King had in manye Edictes before that time permitted the freedome of Religion yet this meaning euer was to reteyne and cause to be reteyned of all men the onely Romishe or Popishe Religion within his Realme After manie ouerthrowes on both partes giuen and receyued whereas the ende of this thirde warre was thought likely to be the harder by reason of the breache of sayth in the yeeres before and on the other side the state of the Realme by reason of the wast that the Cities were broughte vnto and the extreme pouertie of the meane people and husbandmen did require some treatie of composition the King sent messangers to the Admirall to signifie vnto him in the Kings name that the King himselfe had at length founde out a most sure way of peace and concorde namely that the armies of both partes ioyned togither shoulde goe into the lowe countrey against the Duke of Alua which had been the author of the late calamities in Fraunce He signified further that he had great causes of querels against the king of Spayne and this principally that he had inuaded and helde by force sodenlye slaying all the souldyers there an Island of the newfound world called Florida which had been taken by the French and kept vnder his dominion and likewise the Marquesdome of Finall the inhabitantes whereof had but a little tyme before yelded themselues to the Kings subiection and allegeance He said that the most stedfast band of concorde shoulde be that forein warre and that there could no other better meane be deuised to drowne the memorie of the former dissentions in eternall forgetfulnesse To the performance hereof he sayd it was a matter of most apte opportunitie that Lodouic counte of Nassaw brother to the Prince of Aurenge had been nowe two yeeres in the Admiralls camp to whome the Admirall gaue principall credit in all things and that by him and his fellowes of the lowe countrey and other whom he vnderstoode to fauour his part it might easily be broughte to passe that certayne Cities mighte be surprised and thereby great aduantage be attayned to the atchieuing of the warre The Admirall hearyng these thyngs was maruellously troubled For albeit he doubted not of the Kings fidelitie yet therwithall many things fell into his minde to be considered as the power of the Cardinall and the rest of the Guisians who were well knowne to haue ben at all times most affectionate to the Kyng of Spayne For the Duke of Guise had lefte a sonne a very yong man called Henry to whoÌ„ the Queene had giuen all the offices and places of honor that his father had borne before beyng vnfit thereto by age and against the ancient lawes and customes and also through the traiterous infidelitie of certayne of the Kings counsaylers whome she knew for their affection to Popish Religion to be most addicted to the Spanishe King and that diuers of them had great yeerely pensions of him and did disclose vnto him the affaires of the Realme He remembred howe hereby it came to passe that the same Kings Embassador whiche among strange nations seemed vtterly incredible was admitted into the priuie Counsell of Fraunce and that one Biragio â— Lumbard and as it is reported a traytour to his owne countrey otherwise altogither vnlearned and specially ignoraunt of the ciuill lawe was yet for the subtiltie of his witte aduanced to so great honour that he executed the Chauncellers office Michael Hospitall being displaced a man knowne to be such a one as there was not in all degrees of men any eyther more wise or more learned or more zelously louing his countrey Herewithall he considered the slaunderous cauillations of his aduersaryes to whome hereby might seme an occasion giuen as if the Admirall were of a troublesome nature and coulde not abide any quietnesse nor could long reste at home without some tumultuous stir Herevnto the messangers replyed as they were able and therewithall alleaged this cause of so sodayne hatred against the Spanishe King that one Albenie late returned out of Spaine had infourmed the King and the Queene mother for certaintie that King Philip a few moneths before had poysoned his wife the Frenche Kings sister and had spred rumors of hir thoroughout all Spaine such as for the honour of manye persons are meete not to be disclosed But nothing moued the Admirall so much as the cherefull earnestnesse of Lodouic of Nassaw who as sone as he was aduertised of that purpose of the King omitted nothing that he thought mighte serue to encourage the Admirall therevnto The Admirall perswaded hereby nothing fearing the infidelitie of those of the Courte gaue his minde to hearken to composition And so was the third ciuill warre ended and the peace concluded wyth the same conditions that were before that euerye man shoulde haue free libertie to vse and professe the Religion VVithin few moneths after this diuers Princes of Germanie that fauored the ReligioÌ„ refourmed and among those the three Electors the Paâ—sgraue the Duke of Saxonie and the Marques of Brandeburge sent their Embassadours into France to the King to gratulate vnto him for the newe reconciliation of his subiects And bycause they accompted it greatly to behoue them selues that the same concorde should remaine stedfast and of long continuance they promised that if any would for that cause procure trouble or make warre vppon him either within his owne dominioÌ„s or without they and their followers shuld be ready to defend him To this embassage the king firste by words and afterward by a booke subscribed with his owne hande answered and gaue his faith that he would for euer most sacredly and faithfully obserue his Edict of pacification Hereby so much the more willingly the Admirall suffered him selfe to be drawne to the sayd purposes for the low countrey although oftentimes calling to minde the nature of the Queene mother he vsed to say to diuers and specially to Theligny to whome he afterwarde maried his daughter that he greatly suspected the rolling wit of that woman For said he so soone as she hath brought vs into that preparation against the lowe countrey she will leaue vs in the midst Neuerthelesse the Counte of Nassaw writeth to his brother and they conferring their aduises together send messengers to the King that if it please him to deale with the matter of the lowe countrey they will shortly so do that he shall by their many and greate seruices well perceyue their affection and deuotion towarde him The King writeth againe to them in most louing termes saying that their message most highly pleased him and he gaue to them both his harty thanks About the same time Maximiliane the Emperoure pitying the estate of the Prince of Aurenge as he said treated by his Embassadours with the King of Spayne and had in manner obteyned that the Prince should haue all hys goodes restored vnto him but with this condition that he should haue no house within the territorie of the lowe countrie but
wente secretly into the frontiers of the lowe countrey and toke with him as partners of his iourney and priuie to his counsell thre Frēchmen of great credite with the Admirall namely Saucourt la Noue and Genlis to whom the king had giuen in charge to see if they coulde by any meanes attēpt and possesse any townes bordering vppon his realme They gathering diuers other gentlemen into their companie went speedily into the lowe countrey the Admirall not knowing of it VVho as soone as he vnderstode of their going thether wrote vnto them that he much maruelled what they mēt saying that he well knewe there coulde be no power gotten readie before .xl. dayes end and that they should be wel aduised to do nothing rashly nor to ouerthrowe with hast their deuises that seemed not ripe to be executed The countie of Nassaw inflamed with the sighte and desire of his countrey and fearing the mutablenesse of the king did firste at the soden set vppon Valentiennes but being repulsed by the Spanish souldiers that were in garrison in the Castell he hastily departed to Montz and toke the towne being a place very strong by nature and well furnished with all things necessarye for the warre VVhiche thing beyng by reporte and messangers spred abrode in the lowe countrey and caried into Fraunce and Germanie both encouraged all them of the Religion with great hope and also seemed to haue now playnely and openlye deciphred disclosed the mind of the French king Moreouer Genlis returning to Paris when he had made reporte to the king of all the matter as it had proceded easily obtayned of him that by his assent he might leuie certaine bandes of footemen and horssemen of Fraunce and carie them to succoure Montz But by the way when he was entred into the bounds of the lowe countrie hauing with him to the number of foure thousand footemen and aboute foure hundreth horssemen they were beset by the Duke of Alua and the most parte of them distressed which thing was well knowne to haue ben wrought by the meanes of the Guisians which by dayly messages and letters aduertised the Duke of Alua of theyr purposes and preparation VVhich falsehod of theirs many most affectionate to the Romish Religion were highly offended with bycause a great number addicted to the same Romishe Religion were in that companie VVith this losse and with the rescue of the towne of Valentiennes the King seemed to be much troubled for he feared least his counsels being disclosed to the Spanish king would at length breede some cause of querel and warre Howbeit when he began to remember that a great parte of his secrets was already reuealed to the Duke of Alua he oftentimes resolued to vtter his minde plainely and to make open warre But he was withdrawne from that purpose by certaine men whiche the Admirall had long before conceyued that they would so do Howbeit he gaue the Admirall libertie to send whatsoeuer he thoughte meete to further the Prince of Aurenge his enterprise and as great supplie either of footemen or of horssemen as he could to the armie which the Prince of Aurenge had leuyed in Germanie VVhen the Admirall for that cause had made request that he might leauie thirtie troupes of horssemen and as many ensignes of footemen he easily obtayned it For the entertainement of these footemen it behooued to haue money wherefore at the request of the Admirall the king called for his Tresurer and commanded him to deliuer to the Admirall so much money as the Admirall should thinke meete and charged him that he should not in any wise after the vsuall manner of the accompts of finances write the causes of the receipt but only set it downe in this forme This summe of money was payde to the Admirall suche a day by the kings commaundement for certayne causes which the king hath commaunded not to be written and to thys warrante the King subscribed with hys owne hand Also the King wrote to Monducet his Embassadoure in the lowe countrey to trauell as earnestly as he could for their deliuerance that were taken at the ouerthrowe of Genlis which commaundment it is said that Monducet did most faithfully and diligently execute Not long before this Ioane Queene of Nauarre aboue mentioned died in the Courte at Paris of a sodaine sicknesse beeing aboute the age of fortie and three yeares where as the suspition was great that she died of poyson and hir body was sort hat cause opened by the Phisitions there were no tokens of poyson espied But shortly after by the detection of one A. P. it hath bene found that she was poysoned with a venomed smell of a pair of perfumed gloues dressed by one Renat the Kings Apothicarie an Italian that hath a shop at Paris vppon sainte Michaels bridge neare vnto the pallace which could not be espied by the phisitions which did not open the head nor loked into the brayne It is well knowne that the same man about certayne yeares past for the same intente gaue to Lewes Prince of Conde a poysoned pomander which the Prince left with one le Grosse his Surgion le Grosse delited with the same was by little and little poysoned therewith and so swelled that he hardly escaped with his life By hir deathe the Kingdome came to the Prince Henrie hir sonne to whom as is abouesaid the Kings sister was promised and contracted Things being as it seemed throughout all Fraunce in most peacible estate and the concord of all degrees well established the day was appointed for the marriage of the king of Nauarre which day all they that fancied the Religion esteemed so muche the more ioyfull to them bycause they sawe the King wonderfully bent therevnto and all good men iudged the same a most assured pledge and stablishmente of ciuill concord whereas on the contrary part the Guisians and other enimies of common quietnesse greatly abhorred the same marriage VVhen the day came the marriage was with royall pompe solemnized before the greate Churche of Paris and a certaine fourme of words so framed as disagreed with the Religion of neither side was by the kings commandement pronounced by the Cardinall of Burbon the king of Nauars vnkle and so the matrimonie celebrate with greate ioy of the king and all good men the bride was with greate trayne and pompe led into the Church to heare Masse and in the meane time the bridegrome who misliked these ceremonies together with Henry Prince of Conde sonne of Lewes and the Admirall and other noble men of the same Religion walked withoute the Church dore wayting for the Brides retourne VVhile these things were in doing at Paris Strozzi who as we haue said had the charge of the kings power at sea houering vpon the coast of Rochell did now and then send of his captaines and souldiers into the towne vnder colour of buying things necessarie and sometime he came thither also him selfe The like was done at the same time in another part
of Anthonie King of Nauarre the said Catherine de Medices the kings mother against the custome of the realme was ioyned with him in that office of protectorship She fearing the presumption and fierce pride of the Guisians wrote to the Prince of Conde with hir owne haÌ„d which letters are yet remayning and at the assemblie of the Princes of Germanie at Franckforde holdeÌ„ vnder Ferdinand the Emperoure were produced and openly read about ten yeares past wherein she earnestly besought him in so gret hardnesse and distresse not to forsake hir but to account both the mother and the children that is both hir selfe and the King and the Kings brethren committed to his faith and naturall kindnesse and that he should with all speede prouide for their common safetie assuring him that she would so imprint in the Kings mind his trauell taken in that behalfe that he should neuer be loser by it VVithin few dayes after the Duke of Guise wel knowing how great authoritie the name of the King would carie in Fraunce and to the intent that he would not seeme to attempt anyâ—thing rather of his owne head than by the priuitie of the King and hauing atteyned fit partners to ioyne with him in these enterprises he got the King into his power VVhich thing being knowne abrode and manye hard encombrances therevpon sodaynely rising and a great part of the nobilitie of Fraunce maruellously troubled with it the Prince of Conde by aduise of his friends thought it best for him to take certaine townes and furnishe them with garrisons which was the beginning of the first ciuill warre For the Prince of Conde alleaged the cause of his taking armour to be the defence of the Kings Edict wherein consisted the safetie of the common weale and that it could not be repealed without most assured vndoyng of the nation of Fraunce and destruction of the nobilitie by reason of the exceeding great multitude of those that daylie ioyned themselues to that Religion Of which number suche as being of noble birthe were in power dignitie wealth and credite aboue the rest thoughte it not meete for them to suffer the punishments and crueltie accustomed to be extended vpon the prâ—fessors thereof beside that they helde them discontented that the Duke of Guise a newe come a straunger translated from the forests of Loraine into Fraunce did take vpoÌ„ him in Fraunce so great courage and so high dominion power Therto was added the Queenâ— mothers singular care as was reported for conseruation of peace and repressing the rage of the Guisians Vpon which opinion it is certayne that aboue twentie thousande men hauing regarde onelye to the Queenes inclination ioyned themselues to the side of those of the Religion and to the defence of their profession whiche at that time had besieged the force of the Kings power After certayne battayles and manye losses on both partes and the Duke of Guise slaine within a yeere peace was made with this condition that they of the Religion shoulde haue free libertie thereof and shoulde haue assemblies and preachings for the exercise of the same in certeyne places This peace continued in force but not in all places during fyue yeeres for in the most townes iurisdictions the Officers that were affectionate to the Romishe side whom they commonly call Catholikes did all the displeasures they could to those of the ReligioÌ„ Therfore when Ferdinando Aluares de Toledâ— commonly called Duke of Alua was leading an armie not farre from the frontiers of Fraunce against those of the lowe countrey which embraced the reformed Religion againste the wyll of the Kyng of Spayne the Queene mother caused to be leuied and brought into Fraunce sixe thousande Switzers for a defence as she caused it to be bruted but as the successe hath proued for this intent that the Prince of Conde the Admirall and other noble men of the Religion if they escaped the treasons prepared for them and listed to defende themselues by force and trie it by battayle might be sodaynely oppressed ere they were prouided For the courtiers whiche then had the managing of these matters dyd not at that time well trust the souldiers of Fraunce Many things pertayning to the course of that time and the renewing of the warre must here for hast to our present purpose be necessarily omitted VVheÌ„ the warre had endured about sixe moneths peâ—ce was made with the same coÌ„ditions that we haue aboue rehearsed that all men should haue free libertie to follow and professe the Religion reformed For this was euer one and the last condition vpon all the warres But within fewe dayes or monethes after it was playnly vnderstoode that the same peace was full of guile and treason and finally that it was no peace but most cruell warre cloaked vnder the name of peace For forthwyth all those townes which they of the Religion had yelded vp were possessed and strengthened with garrisons of souldiers of the contrary side sauing onely one towne on the sea coast in the partes of Xantoigne commonly called Rochell For the men of that towne aboute two hundreth yeares past had yelded themselues to the Kings power and allegeance with this condition that they should neuer be constrayned agaynst their will to receyue any garrison souldiers Also the Prince of Conde and the Admirall were aduertised that there was treason agayne prepared to entrap them by Tauaignes a man giueÌ„ to murther and mischiefe which had lately bene made Marshall of Fraunce and that if they did not spedely auoyde the same it should shortly come to passe that they should be deceyued and taken by him and deliuered vp to the crueltie of their aduersaries Vâ— on the receyt of these aduertisementes they immediatly make hast to Rochell carying with them their wiues and yong childreÌ„ which was the beginning of the third ciuill warre the most sharpe and miserable of all the rest There was at that time in the court Charles Cardinall of Loraine brother to the Duke of Guise which as is aboue sayde was slayne in the first warre one accompted most subtill and craftie of all the rest but of a terrible cruell and troublesome disposition so as he was thought intollerable euen at Rome it selfe This man they of the reformed Religion reported to be the moste sharpe and hatefull enimye of their profession and him they abhorred aboue all other for the crueltie of his nature and named him the firebrande of all ciuill flames He at the beginning of the third ciuill warre persuaded the King to publish an Edict that no man professe any Religion but the Romishe or Popish and that whosoeuer wold embrace any other should be compted as traytours In that same Edict Printed at Paris this sentence was expressely conteyned and for the strangenesse of the matter and for that it stayned the Kyngs name with the most dishonorable spot of periurie and breache of faith it was in other impressions afterwarde omitted And it was further then declared that albeit the
himself he commaunded one day to be giuē a hundred thousand pounds of his owne treasure in recompence of his former losses VVhen his brother the Cardinall Chastillion endowed with many great and welthie benefices was departed his life the king gaue him the fruites of one whole yeare Also the kyng wrote to Philibert Duke of Sauoy that he should do him a most acceptable pleasure if he did not onely deale more gently with those that in the former warres had ayded those of the Religion but also would vse clemencie and mildenesse toward all other that professed the same Religion within his dominions And for that there was old enmitie betwene the Guisians and the Admirall wherby it was to be doubted that perillous contentions wold arise in the Realme of Fraunce the king willed it to be signified to them both in his name that they should for his sake and the common weales giue ouer those displeasures and he prescribed them a certaine fourme of reconciliation and agrement the same whereof the foundations had bene layed almost sixe yeares before in the towne of Molins where the king calling to him the greatest estates of his realme after consultation and deliberation had vpon the matter pronoūced the Admiral not guiltie of the death of the Duke of Guise wherwith he was charged by the yong Duke of Guise and his kinsmen and so the king by the aduise of his Counsell had ended that controuersie Furthermore the Cardinall of Loraine who as we haue sayd was the very forger of all the former warres to take away al ielousie of new practises was departed to Rome toke with him his familiar friend the late created Cardinall Peluey one reputed a most subtil craftie persō vnder pretēce of goyng to the election of a newe Pope in place of the olde Pope then lately deceassed But there was none greater and more assured tokē of publique peace quietnesse than this that the king purposed to giue hys sister Margaret in marriage to the Prince Henry the sōne of the Queene of Nauarre which Prince had in the last warre defended the cause of the Religion and bene soueraigne of their armie VVhiche mariage the kyng declared that it should be the most streight bond of ciuill concorde and the most assured testimonie of his good will to those of the Religion Yea and also bicause it was alleaged that the sayd Prince Henrie was restrayned in conscience so as he might not marrie the Lady Margaret being of a contrary Religion a Catholike and giuen to the rites of the Romish Church the king for aunswere sayd that he would discharge hir of the Popes lawes and notwithstanding the crying out of all his courtiers to the contrary he permitted him that withoute all ceremonies in the porch of the great church of Paris the mariage shoulde be celebrate in such a fourme as the ministers of the refourmed Church misliked not VVhiche thing being by reporte and letters spread through the world it cannot be expressed howe muche it made the hearts of those of the Religion assured and out of care and howe it cast out al feare ielosies out of their minds what a confidence it brought them of the kings good will toward them Finally how muche it reioyced forreine Princes and states that fauored the same Religion But the Admirals minde was much more stablished by a letter which about the same time Theligny brought him with the kings owne hand and sealed wherein was conteined that whatsoeuer the Admirall shuld do for the matter of the intended warre of the lowe coūntrey the king would allow and ratifie the same as done by his owne commaundement About that time Lodouic of Nassaw with the Queene of Nauarre a Lady most zelously affected to the Religion came to the Frenche Courte The league was made betweene king Charles and the Prince of Aurenge and the articles thereof put in writing The mariage was appointed to be holden in the towne of Paris For whiche cause the Queene of Nauarre during those fewe dayes repaired thether to prouide things for the solemnitie of the wedding For the same cause the king sente to the Admirall one Cauaignes a man of an excellent sharpe witte whome for the Admirals sake the king had aduanced to great honoure requiring the Admirall to go before to Paris as well for the said preparation as also for the matter of the warre of the lowe countrie promising that he himselfe would within fewe dayes followe after him assuring him that there was now no cause for him to feare the threatnings and mad outrages of the Parisians For in asmuch as the same towne is aboue all other giuen to superstitions and is with seditious preachings of Monks and Friers dayly enflamed to crueltie it is hard to expresse how bitterly they hated the Admirall and the professors of that Religion VVherto was added a griefe of their mind conceiued certaine dayes before by reason of a certaine stone crosse gilted and builte after the manner of a spire steeple commonly called Gastignes crosse whiche the Admirall with great earnest sute obtayned of the king to be ouerthrowne for he alleaged that being erected in the midst of the rage of the ciuill warre as it were in triumph to the reproch of one of the Religion it was a monumente of ciuill dissention and so a matter offensiue to peace and concord The King well knowing this deadly hate of the Parisians to the Admirall wrote his letters to Marcell the prouost of the marchauntes whiche is the highest dignitie in Paris with sharpe threatnings if there should be raised any stirre or trouble by reason of the Admirals comming To the same effect also the Duke of Aniow the kings brother and the Queene mother wrote to the same Marcell and the rest of the magistrates of Paris so that nowe there seemed vtterly no occasion lefte for the Admiral to feare or distrust And within few dayes after the king sente Briquemault a man of greate vertue and estimation to the Admirall with the same instructiōs saying that the matter of the lowe countrey could not well be delt in without his presence The Admirall perswaded by thus many meanes and filled with good hope and courage determined to go to Paris where so sone as he was ariued and had bene honorably and louingly entertayned of the king and his brethren and the Queene mother and consultation entred among them about the preparation for the low coūtrey he declared to the king at large how the Duke of Alua was in leuying of great power and preparing an armie and that if the king should dissemble his purpose it would come to passe that many thereby wold shew themselues slower and slacker to the enterprise and that nowe were offered greate meanes to do good whiche if he let slippe hee should not so easily recouer the like againe hereafter And therefore it was best to take the aduantage of this opportunitie A fewe dayes before Lodouie of Nassaw
speede deliuered ouer the same bookes to those of whome they had receyued that commaundement After noone the Queene mother lead out the King the Duke of Aniow Gonzague Tauaignes the Countie de Rhetz called Gondin into hir gardens called Tegliers This place bicause it was somewhat farre from resort she thoughte most fit for this their last consultation There she shewede them how those whom they had long bene in waite for were nowe sure in hold and the Admirall lay in his bed maymed of hoth his armes and coulde not stirre the king of Nauarre and Prince of Conde were fast lodged in the castle the gates wer kept shut all nighte and watches placed so as they were so snared that they coulde no way escape and the captaines thus taken it was not to be feared that any of the Religion woulde from thencefoorth stirre any more Now was a notable opportunite said she offred to dispatch the matter For all the chiefe captaines were fast closed vp in Paris and the rest in other townes were all vnarmed and vnprepared and that there were scarcely to be founde ten enimies to a thousand Catholikes that the Parisians were in armour and were able to make threescore thousande chosen fighting men and that within the space of one houre all the enimies may be slayne and the whole name and race of those wicked meÌ„ be vtterly rooted out On the other side saith she if the King do not take the aduantage of the fitnesse of this time it is no doubte but that if the Admirall recouer his health al Fraunce wil shortly be on fire with the fourth ciuill warre The Queenes opinion was allowed Howbeit it was thought best partly for his age and partly for the affinities sake that the king of Nauarres life shuld be saued As for the Prince of Conde it was doubted whether it were best to spare hym for his age or to put him to death for hatred of his fathers name But herein the opinion of Gonzague toke place that he should with feare of death and torment be drawen from the Religion So that counsell brake vp with appoyntment that the matter should be put in executioÌ„ the nexte night early afore day and that the ordering and doing of all shoulde be committed to the Duke of Guise The Admirall being enâ—ormed of stirre and noyse of armour and threatnings heard euery where through out the towne and preparation of many things pertaining to tumult sent word therof to the King who aunswered that there was no cause for the Admirall to feare for all was done by his commaundement and not euery where but in certaine places that there were certaine appointed by him to be in armor least the people should rise and make any stirre in the towne VVhen the Duke of Guise thoughte all things readie enough he called to him the abouesayde Marcell and charged him that he should a little after midnight assemble togither the maisters of the streetes whome they call Diziners into the towne house for he had certaine strange and speciall matters in charge froÌ„ the king which his pleasure was to haue declared vnto them They all assembled bytime Carron the new prouost of merchaunts guarded with certaine Guisians and among the rest Entragne and Pnygallart made the declaration He sayd that the kings meaning was to destroye all the Rebels which had in these late yeares borne armes against his maiestie and to roote out the race of those wicked men it was now very fitly happened that the chieftaynes and ringleaders of them were faste enclosed within the walles of the towne as in a prison and that the same night they should first begin with them and afterward for the rest assone as possibly might be throughout all partes of the Realme the King would take order and the token to set vpon them should be giuen not with a trumpet but with tocksein or ringing of the great bell of the pallace which they knewe to be accustomed onely in great cases and the marke for them to be knowne from other should be a white linnen cloth hanged aboute their left arme and a white crosse pinned vpon their cappes In the meane time the Duke of Guise made priuie thervnto the Captaines of the Kings guarde both Gascoignes FrenchmeÌ„ and Switzers and bad them be readie to goe to it with good courage Shortly after the Duke of Guise and the bastard sonne of king Henrie commonlye called the Cheualier with a great band of armed men following theÌ„ went to the Admirals house which Cossin kept besieged with harquebuziers placed in order on both sides of the streate The Admiral aduertised of the stirre and the noise of the armour although he had scarcely ten persons in his house able to beare harnesse and in his chamber onely two surgions one preacher and one or two seruitors yet coulde not be made afraide trusting as he oft rehearsed vpon the Kings good will toward him approued by so many and so great meanes of assuraunce hauing also confidence that the commonaltie of Paris if they once vnderstode the King to mislike of their madde furie howe much so euer they were in outrage yet so sone as they saw Cossin warding the gate they wold be appeased He repeated also the other for keeping of the peace so ofte openly sworne by the King and his brethren and their mother and entred in publike recordes the league lately made with the Queene of Englande for the same cause the articles of treatie couenanted with the Prince of Aurenge the kings faith giuen to the Princes of Germanie some townes attempted and some taken in the lowe countrey by the Kings commaundement the mariage of the Kings sister solemnized but sixe daies before which it was not like that he wold suffer to be defiled with bloud finally the iugement of forain nations and of posteritie shame and the honor constancie of a Prince publique faith and the sacred respect of the law of nations all which it seemed monstruous and incredible that the king could assent to be stained with so outragious a cruell deede Cossin when he sawe the noblemen drawe neere knocked at the gate which as is abouesaid he was commaunded by the Duke of Aniow to kepe VVhervpon many applyed the olde prouerbe A goodly guarde to make the woolfe keper of the sheepe VVhen he was entred without in maner any difficultie he caried in with him a great companie of armed men and after those followed the great Lords Such as Cossin found at the entrie of within the porch of the house he slew with a partisan that he had in his hand VVhich when the Admirall vnderstoode he caused those that were about him to lift him out of his bed and casting on a nightgowne vpon him he rose vpright on his feete he bad his friends and seruantes to flee and make shift for them selues and to take no more care for him for he sayd that he was readie with most willing hearte to
had stayed in a wardrobe adioyning to his owne chamber and caused them to lodge there al night A little afore day hearing of the running of men and noyse of armor and cries and killings they rose in hast and immediatly de Nance whome we haue before spoken of came to them and cōmanded them in the kings name to come downe into the court and to leaue their weapons behind them and lastly to depart out of the castle VVhen de Pilles sawe himselfe thrust out among the multitude of the murthering souldiers and beheld the bodies of them that were slayne he cried out with a very lowde voyce that the king might well heare him protesting vpon the kings fidelitie and detesting his trayterous infidelitie therwith he toke off a rich cloake whiche he wore and gaue it to one of his acquaintāce saying take here this token of Pilles and hereafter remember Pilles moste vnworthyly and shamefully slayne Oh my good Monsieur de Pilles saide the other I am none of them I thanke you for your cloake but I will not receiue it with that condition and so refused to take the cloake and immediatly de Pilles was thrust through by one of the guarde with a partisan and died And this ende had this most valiante and noble gentleman And then his body was throwen into the quarrey with the rest whiche when they that passed by did behold the souldiers cryed out there they be that made assault vpon vs and would haue killed the king Leranne beeing thrust through with a sword escaped and ran into the Queene of Nauarres chamber and was by hir kept and preserued from the violence of those that pursued him Shortly after she obtayned his pardon of hir brother and committing him to hir owne Phisitions restored him both to life and health VVhile things were in doing at Paris Strozzi which as we haue aforesayd was come with all his power to Rochell sent a great number of his souldiers into the towne vnder colour of a banket to be made to his friends in the castell called la Cheine but by reasō of the iealosie watches of the townes men by whom he sawe his treason was espied he went away without his purpose But they of la Charité which as we haue before shewed were trapped by the Italian horssemen taking lesse heed to the safe keeping of their towne were a little before night surprized and within fewe dayes after put to the sweard The next day following where any that had hidden themselues in corners at Paris coulde be found out the slaughter was renewed also common labourers and porters and other of the most rascals of the people and desperate villaines to haue the spoile of their clothes stripped the dead bodies starke naked threw them into the riuer of Seane The profit of all the robberies and spoyles came all for the most part to the handes of these laborers and the souldiers and to the Kings treasure came very little or nothing The onely gaine that came to him was that which might be made of the vacations as they terme them of offices and of places of Magistrates Captaines other romes of charge wherof yet he gaue a great part freely away to diuers of the court For the Admirals office he gaue to the Marques de Villars the Chancellorship of Nauarre after the murther of Francourt he by and by gaue to Henry Memne de Malassise which had been the truchman and messenger in the treatie of the last peace the office of the maister of the Finances after the slaughter of Prunes he gaue to Villequier the office of President des aides when Plateau was slaine he gaue to de Nully the other offices he sold as his maner is to such as gaue ready money for them For it hath ben the custome now lately of certaine Kings of Fraunce such as among forein nations hath not bene heard of to put to sale all the profits rights and benefites of the crowne and to kepe an open market for money of all iudiciall offices and of all the roomes belonging to his treasure and finances according to a rate of price set vpon euerie one of them and there is not in maner one in all Fraunce that doth not opēly iustifie that he bought his office for readie money and that no man ought to maruell if he desire to fill vp the empty hole of his stock againe And therefore iustice is throughe all Fraunce vsually bought for money though there be neuer so many murders committed yet is there no processe awarded to enquire thereof till present coyne be payde to the rakehelles and scribes This butcherly slaughter of Paris thus perfourmed and foure hundred houses as is abouesayd sacked immediatly messengers were sent in post into all partes of the Realme with ofte shifting their horsses for hast to command all other Cities in the Kings name to follow the example of Paris and to cause to be killed as many as they had among them of the refourmed Religion These commaundments it is wonderfull to tell how readily and cherefully the greatest part of the Cities of Fraunce did obey and execute But the king fearing as it was likely the dishonour of false treacherie and periurie sent letters to the gouernours of his prouinces and also speedie messangers into England Germanie and Switzerland to declare in his name that there was a great commotion and seditious stirre happened at Paris which he was very sorie for that the Duke of Guise had raised the people and with armed men made assaulte vpon the band that was assigned to the Admirall for his guarde and had broken into the house and slaine the Admirall and all his companie and houshold seruants and that the king had hardly kept safe from those daungers hys owne castell of the Louure where he kept him selfe close with his mother and his brethren the true copie of which letters is hereafter inserted But the same most mightie and by the consent of all nations commonlye called the most Christian King within two dayes after came into the Parliament accompanied with a great traine of his brethren and other Princes The counsell being assembled he sitting in his throne began to speake vnto them he declared that he was certified that the Admiral with certaine of his complices had conspired hys death and had intended the like purpose against his brethren the Queene his mother the king of Nauarre and that for this cause he had commaunded his friends to slay the sayde Admiral and all his confederates and so to preuent the treason of his enimies This his testification and declaratiō the king commaunded to be written and entred in the recordes of Parliament and that it should be proclamed by the heraldes and published by Printers And he willed a boke to be set forth to this effect that the slaughter of the Admirall his adherentes was done by the Kings commaundement for so was his maiesties expresse pleasure bicause they had
of Frāce by the horssemen of Gonzague Duke of Niuers nere to the towne of la Charité whiche hath a bridge ouer the riuer of Loyre and remained till that time in the power of those of the Religion by reason of the great number of thē there inhabiting This troupe was of those horssemen whiche the King hath accustomed to keepe in ordinarie wages in euery countrey whereof the most parte were Italians countrey men to their Captaine Lewes Gonzague to whome the Queene mother had giuen the daughter and heire of the Duke of Niuers in mariage They requested of the townesmen that they might make their musters within the towne saying that they had receyued warrante from the King so to do and shewed the Kings letters therefore At Lions the gouernoure of the towne commaunded a view to be taken of all those that professed the Religion and their names to be written in a boke and broughte vnto him which booke shortly after according to the successe was called the bloudy booke After the mariage ended at Paris which was the time that the Admirall had appointed to returne to his owne house he moued the king concerning his departure But so great was the preparation of playes so great was the magnificence of banquets and shewes and the King so earnestly bent to those matters that he had no leysure not onely for waightie affaires but also not so much as to take his naturall sleepe For in the French court Dauncings Maskings stageplayes wherein the King exceedingly delighteth are commonly vsed in the night time and so the time that is fittest for counsell and matters of gouernance is by reason of nightly riottous sitting vp of necessitie consumed in sleepe So great also is the familiaritie of men and the womē of the Queene mothers traine and so great libertie of sporting entertainment and talking togither as to forein nations maye seeme incredible and be thought of all honest persons a matter not very conuenient for preseruatiō of noble yong Ladies chastitie Moreouer if there come any pandor or bawde oute of Italie or any Scholemaster of shameful and filthie lust he winneth in short time maruellous fauour and credit And such a multitude is there begonne to be of Italians commonly throughout all Fraunce specially in the court since the administration of the realme was cōmitted to the Queene mother that many doe commonly call it Fraunce-Italian and some terme it a Colonie and some a common sincke of Italie These madnesses of the Courte were the cause that the Admirall could not haue accese to the Kings speache nor entrance to deale in waightie matters But whē they that were sent from the refourmed Churches to complayne of iniuries commonlye done to those of the Religion vnderstode of the Admirals purpose to departe they did with all speede deliuer to him their bookes and petitions and besoughte him not to departe from the Court till he had dealte in the cause of the Churches and deliuered their petitions to the King and his counsell For this cause the Admirall resolued to deferre his goyng for a while till he mighte treat with the kings Counsell concerning those requests for the King had promised him that he would shortly entend those matters and be present with the Counsell himselfe Besides this delay there was another matter that stayed him There was owing to the Rutters of Germanie whiche had serued on the part of the Religion in the last warre great summes of money for their wages in whiche matter the Admirall trauelled with incredible earnestnesse and care Concerning all these affaires the Admirall as he determined before hauing accesse and opportunitie for that purpose moued the Kings priuie Counsell the .22 daye of August which was the fift daye after the king of Nauarres mariage and spent muche time in that treatie Aboute noone when he was in returning home from the coūsell with a great companie of noblemen and gentlemen beholde a Harquebuzier oute of a windowe of a house neere adioyning shotte the Admirall with two bullets of leade through both the armes VVhē the Admirall felt himselfe wounded nothing at all amazed but with the same countenance that he was accustomed he said through yonder windowe it was done go see who are in the house VVhat manner of trecherie is this Thē he sent a certayne gentleman of his company to the king to declare it vnto him The king at that time was playing at Tennise wyth the Duke of Guise Assoone as he heard of the Admirals hurte he was maruellously moued as it seemed and threw away his racket that hee played with on the grounde and taking with him his brother in lawe the king of Nauarre he retired into his castle The gentlemen that were with the Admiral brake into the house from whence he receyued his hurte there they found only one woman the keper of the house and shortly after also a boy his lackey that had done the deede and therewithall they founde the harquebuze lying vppon the table in that chamber from whēce the noyse was heard him that shot they found not for he in great hast was runne away out at the backe gate and getting on horssebacke which he had wayting for him redy sadled at the dore he rode a great pace to Sainte Anthonies gate where he had a freshe horsse tarying for him if neede were and another at Marcelles gate Then by the kings commandement a great number rode out in post into all partes to pursue him but for that he was slipped into bywayes and receiued into a certaine castle they could not ouertake him At the sure of the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde and other the King by and by gaue commission for enquirie to be made of the matter and committed the examining thereof to three chosen persons of the parliament of Paris Thuan and Morsant and Viol a counseller Firste it was found that the same house belonged to a Priest a Canon of saint Germaine whose name is Villemure which had bene the Duke of Guises scholemaster in his youthe and still continued a retayner towarde hym Then the woman whiche we said was founde in the house being taken and broughte before them confessed that a fewe dayes before there came to hir one Chally sometime a maister d'hostel of the Duke of Guises house and now of the Kings courte and commaunded hir to make muche of the man that had done thys deede and to lodge him in the same bed and chamber where Villemure was wont to lie for that he was his friende and very familiar acquaintance and that Villemure would be very glad of it The name of him that shot was very dilligently kepte secret Some say it was Manreuet whiche in the thirde ciuill warre traiterously slew his captaine monsieur de Mouy a most valiante and noble gentleman and straightway fled into the enimies campe Some saye it was Bondot one of the archers of the Kings guarde VVhen the womans confession was broughte to
the king he immediatly called Monsieur de Nance captaine of his guard and commaunded him to apprehend Challey and bring him to him Challey assoone as hee heard the stroke of the peece fledde into the Kings castle called the Louure and hid him in the Duke of Guises chamber from whence he conuayed him selfe away assoone as he had heard of the kings commaundement â–ª VVhen de Nance was infourmed of his departure he answered that Challey was a gentleman of good worship and there was no doubte but when neede were he woulde appeare before the King and the magistrates VVhile these things were doyng and the Admirals wound in dressing Theligny went by his commaundement to the King and most humbly besought him in the name of his father in lawe that his maiestie woulde voutsafe to come vnto him for that his life seemed to be in perill and that he had certaine things to say greatly importing to the King safetie whiche he well knewe that none in his Realme durst declare to his maiestie The King curteously aunswered that he would willingly go to him and within a little while after he set forwarde The Queene mother went with him and the Duke of Aniow the Duke of Monpensier a most affectionate subiect to the Churche of Rome the Counte de Rhetz the Queene mothers great familiar Chauigny and Entragny which afterwarde were chiefe ringleaders in the butcherie of Paris VVhen the King had louingly saluted the Admirall as he was wont to do and had gently asked him some questions coÌ„cerning his hurt and the state of his health and the Admirall had aunswered with suche a milde and quiet countenaunce that all they that were present wondered at his temperance and pacience the king beyng much moued as it seemed sayd The hurt my Admirall is done to thee but the dishonour to me but by the death of God saith he I sweare I will so seuerely reuenge both the hurte and the dishonor that it shall neuer be forgotten He asked him also how he likâ—d of the Iudges that he had chosen to whoÌ„ he had giuen commission for examining the matter The Admiral aunswered that he could not but very well like of those that his maiestie had allowed of yet he besought him if he thought it good that Cauagnes might be called to counsell with them albeit that it was no hard matter to finde out for it was no doubt sayd he that this good turne was done him by the Duke of Guise the reuenge wherof he referred to god This onely he most heartily and humbly besoughte of his royall maiestie that the fact might be duelie enquired vpon The King aunswered that he would take earnest care of it and reuenge that iniurie with no lesse seueritie than if it had bene done to himselfe Then the kings brethren and their mother with drawing themselues a while the Admirall as it was afterward knowne by his owne report began to aduise the king to haue in memorie those things that he had ofte tolde him of the daungerous intentions of certaine persons and he tolde him that though he himself had receiued a great wound yet there was no lesse hanging ouer the kings head and that long ago there was treasoÌ„ in practizing against his life which if he would do wisely he should auoyde betimes Further he sayd that though so soone as God should take him to himselfe out of this life he doubted not but that his same should be brought into sundry slaunders by enuious persons and such as ought him euill will by reason of the late warres neuerthelesse he had oftentimes disclosed vnto the king the authors of the dissentions and opened the causes therof and that God was his witnesse of his most faithfull hearte to the king and the common weale and that he had neuer holden any thing dearer than his countrey and the publique safetie The king after such aunswere made herevnto as he thought best spake aloude heartily entreated the Admirall to suffer himself to be remoued into his castell of the Louure for that he thought some perill least there should arise some sedition among the commons alreadie in disorder or any stirre in that madde and troublesome Citie VVherto this speech of the king tended coulde not then be vnderstoode For though the coÌ„monaltie of Paris hath euer bene accompted the most foolish madde of all other yet is it euer most easily appeased not onely with the comming and presence of the king but also with the very sound of his name The Admirall most humbly and largely thanked the king and made his exuse vpon the counsell of the Phisitions which feared that shaking would encrease his paine and therfore had taken order that he should not be stirred out of his place Then the Counte de Rhetz turning to certaine gentlemen of the Admirals friends sayd I would the Admirall would follow the kings counsell for it is to be feared that some such stirre may arise in the towne as the king shall not easily be able to appease VVhich speech being vttered although no man did yet suspect whereto that aduise tended yet the Admirall his friends thought it good to request of the king to assigne vnto him certaine of the souldiers of the guarde for his safetie The king aunswered that he verie well liked of that deuise and that he was fully determined to prouide aswell for the Admirals safetie as for his owne and that he would preserue the Admirall as the ball of his eye that he had in admiration the constancie and fortitude of the man and that he neuer before that time beleued that there could be so great valiauntnesse of courage in anye mortall person Therewith the Duke of Aniow the Kings brother commaunded Cossin captaine of the Kings guarde to place a certaine band of souldiers to ward before the Admirals gate There could hardly a man be found more hatefull against the Admirals parte nor more affected to the Guisians thaÌ„ this Cossin which the successe plainly proued as hereafter shall appeare The Duke of Aniow further added that he thought it should be good for the Admirall if moe of his frieÌ„ds and familiars that lodged in the fauxburges did drawe nearer about him and forthwith he commaunded the kings herbingers to warne those to whome they had before assigned lodgings in that streete to remoue from thence and to place the Admirals friendes in their roomes VVhiche counsell was suche as none coulde possibly be deuised more fit for those things that followed For those whiche might haue by flight escaped out of the suburbs were nowe holden fast inough being enclosed not only within the walles of the towne but also within the compasse of one narrow strete The nexte day after the Vndermasters of the streetes commonly called Quartermen â—urueyed al the vittailing houses and Innes from house to house and all the names of those of the Religion together with the place of euery of their lodgings they put in bookes and with
render into the hands of God now calling for it againe the spirit that he had lent him to vse for a time and sayd that this violent crueltie was prepared not so much for his destruction as for the dishonoring of Christ and the tormenting of so many Churches the defence of which Churches he had at the potition of all godly men with his many daungers and calamities sustained In the meane time there came vp the staires into the hier part of the house one Benuese a Germayne broughte vp in the house of the Duke of Guise and to whome it is saide that the Cardinall of Loraine had giuen one of his bastard daughters in mariage and with hym came Cossin the Gascoine Attin a Picarde a retainer and familiar of the Duke d'Aumal one that a few yeares before sought to murder d'Andelot by treason and also one Hāfort an Auernois all weaponed with swords and targets and armed with shirts of maile VVhen they were broken into the Admirals chamber Benuese came to him and bending his drawen sword vpon him said Art not thou the Admirall he with a quiet and constant countenance as we haue since vnderstode by them selues answered I am so called And then seeing the sword drawen vpō him he sayde yong man consider my age and the weake case that I am now in But the fellowe after blaspheming God first thrust his sworde into the Admirals brest and then also stroke him vpō the head and Attin shot him through the brest with a pistol VVhen the Admirall was with this wound not yet throughly dead Benuese gaue him the third wound vpon the thigh and so he fell downe for dead VVhen the Duke of Guise which stayed in the court with the other noble men heard this he cried out alowde hast thou done Benuese he aunswered I haue done Then said the Duke of Guise our Cheuelier meaning King Henries bastard abouesaide vnlesse he see it with hys eyes will not beleeue it throwe him downe at the windowe Then Benuese with the helpe of his fellowes toke vp the Admirals body and threw it downe through the windowe VVhē by reason of the wounde in his head and hys face couered with bloud they could not well discerne him the Duke of Guise kneeled downe on the grounde and wiped him with a napkin and said now I know him it is he And therewithal going out at the gate with the rest of the Lords he cryed out to the multitude in armoure saying my companions we haue had a good lucky beginning nowe let vs go forward to the rest for it is the Kings commaundement which words he did ofte repete alowde saying Thus the King commaundeth This is the Kings will this is his pleasure And then he commaunded the token to be giuen by ringing tocksein with the great bell of the palace and alarme to be raysed and he caused it to be published that the conspiratours were in armoure and about to kill the king Then a certaine Italian of Gōzagues band cut off the Admirals head and sent it preserued with spices to Rome to the Pope and the Cardinall of Loraine Other cut off his hands and other his secret partes Then the common labourers and rascals three dayes togither dragged the dead body thus mangled and berayed with bloud and filth through the streetes and afterwarde drew it out of the towne to the common gallowes and hanged it vp with a rope by the feete In the meane time those of the noble mens bandes brake into all the chambers of the admirals house and suche as they founde eyther in theyr beds or hidden they mangled them with many wounds and so slaughtered them Of that number were two young children pages of honourable birth There was also the Counte Rochfoucault which for the excellent plesantnesse of his wit and for his valiantnesse was hiely beloued of King Henry and so seemed for the same cause also to be beloued of the king Him was de Nāce abouesaid commaunded to kill but he refusing it for their old acquaintance and familiaritie one Laberge an Auernois offred him self to the king to do it but with this condition that the king should giue him the captaineship of horssemen which Counte Rochfoucault had There was also slayne Theligny the Admirals sōne in law a yong man of singular towardnesse bothe of wit and courage to whome the king these many yeares had both in words and countenance made shewe of so great good will as that no man was thoughte to be more hiely in his fauoure He crying out that it was now grieuous to him to liue for that he had euer commended to his father in lawe the faithfulnesse of the King refused not the deathe offred hym And many other most flourishing yong noble men and gentlemen were euery where butcherly murthered in that streete Then the noble mens bands and Cossins souldiers went ransacking from house to house and the Admirals house and all the other houses were all sacked and spoyled euen in like manner as is vsed to be done by souldiers greedy of pray in a towne takē by assault and many by this robberie were of beggers sodeinly become riche men For the Duke of Guise the Duke of Monpensier the Cheualier king Henries bastarde Gonzague Tauaignes and the other great Lords did with reward of the spoile and bootie encourage the multitude to the slaughter and cried out aloud that this was the kings will. So all the rest of the day from morning to euening the rascall multitude encouraged by spoyle and robberie ranne with their bloudy swords raging throughout all the towne they spared not the aged nor women nor the very babes In ioy and triumph they threw the slaine bodies out at the windowes so as there was not in manner any one streete or lane that seemed not strawed with murthered carcases VVhile these things were thus a doing in the towne the King of Nauarre and the prince of Conde whome the King had lodged in hys owne castle of the Louure were by the kings commaundement sent for and conueyed vnto him But their company their seruitours of their chamber their friends reteining to them their scholemaisters and those that had the bringing vp of them crying out alowde to the Kings fidelitie for succoure were thrust out of the chambers and by the kings guard of Switzers hewed in pieces and slaughtered in the kings owne sight But of that number of persons slayne no mans case was so much lamented of many as Monsieur de Pilles in whome it is hard to expresse whether there were more godly zeale in Religion or prowesse in warre VVhereby hauing in the late yeares specially by the defence of the towne of Saint Iohn d'Angeli which the King then besieged gotten great honoure of cheualrie he was thoughte very well beloued and hiely esteemed of the king Him and Leranne the sonne of Odou by the French Kings commaundement which was not then vnderstoode whereto it tended the King of Nauarre
conspired to kill him and his brethren and the Queene his mother and the King of Nauarre And farther that the King did forbid that from thenceforth there should be no moe assemblies holden nor preachings vsed of the Religion After the kings oration ended Christopher Thuane President of that Parliament a man verie notable for his lighte brayne and his cruell heart did with very large words congratulate vnto the king that he had nowe with guile and subtiltie ouercome these his enimies whom he could neuer vanquishe by armes and battell saying that therein the King had most fully verified the olde saying of Lewes the eleuenth his progenitor King of France which was wont to say that he knew neuer a Latine sentence but this one Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare He that can not skill to dissemble can not skill to be a king But Pibrace the aduocate of the Finances made a short oration the summe wherof was to this effect that although the king had iust and great cause to be displeased yet he thoughte it more agreable with his maiesties clemencie and goodnesse to make an ende of the slaughters and common spoyle and not to suffer suche outrages to be any longer committed without iudiciall proceding in the cause and besoughte his maiestie that from thenceforth it woulde please him to vse the lawe which is well knowne to be the onely stablishment of kingdomes and empires and that there had bene alreadie giuen to the commonaltie too perilous an example to followe An arrest of Parliament with the Kings royall assent being made to that effecte there were immediately Haroldes and trumpeterâ— sent round about all the towne and an Edict proclaimed in the kings name that froÌ„ thenceforth the slaughters coÌ„mon butcherly murtherings shuld ceasse and that all persons shuld abstaine from pillage and robberie This being knowne there were diuers speeches vsed of this matter throughout the town and specially of learned men The most parte sayd that they had read many histories but in all memorie of all ages they neuer heard of any suche thing as this They compared this case with the horrible doings of king Mithridates which with one messenger and with the aduertisement of one letter caused a hundreth and fiftie thousand Romaines to be slaine Some compared it with the doing of Peter of Arragone which slewe eight thousand Frenchmen in Sicile which Isle they had surprised in his absence But yet this difference appeared betwene those cases and this that those Kings had exercised their crueltie vpon foreins and strangers but this king had done his outrage vpon his owne subiectes being yelded not so much to his power as to his fayth and credit Those kings were bounde by no promise but such as was giuen to the strangers themselues this king was with newe made league bounde to the Kings and Princes his neighbours to kepe the peace that he had sworn Those kings vsed no guilefull meanes vnworthie for the maiestie of a king to deceiue this king for a baite and allurement abused the mariage of his owne sister and in a manner besprinkled hir wedding robe with blood VVhich dishonor indignitie no posteritie of all ages can forget Some againe discoursed that though this cruell aduise semed to many Courtiers to haue bene profitable yet not onely the honor of a King but also the estimation and good same of the whole nation was against that shewe of profit They alleaged how Aristides did openly in the audience of all the people reiect the couÌ„sell of Themistocles coÌ„cerning the burning of the LacedemoniaÌ„s nauie although it must nedes haue followed that the power of the Lacedemonians their enimies should therby haue bene vtterly weakened Furius Camillus receiued not the childreÌ„ of the chiefe Lords of the Phalisce betrayed to him by their schoolemaster but stripped him naked and deliuered him to be whipped home with rods by the same childreÌ„ Pausanias hath lefte it reported that the posteritie of Philip of Macedon fell into moste greate calamities for this cause that he was wont to set light by the reuerend conscience of an oth and his faith giuen in leagues Some cited the lawe of the twelue tables Si patronuâ— clienti fraudem facit facer estâ— If the patrone or soueraigne defraude his client or vassal be he out of protectioÌ„ They disputed also that like faith as the vassall oweth to his Lord the Lord oweth also to his vassall and for what causes and for what fellonies the vassal loseth his tenancie for the same causes and fellonies the Lord loseth his segniorie Some saide that the right hand in auncient time was called the pledge of the faith of a king and that this if a king shall despise there is no communion of right with him and he is no more to be accouÌ„ted a king neither of his owne subiects nor of straungers Kingly vertues in times past haue bene reported to be these iustice gentlenesse and clemencie but crueltie and outrage haue euer bene dispraised both in all persons and specâ—ally in princes Scipio hath in all ages bene praysed who was wont to say that he had rather saue one citizen than kill a thousand enimies whiche sentence â–ª Antoninus the Emperour surnamed Pius the kind or vertuous did ofte repete It was a most shamefull by worde of yong Tiberius to be called Clay tempered with bloud They said also that kings haue power of life and death ouer their subiects but not without hering the cause and iudicial proceding that there cannot be alleaged a greater authoritie than the dictators had at Rome in whome was the soueraigne power of peace and warre of life and death and without appeale yet was it not lawfull for them to execute a citizen his cause vnheard Only theeues and murderers take away mens liues withoute order of lawe and hearing their cause VVho can doubt said they but that this so great outraâ—e so great sheading of Christian bloud is the frute of the curssed life of the courtiers For saide they nowe throughout all Fraunce whoredome and loose leudnesse of life are so free and vsuall that nowe the most part of the women of Fraunce seeme to be in manner common and the wicked blasphemies and continuall execrations and dishonorings of Gods most holy name and maiestie are suche as God cannot longer beare and true it is though incredible among foreine Nations that the catholikes of Fraunce haue prescribed them selues this for a speciall marke to bee knowne from other men that at euery thirde word they blasphemously sweare by the head death bloud and bellie of God and wonderfull it is that the King him selfe is so much delighted in this custome of swearing and blaspheming and this as it were a pestilente infection is spred abrode and common among the very plowmen and paysants so as none among them now speaketh three words without most filthy blaspheming and horrible execration of god VVho can longer beare the vile vnchastities the bawdes and
ruffians of the Courte Finally very nature it selfe doth now as it wer expostulate with God for his so long sufferaÌ„ce and forbearing and the very earth can no longer beare these monsters Nowe as touching the Admirals supposed conspiracie who can thinke it likely that hee shoulde enterprise any suche thing within the walles of Paris For in the Court there is continually watching and warding a garrison of the kings and at the entrie of his castell the guardes of Gascoines Scottes and Switzers are continually attending the king hymselfe both alwayes before and specially at that time by reason of his sisters marriage had a great trayne of Princes great Lords noblemen and gentlemen about him Moreouer it was well knowne that in Paris within three hours space might be assembled and put in armoure threescore thousand chosen armed men specially against the Admiral whom no man is ignoraÌ„t that the Parisians most deadly hated beside that the noble yoÌ„g men that came thither with the king of Nauarre and the Prince of Conde by reason of the mariage and brought wyth them their wiues their sisters and their kinswomen thoughte at that time vpon nothing but vpon triumph and exercises of pastime gaye furniture of apparell and ornamentes Finally at whither of these two times can it be likely that the Admirall attempted this conspiracie was it before he was hurt why at that time he found the king his most louing or at leaste his moste liberall and bountifull good Lord neither coulde he hope euer to haue a more fauourable soueraigne in France VVas it then after he was hurt as though forsothe helying sore of two so great woundes aged maimed of both his armes the one wherof the Phisitions consulted whether it were to be cut off accompanied with three hundreth yong men would set vpoÌ„ threscore thousand armed men or in so small a time could lay the plot for so great and so long and so heynous a fact for he liued scarce fortie houres after his hurte in which time he was enioyned by the Phisitions to forbeare talke Againe if he had bene detected of any such crime was he not committed to Cossin and to his keping and so enuironed all the wayes beset about him and so in the kings power that if it had pleased the king he might at all times in a moment be caried to prison why was not orderly enquirâ—e and iudiciall proceeding vsed according to the custome and lawes and generall right of nations and witnesses produced according to the form of lawe but be it that the Admirall and a fewe other of his confederats and followers had coÌ„spired why yet proceded the outragious crueltie vpon the rest that were innocent why vpon ancient matrones why vpon noble Ladies and yong gentlewomen and virgins that came thither for the honor of the wedding why were so many women greate with childe against the lawes of al natioÌ„s and of nature before their deliuery throwen into the riuer why were so many aged persons manye that lay sicke in their beds many gownemen manye counsellers aduocates proctors Phisitions many singularly learned professors and teachers of good artes and among the reste Petrus Ramus that renoumed man throughout the world many yong students executed with out hearing withoute pleading their cause without sentence of condemnation moreouer if the Admirall had slaine the three brethren who doubteth but that all countreyes al Cities all Parliaments finally all sortes and degrees of men would haue spedily taken armor and easily haue destroyed all of the Religion hauing them enclosed within their townes hauing iust cause to render to al forrein nations for their common slaughters and killing of them As to that which toucheth the king of Nauarre what can be imagined more absurde and vnlikely had not the Admirall him foure yeares in his power Did not he professe the same Religion that the Admirall did which of those of the Religion which of them I say as Cassius was wont to reason shoulde haue gained or receiued profit by the killing of the king of Nauarre did not the Catholikes hate him and the Admirall coulde not hope to haue any man more friendly to him nor by any other mans meanes to haue reuenge of his iniurie Lastlye in their houses that were slaine what armour what weapons were fouÌ„d by which coniectures iudges vse to be lead to trace oute a facte These matters wise men throughout the towne of Paris commonlye muttered But now to retourne to our purpose At such time as the Kings prohibition abouesaide was proclaimed at Paris not only in other townes as at Orleaunce Angiers Viaron Troys and Auxeâ—â—e the like butcheries and slaughters were vsed but also in the towne of Paris it selfe in the very gaoles that are ordeined for the keeping of prisoners if any had escaped the crueltie of the day before they were nowe tumultuously slayne by the raging and outraging multitude in which number were three Gentlemen of great reputation captaine Monins a man very famous in marciall prowesse Lomen the kings secretarie a man of greate estimation for his long seruice in the Courte and Chappes a lawyer neere fourscore yeare olde a man of great renowne in the Courte of Paris And bycause we haue made mention of Angiers we thinke it good not to omitte the case of Masson de Riuers This man was a pastâ—r of the Church and esteemed a singular maÌ„ both in vertuousnesse of life in excelleÌ„ce of wit and learning was the first that had layd the foundation of the Church at Paris As sone as the slaughter was begon at Paris Monsorel a most cruell enimie of the Religion was sente to Angiers in post to preuente all other that might carie tidings of the murdering As sone as he came into the towne he caused himselfe to be brought to Massons house There he met Massons wife in the entrie and gently saluted hir and after the maner of FrauÌ„ce specially of the Court he kissed hir and asked hir where hir husbaÌ„d was she answered that he was walking in the garden and by by she broughte MoÌ„sorel to hir husband who geÌ„tly embraced Masson and said vnto him Canst thou tell why I am come hither It is to kill thee by the Kings commaundement at this very instant time for so hath the king commaunded as thou mayst perceiue by these letters and therewith he shewed him his dag ready charged MassoÌ„ answered that he was not guiltie of any crime howbeit this one thing only he besoughte him to giue him space to call to the mercie of God and to commende his spirit into Gods hande VVhiche prayer as soone as he had ended in fewe wordes he meekely receiued the death offered by the other and was shotte through with a pellet and dyed Now to retourne to Paris the Admirals body being hanged vp by the heeles vppon the common gallowes of Paris as is aforesaid the Parisians went thither by heapes to see it And the Queene mother to
of diuine seruice and to assist the same which I thinke be to drawe Christian people to pitie and turning to their God as fasting absteyning from meates obseruation of holy dayes and ecclesiasticall pollicie according to the tradition of the Apostles and holy Fathers continued since the primitiue Church till this time and afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of Counsels receiued in the same of long and auncient time or of late be good and holy to the whiche I will and ought to obey as prescribed appointed by the holy ghost the author and director of that which serueth for the keping of Christian Religion and of the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church I beleeue also and accepte all the articles of originall sinne and of Iustification I affirme assuredly that we ought to haue and kepe the Images of Iesus Christ of his holy mother and all other saincts and doe honor and reuerence vnto them I confesse the power of indulgence and pardons to be left in the Church by Iesus Christ and the vse of thē to be verie healthfull as also I acknowledge and confesse the Church of Rome to be the mother and chief of all Churches and conducted by the holy ghost and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same come of the suggestion of the Deuill the Prince of dissention which woulde separate the vnion of the mysticall body of the sauiour of the worlde Finally I promise straightly to keepe all that was ordayned at the last generall councell of Trent and promise to God and you neuer more to depart from the Catholike Apostolike and Romaine Church and if I do which God forbid I submit my selfe to the penalties of the canons of the sayd Church made ordeyned and appointed against them which fall backe into Apostasie The which Abiuration and Confession I haue subscribed THE KINGES LETTER TO M. de Guyse and other Lieutenantes and Gouernors of his Prouinces by the which he wholly abolisheth and subuerteth al the Edictes of Pacification and willeth that onely the Romishe Religion shoulde take place in his Realme THe King knowing that the declaration which he made vpon the occasions which lately chaūced in the Citie of Paris the remebrances and instructiōs of his will which be sent round about to all Gouernours of his Prouinces and Lieutenants generall therin and particular letters to the Seneshals and his Courts of Parliament and other officers and Ministers of Iustice can not his therto staye the course of murders and robberies done in the most part of the cities of this Realme to his Maiesties great displeasure hath aduised for a more singular remedie to send all the sayde Gouernours into euery of their charges and gouernements assuring him selfe that according to the qualitie and power which they haue of his Maiestie they can well followe and obserue his intent the which more fully to declare his Maiestie hath caused his letters patentes to be dispatched which shal be deliuered them Besides the contentes wherof M. de Guise the gouernour Lieutenant generall for his Maiestie in Champaigne and Brye shall call before him the gentles men of the newe Religion abyding within his gouernement and shall tell them that the Kings wil and intent is to preserue them their wyues children and families and to mayntaine them in possession of their goods so that on their parte they liue quietly and render to his Maiestie obedience and fidelitie as they ought in which doyng the King also will defende them that they shall not be molested or troubled by waye of Iustice or otherwise in their persons and goods by reason of things done during the troubles and before the Edict of Pacification of August ▪ 1570. And afterwardes be shall louingly admonishe them to continue no longer in the Error of the newe opinions and to returne to the Catholike Religion reconciling themselues to the Catholike Romishe Church vnder the doctrine and obedience wherof Kings his predecessors and their subiects have alwayes holily lyued and this Realme hath ben cares fully conducted and maintained Shewing to thē the mischiefes and calamities which haue happened in this Realme since these newe opinions haue entred into mens spirites Howe manye murders haue bene caused by such which haue fallen from the right waye holden by their Auncestors First they made them separate them selues from the Churche then from their nexte of kinred and also to be estranged from the seruice of their king as a man may see since his raigne And althoughe the authors and heades of that side would haue couered their doyngs vnder the title of Religion and conscience yet their deedes and workes haue shewen well inough that the name of Religion was but a visarde to couer their driftes and disobedience and vnder that pretence to assemble and subborne people and to make and compel them to sweare in the cause vnder the title of disobedience and by suche wayes to turne them from the naturall affection which they owe to the King and consequently from his obedience being notorious that what commaundement so euer the King could make to them of the newe Religion they haue not since his raigne obeyed him otherwise than pleased their heads And contrariwise when their sayd heads commaunded them to arise and take to their weapons to set vpon Cities to burne Churches to sacke and pill to trouble the Realme and fill it with bloud and fire they which went so astray to follow them forgot all trust and duetie of good subiects to execute and obey their commaūdements VVhich things if the gentlemen will well consider they shall easely Iudge how vnhappie and miserable their condition shal be if they continue longer therein For they may well thinke of them selues that the king being taught by experience of so great a daunger from the which it hath pleased God to preserue him and his estate and hauing proued the mischiefes and calamities which this Realme hath suffred by the enterprises of the heads of this cause their adherentes and complices that he will neuer willingly be serued with any gentleman of his subiects that be of any other Religion than the Catholike in the whiche also the king following his predecessors will liue and die He willeth also to take away all mistrust amongst his subiects and to quench the rising of discordes and seditions that all they of whom he is serued in honorable places and specially the gentlemen which desire to be accompted his good and lawfull subiects and would obtaine his fauour and be employed in charges of his seruice according to their degrees and qualities do make profession hereafter to liue in the same Religion that he doth hauing tryed that discords and ciuill warres will not cease in a state where there be many Religions and that it is not possible for a King to maintaine in his Realme diuersities in Religion but that he shall leese the good will and beneuolence of his subiectes yea and they which are of a