde answered him and said I esteeme them both for wicked and mischieuous persons that were the cause thereof The Duke replyed and said I beleeue it well but that toucheth not mee which done at the kings request they imbraced each other with promise from thenceforth to continue good friends and the Queene-mother to witnesse the ioy shee then conceiued that day held a solemne Feast The Queen-mother practise a both with great and small to maintaine her Regency As touching the Estates reiourned vnto Pontoire in the month of August as then it was no longer time to deferre them but the Queene playing secretly on both parts to ratifie the agreement made between her and the king of Nauarre touching the Regencie and to the end it should no more bee spoken of first sent thither the Councellour du Mortier that was sent backe againe finding so many that spake against him Wherewith the Queene calling her wits togither she remembred that he had alwaies borne a good countenance vnto the Admirall pretending in some earnest matter to imploye his ayde and occasion as then falling out this Lord was sought vnto by all meanes and thousands promises were made vnto him for the ease and reliefe of those of the religion hee perceiuing that the King of Nauarre had no desire to deale therein and after the manner of simple men trusting to many and great protestations made and vttered vnto him concerning his future good vsed Clarklike meanes imploying himselfe vnto the Estates for the
confirmation of the accord aforesaid The States forced to agree to a thing that ouerthrew a lawe of the Realme and to finish vp the matter the King of Nauarre himself went thither in person to certifie them that he had resigned his right title vnto the Queene which notwithstanding the matter was much debated many great personages partly perceiuing the great mischiefs which by that disorder would in fine growe vp in such sort that the Estates agreed not therevnto but with protestation to the contrary in their billes which they presented vnto the king at Saint Germaines in Laye where the general assembly was holden the Chancellour commaunded by the king by a long Oration perswaded the company to determine with themselues whether it would be necessary and conuenient that the assembly of the religion should bee holden or forbidden And after him Lieftenant Autun surnamed Britaigne speaking for the communaltie in a large discourse shewed the abuse both in the goods and iurisdictions of Ecclesiasticall persons their duties the great charges that spoyled and ouerthrew the people required that the persecutions should be ceased against those of the religion that promise should bee made vnto them of an assembly and that to the same end Churches might bee permitted vnto them also that their principall Ministers should bee called to conferre with them of the differences of religion Touching the acquitting of the kings debts and ordering of other affaires the third Estate made a large couerture proposing diuers means to cease diuision and to reduce the Realme into as rich estate as euer it was But because diuers matters propounded touched and concerned many of the greatest personages specially the Spiritualtie it was all but words which likewise were the cause to hasten the principals of such Sects to inuent their conspiracies The Cleargie desiring to get out of the myre made offer that to acquit the king of his debts for the space of sixe months they would euery yeare paye foure tithes at the same time likewise the Imposts of fiue sols vpon euery Alme of Wine entering into euery walled Towne was raised for the terme of sixe yeares and no more besides the eighth and tenth part beeing ordinary custome While the Estates were busied to dispute and determine of matters concerning the Estate The Popes deuise to hinder the assembly of Poissy Pope Pius hauing beene aduertised what had beene determined touching the assembly at Poissy sent the Cardinall of Ferrare his Legat in France with charge to remit all things touching religion vnto his Councell because that among other articles agreed vppon by the States it had beene decreed that the benefices of the Realme should bee conferred by the Ordinaries euery man in his iurisdiction and not by the Pope Also that dispenses should more be allowed There was likewise a question among thē touching the reception of the Legat who in fine made such meanes that the Chancellour was commaunded to seale his letters of authoritie which the Chauncellour did not but after many commissions adding therevnto that it was done without his consent the Court of Parliament would not approoue them and touching the Courtiers at the first the Legat was but hardly vsed by them but he vsed such meanes by his friends that in the end hee got the vpper hand hauing with his assistants in France frustrated the assembly of Poissy Assembly of the Cleargie for the conference at Poissy At the same time the Prelates assembled for the conference at Poissy and because some of them were wholly without learning and the rest little studied in the holy Scriptures they brought with thē a great number of Sorbon Doctors and others whom they appoynted to dispute in their presence thereby to learne what were best for them to say Touching those among them that had any learning they were suspected so that in their particular conferences many times there happened great strife among them and many times blowes whereat the Courtiers made great sport While they were in this debate among themselues diuers Ministers of the Churches in France to the number of twelue with 22. Deputies The Ministers came to Poissy and present a request vnto the king with the confession of the faith by the kings safe conduct and commaundement arriued at Poissy not long after followed by Pierre Martir Theodore Beza whom the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde had caused to come from Zurche and Geneua Those that first arriued presented a petition vnto the king vpon the tenth of August wherein they desired that commaundement might bee made vnto the Prelates to peruse the declaration of the faith of the reformed Churches presented vnto the king since the ninth of Iune then last past to the end that at the first assembly they might shewe what cause they had to deny it and vppon their obiections to heare the defences of the said Churches by the mouths of their Ministers and Deputies They further desired that the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical persons might not bee iudges ouer them seeing they were parties against them that the king and his Councell would bee present at that assembly that all the differences might bee decreed by the onely word of God that two Secretaries might bee chosen on each part that euery day might conferre the notes of their disputations togither and that those notes should not bee holden nor accounted for lawfull before the parties had subscribed vnto them The king receiued the confession and petition The Kings answere by the hands of Augustin Marlorat and Francis de S. Paul in the presence of his Mother the king of Nauarre and other Princes of the blood with diuers Lords of the Councell and with a good countenance said vnto them I will referre your petition vnto my Councell and you shall receiue an aunswere from my Chancellour The 24. of August 1565 Th. de Beza preached at the Court. And the 24. of August 1574. the Massacre was committed against those of the religion Conference betweene Th. de Beza and the Cardinall Theodore de Beza beeing arriued at Saint Germaines in Laye vppon the 24. of August he preached publikely the next day at the Castle within the Prince of Condes Hall where hee had a great and notable assembly without any noyse or trouble The same day about euening beeing sent for into the king of Nauarres Chamber there he found the Queene the king of Nauarre the Prince the Cardinals of Burbon and Lorraine the Duke de Estampes Madame de Crussol where hauing made a lowe reuerence vnto the Queene in fewe words hee shewed her the cause of his comming thither togither with the desire he had as also all his company to serue God and his Maiestie in so holy commendable and necessary an enterprise Thervpon the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne to speake charging Beza to haue been authour of the troubles to haue dispearsed infamous libelles about the Realme of France and to haue
spoken with vnreuerēt speeches touching the presence of our Lord in his holy supper But he hauing in fewe words shewed the vanitie of the two first articles hee entered into a reasonable large discourse of the third wherein hee so well satisfied all the common questions of the Cardinall that hee said expresly vnto the Queene that hee was very well pleased to heare him speake and greatly in hope that the conference of Poissy wold proceed to a hat pie end with so courteous and reasonable disputation and with that speaking to Beza he said I am glad that I haue both seen and heard you speake I protest in the name of God that you shall conferre with me to the end that I may vnderstand your reasons and your minds and you shal finde that I am not so blacke as I am desciphered Beza thanked him and besought God to continue him in that good minde promising for his part to imploy himselfe for the aduancement of the good of Gods flocke as much as in him lay Madam de Crussul there vppon said as shee was alwaies bolde to speake that it would be necessarie to haue Inke and paper A pleasant and notable speeche of Madame de Crussull to cause the Cardinall to signe avow his saying For said shee in the morning hee will speake cleane contrary and she diuined right for in the morning a report was spread about the Court that at the first meeting the Cardinall had confounded and reduced Theodore de Beza In such manner that the Queene was costrained to tel the Constable who much reioyced thereat as thinking it to be certaine that hee was wrong informed Not long after the queen of Nauarre arriued at the court which made the assemblies to increase The second request of the Ministers The eight of September the ministers presented a second request wherein they shewed a reason of the articles propounded in their first requiring answere The Queene mother receiued this petition in the presence of the King of Nauarre the Prince the Admirall the Chancelor and one of his Secretaries which done she dismissed Beza and three others that accompanied him with good speeches and assurances that the Cleargie should not be their iudges The beginning of the conference at Poissy The next day about noone the king accompanied as his estate required entered into the great Refectorie of the noones in Poissy where the Princes and Princesses beeing set on each side and behinde him somewhat lower fat sixe Cardinals 36. Bishoppes and Archbishoppes and behinde them diuers Doctors and men of the Cleargie Right before him at the end of the hal stood his guard and behinde them a great number of men of all estates there hee made a short and small declaration touching the cause of that assembly commaunding the Chauncellour in larger manner to make it knowne vnto them The Cardinall de Tournon in the name of all the Prelates humbly thanked the king which done hee desired that the Chancellor might deliuer his proposition in writing and that leisure might be giuen them to consider thereof which was refused them Therevppon the Ministers to the number of twelue with 22. Deputies of the Churches in the Prouinces that assisted them The Ministers and deputies for the religion appeared before one of the greatest assemblies that euer was in our time and there confessed their faith being called and brought in by the Duke of Guise that had the charge with Monsieur de la Ferte Captaine of the guard were ledde vnto the barres where all bare-headed they stayed and Theodore de Beza being chosen by them all beganne to speake and first hauing made a briefe Preface vnto the king hee began his Oration with an humble and ardent prayer vnto God deuised and imployed to the time and occasion of that assembly which done standing vppe hee shewed the most singular contentment which al those of the relgion receiued at that time by hauing such recourse vnto their Soueraigne and lawfull Prince the Queene the Princes of the blood with all the Lords and notable persons at that time and in that place assembled that done hee shewed the sinceritie and good desire of all those of the religion which being ended he entered into the principal poynt making a most ample large collection of the articles of Christian doctrine not forgetting any poynt that is in controuersie but hee expounded it sufficiently withall saying somewhat touching the Discipline of the Church concluding that both hee and his companions with all those that were of the religion desired nothing but the reformation of the Church which onely desires to liue and die vnder the obedience and protection of the king detesting all those that soght the contrary praying to God for the prosperitie of the king his mother his Councell and the Estate and therevppon hauing made a great reuerence he pursued with his matter presenting to the king The confession deliuered to the king and receiued by him the confession of the faith of the Churches of France requiring that the conference might bee made vppon the same His long Oration was pronounced with a most acceptable voice to al the assistants and heard with a most singular contentment euen to the end where hee spake very openly to the Prelates likings against the opinion of the presences of the Lords bodie in the bread For this article put them in a great murmuration although before hee had spoken many other things that expresly condemned the Doctrine of the Church of Rome neuerthelesse hee proceeded and ended the king nor any of the Prelates not once offering to rise His Oration ended the king receiued the confession of the Churches by the hands of the aforesaid Monsieur de Ferte Captaine of the guard which hee deliuered vnto the Prelates The Prelates behauior after the Oration in the name of the Churches Among other Prelates that were in a hotte case the Cardinall de Tourno◠boyling in hotte chollour hauing desired the King to perseuer in the religion of his auncestor asked time to aunswere to that Oration saying that it should bee well aunswered and that hee hoped that the King hauing heard the answere would be reduced and remembring that word hee said not reduced but holden and kept in the good and perfect way the Queene sought to qualifie his chollor The next day Theodore de Beza wrote and sent the Queene an ample exposition of that which he had spoken touching the Lords Supper to the great misliking of the Prelates who beeing assembled to consult touching their affaires the Cardinall of Lorraine beganne with these words In my opinion I would that hee meaning Theodore de Beza had either beene dumbe or we deafe And after many opinions giuen it was determined that the Cardinall assisted by diuers Doctors The mean to be Iudges in their owne cause specially of Claude Despense that framed the answere and serued for a prompter vnto his Disciple should answere
onely to two poynts that is touching the Church and the Lords Supper not to dispute thereof but that it should not bee thought they were without reply For the rest that they should frame a confession of the faith opposite to that of the Ministers which if they refused to approoue sentence of condemnation should bee solemnely pronounced against them and by that meanes the conference would bee ended without any more disputation The Ministers aduertised of this resolution contrary vnto all Ecclesiasticall conference by request made their complaint vnto the King which being presented to the Chancellor A new inuention of the Cardinall to disgrace the Ministers hee according to his wisedome prouided for it in such sort that the Prelates proceeded in another manner Touching the Cardinall hee bethought himselfe of a new expedition in his aduise very fitte thereby to confound the Ministers and with mockerie to send them from the Court for the which cause hee wrote vnto Monsieur de Vieilleuille Gouernour of Metz that with all speede he should procure certaine Theologians to bee sent out of Germaine who touching the Lords Supper did not agree in opiniō with those of the Churches of France pretending to cause those Theologians to striue and dispute against the Ministers and hauing had some pastime to heare them at variance to send them both away without any further conference Vieilleuille vsed such diligence that three or foure Doctors of Virtemberg and two Theologians of Heidelberg went presently into France but one of those of Virtemberg dying of the plague within the Citie of Parris and the two Theologians of Heidelberg beeing of the opinion of the Churches of France the Cardinals expectation therin was frustrate yet they offered him faire for that they determined to aske him and the rest of the Prelates if they ment to hold with the confession of Ausbourg hauing called some of those Doctors and asked them when the Cardinall would giue an answere who in fine was constrained to seeke some other places of refuge The Cardinals Oration The 6. of September the Cardinall in presence of the King the Princes and the Councell made his Oration containing a long deduction of two poynts agreed vpon by the Prelates which were touching the Church and the Lords Supper that done they most instantly besought the King to continue in the religion of his ancestors to summō the Ministers to vnderwrite that which the Cardinal had propounded which done they wold confer vpon the rest of their articles that if they denied it they shuld wholly be refused to be heard and presently sent out of the Realme wherein there ought to be but one faith one lawe and one king The Ministers requests The Ministers as then required to bee heard what they could answere vnto the Cardinall but it was referred vntill an other time and although that from that time foorth they vsed many meanes to be heard in open audience they could neuer obtaine it onely vppon the 24. day of the same moneth Theodore de Beza in presence of the king and his Councell aunswered vnto the Oration made by the Cardinall where were present fiue Cardinals and fifteene or sixteene Doctors Despense and Desanctes made certaine disputations where vnto Beza made answere The Cardinall of Lorraine had summoned the Ministers to knowe if they would allowe of the confession of Ausbourg and they desired him first to signe it which done they would followe but there hee was at a nonplus which was done vppon the 26. of March where once againe Despense discoursed of the Lords Supper Diuers conferences betweene the Ministers and Doctors that spake for the Prelates The resolution of Sorbonne and after him Doctor Martir in a large and ample manner but because he spake Italian the Cardinall said hee would not deale with any but such as spake the French tongue A Spaniard general of the Iesuites wold likewise haue spokē whom de Beza haue refuted he entered into disputation with Despense The rest of the Ministers also answered vnto certaine obiections propounded by other Doctors of Sorbonne touching the interpretation of the words in the institution of the Lords supper After that all was changed into a particular conference wherein it was impossible for the Ministers to induce the Deputies for the Prelates vnto any orderly disputation neither yet to the conclusion of any articles That of the holy Supper was oftentimes intreated of and sometimes it seemed that the parties were almost at an agreement but the Sorbonne Interpreted that very hardly which by the Doctors of the Deputies for the Prelates had beene allowed of and made an inuection in writing against the Ministers desiring that they might be driuen out of the Realme if they would not approoue and allowe of the doctrine of Sorbonne touching the Eucharistie The Ministers to the contrary humbly required that the confessions and articles of the doctrine on both parts might bee examined by the order vsually obserued at all times in any Ecclesiasticall conferences but their aduersaries who in most bold and euident manner shewed themselues to be their Iudges would neuer consent thereto The 13. of October the Prelates hauing thanked and discharged their Doctors sent them away and in the end withdrewe themselues hauing first taken order touching their cannons which concerned not any Christian doctrine onely discouering certaine disorders in their Cleargie the reformation whereof they referred vnto the Pope and the Councell of Trent that did nothing therein because their Church cannot erre At the same time certaine letters were discouered written in the Kings name vnto his Ambassador in Rome named Monsieurde l'Isle others from the Queen-mother which shewed that al their conference was but a deuise and meere inuention thereby to intrappe the Cleargie which agreed vnto some Tithes to saue the rest of their stakes The intent of the assembly at Poissy Aduancement of those of the religion and that was it whereof they sought to bee resolued and not of the religion nor yet of any thing that concerneth the conscience wherein diuers of them had in a maner playd Banckerrupt After the departure of the assembly those of the religion by little and little beganne to preach openly and in some places without resistance ceased vpon certaine Churches whereof ensued an edict made by the King bearing date the 3. of Nouember which commanded them to leaue them which they presently performed in the same moneth Those of Parris beeing assembled to preach in a Garden without the Church-gate called la Cerisaye at their return there was some blowes giuē but the hurt was lesse thē it was thoght to be because the conference of Poissy had reduced no remedie that the parties were still at difference and that the religion openly aduanced it selfe throughout all the Realme Counsell giuen to assemble the chiefe persons of the realm to take order touching those affaires The Queen was counselled to assemble the most notable
persons of all the Parliaments in France with the Princes of the blood Lords Councellours and maisters of Requests therby to aduise and make some new edict touching the gouernment and order of those of the religion as also to answere vnto the demand of the States that had most instantly desired to haue allowances of Temples The chiefe of the Romish Church and among the rest those of Guise found this counsell not to bee expedient alleadging that they ought to bee content with the edict of Iuly and withall they complained of the Queenes leuite openly accusing the king of Nauarre the Prince the Admiral and his bretheren The Queen that sought to assure her Regencie would not hearken therevnto wherby those of Guise tooke occasion to withdrawe themselues from the Court leauing certaine seruitors and solicitors to supply their places The Queene willingly gaue them leaue to depart assuring them of her good will both to them and their religion and desired them to returne assoone as possibly they might They went from thence about the end of Nouember and at the time of their departure there rose a most horrible extraordinary wind aforeshewing as some affirmed of the tēpest that not long after ensued At the same time likewise were brought and sold in the Court three great Pictures most excellently wrought whereof one was bought by the Prince of Conde wherein was represented the bloodie and horrible massacres of the auncient Triumuiras of Rome true Pictures shewes of the cruelties exercised the yeare ensuing by the support and in the presence of French Triumuirat vpon those of the religion Not long before their departure the Queene of Nauarre discouered an enterprise An enterprise of the Duke de Nemours made to take away the Duke of Orleans the Kings brother and to carry him into Lorraine for which cause the Duke de Nemours in all haste saued himselfe and returned not againe vntill the ciuill warres beganne to arise The report also was spread abroad that the King of Spaine and other Princes adherents to the Pope made preparations to ayde their participants in France and to dispearse the assembles of those of the religion The Queen inquireth what forces the religion could make All these things mooued the Queene to make inquirie of the forces and means of those of the religion whereof were found 2150. Churches and more for the which the Deputies had required Churches offering all seruice and obedience vnto the King both with bodies and goods at their owne charges but shee desired to knowe it more at large which by many of the Churches was thought to bee superstitious and thereby they made no such certificates because of the diuersitie of opinions although some of them thought it both good and necessarie to shewe the Queene the number of the forces as well horse as foote which by those of the religion might easilie bee raised iudging that such a power as it after appeared to bee had beene the meanes to drawe the Queene and by consequent the Kings and all the Princes of his part vnto them which would easilie haue stayed those of Guise and their partakers in apparance haue wholly hindered the discipation of the Churches stopping the passage vnto all strangers other suspecting the Queens intent and fearing least so open a discouerie should bee the cause the easlier to expose for a pray vnto their enemies would not proceede so farre The commotion of Medard These things beeing thus imbroyled about the end of the yeare there happened a great mutinie in Parris raised by certaine Priests of Saint Medards Church in the Subburbes of S. Marceau which rang a bell while those of the religion were assembled at a Sermon from whence proceeded wounds murthers and imprisonments where those of the religion not beeing the beginners payed a fine and foure of them one beeing Gabaston knight of the watch were executed to appease the people of Parris and yet not presently done 1562. The Edict of Ianuary In the beginning of the moneth of Ianuary and the absence of those of Cuise that thought vppon other matters as also of the Constable that would not be present a great assembly such as the like had not beene seene in France was made there by to take order touching the Estate and to ordaine an edict wherein after each man had said and propounded his minde touching the which was esteemed by them to bee most conuenient and necessary for the good and quietnesse of the Common-wealth in the end it was agreed to make that solemne edict which vntill this time beareth the name of the edict of Ianuary which being a true meanes to preuent and stoppe the mischiefes which as then threatned the Realme of France was neuerthelesse in the end turned vnto an occasion of the greatest calamities that euer happened therein By it the edict of Iuly was abollished permission graunted to those of the religion to assemble without the Townes and sufficient order taken that eyther part might liue in peace and quietnesse with each other which was agreed vpon and signed at Saint Germaines in Laye the seuenteenth day of Ianuary Difficulties in the same The execution of this edict mooued great difficulties specially on the part of those of the Romish Church Touching those of the religion their Ministers and Deputies hauing resolued vppon certaine doubts that might be made they ranged themseluelues wholly vnto the Kings pleasure The Parliaments onely two or three made much difficultie to publish it that of Diyon would neuer do it and that of Parris made great question vpon it The chiefe President Bourdin the Kings Atturney held firme for the Church of Rome assisted by Merle Prouost of Marchants Marcell Sheriffe and diuers others The King of Nauarre seduced by his enemies The winds that made them turne blew from the Constable and those of Guise yet they had done little or nothing at all if at that time the King of Nauarre had not suffered himselfe to be seduced by his most deadly enemies that had for instruments of his ouerthrow the Ambassadour of Spaine the Popes Legat and the Cardinall de Tournon ayded by two of his principall seruants Descars and the Bishoppe of Mande Hee not being ambitious suffered himselfe to bee perswaded that if bee would but shewe him as newter and cause the Prince his sonne but once to heare Masse the king of Spaine would peaceably yeeld vp the Realme Sardagne vnto him which they affirmed to bee an Iland no lesse in valewe then that of Sicile and foure times as much as his Realm of Nauarre which was as much as a man may say to present him with nothing betweene two dishes and thereby to bereaue him of the certaine and honourable meanes to recouer his Realme of Nauarre if hee would haue hearkened therevnto and continued to haue fauoured and supported those of the religion as he had done vntill the edict of Ienuary neuerthelesse the pernitious counsell of
haue violently broken so solemne an edict The Prince hauing demaunded permission of conference with his Councell in Orleans desired to haue the aduise of the Ministers who by three of their Deputiès gaue him at large expresly to vnderstand that neither the Queene nor hee by the lawe of God nor reason could in any thing whatsoeuer once derogate so solemne an edict made at the request and desire of the States and so notable an assembly of all the Parliaments of France and by them all sworne and pronounced The next day at his request all the ministers beeing to the number of seuentie two being assembled they made an humble request exhortation in writing vnto him touching the cause aforesaid withall The Ministers aduise added diuers good and necessary articles to make an assured peace as that those of the religion acknowledged by the King to bee his faithfull and obedient subiects might bee peaceably maintainted in the exercise of the religion the king declaring himself protector of their doctrine discipline against al Atheistes Libertines Anabaptistes Seruitistes and other Heretickes or Scismatikes that the Baptisme administred in their Churches might not bee reitterated and that the marriages therein celebrated might bee holden for good and lawfull that without other leaue it might be permitted by those of the religion to haue free exercise thereof in all places that the religion might no more bee called new seeing their Churches are founded vpon the ancient doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles that euery man might peaceably enioy his estates offices and goods with perusing recalling of processes touching such as are interessed by suspect Iudges that all murtherers the eues spoylers exacters and others that without warre their massacries and other inormities beeing acts of hostilitie should bee taken and punished according to their deserts Notwithstanding so many declarations both by word of mouth and writing the Prince was in such sort perswaded by promises that after that Peace agreed vppon they would make another and better agreement for him making him beleeue that the conditions as then set downe were done only to please those of the church of Rome and by little and little to attaine vnto a full and perfect libertie withall that many of them desired nothing else but whatsoeuer it cost them to returne vnto their houses That he consented to the altering of the Edict of Ianuary suffering certaine exceptions to be added therevnto which hee caused to be read vnto the Gentlemen desiring that none but they bearing Armes should giue their aduise which hee spake openly before all the assembly in such manner that after that time the Ministers were neither sent for receiued nor heard speake or giue their aduise in any sort nor likewise the Admirall and his company knewe nothing more thereof then only the conclusion The Queene mother that was in great doubt to be reduced vnto the Edict of Ianuary and the Constable as much or more then she imployed all speedie meanes to conclude and set downe the Articles in manner of an Edict agreed vpon the 12. of March and fully resolued by the Kings Councell at Anboise vpon the 27. of the same month and the same day published in the Towne by sound of Trumpet The exercise of religion was thereby restrained to the houses of certaine Gentlemen and in some Townes besides those wherein it had bene vsed at the beginning of that moneth with a certaine confused remission and pardon for all forepassed matters Exploits of the Admirall To returne to the Admirall after the taking of the Castle of Caen he sent Monsieur de Colombieres to set vppon Bayeux who at the second assault wanne it vsing the inhabitants somewhat hardly because they had abused themselues The Captaine called Iulio a wicked villaine if euer there were a-any was hanged in Caen by reason of diuers crimes imputed and laide against him The next day after being the fift of March the Garrison of Saint Lo being in feare yeelded the place vnto the Admirall that sent thither the Counte Montgomimery who from thence marched straight to Auranches wherein he was receiued without resistance The thirteenth of the same moneth he tooke Vire by assault and punished the principall offendors And minding to proceed further the packet of the peace was deliuered vnto him About the same time that Bayeux was taken The Admirals forces march to Orleans Monsieur Mouy receiued Hondefleur by composition And as he minded to reduce Ponteau de Mer the Admirall sent for to returne to Orleans repealed to Caen from whence the Horsemen departed vpon the 14. of March diuided into two battells The Prince of Portien conducted the auantgard composed of foure Cornets of Rutters that marched towards Lisieux and the 18. â—ntred forcibly into Bernay where certain Priests were slain hanged that fought yet knew not how to make war The town of Aigle in the borders of NormaÌ„die was forced by the Vicont de Drux vpon the 20. of the same moneth al such as wâ—â— found in armes slain in the streets The same day the Admiral departed with the greater part of his forces marching by Falaise Argentan that yeelded hauing agreed for a ransome of a 10000. frankes from thence he went to Mortague a great borough Towne in Perche where certaine Priests moued the people to do him iniury whereby diuers of Mouies company were both hurt and slaine that marched in winges wherevpon the Borough was entered by force and the chiefe offendors specially the Priests rewarded for their paines Monsieur de Coignee likewise punished the Monkes of S. Calais who with their Garrison had cruelly handled his houshold seruants On the other side Mousieur de Coruoy tooke the Castle of Mezieres harde by Drux and slewe the souldiers that were in it The 23. of March the Admirall arriued at Orleans and vsed all the meanes hee could to remedie the Princes accord hauing agreed to the breach and abolution of the edict of Ianuary The Queene mothers praâ—â—â—ses vnder the shadowe and pretence of the Queenes promises who on the other side about foure daies before had caused Poltrot to bee executed with all extremitie that might bee inuented caused a funerall pompe to bee celebrated for the Duke of Guise in Parris and gaue his estate of high Chamberlin and Great-maister to his sonne Henry as then an infant both of yeares and vnderstanding but aster shewed openly vnto the third king in what schoole hee had been taught as heereafter you shall read The estate of the prounues and Townes Now I must shewe you a summarie recitall of the estate of the Prouinces and principall Townes in France during the first troubles from the moneth of Aprill 1562 vntill the peace Parris the principall Towne of the Realme during that time committed many great and terrible spoyles vpon those of the religion Parris diuers therein were executed not onely of the Towne but such as had beene
presently deliuered him to the prouost Marshall who hauing brought him to Anger 's caused him by the Dukes commaundement to be broken vppon a Crosse and there left aliue vpon it liuing in that miserie vntill the next morning at foure of the Clocke without releefe or ease of any man by ending his paine still tempted by two Fryers to conuert from the truth of the religion but hee remained constant The two Traytours that betrayed him to his enemies were likewise hanged and an other that hadde opened the Gate whereby they entred into Rochefort was slaine of whome they thought to bee rewarded Tours and the country about it Eight daies before Easter in Anno 1562. the Duke de Montpensier beeing come to Tours with a small troupe in diuers sorts discouered his euill will against those of the religion who hauing had aduice from the Prince how their affaires proceeded seized vppon the Towne without any disorder onely inregard of the Images that by no meanes could be releeued what counsell or aduice soeuer the stayder sort could giue or procure At the same time the cruell sentence giuen in the Parliament of Parris was published in the gouernment of Touraine Maine and Aniou committed to the charge of the Duke de Montpensier and of Chauigni his Lieftenant Which sentence was expressely to commaund all men of what estate soeuer presently to rise in Armes with permission to sounde belles in euery place to spoyle and destroy all those of the religion that could or might bee founde without respect of qualitie sexe or age and to assaile their houses to kill spoyle and vtterly subuert them This sentence was published euery sunday in al the Parishes and in the termes vsed by the Triumuirat Which is to let the greatest Gray hound loose and presently therevppon all kinde of bad persons assembled both pesants and Artificers and leauing their ordinary labors beganne in great fury to march with the rest against those of the religion Part of them entring into Ligueul where they hanged certaine men put out the ministers eyes and then burnt him with a small fier Others entred into Cormery l'Islebouchart Loches and other places bordering vpon it where they committed an infinit number of villanies Among diuers other murthers fleaing a young man named Mathurin Chaiseau of the age of 17. or 18. years An other troupe of 6. or 700. men fel vpon the village of Aze foure miles from Chinon and burnt it massacring to the number of 25. or 30. persons in presēce of the stuard Agenois who in stead of opening his gates to aide the poore distressed people vnderstanding of their comming stood at his windowes to Iudge what blowes they had In the beginning of Iuly they of Tours being sommoned to yeelde the Towne and hauing no meanes to bee releeued by the Prince departed from thence with their armes making three companies of foote two cornets of horse wēt to march to Poictiers Ioyning with those of Chinon and Chastelleraut Wherby they were about the number of 1000. men or there abouts And being followed by 7. or 8. cōmpanies of Lanciers some Cornets of light horse belonging to the Count de Villards their leaders fainted Wherevpon they were charched by the horsemen and ouerthrowne some beeing slaine the rest robbed and spoyled of all they hadde were ledde prisoners to Chastelleraut from whence they escaped by diuers meanes and some got to Poictiers Their Minister called Ihon de la Tour that had bin at the conference in Poissy aged 75. years was drowned in the riuer of Clain the first that yeelded themselues in that ouerthrow were sent to Tours and about three hundreth of the nimblest of them thought by running to get Tours but at their arriuall the Towns-men beganne to ring a bell at the sound whereof diuers of them saued themselues the rest to the number of two hundreth were taken and committed to prison and the next day sixe or seuen score of them were murthered cast into the riuer of Loire Others beeing found about the Towne were likewise throwne into the water not sparing man woman nor childe After that came Chauigny with his band of Priestes Monkes Friers Cannons and their companions and then the murthers and pillages beganne to bee renued The President of Tours named Bourgeau an ancient man of great credit and authoritie who although he neuer had made profession of the religion yet hee was esteemed to bee one hauing presented Clerueaux Lieftenant to Chauigny with 300. Crownes and a Bason of siluer was ledde foorth of the Gates but beeing perceiued and discouered by such as watched for such things hee was murthered with swords and staues and then stripped into his shirt and hanged by the foote his head in the water vp to the breast and beeing still liuing they cut open his bellie and casting his guttes into the riuer sticking his heart vppon the poynt of a Lance bare it about the Towne saying it was the heart of the President of the Huguenots Not long after the Duke de Montpensier arriued in the Towne causing diuers Gibbets wheeles and flakes to bee set vp and then vnder pretence of iustice the murthers beganne again so that the number of those that were executed before then and since amounted to aboue three hundreth persons most part beeing rich men and many of good account Assoone as the Commons or the Iustice had put any man or woman to death they enrered into their houses and killing their children tooke all they found therein in such manner that Richelieu the Monke boasted to haue as much Veluet Satin and Taffata which hee had gotten in Tours as would reach a league in length his companions likewise had their parts in such maner that such as sixe weeks before were not woorth a groate presently after offered to buy lands and to paye thirtie or fortie thousand Frankes readie mony Let vs now see what past during these first troubles in high and base Normandie and first beginne with Roane Rome the principall Towne in that Prouince The fifteenth of Aprill 1562. those of the religion foreseeing some danger ceased vpon the Towne and fiue daies after yeelded reason of their action vnto the Duke de Bouillon Gouernor thereof Their declaration beeing sent to the Court letters pattents were presently giuen vnto the Duke d'Aumale brother to the Duke de Guise to bee the kings Lieftenant in Normandie The third of May the Artificers with their wiues and children entered into the Churches and in lesse then foure and twentie houres had broken downe and defaced all the Images Altars and other superstitious Reliques in more then 50. Churches as wel of Parishes as of Abbayes and Couents not once taking any thing for themselues in such sort that from that time vntill the taking of the Towne the occupation of Priests and Friers wholly discontinued Seuen daies after the Cittizens mustered themselues and the Court of Parliament withdrew it selfe yet without any cause Meane time
first to haue been signified to the Court of Parliament in Parris that the King ought not to permit the exercise of two religions within his Realme that the inhabitants of Parris ought not to be constrained to leaue their armes The Bishop in open tearmes seemed to charge de Thou and all his companions to shew but small vnderstanding in those affaires and much lesse conscience The twentie foure of September following by Decree of the priuie Councell the mawrite of the King or as some are of aduice the regencie and Soueraigntie authoritie of the Queene was confirmed The Pope abandoneth the Realm of Nauarre to him that could take is by force wherevnto the King opposeth At the same time an other deuise was wrought against those of the religion The Pope faining that he could no longer beare with the reformation of religion and doctrine vsed in the Realme of Nauarre and the Soueraigntie of Bearn in the moneth of September caused a declaration to bee published in Rome against Ieane d'Albert Queene of Nauarre who as then made publicque profession of the religion and had driuen the Masse out of her Countries This declaration was made in forme of an excommunication for a dispossession of all that land which as then remained vnto this Princesse by whom soeuer would take it in hand to enioy it as by conquest and his owne proper inheritance Shee was likewise cited to appeare before the Consistorie of Cardinalles within sixe moneths after for default whereof the Pope declared her hereticke her goods confiscate and abandoned as aforesaid The King formed an opposition against this papall thunder which as then was shewed but in Rome The King of Spaine hauing neither the desire nor the meanes to fall vppon that Princesse and the Councell of France esteemed it inconuenient to giue so manifest a shadowe vnto those that were of the religion The death of Charles de Cosse Marshal de Brissac that had done great seruice for the Realm of France in the warres of Piedemont made an ende of this yeare 1563. that dyed vpon the last of December Ann. 1564 In the beginning of this yeare it was permitted vnto the Clergie by an Edict to redeeme their landes that had bin alienated to the value of a hundreth thousand crownes yearely rent An Edict in fauour of the Clergie All this was but a point of cunning vsed to diue into the purses of those who during the warres and that France drowned in teares had sung and for the most part liued at their ease About the beginning of Februarie the Ambassadors of the Pope the Emperour the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy came to Fountainebleau desiring that the King would cause the Decrees of the Councell of Trent to bee wholely obserued within the Realme of France for the which cause The King solicited by the Spaniard to breake the Edict of pacification the Deputies were to be at Nancy vppon the the twentie fiue of March then next ensuing to reade the same in presence of the Ambassadors of all the Papisticall and Catholicque Romish Princes assembled togither there to make and frame a generall league against the Realmes principalities and estates that had withdrawne themselues from the obedience of the Pope They likewise desired the king wholly to cease the alienating of the goods of the Cleargie alleadging it to bee preiudiciall both against him and his Realme and contrarie to the word of God that the king of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy could not bee payed the monies due vnto them by reason of their mariages with the Cleargies mony desired that those of the religion might bee openly punished whom they disciphered according to their accustomed manner That the pardon and the edict of peace should bee made voyde that the king should doo iustice specially of those that were consenting vnto the death of the Duke of Guise And to effect these requests they added most faire and great offers thereby to cast the realme into the burning flame of a second ciuill warre Answere to the Ambassadors But the Queene and her Councell perceiuing it to bee a ticklish matter and distrusting in the promises of such men caused the young king to aunswere them that hee thanked their Maisters whom hee ment not to trouble hoping to maintaine his subiects in peace according to the institution of the Romish Church That hee had made the edict of pacification to put straunges out of his Realme that as then he could reenter into a new warre within his realme for certaine reasons which in writing he sent vnto them and that in those affaires hee would aske the Counsell and aduise of the Prince of his blood and the chiefe Lords of his Councell and of the Crowne The king of Spaine with that Ambassage deuising how hee might see his kinsmans house in new troubles tooke no order for his own in the lowe countries where as then warres beganne to bee hatched which not long after came foorth and as yet continue therein to his great shame and confusion In the beginning of March the Queene beganne the voyage of Bayonne to speake with the king of Spaine the pretence was that the king beeing Maior and about foureteene yeares of age Beginning of the voyage to Bayonne would ride about his Realme to visit his Prouinces and that his presence would bee a means to remedie many complaints and discontentments and withall strengthen and establish the edict of pacification But the effect that both approached and ensued did partly shewe the intents and secret practises of that woman and her Councell The king beganne that voyage in Champagne and Bourgongne from whence hee went to Lyons What a scita dell was built at Lyons and to the ende those of the religion should not haue the meanes to fortifie themselues therein as they had done at other times a scitadell was then begunne to bee erected and although at that time the plague raigned within the Towne yet the Queen and her Councell would not stirre from thence and kept the king there vntill that scitadell was almost finished But in the end the plague being entered into the Queens Chamber whereof one of her Gentlewomen fell sicke the king was ledde from thence While they built at Lyons to bridle those of the religion by that means to weaken their forces Defacing of Townes the Townes of Orleans and Montauban were vnwalled in other townes scitadels were made which by some were called Chastre-villaines by others the Nests of Tyrants Those of the religion indured all contenting themselues with simple declarations in paper and receiuing paper for payment For that about the beginning of this voyage the Romish Catholikes of Greuan in Bourgongne massacred diuers of the religion being assembled therein to exercise their religion Massacre of those of the religion complaints thereof beeing made vnto the Queene shee gaue faire words promising to send Commissioners to Creuan such as were honestly
and the resolution concluded at Bayonne grewe manifest both within and without the Realme The Prince neuerthelesse and the Admirall lay still and rested quiet being content plainly to looke vppon the accurrences and readie to advertise their friends of all that was practised least they should bee surprised From diuers parts they were aduertised of the Spaniards preparatiues who purposed a terrible destruction to the lowe Countries and withall they foresawe that his enterprise would breed new troubles in France wherby after so many stormes at Bayonne there must needs ensue some great rage and straunge euents The Prince of la Roch Suryon also a little before his decease had reuealed vnto them many particularities Let them complaine of any breach of couenants they should not want eyther sweet words or courteous letters to lull them on sleepe In the meane time in Faix and Bearne the troubles continued wherein the better sort were most vniustly dealt withall There began a disputation at Parris betweene two Ministers and two Sorbonists at the Duke of Neuers lodging which grewe into very large writings without any resolution as indeede such parlying do for the most part bring foorth small fruite The executrō of Simon May a thiese and notable slaunderer About the same time there was likewise a certaine offender named Simon May broken vppon a scaffolde this man was of meane birth and dwelt in a countrie house not farre from Chastillon vppon Loyn where vnder pretence of an Hostrie or Inne hee practised his robberies Him did Anmalle the late Duke of Guises brother hire to watch the Admirall as hee went on hunting and gaue him in hand a hundreth Crownes and a Spanish Genet The Admirall before vnderstanding his wicked course of life had sharply threatned him and now by witnesses finding him to bee a notable theefe he sent the informations to Parris wherevpon hee was soone apprehended and brought into the Conciergery where hee beganne to accuse the Admirall and some others that they should haue conspired togither and so promised him great reward to kill the Queene-mother but the Councellours that were deputed to perfect his processe presently smelling out the infection of this slaunder and perceiuing that in the boulting out of this matter which notwithstanding they ought to haue done they should haue found some of the house of Guise in more fault then the Chastillons letting fall this false accusation and hauing auerred May his robberies and thefts they committed him to the wheele During the kings voyage to Bayonne wherein hee was accompanied only with Princes and Lords of the Romish religion Anotable proces in Paris betweene the Iesuites and the Vniuersitie The beginning of the Iesuites there happened a notable processe within Parris touching the Iesuites whereof I will set downe certaine notes collected verbatim out of the fourth booke of the Epistles and pleas made by me Stephen Pasquier a Councellour that pleaded for the Vniuersitie against the saide Iesuites his words are these A Nauarrois named Ignace who had beene a souldier all the daies of his life time hauing been hurt in the Towne of Pampelune while hee laye to bee healed vsed to reade the liues of holy fathers by whose examples hee determined from that time forward to frame his life Wherevppon hee entered into conference with diuers men and among the rest with one named Maister Pasquier Brouet They sware and aduowed a societie and Ignace being beheaded they made certaine voyages to Parris Rome and Ierusalem and in the end went to Venice where they continued certaine yeares And perceiuing themselues to haue many followers Their profession went to Rome where they beganne to make open profession of their order among other articles chiefely promising two things the one that their principall intent was to preach the word of God vnto the Pagans to conuert them to the faith the other freely to teach all christians the studie of learning and to accommodate their name vnto their deuotionss they called themselues religious persons of the societie of Iesus presenting themselues vnto Pope Paul the third Their name of the house of Fernese about the yeare of our Lord 1540. at the same time that the Almaines began to arme themselues against the alteration of religion and because one of the principall disputations of the Almaines was touching the authoritie of the Pope whom Martin Luther sought to deface they with a contrary profession shewed that their first vow was to acknowledge the Pope to be aboue al earthly powers At what time they began and aboue the generall Councelles and the vniuersall Church The Pope who at the first made doubt to allow them and after had permitted them to name themselues religious but with charge that they should not exceed the number of sixtie persons began to hearken to this promise and to open the gate to their deuotion and after him Pope Iulius the third vntill Pope Paul the fourth named Theatin the first Promoter of that order authorised them fully and wholly with many and great priuiledges By whom they were receiued into France Now their affaires proceeding in this sort it chanced that the Bishop of Cleremont Bastard to the Chancellour du Prat began to beare them some affection and sought to plant that order in Parris whither hee brought Pasquier Brouet with three or foure others They at their comming lodged themselues quietly in a chamber in the Colledge of Lombards and after that established their habitation in the house of Cleremont in Harp-street by the permission of him that first brought them into France celebrating their Masses and prayers vppon the Sundaies and other Festiuall daies in a Chappell that standeth at the entrie into the Chartreux How they intruded themselues And perceiuing that their affaires beganne to take effect they presented themselues diuers times before the Court of Parliament that there order might be authorised by them But the Atturney generall named Brulart Their boldnesse opposed himselfe against their requests not that hee fauoured not the Catholicque religion but for that aboue all things hee doubted and feared such nouelties as mother of many errors specially in religion Wherevppon hee shewed them that if their hearts were wholly estraunged from worldly care they might without induring any new order Who withstood them content themselues with the auncient professions of Saint Benet Clugny Cisteaux Grandmont Premonstre and others approcued by diuers Councels or with the foure orders of begging Fryers The Court not content with those oppositions wold not seem to be opinious of themselues but for the same cause had recourse vnto the facultie of Diuines who by their decree censured against them partly because that some of their proposition derogated from the priuiledges of the French Churches partly because that terming themselues religious they weare not the habit neyther yet confined themselues like vnto others within Cloysters which censure put them by their whole intent Not long after the Bishop
of Cleremont died who by his will bequeathed them great gifts those legacies by them recouered happened the first troubles at the beginning whereof the conference of the French Church was holden in Possy From that time they began to breake their long silence and againe presented a request to the Court of Parltament to be receiued and approoued if not in sorme of religion yet as a simple Colledge Their aduancement The Parliament made account that this request touched the superiors of the Church wherevpnon they referred it to the assembly at Possy where the Cardinall of Turnon was President as the eldest Prelate who had founded a company of their name within the town of Turnon by his means they obtained licence to be receiued in forme of a societie a Colledge What they obtained at the first with charge to vse some other name and title then that of Iesuites and to conforme thēselues wholly to the canonicall order without enterprising any thing either spirituall or temporal against their Ordinaries and that likewise they shuld expresly renounce those priuiledges that had bin granted them by their buls otherwise for not performance therof or that thereafter they obtain any others this approbation should be voyde and of none effect This decree was set downe word for word in the registers of the Court Not long after they bought a house within Parris in S. Ieames street called the house of Langres which they diuided in two habitations the one for the religious the other for Schollers In this cōpany were diuers learned persons among the rest Fryer Edmond Anger Maldonnat the first a great Preacher the second one that had bin instructed in all kinds of learning and languages Their supports a great Diuine and Philosopher They being sent to anounce their doctrine were wel accepted and by that means drew great numbers of Schollers vnto them and perceiuing the wind to blow with them they presented a request to the Rector of Parris to be vnited and incorporated into the vniuersitie whervpon a Congregation was assembled at the Mathurins where it was concluded Who stroue against them that they should certifie before they passed forward whether they bare the name qualitie of regulers or seculers which reduced them to great perplexitie For that to denie themselues to be regulers was as much as to falcifie their vow and to affirme it Their deniall would be a contradiction to that which had bin inioyned them at Possy whervpon for that they tooke no precise quallitie vpon them the Vniuersitie denied them their request yet for all that they yeelded not but had recourse vnto the Parliament to the end that by force they might constraine the Vniuersitie to grant that which otherwise they would not once consent vnto And it was agreed that the parties shuld plead vpon the first day of the opening of the Court These are the words of M. Stephen Pasquier adding thervnto The vniuersitie vouchsafed me the honor The Vniuersitie pleaded against them to chuse me for their Aduocate The cause was pleaded two forenoones with such contentiō as the greatnesse of the cause required M. Peter Versoris pleading for the Iesuites and I for the Vniuersitie Lowing the plea made by M. Pasquier I will set downe some chiefe and notable poynts The Iesuites cause saith he is ful of dissimulatiō hypocrisie their sect is hereafter to be but a semenarie of partiallities between the christian the Iesuite the purpose and intent tendeth only to desolation and surprising of the estate both polliticque and Ecclesiasticall They bear the name of Iesus but with a false title I am of opinion that there is not any faithful christian or good and loyal Frenchman but that wil find the reasons and conclusions of the vniuersitie to be both iust and good which is Certain allegations to be noted in the declaration of the vniuersitie that not only this new world which by a title partiall arrogant and ambitious affirmeth it selfe onely to bee of the societie of Iesus ought not to bee adopted nor incorporated into the body of our Vniuersitie but that it ought wholly to bee bannished tooted out and exterminated out of France These new bretheren vnder a beautifull title exterior shew wold enter make a breach into our peace quiet estate Ignace a maimed souldier not for the zeale and deuotion that hee bare to any new austeritie of life but perceiuing himselfe to be impotent and vnable anylonger to beare armes entered into familiaritie with certaine persons and among others with one M. Pasquier Brouet borne in Dreux a man certain exterior quallities excepted that had no learning either in humane or diuine laws These two with some others for a time kept themselues in Venice a town by certain Italian authors well knowne and acknowledged to be the receptacle of diuers and peruerse things There for a time they vsed a certain hypocriticall austeritie of life perceiuing that their superstitiō begā to be followed they were so bold as to transport themselues to Rome wher they began to publish their sect And althogh the greatest part of them were neither seen in tongues nor diuinitie yet they began openly to promise two things The one to preach the gospel to the Infidels so to cōuert them to the faith the other to teach doctrine vnto al christians without any reward For that cause taking vpō them the name of religious people as if al those that cleaued not to their sect were separated from their societie Epithetes of the Iesuites In the same plea they are quallified with the titles of Subtile Authors of a superstitious sect vnhappy weed A sect condemned by the facultie of diuinitie as being replenished with all superstition and damnable ambition inuented and admitted for the desolation of all estates either seculer or reguler men in state to grow great by other mens falles aduanced by the ambitious vnwoorthie practises of the Cardinall of Turnon their supporter impudent irreguler disobedient hypocrites ignorant Teachers and wanderers deceiuers pardoners new men patched togither of many peeces full of ambitious superstitio Then doth he proceed to lay opē their stratagems whereby they haue deuised in short time to incroach infinite wealth yea euen whole kingdomes countries Their practises to grow great that their pretended societie consisteth of two manner of people whereof the first terme themselues to be of the greater obseruance the other of the lesse The first besides the three ordinarie vowes of the Monkes doo also make a fourth and that is that they doo acknowledge him to bee Soueraigne in earth ouer all thinges without exception or reseruation in whatsoeuer it shall please him to commaund The others of lesser obseruance are bound onely to two vowes the one respecting their fidelitie that they promise to the Pope the other their obedience to their superior These latter sorts do not vow pouertie but may lawfully
if his armie came thither while the Dukes Councell were consulting of the means to imploy his forces in other places those of the religion had time and leisure to ioyne themselues togither The Admirall brought the Princes of Nauarre and Conde from Saint Iohn to Tone Charante where hee met the Queene of Nauarre to incourage such as were in doubt and to take Councell what was to bee done Their horsemen were mustered whereof the Prince of Nauarre was appoynted Generall to whom all of them being the number of foure thousand Gentlemen made oathes of fidelitie The young Prince of Conde was ioyned with him d'Andelot went to the Garrisons to take a view of the footemen which done hee made a voyage into Poitou to assemble the dispearsed troupes to prouide for mony and to bridle the courses of the enemies but comming from thence The death of Monsieur d'Andelot beeing taken with a burning feuer hee went to Sainctes where hee died vppon the seuenteenth of May to the great greefe and sorrow of all his friends and seruants His bodie beeing opened was found to bee poysoned which not long after was practised against diuers Lords Gentlemen of the religion by the aduise of Rene de Birague an Italian as then Keeper of the seales and after Chancellor of France who vsed openly to say that it was not necessary to make warre with so much labour and charges but to imploy the Cookes meaning prisoners The estate of Colonell of the French Infanterie was giuen to Acier and his company to Beauuais la Nocle his Lieftenant but the charge of all the armie and the care of the principall affaires fell vppon the Admirall much respected by the Queene of Nauarre Princes Lords Gentlemen Captaines and to bee short of both great and small that as then made profession of the religion The siege of Mucidan where Pompadon the Countie Brissac are slaine As concerning the Dukes army it ouerranne Xaintoigne Angoulesme and Limosin taking in some places namely Aubeterre The Countie de Brissac Colonel of the French footemen in that armie and Captaine of a Regiment of fortie Ensignes with the most part of their forces tooke vpon him the siege of Mucidan They that were within after they had a while defended the Towne set it on fire and retired into the Castle which they held valiantly and abide some assaults slew the notable men of the regements of Brissac Monluc and Cars among the rest the Vicount of Pompadou lastly Brissac himselfe who comming neare to view the breach and defences had no sooner put foorth his nose but a Harquebuse pearced his head and layde him starke dead vpon the Counterstarp hee was betweene fiue and six and twentie yeares of age and was much bewayled of many that hoped to haue seene him in time one of the greatest leaders of our daies A while after the besieged yeelding vpon composition to haue both liues and goods saued were scarce out of sight of the walles but that contrarie to faith and promise the most part were cut in peeces by the besiegers vpon a desperate reuenge of the death of their two Coronels and their best souldiers that they had there lost The taking of the I le of Medoc On the other side Captaine Piles tooke the Isle of Medoc lying betweene Rochel and Bourdeaux where all the souldiers inriched themselues And the Duke abandoned Guyen and tooke his way towards Berry there to ioyne with the forces of the D. d'Aumale that togither they might stop the Dutch armie brought in by the Duke of Deaxponts from ioyning with the Princes The Lords of Nouy Ienly Moruilliers Fequieres Esternay and others soone after the beginning of this third ciuill warre A small French army commeth in fit time to the Rutters throgh Frāce maugre all the enemies armies had gathered togither some fifteene or six hundreth horse and two thousand Harquebusiers whom when in regard of the difficultie of the passages they could not bring into Guyen they led into Brabant to the prince of Orenge and Countie Lodowick his brother who after they had a while with variable successe continued warre against the Spaniards passed ouer the riuer of Meuse maugre the duke of Alue to whom they offered battell which the Spaniard refused as hoping to waste them with want of victuals which grew so short that they were driuen to passe into France where comming to Vitry they consulted vpon their affaires whether it were best to passe further into the Realm alreadie daunted with so many armies and to returne toward Germanie and so to ioyne with the armie that VVolfgang Counte Palatine of Rhyne D. of Deux Ponts leuyed for the Princes but the second aduise tooke place Now more narrowly to consider what a long walke this Dutch armie made from the Rhine euen vnto Limosin togither with their great and continuall impeachment it cannot but breed much maruell that a forraine armie watched so narrowly and hauing so many backe-friends could thus compasse their drifts True it is that ciuill warres haue at al times made a plaine path to forraine nations who otherwise durst scarce looke towards the Gates without the support of the one partie But where the fauour is but small on the one side and the resistance great on the other we are the more to admire the exployts of those that do so aduenture themselues It was a great comfort to the Germaine Duke to haue the assistance of the Prince of Orenge the Countie Lodowick and the Countie VVolrad of Mansfield The description of the Dutch army with the French afore mentioned His troupes contained fiue thousand Lansquenets and sixe thousand Rutters With this small armie hee marched publishing by writing the causes of his iourney to the Princes The kings Councell finding themselues to seeke did speedily conclude of a small armie vnder the leading of the Duke of Aumale to stop this succour yet doubting of the weakenesse of such a Leader vnskilfull and vnfortunate in matter of warre leuied yet an other vnder the conduct of the Duke of Nemours a man in manner like vnto the other These two bodies assembled in footemen farre surmounted the Dutch Dukes but in horsemen hee was the stronger They were resoluted not to linger vntill hee entered France and so make hauocke but marched euen to the borders of Germanie and neare to Saumur where they defeated the regiment of Captain la Coche of Dauphine composed of sundrie parcels patched togither which purposed to haue ioyned with the Lansquenets Notwithstanding this defeate the Germaine Duke proceeded into France through Bourgongne where the enemie coasted him vntill hee had gotten to the riuer of Lotre hauing marched full fourescore leagues they neuer left him but were still in his flancke or vppon the taile yea many times the armies were each in sight of other and had many great skirmishes The Prince of Orenge hath since sundrie times reported that he maruelled that in so long and
of all means to ayde themselues determined to sound them to see if they would enter into request and acceptation of peace hoping that hauing brought them to the poynt there could bee no condition how hard soeuer it were but they would gladly accept it so they might bee assured of their liues and the possession of their goods in their houses And according to this aduise in the moneth of Nouember 1569. a meeting was practised betweene the Marshall de Cosse and the Deputies of the Queene of Nauarre the Deputies hauing presented their articles although the matter ought rather to bee handled by conference then by writings which haue no replies the meanes therein vsed and the delaies practised for aunswering therevnto made the Princes know and perceiue that their enemiesment to helpe themselues by that deuice to hinder their affaires After the first audience giuen vnto their Deputies they were giuen to vnderstand that the king could not indure the exercise of their religion and that they ought to content theÌ„selues with the libertie of their consciences An other deuice was wrought which was that messengers were sent into England and Almaine to certifie them that the peace was made by that meanes to stay the ayde that they might procure from thence And on the other side Postes went in all haste to procure money and forraine souldiers They discouered diuers practises against them both within without the Realme the effect beeing that first they would disarme them and then vse them and all those of the religion as the iudgement giuen against the Admiral sufficiently shewed Notwithstanding they determined to send Messieurs de Beauuais la Nocle Theligny to Anger 's to enter into conference with the kings commissioners and on the other side to pursue their warlike affaires and so make peace with weapon in hand After the battel of Moncontour we see how the forces of the Protestants were scattered in diuers Prouinces Such as were dispearsed in Berry determined through intelligence with a certaine souldier that betrayed them The Progresse of the warlike exployts in Poictou against the Prostestants to surprize Bourges but missing of their purpose by a counter intelligence lost in that exployt some 30. men besides as many more taken prisoners hauing but homely entertainment with the cannon were forced to retire from the town wherto they had brought 1000. horse 2000. foot The Countie of Lude Puigaillard Sanzay Colonel of the Arrierebands of France after the recouerie of Poictou got possessions of Marans wherby the whole Prouince round about was won for the Princes except Angoulesme and Rochel where the Protestants were shut vp after that Sanzay had gotten the Castle of Beauâ—oir on the sea from yong Rohan Lusignon was lost through the cowardize of the Barron of Mirambean whom the souldiers made their scoffing stock witnesse the scoffe of the L. of Losses who comming to speake with the Queen of Nauarre at Rochel saide openly that Mirambeau came to composition not for want of victual or munition but be cause he could get no more mustard to eate with his poudered beese The Councel weening to terrifie the L. of Pardaillan Gouernour of Blay caused the King to write his letter vnto him importing both threats and promises to cause him to yeelde vp the place which gotten they hoped to haue Rochel cheape ynogh which he held for the Princes into the haÌ„ds of Lansac who in his letters threatened Pardaillon in case he denied to obey But Pardaillan answered the K. discreetly and Lansac as couragiously to whom hee wrote thus You can conceiue no greater greefe in enterprising to force mee in this place then I should by yeelding reape shame losse hinderance and confusion whereto I doubt not to put you or any other that shall put mee to it Neither am I or any vnder my charge so base minded to graunt you any greater aduantage then the like force as you pretend against vs. Lansac finding nothing to bee had there but stripes turned an other way and tried Romegou the Gouernour of Tayllebourg whose aunswere was not vnlike to Pardaillans Then because the Isles of Xaintongne Marennes and Brouage had much molested the armie that besieged Saint Iohn d'Angely by letting their Garrisons rode vp and downe and cut off their victuallers they now sent the Countie of Lude Puigaillard and Riuiere Puitaille with eight cornets of horse and twentie Ensignes of foote who tooke all by force and there slew the remainder of the Lansquenets that escaped at the battell of Moncontour so as there were left aliue not aboue three hundreth fighting men or thereabout Whilest the wars continued in those quarters in a rode they caught a souldier whom Riutere Puitaille sought to practise for the surprising of Rochel Sundrie warlike exployts on either part in Poictou Guyenne but the souldier laboured a double intelligence whereby Riuiere and others in hope to take had almost been taken but hauing warning thereof by the way they returned to their Garrisons On the other side la Noue the Princes Lieftenant in Guyen sought to recouer Brouage a place that greatly annoyed the Rochellers but as hee went about it hee discouered an other enterprise practised by the Barron de la Garde against Thonne Charente so as the purposes of the one countermaunded the other At that time which was the beginning of the yeare Rochel was as it were blocked vp on euery side For towards Poictou the Countie of Lude and Puigaillard had a great armie Riuiere Puitaille the elder held Marans and other places thereabout and the younger commaunded in Brouage Landereau the Viceadmirall a sworne enemie to the religion which before himselfe had professed lay in Olone then the Brittons and Bourdelois by sea did what they could to cut off all victuall from Rochel wherein also the Barron de la Gard then Generall of the galleyes did greatly annoy them running many times euen to their hauen He now to the end on all sides to blocke vp the towne with the helpe of the yonger Puitaille broached a practise against Thonne Charente to the effecting whereof he sent Captaine Beaulieus Lieftenant to make the first descent La Noue vnderstanding his deuice vndertooke to keepe the place and so ordered his Harquebusiers that had they forborne vntill the souldiers of this Galley had landed they had caught either dead or aliue not onely these but also their followers who came onâ— row into Charente and so purposing to land had cast away themselues in Sparte But they forgetting their Captaines direction so soone as Beaulieus Lieftenant was comming on shore receiued him with such a storme of shot that they slew him and l'Argoussin withall they proclaimed libertie to the Galley-slaues who therevppon let go their owers and so la Noue tooke the Galley and all that was in it The prisoners were carried to Rochel and the Galleye to Taillebourg wherewith as also with an other Romegouse did afterward make sundrie
time was Captaine Minguetiere sent away with a shippe well fraught and a Portingall an excellent Seaman Sundrie practises to discouer the landing places about Perou and to espie some meanes to molest the Spaniard But withall giuing notice of his voyage hee was followed and set vpon neare the Isle of Hispaniola where his men were slaine and himselfe put to the Gallies The Admirall himselfe was set on worke with the practising of a league with the Germaine Princes and the Duke of Florence was solicited to lend money to prosecute the warres in Flaunders for the which Saucourt Ienlis and la Noue leuied souldiers In the beginning of May the king desired the Queene of Nauarre to go to Parris there to prouide for all things necessarie for the marriage Where shee arriued the fifteenth day of the same moonth and the fourth of Iune fell sicke of a feuer proceeding as some sayde from her lights where of long time certaine impostumes had bredde which beeing mooued and stirred by great heates and by an extraordinarie trauell which shee alwaies tooke while shee was in health inflamed and bredde that feuer Death of the Queene of Nauarre whereof she died within fiue daies after to the great sorrow and extreame griefe of all her seruants Three daies after she fell sicke beeing in perfect memorie shee made a most christian testament and last will dying with the witnesse and testimonie of singular pietie and ioy in God She was a Princesse of great experience both by many aduersities wherein she shewed an inuincible constancie and heroicall greatnesse of courage most affectionate to her religion very careful of the bringing vp of her children in the feare of God charitable towards them whom shee often aduertised of their duties in words most graue and full of motherly affection she had a readie wit and well aduised but indowed with great zeale and integritie pittifull and easie to bee perswaded no offender could auoyde her censure shee opposed her selfe against vices and liberally maintained that which shee iudged to bee good and conformable to the will and pleasure of God Prosperitie hindered her her mind much giuen to pleasant conceits being of a leane complexion and very agreeable with her ingeniositie hauing great viuacite to comprehend all things and grace liuely to represent them by writing or word of mouth with a iesture of all the bodie and a countenance well liked of all men shee died in the foure and fortieth yeare of her age vppon the ninth of Iune Some say shee was poysoned by the smell of certaine perfumes and to bereaue men of that opinion shee was opened and curiously visited by learned Doctors and Surgions that found all her noblests parts to bee very faire and whole onely the lights perished on the right side wherein had ingendered an extraordinary hardnesse and a great impostume a disease which they all so farre as lay in man iudged to bee the cause of her death They were not commaunded to open her braine where the mischiefe lay by which means they could not giue aduise but vppon the outward apparance Certaine daies after the king desired his brother in law the king of Nauarre to go to Parris there to solemnize his marriage as it had beene agreed betweene them While that at Blandie in Brie preparation was made for the marriage of the Prince of Conde that married his wife in the beginning of the moneth of August The Admirall at that time lay in his house of Chastillon sur Loing where hee receiued many letters and messages from the king The Admirall commeth to Parris and because he stirred not the king sent Cauagnes and Briquemaud to fetch him to determine vppon the wars of Flaunders and special commandement was giuen to the Prouost of Merchants in Parris other the chief mē to take order that not any noise nor rumor should be vsed or raised at the Admirals ariuall in the town who beeing prouoked by so many men and desirous to bannish warres out of France measuring the kings thoughts by his owne resolued to ride to Parris without staying at the many and diuers aduertisments of his seruants and other honourable persons most affected to his preseruation that both within and without the Realme desired him that seeing he could not conceiue any sinister opinion of the king Confidence of the Admirall his mother and the rest that at the least he would consider into what place he went about to thrust himselfe and among so many enemies but hee resting vppon the testimonie of a good conscience and the prouidence of God remitting those aduises as if they proceeded from men couetous and desirous of new troubles which hee abhorred woorse then death went with a small company and beeing in Parris to the great astonishing of all the towne was honourably receiued by the king his bretheren the Queene-mother and others A little before la Noue Saucourt and Ienlis accompanying Countie Lodowic into Flaunders had from the king receiued commission to finde means to surprise some frontier towne on the other side the Duke of Alue had intelligence of euery steppe that Countie Lodowic set which notwithstanding such was his diligence that hee seized vpon Monts in Hainaut Wherewith the Duke was so nettled that hee said that the Queene-mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but hee would returne her Spanish Thistles with many other threats which vppon particular aduice of the course of their affaires namely of Ienlis returne of his licence to leuie men for the succour of Monts of the time of their departure and of the course of their iourney were soone quenched The seuenth of Iuly the King published a proclamation tending to the impeachment of all quarrels as well in Parris as in his Court and commanded all straungers and men that had nothing to do within the Towne The Princes come to Parris to depart from thence After the arriuall of the Admirall at Parris so many letters and messengers were sent vnto the Princes that in fine they came thither almost at the same time that the king arriued who had before lingered thereabout Many Lords and Gentlemen of the religion accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whom in manner all the Court went to meete Further vnder pretence of the warres in Flaunders the king at the same time sent for other Lords and Gentlemen of the religion who otherwise would haue stayed in their houses Ienlis marched not into Flaunders notwithstanding hee were solicited thereto besides the solemnization of this marriage royall was for a time deferred by reason of the scruples doubts made by the Cardinall of Bourbon to celebrate the same without a dispence from the Hope that would bee prayed and intreated therevnto and in the end graunt a dispence but because it was not ample ynough to the Cardinalles minde counselled by men subtiller then himselfe they were forced to send to Rome againe Great was the expectation of
Ienlis aduentures who had gathered foure thousand footemen and fiue hundreth horse Ienlis and his troupes defeated for the succor of Countie Lodowicke and la Noue whom the Duke of Alue had besieged in Monts In the meane time commeth the new dispensation toward the ende of Iuly wherewith the Cardinal seemeth satisfied and the eighteenth day of August is nominated for the marriage In the meane time commeth the news of Ienlis surprise and aduenture whereat the king seemeth to bee much agreeued who writeth to his Ambassadour in the lowe Countries to procure by all possible meanes the deliuerie of the prisoners taken in that surprise as also he suffereth the Admirall to send all the succour hee may to ioyne with the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had buried at the same time causing him to haue mony deliuered for the footemens paye who were thought to amount to foure Regiments besides some thirtie companies of men at armes The Ambassadour of Spaine seemed to be malecontent because the king went about to make war in Flaunders and for the same cause withdrew himselfe out of France the Queene-mother also played many parts in this tragedie faining not to haue knowne the kings proceedings and knowing them made as though she would haue left the Court in such manner that the Admiral Teligny his sonne in law and other Lords confirmed themselues more and more that the kings actions were correspondant to the Admirals aduice which was to make warre in the king of Spaines countries that had kindled it and pretended to make warre in France thereby in time to cease vppon it Rochel inuested prouideth for it selfe The last of Iuly the Rochelers wrote vnto the Admirall that the armie at sea approached neare them and that it spoyled the plaine Countri-men comming euery day from Xantongue and Gascon vsing terrible threatnings against their towne openly speaking of the spoyle thereof sending to aske his counsell therein specially touching the receiuing of eight hundreth men for Garrison which they sought to put into the Towne Hee made them an honourable aunswere dated the seuenth of August assuring them of the care hee had ouer them and added that hee sawe the king so well disposed to the entertainment of peace that all men had cause to commend him The Rochelers notwithstanding neglected not to looke vnto themselues and to fortifie their Towne In other Townes their ranne diuers mutterings and many were the threats of the Romish Catholicques against the Protestants which daunted some of them Others relied vppon the Admiralles presence in the Court and trusted to his answere deliuered as well by word of mouth as by writing vnto those that asked his aduice vppon all accurrences whose speeches were in effect as followeth That as concerning the Guisians whom they so vrged the King had taken order by setting them at vnitie and causing both parties to swear friendship that the marriage of the Ladie Margaret whom the King gaue saith hee not to the King of Nauarre onely but as it were to the whole Church of the Protestants to ioyne with them in an indissoluble vnion was the type of their peace and safetie Heerevpon hee often besought such as sent him any packets gaue him any aduice of the hatred of the King the Queene-mother the Duke of Anion or the house of Cuise against either himselfe or the Protestants no more to trouble him with any the passed calamities but rather to be content with their daily prayers to God to whom they were to giue thankes that hee had vouchsafed to bring all matters to so quiet an end In brief the Admiral euer like himselfe stood fast in all these motions not that hee knew not of the malice of infinite his aduersaries that inuironed him neither that beeing at Parris hee laye in the very goulf and deepest pit of death but because through constancie and long continuance he had framed himselfe to rely vpon Gods prouidence as also for the hauing secretly layed open vnto the King the very springs of the ciuill warres in France and most liuely painted foorth the practises of his secret enemies and treacherous seruants that aymed at the soueraigntie since it hath manifestly appeared hee supposed that he had left him in a faire path to preuent them For sure it is that the King albeit as then but yong had a very good wit and could reasonable wel perceiue the course of his affaires so that had not such bloodie and furious Councelles preuented and crossed his capacitie France had not incurred those calamities that since haue almost subuerted the whole estate thereof For in the end he found albeit ouer-late for his person and crown that they that termed themselues his seruants ment nothing lesse but were his most cruell enemies and such as had exiled and murthered his best subiects to the end afterward with more facilitie to ridde their hands of himselfe and so to seize vppon the Realme There happened yet an other matter as the waies of God are maruellous and vncomprehensible that more and more stopped the eares of the Admirall Negotiation of Polonia not to way so many aduertisements as daily were giuen him to depart out of Parris to take with him out of Parris such Lords Gentlemen and Captaines as the Queene-mother the Duke of Anion the Guisians and the Parrisians most vehemently hated For certaine weekes before it had been determined in the Councell to send Ambassadours into Polonia king Sigismond beeing dead to desire the Estates to chuse for their king the Duke of Anion whom the Admirall accounted an irreconcileable enemie to the Protestants The Admirall therefore perceiuing that the king was earnest to further that matter of Polonia for his brother that had great credite throughout the Realme of France iudged that the king had a good insight and desired to reduce all things to a sure and firme peace that the Duke of Anion confined in Poland his adherents would be constrained to become milder that the house of Guise destitute of such a staye and doubting the king that many times looked with a fierce countenance would bee carefull not to bee too busie that in time and not long the Queene-mother would bee constrained to leaue the conductions of the affaires of the Realme vnto her sonne wherevnto hee beganne to frame himselfe and perceiuing that the King and the Queene appoynted Iohn de Monluc Bishoppe of Valence a man of great iudgement and one that had effected many serious enterprises and at other times had trauelled into Polonia for the same purpose which voyage hee beganne the seuenteenth of August it put him in better hope Monluc to the contrarie perceiuing the tempest at hand desired nothing more then to get him out of France that hee might not bee a witnesse nor forced Councellour to the mischiefes which hee perceiued readie to fall vppon those of the religion A little before hee had wished the Countie of Rochefoucaut other Lords neuer to meddle in
was done onely to preuent the execution of a cursed conspiracie practised by the Admirall and his confederates against him his mother and bretheren and therefore commaunded that his Edict of pacification should bee most firmly obserued But if it should fall out that any Huguenors incensed with the newes of Parris should gather in armes in any place whatsoeuer hee commaunded his said Gouernours to assist the scattering and dispearsing of them Also to the end the studious of nouelties should not commit any sinister practise his meaning was to haue the gates of all his Towns wel diligently kept referring therest of his minde to the credite of the bearers According to the purport heereof at Meaux in Brie Trois in Champagne Orleans Bourges la Charite Lyons Thoulouse and Bourdeaux those of the religion were handled as they were in Parris not speaking of those that were sacked in other Townes and Villages of the Realme as also in the fields when they thought to saue themselues by going out of the Realme so that in fewe weeks aboue thirtie thousand persons were massacred in France because of the religion The king aduoweth the massacre to be done by his commandement but specifieth no cause why the next day writeth contrarie letters Vpon Tuesday the six and twentieth day of August the king accompanied with his bretheren and the chiefest of his Court went to his Court of Parliament where sitting vpon his bed of iustice all the chambers assembled hee declared in expresse termes that whatsoeuer had happened in Parris had been done not onely by his consent but also by his commandement and of his owne motion and therefore that his meaning was that all should bee attributed to himselfe All which his speech was approoued and allowed by Christopher de Thou chiefe President in the name of the whole companie The next day letters were sent to the Sheriffes and other the kings officers in the Townes giuing them to vnderstand that to his great greefe his Cousin the Admirall and others his partakers besides sundrie particular parties in sundrie parts of Parris had beene slaine whereof hee thought good to giue them notice to the end they might represse all commotion and murther which might breed his incredible greefe and sorrow enioyning them in his name to make proclamation commanding euery man to remaine at home not to take armes nor any to offend other vnder paine of death also to take order that his Edict of peace were well and diligently obserued Thursday the twentieth in Parris was celebrated an extraordinary Iubile with generall procession wherein the king was assistant and whereto hee had but in vaine solicited the king of Nauarre with sweet words and flattering speeches and the Prince of Conde with threats The kings new declaration The same day hee made an other declaration importing that by his own expresse commandement the Admirall with his adherents and confederates had beene slaine not vpon any cause of religion or breach of his Edicts of pacification which hee alwaies had and still ment to haue obserued kept and continued but thereby to preuent the execution of a damnable conspiracie contriued by the Admirall the chiefe deuiser thereof and his adherents and confederates against the said king his estate the Queene his mother his bretheren the king of Nauarre and other Lords and Princes his attendants Withall that hee tooke into his protection all other the protestants but forbad them all assemblies or preachings vpon whatsoeuer occasions To this declaration were there soone after added sundrie restrictions qualifications and amplifications Such of the protestants as in sundrie places relyed vpon them had but bad successe The wiser sort ffed out of the realm which notwithstanding their goods were seized their mooueables partly solde to the most giuer and partly stolen and their immooueables put to the crie There was a long Commentarie made and added to the same declaration by one Gui de Fuur Lord of Pibrac as it was auouched before that of religion who durst affirme that witnesses had been examined before the kings Councell Commentaries vpon this matter that affirmed a conspiracie made by the Admirall not naming who neither yet specifying any circumstance of apparance of trueth for the which cause certaine sharpe aunsweres were made therevnto wherein all the cauillations of the said Commentarie were amply and particularly resuted Within Parris it selfe all men that had any wit or vnderstanding in their common and ordinarie talke touching this horrible cruell iniustice said that there was neither shaddowe nor any apparance of trueth in this accusation and to thinke to make men of any iudgement to beleeue that the Admirall had wrought any thing against the king and his adherents being within Parris Defence made in the Admirals behalfe were vaine it beeing a thing which all men knowes that in the Court there is an ordinarie guard of Gascons Switzers and Scots both for day and night besides the other companies specially then when the most part of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France were there to honour the marriage that in lesse then three houres within Parris they may assemble and gather at the least sixtie thousand men well armed who at the first word had deuoured the Admirall and all his friends and if they had been sixe times as many more that the Lords and Gentlemen that had accompanied the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde bringing thither their wiues seruaunts and kinsmen brought but their swords and thought but to run at the ring and to shew their braue apparrell That the declaration did neither specifie the time place adherents nor meanes of this coniuration Before the Admirall was hurt as he receiued all fauour of the king so he held and accounted him for one of his most faithfull seruants whereof the Admirall made proofes with all sinceritie Being come to Parris vppon the word and iterated commandements of the king where no man liuing euer vnderstood other thing from his mouth what aduise soeuer was giuen him to issue out of Parris because he was hated euill willed and inuironed with enemies but onely that hee trusted in the faith and promise of his Prince that heedemaunded nothing but peace wherevnto he perceiued the king to bee inclined and to lay the war vpon the shoulders of the hereditarie enemie of France which is the Spaniard if this conspiracie had been made after hee was hurt how durst a mā being cruelly wounded with two dangerous wounds about Fryday at tenne of the clocke and flaine vppon Sunday at two of the clocke in the morning of great yeares troubled in both his armes whereof one the Surgeans were in counsell to cut off accompanied with three hundreth Gentlemen vnarmed all naturall Frenchmen most affected seruants to the King hauing neither goods parentage alliance pleasure nor contentment with their families but in France bee so bolde or could set vppon sixtie thousand men prepared to fight Nay were it onely
seruants In the Court there were some that reioyced at the dishonour hee had receiued before it others took his departure vnpatiently specially the Queen-mother and her most secret Councellours those of Guise and the spiritualtie All of them feared the king that began to change both countenance and speech specially hauing fully vnderstood the trueth of the resolution and meanes of those of the religion in Languedoc and the countries thereabout The spiritualtie had made a present of three hundreth thousand crownes to the king of Polonia for the good seruices hee had done for them against those of the religion and would haue done twise as much more if hee had ouercome the Rochelers The Bishop of Valence Lansac being in Polonia to obtaine that which they pretended graunted diuers articles touching those of the religion in France vnto the Nobilitie of that countrie wherevppon the Ambassadours made instant meanes and requests vnto the king touching the same which in effect were almost agreeable to the conclusion of those of Languedoc they spake likewise for diuers particulars many subtilties were vsed to diuert the Ambassadours from that pursuite busying them with bankets and shewes of no small charge and expenses Their new king was not greatly desirous to make that long perigrination and would gladly haue staed till the next Sommer and some of his most trustie friends assayed to cause some hard answere to bee giuen vnto the Ambassadors to the end that either they should returne discontented or that the time might by that means passe away But the kings seruants caused him to make faire promises to those Ambassadors that were remitted vnto the Towne of Metz there to vnderstand what or how much should bee done for them Among these serious matters the King could not content himselfe but twise or thrise cast out certaine threatning words against those that had abused him making him beleeue that after the foure and twentieth day of August hee should bee absolute king But to the contrarie hee perceiued his subiects openly to reproch him with the vnrecouerable wrongs that he had don both to himself thē To accuse him that in stead of being father of his people he had bin both the butcher the executioner or at the least had resumed the title by the induction of the principal authors of such confusions but his complaints and threatnings were but of hard disgestion for himselfe and in those troubles hee found not one faithfull seruant that taught him to bee patient and to content himselfe in time to find the meanes to execute iustice vpon such as had committed so many iniustices and furious executions vnder the title and pretence of his name The kings sicknesse whereby a strong feuer seized vpon him in Champagne in such manner that it was thought hee would haue died beeing at Vitry whither hee trauelled to bring his brother on his way to Polonia that could not dissemble the greefe hee had to depart out of France to go among such people as would preuent him from making any massacres and by the long delaies of his affaires made men to iudge that more then two expected the issue of the kings sicknesse whose seruants as then spake much against the Queen-mother that new king as also of their practises for the which some absented themselues from the Court and went into Brittaine But the kings sicknesse hauing taken other effect then was expected hauing by liuely force of his ardent youth repulsed and driuen out the disease at his head necke and face the report went that it was the small Poxe whereat most of the Courtiers smiled not daring to speake one word but shrinking in their shoulders And being somewhat amended and recouered of his strength he ceased not to procure and hasten his brothers departure that issued out of France about the end of October leauing all the charge vnto his mother who openly shewed to beare him greater affection then to her other two sonnes The King beeing doubted of by her because of his threatnings and alterations and the Duke of Alencon loued not the house of Guise The estate of France after the departure of the king of Polonia Presently after the departure of the king of Polonia new practises were inuented whereof I will make a briefe discourse because those of Languedoc daily strengthed themselues more and more to appease them an assembly of the estates generall was appoynted to be holden at Champagne and truce was made for two monethes with those of Languedoc with permission to assemble themselues to consider what could bee necessarie to bee propounded and agreed vppon in the estates for the good and profite of the Common-wealth and Realme of France Meane time an enterprise is practised to surprise Rochel and men were sent through all the Prouinces of the Realme secretly to discouer what friends and enemies they had to cal the particular estates to frame the bookes and to put their enterprise in practise with as litle rumour as possible might bee On the other side the Queene-mother fained to bee verie carefull touching the election of the Lieftenant generall of the Realme And beeing at Soissons desired the king not to graunt that charge to the Duke of Alencon his brother alleaging that that young Prince that would not approoue the massacres being followed by diuers discontented persons might mooue some troublesome matters if he once perceiued the forces of the Realme to bee at his commandement Therevppon newes came that the Deputies of diuers Prouinces came from many places to assemble the estates with notes and commissions to speake boldly namely against the Authors and Councellours of the massacres For which cause the estates beeing assigned to bee at Champagne was reiourned and yet diuers Deputies beeing come to Parris asked and obtained audience wherein after many and diuers earnest complaints and declarations made touching the publicque confusions of the Realme of France and particularly in the Prouinces they besought the king that in consideration of the mischiefes supported by his subiects for the space of many yeares by the euill gouernment of his principall Councellours it would please him to giue some comfort to his subiects and in the meane time to call an assembly of al the estates of his realm to foresee and prouide for those disorders otherwise it was to be feared the people would rise and breed some mutinie The Queene-mother and her adherents hardly pushed at by such complaints where with the king seemed to bee mooued sought by faire speeches to appease the Deputies and presently after changed countenance vsing threatnings in such sort that the Deputies returned without any reliefe but onely that the king would shortly take some order for them wherewith they were exhorted to maintaine the prouinces in peace permitting those of Languedoc whom they doubted to make new assemblies thereby to frame large articles which not long after they did in the assembly holden at Milliand in Rouergne where they forgot
certain charme vsed against the life of the king Althogh la Mole sustained the cōtrarie vntil the last point of his death affirmed it to be made only to continue him in the loue of that Gentlewoman whom he ment to marrie The king vsed all the meanes hee could to surmount and ouercome his sicknesse and as his yeares gaue him assayed diuers times to shewe his courage but all in vaine After the departure of the king of Polonia they perceiued him to bee more changed in minde then in bodie If he had liued longer it is without all doubt that the Councellours of the massacre had receiued their reward from him his heart was so much mooued against them so that he could not chuse but vtter his mind therin to some about him in the Court whom hee knew to bee vtter enemies to such iniustice and thereof wrote letters out of the Realme So that to conclude hee was determined to haue made some stirring among them vntill that finding himselfe to bee seized vppon and that hee had not the meanes as then to execute any thing beeing inuironed by men that helde him as it were bound both hand and foote his seruants slaine disgraced or banished from him wherein in time he thought to take order that might procure an ouerture to his haughtie desires not once thinking vntill hee was so weake that hee had beene so neare his death His letters to the Gouernors of Prouinces In the end of March hee wrote vnto the Gouernours of the Prouinces saying that seeing the discontentment of his subiects and the common cause of the religion produced so many troubles within his Realme hee desired them to vse peaceable meanes with those of the religion declaring that hee would not that any wrong should be done vnto them nor other dealing vsed towards them in their affaires then the other Catholicque subiects of his Realme hee commaunded that those of the religion should bee safegarded by those of the Romish Church to assure defend them from the violence that was to be done against them where any such should bee enterprised hee commaunded all his Officers to vse the speediest and readiest iustice that might bee willing them to looke vnto it calling God to witnesse that his onely intent was to see all his subiects liue in peace Hee likewise desired the same Gouernours to prouide that their companies should not in any sort bee chargeable to their subiects but should paye according to the order therein taken by the same letter also shewing that hee had been sicke of a quarterne ague hee was as then somewhat recouered so that the reports spred abroad of his death were wholy vntrueths The fourth of May hee aduertised the said Gouernors of the imprisonment of the two Marshals that were accused of conspiracie against his person and the estate inioyning them to ouerrunne all those that were vppe in armes to put them to the sword but the poore Prince as then was neither respected of friends nor enemies Euery day he receiued packets of new commotions that bredde nothing but discommodities wherein a firme peace and faithfull maintenance of those of the religion in the exercise thereof and in that which they had desired for the conseruations of their persons goods dignities rights and priuiledges had beene the onely remedie which his mother and her Councellours abhorred Hee perceiued the beginnings of new troubles in the captiuitie of his brother and his brother in law and the two Marshals as also in the exile of the Prince of Conde and of diuers great Lords his subiects armed one against the other and to bee short the fire of diuision kindled more then euer it was Wherevpon ouercome with the euill that raigned in his bodie and with so many horrible tempests in his brains he was forced to keepe his bed and yeelde to his disease For the space of certaine daies hee stroue and struggeled against nature not yeelding therevnto by extreame force The nine and twentieth of May letters were written in his name to the Gouernours of Prouinces to whom hee sent word that during his sicknesse if he chanced to die vntil the comming of the king of Polonia his brother successor they should obey the Queene his mother Letters in fauour of his mother whatsoeuer shee would commaund shewing that his bretheren the Duke of Alencon and the king of Nauarre had promised him to do the like in her behalfe in the two last weekes of his sicknesse hee lost much of his blood that issued out of many places of his bodie and once rowlde himselfe therein falling downe by weaknesse many times naming diuers Lords whom he particular hated and that till then had kept themselues out of his hands The thirtieth of May which was the day of his death the Queene-mother perceiuing that the simple letters made the day before The day of his death what passed as then specially touching the regency touching the charge to her committed sufficed not to strengthen her authoritie during the absence of the king of Polonia whom shee feared could not so soone returne againe into France determined for his sure establishment to cause her selfe to bee declared Regent in the absence of the king to come and to cause letters pattents thereof to bee sealed by the Chancellour Birague who with the seales was wholly at her commaundement which was as much as to ouerthrow subuert the fundamentall lawes of the Realme to abolish the right of the first Prince of the blood to lessen the authoritie of the estates generall to rule the Parliaments and to raigne in straunge manner ouer France Neuerthelesse the better to binde the hands of the two first Princes of the blood and the two Marshals whom shee held prisoners to beate her enemies to extirminate the Countie de Montgommerie kept prisoner against faith and promise made to sowe new diuisions in the estate and so to maintaine her selfe in those confusions without foreseeing the great disorders whereof shee should bee cause by that meanes giuing libertie to those that in the ende would bee her ouerthrowe as heereafter you shall heare her ambition blinded her eyes shee entered into the kings chamber with Birague by whom shee caused to bee shewed vnto him that seeing his sickenesse hindered him from dealing in the affaires that required his presence it should be good to giue the regencie of the Realme vnto the Queen his mother and commaunded that letters pattents to the same end should be giuen vnto her The king that was at his last houre by their aduise caused the Secretaries and Captaines of his guards to bee called in to whom hee saide Doo all that which the Queene my mother shall commaund you and obey her as my selfe The Duke of Alencon and the King of Nauarre were likewise called that they might knowe that the Regencie was committed to the Queene-mother and were expresly named in the letters that were presently dispatched for the same purpose
by the marriages of daughters capable by succession to the kingdome of Nauarre And for such hee was esteemed and accounted vntil the death of the Duke of Alencon the kings brother VVhen presently the good olde Cardinall of Bourbon was titled in the head and made beleeue that in the age of sixtie yeares hee should liue and succeede a king who beside his yong yeares and strength of bodie liued not in any such disordered maner whereby hee should once haue occasion to thinke vpon his successor for it was shewed him that hee was the first Prince of the blood and that the right of inheritance and succession consisted in his person But when this deuise was found too weake and the absurditie too much discouered thereby seeking to impugne or deny the king of Nauarre to be the chief and eldest branch of his house in the right and title of his father who in a manner liued in him besides the reuocation by his vncle made vnto him of all rights names voyces and actions whatsoeuer both present and to come that might appertaine or belong vnto him as beeing issued from the house of Bourbon expresly acknowledging the said king of Nauarre his Nephew for the true sonne heire successor and representation of the chiefe branch of the said house they inuented other obiections and subtile pollicies that vnder those pretences they might bleare the eyes of the common and simple people affirming the Crowne of France to bee vacant and so belonged to the first Conqueror aâ—leaging for reason that as in the populer successions of common people such as are of the kindred and familie of any houses beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie cannot bee heires of their kinsmans lands so farre in discent from them and therby the inheritance falleth into the Lords hands and that so the house of Bourbon had no title or any right to the Crowne of France as beeing in the tenth degree of consanguinitie from it wherof they caused diuers discourses and whole volumes to bee written But that not beeing able to bee beaten into the heads of true Frenchmen nor once set footing or enter into the opinions of the commun people altogither incapable of such Sophisteries they beganne to enter into an other course of iniuries accusations and inuections wherein they contented not themselues onely to crie out and make war against the said king and to produce and cause to bee published a perpetuall incapacitie in his person and that without the Popes consent but they accused him of treason they condemned him they named him vnwoorthie and incapable to rule in France they assembled all the estates of France at Blois wherein a manner they vtterly reiected him euery man shewed to bee his enemie if not in his right and title yet touching the religion which hee then held and finally went about to frame his proces But to the contrarie those that pursued him were themselues executed before they heard their condemnation or iudgement In this maner the fire beganne to bee kindled in all the foure quarters of the realme and the blow was of such force that all neighbour Princes were mooued there at such as were offended arming themselues to bee reuenged and the people in a manner led by a furie helping them and with them turned their faces against the king whereof the Towne of Parris was the first and by example therof all the Towns in lesse then 6. weeks made that great strange coÌ„motion that continued for the space of fiue whole yeares ensuing Shee mooued them to this dissention by the smooth and speciall reasons by her alleaged against heresie periurie and tiranny coniuring them by dutie to their countrie and by the loue they ought to beare to the preseruation thereof to ioyne with her in so iust a cause and to passe one of these two waies hauing no other meanes either to bee vanquishers or die in the quarrell rather then to submit themselues to the king And among the rest the Cittie of Lyons neuer inferiour to any Cittie in the world touching fidelitie and obedience to their kings that had no other obiect then onely zeale of religion in the defence whereof it espied many euident and mortall signes suffered it selfe to bee borne away among this troupe not once considering or apprehending the multitude of miseries by her after that indured And in this manner the warres beganne with so straunge an alteration and motion of all estates yea euen of the very pillers of the land and the reuolt was such that in fine the royaltie of the king was reduced to a small corner of the countrie about Tours and Blois where without doubt the league had buried it if suddainly the king of Nauarre had not ayded him who therevpon tooke courage againe hauing on his side the Hercules of France scourge of rebels to their Prince but when this disordered and great mutinie beganne somewhat to decline and that the presence and authoritie of the Soueraigne Prince held the most assured within the bounds of their duties and that Parris perceiued it self in way and course of extreame desolation suddainly the king was slaine And then O the great and deepe iudgements of God hee that about three moneths before had passed ther riuer of Loire onely with foure hundreth horse a thousand shot and certaine pikes was presently made chiefe soueraigne and commaunder of a most faire and great armie to whom the Magistrates and Officers of the Crowne and all the Nobilitie yeelded their obedience thereby seeking to impeach the desolation and ouerthrow of the whole estate and to preferre the dutie of naturall fidelitie before the vaine hope of straungers and the last hazard of the rest and suretie of their liues and goods And so behold him king that not seuen moneths before had been depriued of the title of the first Prince of the blood and of the hope of the name Sacrying and Crowne of the Princes his auncestors that had so many times beene driuen from the Court that in foure yeares had seene tenne armies and tenne Generals to a king marching before the heads of the forces of the greatest Prince of the most warrelike nation in all the world against him that after the ouerthrow of a great forraine power had withdrawne himselfe into a corner of the Realme without land men or mony and a Prince altogither poore vnlesse it were in hope He that had been declared vnable for the Crowne that had beene made one of the Cardinall of Bourbons retinue that was no more acknowledged to be of the race or progenie of S. Lewis as beeing ten degrees in consanguinitie from it he that the countrie of Spaine esteemed the subiect of all our miseries who in the life of â—ur kings was the only argument of all the tragedies that had been acted in the countrie of France he that thought not to haue succeded a king being in the flower of his liuely and gallant youth that had bin an occasion to
resolution to abiure his former impostures He did it not at randon neither as constrained by necessitie by feare of forraine vsurpation for the onely inioying of a temporall peace or Crowne of Charles but of a holy and most diuine inspiration which entered into his soule from the day and time that the death of the K. left the Scepter of France and yeelded it vnto him from that time he made knowne to our holy father Pope Sixtus the fift by M. de Luxenbourg to Pope Gregorie the 13. by the Marquesse of Pisani and since that to him who at this day sitteth in S. Peters Chaire called Clement the eight by the Cardinall de Gondy that as he was lawful successor to the Crowne he desired also that the succession of the Catholicke Apostolicke and Romane religion be obserued in his realme submitting himself to his authoritie and instruction touching the saluation of his soule And perseuering in his so holy resolution he banished from the Court those that had made him beleeue that the world had continued in darknesse from the death of the Apostle S. Paul to the time of Caluin and that the splendant sunne of the truth had been eclipsed touching the preaching of the Gospell and shut vp within the territories of Bohemia and Saxony vntil the seditious preachings of Iohn Hus and Martin Luther caused it to shine with greater clearenesse being instructed in the truth of our religion by the most learned Prelates in all the realme of France he presented himself in the temple of the chiefe Apostle of France euen in the middle of the shadows of his predecessors ther vpō their Tombs detested his heresies the only causes of his troubles originall of our mischiefes There is no reason what soeuer to be obiected that can deny this action to be most holie most admirable and most miraculous whether you consider the happie disposition and aboundance of the yeare the victorie against the Turkes or the suddain conuersion of our rebels For first you haue seen how God guided this Prince through the middle of so many laborinths dangers of fire and flame to the throne of royall Maiestie how this Ioseph persecuted by his own kindred and familie triumpheth in Aegipt and how this Moyses exposed and abandoned to the mercie of ciuill tempestes becommeth not onely Coronel of an armie of 600000. men but king of a great Realme and of so many millions of people And the king to giue a taste and feeling vnto his subiects of the contentment quietnesse that his soule inioyed by his new cōuersion therof to giue euident testimonie to all the world graunteth a truce euen at the verie instant when his enemies were readie to yeeld and sendeth the Duke de Neuers to his holinesse submitting himself to his commandements and offering his conscience the subiect of a goodly conquest giueth him to vnderstand thot hee desireth but one religion in his Realme that he knoweth well that the Church is one that faith is not diuided and that as the bodie can indure but one head the heauens but one sun and religion but one God so the Realme of France ought to haue but one Church which cannot bee one where God is diuersly serued So if our miseries are not incensible vnto him if it pleaseth him not speedily to imbrace the occasions offered and mittigate the rigor of formes not onely our religion but also the estate will bee a pray to long and cruell diuisions which continually afflist the countrie of France It is said hee is one of the most woorthiest successors of Saint Peter that for the space of one hundreth yeares hath sit in his chaire which increaseth our hopes and lightneth our mindes in a maner cleane abated for that one of the best comforts that man can haue in the middle of the waues and surges of the sea is when he is assured that his Pilot is an expert man and knoweth what to do And so we hope that to preserue this French vessel from ship wracke he will rise vp against the tempest which daily threatneth the same we know what winds and waues do blow push it forward and that he will imbrace the conuersion of so importunate a soule for the preseruation whereof all Europe ought continually to wade in teares vowes and prayers But when the delaies of the Popes Consistorie were perceiued togither with the oppositions and trauerses made touching the Ambassage of the D. de Neuers when it was well wayed and considered that it were very hard and impossible for those in Rome to iudge of that which is done in France that their opinions and wils were forced and constrained and that it was knowne that in the extreame necessitie of taking order for the Cōmon-wealth in so vrgent a cause they must stay and attend vppon processe peace beeing broken and the people longing after the first morsels of the truce they ceased not till they were wholly franchised from the tirannie of wars specially the townes that at the beginning were the first that tooke weapon in hand and from thence proceeded the reduction of the Citie of Lyons vnder the kings obedience being not able any longer to continue in her vnconstant estate nor to subiect her selfe any more vnder her ruines fenses distrusts as things most doubtfull and mischiefes most vncertaine so that she opened and vncouered her eyes to know what shee should do and vnder whose protection she might best be preserued Shee knew that the soueraigne and last remedie of her calamities was to bee vnder one and no more to slote vncertainly in the waues of diuers protections which haue been causes of these ciuil warres Shee found that shee ought to haue a king of France and in the familie of Saint Lewis from whence descendeth Henry de Bourbon king of France and Nauarre whom she had sooner acknowledged if it had pleased him sooner to make profession of the Catholick Apostolicke and Romaine religion as at this day he doth Lyons resisted against her king and ramped against the gate and will you haue it still remaine couered in the brakes that she should alwaies be at the poynt of death in the middle of the waues of her rebellions it was at the poynt to become a desart and the fable common marke to be laughed at by al her neighbours and in the end their conquest alreadie her trafficke which is her Indes or Perou her rents her pensions her principall reuenues were cut off and taken away And no other occupation bare sway or was in request with her but the art of souldiers her Citizens were slaine before the gates and her naturall forces began to faile wherein she seeketh for redresse and knowing no better Phisitian then hee that loueth his Patient she cast her selfe into the armes of her king and drowning the remembrance of her follies past in the seas of his great clemencie she desired him from thence forward to accept and
mother and his bretheren But the freedome of the Ministers being impatient to staye the resolution of a Councell made them to preach openly whereby they so much tempted and altered mens consciences that suddainly the ceremonies traditions of the Church were abated and the temples seased vpon destroyed And the Constable beeing descended of the first Barron and first Christian in France opposed himselfe against this diuersitie of religion in one realm The Edict of Iuly made at S. Germains in Laye 1561. The assembly at Poissy The murther of Vassy the 1. of Mars 1562. The battaile of Dreux the 19. of Decēber 1561. The Constable was first taken then the Prince of Conde The king of Nauarre was slaine at the siege of Rouē 1562. The Duke of Guise slaine before Orleans the 24. of Febru 1563. 1. Edict of peace Anno. 1563. Reconciliatiō betweene the D. of Guise and the Admirall 1566. Counsell of the Duke of Alue The enterprise at Meaux at the feast of S. Michael 1567. The battaile of S. Denis on S. Martins euen 1567. VVhere the Constable was slaine The second Edict of peace at Lōiumeau which from the time of king Clouis had bin holden maintained in paritie and integritie vnder the ancient faith of their forefathers The Cardinal of Lorraine on the other side tooke the matter in hand and counselled the king to make an Edict against those of the religion the presumption of certain men was such that they cōsented to the disputation at Poissy wher in place of remedie we found but an increasing of our miseries After that the Edict of Ianuarie so much renoumed in all the troubles and solemnized by the Huguenots folowed the breach whereof by the means of Vassy caused both parts to fall to armes vpon the plaines of Dreux which gaue the name to that me morable battell not onely for the number of men there assembled being 1900. foot 2000. horse for the kings part 4000. horse called White-coates 6000. foot of the contrarie as for diuers other accidents that therin were marked besides the taking of two of their chiefe leaders For the Prince of Conde that imputed the first motions of his imprisonmēt of his separatiō frō the fauor and presence of K. Francis the 2. to the practises of the Duke de Guise that euening of the battell was his prisoner accepted the halfe of his auncient enemies bed that was offered vnto him a right discription of this variable world wher you see one triumphing the other captiue Among so many prosperities that inuironed the Duke of Guise by the death of the king of N. Generall of the kings armie followed by all the Catholicque Nobilitie Tutor cōductor of the king Queen-mothers whole affaires death being iealous that the Capitall citie of the realme at his arriuall had cried Viue Guise Viue Guise with as great ioy gladnes as euer they cried Viue le Roy dispatched him out of the way by Poltrots means that slew him at Orleans therby finished the first ciuill war at which time the Prince of Conde was deliuered out of prison the Constable brought the first Edict of peace By this peace France had means to breath and her subiects to liue in some assurance but the corrupted humours that caused the disease of the estate were not so wel disiested but that ther rested some remnants whereby it might be feared it would fall into a much more dangerous sicknesse which happened 3. years after whē the most troublesome alterers of estate renued the fire which although it were not vtterly quenched yet it was half cōsumed The Queen hauing performed that generall visitation of all the kings Prouinces at Moulins taken vp the quarrel between the houses of Guise Chastillon and made thē friends caused 6000. Switzers to be sent for vndera fained sear of the D. of Albes passage throgh France with whom she had conferred at Bayonne wher they concluded that to liue in peace it was best for her to fish after great Samons to leaue the frogs The Admiral perceiuing it determined rather to saue himselfe by his armes then with his legs and went so near vnto the king that he had almost taken him at Meaux and so caused him to retire to Parris being conducted by Pfiffers regiment And the Prince of Conde tooke the town of S. Dennis assieged Parris burned the milles And in fine the two armies met fought before S. Dennis wher the Protestants retired the K. had the victorie but it cost him the life of the Constable beeing one of the valiantest Captains in al Europe who hauing commanded in 7. battels died in the sight of the citie of Parris and of his king at the head of an armie victorious by his cōduction hauing cut his enemies in the cheeks that had wounded him in the face he was by a Scot shot into the raines with a Pistolle so died of the seuenth wound he had receiued in that seuenth battel being of the age of 60. and 7. yeares This death procured an other little peace cōmonly called the lined peace which continued but 6. months and made a war that The Prince of Conde slaine at Bassac the 21 of March 1569. The battaile of Montcontour the 3. of October 1569. The 3. Edict of peace An. 1570. indured for the space of 2. whole years wherein the Prince of Conde died and where the Princes of Nauarre and Conde the Dukes de Guise and Maine were Captains the one of the protestants armie vnder the conduct of the Admiral the other for the defence of Poictiers vnder Monsieur the kings brother General of his Maiesties armie whereby the battell of Moncontour happened where all the protestants footemen were slaine and the Rutters spurs were not sharp ynough to make their horses flie but Monsieur not pursuing his victorie suffered his enemies to range meet togither again who in short time were foūd strong ynough to constrain him to the wars or else to make another Edict of peace with more aduantage then the two first This peace being sworned by al those that had any publike authorite therin caused the Frenchmen to feele the sweetnesse of tranquillitie to be much different from the sharpnesse and bitternesse of ciuill diuisions Therein the king the Queen-mother his bretheren and the Princes did nothing but breath and aspire vnto contentment nothing was spoken of in France but only assurance and of remoouing their wars vnto the frontiers or within the bowelles of forrain countries and euery place was filled with marriages bankets c. But this goodly shew was put only a presaging of the torment that ensued and Saylers iudged that those great calmes would in the end cause some great tempest For presently after ensued the great and terrible day so full of blood teares and sorrow where without respect The massacre vppon Bartholomewe day Ann. 1573. so many
shippe ingaging their liues and honours neuer to separate themselues for any commaundement pretence excuse The originall of the league in An. 1576 or occasion whatsoeuer Behold the conception of the league which will bring foorth most prodigious effects The Huguenots had wonne their sure for till then they were often accused of rebellion as hauing shaken off the yoake of Soueraigntie beeing separated from that faire and vnexpugnable maxime that the power of the Prince proceedeth from God and that it is not lawfull to resist against it for any excuse cause pretence or reason whatsoeuer Pardon mee I beseech you mightie Princes Prelates Lords and Gentlemen that are Catholicques if I tell you that this fortresse which you builde will bee your ouerthrowe this fire you kindle will burne you these kniues you forge will bee tempered in your entralles and that thereby you will leaue neither of your selues nor your league but a most pittifull and shamefull memorie What thinke you to do O you leaguer for God for the faith and for the king The league is not for God You vndertake armes for God who desireth nothing but peace you publish rebellion hee commaundeth obedience you trouble the rest and quietnesse of a Christian king hee willeth vs to indure at the hands of a Prince although he bee a Pagan You do it for God whose name you call vppon and deny his power you doo it for God that detesteth your actions and knoweth your thoughts and you do it for that God who will confound all those that breed confusion among his people You vndertake warres for religion and nothing hindereth it more then warres you fight for holinesse Nor for religion and your weapons destroy the Churches authorise blasphemers and plant Atheisme impietie and despising of deuotion in all places You march vnder pretence of the Churches cause and you ransome and spoyle the Cleargie by tithes and impositions If it bee for the spiritualtie wherefore do you bring in the Rutters that haue ouerrunne the Priests burned the Churches robbed the relicques Nor for the Church and polluted the Altars You said it is for the king so said the Huguenots at the enterprises of Ammboise of Meaux and of S. Germaine in Laye and you will not beleeue him for the king had disauouched them If it bee for the king where are his commissions If it bee for his seruice where is his commaundement If it be for him wherefore do dou it without him If it bee for his obedience Nor for the King wherefore sweare you to obey the Head of your league Can you bee bound by one oath to two cōtrarieties This new faith promise which you giue is it not to obey a new Lord seeing you cannot serue two Maisters If it be to maintain his kingdome in the Catholicque religion cannot hee doo it without you What shame will you procure vnto him to atribute the honour of the glorie of so happie a conquest vnto your selues and not refer the triumph vnto him What blasphemie reproach do you induce into his honour and reputation both among his owne people and with straungers Will they not say The subiect ought not to bind himselfe by oath of fidelitie to any but to his soueraigne that a great king a wise king with the aduantages of his Maiestie his powers durst not enterprise that which the subiects vndertake to doo Know you not that all leuying of armes is treason without the kings authoritie that the subiects cannot make any league without the Prince that leagues are not made betweeene Subiects or equall persons and that the Courts of Parliament are the foundations of the seueritie of lawes both humane and diuine But let vs heare what your pattents of the league containe The first league made at Peronne without naming the Head For religion For the seruice of the king IN the name of the holy Trinitie Father Sonne and holy Ghost the onely true God bee honour and glorie for euer The association of Princes Lords and Catholicke Gentlemen ought to bee and shall bee made to reestablish the lawe of God in her pristinate estates to retaine and holde the holy seruice thereof according to the forme and manner of the holy Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine Church abiuring and renouncing all errors to the contrarie Secondly to preserue king HENRY the third of that name by the grace of God and his Predecessors most Christian kings in the estates glorie authoritie dutie seruice and obedience that is due vnto him by his subiects as it is contained in the Articles which shall be presented vnto him in the Councell of estate which at his sacring and coronation he promised and swore to obserue with protestation not to do anything to the preiudice of that which shall bee ordained by the States of his Realme Thirdly to restore vnto the Prouinces of this Realme For the people and Estates thereof the auncient rights preheminences franchises and liberties such as they were in the time of King CLOVIS first Christian King and better and more profitable if they may be any wayes inuented vnder the protection afore said and if in case there happeneth any impeachment opposition or rebellion to the contrary of that which is aforesaid by any man or from what part soeuer it may bee the saide associates shall bee bound and holden therein to imploye all their goods and meanes whatsoeuer yea and their owne persons euen to the death to punish chastice and ouerrunne those that seeke to contradict hinder and resist that all the things aforesaid shall not bee really and effectually put in execution And if in case that any of the associates their subiects friends and confederates shall bee molested oppressed or pursued for the cause aforesaid by whomsoeuer it may bee the said associates shall bee bound to imploy their bodies goods and meanes to bee reuenged on them that shall haue done or caused the said oppressions and molestations bee it by way of iustice or by armes without exception of any man If it happen Against such as appose thēselues against the deuises of the league Against such as shall leaue or abandon the league that any of the associates after that they haue taken their oathes vnto the said associates would withdrawe themselues or depart out of the same vnder what pretence soeuer it shall bee which God forbidde such breakers of their consents shall bee hurt and offended both in their bodies and goods by all meanes possible as enemies to God and rebels and perturbers of publike tranquilities without reuenge to bee taken against the said associates either publikely or priuately The said associates shal sweare all readie and willing obedience and seruice vnto the Head and Geuerall that shall bee appoynted followe and giue counsell comfort and ayde as well to the entertaining and conseruation of the saide association as to the ruines and ouerthrowe of the contradictors thereof without acception or
haue one eye thrust out the other the greatest Princes in the world are much troubled thereby and yet constrained to indure it The Princes of Almaine haue this diuersitie in one Towne yea in one Host and in one familie without either trouble or diuision The interim of the Emperour Charles the fist 1530. Confirmed 1555. The Emperour Charles the fift was constrainsd to passe that path and his brother Ferdinand a man most affected to the Catholicque religion consented to the same libertie in his kingdomes of Bohemia Hungaria and Austria Pietie is the foundation of all estates which cannot be in all places where God is diuersly serued It is so and you finde many that complaine thereof but fewe that seeke the remedie we knowe but two that is rigor and peaceablenesse either by a generall Councell or by armes For the first it needeth not because the trueth once knowne and determined ought not to be brought in question or disputed of againe The latter is altogither straunge and it was neuer heard that men were put to death to force them to beleeue To kill burne and massacre are words neuer vsed but in seditious enterprises those of the new opinion that liue among the Catholicques without preaching or open exercises are content to seeke no further freedome then the libertie of their conscience without being troubled A King cannot refuse his subiects the libertie of not speaking for that mens tongues and consciences are not vnder the Soueraigntie of his Scepter Tacere liceat Nulla libertas minor a rege Petitur Senec. O ed. Lictance li. 5. cap. 14. God is the God of mens soules Kings may constraine mens bodies and force them to say that outwardly which inwardly they deny For as he that is called the Cicero of Christians saith Who can constraine me not to beleeue that which I will beleeue or to thinke that credible which seemeth incredible there is nothing so voluntarie as religion but if the minde be separated from it it is no more religion but hypocrisie and dissimulation force will do that Purpure cultores efficies non Dei. which should be done onely by loue for by it men respect more the penalties of the lawe then the lawe it selfe they will reuerence the Iudges scarlet gowne not for the loue of the Iudge but for feare of the executioner that attendeth on him â—ides suadenda non imperanda Bernard and when they are gone their courages are found to be strongerthen their torments their constancie greater then their cruelties peaceablenesse is more conuenient and hath more force Faith commandeth not but is taught the strongest or roughest bits are not fit for good horses Our coÌ„sciences are the like for force breaketh sooner theÌ„ bendeth theÌ„ If the Lute bee not well tuned or if the Meane do not agree with the Base we must not therefore breake it About the end of Iune 1574. the king called him his father but winde it softly vp and you shall make them accord The Emperour Maxemilion that said that no sinne could be greater then to violate mens consciences answered the king of France returning out of Polonia proposing the ruine of the Huguenots the restablishing of the only religioÌ„ of his forefathers in his realm that those wich seek to rule ouer meÌ„s consciences supposing to win heauen do oftentimes loose their possessions on earth To obey God and serue the king Two religions cannot command in one Realme It is true but that is no consequent why there should not be two for the subiect is not bound to follow the religion of his Prince as long as he permitteth him the libertie of his own he must obey and serue hee giueth to God that which is Gods and to Caezar In the time of Clouis a Pagan there was Christians in FraÌ„ce that which is Caezars and confoundeth not the difference between those two seruices and duties He that hath one religion cannot haue two and hateth and detesteth that which is the contrarie Clouis our first christian King being a Pagan tollerated christians in his Realme and so did our King being in Polonia permit Latin and Greeke Churches with the confession of Ausbourg Lutherans and Caluenists to liue togither in Muscouia and other countries belonging vnto the Emperor the prince of Greece a great part of his subiects are different froÌ„ him touching religion And although the Turke receiueth not the Crowne yet he constraineth them not to leaue their christianitie The Frenchmen could not indure Iewes in France They bannished them not because of their religion but for their Barbarous cruelties wherewith they crucified young children in dispight of the sonne of God and for their extreame vsuries wherewith they consumed the common people The king suffering Heretickes doth wrong to the Catholicques The king is Common-father to them as well as to the others Iewes banished out of France and for what cause as there is no reason to prooue the ingratitude of the sonne towards the father so all lawes detest the inhumanitie and impietie of the father against the son Those whom the king so oftentimes proclaimeth rebelles and his enemies are his children his subiects and his seruants God neuer prospereth the enterprises of the subiect against his Prince very sildome haue kings had great triumphs by wars ouer their subiects It belongeth to a Vittellius and not to a king of France to walke along the fieldes his garments all died with the blood of his subiects Vitellius said that the body of the enemie slaine sauoureth well but that of the citizen beeing dead is better Tacit. lib. 17. Suet in the life of Vitellius Cap. 10. The people neuer die The 5. Edict of peace An. 1577. made at Poictiers in the moneth of Septemb. Conference at Nerac the last of Februarie 1579. The 6. Edict of peace in An. 1581. and to delight in the sauour of their dead bodies lying slaine vppon the ground VVhen the Huguenots shall be ouerthrowne and consumed the king shall liue in peace Suppose he putteth them to death and that at one time hee cutteth off a hundreth thousand heads The General seed is immortall by the succession of euery particular familie kindred and seuerall man which still increaseth one after the other although euery particular man of himselfe is mortall the bodie of the people in general neuer dieth The K. may wel destroy al the particulars of this new opinion but they will leaue as many children whose innocencie God and nature will not permit to touch that will succeed not onely in their goods but in the humors quarrels and passions of their fathers In fine those that perswaded peace by their reason alleadged got the vpper hand of those that desired warre and there vpon it was concluded with great concontentment on both both parts that the Prince of Conde the same night he receiued it caused it to be published by torch-light although with lesse aduantage on
could not approoue their inuentions and to conclude sent them backe againe without an answere And not long before he died sayd to the Cardinall of Est that the league shuld neither haue bull letter nor commission from him for he knewe not what they ment and that hee would not serue for a firebrand to kindle a warre which he could by no meanes quench The impatience of the league that would by no means stay the resolution of the Court of Rome publikely manifested her intent making it selfe so much more plausible as the pretences thereof made it seeme admirable and faire in that the name of one of the first Princes of the blood stood written in the forehead thereof A Prince in all other respects olde and decayed wholly without hope euer to marry to haue issue or to suruiue a king both young and lustie The people on the other side were all disposed to rebellion so that there wanted nothing but the watch-word Mean time The Cardinall of Burbon The Astronomers assured the duke of Guise of the short life of the king euery man looked into the royaltie they reckoned the kings age they would make him a king like to the King of our Stageplaies who while he is apparelled is called most noble king It was openly sayd spoken in euery mans mouth that the King dying without issue he had no other successor then the Cardinall of Bourbon and yet in the meane time the people were couertly put into the heads of the vaire vsurpation of the Capets vpon the heires of Charlemaine whereof there was diuers bookes printed and then the Pasquils ran about the Court and I haue noted some of the best which will not be amisse to be set downe herein The King I desire peace and for sweare warre The Duke of Guise Peace beeing made my hope is cleane gone The Duke de Maine By warres we obtaine both credite and riches The Cardinall of Guise Time offereth it selfe couertly vnto vs. The King of Nauarre He that reckoneth without me thinking I will indure it let him assure himselfe to reckon twise The Cardinall of Bourbon Euery man may reckon that which he thinketh to be his owne The Queen-mother This disputatioÌ„ is of no force as long as my son liueth The Duke of Lorraine Let vs neuerthelesse follow the league her pretences The Duke of Sauoy Then the king will loose both France and all his subiects The King of Spaine If France be lost I will soone finde it France Soft and faire there needeth not so many dogges for one bone such as by ambition seeme to trouble me did neuer prooue my force AN ARGVMENT BOTH WITH and against the league The King he hath no children to succeed His successor a Catholicque must bee The Realme is taxt with imposts euerie day And people mooued do seeke for vengeance still Two three or foure minions possesse the wealth The Parliament was holden all in vaine The holy league will now redresse these wrongs Thereby for to reduce our hope againe The King hee hath no childe but hee may haue Rebellion ought not to redresse our right The King can ease our case without constraint His mignons two or three are not so great And Parliament will end all difference VVhich may cut off the way vnto the league I must I will it pleaseth mee to thinke So many reasons cannot bee but good But such confused mindes haue no restraint For thou preferst degree and honour high It s true they Princes are most fortunate Comparisons with them may not bee made But they set fire in their dwelling house VVhich is an act both pittifull and straunge They are disdainde but knowest thou wherefore I dare not speake I leaue that to the King If hee say nought God knoweth what hee thinks I will not vtter word for feare of blame Onely it greaueth me so many wise And learned men in France do hold their peace The victorie is for them each man doth say Such as haue interest will them resist All is now free with horror and with death And our afflictions mortall are Behold the foolish toyes of ydle braine To thinke our wrongs proceed from wicked men And he that saith our king is fast a sleepe If he a subiect be then let him showt For mee I dare not speake in thes straunge time Least that our Courtiers ketch me by the backe I am too weake my countrie for to helpe But to destroy the subiects of our King Orit desire sheweth a want of faith For hee that honoureth not his lawfull Prince May well bee said hee feareth not the Lord. I am not borne a King my fate most hard Permitteth not such glory to my race But if I were a King such dignitie VVould cause me make my name for to bee fearde I would march foorth in armes most terrible VVith Maiestie most like for to commannd And dumpting pride of subiects â—utime Immort allize my name for euer more God should mee guide faith should be my shield The people my support the lawe my strength To die the earth with blood of traitor vile Opposing strength and force them to resist But I am not a King my heart doth faile I loue to rest and hate most bloody warre Perceiuing in our time the inconstant state VVhich giueth cause still to expect a change VVe may compare France to a Table square VVhereas foure sit primero for to playe The King on whom the losse must wholly fall Saith passe if I can and yet he hath gard game Bourbon he saith this game is tedious It werieth mee and throweth off his hat Not thinking what his lâ—â—ter card might bee Nauarre holds play and likest for to winne But Guise in hope to haue some little flush Veâ—â—eth at all Nauarre he doubleth it The Spaniards standing to behold their play And bearing part with Guisert couertly Supplyes his want with mony that he may In th' end haue all the gaine vnto himselfe To flatter lye dissemble and betraye By subtill meanes the trueth for to disguise To playe the foxe pretending holinesse To seeme denout and yet an Hipocrite To please great â—eâ— and follow at their heele Of earthly â—â—ulâ— to faine a deitie To respect state and now religion To forge a God of mans inâ—â—â—tion To aske for peace where peace cannot be had Readie to runne at euery little call Still to bee armed and saue the hereticque In stead of Catholicque Machiauel Not to regard the world that is to come Are signes of such as liue by pollicie To speake of God and yet a diuellish minde To make great shewe of rede and yet no faith To playe the polliticque despising lawe To promise rest and seeke to tyrannise To seeme an innocent and yet vniusts To shewe pittie yet filling all with blood To seeme subiect yet seeke the King to spoyle Do you call this a seruant Catholicque If to bee holy we must seeke to range In euery place to massacre and spoyle
Mauarre that hee should not mooue at those actions but content himselfe with patience the people might perceiue and iudge the pretences of the league and knowe on whom to laye the blame praying him to assure himselfe of his good affection with promise that he would not forget his interest more then his owne and that he would not be vnmindfull of him as being his good brother withall discouering vnto him the iudgement hee had conceiued touching those new troubles which was in these words That hee knewe that those of the league what shewe soeuer they made pretended onely against his person and his Crowne minding to rise and become great at his costs seeking nothing else but the vtter ruine and dssipation of his estate While the flame issued out of this fornace the league made warre against the Huguenots ceasing vppon the best Townes of the Catholicques in all the realme Religion was preached in Guyenne and they went to driue it out of Picardie Marceille taken the 9. of Aprill 1585. by the league but presently againe reduced to the K. obedience the Hugnenots were in Rochel and the leaguers armie marched straight to Parris they are at Montpellier and the league set vppon Marseille which by means of the second Consull of the Towne they tooke who afterward was hanged The taking of it againe out of their hands liked the king so well that as the messenger brought him news thereof into the Hall whereas then he was leauing his companie hee went vnto them and commending their resolution esteemed them for his faithfull and good subiects in that they had hanged the leaguerer Daries saying vnto them My good friends I am cōtent to grant to your request and more if need require assuring you that my liberallitie shal neuer bee wanting to acknowledge your great fidelitie But in the mean time he tooke no order for his affaires he was on foot and the leaguer spake on horsebacke he ware the Penetentiaries sack and they armour on their backes and leauing armes which nature and necessitie presented vnto him The K. zeale to religion cause of the peace in An. 1577. hee had recourse to penne and Inke and made his declaration but in such cold manner that you would say he durst not name his enemies and seemed like a man that complained hee had been beaten but shewed not by whom hee said that both before and since his aduancement to the Crowne hee had sufficiently shewed his zeale and affection towardes the Catholicque religion whereof the onely conseruation was dearer vnto him then his own life or royall Crowne That he had been constrained to make peace when he perceiued that hee wanted meanes to continue the warres Fruits of peace to all estates specially when he knewe and well perceiued that all his Realme was wearied with their continual calamities That peace was the readie remedie to bring his subiects to one religion to establish iustice to correct abuses reforme manners comfort the Cleargie and the people reuiue the qualities and horrors of his Nobilitie in a manner imbased by those diuisions That the peace being well holden and obserued it would procure an entire and ful contentment to al estates And thereby iustice would bee in force by authoritie of the lawes The Cleargie reformed and that in all places there was no other but learned and godly Prelates The Nobilitie reconciled leauing hatred distrust and the people deliuered from the insatiable troubles of warres That diuers neuerthelesse both impudent and bolde more hypocrites then religious had taken pleasure to interpret that peace to a secret fauour and loue hee should beare vnto the Huguenots thereby to aduance them a thing which neuer once entered into his mind That the feare of troubles the might arise after his death The disputation of the Princes succession is odious while the Prince liueth was not a sufficient cause to torment trouble him in his life and as it were to condemne him not to bee any more the person that God and nature had ordained him That he neuer fauoured the succession of a king that should be to the disaduantage of the Catholicque religion that it was in a manner to constraine nature time so much to distrust the goodnesse of God as to vndertake a quarrell touching the succession of the Crowne during his life beeing healthfull and strong of bodie his Queen the flower of her age This is spokē for Monsieur de Guise that was Great-maister of France euery man in hope that God would send them issue that the Princes which complained to bee out of his fauour had receiued as great fauour and rather more then euer they deserued hauing honoured them with the greatest and most honourable offices of his Crowne which in times past were not giuē but to the Princes of the blood And in fine hauing promised to restore the Church to her splendure the Nobilitie to their contentment iustice to her authoritie and comfort to the people hee prayed coniured exhorted and commaunded all Ecclesiasticall persons Gentlemen Parliaments and Townes to separate themselues from all such meanes as might impeach the effect of so holy an intent and to leaue all leagues and assosiations vniting themselues vnder his obedience as by nature dutie and their owne welfare they were bound The king of Nauarre who to obey the king had not as yet taken armes let passe all the occasions that might excuse him thought that of all insensible creatures he should bee most insensible The king of Nauarres declaration made at Bergerac the 10. of Iune 1585. presented to the king by Monsieur de Cleremont if hee should bee so simple as not to perceiue the many slaunders raised against him and that if seeing an arme lifted vp readie to strike the king hee would not stay it and shewe the generositie of the house of Bourbon vnder the promise of his Maiestie made a declaration which he presented and sent to all christian Princes and chiefe companies of France to make them capable of his actions Wherein hee fully discouered his religion and manner of faith shewing that hee had been borne during the Schisme and permission of two religions in France that he neither could nor would leaue that wherin he had bin brought vp and instructed if by a lawfull Councell hee were not otherwise conuerted and that still then they could not hold him for an hereticque much lesse as one that had fallē from the church affirming that he had neuer bin hereticque nor contrary to his first opinion and that they thought rather to destroy then instruct him and to ouerthrow then vnite him That euery man knoweth whē he yeelded to heare Masse after Saint Bartholomewes day That both age force and feare made him consent to that which in minde he neuer thought and that assoone as hee was at libertie hee returned to the exercise of his first religion That in all the warres which hee made hee neuer
religion if there were no other passion that touched his enemies at the heart he added that if the king would not accept his fidelitie hee can do no more but content himselfe with his owne innocencie and affection towards his Maiestie and the State Declaration protestatiō of the King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde In his declaration hauing disciphered the cause of leaguers taking armes the vanitie of their pretences and the fruites that all the Estates of France may reape by the conclusion of the treatie of Nemours by breaking the peace and beginning warre Hee protesteth and with him the Prince of Conde his Cousin the Duke de Mommorency the Lords Gentlemen Prouinces Townes and common people as well of the one as of the other religion to oppose themselues against the Authors of those troubles in a lawfull and necessary defence therby to conserue the lawes which are the foundations of all families and to maintaine the estate and libertie of the King and of the Queene his mother Sixtus 5. excommunicateth the king of Nauarre the prince of Conde in September 1585. This Prince had need to bee a strong Bulwarke thereby to defend himselfe against so many assaults on all sides made vppon him For hauing both the king and the league as enemies on the one side on the other side commeth the Pope with his thunderboults of excommunication declaring him incapable to the succession of the Crowne of France abandoning his person and his countries for a praye to such as could obtaine it Touching this Bull many whole bookes both with it and against it were written and set foorth to the which I referre the curiositie of such as desire to knowe whether the Pope hath any authoritie ouer the estate of France for which consideration The King of Nauarres letters to the States the Court of Parliament would not allowe it Therevppon the king of Nauarre complained to all the Estates of France in that they had caused the succession of a king beeing yet aliue to bee decided in the Court of Rome made the title of a Prince of the blood to be iudged by the Pope and suffered the Consistorie to giue that which belonged not vnto them And hauing particularly represented vnto them the mischiefes which thereby might arise togither with the shame and perpetuall reproach vnto this Nation in hauing To the Clergie produced monsters into the world and rebelles among a most obedient people hee endeth his letters with reiecting the mischiefes of those miseries vppon those that are the authors In his letter to the Cleargie hee said If war bee so acceptable vnto you if a battell liketh you better then a disputation a bloodie conspiracie more then a Councell I will wash my handes and the blood that thereby shall bee spilt be vppon your owne heades I am assured that the maledictions of such as shall thereby indure great miserie will not fall vppon mee so that my patience my reasons and obedience are sufficiently knowne Meane time I hope God will blesse my iust quarrell to whom I commend you To the Nobilitie To the Nobilitie hee writeth and saith The Princes of France are the keyes of the Nobilitie I loue you all I feele my selfe perished and become weake in your blood The straunger hath no interest in this losse I haue good cause to complaine of some but I rather bewaile them I am readie to imbrace them all That which most displeaseth me is that those which I most esteem of whom I knowe haue been circumuented I cannot distinguish them being in armes but God knoweth my thought their blood be vpon the authors of these miseries to whom we praye c. To the Commons after he had deplored their woundes and scarres and assured them of his readinesse to shed his blood if his enemies would by a combat of two and two end the warre To the Commons which would be the death of so many thousands of men He saith I am a Frenchman borne I will bee partner of your miseries I haue assayed all meanes to exempt you from ciuill discordes and will neuer spare my life that they may be abridged I will not impute the fault vpon you you are Frenchmen but rather esteem of your good willes I demaund nothing else of all you that according to your vocations are most subiect to indure mischiefe then to doo it but onely your vowes prayers and good-wils But because hee feared the sword of Saint Paul more then the keyes of Saint Peter and that the Gold of Spaine is more daungerous then the Lead of Rome he sent his Ambassadors to the protestant Princes of Germanie to craue their aydes Which the king perceiuing sent the Cardinall of Lenoncourt and the President Brulart vnto him to assure him of his Maiesties good-will of the great desire he had to see him vnited to the Catholicke Church not onely for the safetie of his conscience but also for the easier establishing of his succession to the Crown to declare the causes that had moued him to breake the peace and to desire him to yeeld vp the Townes which he held for his securitie The king of N. hauing yeelded most humble thankes vnto them for his Maiesties good will in his behalfe aunswered that without instruction he could not change his religion for the which so much time and blood had been shed And that those of his side were so farre from yeelding vp the Towns giuen to them for their securitie that following the example of the leaguers they had cause rather to aske for more The Ambassadours perceiuing that neither the one nor the other poynt of their Ambassage tooke effect ended their commission by desiring the king of Nauarre to enter into a treatie wherein the Queene-mother would labour to his contentment Conference agreed vpon and trauell as farre as to Champigny if in the meane time it pleased him to staye the forraine armie Hee willingly accepted of the conference but to the other poynt he said that he neither could nor ought in any sort to stay or withdraw the good willes of those who in so much important an occasion yea and in so extreame necessitie had entered into the field that by restoring the authoritie of the king troden vnderfoote by the breach of his edicts they might defend him from the forraine inuation of the league The Electors Palatin the Duke of Saxe the M. of Brandenburg the D. of Brunswick the Lantgraue of Hessen sent Ambassadors to the king in Parris The Kings answere to the Protestant Ambassadors The Princes of Germainie that sought to ayde such as were of their religion perceiuing France to bee a bodie in a manner wounded to death thought good to procure the remedie thereof rather then to helpe to giue the mortall blowe and to prooue if by intreatie and faire meanes they might cease the causes of their diuision and procure the tranquillitie of the common-wealth by the obseruation
league And perceiuing himselfe to bee Maister of Douzy and Rocroy and by that meanes of the passage of the riuer of Meuze hee caused his troupes to enter vppon the lands of the soueraigntie of Sedan vexing the poore countrimen that dwelt in the villages with al kinds of warlike cruelties Mean time that famine plagued them within the towns the D. de Bouillon to diuert him from thence sent the Lord de Schelandre Gouernor of Iamets to make an attempt against Verdun which is the first towne lying in the frontiers of Champaigne and most tumulteously entered into the coniulation of the leaguers pretences The Duke of Guise followed him with the most part of his forces which his departure gaue time and leisure to the Duke de Bouillon to victuall Sedan and the Queene-mother in the meane time disposed the two Dukes to make a truce first for fifteene daies in the which time the Duke of Guise practised certaine souldiers more for gaine then for conscience to surprise the Castle of Iamets but the enterprise failed and the instruments therof were punished and from that time they began againe to renue their courses and spoylings more then they did before The Queene layde an other plaister vppon this sore by a second truce of a month which the Duke de Bouillon imployed in Alsace with foure hundreth horse and eight hundreth Harquebusiers therby to aduance the armie of Germains that were to meete in the plaines of Strausbourg there to bee mustred And the Duke of Guise had leisure to go vnto the King to receiue his instructions and commaundements vppon so great and vrgent an occasion Hee found him at Meaux where hee shewed him that since the Edict of Iuly and the resolution taken by his Maiestie to make warre against the Huguenots it had been so coldly begunne and pursued with so many wants that it was not to bee found straunge if the issue had been as vnfortunate as the cause iust and woorthie to bee done by a king of France that contrary to the edict they had let their hereticques continue in their houses enioye as in a publike peace their lands and goods that ought to be imployed for their destruction and to the taking away of the means that continued their crimes towards god and their rebellion against the estate That in stead of selling and confiscating thereof Borne in France and spaniolized in Rome the reuenues of the Cardinall of Pelleue were ceased vppon because in open consistorie hee had most vertuously sustained the iust occasion of the leuying of armes by the Catholicke Princes against Hereticques That in those warres the Cleargie had indured most and receiued least profit or aduantage hauing continued more for the aduancement of Mignons then for the ruine of Hereticques and that so great summes of money cut off from the possessions of the Cleargie from the nourishing of the poore from the reliefe of Pilgrims from the ransome of captiues and other necessities of the Church had serued to no other end then onely for the entertaining of the enemies of the Cleargie Hee complained of the contradictions of the edict and among other things in that the kings Councell the Court of Parliament in Parris the Iustices nor the Prouost in Parris had not sworne to the edict Of the hard measure shewed to the Townes that had desired the exterpation of heresies and the reuocation of the last edict of peace Of the ouerthrowing of the citadel of Mascon of surprising the of Valēce of the disgrace of the Sieurs de Brissac Crusilles Gessan and Antragues and of the countermaunding of the assignations giuen vnto him for the restoring of the charges by him made in that last raising of souldiers The king to the contrary had well considered how the insolent passion of the league could not finde a firmer footing within all the articles contained in the treatie of Nemours and that it aspired to some greater matter Hee knew well it had demaunded Townes for assurance against the Huguenots in the Prouinces where they had no cause to feare them neither in soule nor bodie That the surprise made by the D. d'Aumalle of the towns of Dourlan Pontdormy and the intelligence discouered at Bollogne were som of the operations of the medicine which they had takē to auoyde this monarchie of vigor strength That for to fortifie themselues with numbers of Townes and participants it had caused a Citadell to bee erected at Vitry le Francois therein to place an Italian in whose countrie a Frenchman cannot so much as obtaine the base office of a Sergeant That the Duke of Guise would not receiue the gouernment of Raucroy vntill his Maiestie had promised him they should hold it in his owne name That it had prodigally spent the 100000. crownes raised for the building of the Citadell in Verdun not desiring other fortresse thererein but the hearts of the people abused with pretences and goodly apparances of the intents of this conspiracie The contrarieties of the edict being well wayed and debated on both partes the Duke of Guise turned his pursuites vppon the meanes to assayle the Huguenots in the same places where they had receiued the foyle in Poitou Dauphine and in the countries of the Duke de Bouillon desired the king to cast his eyes vppon decaying religion if the armie of straungers should beare the triumph into Allemaigne both of France and of the Catholicke Church and to imbrace the conseruation thereof without esteeming any thing to bee difficult or daungerous for so memorable a victorie calling to minde that he was a king of a people that neuer feared any thing but the falling of heauen and assured thēselues to ouercome all whatsoeuer that durst assayle or set vpon them heere on earth The King whose intent was onely to liue and raigne could not consent to warre The Kings oath the 10. of Ianuary 1587. notwithstanding the oath hee made when hee instituted the order of the holy Ghost nor the last resolution sent to the king of Nauarre by Monsieur de Rambouillet that hee would not permit or suffer other religion in his Realme then the auncient Catholieque faith and abolish that which they called reformed yet he desired most earnestly to haue had a good peace therby to diuert the miseries which the armie of strangers would bring with it but when hee perceiued himselfe not strong ynough The kings resolution to make the King of Nanarre and the Duke of Guise to consent by reason of their differences and that hee could not sustaine the one without oppressing the other that hee had not the courage to bee indifferent between both without leaning to the one or to the other and to bee short that hee durst not vse the authoritie of a King hee was constrained to suffer all the heads of the league to counterfeit with him If hee consented to the libertie of reformed religion and restored them the Edict of peace hee thought hee heard
a iourney The Duke de Bouillon was therein but a learner and those that assisted him were more fit to go of an Ambassage then to giue a charge vpon the enemie The Barron of Othna had lesse experience then courage all his sufficiencie consisted onely in the report and commendation giuen of him by the D. Casimir For about the beginning of the month of August Neither the Rutters nor Switzers would fight with so faire an occasion consusion necessitie two dangerous plagues to a great multitude entered among them There was diuision in their intents some of them would spoyle the country of Lorraine others would stay their vengeance and furie vntill they were in the heart of France The Duke de Bouillon by meanes of that armie would refresh his Towns that as then were vnfurnished the Generall of the Almaines would not doo any thing before hee had a Prince of the blood to direct him The Frenchmen said they must go straight forward to passe the riuer of Loire the Almaines wold march along by the riuer of Seine from thence into Picardie But the passage of the riuer of Loire was resolued vpon after they had let slip a goodly encounter at Pont Saint Vincent where all the troupes of the league made shewe to set vppon them but the necessitie of victualles procured by the Duke of Lorraine by throwing downe milles and ouens made them leaue that bone and passe further forward in this manner The Duke de Bouillon Liestenant Generall the Counte de la Marche his brother led the Vant-guard Cleruant the Switzers the Barron of Othna the Rutters Guitry Marshall of the campe and Mouy ledde the French footemen And as they passed le Barrois and leinuillois newes came of the arriuall of Monsieur de Chastillon at Gresille neare to la Mottes in Lorraine both the armies made thither that of the Duke of Guise to intrappe him and that of the Duke de Bouillon to defend him in which effort they trauelled so much that both the one and the other wearied and weakened themselues The Earle of Marche fell sicke and died leauing his charge to Nonsieur de Chastillon whom hee had ingaged That done long raines want of victualles and sicknesses beganne to torment the armie which notwithstanding all discommodities made right to Chaumont in Bassigny passed the riuer of Marne placed their artilllerie but to no purpose against the Abbey of Clernaux burnt the corne vppon the ground about the countrie crossed l'Aube aâ— Montigny and Seine aboue Chastillon where Monsieur de la Chastre laye passed hard by the Duke de Maine and the troupes of Bourgongne lodged at Leignes and Ansile Franc passed Cure aboue Vermenton and Yonne hard by Creuant and so made a halt towards the riuer of Loire The cause of the overthrow of the Switzers There beganne the complaints of the Switzers and the mutinies of the Rutters because the King of Nauarre came not to them and that the King was at the side of the riuer of Loire either to fight with them or to staye their passage A stratageme woorthie of a King and Councell no lesse commendable then admirable beeing the true and onely cause of the victorie For hee considered that the onely meanes to breake this armie was to impeach their ioyning with the king of Nauarre and so to let them consume of themselues as not hauing victualles to suffice their wants nor retrait for their aduantage That the necessitie of their bellie would cause the head to rebell That famine would cause disseases among them and lessen their troupes From this Councell proceeded two great effects but different in execution hee commaunded the Duke Ioyeuse The battel of Coutras to keepe the King of Nauarre in Poitou and rather to hazard battell then suffer him to passe the riuer of Loire as hee determined to do at the head thereof assuring him that the ruine of the forraine armie depended there vppon to the which end the Duke de Ioyeuse that had anarmie fortified both with men munition artillerie and meanes marched towards Coutras to passe la Drongne at Gue and vpon Tuesday the twentieth of October stayed with all his forces between la Roche Chalais and Coutras the king of Nauarre made towards him fully resolued to fight And his troupes not mercinarie but chosen souldiers not constrained but free that desired rather to sweate in a skirmish then heate themselues in a Tennis-court rather to pursue a flying enemie then staye to drinke sweet and pleasant maluesie at a bankette that feared nothing but the losse of their reputation stayed onely but till they had the word to giue the onset And after they had bin long encouraged to fight and greeued with outrages and threatnings they sell to blowes And about eight of the clocke in the morning the king of Nauarres artillery began to play and that of the Duke de Ioyeuse to aunswere them but not very luckely for that eyther the ignorance or the mallice of the Cannonier had placed it so low that the mouth of the cannon shot right vpon a litle hill of earth wherein the bullet stayed without pearcing further The battell was so soone descided that in tenne houres this great armie of the king that had the aduantage both for place and number beganne to retire was sooner broken then fought withall The king of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and the Earle of Sotssons behaued themselues most valiantly executing the offices both of Captaines and souldiers and gaue thankes to God in open field all died with blood and hilled and couered with dead bodies and among the rest with the bodies of Duke de Ioyeuse Monsieur de Saint Sauueur his brother and fiue and twentieth other Gentlemen of name All their Cornets were taken with the artillerie and baggage and foureteene Gentlemen of account taken and put to raunsome That done the king of Nauarre beeing eased of so many nettes that were set vp to catch him marched forward to ioyne with the forraine armie and to passe the riuer of Loire but the king lay incamped at a little Village called Lere between Cosne and Neusuy impeached him by the aduise of Monsieur de Neuers causing the guets betweene Pouilly and Dony to bee broken downe filling them with thousands of trees stones and chaines to entangle the feete of the Rutters horses that should passe And intrueth the letting of that passage next to the helpe of God was the second cause of the aduantage the king had of the victorie For the Duke of Guise that followed the armie durst not set vpon it nor hinder it from spoyling villages therewith to refresh it selfe But assoone as it perceiued it selfe to be in that inclosure and that they must of force recule to take the left hand and enter into a countrie wherein the Rutter had neuer hunted the Hart and considring the scituation it beganne to be abashed and fall into a mutenie and loose courage and hauing
diuers braue and expert Admiralles issued out of France as Enguerrand de Coucy and Hugues Quieret Lewis of Spaine vnder Philip le Bel Aâ—ory Vicount de Narbonne and Iohn de Vienne vnder King Iohn Charles the sixt in whose time the Admiral of France furnished the great armie of twelue hundreth sayle of shippes against the Englishmen Cliret of Brabant Lewis de Coulant vnder Charles the seuenth and Lewis Bastard of Bourbon Iohn of Vienne Admirall and since Constable 1586. Anne de Ioyeuse Admirall 1582. The Duke d'Espernon made Admirall of FraÌ„ce by Parliament the 11. of Ianuarie 1588. The Duke d'Espernon Gouernor of Normandie entred Roanâ— the fourth of May. Earle of Rossillon vnder Lewis the eleuenth and vnder king Frances the Lord of Brion d'Anebaut and la Trimouille for whom the Admiralles of Brittaine and Guyenne were ioyned and made one Gaspart de Coligny was Admirall vnder the same king and confirmed by Henry the second and his children Honorat de Sauoye Marquesse de Villars succeeded him and caused it to bee giuen to Charles de Lorraine Duke of Mayenne that resigned it to Anne de Ioyeuse and after his death the king gaue it to the Duke d'Espernon And to establish him therein presented him in the Court of Parliament and putting off his sword bare-headed and kneeling on his knee hee tooke his oath before the chiefe President where the eloquence of Monsicur d'Espesses the kings Atturney much commended and set foorth the prayses of the Duke Hee succeeded likewise in the gouernment of Normandie and made his entrie into Roane nine daies before the Barricadoes at Parrs Not long before that hee had sent the Regiment of Picardie to lye about Bullen and caused certaine small English boates to descend before the Towne so to impeach the enterprise of the Duke d'Aumale and to preuent that which the said Duke intended against the Towne When the Duke of Guise vnderstood of those troubles in Picardie hee thought the time as then to bee fitte for him to constraine the king eyther to bow or breake to confirme the articles drawne deuised at Nancy and Dyon and to helpe the weakenesse of the Parrissians that without him would haue lost courage And for the same cause hee arriued at Soissons where his Maiestie by Monsieur de Bellieure gaue him to vnderstand that he should do him apleasure if he wold abstaine froÌ„ coÌ„ming to Parris in so troublesome a time wherin so many factioÌ„s raigned that if he came thither against his wil he wold lay the cause The arriuall of the Duke of Guise at Soissons The king prayeth him not to come to Parris vntill the distrusts were laid of the troubles that might arise by his presence vpon him Monsieur de Bellieure who by reason of greatnesse and soundnesse of his iudgement concerning matters of estate and the execution of wise and notable charges to him committed held one of the chiefe places of Councellor about the king vsed many and great reasons to restraine the impetuositie of that prince and to conclude departed from him assuring himselfe that hee had fully disswaded him But his heart attainted with a burning Feuer could finde neither appetite nor pleasure but in that which liked his stomacke beleeued that nothing could hinder him that the heaueÌ„s oght to giue him place that striking with his foote vpon the ground he would make a 100. legions of men to rise that without fear of Iupiters thunderbolts he could rule the chariot of the sun The Parissians had sent for him Left no meanes between the two extremities of his firme resolution but whatsoeuer fell out hee would see the Louure or die in the way And therevppon mounted on horsebacke with eight Gentlemen about nine of the clocke at night leauing his brother the Cardinall of Guise and the Prince de Iuinuille his sonne at Soissons desiring the Archbishop of Lyons to follow him in the morning And so within three houres after the arriuall of Monsieur de Bellieure and about Monday at noone beeing the 9. of May he entered into Parris Sunday the 8. of May 1588. and lighted at the Queen-mothers lodging the Filles Repenties where in great feare half trembling she receiued him led him to the Louure If the streets of Parris had bin as broad as the way of AppieÌ„ they wold hardly haue contained halfe the quantitie of the people that followed this Prince euery man thought himself happy that might put off his hat and kneel on his knee for to salute him The Duke of Guise arriued the Kings not knowing onit all being full of ioyfull cries clapping of hands pleasures and wishes to welcome him He for his part holding his hat in hand answering by his countenaÌ„ce to those populer reioycings marked the most prompt affections to his desire they striuing among themselues who should begin to crie Viue Guise Viue le Pillier del'Eglise Which being heard into the street called S. Honnore where a Gentlewoman sat in a shop she pulled down her maske and spake aloude vnto him vtterring these words Good Prince now you are here we are al safe That done he entered into the kings chamber where he did his dutie to the king but with lesse assurance then ordinary knowing the King would not like well of his comming and in trueth he shewed him no great countenance answering him vnto the reasons hee made touching his iourney to Parris that by M. de Bellieure he had desired him not to come But dinner time approaching they left off the D. of Guise departed to his lodging After dinner he went to visit the Q. in her garden where the king finding him as well as he could dissembled the exterier apparance of yâ— suspition he had conceiued in his heart the D. of Guise iustified his actions with a braue and bolde courage He went to visit the Queen-mother by so much the more as he perceiued thesecret fear of the Kings trembling mind his seruant followers one after the other still entered into Parris for the Archbishop of Lyons being the principal Agent of his Councell arriued vppon Tuesday about dinner time and came not out of the house of Guise vntill the next day that he went to see the Queen-mother being at Masse from thence went with her to her garden where the K. found them he stepped forward to kisse the Kings hand who receiued him with pleasant and chearefull countenance hauing alwayes discouered a certaine inclination that hee had to loue him as knowing him to bee one of the woorthiest Prelates of his order of a prompt and readie witte and wonderfull eloquent and withall remembring that at all times when the stormes of words and reasons were vsed in any matter of estate hee surprised all his Councell Wherevppon hee willingly desired hee had been as much affected to his seruice as to the league wherein hee had entered as al-also in an assured
filthinesse of thy vilany nor wood ynough to burne the Registers and memories of this sedition But can we speake of the Barricadoes without remembring this incomprehensible motions of Gods prouidence which doth equally shine and appeare as wel in the establishing as pulling down of Empires dealetha swel with their fall as with their continuance And who will not say Read a notable discourse vppon this matter in the 2. Booke intituled the constancy and consolation of publicque calamities Henry the third a most religious Prince He led rather the life of a Monke then of a K. He hated the Huguenots that this great motion the spring of all the miseries ensuing was not a blowe of the hand of the inscrutable wisedome of God to punish the king and his Realm Hee that would debate this proposition by the circumstances of the kings person needeth not to seeke the causes thereof neither in the East nor in the West but onely to ground them vppon the eternall wheele of Gods iudgements What apparance was there for subiects to arme themselues and reuolt against a king what pretence could bee so close but in the end it would open and bee discouered The cause of religion which is one of the most violent passions of the people and the most assured meanes to alter an estate was so cleare and pure in him that many iudged his life to bee religious blamed his actions which was fitter for an Hermite then a Prince He kept more in a Monasterie then with his Councell he spake oftner with Iesuites Capucins and Fueillantins then to his Secretaries He detested nothing more then Huguenots and there was not any Huguenot in France that had receiued any commaundement at his hands he was more spoken and disliked of among them then any of the house of Lorraine they beheld him not but as the commet of their miseries and neuer remembred him but when they spake of S. Bartholomewes day that which they had indured at the hands of the duke of Guise was but roses in respect of that they had suffered at Iarnac And the Huguenots declared his life Moncontour Rochel and Parris in such manner that it were an extream absurditie to beleeue that he fauoured Hereticques and that hee would ouerthrow that religion whereof hee made so open profession He was assisted by the Princes of his house Therefore hee had no cause to feare any thing to bee done against him by the Catholicques and yet those are they that in the Capital Towne of his Realms Barricadoed themselues against him He had all the Princes of the blood for the defence of his Crowne for when the King of Nauarre for the libertie of his conscience had taken armes it was no longer but while they would constraine him and breake the decrees of peace that permitted him to bee free of conscience not to oppose himselfe against the Monarchie nor to an Anarchicall confusion of this estate The rest of the Princes that knew well that the reasons of the league were not so much to reforme the Realme as to ouerthrow it and therewith to bring them within the compasse of those ruines held themselues near vnto his Maiestie all the Nobilitie of France at the least nine of ten partes more particularly bound vnto his seruice for their honours dignities offices and benefiâ—s as also the iustices of the Realme not beeing of the minde to accomodate themselues to the humors of the Princes of the league and esteemed the essentiall forme thereof to be opposite and an ouerthrowing to the estate The GentlemeÌ„ of France foreseeing that the royaltie cannot be ouerthrown but that the Nobilitie must likewise beare the same burthen and that the subiect that refuse the obedience and faieltie of his Prince will not bee long before hee seeketh to free himselfe of the rents and reuenues hee oweth vnto the Lord of the soyle The greatest persons of the Cleargie consented not to those new mutinies acknowledging that their profession is more honoured and beautified vnder a King The chiefe of the Cleargie then by the confusions of a democration estate The king likewise had named and chosen them at his pleasure so that the obligation of his fauour retained them in his seruice Learned men published his prayses and in his raigne there were more bookes printed and dedicated to his Maiestie Learned meÌ„ then in the raigne of the great King Francis and his successors although most iustly hee was named the father and restorer of learning Some Preacher onely flattered sedition thereby to winne estimation among the commoÌ„ people desirous of a change In all the towns throughout euery Prouince there were officers who besides their naturall subiection were more bound to him by oath that he had taken of them giuing them charge of his treasures the power of his lawes and administration of his iustice with the order of pollicie they desired nothing more then the greatnesse of their King his rest and quietnesse beeing their onely preferment for that without libertie and peaceablenesse with his long life and prosperitie their offices were of little force as hauing exposed their fortunes to the hazard of the terme of his life I And yet he was not well assured in Parris n such manner that his Maiestie had not any thing more at his commaundement then men of that quallitie that only feared the perill of his holy and sacred person and the changing of this Monarchie Who would then beleeue that a king yea and a king of France in the middle of so many assurances in the brauest time of his raigne in the Capitall Cittie of his Kingdome among so many Princes Knights of the Order in the face of a Parliament the thunder against sedition and colonie of iustice and royaltie hauing in his power the Bastille and the Arsenal at his deuotion the Prouost of Merchants the Sheriffes and the Colonnelles and sixe thousand men of warre placed in the streetes and quarters of the Towne where hee desired should bee besieged in his Pallace of Louure by a people whom hee had so much cherished and inriched with the spoyles of his other subiects and by himselfe stirred vp vnder the false alarme of a Garrison sacking and spoyling constrained to saue himselfe by flight from the furie of his mutinous subiects Incluctabilis fatorum vis cuius fortunaÌ„ mutare constituit consilia corrumpit Velleius lib. 2. de Caesar es varo And can wee that haue seene and beheld it remember it without considering that the eternall power of him that ruleth all the world made the Spirits iudgements counselles and conductions of those that might diuert the mischiefes proper and fit to aduance them and suffered them to take effect to shewe his wrath striking the head to make members languish O fatall and once againe accursed day of Barricadoes the birth day of our miseries and funeralles of our ioys that vnloosed the windes to those stormes of blood
assooâ—â— as he came he ought to haue spoken vnto him like a king Francis the second his brother Francis the second cast the Prince of Conde into prison beeing younger then hee vsed the like speech to the Princes of his blood if he had commanded him to depart without doubt he had gone because as theÌ„ he would not haue begunne his tragedie and thereby haue borne the report of so manifest disobedience And in truth assoone as the king spake vnto him and said Cousin wherefore do you come his aunswere was giuen in faintnesse and trembling his visage pale and the Maiestie that God imprinteth in his Samoris his Lieftenants and his liuely Images ceased and changed as if from that time he had feared that the king would dislike the breach that hee had made of his commaundement and say And it liketh your grace I am heere present to aunswere to the slaunders that are raised against mee thereby to bring me in hatred to your Maiestie But said the king I sent you expresse word not to come hither in this time so full of troubles and distrusts and that you should stay for a time My Lord said the Duke I was not so aduertised The Indians call their kings Samories that is to say god on earth Speeches betweene the King and the Duke of Guise at Louure that thereby I did in any sort beleeue that my comming hither would bee offensiue to your Grace Wherevpon the king turning to Monsieur de Bellieure asked him and said Did not I commaund you to tell him that he should not come hither at this time But as Monsieur de Bellieure began to certifie the king of his message the Duke of Guise entered between them wherewith the Queene-mother drewe the king aside and so mittigated that first quarrell They ought not to haue mooued this contention and leaue dispight and disdaine in Monsieur de Guises minde nor leaue the knife in the vaine which hee had opened hee ought to haue giuen feare and punishment both at one time or to haue done neither the one nor the other but it is a most strange thing that men do alwaies faile in doing their authorities and in the principall poynt which is the cause thereof It was vainly done of the king to cause himselfe to be esteemed a good penitent a good Hermit a good versefier a good discourser and a good Orator if hee remembred not himselfe to bee as hee was and to bee knowne for king and speake like a king I say like a king for this word of King containeth all whatsoeuer belongeth to his charge Senec. Epist 77. Id in quoque optimum est cui cascitur cui con setur Maximoimperio maxima cura in est Sallu Hee ought to haue spoken to the Duke of Guise like a king and haue made him depart out of Parris with his adherents and hee ought to haue stayed therein like a king for if his actions bee not performed like a king they are of no account Euery thing saith Seneca is commended for that which is proper vnto it and for the principall part that giueth it the forme being A Vine is praised for the fertilitie the wine for the liquor the Hart for his swiftnesse In a dogge wee commend a good nose to smell finde out and follow the beast his lighnesse for running both to approach and assayle and his heart and courage And to conclude the speciall vtilitie proper vse of euery thing belongeth to it selfe The Kings of the Sabans publikely durst not come abroad because of an oracle that forbad them The shippe is called good not because shee is painted with diuers faire and costly colours his stearne all gilt her boords inlaide with Iuorie or that it is laden with treasures and Princely riches but because the seames of the plankes are well closed and calked that it leaketh not that it is strong and firme against the force of the waues easie to stirre and swift of sayle Likewise you will not saye that a sword is good because the hilts and handle are gilt and the sheath of veluet set with precious stones but you say it is good if it hath a good edge and the poynt sharpe to enter well So the king should not make himselfe knowne by the Crowne and Scepter which hee beareth but by the actions that depend vppon his royaltie and that make him to bee esteemed for a king alwaies remembring that great offices require great wisdome Among the carters and waggoners hee is esteemed most vnfit for the charge that knoweth not how to behaue himselfe therein If your grace will take away the pendants that trouble your eares you are a king and not king of Denmarke or of Arragon to be both Maister and seruant all at one time nor king of Saba not daring to be seene publickely but king of France and of Frenchmen a people gentle tractable and obedient that did not disobey nor retire from you but when they knew you wold not bee King and that there was one of your subiects that prescribed you a lawe in this case the sun rising is alwaies fairer then descending And as a wise polititian once said vnto you when a king maketh it knowne that he feareth some one man within his Realme that there is one that may be greater then hee there is no more Maiestie hee is no more that hee was but all the world runneth to the other The nature of Henry the third If wee cannot bee free yet will wee haue but one Maister if that Maister haue an other Maister aboue him wee presently leaue the first to runne to the last it is the nature of man There is this fault in you that if you finde no resistance if you bee in peace you commaund absolutely and you speake like a king but if you finde neuer so small difficultie you alwaies preferre a gentle and fearefull before a bolde and seuere remedie God graunt that in the end you seeke earnestly and effectually to be that which you are that is Maister and the greatest Lord in your Realme which cannot bee if you bee not king Beholde the opinion that the wisest Pollititians had of the king see how they lamented the fal of his authoritie the spawn of his forces the dazeling or rather astonishing of his sences I shall neuer bee no more a king to counsell nor disswade him my ambition clymeth not to that degree yet I will neuer counsell them vnto mildnesse and to simplicitie without wisedome that pardoneth and suffereth all There is nothing so royal as Clemencie and nothing that more winneth the hearts of men or that maketh a Prince more reuerenced and beloued then affable and courteous nature Antonius surnamed the curteous It is that said the Emperour Antonius to Faustina his wife that placed Iulius Caezar among the number of the Gods that consecrated Augustus and that gaue the title of Pius to thy father But when
had taken order for the affaires in Picardie and reuoked all occasions of distrusts neuerthelesse knowing him to bee come onely with 14. or 16. horse wee refused not to admit him to our presence to prooue if with him wee could end and cease those causes of distrusts and troubles in Picardie Wherein perceiuing that wee could not preuaile and that our said Towne euery day more and more increased and was filled with strangers that followed and attended on e e The king had giuen too much libertie to secret assemblies wherein vnder pretence of reestablishing good order rest and quietnesse to the people and of greeuing at publike calamities that notable deuise of Barricadoes was determined in their heads and hearts capable of all liquors wherein they distilled the despising and disdaining of the Prince contrary to the respect and dutie to a Magistrate Periculum est si coetus consilia secretas consultationes esse sinas Tit. Liuius the said Duke that the searches wee had commaunded to bee made through our said Towne by the Magistrates Officers of the same were in a maner but half done for the fear they were in as also that the hearts and mindes of some of them were more altered and hardened d d The king did all by halues he commaundeth the D. of Guise not to come and yet hee commeth hee is offended at his comming and yet he letteth him stay and the Duke of Guise perceiuing that the king commaundeth him no more like a king obeyeth him no more like a subiect hee enterpriseth his pretences because sufferance giueth courage vnto his enterprises Quis eum metuat qui per segnitiem patitur hebescere aciem suae authoritatis and the ordinary aduertisements day lie brought vs that there would bee some great matter effected in that Towne We determined to cause the said searches f f Those searches were necessary but they were not made in time seeing things had proceeded so farre that a king of France had his hart free of iealousie distrust in his Capitall towne against a Duke of Guise he ought to haue dissembled or discouered the mischiefe This search discouered the fire couered vnder the ashes of desire of peace and whē those wounded hearts knewe the myne to bee discouered that the kings distrust suspected their pretences they iudged that hee which first began the mutinie should be maister and therefore it had bin better for the king to haue dissembled and withholdē his seueritie Res enim monebat cauere magis quā quod in illos statueret consultare Salustius to bee more exactly done in all the quarters of the same thē before they had bin to the end we might bee truely certified of the true estate thereof cause the said straungers to auoyde that were not auouched as they ought to bee which to effect wee were determined to make certaine Courts of guard of the Citizens and Inhabitants thereof which we appoynted to bee erected in foure or fiue places of the Towne with certaine companies of Switzers and those of the Regiment of our guard that were lodged in the subburbes of the Cittie And also to command certaine Lords of our Councell and knights of the order of the holy ghost g g The King being aduertised that at the noyse of the Duke of Guises arriuall at Parris that diuers souldiers and men of factions came thither to bee readie at the sound of the basen that the name of that Prince was the Load-stone that drewe the Iron hearts of the league vnto it caused his guards to be strengthened and searches to bee made But as if he had not bin assured without the aduise of the Duke of Guise he aduertised him therof who fearing to bee preuented tooke that search as a pricke to hasten his pretence hee spake but the word and presently Parris bended it selfe against the Louure as if it had beene against the fort of an enemie and they went with their heads bended against the kings forces as in times they did against the Englishmen and Bourguinions Quô quô scelesti ruitis Furôrne caecus an rapit vis acrior An culpa Horat. to go into each quarter with the Quarter-maisters and other Officers of the saide Towne by whom the common custome is to make such searches the better to ayde authorise and assist them therein as it hath been done diuers times heeretofore whereof wee aduertised the said Duke and all the Inhabitants of the Cittie to the end they should not sound alarme and so doubt of our meaning therin which in the beginning the Inhabitants and Townes-men made shew not to dislike Neuerthelesse not long after things fel out in such sort by the prouocation of certaine persons h h The king esteemed not of the conspiratie pretended the yeare before within Parris and those that perceiued their boldnesse as then vsed to be without censure and their crime without punishment began to kindle the fire that hatched vnder the ashes of their rebellion and first cried in the streetes Laye hold on the Tyrant the Huguenot and the Pollititian words sufficient to moue the most modest and stirre the slowest vnto fury in such attempts wher the respect of the Prince or the vncertaintie of the euent retaine the generall there must alwaies bee some seditious fellow that crieth beginneth the play for the people are like a sea that neuer stirreth without winde and therefore in their commotions there must bee men purposely appoined Qui imperitos animos impellāt libertatē ac speciosa nomina praetexantur Tacitus that sowed put into the harts mindes of the said Inhabitants that wee had caused the said forces to enter into the Towne there to establish a Garrison of straungers and to do them further wrong in such manner that in short space they had so animated and mooued them against our said Souldiers that if we had not expresly commanded their Leaders not to attempt any thing against the saide Inhabitants and rather to indure and suffer all the extremities of the world thē to commit any trespasse in that behalfe wee are certainly perswaded that it had been vnpossible to haue shunned a generall spoyle of the saide Towne with a most great effusion of blood i i The kings meaning was to distribute his forces in the towne not to hurt it but to holde it in obedience and to hinder the pretences that beganne to bee practised vnder the conduction and fauour of the Duke of Guise But the distribution was not well ordered and the places of most importance were not speedily ceased vpō by the kings forces Maubert one of the most important places in the Towne able to commaund the rest and that ought to haue beene first entered into stood voyde and serued the Towns-men as a campe therin to raise the most beastly troupes of their mutinie both to defend assayle in such manner that assoone as certaine of the rebelles had
any man finde this proposition and reciprocall submission between persons which they may terme vnequall to bee straunge let them remember and receiue this for satisfaction that all whatsoeuer the one and the other hath is by your Grace and which they cannot iustly hold longer then it pleaseth you The king that sat as vmpeir in this contention by their answeres and replies still receiued some blowes yet hee knewe that their declarations were not so smooth but that the accusations in his behalfe would easilie bee aunsered and beeing pressed by the League to yeeld to their request he giueth the Cardinall of Bourbon and all the rest of the Princes in whose name it was presented to vnderstand that both in peace and warre hee had sufficiently shewed the proofe of his good will to the preseruation of the onely Catholicque religion in his Realme and to the extirpation of contrary sects without sparing his own person euen at the last ouerthrow of the Protestant Rutters entered into this Realm The victorie of the Rutters which had not happened without the presence and good conduction of his said Maiestie that stayed them vppon the side of the riuer of Louure which they had gotten with little losse and weaking as euery man knoweth That iealousies distrust had hindered him from reaping the profite of the aduantage which hee had against the Hereticques hauing sought all meanes hee could to impeach the motions of those diuisions as namely to forget that which had happened at Parris as long as the Cittizens behaued themselues like good and faithfull subiects trusting in the bountie and clemencie of their Prince whereof they haue so many times had sufficient proofe that they neede not doubt thereof That hee lamented the disorders that haue crept into the affaires of this estate as also the contentions that brake the last peace that he desired nothing so much as speedily to see a present reformation and that to the same effect hee would assemble the third estates of France as the most assured remedie which his predecessors in such occasions haue alwaies vsed That hee was resolued presently to reuoke diuers edicts and impositions wherewith his people were charged That in the assembly of the estates his Maiestie would take order for the doubt the Catholieques haue to fall into the gouernment of hereticques and that touching the particular complaint made by the saide Princes against the Duke d'Espernon his brother he would make it known that both in that and all other things hee is a Prince both equall and iust hauing speciall regard not to doo iniurie or wrong to any man And withall that hee preferred the publike vtilitie of his Realme before all other things The Court of Parliament who by their wisedome that knewe that the absence of the sunne which giueth it light would from thence forward make it become obscure and without light by reason of the thicke cloudes of diuisions would not withdrawe their helpes from that trouble and disquietnesse of the estate nor turne their backe to the king neither bring vpon themselues the infamous markes or rebellion or permit that his Councellours should be termed ouerthrowers of their Princes The Court of Parliament sent the Deputies to the King but sent their Deputies to his Maiestie to shewe him of the greefe they had conceiued at that accident and at the mischiefe that had constrained him to go out of Parris to reclaime his bountie and clemencie to diuert his iust vengeance from the heades of his subiects excuse his officers if in so great a commotion imbisilitie and feare had made them bend their necks to desire him to come thither againe to restore quietnesse and contentment to his Maiestie order in his affaires credite to their purple robes authoritie to their estate by his presence to dispearse mutenies which by diuision had beene raised The Kings answere to the Court of Parliament The king answered therevnto that he neuer doubted but that they would continue in the sidelitie and affection which they had alwaies shewed to his auncestors that if it had beene in their powers to haue taken order touching the disorders in Parris hee was fully perswaded they would haue done it that he had conceiued a most extreame greefe thereat although hee said hee had not beene the first that had fallen into such misfortunes that notwithstanding all that he would alwaies be a good father to such as shewed themselues good children that in the quallitie of a father hee would vse the Parrisians as his sonnes that had fayled in their duties and not as seruants that conspired against their Maister hee commaunded them to continue in their charges according to their duties and from the mouth of the Queene-mother to receiue the commaundements and executions of his will and pleasure The King sends for the Deputies of the Court. Wherewith the Deputies of the Parliament withdrew themselues when after dinner they were readie to depart the king sent for them and said vnto them I haue once againe sent for you that before you go I might let you vnderstand besides that I sayd vnto you in the morning that I haue beene aduertised of the allegation vsed in my behalfe that I would place a Garrison in my town of Parris I am much abashed how that entered into their heads I knowe what Garrisons meane they are eyther placed to destroy a Towne or else because of some distrust that is had in the Inhabitants they ought not to thinke that I would ouerthrowe or destroy a Towne to the which I haue shewed so many signes of great good will and which I haue inriched by my long continuance therein as hauing stayed there more then tenne others of my predecessors euer did which hath procured yea euen to the meanest Artificers therein that great trafficque which at this day they haue and so much that it might haue benefited tenne or twelue other Townes which would haue been glad thereof and where my officers haue had cause to vse my helpe as likewise Merchants and others I haue not denied it vnto them so that they may iustly say I haue alwaies shewed my self a good king in their behalfes lesse cause should I likewise haue to enter into distrust of those whom I loued and of whom I might haue assured my selfe as I verily thought So that the amitie I bare vnto them ought to haue bereaued them of this fond opinion that I would place a Garrison among them and it is wel knowne that not one souldier set foote or entered into any house to looke eyther bread or prouision whatsoeuer but to the contrary I sent them mony and other necessaries and they had not stayed there aboue foure and twentie houres at the furthest which had been till the next day but they should haue lodge else where I determined to haue made an exact search for diuers straungers that as then were in my Towne of Parris and not desiring to offend
assembling of the 3. estates In the first they saw that their great hopes on the West side were well weakned in the second they knew that there rested some sparkes of chollor in the Kings heart touching the Barricadoes but they armed themselues with courage and resolution against all things whatsoeuer esteeming it not time as then to keep the oath which they had takē The king will not go to Parris to leaue all forraine leagues and intelligences and that they must not so soone pull downe the scaffold but rather let it stay till the building were fully finished And therevppon they held new councelles in Parris from the which was drawne the resolutions which the author of the treatie made touching the causes of taking armes by the league rehearseth which are to preserue and hold their authoritie and credite gotten by so many trauerses The discourse of the troubles of France to the yeare 1589. and to further the decreasing of the kings and of the auncient order of France to hold the king in such sort besieged and to make his will so euen vnited with theirs that hee should not see any more but by the leaguers eyes nor speake nor stir but by the tongue and sinewes of their intents To take order that those that should bee sent vnto the estates should be some of the paste which they had moulded and their instruments furnished with the instructions of their Agents or rather extracted out of the fine flower of the Articles of Nancy Peronne to moue things vnto the king that neither time nor necessitie of affairs did once permit as wars against the Huquenots and the ease of their people by vnburthening them of tallages to the end they might make his Maiestie odious if he refused that first fruite promised to the creatures of their league and hee could not consent to warres and release the meanes to maintaine the same To bee the stronger partie duting the assembly of the estates at Bloys to the same end they should send into all places for the Gentlemen of their faction to meet them there in armes Not to leaue their good intelligence with the duke of Parma to confirme the treatie of Ginuille to aduertise the king of Spaine that the agreement made with the king stretched onely to the meanes of the execution of secret purposes To send to the Colonel Phiffer into Suisse and to Monsieur de Balagny in Cambray to retaine them in the particular assemblies among them To hinder Monsieur de Neuers from going into Picardie to pacifie the mutinies of the League not to seeke after more confident mindes then they haue To cause the Cittizens of Parris to become bounde yearely to pay thirtie thousand Crownes to Monsieur de Villars Gouernour of Haure thereby to hold him in confederacie with the League The king was well informed of those enterprises and had made that last The King wept when he sealed the Edict in Iuly Edict as much against his heart as he did the first for he was seene to weepe when he signed them lamenting his misfortune that to assure his owne person it constrained him to hazard his estate he knew that the Edict would not bee obserued but by himselfe and yet his mildenesse so much impeached him the apprehension of a good war so much retained him that he would not take order therein reiecting the aduise of those that counselled him to make peace with the Huguenots and let them stir against the mutinie of the League Hee said there was lesse danger to dwell with those that continue in the vnitie of his religion then with them that had separated themselues and become heads of new opinions although he well knew the causes and pretences of the raising of the League The Duke of Guise made Lieftenant generall of the kings armies After that eyther in good faith or purposely he bestowed his liberalities and fauours vpon all the principal heads of the League To Monsieur de Guise hee gaue the office of Lieftenant generall ouer all the forces throughout the Realm of France if not of the execution therof yet he had the name and title of Constable he gaue him a beam of his brightnesse an arme of his power and a liuely image of his Maiestie his letters pattents being sealed at Chartres vpon the fourth of August The Cardinall of Guise Legate of Auignon The Duke de Maine in Dauphine The Duke de Nemours Gouernour of Lyons he promised the Cardinall of Guise his brother to procure the Pope to giue him the office of Legat of Auignon he sent Monsieur de Maine with a faire and great armie into Dauphine wherwith he passed at Lyons and there his voyage ended he gaue the Duke of Nemours the gouernment of Lyons which his father had inioyed his letters pattents were read published and registred in the Court of Parliament vpon Thursday the 22. of December in the same yeare vpon charge that hee should not meddle with any sort which the execution of Iustice ordinary nor for matters proceeding in triall of lawe but onely to ayde and assist it he forgot not the Archbishoppe of Lyons whom he desired to withdrawe from the League and to keepe him for his Councell for some speciall cause that mooued him to bee adicted vnto him he was iealous that the League should haue a primate of France in it of so good credit reputation and desert in the Church I except Peter of Sauoy which reuolted against Lewis Hutin And surely his iealousie was not without reason for neuer before that time any Archbishop of Lyons did euer conspire with those that in times past troubled the quiet estate of France they continued constant to the Colonel of the royaltie vnited themselues to the Scepter of France to maintaine the franchises of the French Church they haue been arbitrators of great controuersies in he affaires that maintaine the order of the Monachie which is called the estate they neuer leaned but on the kings side It is true that Paul Emille reporteth that Agabardus Archbishop of Lyons was President in the Councell that was holden for the deposing of Lewis Debonnaire the raising of his children and whether the discent is inserted in the person or that there is some other heauie destinie insident to the seate the Bishoppricke of Lyons hath at al times had Pretates that were most worthie instruments both for estate and religion most affected and faithfull seruants to the King and chiefe Presidents of their Councell Eucherius vnder Clodion le Cheuelu Patient vnder Clouis Sacerdos vnder King Childebert Nisier and Priseus Gontran vnder Etherius Anemond vnder Clotaire Asterius vnder Lewis Carloman And in the 2. 3. familie of our kings there were Archbishops of Lyons chosen out of the greatest houses and purest blood in France or of the neighbour Princes as Philippe and Pierce de Sauoye Countes of Sauoy and Innocent the fift Iames
noble partes of the bodie In the first the wicked Councellours and administrators of the publike treasures were examined and openly named with a most shamefull defamation King Henry the third perceiuing this remedie to bee necessary that ouer much practising and deuises was seene to bee in all estates of the Realm and that hee could not defer the purgation thereof he consented to the convocation of all the estates of the Realme and declareth what had alwaies bin his fatherly care towards his subiects how he had respected their good rest and tranquillitie with all affection that might be found in a Prince that hath nothing dearer nor in more speciall recommendation that hee knew well to to his great griefe that the effects had not been correspondent to his desire by the renuing of troubles happened in the middle of a peace well established vnder the which he had begunne to prouide for reformation and re-establishment of many things which the miseries of warres had brought out of order This if for the small time that the peace did indure the people had alreadie begunne to taste some acceptable fruite it was easie to iudge that i◠would haue been much more felt without so suddaine an alteration That wee must must impute it to the iust punishment of God that ceased not to laye his scourges vppon this Realme that it might bee knowne to bee vnwoorthie of the benefit of a peace wherewith hee vseth to indue and blesse those to whom hee will shewe any speciall fauour That the more men proceed forward the more they perceiue all things to fall into such disorder and confusion that in short time if order be not taken therein there will not be any more steppes of the auncient force and greatnesse of this Realme seene or perceiued which in times past were so admired by forraine nations That for the same cause his Maiestie thought it conuenient for the loue and fatherly affection that hee beareth to his subiects to thinke vppon the meanes that might bee deuised to finde a remedie for the same That after hee had ripely considered therevpon hee esteemed no better meanes could bee vsed then the same that had beene practised by his predecessors who among the great disorders happened during their raignes they were not comparable to those of his time because they surpasse them They had recourse to an assembly of the estates general of the Realm which at this day would bee more necessary and requisite then euer it was For that cause therefore hee commaunded that the principall personages of euery Prouince Baliage and Stewardship should by the fifteenth day of September assemble the Towne of Bloys there in open assembly to make their petitions and to shewe their griefes to speake freely without medling with any practises thereby to fauour the particular passions of any man whatsoeuer which will bee most fit and conuenient meanes to quench and abolish such diuisions as are among his subiects specially among the Catholicques and to attaine to a good and an assured quietnesse whereby Catholicque religion shall bee so well established and all heresies purged and extirped out of his Realme that his subiects should haue no more cause to feare a change neyther while hee liued nor afer his disease The kings commissions beeing sent and published in euery Prouince the third orders that is the cleargie the Nobilitie and the deputies of the people assembled in the principall Towne of euery Prouince and Corporation to conferre of their declarations complaints greefes and of the meanes they should vse to propound them in the assembly to chuse their Deputies that might speake for all the Prouince When the king sent his commissions the league likewise and it may bee by the same meanes caused their memorials and articles to bee giuen to euery Baliage and Stewardship most affected to their factions that they might set them down with the rest of their requests Wherevpon the author of the treatie made touching the causes and reasons of bearing armes by the league made in Ianuary 1589. saith that those memorials were sent to the most passionate leaguers The names of the Deputies is to be seene in a discourse imprinted vpon this matter following by Iamet Mettayer That they might procure to be appoynted Deputies by the Bailiffes so that in a manner all the Deputies of the third orders were altogither participants with the league and their remembrances formed to require that which they had beene certified of before and that the credite of the league was such that the Marshals Harbengers for the king durst not refuse lodging to such as were marked with their Pater nosters I would set downe the names of the Deputies to giue the Reader free choise destinction of such as were found to be sent by special procurement others that had no other intent but onely the zeale of the augmentation of the Catholicque and Romane religion the honour seruice of the king the reformation of disorder and the comfort of the poore people but that is to bee seene in a particular discourse printed to the same end wherevnto I referre the Reader Meane time wee will go before to marke out the lodgings for this assembly for all the Deputies are on horsebacke to meete at Lewis where the king would bee Heere endeth the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTOrie of the last troubles of France from the assembly of the estates and the peace of Chartres till the breaking vp thereof beeing the sixteenth of Ianuary 1589. And the troubles that beganne in the same moneth at Parris and in other Townes WHen folly rauisheth and vsurpeth the ordering cōduction of a great serious matter it is a hazard if euer it fall out to the contentment of him that taketh it in hand It is a poynt of folly in the Duke of Guise to seeke the kings good will seeing that of a proude minde hee had separated himselfe from it by an vnreconcileable offence Folly to suppose that the peace of Chartres had healed the continuall bleeding woundes of the Barricadoes folly likewise to come to Blois seeing the king would not go to Parris therfore it was the assembly at Bloys that must make the bridge betweene the extremities of their desires There they played subtiltie one with the other he that should be deceiued thought vpon nothing else but to deceiue the partie that deceiued him The Duke of Guise was glad of the meeting of the estates because he was assured that among so many Deputies hee should finde a sufficient number to authorise his cause and giue a hard plunge or rather ouerthrowe to the Kings power And the king thoght that with his royall authoritie he should haue credite sufficient with the three Estates of his Realme and courage ynough in his heart there to punish the Duke of Guise for all his vaine and glorious enterprises each of them trauelled for the aduancement of their desires the Duke of Guise
ingenious and sweete not pompious with arrogancie nor furred with artificialnesse not boulstered with blasphemies not fantasticated with nouelties nor false nor ridiculous as those of the eloquent Orators of the league and if you take away but two or three bookes issuing out of the shops of these Apothicaries wherein neuerthelesse there is nothing to bee redde but olde fables well composed vnder a goodly and a faire couerture you shall finde that as they desire not to doo well so they connot speake well and all the harmony of their writings is but a rude discord of the strings of some olde viole and a building of diuers peeces weake and very feeble The Orations pronounced in this assembly are not in such manner and although there are some that sauour of the kennell from whence they issue yet I esteeme this Historie would thereby be much bewtified but we will reserue them for a larger volume for that the breuitie wee haue promised in the beginning permitteth mee not at large to induce them heerein That onely of the king full of liuely affection of true magnanimitie of reasons pertinent and very likely is like liuely portratures of the beauties of France and the euill fauourednesse which the League hath borrowed vppon her face ought to be placed herein in her proper originall splendure as not being a long preambulation or discourse such as Theopompus Ephorus and Anaximenes vsed to the Captains when they receiued their charge and that it is time rather to doo then say but a discourse woorthie the Maiestie of a King of France and of Henry the third that had that great aduantage aboue all the Princes of his time to aunswere promptly wisely and aptly to all important occasions that were presented that like an ignorant Pilot committed not the guiding of his shippe to his mates and neuer spake by an other mans mouth had within himselfe the knowledge of mannaging the rurther and the wordes that gaue the vnderstanding of his will The places then beeing appoynted and filled according to the greatnesse order and degrees of euery man all the Deputies standing vppe bare-headed the King beganne in this manner to make his Oration by a graue choise of goodly wordes and with a tongue truely ledde by his passions and that yeelded no other sound then the naturall harmonie The kings Oration to the estates MY Lords and friends I will beginne with an humble supplication vnto God from whom proceedeth all good gifts and holy operations that it will please him to ayde me with his holy Spirit conducting me as it were by the hand in this serious action therein to acquit that which I take in hand as woorthily as the worke is holy desired attended and necessary for the vniuersall good of my subiects which is the restoring of my estate by the generall reformation of all the parts of the same which I haue sought as much or rather more then the preseruation of my own proper life Ioyne with mee therefore I pray you in this most instant request which I now make vnto him beseeching him that he wil more and more strenthen that constant desire by him alreadie for that cause rooted within my heart and that likewise hee will take from you all particular passions if there bee any that reiecting all other parts but that of your king you haue no regard but imbrace the honour of God the dignitie and authoritie of soueraigne Prince and to restore the countrie in such manner that there may ensue so laudable and fruitfull a resolution accompanied with so good effects that my estate may receiue his ancient splendure And this will be a worke woorthy of the place wherevnto I am called and witnesse both your capacities and loyalties He whom I haue now inuoked to ayde both me and my estate that is the searcher of all our hearts if it pleaseth can bee a witnesse that assoone as hee appoynted me to be commaunder ouer you an incredible greefe entered into me touching your publike and particular miseries together with a care that euer since hath much increased in mee to procure some wholesome remedies with as happy an end as therein it is much more then necessary What greefe thinke you hath penitrated in my entrals within these fewe yeares since age and experience haue made more capable to apprehend the desolation oppression and ouerthrow of my poore people withall seeming vnto me that my raigne should bee reserued for a light of the iust wrath of God which I acknowledge iustly to hang ouer our heades both for mine and the sinnes of my subiects in generall For this cause I stroue as much as I could to fluffe vp the corruptions and disorders that had made so violent an habitation there and to resist the euilles which had not all been done by mee and which by my onely means if remedie might be had I will appease For I would say without boasting of my selfe that there hath been no meanes to reforme the depriuation of my estate but that I haue called it to minde thereby to establish the same if I had been as well assisted as I was by you good Madame and as necessitie and my good will deserued but I cannot sufficiently shewe how much I haue been ayded by my good mother the Queene which cannot in any sort bee declared and I must say that among so many assistances and strickt obligations whereby shee holdeth all my subiects tyed vnto her that therein they haue aspeciall and my selfe a particular cause that with you in this notable assembly you should yeeld her most humble and hartie thankes Which is that shee is not onely the cause that by the grace of God I am now in this world to bee your king but by her continuall and holy instigations laudable actions and vertuous examples shee hath in such sort ingraued in my soule a right and true intent to the aduancement of the honour of GOD the preferment of his holy Catholicque and Romish Church and the reformation of my estate that the intentions which I haue heeretofore declared wholly tending vnto all good things wherevnto more then euer I was I am resolued proceedeth onely from her not once complaining of the labours indispositions or discommodities of her age in any thing wherein she hath perceiued or found the meanes to aduance this estate hauing so oftentimes preserued the same that shee not onely deserueth the name of the Mother of your King but also of your estate and kingdome Now my principall care and pleasure beeing wholly set to restore this goodly Monarchie and iudging particular remedies not to bee conuenient for the time I determined to assemble my generall estates wherein as in all other things for the good of this Realme it pleased her much to incourage mee knowing that by assembling them I should not leese one houres time what generall oppositions soeuer entered into my my minde and with the which many men peraduenture thought I should bee so
it is a necessary euill warres likewise cannot bee well followed without mony and seeing at this present wee are in a good course to extirpe accursed heresies it is necessary we should prouide great summes of mony to furnish our expenses for want whereof to say the trueth our leuyings of men will bee more to our hinderances then our profits and yet there can be no exployt done without them For my part therefore I promise not to spare any meanes whatsoeuer wherein likewise I craue that zeale of you which you haue alwaies assured mee to beare vnto the seruice of God and the commoditie of this Common-wealth And therefore you must shewing you the full reuenues of my whole estate haue that consideration that the Senate of Rome had of an Emperour who desiring as I doo to suppresse all subsidies shewed him that such leuyings of treasure were the sinues and vaines of the body of the Common-wealth which beeing taken away it would presently desolue and be vnlosed And yet I say that I would to God that the necessitie of my estate constrained mee not to vse them and that at one instant I might gratifie my people with so goodly a present as also that my daies might be abridged not desiring to liue any longer then that my life might be profitable and aduantage to the seruice of God and all your preseruations Touching the order required for the disposing of my treasures so much for the comfort and ease of my people whether it bee concerning the ouer great numbers of officers or other particularities I am perswaded you will take as good order by your wisedomes as shall bee requisite as beeing one of the principall pillers whereby wee and all our estate in generall for the most part are supported It is likewise a matter of conscience that toucheth our soules healths to take order for our debts which I haue not altogither made but beeing debts of our Realme you ought to haue a care thereof wherevnto both publicque faith and wisedome bindeth you all and you shall bee certified what they are The King beeing the patron whereby all his subiects learne to frame their actions it is therefore that of my naturall inclination I will so gouerne mine owne person and my house that from hencefoorth they shall serue for a rule and example to all the rest of my Realme and Kingdome And to the end I may witnesse by effect that which you desire of mee and which is most deepely ingraued within my heart touching this great assembly hauing fully determined vpon your memorialles and billes which I desire you may bee done with all the speede you can and with your good counselles and aduise as I will shew vnto you the next day after in open audience in the Church that it may bee knowne to all my subiects and so holde it for an inuiolable and firme lawe whereby no man may withstand it but with shame and infamie and vppon paine to bee accessary of high treason as an enemie to this countrie I meane by oath vppon the Euangelistes to binde all the Princes Lordes and Gentlemen that are assistant at this Parliament togither with you the Deputies of my estates and therevppon you shall receiue the Sacrament to obserue all the thinges that therein are contained as sacred lawes not reseruing vnto my selfe the libertie of exemption from the same for any cause pretence or occasion whatsoeuer may heereafter happen Which done I will presently cause it to bee sent into all the Courts of Parliament throughout my Realme to sweare all Ecclesiasticall Noble and common persons therevnto with this clause that whosoeuer opposeth himselfe against it shall alwaies bee holden as a notorious traitor And if heerein I seeme to submit my selfe more then becommeth mee vnto the lawes whereof I am the Authour and which of themselues dispence with mee therein and that by this meanes I reduce my rovall estate to more certaine termes and poynts then that of my predecessors It is the principall cause that maketh the generous minde of the Prince best knowne and discerned to addresse and frame his thoughts and actions vnto his good lawes and wholly to oppose himselfe against the corruptions thereof and it will suffice mee to make answere therevnto as that King did to whom it was tolde that hee sought to leaue his royaltie in woorse estate to his successors then hee enioyed it from his predecessors that he would make it much more durable and assured then euer it was But to end my long discourse hauing vsed authoritie and commaundement I will now proceede to exhortations and prayers and first I charge you all by the dutie you owe to God by whom I am appoynted and substituted ouer you to represent his person by the name of true Frenchmen that is of passionate louers of their naturall and lawefull Prince by the ashes of the memories of so many Kings my Predecessours that haue so louingly and happily ruled and gouerned ouer you by the charitie that you beare vnto your Countrie by the boundes and hostages it hath of your fidelities your wiues your children and your domesticall fortunes that with all your hearts you imbrace this occasion that you bee wholly and altogither carefull for the Common-wealth that you vnite and ioyne your selues with mee to striue against the disorders and corruptions of this estate by your sufficiencie by your integritie and by your greate care and diligence abandoning and forsaking all contrary thoughts and following onely my example not hauing any other desire then the onely good of the Common-wealth and as my selfe beeing estraunged from all other ambition then that onely which concerneth and toucheth a subiect as I my selfe beare no other minde then that which belongeth vnto a good faithfull and Christian King If you doo otherwise you shall bee filled with all accursednesse you will imprint a perpetuall spot of infamie in your posteritie and names and also bereaue your posteritie of that successiue name and title of sidelitie towardes your King which by your auncestors hath been so carefully left vnto you And for mine owne parte I will take heauen and earth to witnesse and I will bee iudged both by God and man that it is not my fault nor any want of diligence in mee that the disorders of this Realme haue not beene long since reformed but that you are the onely cause by forsaking your lawefull Prince in so woorthie so holy and so commendable an action Lastly I summon you all to appeare at the latterday before the Iudge of all Iudges where all mens thoughts and secret meanings shall bee opened where the maskes and visards of craftes and dissimulations shall bee pulled off there to receiue reward by you desired for your disobedience towards your King togither with your great negligence and small loyaltie in regard of this estate But God forbidde that I should euer thinke it but rather conceiue that you will rule your selues therein as I perswade my selfe
condition that for his part hee might haue the Marquisat of Saluce Prouence and Dauphine which the Duke of Guise would by no means consent vnto desiring rather to keepe the kingdome wholly for himselfe which was the cause that the Duke of Sauoy mooued at his aunswere sent Monsieur to the King at Chartres in the moneth of August to offer him all loue and friendshippe whereat the Duke of Guise beeing offended practised the saide intelligence and league graunted the Duke of Sauoyes request and the saide Duke of Sauoy was aduertised of of the resolution taken against the king in the Parliament at Blois to the end that for his part he might finde the meanes to dispatch his businesse at the same time wherein hee slept not forgetting neuerthelesse the promise made vnto his Maiestie and that of his owne free will for hee preuented the time of the execution thereof by the surprising of the Marquisate of Saluces which serued as a preparation to the conspiracie made against the person of the King as euery man iudged as beeing most easie to bee perceiued that the Duke of Sauoye who in regard of the puissance of this great Realme is but a meane Prince and hath la Bresse Sauoye and Piedemont so neare vnto the limittes of France that it laye in the kings power to bereaue him of the greatest parte thereof and that in very short time if hee were not ayded or that his Maiestie hadde not hinderances otherwise which made it apparant vnto all the worlde that hee enterprised not the taking of Carmagnolle Rauel and Saluce without assistance and that on the other side the king should bee retained and hindered from making warre against him although that after such hinderance hee might bee well assured that the Parliament beeing ended his Maiestie would recouer both his saide Marquisate of Saluce and wholly ouerrunne him if hee left not off in time For my part I haue heard it reported that this young Prince foreseeing Cadenti arbori securim in iecit A politicque maxime of Spaine Multa fieri prohibentur quae tamen facta tenent seeing the dissipation of our estate assured himselfe that it would bee best for him to bee the first at the dinision as sonne and husbande of two daughters issued from the blood royall of France and so goodly a peece of land lying in the middle of his countrie would bee sufficient cause to awake a man that were most sound a sleepe to mooue and heate the most colde and greatest Pollititian and that although there appeared iniustice in the action yet there would bee reason found to the possession thereof Concluding his determination by this maxime holden in Councell of Spaine That diuers thinges are forbidden which are good and hold steadfast beeing once done And to execute his pretence for the space of a whole yeare hee had solicited the Gouernour of the Citadell of Carmagnole who playing on both side on the one side tooke money of the Duke and on the other side hee aduertised the King thereof and wrought so well by that meanes that hauing gotten aboue fiue and twentie thousand Crownes hee withdrewe himselfe vnto the Court without deliuering the place which the Duke of Sauoye hadde bargained for who perceiuing himselfe deceiued and that the Barricadoes at Parris gaue the King worke in hand and more then hee could doo hee determined to surprise the Citadell of Carmagnole by the meanes of a Corporall called la Chambre whose treason beeing discouered and his fact once knowne hee was hanged by the feete in the Market-place of Carmagnole and then with all his confederates put to death as hee deserued but that notwithstanding the duke perceiuing the kings minde to bee otherwise occupied then to thinke vppon the Marquisat of Saluces hee leuyed great numbers of men Marquesse of S. Sorbin causing the Marquesse of Saint Sorlin to mount on horsebacke and vnder the pretence of a false report giuen out touching the besieging of Montferrat hee approached in so good time that vppon Al-saints day at night hee surprised the Towne of Carmagnole that for the most part was kept by souldiers of Piedemont And the Castle that hadde alwaies beene victualled for aboue the space of two yeares at that time was found wholly vnprouided because that Montseur de Saint Siluie that hadde succeeded in the place of la Coste hadde caused the victualles to bee carried foorth to haue some fresh in their place in such sort that the Captains fearing to indure great miserie and famine with small honour yeelded vppe that impregnable Fort wherein there was found aboue foure hundreth cannons Ordinance founde at Carmagnole great and little with great quantitie of powder and shotte and by that means the double Pistollets that flew about on all sides bare away the double cannons of this Frontier-Towne of France so that in lesse then threce weekes the Duke wanne all the Marquisats of Saluce and also the Captaines and Frenchmen souldiers retiring with liues and goodes saued drummes sounding and playing Ensignes displayed weapons in their handes but no matches lighted and without their paye of three moneths which the Duke had promised them by his agreement This victorie and conquest made the Duke holde vp his head and his seruants made him beleeue that although hee were forced to yeelde it vp again in the mean time he should enioy it and that it is good to bring things to passe when time and opportunitie serueth And for the same cause he made certaine peeces of mony of the value of a Duket to be minted stamped with the picture of a Centaure treading a Crowne of golde vnder his feete with this deuise Opportune The taking of the Marquesse of Saluce troubles the state Not long after the king receiued the newes thereof and considering the troubles distrusts and commotions practised by the League he imputed this surprising to a brauado togither with an euill will against the good and quietnesse of his estate and knew full well that the Duke of Sanoy beleeuing that the deuision of France would impart a peece thereof to euery man he went to take his part that rather for the scituation then any other right or title hee had vnto the Marquisate of Saluces thereby to ioyne it vnto Piedemont and that he had forseene that his Maiestie beeing hindered by quenching the fire that flamed within the heart of his Realme hee would not haue the meanes to ayde himselfe in his extreamities The full relution of the French Nobalitie to make warre in Sauoy Such as at all times had the flower deluce and the respect of the glory of France liuely imprinted in their hearts not beeing able to support the iniurie wrought in the presence of all the estates of France as then assembled in Blois touching the taking of a place which was the onely treasurie of the spoyles of such conquests as the Kings of France brought out of the countrie of Italie shewed the
sent his letters pattents sealed with the great seale vnto the Inhabitants of Romorantin forbidding them not to administer victualles nor amunition to the company of Monsieur de Souuray and they had expresse commaundement to send vnto him That in presence of the Queene-mother hee had refused his Maiestie to subscribe to the ordinance which hee ment to publish concerning certaine treasons as then practised and pretended That his only intent was in his person as a supposed branch of the house of Charlemaine to reestablish the greatnesse and vsurped authoritie of the ancient Maiors of the Pallace to the ende the king should onely beare the name and that hee might deale with him as Charles Martel did with Chilperic Some that were present at this Councel the more to stirre vp the kings minde by the auncient perill of an vnrecouerable fall from his authoritie to shewe him that his Maiestie was to remember the dreame he had before the League beganne which was that the Lyons and wilde beasts by him nourished in his Castle of the Louure deuoured him The kings dreame or vision and that beeing mooued with this vision hee had caused them to bee killed and among the rest one Lyon being the most furious beast of them all Lastly they put the King in minde of Salcedoes processe which had discouered all the pretence of the Councell holden at Nancy the first article whereof was to cease vpon the Kings person of the Councell of fiue persons holden at Parris in the time of Lent in An. one thousand fiue hundreth eightie seuē wherin the Duke de Maine couertly inuayed against his Maiestie Of the memorials taken about the Aduocate Dauid of the letters sent by the Queene of Denmarke to her sonne the Duke of Lorraine which were found about the Abbot of Billy comming from Rome and withall the attempt of the Barricadoes was not forgotten therewith to end their Councell Considerations that stayed the kings minde But three things caused the kings minde to wauer and to staye long before hee resolued vpon it one the respect of the Pope the second his oath made touching the protection of the states and the third the troubles that this execution would breed by their meanes that fauoureth the Duke of Guise Touching the first it was shewed him that his holinesse beeing aduertised of the Duke of Guise at the erecting of the Barricadoes had ceased vpon the Bastille and Bois de Vincennes hee said vnto the Bishop of Parris that the enterprise was ouer bolde that it touched the estate and that the offence would prooue vnrecouerable That his holinesse had often written vnto his Maiestie that hee should assure himselfe of the estates what meanes soeuer hee made and that in these so apparant daungers there is no remedie whatsoeuer but it may bee vsed that hee needed not to inquire if it were lawfull to be done and that it was for the same cause that his Maiestie had obtained a Confessor by him to bee resolued of all things touching or concerning the holy Sea of Rome That the heads and authors of factions are so odious vnto Princes iealous of the quietnesse of the estate that therein they pardon not their owne blood as king Philip that pardoned not Charles his owne sonne that sought to surprise the low Countries And the Duke of Guise when speeches were vsed touching the disobediences of the Duke of Aniou deceased had alwaies this example of extreame iustice readie to produce It is knowne why the Cardinall of Caraffe was strangeled Pope Sixtus at this day liuing in the first yeare of his pontificates put to death the Counte de Pepoly one of the most famous families in all Italie because hee kept certaine banished persons his kinsmen secretly in his house In this Realme of France Iohn Earle of Harcourt of the blood royal of Scotland Lewis de Luxembourg Constable of France Iaques Counte de la Marche issued from the house of Castille diuers others of as great quallitie and estate as the Duke of Guise haue indured shamefull ends because they practised and made secret leagues with forraine Princes and kings The Pope thoght that the Duke of Guise had borne armes for the religiō but after the Barricadoes once erected hee beleeued it not and although religion were the cause of the warres yet should it not bee lawfull without the kings authoritie The example is both good and memorable in the Historie of the king of Spaine called Leoncilde both an hereticque and an Arrian This Barbarian pursued the Christians and pardoned not his owneson that had bin instructed and conuerted vnto Christian religion by Leander Bishop of Tolede hee banished him out of kingdome This young Prince being mooued at the miseries and persecutions of the Christians in his countrie Qui contra genitorem quamuis hereticum talia cogitarer didtwise raise armes against his father at the first he was ouerthrowne and sent into exile at the second time he was put to death and slaine vpon Easterday S. Gregory Archbishop of Tours in this example noteth the effects of the iudgements of God condemneth the boldnesse of this Prince that The king is not bound by oath nor obligation vnto his subiects rebelled against his father and his king although both an hereticque an Arrian Touching the oath which is the second consideration that stayed his Maiestie and which is neuer broken nor neglected but repentance followeth it was tolde the King that euen as betweene the bond-man and the Lord there is no obligation to bee made that there can bee no strickt promise betweene the subiect and the Prince that the promises made are not to bee obserued that if faith bee not to bee holden with him that cannot iustly bee called an enemie and that hath no authoritie to make warres who by the lawe is termed a theefe or a rouer the Prince is not bound to keepe his promise with a meane subiect who by his rebellion hath first violated his owne faith vnto his Prince Necessitie hath no lawe wee must vse time as occasion serueth that is when necessitie compelleth and when men break their faith and promise In great assemblies great examples of punishing rebelles are done and executed as at the marriage of the Emperour Zeno with the daughter of Ardaburis where the Bridegome was slaine Balisene and the Emperours father in lawe committed prisoners The kings of England and Polonia haue often summoned Parliaments therein to take and surprise the Lords that had rebelled against them Our kings haue arested them beeing at their bankets These great motions haue alwaies some extraordiry event but necessitie and publike vtilitie doth authorise them A league grounded vpon the good will of the people The third obiectiō of this vnresolued resolutiō was the great credit which the Duke of Guise had gotten among the people wherevpon it was shewed the king that as the said Princes part had no other credit but among the multitude
layde hand on his rapier being halfe drawne as then hauing his cloake cast about him like a scarfe which hee vsed ordinarily to do and his rapier vnder his cloake which by that meanes hee could not so hastily pull out but that som of those that were in presence perceiuing him to bee so bold at the kings chamber dore preuented him This is the aduise of the Collector the noyse and bustling among them was presently heard within the Councell-chamber which made the Archbishoppe of Lyons to come foorth and went to knock at the chamber doore where as then they had newly slaine the Duke of Guise and yet hee came time ynough thither to heare his last words The astonishment of the Cardinall of Guise The Cardinall of Guise was in a maruellous maze his sences troubled and his courage abated and as hee sought the doore to go out he with the Archbishop of Lyons was arested by Monsieur de Larchan and his guard that made conscience to lay hands vppon them because of their order They desired Monsieur de Larchan to bring them into some chamber that they might not be a wonder to such as passed by wherewith they were Iedde into a litle chamber ouer the kings lodging made not long before therein to lodge the Feuillans and Capucins where for a time they remained without either seate or fire The Cardinall of Guise could not cease by his words to poure out the heate of his passions and his greefes and in that chollor spake certain words which in a quiet and more sencible minde hee would not haue vttered so that hee renued the Kings furie who therewith commaunded la Bastier and Monsieur de Valence two of the fiue and fortie to kill him The one refused the commission saying that his hands should neuer bee defiled with the blood of a man of the Church The other determined to execute the Kings pleasure and beeing accompanied with fixe of his companions hee mounted vp the staires close to the chamber doore where hee was there they stood disputing which of them should beginne and as hee thought to enter hee felt a certaine motion that stopped the heate of his furie The imprisonment of the Cardinal of Bourbon and made him to godowne presently after the Duke of Guise was slaine the king appoynted a guard to attend vppon the Cardinall of Bourbon who as yet was in his bed and to stay Madame de Nemours the Duke de Nemours and the Duke d'Al-boeuf The Prince of Iuinuille The memories of the League write that the great Prior rose vp and went very early to call the Prince de Iuinuille to play a set at tennis whereon they had agreed the night before and finding him in his bed desired him to rise who being soone vp and speedily made readie whether it were because the great Prior was presently followed by certaine of the guard or otherwise it is not certainely knowne he entered in distrust and presently after would haue forced a doore that issued out of his chamber and so haue saued himselfe wherewith the guard tooke him And the great Prior perceiuing by that meanes that their set would not go forward hee tooke his leaue and departed but the trueth is that when the Duke of Guise was slaine the Prince Iuinuille his sonne was hearing Masse in the Chappell of the Castle and comming out from thence as he thought to go vp the staires to find the great Prior with whom he had made a match to play at tennis hee was stayed by the Archers and seeking to defend himselfe they held him and led him into the chamber of the great Prior. Meane time the Switzers were set to keepe the Duke of Guises lodging that no man might come foorth Monsieur de Hautefort Monsieur de Pericard chiefe Secretary and Monsieur de Barnardin chiefe Gentleman of the chamber to the Duke of Guise were taken It is said that Pericard beeing brought to this extremitie either to speake for life or else confesse for death disclosed all the secrets of the League and wholly instructed the king of his Maisters intent Monsieur de Richelieu Marshall of the house accompanied with his Archers and certaine souldiers of the companie of Mōsieur de Gast went into the Town-house where the third estate were assembled and there laide hands vpon the President de Neuilly the Prouost of Merchants in Parris Compan and Corteblance Sheriffes of the said Towne Monsieur le Roy Gouernour of the Towne of Amiens the Counte de Brissac Monsieur de Bois Dauphine and other Gentlemen affectioned to the Duke of Guise that were all arested the rest stayed neither for bootes nor spurres to get them thence this accident being so fearefull vnto them Monsieur de la Chastre iustifieth himselfe The Duke of Guise had two principall seruants that were as disposers of all his secret intents the one the Archbishop of Lyons the other Monsieur de la Chastre The first was safe ynough from any more troubling the king but touching the second hee had him in great distrust by reason of the perfect amitie that hee bare vnto the Duke of Guise but assoone as he had receiued the newes hee went presently to the Duke de Neuers in the armie vnder whom hee was Marshall and saide vnto him that although he had alwaies beene a seruant to the Duke of Guise yet hee still held and continued his faith constant vnto the King and because the great amitie hee bare vnto the Duke of Guise might cause him to be suspected by the King hee willingly yeelded himselfe into the Duke de Nemours hands to iustifie his actions and not long after he went in person to present himselfe vnto the king assuring him that from that time forward to become his faithfull seruant Monsieur d'Antragues in all haste mounted on horsebacke to assure the King of the Towne of Orleans but there he found Monsieur de Roissieu who Orleans holden for the League the same morning had been the with D. of Guise and perceiuing the Guard to bee stricktlier disposed then ordinarily they were and knowing the kings commaundement to shut the gates while the Councell sat hee entered into a maruellous apprehension of the cause presently departed out of Blois to take order for the Town of Orleans sending expresse messengers in all hast to aduertise the Duke de Maine his Maister beeing at Lyons The Queen-mother aduertised of the Duke of Guises death The first thing that the king did after hee came out of his chamber was to beare the newes vnto the Queene his mother to whom hee said that as then he was absolute king and that he had no more companions She at the first was strangely abashed and said vnto the king that it would haue fallen out hardly for him if he had not taken order for the assurance of the towns where the name and memorie of the duke of Guise had credit and authoritie Councelling
him by the Cardinall de Gondy to aduertise the Popes Legate which done shee went to visit the Cardinall of Bourbon that lay sicke and was kept prisoner And assoon as he espied her with tears in his eies he spake vnto her and said Ah Madame you haue brought vs hither vnto the slaughter She that seemed to be much abashed at so violent vnexpected change that then had happened assured him that shee neither had giuen consent nor aduise to any such thing and that it was a most incredible greefe vnto her soule The death of the Queene-mother vpon the fift of Ianuary 1589. But the Cardinal redoubling his complaints shee left him striken at the heart with so great greefe that presently shee went to bed and died therevppon the fift of Ianuary after much lamented by the king her sonne who as yet had need of her counsell The king going out of his mothers chamber went to heare masse where at large hee informed the Legate of the causes that had constrained him to put the Duke of Guise to death as hauing attempted against his person About euening the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Lyons were taken out of the chamber wherein they had been shut to leade them into an other stronger and darker then the first in the highest part of the Castle But sorrow and greefe had so much seized vppon the Cardinall that what apprehension of death so euer he must haue he could not chuse but sleepe assoone as hee was layde vppon the mattresse prepared for him After his first sleepe his spirits reuiued and considering the extream imbasing of his greatnesse and the fall of his house he complained to himselfe of his misfortunes The Archbishop of Lyons vsed al the meanes he could to disswade him from the thinking of any other thing then onely of death which he suspected to bee the ende of both their persons They imployed all their Philosophie to make it seeme easie and lesse fearefull thereby to dispoyle it of the horrible and straunge shape wherewith it is figured vnto vs. They confessed themselues each to other reconciling themselues to God committing their causes vnto him and in that conceit of death they only attended the commandement when and where they should receiue With that the Cardinall had desire to sleepe vntill morning that the Archbishop of Lyons rose vp left him sleeping not long after he waked him to rise to Martins The king in the mean time was counselled yea solicited by most violent reasons to put the Cardinal to death which counsel at the first Iustice regardeth not the qualities of men seemed perilous vnto him considering the quallitie of that Prelate beeing a Peer of France Archbishop of Reims Cardinall of Rome and President of his Order in the Parliament but after he had been shewed that iustice hath her eyes closed not to behold the quallities of men and that the greater authoritie a man is in the greater is his fault that treason is more apparant and a worse example in a Cardinall then in a simple Priest That the Cardinall of Guise would succeed in the credit of his brother and that hee had alreadie vsed threatning speeches hee determined to make him follow after his brother the Duke of Guise and therevppon commaunded Monsieur de Gast to kill him who excused himself of that commission saying it was not a thing conuenient for a Gentleman of his calling But in fine for foure hundreth Crownes they found foure instruments to execute that commission One of them went into the chamber where the Cardinal sat and making low reuerence told him the king sent for him The Cardinall before hee went asked if hee sent not likewise for the Archbishop of Lyons but aunswere was made that he onely must come vnto him wherevpon with an assured countenance that not seeming to thinke vpon the mischiefe that attended on him about three steps within the dore hee bad the Archbishop of Lyons farewell who perceiuing the Cardinall to go without any apprehention of death said vnto him Monsieur I pray you thinke vppon God at the which word the Cardinall ceised with feare was abashed and turned his head towards the Archbishop who at that instant fell downe vppon his knees before the Crucifix recommending his soule vnto God beleeuing stedfastly that they would do the like to him that he supposed they ment to execute vpon the Cardinall who beeing about three or foure pases without the chamber was inclosed by foure men that with blowes of rapiers poinyards and partisans dispatched him of his life and beeing slaine they stripped him The King going to Masse accompanied by the Cardinall of Vandosme and others met the Barron de Lux who falling downe on his feete offered his head to saue the Archbishop of Lyons his vncle The king that loued the Gentleman and that desired not to loose such a Prelate thinking by his meanes to attaine vnto the Quintessence of the Leaguers deuises assured him of his life but not of his libertie Not long after the king sent Monsieur Guiotard and Monsieur Languetot two of his priuie Councell with a Clarke to examine the Archbishop touching the causes and accusations layde against the Duke of Guise He said vnto them that they being Lay-men had not any iurisdiction ouer an Archbishop and that hee beeing such might not aunswere vnto them desiring them not to trouble him any more therein The answer of the Archbishop of Lyons vpon the Duke of Guises accusatiō They returned this answere vnto the King who presently sent the Cardinall de Gondy to perswade him to satisfie his commaundement and to aunswere to the propositions that should bee made vnto him the Archbishop aunswered him and saide that hee could say nothing against the Cardinall nor the Duke of Guise his brother with whom hee had imbarked himselfe that for his owne person hee neither could nor ought to aunswere before any man but the Pope or to those whom it should please him to appoynt and that as Primate of France he had no other Iudge And that that the Cardinall de Gondy himselfe beeing Bishop of Parris was vnder his primatie that if the Cadinall Morosin Legate for his holinesse by the aduise of other Prelates assembled in the parliament thought it conuenient for him to answere he wold follow their resolutiō and that so doing it shuld be they not the Arch. of Lyons that shuld break the Priuileges immunities of the church The king to the contrary esteemed that considering the quallitie and importance of the cause he was not bound to haue recourse vnto the Pope to examine the trueth of the Duke of Guises actions It was shewed him The king hath power ouer Bishops that the priuiledge which the Archbishop demaunded much derogated the soueraigntie and power of his Maiestie who at all times had iurisdiction ouer the Bishops of his Realme specially in things touching the Crowne and when processe was to be
and of the Huguenots and to conclude so much despised all things which neuerthelesse within one moneth after hee was constrained to do that within sixe weekes hee perceiued himselfe to bee reduced onely to the Realme of Tours Blois and Baugency The fourth of January 1589. And so after the death of those two Princes of Lorraine and the imprisonment of the rest that were most suspected despising all the aduise giuen him to enter first into the field and that doing so hee should haue a great aduantage vppon his enemies hee commaunded the estates to proceede with the Parliament They presented him the billes of the three estates and againe the third time the Edict of vnion was published by Monsieur Ruze and sworne by his Maiestie with most solemne protestation to obserue and cause it to bee holden for a lawe of the Realme The king of Nauar vnderstandeth of the death of the Duke of Guise the 26. of December Lachrymas non sponte cadentes effudit genitúsque expressit pectore lato His Councell besought him to reiourne the Parliament vntill an other time but hee was so much affected to heare and determine vpon their billes that hee forgot both the care of his person and estate and would not leaue off the assembly vntill hee heard that the Duke de Maine was alreadie before the subburbes of Parris and that hee went to ayde Orleans with all those with whom hee had practised to reuenge the deathes of his two bretheren The king of Nauarre receiued the newes of this execution beeing at Saint Iohn d'Angely by two Postes expresly sent from Blois on horsebacke to certifie him thereof And he that was neuer found to be voyde of great modestie in his most haughtie enterprises nor yet without constancie in all the greatest crosses which both time and men had wrought against him bewailed not so much the death as the euill fortune of the house of Guise it is the nature of those that are most couerteous not to behold the head of their enemie but with a sad and sorrowfull eye Antigonus bewailed Pyrrus Caezar Pompey Rene duke of Lorraine Charles Duke of Brurgongne and the Earle of Montfort Charles Earle of Blois It is true that hee knewe this accident would bee a great helpe touching his iustification that thereby hee was discharged from beeing cause of the mischiefe of ciuill warres and that the king hauing iudged and found the Duke of Guise to bee most culpable touching the troubles of the estate had punished him according to his desert He said that al the world he onely excepted imagined mischief of the house of Lorraine and would bee glad to see the indignation declarations and forces of the king his Lord bent against them But for his part hee could not doo it neither yet doth it but only that of two euils he is constrained to chuse the least Yet did he not refraine to pursue his enterprise against the Towne of Niort which was in this maner The troupes that were to execute the same vnder the conduct of Mousieur de S. Gelais giuing foorth that they went for Congnac by night marched within halfe a myle of the towne the lathers and other warrelike amunitions passing about a bowe-shot from the walles and because the moone shined very bright they were forced to stay till it was downe least the assaylants should be discouered who in the meane time slept vppon the Ice wearied with long trauell and troublesome way The taking of Niort The execution being followed in conuenient time Messieurs de Ranques Valiers Gentil hauing founded the ditches caused their lathers to be broght other instruments Wherein valour consisteth neare vnto the gate which they ment to assayle I would desire such as shall read this poynt to consider and note that notable enterprises are not executed without good order and discretion and that the honour of armes consisteth not in strength wherein many beasts haue great aduantage ouer vs nor in that kinde of furious assault which is more naturall to beastes then men neither yet in the hearts of the Actors which go where blinde conductions leadeth them but in the good order and pollicie established by the Leaders The approaching of those that bare the lathers was not so secretly done but that the Sentinel heard some noyse and presently cried Quivala Whereat if the assaylant had either beene fearefull or troubled the enterprise had bin discouered and so haue lost their labours But they stayed and stood so quietly that the Sentinell himselfe answered to the Corporall and saide I heard a noyse but I perceiue it is nothing and vppon that the lathers beeing artificially made to ioyne togither were raised against the walles about sixe and thirtie or fortie foote high Scaling Lathers set vp Galeati lepores Liuius 28. By this escalado the Sentinell was surprised and throwne ouer the wall and then the Court of guard wherein they found but seuen or eight poore artificers for that commonly within Townes the rich do watch by the eyes of the poore that saued themselues because they should make no noyse And although it had been determined to let as many of their men mount vp by lathers as possibly they might it chanced neuerthelesse that one of the small number that had entered perceiuing himselfe in some perill cried vnto the engenier and thought to spoyle all their enterprise for that crie made an alarme among all the Inhabitants and serued to the engeniers for a watch-word to play with their Ensignes being before the Rauelin which made an ouerture of the gate and at that instant the Engin wrought against the bridge of the Towne which brake but two plankes of the bridge and so the gate opened in two parts the entrie of the bridge was very straight where one man alone could hardly get in and yet hee must descend by one of the lathers into the ditch and then with the same lather go vp to the entrie of the bridge two men well armed had beene sufficient to haue kept it against them all In the end by meanes of that entrie and by their escalado the first that entered were Messieures de S. Gelais de Rambures and de Parabieries who with their companies met hard by the Towne-house where they beganne to crie Viue Nauarre and there among the people being in feare surprised and abashed they found so small resistance that in lesse then three or foure houres the assaylants entered vanquished became Maisters of the towne being put to the spoyle and yet without murther violence or iniurie done vnto the Cleargie that were not once touched the king of Mauarres intent beeing not to constraine them in their religion Hee receiued the newes of this surprise at S. Iohn d'Angely whereas then he remained the gouernment whereof he committed vnto Monsieur de S. Gelais Monsieur de Parabieres commaunded in the Castle wherein hee found fiue peeces for batterie and two long coluerins
which hee that was Captaine thereof had caused to bee made therewith as hee said to salute the king of Nauarre when hee should approach the walles of Niort The siege of Ganache In the meane time Monsieur de Neuers besieged la Ganache a very strong Towne lying in the marches of Poitou and Brittaine with sixe battering peeces foure double and two demy coluerins after hee had summoned Monsieur du Plessis by a Herault to yeelde the Towne vnto him The batterie beganne vppon New-yeares day and within foure dayes after the breach was reasonable great to giue the assault which was done with great fury and aunswered with the like courage whereby the assaylants left at the least fiftie of their mē dead within the ditches the assieged loosing at the same time two good Captaines and certaine souldiers The next day Monsieur de Paluau sent a drumme to Monsieur de Plessis to aduise him to growe to some good composition saying that hee had obtained sufficient honour by defending so weake a place that his wilfulnesse hindered the king of Nauarres affaires and that the Duke de Neuers had fully resolued not to leaue the siege before hee brought the Towne vnder subiection wherevpon hee ingaged his honour Monsieur de Plessis resolued vppon a conference hoping by that means to certifie the king of Nauarre of his affaires the effect of the cōference was to yeelde the Towne and to issue armed their goods saued Meane time the king of Nauarre issued out of Niort minding to relieue the Towne but a sicknesse proceeding from a great chaffing of his body which hee did lighting of his horse to heate himselfe beeing extreame colde seized vppon him which stayed him in a little village called Saint Pere where he was troubled with so fearce and cruell fittes of a feuer that hauing been let blood and all remedies vsed that possible might bee found it was thought hee would haue died and the report of his death was brought vnto the Court. But God who in so troublesome and confused a time ment to vse the seruice of so great a Prince whom hee had saued from so many perilles to make him the woonder vnto kings and the king of woonders The king fell sicke the 9. of Ianuary stayed the arest of death which the Phisitions had pronounced against him restoring him vnto a liuely and good health and of a beholder made him enter vpon the Theator not as one that vpon a suddaine by accident feare foresights nor hopes should represent a king in a commodie but to fulfill the true and lawfull office of a king After hee was recouered perceiuing that Messieurs de Chastillon de la Roche Foucaut de la Trimouille and Plassac could do nothing touching the relieuing of Ganache and that the Duke de Neuers with his armie made towards Blois hee tooke the places bordering vpon Niort The iudgement of the Huguenot touching the death of the Duke of Guise The Huguenots in their writings published at that time acknowledged not that action of the 13. of December as a clap of thunder that maketh more noyse then it doth hurt nor as a disgrace of fortune wherevnto the greatest personages are most subiect but as a worke of God and as one of the most notable workes that he had wrought for them thereby beginning to worke their reuenge for the massacre of Saint Bartholomewes day and to relieue them out of the miserable estate wherein they liued The Catholicques that neuer separated themselues from the auncient fidelitie of France nor from the seruice of the king cōsidered not so much vppon that which had passed at Blois as vppon the cause thereof they admired the kings long patience that rather suffered those Princes to doo what pleased them for the space of certaine yeares then once to punish them for a first second and third fault and that in the end this long patience changed into a iust furie These Princes made leagues both within and without the Realme without his Maiesties consent or knowledge they seized vpon townes and strong places in the land euery man forsooke the king to follow them they would haue the king to yeeld them account of all that hee had spent and done since his aduancement to the Crowne they had dispearsed iniurious and slaunderous bookes throughout the Realme and by them made the name of the king to become odious besides the disputation by them made touching the right and title vnto the king of France as if the king and all his Predecessors had enioyned and holden the kingdome wrongfully from the house of Lorraine at this day liuing And to conclude they were at the poynt to kill the King if they had not been preuented As then one reioyced at the death of the Duke of Guise esteeming it for a worke of God all the League to the contrary made great sorrow Two daies after the execution the sixteenth displayed their olde colours and cried out murther fire and vengeance they presently made a collection of monies to maintaine warres the poorest artificer among them was content to impart at least sixe Crownes some hauing no mony that they might not bee found without affection to that commotion solde and pawnde their goods to bee contributaries vnto it golde ranne like a riuer along the streetes they found hidden treasures and it seemed that France had nourished theeues to make an almasse of treasures for those inraged people Parris became the infamous Theater of rebellion wherein the sixteenth like furies issuing out of hell shewed the fier and flame wherewith they inclosed and murthered the poore countrie of France Vnder those mad dogges and stinking impostumes of the Cōmon-wealth was practised the most filthie and straungest rising that euer troubled the estate of any Towne To please the sixteenth they must displease God their king their own cōscience He was but hardly thought on that had not halfe a dozen of great outrages wherewith to detest that execution and an elegie for the memorie of the Duke of Guise and all with the most sad sorrowfull countenance that might be deuised withall powring out some notorious and blasphemous oathes the better to counterfet a disliking Hee that could not recite the memorable actions of the Duke of Guise eleuate him to heauen with open mouth speake euill of the King detest his actions abhorre his life and account the execution done at Blois as most cruell barbarous and in humane was neither accounted an honest man good Catholicque well affected nor yet zealous There was no foolish Poet nor Ballet-singer within Parris that deuised not one couple of songs touching this action nor any Preacher that found not one place in his sermon wherein to vtter a multitude of iniuries against the king There was no Printer that set not his Presse on work with discourses made touching his death but aboue all there was great disorder libertie permitted in Preachers that who not onely cast foorth
bound to giue iudgement according vnto the lawes as they haue sworne and promised at their admitting Neuerthelesse part of the Iudges at this day haue so great a pride in themselues that they affirme themselues not to bee bound to iudge according to the laws written by the Iurisconsules that they are not bound to the imperiall lawes but onely in those poynts which they find not decided by the ordinances royall which haue handled but fewe causes touching lawe but onely containe certaine generall constitutions they will iudge according to their owne equities and therein as euery mans wit and sence serueth him so many heades so many opinions so many soueraigne Courts so many sentences and iudgements Frō thēce proceedeth the cōtrarietie of sentēces diuersitie of iudgemēts in one cause and in one matter whereby the poore suters fall into an infinit of charges and continuall sutes This mischiefe happeneth many times by the ignorance of youth which runne to ruine by presumption and philautie for that such as are learned in the lawes and that haue a good conscience take paines to satisfie their offices and to limit their zeale of iustice according to conscience and the doctrine they haue attained vnto Otherwise there should bee no difference betweene the Iudge and the Artificer but onely in the gowne and the cappe togither with their pattents receiued from the king Remedie This sore cannot bee healed but by good and faithfull examiners in soueraigne Courts for they do lightly prooue and sound the depth of the learning of such as present themselues to bee admitted they throwe iustice and the subiects of this Realme into the waters and puddles of errors and ignorances from whence they cannot get out But if it were permitted vnto young men by their Parents to studie the time in that case appoynted without taking them from the Vniuersities as fruite from a tree before it is ripe to place them in the seate of Iustice this would bee a great meanes to make them capable but the ambition of fathers at this day is so great and they are in such feare to leaue their children without offices that they had rather therein see them vnwoorthie and deridid then wise and honoured which partly to remedie all reuersions must bee cut off and no more graunted The sale of Offices 5. Disorder The corruption that is vsed in iustice by the sale and infamous building of offices belonging to the same a great shame to this estate and in our time time wherein this Realme onely among all Monarchies and Potentates yea the most barbarous iustice and the Iustices office is solde by publike authoritie and giuen to him that offereth most although he be the most vnwoorthie The excuse is made vppon the publike necessitie of this Realme as if the sale of offices the mony whereof for the most part is disposed and goeth to the receiuers that inrich them that smal summe which is clearely left can be so great maintenance to the Realme from this first sale of offices which is done by publike authoritie ensueth a consequence which seemeth to bee naturall yet very euill that whosoeuer hath bought an office by great may sell iustice by retale to make vp his mony From thence proceedeth the corruption of Iudges that euen as at the entery into their offices they are forsworne affirming that they neither gaue nor payde any mony to attaine the same they become much more periured in their consciences betraying and selling iustice drawing vppon them the curse of Iudas the perpetuall trembling of Cain and the Leprosie of Ciesi with other such like executions and maledictions It is the corruption and damnation of the wicked Iudges which maketh honest men abstaine from the places and yet some of them how honest soeuer they shewe they haue some sparke of couetous desire to handle spices and sweete sugar yet much more bitter then the hony of Sarde And as this sale of offices hath increased a great number of Iudges Councellors Atturneyes Clarkes and Soliciters whereof there are so many that make their aduantage by sucking the treasure blood of the people that it is well knowne that lawe costeth the people of this Realme twise as much more as all the tallages and not onely the common people but also the Nobilitie and great personages whereby many good houses are ouerthrowne Remedie Is the reducing and surprising of this great number of Iudges to the ancient iust and first number and the interdiction of the sale of offices by publike and perpetuall lawe The Archbishop of Bourges hauing set downe the other disorders that spring and haue their issues out of the first he besought the king to take order therein by a good and perfect reformation which shall cause the people to increase iustice to flourish and assure the tranquilitie of this Realme to make it continue as long as the moone continueth in the Elements and so hee ended his Oration The Oration for the Nobilitie The same day Charles de Cosse Counte de Brissac Lord of Estland Great-Panetier and Falconer of France who after the death of the Duke of Guise had reobtained the kings fauour and continued in the honour which before hee had to bee President of the Nobilitie of France beganne his Oration and hauing excused his insufficiencie he assured himselfe that the king considering that the profession of a Gentleman consisteth more in deede then in word hee would with his Graces fauour couer the imperfection of his discourse and that as in the disputation betweene two Musitions Piton and Cephiseus Pirrus gaue iudgement that Pelibercon was the better Captaine so his Maiestie hearing the thundering eloquence of Monsieur de Bourges and Monsieur Bernard would iudge him but to be a souldier which done hee saide That the long raigne of the king had sufficiently shewen that it is not the hand of fortune that haue inuironed the forehead of his Maiestie with a double Diademe but God that hath established him for our King and that before chose him for Monarch of a people further distant not for the greatnesse of his royall linage nor for the vniuersall signes and tokens of the valour of Frenchmen but for the pietie faith clemencie and magnanimitie wherewith it hath pleased his gracious goodnesse to haue adorned his Maiestie in his most tender yeares That it is sufficiently knowne that in his raigne onely the heauens haue not permitted the birth of so many mischiefes but that during the times of great kings his predecessors heresie schisme disorder and diuision hath entered into the peoples hearts and that we must beleeue that God hath caused him to bee borne in the middle of the troubles of France reseruing vnto him that hath supported the paines and trauels the honor and glory vnto so iust a labour to the end that by the hands of so famous a Prince France hauing prostrated it selfe vnto the furies of hereticques may not onely be succoured but reuenged not
saued but increased not flourishing but eleuated aboue all nations and that from this triumph so much desired his Maiestie shall reape the honour his estate the principall good and all the people of Europe bee participants to this happie chance it beeing an assurance vnto his Crowne the most assured stay of all Christendome The memorable victory of the â—ing against the Rutters That the victories which France desireth to see his Maiestie obtaine shal be but a continuation of the ouerthrow by him giuen to that great and searefull armie of Rutters Switzers Lansquenets and French Huguenots which by the good conduction vigilacie of his Maiestie receiued more shame and losse then it hoped to reape in riches honour and the Switzers found more fauour and mercie then before they had shewed boldnesse and desire to doo him iniurie those that were saued returning like trumpets of his renowne publishing the honours praises and victories of his Maiestie That now the prayers teares and trauels of auncient Frenchmen seemed to aske vengeance against those that after so many religious times haue violated the Sepulchers of their fathers and ours who by fire furie and rage would pull from among vs this onely religion which those holy fathers had planted throughout the world That of all reprobates there can bee no sect found that is so dangerous nor abhominable as that of the Hugunots and as their impietie is extreame so ought their punishment to bee the like That it is knowne whether the furie of the enemie be greater then the disorders are deplorable which are found to bee in the Church by negligence ignorance confidence and abuse And proceeding to shewe the affection and zeale which the Nobilitie continueth in the assistance of the King to remit religion and the state in their first splendure and with the price of their liues following the example of their elders and the hereditary generositie of such as haue driuen out and vanquished the Gothes Vandales Arrians Albigeois Lombardes Sarazins and Pagans that haue pursued the defence of the faith and victories of the kings of France from the furthest parts of the Ocean Seas farre beyond the Westerne and that haue not left any place for the reputation of their honours within the compasse of the circle of the sunne hee besought his Maiestie to fauour the antiquitie of the priuiledge right belonging to the Nobilitie in them to acknowledge the seruices done vnto his predecessors The prowesse of auncient Frenchmen to reforme the rules and militarie ordinances of the Kings his auncestors not to permit that any by mony or fauour may attribute vnto himselfe the name of a Gentleman to maintaine the priuiledges of the order of the knights of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem to cut off the superfluities in iustice to moderate his subsidies order his treasures reestablish the Magistrate ordaine an order and pollicie among souldiers cause the Church to bee reformed and to punish the enemies of our holy religion And so wishing a thousand prosperities to the king and peace vnto his subiects hee ended his Oration The complâ—â—â—ts of the third estate The agreement of subiects to the kings obedience Heresie and schisme Monsieur Bernard Councellour of the Parliament in Dyon presented the complaints of the third estate beginning his Oration with a solemn thanksgiuing for the promise made by his Maiestie fully to execute the holy Edict of vnion written marked pointed vnto by the finger of god by the which heresies shall bee driuen away as cloudes that are dispearsed by the sunne exhorting all the townes and subiects of this Realme besides this vnion in one onely religion to enter into an other vnion good intelligence for the seruice of the King continuance of his dignitie and in defence of the good of the estate euery man remembring that the Prince is giuen of God to commaund and the subiects to obey Hee discouereth all the infirmities of this polliticque bodie which beside the vlcer of heresie and partiallities haue most straungely corrupted this Realme Blasphemies are naturall and ordinarie speeches among diuers Frenchmen adulterie is a sport coniuration is a subtiltie of spirit curiositie honestie and simonie a common trade of marchandise Simony Simony is not onely a spirituall Leprosie of the Church but a poyson which innisibly is tasted by the Nobilitie and a contagion which intecteth the third estate The Gouernments of townes places and Castles are committed to meane Gentlemen the suretie of the Inhabitants of a place of importance is exposed to the hazard of the meanes and riches of a Captaine euill affected The most ignorant beeing rich obtained the chiefest places within this Realm meÌ„ are rather known by the goldennesse of their estates then by their vertues knowledge and wisedome and haue nothing but an officers gowne to hide and couer their ignorance So the beautie of Iustice is darkened the elections of benefices and offices violated good customes peruerted vertue banished exiled vice in authoritie and rapin marcheth throughout the Realme with Ensignes displayed The disorder in warres The insolencie of horsemen the violence of souldiers who like mad men and patrticides haue pilled torne murthered violated and sacked this countrie of France our Common-wealth haue spoyled the villages with so barbarous hostilitie that most part of the lands are vntilled firtile places become desarts houses voyde and the flat countrie vnpeopled and all things reduced into a most fearefull disorder The Partisans Warre is not onely made among the people by souldiers inrolled and prest by the kings coÌ„missioÌ„ but also by another sort of enemies that haue no lesse troubled his subiects then an armie of Rutters which are the partakers such as by importunitie gifts and inuentions of new tallages haue drawne the treasures of this Realme into their coffers and made the people readie to begge those are the deuisers of sibsidies and new Edicts the executors of extraordinary commissions buyers and fellers of offices vermine of men hatched by harpies bred vp in one night who by their deuises haue fretted this Realme euen to the very ashes of houses They march proudly incredite with the Seargent at their heeles at their word to execute the kings subiects with summons in their hands to constraine the consciences of the good and to violate the authoritie and religion of soueraigne Courts by crosssing of payes and interdictions of entries Many Edicts haue been verified and registred with these words by commaundements diuers times reiterated in good and iust Edicts the commandements of the soueraigne Prince is not necessarie Treasures euil imployed That if such and so great nouelties and oppressions neuer seen nor heard of in France had been deuised for the profit and commoditie of his Maiestie the complaints against them were neither iust nor reasonable but the souldiers haue bene without maisters and not payd the wages of officers lessened and the treasures spent and consumed And yet they go about to
the Marshall of Birons charge The Leaguers beginning then a bloodie skirmage it was most valiantly held out by the kings troupes at what time in the first assault Monsieur Sagonne a principall man of the Leaugue was slaine with diuers of his horsmen the rest were put to flight But they comming with a fresh supply the kings wearied souldiers were forced to retire There the Switzers who was of the Regiment of Monsieur de Soleurre vnder the Collonell Galati did stay and withstand the furie of the Leaguers being ayded by certaine harguebuziers which were lodged in places of aduantage and by the Cannon which played vpon the Leaguers And while this second charge was preparing the Leaguers Lance-knights drew near vnto the trenches declaring that they would yeeld themselues to the king And after some speech on both sides though many French Gentlemen were of an other opinion they were at last receiued But while the kings Maiestie with Monsieur de Biron and their troupes of horsemen fought here and there these Lance-knights perceiuing clearely the great power of the Leaguers The falshood of the Leaguers Lance-knights togither with the Switzers iudged in themselues that the king was alreadie halfe vanquished and vpon this imagination they began to turne their weapons against him Then receiuing the words they lighted vppon the Marshall de Birons troupe and beating away the most part of the souldiers there they tooke the Ensignes of the Switzers and Lance-knights belonging to the king then deliuering this Trench to the Leaguers it was suddainly repaired by them but they held it not very long For the Duke de Montpensier beeing come thither with his Cornet of Horse and an other company of the vantgard of his men of warre being also assisted by Monsieur de Chastillon with a fresh supply of fiue hundreth harguebuziers The Leaguers were constrained to depart both from Maladere and the Trench where the king speedily brought two great peeces of Ordenance which he caused to be shot off among the thickest of the Switzers his enemies who with certaine of the horfmen made a retrait in the which they were mightily damnified by the great shot neuerthelesse they neuer turned their faces to looke backe whereby they might see from whence their hurt came This day the Leaguers lost a great number of souldiers and men of warre among whom were diuers of their chiefe Gentlemen and many were taken prisoners The King lost also sixe or seuen Gentlemen with the Earle of Roussie and a fewe footemen There were many hurt by the traiterous practise of the Leaguers Lance-knights On Sunday the foure and twentieth the Leaguers armie raised themselues about midnight and vpon the Tuesday following they came vpon the other side of the Towne of Arques and set semselues right against the place from whence they were parted assaying to batter it with cannon shot But the king found the leaguers so much worke by continuall skirmiges and hampered them in such sort that vppon the eleuenth day after their comming thither they were faine shamefully to withdraw themselues from the Towne of Arques vpō the news which they receiued that the Earle de Soisson the D. de Longueuille and the Marshal d'Aumont were comming within twentie leagues of Arques with their troupes to strengthen the king in his forces While these affairs were in hand the leaguers to make the Parisians beleeue great things and dreame of wonders sent the Ensignes thither which they had taken from the kings Switzers and Lance-knights as a token of the good successe which they had against his Maiestie Wherevppon there was a certaine pamphlet imprinted at Parris wherein it was published that betweene Arques and Deepe where the king of Nauarre was besieged the Duke de Maine had wonne from them foureteene Ensignes of the footemen and eight Cornets of their horsemen were by him slaine These grose fables were set out to feed the people with vaine fancies and to pinch the purses of those that were readie to beleeue it and that bare a good desire to haue it so The king thought at the first that this retrait was but a pollicie wrought by the Duke de Maine that bending himselfe to entercept his succours before they came vnto him hee might the easier subuert them and afterward returne with more strength and furie then before For this cause the king resolued with himselfe to ioyne the Earle of Soisson and the others togither After the which leauing the Marshall of Biron at Deepe his Maiestie with foure hundreth horse met and ioyned with his succours within fiue myles of the leaguers armie who with them incontinent passed ouer the riuer of Somme The Duke de Maine was faine for his credits sake to couer this his shamefull retrait with a quaint excuse He therefore published abroad that he was constrained speedily to go down into Picardte to possesse himselfe of those Citties which hee was bound by the agreement made at Arras to deliuer to the Spaniards Vpon this newes the king determined to stay the returne of the leaguers beeing perswaded that the Cities of Picardie would not be drawne to consent in any wise to submit themselues vnder the Spanish troupes Hauing then prouided for his affaires in Normandie and gathered togither those succours which the Queen of England had sent vnto him he departed out of those parts the one and twentieth of October with full purpose to awaken the Leaguers in Picardie and to constraine their chiefe commaunders to auoyde that countrie where by treason they had taken the Towne of Fere and after deliuered it to the Spaniards This done his Maiestie by casie iourneyes drew neare vnto Parris and incamped himselfe within a league thereof vpon the last day of the same moneth The same day hauing knowne what trenches the enemies had made round about the Subburbes on that side where hee was by the aduise of his warrelike Councell they concluded to assayle them on the morrow by breake of day by three seuerall companies and in three sundrie places The first companie consisted of foure thousand Englishmen two French Regiments and one regiment of Switzers who were led by the Marshall de Biron to assaile that side of the subburbes called Saint Victor and Marceau The second companie hauing two Regiments of Switzers foure of Frenchmen and foure of strangers were all vnder the conduct of the Marshall d'Aumont for that part of the Subburbes called Saint Iaques and Saint Michael The third companie consisted of tenne Regiments of Frenchmen one Regiment of Launce-knights and one Regiment of Switzers who were commanded by the two Lords Chastillon and la Noue Each one of these troupes were winged with a good number of hardie Gentlemen on foote well armed and appoynted to assist the rest of the footemen if any cause of resistance were and these set vppon that part of the subburbes called Saint Germaine Bussi and Nesle These had at their taile two cannons and two coluerins the king commaunded
field who hauing heard the Bishops Oration tending to a generall peace or perticular to Parris if the Duke de Maine would not seeke for a general made this answere after he had shewen how their Councel had infolded them in contraduction asking peace for him which would not acknowledge him saue onely for King of Nauarre that it was his will and desire to haue peace for the comfort of his people but not according to that which the Deputies held for expedient declaring that he loued the Cittie of Paris as his eldest daughter and that hee would doo more good for her then shee required at his hands prouided that she would seeke his fauor and not the Duke de Maines or the King of Spaines That the Deputies proceeded very ill and contrarie to the dutie of their Ecclesiasticall charges in suffering the Parisians to die so miserably while they sought vnto the Duke de Maine for a generall peace sith vppon that voyage though perhaps it would not bee long it might the while cost the liues of twentie thousand persons dying with meere hunger Then did hee dechipher with a maruellous good grace the ambitious practises of the king of Spaine and his people The most wicked and horrible disloyaltie of the chiefe of the league discouering the vanitities of their badde purpose hee drew his discourse into diuers articles to the Bishoppe of Parris the Archbishop of Lyons who in their excuses accused themselues more and more before a most noble companie of Princes Lords and Gentlemen of France who were attending round about the King Moreouer hee shewed that the report of the Spanish succoors for Parris made him nothing dismaid and caused them clearely to see wherevnto the Spanish forces tended and that it was not for nothing that the Prince of Parma tooke his way into France staying but till hee might bring his purposes about Parris and the kingdome beeing morsels too big for king Philips mouth the which hee told vnto them in a short and pithie speech discouering in diuers sorts the blindnesse of the Spaniards in their attempt for France He allowed them eight daies to thinke vppon the yeelding vp of Paris and the articles of peace for the whole kingdome adding that his dutie constrained him in the end to do iustice vppon those that were chiefe of the mutinies exhorting the Deputies to make a faithfull report of that which hee had aunswered The Bishop of Parris had before alleaged in his Oration the constancie of the people of Sancerre dispraising therein the victorie gotten by those of Gaunt to extoll the Parisians But the king auswered that such allegations were impertinent for those of Sancerre were resolued to indure the extremities of their siege because their enemies would haue depriued them without mercie both of their goods liberties religion and their liues But contrariwise said hee I will surrender to the Parisians the life which Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador doth at this present take from them by their sore famine As for the religion all these Princes and Catholicque Lords shall witnesse vnto you how I vse it nor wil I constraine them against their conscience were it neuer so litle either in the exercise of religion or otherwise Concerning goods and liberties I giue them to my subiects So that the comparison with those of Gaunt is not good The Parisians haue well shewen what hearts they haue hauing suffered me to possesse their subburbs I haue fiue thousand Gentlemen that neuer feared those of Gaunt The duke de Maines wicked proceedings beside I haue God for mee and the iustice of my cause After certaine other discourses witnessing the kings good conscience and the litle feare he had of the leaguers forces the Deputies tooke their way toward the Duke de Maine who sent them backe againe to his Maiestie with declaration that he desired nothing more then peace At the same time hee sent letters to those of Parris by one of his owne Secretaries euen at the said Deputies heeles aduertising his partakers not to bee discouraged for all the answere which he sent to the king and that hee would sooner die then make peace with him These letters beeing intercepted they were a great reproach to the Duke by reason of his vnconstancie but he made no other excuse but onely that they were surprised As for the king hee indured both before and after that which the Parisians vttered out of their rebellious mouthes that they had brought victuals for the Duke of Nemours and others which made them render him euill for good nor made hee any strong warre against his chiefe Cittie hauing an intent to preserue it if he could But hauing vnderstood that the Duke de Maine at his returne from Bruxelles accompanied with Balagni and Sainpol drewe toward Parris with certaine troupes The king departed from his armie with a small troupe of horsemen without any carriages seuenteene leagues outright to incounter with his foes and came but one houre too late to haue met with them The king goeth to meete his enemies who hearing of his comming were speedily constrained to cast themselues into the towne of Laon. Then the D. with his troupes made such haste that at last they came as farre as Meaux where hee reported that hee would fight with the king which occasioned him to repaire to his armie with a small troupe of horsemen onely whom hee pursued as farre as Meaux But hee found the Duke inclosed betwixt two riuers where hee stayed for the Prince of Parma at whose arriuall the battell was the second time published aduancing themselues to the Towne of Claye and the Castle of Fresnes about sixe leagues from Parris where they lodged about the ende of the moneth of August The king supposing hee should then haue battell with them after hee had recommended himselfe vnto God according to his custome in such affaires departed from Parris on the VVednesday the nine and twentieth of that moneth assigning the Rende-vous to all his armie for the next morrow in the plaine of Bondi which is at the end of the forrest of Liuâ—i the right way toward his enemies On the Friday following hee chased their forriers from the Towne of Chelles who beganne to marke out their lodgings and gaue a charge to a certaine troupe of eight hundreth horsemen whom he constrained to retire euen till they came within their armie On the morrowe beeing Saturday by eleuen of the clocke the first of September the Kings armie were all in battell array The Duke of Parma got vp vppon an hill to behold them and after he had throughly noted them hee said to the Duke de Maine that this was not the armie of tenne thousand which he tolde him might bee ouerthrown so easilie for hee sawe by estimation more then fiue and twentie thousand in the best manner prouided that euer hee beheld And indeed they consisted of eighteene thousand men on foote as well Frenchmen as straungers and of fiue or six
resolue on nothing till first he had taken aduice with the king of Spaine for the most expedient meanes to maintaine the Catholicque religion in France Leaguers receiued into grace thorow the mercie of their gracious soueraigne The Duke of Neuers was most royally receiued at Florence at Venice and at Mantoue from whence hee came into France Many memorable things came to passe in the month of Februarie On the one side the King cōstrained those of Milon and the Castle of Thierri to acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord on the other he receiued into fauour the Cittie of Orleans Lyon Roane Poictiers Bourges Haure de Grace Ponteau de Mer Vernueil at Perche Pontoise Riom in Auuergne Peronne and Mondidier in Picardie agreed that they of Amiens and Abbeuille should remaine newters which shortly after acknowledged him because they would not open their gates to the Duke of Aumale one of the Captaines of the league nor to his troupes The Bishop of Orleans for his better obtaining of the kings pardon for al the Cittie procured that certaine mutinous persons of the league should bee whipt and the rest banished As for the Duke de Maine they tooke a packet of his letters that was sent to the king of Spaine containing a complaint of his miseries Hee sent Zamet his Agent to the king to vndertake his affaires but the kings aunswere was that hee would not deale with the Duke of Maine as with the chiefe of a faction That if he wold craue pardon of his soueraigne Lord he wold receiue him as his kinsman and allie The leaguers townes made their seueral intreats each one vpon their declaration obtained of the K. much more fauour then they looked for as much may be said of all the rest in particular which in great numbers submitted themselues to the king whom he receiued in gracious sort giuing them for the most part authoritie charge and was himselfe most liberall vnto many while his faithfull subiects and seruants of the religion were most hardly vsed and spightfully intreated in diuers Prouinces of the Realme Now resteth the Principall Cittie to bee spoken of that is the faire Cittie of Parris which was brought to the kings obeysance by meanes of the intelligences which they had within with the Lord of Billin their Gouernour the Earle of Brissac and others the two and twentieth of March The Duke de Maine had trust vp his baggage certaine daies before to be packing to Soissons There was once resistance made at the New gate by certaine Lance-knights who were torne in peeces and a Court of guard of the Leaguers toward the Pallace whom the Cittizens soone put to flight The Neapolitans made shewe as if they would proffer fight refusing to agree except it were by the consent of the Duke of Feria and Don Diego d'Euera their Generall They accepted soone after without resistance whatsoeuer it pleased the king to offer them as vnto their Captaines to witte that all of them should enioy their armes and so depart with bagge and baggage out of the Cittie from thence to haue safe conduct out of the Realme toward the borders of Picardie after they had promised the king neuer to beare armes in France against his seruice Heere was a thing woorthie to bee noted that foure thousand men on horse and foote entering armed into this little world of Parris should put the league to silence keepe so well the order prescribed vnto them and be so obedient that no souldier left his rancke to commit any outrage or violence That no Burgeous or Inhabitant was indomaged nor so much as wronged in his reputation person or goods that all the people mingled themselues presently with the men of war and other that entered with the king in such familiaritie as if they had alwaies dwelt togither filling the streetes with ioyful applaudes and maruellous reioycings euen as if they had escaped the hands of the hangman to beholde the face of their deare father or best beloued friend The Kings troupes entered the Cittie about foure of the clocke in the morning and within two houres the shoppes were all set open the Citie appearing so peaceable as if there had neuer been any change The most paine which the kings seruants had was to keepe the people with faire intreaties who required no other thing then to bee medling against the Spaniardes Neapolitans and VVallons who were in number nine hundreth men or thereabout to bee reuenged on them calling to minde the great iniuries which they had receiued by their meanes in times past All their Churches and Temples were filled soone after with praiers and songs of thansgiuing to God according to the order and custome of the same Cittie which was newes most pleasing and agreeable to the Inhabitants As much was done in all other places of the kings obeysance and namely in diuers parts out of France In short time after Bastille was yeelded and hee which commanded there for the league sent away with his souldiers The Cardinal of Plaisance the Popes Legat being sick at Paris had his safe conduct to bee gone who died soone after and so likewise did the Cardinall of Pelue This was the cause that other dispearsed Leaguers and seditious Preachers fled away some heere some there vnder the wings of the king of Spaine or toward the Duke de Maine who was gone to Soissons The most part were confounded with despight and sorrow The other do as yet bite on the bridle in Spaine and the lowe Countries and from one moneth to another followe their companies There were some found that hazarded themselues to enter into Parris but it was to be drawne to the gallowes where they receiued the guerdon due to their villainie The Parliament of Paris beeing established soone after this yeelding published a decree the thirtieth of March in these termes The Court hauing the twelfth day of Ianuarie last required the Duke de Maine to acknowledge the king whom God and the lawes hath giuen to this Realme for the establishing of peace and vnitie whereto hee would giue no eare through the deuises of the Spaniards and their adherents and God hauing since of his infinit goodnesse deliuered this Cittie of Parris from the hands of straungers and brought the same to obedience of her true naturall and lawfull king after solemne thansgiuing to God for this blessed successe would imploy the soueraigne authoritie and iustice of this Realme for the preseruation of the Catholicque Apostolicque and Romaine religion to see that vnder the false colour and pretext of the same straungers do not possesse the estate Calling all Princes Prelates Lords Gentlemen and other subiects to the grace fauour and clemencie of the king and to a generall reconciliation and to repaire that which the libertie of the warres hath altered or taken from the authoritie of the lawes foundation of the royall estate rights and honours of the Crowne These things hauing beene in deliberation all the
finally had indeuoured to kill the king by the meanes of Barriere who was executed at Meleun as hee deposed a little before his death These considerations were cause that the first resolution taken by the Vniuersitie of Paris since the Citties reduction was to require the banishing of the Iesuites To this effect a supplication was presented to the Court of Parliament who hauing a certaine time despised the authoritie thereof in the end constrained by an act made the seuenth of Iuly containing that the indightment which was to be giuen against them should be heard the Monday following in a publicque audience to be iudged in open field they did that day entertaine their Aduocates and men of law in the great chamber before the audience were readie who did declare that to defend the cause on their behalfe he was constrained to say many hard things against diuers that were knowne to bee the kings true seruaunts and for this occasion they requested that the cause might bee pleaded within doores This deuice was made to hinder the people from the cleare knowledge of the corrupt and pernicious purposes of the Iesuites pretending to make all Europe subiect to the Spaniards but for as much as they had obtained their request this inuention had no such successe as they looked for For all their pleadings which were done close within doores was afterward openly published in print where the Aduocates of the vniuersitie men learned and deepely affectioned to the Romaine Church did particularly represent and discouer to the full the horrible wicked and insupportable malice of that sect But the deciding of the matter was suspended Gods prouidence reseruing the same to an othertime which came sooner then many looked for The Spaniards being desirous to continue the fire of discention in France instantly solicited the Duke de Mercoeur Warres in Britaine one of the chiefe of the league and an vsurper of a part of the Duchie of Brittaine alwaies to continue warre His sister Loyse of Vaudemont king Henry the thirds widdow did all shee might to make his peace Certaine troubles hapning in the meane time broke all that was done The Spaniards which were Maisters of Blauet a Fortresse almost inuincible had builded during the Sommer of the yeare 1594. a strong Fort neare vnto Croysil to stoppe◠he enterance to the port of Brest which would haue beene better for them if they had made another right against it and on the other side of the hauen Sir Iohn Norris Captaine Forbisher To hinder them came the Marshall d'Aumont and S. Iohn Norris Generall of the Englishmen to whom was sent a supply by sea vnder the conduct of Captaine Forbisher they soone became Maisters of Quimpercorencin and of the Towne and Castle of Morlay Soone after they assailed the Spaniards new fort and slew foure hundreth souldiers that kept it not without losse of their own men among other the said Forbisher The king on the other side deliberating to make war out of his own realm against the Spaniards agreed with the States of Holland and their confederates to beginne in the Duchie of Luxembourg where the Marshall of Bouillon who married one of the daughters of the deceased Prince of Orange and Earle Philip of Nassau assayed to enter in the moneth of October where they found all the passages shut vp and Earle Charles of Mansfield making head against them especially on the troupes of Holland The king on the other side sought to ouerrunne the frontiers of Picardie and gaue the estates of Artois and Hainaut to vnderstand that if they fauoured him so little to suffer the Spanish forces to molest Cambray and the countries adioyning that hee would then make warre vppon them incontinent This message beeing sent in writing from Amiens by a Trumpetter about the midst of December the estates knew not what to say vnto it and before they would make answere they opened the matter vnto the Arch-duke Ernest the king of Spaines Lieftenant in the lowe Countries whom they intreated that the warre might not continue perceiuing the desolations that were like to follow therevppon and that which had alreadie afflicted them but this Prince who deceased shortly after could neither doo any thing for himselfe nor in their behalfe The seuen and twentieth of December as the king was returning from Picardie to Parris readie booted and spurd within a chamber at Louure hauing about him his cousins the Prince of Countie the Earle of Soissons the Earle of Saint Paul and thirtie or fortie other Lords Gentlemen of his Court there came also in the Lords of Ragne and Montigni who had not as yet taken their leaue of his Maiestie And euen as hee was receiuing them Iohn Chastill attempteth to kil the king hurts him in the mouth and is for the same put to death and in Princely manner kissing them for his farewell a young stripling named Iohn Chastill of a small stature and about eighteene or nineteene yeares of age a Drapers sonne of Parris who was slid into the chamber among the preace drew neare vnto the king before hee was almost perceiued of any bodie and suddainly would haue smote him in the bodie with a knife which hee had in his hand but by reason that his Ma. was verie readie to take vp the Lords which were on their knees before him in his stooping hee strooke him in the face on the vpper iaw on the right side therewithall cutting out one of his teeth Presently this miserable catiue was taken and after hee would haue excused the deed incontinent vppon examination hee confessed the whole trueth voluntarily and without compulcion The king commaunded the Captaine of his guard that had taken him after that hee had throwne his knife to the ground to let him go saying that hee freely forgaue him But afterward vnderstanding that he was a scholler to the Iesuites he said And must it needs be that the Iesuites should bee confounded by my mouth This Parriside beeing brought vnto the Bishops prison freely declared the circumstance of his euill intent discouering many of the Iesuites secret practises Among many other things hee remembred that he heard the fathers of that holy societie say that it was lawfull to kill the king that hee was excommunicate out of the Church that hee was not to bee obeyed nor to be taken for their king vntill such time as he was allowed by the Pope The Court of Parliament cōdemning this Chastil of treason in the highest degree caused him honourably to be brought naked in his shirt before the principal gate of the Cathedrall Church in Parris holding in his hand a taper of waxe lighted of two pound waight and there on his knees to confesse and declare that most wickedly and traiterously hee had attempted this most inhumane and most traiterous parriside hauing hurt the king with a knife in the face That by false and damnable instructions hee had maintained by argument that it was lawfull to
hee hauing committed so many hainous acts against the Crowne and his soueraigne Lord that hee was vnwoorthie too bee esteemed the kings subiect but to receiue punishment according to his deserts blaming the kings too much gentlenesse therein to whom might bee applyed that which was of olde time spoken of by Charillans who being greatly praised for his courtesie equally shewed to all was thus answered by Archidamidas the Spartane that such a Prince deserued small praise that shewed himselfe fauourable to wicked persons But such matters pertaines to other discourses and not to bee intreated of in so briefe a collection as this is Vpon this receiued grace the Duke de Maine wrought the yeelding vp of Soisson Pierfont and other places to the King Now among all the chiefe leaguers there onely remained the Duke of Aumale who had not time ynough to make his peace with the King The Duke of Aumale executed in his picture Things fell out so contrarie on his side that lawe was prosecuted against him in the Parliament of Parris which found him guiltie of treason in the highest degree so that his image or likenesse being made it was drawne in peeces with foure horses and his goods and lands confiscate to the King It hath been said that his faire house at Annet was iudged to be raced to the ground and the woods all about the same cut downe in detestation of the said Dukes treasons But this article was not executed This Duke of Aumale went since that toward Albert. Cardinall of Austridge came into the low Countries to succeed in his brothers charge who was Arch-duke of Ernest of whō he was honourably receiued and royall entertained so that he might say with the renowmed Greeke I was lost if I had not been lost and since he hath made sore warres against the Frenchmen Certaine members of the league as some of the sixteene of Parris diuers principall Councellours and Agents of that side togither with some Preachers and seditious writers durst not shewe themselues knowing lawe to bee proceeded against them Th. Towne of Fere besieged While the Cardinal of Austrige made his voyage from Spaine into Italie to become Gouernour to the low Countries taking with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange who had a long time beene kept prisoner among the Spaniards the King besieged Fere the onely place possessed by his enemies in Picardie before the taking of Capelle Chastelot Cambray and Dourlans hee set there all the succours that could enter in where a great number of Spaniardes were slaine then gaue he leaue to the most part of his horsemen to refresh themselues because the Earle of Fuentes hauing set garrisons in the Towns for a new conquest was retired into Hainaut The king being willing more and more to plant quietnesse in his realme made an edict the same time whereby all persons that were fled might returne againe to their lands and houses where their passed faults should neuer bee sought after but wholly forgiuen those onely excepted that were confederates in the murther of the deceased king In middest of these matters Ossat and Perron the Kings Agents towards the Pope demanded and obtained a bull of absolution hauing aforehand made all the submissions obeysances and accustomed reuerences promising that the King had performed the penance and accomplished the conditions to him prescribed This bull was committed to Alexander d'Elbene to bee carried into France to bring thereby in the kings behalfe confirmation and approbation of all that which had been done by his Agents one of the which namely Ossat for recompence of his seruices wonne a Cardinals Hat Perron being but a Ministers sonne in the Lord of Bearns land became by his worthy seruices Bishoppe of Eureux a Courtly Poet and a new Diuine was sent with good hope to see that hee should continue as hee had begunne that is to say to oppose himselfe against those of the religion and to drawe by his example all other that hee might by their praaching and writing to maintaine the vocation and doctrine of their Ministers and the publicke articles of the inreprehencible perfection of the Romaine Church Hee was carefull to keepe promise vnderstanding that the Pope had an eye ouer him The estates of Picardie In the moneth of Nouember the King assembled within Amiens all the estates of Picardie of Boulongne Vermandois and Thierafche to take counsell for the affaires of Prouence Certaine Captaines were there beheaded hauing been by their couetousnesse cause of all the losses afore mentioned The siege of Fere continued those within it being more restrained yet neuerthelesse resolued to hold the same to the vttermost poynts of extremitie The garrisons of Peronne Amiens and other places that held for the King beganne againe in Ianuarie their former courses against the enemies countrie still killing and sleying certaine Spaniards and Wallons The king was at this time in great care touching the countrie of Prouence by reason that a man of great authoritie named Casaux commanded within Marseille who made means to the Spanish king that this goodly Towne might bee solde vnto him Charles Dore of Geneua was now approaching with certaine gallies for the Spaniardes The Duke of Guise drew also neare with certaine troupes but knowing well Casaux euill will toward him retired to the port of Thoulon where a farre off he thought on such affaires whereof proceeded the death of the said Casaux who was suddainly stabbed as he was going forth of his owne lodging to runne toward one of the gates which they were readie to open to the Frenchmen the sixteenth of Februarie The Duke of Guise his troupes beeing mingled among the rest in the Cittie was cause that all the Spaniardes with their adherents ranne their waies Marseille brought to the kings subiection Thus was Marseille deliuered out of their hands and brought to the kings subiection togither with all other villages thereabout that might any way annoy them The arriuall of the Cardinal of Austriche in Flanders caused the King to summon the Nobilitie of Picardie and Normandie to be present in the Towne of Guise there to be readie according as need required There he forbad by an expresse proclamation the transporting of gold or siluer coyned or otherwise out of his realme In the beginning of March the Cardinall gaue such order that the besieged within the Towne of Fere were succored with some munition And for his first exployt against The Cardinall of Austriche releeueth Fere winneth Carl◠and Ardres with maine force France in the beginning of Aprill did so dispose of his armie at that time most mightie so dexteriously secretly that in few daies he besieged assailed and with plain force won the town and Castle of Calais in spight of al the kings forces and the resistance of the besieged there died in the taking thereof a great number of the Nobilitie of France especially in the Castle whereinto they had sent a good supply
the protestants in Quercy and the countries round about gathered his troupes dispearsed in Garrisons besieged tooke Saint Gemmes in high Quercy The Lord of the Towne notwithstanding his composition for life and goods was carried prisoner to Cahors and there executed at the instance of many his enemies whom hee had hardly intreated His men saued themselues in a rocke where they could not possibly bee indammaged and after ioyned with succours that came from Montauban A fewe weekes after the Admirall besieged Brifenel a small Towne in high Rouergue wher Montilliere gallantly withstood him and slew some hundreth of his men but at the last departed with life and goods Albeit in exchange the Adm. in May lost Soreze surprised by escalade Montesquiou within two leagues of Thoulouse Also toward the end of Iuly the BarroÌ„ of Fougeres took Lâ—desue a Bishops sea and a rich Towne scituate in the mountaines of Languedoc at the same time that Captain Graue seized vpon Mas Sainctes Puelles within one league of Castelnau Darry The Duke of Aniou had before solicited those of Montauban to send him their Deputies with articles for peace intreating them in the meane time to desist from all hostilitie This was one meanes to disvnite the Prouinces and so to get them one after an other At the first this seemed to grow to some course but it was easily remedied and the siege of Rochel togither with the election of Poland made voyde many of their deuises Marshall d'Anuille Gouernour of Languedoc tooke armes also against the protestants assembled six Cornets of horse Marshall d'Anuille besiegeth Sommieres wher he looseth his Armie fiue thousand harguebuziers besides the companies of Lyonnois and Volunatries his footemen amounting to ten thousand that led foureteen battering peeces wherewith hee pretended to besiege Nismes But Sommiere a small Towne neare to Bezieres and Montpeslier wonne from the Barron of Ioyeuse by Captaine Gremian brake this purpose and an other enterprise of the Marshals against Vzes so that seeing himselfe frustrate before hee came to Nismes hee besieged Sommieres both the Towne and Castle made a reasonable breach and gaue an assault repulsed by the besieged who slew aboue one hundreth of his men and wounded many more But in his second assault hee had yet woorse successe Herevpon came to him his brother in law the Countie of Candale with his company of one hundreth horse and twelue companies of Gascons who gaue the third assault wherein three hundreth of the hottest left their liues The besieged stood in want of many things but their neighbours sent one hundreth and twentie souldiers who with much ado got in brought all that they could to succour and strengthen them One of the hundreth and twentie beeing lag was taken and brought before the Marshall to informe him of all that he knew Albeit they racked and tormented him that he grew as bigge as a tunne and so died vppon the torture yet could not his tormentors wrest out of this souldiers mouth any word preiudiciall either to the besieged or to the protestants The besieged hauing holden out foure months suffered fiue thousand cannon shot that had beaten downe all their defenses and layde their wals in the dust craued composition but the Marshall would haue them by force and to that end gaue foorth a general assault committing the leading to Candale whom hee exhorted to reuenge the death of his Captaines and souldiers This young Lord who before had seemed desirous that matters should haue been otherwise ordered marched resolutely to the breach where hee performed the dutie both of a valiant Captaine and couragious souldier but after a little fight wherein hee saw a number of his souldiers ouerthrowne himselfe was slaine in the place The besieged hauing performed all that was to be desired in valiant men in Aprill did accept of composition for life and goods and so the Marshall sending hostages to Nismes for their safetie they came foorth with the drum sounding the Ensignes displayed their matches lighted and in the cock hauing seuen daies respite to carrie away their goods and to retire where they list The Marshall vnderstanding that Mismes in great resolution expected his comming and withall considering that hee had lost two thousand fiue hundreth of his best men cashiered the rest of his troupes who scattred euery way The Admirall warring in Gascon had other successe for he took Terride Flaugnac and all that the protestants had gotten in Gascon beyond Garonne Then did hee besiege Caussade a small towne kept with sixe hundreth small shot Caussade subuertech al Admirall Villars purposes vnder the coÌ„duct of Puiols who forced the Admirall after great losses to forsake the place after which repulse he did nothing woorthie memorie The Vicountie Gourdon vnderstanding that part of the Adm. troups after this siege marched towards Rochel watched them at the passage ouer Dordogue cut in peeces one company and made the rest to runne On the other side the Barron of Grandmont whom the king of Nauarre had sent into Bearne to replant the Masse was taken and most of his men defeated by the countrie people The estate of Viuaretz and Dauphine In the meane time the estates of Languedoc met at Anduge where they formed an order and rule for the warre and administration of iustice In May the protestants chusing the Lord of Saint Romain for their Generall surprised Villeneufue in Viuaretz Marshall d'Anuille vnder colour of iustice seizeth and selleth all the protestants goods that he may In Dauphine the protestants took Orpierre Serres and other places in the Bishoppricke of Die also Meuse and other villages in the mountaines vnder the leading of Mombrun who with his courses exploiâ—s driue his enemies to feare him The K. hoping by the peace granted to Rochel Montauban Nismes to take some rest hauing reuoked the edict of 1570. sent his brother into Poland found al new to begin for those of Quercy Lanquedoc their neighbours did immediately protest against this edict Complaints against the pacification granted before Rochel which they termed captious a preamble into new massacres considering that their capitall enemies authors of all disorders remained sole Councellours and Gouernors of the K. and his estate that all the French Churches were debarred the publike exercise of religion to them so solemnely graunted by the Edict of 1570. that al the contents of this pacification of Rochel and whatsoeuer was otherwise promised was but a collection of words without effect that there was no speech of iustice against the massacres but an abolition of all that was past which was the absoluing of the threatned that all Ecclesiastical discipline was taken froÌ„ the protestants whom thereby they ment to plunge in all Atheisme that this treatie was formed with some particulars without their commission whose aduice could not preiudice the generall cause of al the Churches to whom they had promised not to do or graunt any thing without
the common consent of all After these protestatioÌ„s with the consent of the new king of Poland whom his brother and the Ambassadours hastened into that farre countrie they assembled at Millaud in Rouergue after at Montauban where they diuided Languedoc into two gouernments the one at Montauban the other at Nismes to serue for the bordering countries of Seuenes and Viuarais For the gouernment of the quarters of Montauban they chose Vicount Paulin and Saint Romain at Nismes who had the charge of all mattters of warre yet were accountable to the estates of the countrie that furnished theÌ„ with counsell quoyne These estates in euery gouernment were coÌ„posed of the chiefest of the prouinces yet so as in matters of importaÌ„ce ther were particulare states in euery Dioces that ment to confer by one or more of the Deputies with the estates of the gouernment by whose aduise the gouernor was to take his directioÌ„s at their haÌ„ds to receiue his pay For the countenance of this order they decreed the the souldiers contenting theÌ„selues with their pay shuld not forrage nor waste the plain countries to that end they taxed the aduersaries Townes and villages forcing theÌ„ to contribute toward the maintenance of the garrisons Such as voluntarily payed were eased as in time of peace in many places the Pesants followed their labours without daunger which caused many townes and boroughs otherwise enemies to the protestants to paye the contributions for feare of woorse Besides this order to furnish the maine charge and at all times to haue a stocke readie for all accurrences The want of discretion in the kings Councell they seized vpon the Church reuenues establishing their commissaries to that effect and all this had they leisure ynogh to do whilest the kings their Courtiers were busie in their bankets dances other vaine pastimes for the K. of Polonds farewel Thus in Languedoc in a short time they furnished many places from whence they might bring to the field vnder the conduct of their Gouernors very neare 20000. persons still weakning their aduersaries with the collection of the reuenues of the benefices contributions that they gathered in euery quarter Likewise following their example sundrie of the Romish Church otherwise discontented grew to be more affable to the protestants and to take their parts so to procure some quiet in the state of France The protestants in the gouernment of Nismes twise assembled togither resolued to craue at the kings hands a more sure peace and vpon better conditions then the edict of Rochel which they found very faultie and not to be admitted in many the articles They sent therefore their Deputies to giue him thanks for the good affection that he protested to the restoring of peace adding that the same is the most necessarie remedie for the reforming of the estate alreadie decayed lost without speedie prouisioÌ„ The magnanimitie of those of Languedoc That in hartie good wil they are most affectionate to yeeld him al obedience but that the massacres do euidently declare the daunger where the Prince is gouerned by the pernitious aduice of his wicâ—ed Councellours They besought the king not to mislike that they hauing an interest in this action had assembled themselues to the end with deliberation to consider of the surest meanes to establish a sound and good peace That through the pollicies of wicked Councellours the king was induced both by word and publicke letters paâ—rents to declare himselfe to be the author of the massacre at Parris which some fewe daies before hee had disaduowed wherin his reputation was greatly impaired with forraine nations That they could not thinke his will to concurre with such bloodie effects as lately appeared yet they feared least his wicked Councellours were still like affected and therefore they could do no lesse but take order for the safetie of Languedoc and themselues and by the example of their fellowes so hardly intreated looke to themselues They did therefore for the establishment of peace desire that the protestants might in their townes haue their Garrisons maintained at the Kings charge Their petitions that besides those Towns the king in euerie Prouince of his Realm should deliuer two such as by soure Deputies should be chosen which also should bee kept by the Protestants at the kings cost That the free and publicke exercise of religion should be permitted in all parts of the Realme and to all that would require it That for the admistration of iustice to the Protestants there might be in euery Prouince erected a new Court of Parliament composed of protestant iudges That the protestants for the maintenance of their Ministers might be discharged of such tenths as the Priests did demand That the authors Councellours and executioners of the massacres might bee punished as theeues and disturbers of the common quiet Those of the gouernment of Montauban sent likewise their Deputies to demaund besides the premisses that the Admirall and all the Protestants murthered the foure and twentieth of August 1572. as also they that yet liued might be deemed to haue been and to bee most faithfull subjects to the king and his estate and innocent and cleare of all spotte of rebellion That all arrests edicts and deedes to the contrarie since published might be reuoked and declared to bee of no force as slaunderously graunted defased and rased out of the records the goods honours and offices restored to the heires of the murthered all defamatorie monuments taken away and all processions instituted in honor of such cruelties abolished They farther also demaunded free exercise of their religion and Ecclesiastical discipline in all poynts Buriall without limitation of time or Church-yard exemption from all contribution to the ceremonies of the Romish Church admission of their children vnto Colledges vnder protestant Regents and legitimatioÌ„ of Priests marriages to such as should frame themselues to their religion Many other articles they propounded concerning gouernment and sent their committies toward the end of August with whom neare vnto Lyons ioined the Deputies of Prouence Dauphine and Nismes who all by the mouth of one propounded great declarations vnto the king who returned them to conferre with certaine his commissioners promising after he had broght his brother the king of Poland out of the Realme to take aduise for all that should bee requisite for the satisfying of his subiects Vppon the Deputies report in the beginning of Nouember the protestants renued their association throghout the Prouinces aforesaid where they held many places as also a very exact course for their conseruation The Ambasladours of Polonia beeing entered into France about the end of Iuly to fetch their king they bare him companie from Rochel to Parris What passed since the comming of the Ambassaders of Polonia vntil their departure where vpon the foureteenth of September he made a roy all enterie nothing wanted to make him happie but the prosperitie of the Rochelers that had slaine part of his
French men had their throats cut wher the king of N. doubting himselfe not to be secured in the chast imbrasings of his first nights espousals was constrained to alter the forme of his religion And because he had escaped that danger and finding himself healed of his continuall fears and distrusts he said that in changing of religion he had done it by constraint hee was oftentimes accused of Apostacie At that time Rochel the begā to refuse the Garrisons which the K. would haue placed therin was the refuge of the Huguenots Rechel besieged Anno. 1573. whervpō Monsieur besieged it and in 6. months brought it to such extremitie as that if the planting of the flowerdeluce in the furthest parts of Septentrion had not diuerted him he had been Maister therof at such cōposition as had pleased him The King of Polonia Sigismod when he died left 5000. horses in his stable For the Polonians sent Ambassadors vnto him to offer him the Crowne of Polonia and to inuite him to the possession of a great rich and puissant Realme great because it is in compasse twise as much as France rich by reason of the abundance of all things necessarie for mans life renowmed for armes and horses and puissant for the honour of the Nobilitie being most valiant and braue warriours hauing more Gentlemen therein then are in France England and Spaine Thither he went being accompanied by the king himself as far as Lorraine from whence for his better assurance Coronation of the K. of Polonia Letters of regent granted the Queene-mother till the K. comming out of Polonia In Parliamēt the 3. of Iune 1574. he passed through the territories of the Princes of Almaine that were much greeued offended at the murther cōmitted vpon S. Bartholomewes day from thence he arriued at Cracouia and there vpon the first day of Penthecost he receiued the Crown the next year after vppon the same day hee was crowned king Meane time king Charles his brother that died in the flower of his age declared him to be his successor and his mother regent till his returne commaunding the Duke of Alencon his brother and the king of Nauarre not to alter any thing in the state and to perswade themselues that kingdomes are onely gotten eyther by vertue or succession and not by reuolting or tyrannie As this great king of two great realms as earnestly looked for of the Frenchmen as lamented of the Polonians was desired of the Catholciques for the effects The returne of the king of Polonia into France His nature The warres for the common-wealth vndertaken by Monsieur the malcōtēts An increase of Monsieurs reuenewes the 28. of May 1576. An agreemēt with Monsieur made at Ioinuille The K. made this peace to seperate his brother from the Princes The 4. Edict of peace in May. 1576. Aiguemortes Beaucaire Perigueux Le Mas de Verdun Nions Serres Yssoire Seine la grād Tour. The king called this peace his peace D. Casimire wold not dislodge without assurance of paiment and the obseruation of peace The league of Peronne they had perceiued to be in him touching the religion so was he also loued of the protestants that knewe him of nature to bee a true Frenchman estranged not only frō cruell actions but also from most seuere intents and hoped vnder his raigne to finde a more moderate and peaceable season But God to punish our sinnes had otherwise ordained for at the kings returne the wars likewise returned which began to flame burst our vpō the frontiers against the Marshall of Amuille who perceiuing himselfe altogither frustrate of any hope of euer being reconciled to the king practised with the towns of Longuedoc seduced Monsieur that made himselfe Generall of this new confusion vnder pretence of a quarrell for the Common-wealth and vsed the forces of both the religions The king of Nauarre that could not forget the bloodie day that had consumed so many of his seruants and perceiued not himselfe so much imployed as his inferiours in matters of estate abandoned the honorable captiuitie of the Court and those that had followed him with all the Princes of his house ioyned themselues togither for his protection Whereat Monsieur was greeued and perceiuing himself to be left alone with his Catholicques he had recourse to the kings fauour by the increase of a new degree of honour and reuenue giuen him by the king The king of N. the Prince of Conde procured strāgers ayde not as they protested therby to shake off the yoke of the Monarchie or to deuide thēselues into as many Cōmon-wealths as ther are Prouinces in France but to liue in obedience vnder the king freedom of conscience and thereby to obtain a peace which was made between the king Monsieur his brother the K. of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde whereby the free publike and generall exercise of the religion was permitted vnto the Protestants in all the places and Towns which as then they held they being declared capable to haue their places in Parliaments and chambers of iustice seuerally all iudgements being made against them for any enterprise whatsoeuer declared voyde the memorie of the heads of their part taken away and the cruell day of S. Bartholomew disauowed And for the better assurance and performance of the conditions they had eight Townes deliuered vnto them with the conditions of their gouernments This peace which was thought would haue long continued beeing made with so greate solemnitie not with dissemblers but with a king that as yet had giuen no occasion of distrust was soone weakened and shaken for that the same conditions that had made it were the means to vnloose it For the Prince of Conde perceiuing that he reaped not the fruit of his desert and that the gouernment of Picardie was denied him was the first that found himselfe offended and that shewed himself discontent desiring the Duke Cazimir not to abandon the frontiers of Lorraine vntill hee perceiued that peace to be wel confirmed and obserued The Catholicques to the contrary being greeued at the libertie which the Huguenots had obtained thereby to make their religion increase fructifie and that the Rutter had not as yet put vp his Pistolle into the case besought his Maiestie to restraine that pernitious licence of the Edict of peace but perceiuing him not to be sufficiently moued to cut off that which as thē begā but to spring vp nor to take knife in hand therewith to shed his owne blood they began to assemble at Peronne to moue all the rest of the towns vnder pretence of diuers occasions not litle wondred at of the people which were for the honor increase of the Catholike religion for the suretie of the estate and Crowne of his Maiestie the vtter extirpation of Heresies and for the reuocation of the Edict of peace wherein they swore obedience and seruice to the Generall that should bee appoynted ouer this fellow
of the edict of peace To the which end they sent their Ambassadors to the king to desire him to open his eyes to the teares and his eares to the complaints of his poore subiects and to vouchsafe the hearing of the humble requests of his neighbours for his owne good and the quietnes and honour of his faith his Crowne and reputation But the king thinking it straunge that forraine Princes should deale with his affaires answered them that hee knew what was necessarie for his subiects and that according to the cause for their good and tranquillitie he had made and changed his ordinances as all soueraigne Princes in Christendome vse to do to whom he referred the care and charge to gouerne their subiects as they thinke good and that for his part hauing the feare of God and the loue of his subiects liuely ingrauen in his heart hee would do nothing against the honour of his conscience nor the fatherly care he had vnto his people With which answere the Ambassadors returned not well pleased and the king that had giuen sixe moneths respite to those of the new religion eyther to leaue it or depart out of the realm perceiuing that by delayes they had meanes to arme and put themselues in defence thereby at the end of the said terme to rise vp against him vnder the assurance of forraine ayde sent to the Gouernours of his Prouinces and the Ministers of iustice to execute the edict The king of N. for his part declareth thē enemies in whose townes the said Edict was published causing the goods rents reuenues and debts to bee ceased vppon and solde He lost no time all his friends were readie and the Sieur de S. Mesmes with standeth the Marshall de Matignon The Sieur de Laual had the charge of Xaintonge raised the siege of Taillebourg where the Ladies de la Trimouille both mother and daughter were assieged The Viscount of Thurenes with three or foure thousand Harquebusiers marched in Limosin and there had taken the Bishoppe of Tulles The D. of Guise being aduertised of the dislike the Ambassadors of the princes of Germanie had touching their answer counselled the king to set vpō the Huguenots before the Rutters entered into France So that in lesse then eighteen moneths the king of Nauarre sawe himselfe assayled by fiue campes royall vnder fiue seuerall Generals The Duke de Mercure in Poictou where the Duke de Mercure thinking that the conquest of the Huguenots in Poitou would bee as easily executed as enterprised left Brittaine not considering the common maxime that hee that will breake must bee stronger then the thing which hee mindeth to breake and that there must bee a proportion betweene him that inforceth and him that is inforced for if the weaker part bee his that will force his owne violence ouerthroweth him and spoyleth it selfe Hee thought with two thousande men to doo a great acte But the Prince of Conde meeting with him caused him to remooue not onely from Fontenay but cleane out of Poitou And from thence the Prince besieged Brouage and hauing reduced it to such necessitie that hee weakened the most hardie he receiued newes of the taking of the Castle of Anger 's The taking of the Castle of Anger 's vpon the Sieur de Brissac by three Captaines one named du Halot Parrisan to the king the second Fresne enemie to the Counte de Brissac and Rochemorte affectioned to the king of Nauarre that agreed togither to take the Castle of Anger 's one of the strongest places in France Brissac therein had a Lieftenant called Captaine Grec with twelue souldiers whither Fresne went to visite him and beeing inuited by him to dinner in company of Rochemort others went thither who wrought so brauely that as they entered they slewe all the souldiers that were not of their faction at which noyse Grec comming foorth was met by Fresne that stabbed him with a Poinyard Du Halot beginning to enter into the Castle and perceiuing the execution stepped backe into the Towne and protested that hee had caused the place to be taken for the king notwithstanding he was kept prisoner Rochemort presently aduertised the Sieur de Clermont who by post sent word to the Prince of Conde to certifie him thereof Those of the Towne besieged the Castle and all the countrie ranne thither in the euening they desired to speake with Fresne who minding to issue and being vpon the Drawe-bridge among diuers harquebusiers one beganne to discharge his peece and seeking to reenter Rochemort and his fellowes perceiuing the daunger drewe vp the bridge and Fresne being shut out hung vpon the chaines where the Townsmen cut of his hands in such manner that hee fell into the ditches where a Hart that was bredde vp in the Towne with his hornes made an end of his life by tearing his bodie in peeces Du Halot was presently executed in the Towne and Rochemort being demaunded for whom he held answered that he held for the king of Nauarre at which answere there was no need to bid them make trenches and to keepe watch attending the comming of the Duke de Ioyeuse that not long after arriued in the Towne Certaine daies passing in that order one day after dinner Rochemort leaning in a windowe of the Castle and falling a sleepe was shotte with a harquebuze wherein there was two bullets the one cut his throate and the other his tongue and so was slaine Whervpon 16. souldiers that were therein being deuided because there were but seuen Huguenots began to parley which indured certain weekes The Prince that lay before Brouage hauing about the beginning of October Anno. 1585. receiued newes of the surprising of the Castle and of Rochemorts answere not knowing what had happened since that time determined with all speede to drawe thither because that seruice would be a stay to the leaguers forces and a great meanes of aduantage for them against the league And hauing considered how it might bee possible for him to make that voyage being in those earnest affaires which as then held him in the end he ventured with 700. or 800. foote and 1000. or 1200. harquebusiers on horsebacke wherewith not without great discommodities he passed by boates ouer the riuer of Loire to Rosiers between Saumur Anger 's being as bold an enterprise as euer was in our time For the voyage in truth was enterprised with too much courage litle cōsideration to passe ouer a great riuer betweene two armies and to runne into a straight not knowing on which side to issue without any boates that stayed for him for that those wherewith hee passed lay readie by chance neuerthelesse hee entered into the Subburbes of Anger 's and within the Barricadoes where he spent a whole day in skirmishing and hauing prooued if hee could haue any newes from the Castle he vnderstood it was no place for him for they made him no signes although his trumpets sounded for the purpose for the
the place was won for the King In Poictou the Barron de la Rocheposé the Lords of Preaux of Parabere and others for the King fought oftentimes with the Leaguers The Duke of Nemours after certaine sallies in and about Langres put himselfe within Lyons As for those of Chartres they defended themselues most couragiously for the space of two moneths and a halfe without beeing succoured by any in the end whereof perceiuing that the bridge which was made by the pollicie of the Lord de Chastillon to come vnto blows with them would be their ruine they entered into conditions of accord the Fryday before Easter the which contained that if within eighteene daies they were not assisted by the Duke de Maine who was then at Soissons three smal daies iourney from Chrartres they would yeelde themselues to the king Then they sent Deputies in post toward the Duke who for prouision dispatched a Maister of his housholde and two Maisters of the campe with tenne or twelue horse to trie if they could enter into the Cittie with charge to confime the Townesmen in their obstinacie But all the succours being taken on Fryday the ninteenth of Aprill about foure of the clocke in the after noone the king with his armie entered into Chartres where hee stayed Saturday and Sunday following The morrow after his enterance the Leaguers of the Cittie to the number of sixe or seuen hundreth went foorth of the Towne with their armies and suddainly the Marshall de Biron entered being followed with 1200. harguebuziers and about 300. horse the garrison assigned to him and the gouernment giuen againe to the Lord de Sourdis who before commanded ouer them They dislodged from thence certain Ladies and Gentlewomen of the leaguers in Coches and Chariots which they caused to be safely conducted to Orleans The K. being Maister of so faire strong a place leuied certain monies of the Inhabitants which had submitted themselues to his mercie Then hauing brought Aulneau and Dourdan to his obeysance hee returned to Senlis Leaguers ouerthrowne at Esperron At this time when Chartres was yeelded vp the Leaguers armie in Prouence consisting of a thousand Chieftaines and of sixteene or eighteen hundreth harguebuziers as well Prouencieux Spaniards as Sauoyans were othrowne at Esperrond de Pallieres by the Lords de la Valette and Diguieres who did the king excellent seruice For the league lost at that time near hand foure hundreth Chieftaines and fifteene hundreth shot leauing a great number of prisoners fifteen tents an infinit companie of horses baggage which were equally diuided among the victors they lost among the rest young Buous a braue and gallant Gentleman twentie souldiers and there were an hundreth hurt At Poictou also In Poictou certaine weekes after the Vicount de la Guierche commanding ouer certaine Regiments of footemen and horsemen and where hee found neare a thousand natural borne Spaniards newly come from Brittaine hauing an intent to do some great exployt they were charged to so good a purpose and with such high resolution by the Barron de la Roche posé and other of the kings chiefe seruitors that after they had giuen them a certaine fight la Guierche seeing on the cold earth more then three hundreth Gentlemen and his most assured fauourites tooke his flight toward the next riuer where finding the ferrie and thinking to go ouer easilie the throng was so great that the ferrie-boate and all the passengers suncke to the bottome La Guierche was there drowned with a great number of others There perished in the water and in the fight more then seuen hundreth Spaniards Some supposed this losse of the Leaguers to bee little lesse then that of Coutras by reason of the great number of the Nobilitie which died therein As for Guierche hee was but little lamented in respect of his vngodly life and disordered behauiour Chasteauthierri yeelded to the League The Duke de Maine hauing thus lost Chartres followed his intelligence vppon the Towne of Chasteauthierri the which was yeelded vnto him with the Castle by the Pinarts the father and the sonne who were commaunders of the same place The Spaniards sackt both the Towne and Castle spoyling in like sort diuers Gentlemens houses round about neuer caring of whole part or religion they were of After this exployt those of Guise beeing at Reims made there a new Archbishop dispatching Ianin sometime President of Diion to go into Spaine to the intent hee might there looke vnto their affaires The kings Edict for upholding the two religions in his kingdome On the other side the Princes and Romaine Catholicque Lords which were the kings partakers perswaded with him to frame himselfe to the exteriour profession of their religion and by the Duke of Luxenburg who had before made a voyage vnto Rome in their name they practised with the Pope to that end On the contrarie side the Protestant Lords beseeched the king to haue them in remembrance who were so faithfully constantly imployed for him Other of his Councel pressed vpon him to prouide for his peaceable subiects as well of the one as the other religion Also that hee would preuent the new attempts of the Pope and his adherents against France And these solicitations begat two Edicts which were brought foorth at Maâ—te in the beginning of Iulie The one established the decrees of pacification made by Henry the third deceased vpon the troubles of the Realme repealing abolishing that which had been made in Iuly 1585. and 1588. in fauour of the league The other contained in forme of letters pattents an ample declaration of the kings intent to maintaine in France the Romaine Church and religion which was surnamed Catholicque Apostolicque togither with the rights and auncient liberties of the Gallican Church An act made by the high court of Parliament at Chaalons at Tours against the Popes bulles his Nuntio and his legat in France It hath beene said before that the new Pope called Gregorie had sent Marcellin Landriano his Nuntio into France with monitarie bulles against the king The Court of Parliament of Paris sitting then at Chaalons in Champaigne hauing receiued and verified the two Edicts aboue mentioned added at the last making mention of the conseruation of the liberties of the Gallican Church that she admitted the Atturney generall to appeal touching the abuse of those bulles published by the Popes pretended Nuntio the thundring and execution of the same held him to bee wel relieued giuing him audience for the first day that commission should bee deliuered vnto him to informe against this pretended Nuntio and his adherents which information beeing made and brought throughout the Court and viewed then they wold decree that which should bee reason moreouer that the same Atturney should haue an act of protestation by him made to prooue himself for the counsell to come This Edict was giuen the first day of Iuly In the montth following there was a second